Drill coulter assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drill coulter assembly (1) for a seed drill, comprising a rocker arm (2) on which a coulter disc (4), rotating about a rotational axis (3), is arranged to produce a drill furrow and on which a drill shoe (9), arranged adjacently to the coulter disc (4), is arranged to spread seed and / or fertiliser into the drill furrow, the drill shoe (9) being mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot pin (11) located adjacently to the coulter disc (4), the pivot pin (11), viewed in the direction of travel (FR), being oriented so as to be inclined downwards at an inclination angle (16) towards the drill furrow.

Description

[0001] Coulter arrangement

[0002] The present invention relates to a sowing coulter arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, a seed drill according to claim 14 is the subject of the invention.

[0003] A coulter assembly of the type mentioned above is known from US 2015 / 0334915 A1. This discloses a coulter assembly for a seed drill, comprising a rocker arm on which a coulter disc rotating about a rotation axis for creating a seed furrow, a seed shoe pivotally mounted relative to the coulter disc about a pivot axis running substantially parallel to the coulter disc for distributing seed and / or fertilizer into the seed furrow, as well as a pressure roller and a closing roller. The rotating coulter disc is arranged on the rocker arm at an angle relative to the line of travel in order to form a seed furrow in the soil surface. Due to the inclination of the coulter disc, it pushes the soil sideways and creates the seed furrow. The seed shoe is mounted next to the coulter disc to keep the generated seed furrow open and to allow the seed to be deposited therein before the loose soil falls back into the seed furrow.The seed shoe is positioned so that it runs in the shadow of the coulter disc to reduce wear on the seed shoe and minimize soil disturbance around the seed furrow. The pivot axis is inclined upwards relative to the ground in the direction of travel.

[0004] The pivoting of the seed shoe around the pivot axis serves to clean or remove material that has accumulated between the seed shoe and the coulter disc. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that when the seed shoe is pivoted out for cleaning, a wedge forms between the seed shoe and the coulter disc that closes against the direction of travel and restricts the unhindered escape of the accumulating material. This leads to further material build-up, which causes a larger pivoting movement or blockage. In addition to increased wear, the pivoting movement affects the quality of seed placement in the seed furrow. Starting from the aforementioned prior art, the object of the invention is to further develop a seed coulter arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the disadvantages known from the prior art are avoided.

[0005] This object is achieved by a seed coulter arrangement having the features of independent patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to claim 1, a coulter assembly for a seed drill is proposed, comprising a rocker arm on which a coulter disc rotating about a rotational axis for creating a seed furrow and a seed shoe arranged adjacent to the coulter disc for distributing seed and / or fertilizer into the seed furrow are arranged. The seed shoe is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis arranged adjacent to the coulter disc. According to the invention, the pivot axis is oriented at an angle of inclination downwards in the direction of travel, in the direction of the seed furrow.

[0007] The effect achieved is that the seed shoe, with its lower edge facing the seed furrow, on its front edge pointing in the direction of travel, delves deeper into the seed furrow than around the area of ​​its rear edge. If material builds up between the coulter disc and the inner side of the seed shoe facing this, this leads to an evasive movement of the seed shoe around the pivot axis. The pivoting of the seed shoe around the pivot axis inclined in the direction of travel leads to a rearward lifting and opening wedge forming between the lower edge and the soil horizon when the seed shoe makes an evasive movement in relation to the direction of travel. In the front transition between the front edge designed as a wear edge and the lower edge, the distance to the soil horizon when the seed shoe makes an evasive movement is smaller than in the rear transition between the lower edge and the rear edge of the seed shoe.

[0008] Preferably, an end of the pivot axis facing the axis of rotation is arranged substantially at the same height as the axis of rotation.

[0009] In particular, the angle of inclination of the pivot axis can be in the range between 5° and 35°. Particularly preferred is an angle of inclination in the range between 15° and 25°.

[0010] According to a preferred development, a surface of the coulter disc facing the seed shoe can enclose an opening angle with the pivot axis that opens in the direction of travel. The angle of attack of the pivot axis can be in the range between 0.5° and 5°. The angle of attack is particularly preferably in the range between 1° and 4°. Setting the angle of attack in the aforementioned range results in a wedge that opens against the direction of travel forming between the seed shoe and the coulter disc. This wedge, which opens horizontally against the direction of travel, i.e. to the rear, promotes the escape of material that has built up between the seed shoe and the coulter disc. In addition, more material can be guided past the seed shoe on the outside, i.e. on the side of the seed shoe facing away from the coulter disc.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the seed shoe can be subjected to a preload force by a spring element to press the seed shoe against the coulter disc. The front side of the seed shoe facing the coulter disc serves, among other things, to largely prevent soil from adhering to the coulter disc.

[0012] In particular, the seed shoe can have a hollow cylindrical receiving section in which the pivot axis is rotatably mounted, about which the seed shoe can pivot.

[0013] Preferably, the pivot axis can be arranged in a rotationally fixed manner in a fastening element by which the seed shoe is connected to the rocker. Preferably, the fastening element can be detachably arranged on the rocker by means of a screw connection.

[0014] Furthermore, a cylindrical shoulder can be arranged on the fastening element parallel to the pivot axis, on which the spring element, designed as a leg spring or leaf spring, is arranged. One leg of the spring element is supported on the rocker arm and the other leg on the seed shoe. The seed shoe can be subjected to the preload force by means of the spring element, preferably designed as a leg spring or leaf spring.

[0015] More preferably, the fastening element can be designed as a cast part. Alternatively, the fastening element can be designed as a component of the swing arm.

[0016] In particular, the angle of inclination and / or the angle of attack of the pivot axis can be specified by the geometry of the fastening element. Thus, by replacing the fastening element, a change in the angle of inclination and / or the angle of attack can be achieved if the evasive behavior achieved with the set angle of inclination and / or the angle of attack requires adjustment to the soil tillage conditions.

[0017] Preferably, the seed shoe may have a wear-resistant front edge. In particular, the seed shoe may have an internal channel into which a supply line opens.

[0018] The object of the invention is further achieved by a seed drill with at least one coulter arrangement, wherein the at least one coulter arrangement is designed according to one of claims 1 to 13. Reference may be made to the advantages of the coulter arrangement according to the invention.

[0019] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0020] They show:

[0021] Fig. 1 shows schematically and by way of example a side view of a sowing coulter arrangement;

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a schematic and exemplary partial view of the sowing coulter arrangement according to Fig.

[0023] 1;

[0024] Fig. 3 shows schematically and exemplarily a view from above of the sowing coulter arrangement according to Fig. 2;

[0025] Fig. 4 shows schematically and exemplarily a view according to Fig. 2 with a representation of a seed shoe in working position and in avoidance position; and

[0026] Fig. 5 shows a schematic and exemplary view from the front of the sowing coulter arrangement according to Fig. 4.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a schematic and exemplary side view of a coulter assembly 1 of a seed drill. The coulter assembly 1 comprises a rocker arm 2, on which a coulter disc 4 is arranged, rotating about a rotation axis 3, to create a seed furrow in the soil. The coulter disc 4 can be connected to a depth control device 5, which in the illustrated embodiment consists of a wheel that rolls laterally over the soil next to the seed furrow to scan the soil contour. Furthermore, a pressure roller 7 and a covering roller 8 are arranged on the rocker arm 2, which are arranged downstream of the coulter disc 4 as seen in the direction of travel FR. A seed shoe 9 arranged adjacent to the coulter disc 4 serves to spread seed and / or fertilizer into the seed furrow created by the coulter disc 4. The seed shoe 9 is connected by a connecting line 10 to a storage container, which holds the seed and / or fertilizer.The seed shoe 9 is pivotally mounted relative to the coulter disc 4 about a pivot axis 11 arranged adjacent to the coulter disc 4.

[0028] The illustration in Fig. 2 shows a schematic and exemplary partial view of the sowing coulter assembly 1 according to Fig. 1. The sowing shoe 9 has a wear-resistant front edge 12, which partially protrudes into the sowing furrow. A substantially horizontal lower edge 13 extends between the front edge 12 and a rear edge 14. The sowing shoe 9 has an internal channel into which the supply line 10 opens. The channel opens in the section of the lower edge 13 facing the rear edge 14.

[0029] A plate-shaped component 15 arranged at the rear edge 14, which extends in sections beyond the lower edge 13 into the seed furrow, serves to prevent seed from jumping after it has touched the soil and before the seed furrow is closed by the trailing covering roller 8. The component 15 is preferably made of an elastic material. The component 15 can be made of a plastic or a metal.

[0030] The pivot axis 11 is oriented at an angle of inclination 16 downwards in the direction of the seed furrow, as viewed in the direction of travel FR. This is illustrated by the representation of a longitudinal axis 18 of the pivot axis 11 in Figs. 1 and 2. The angle of inclination 16 of the pivot axis 11 can be in the range between 5° and 35°. Preferably, the angle of inclination 16 is in the range between 15° and 25°. An end of the pivot axis 11 facing the axis of rotation 3 of the coulter disc 4 is arranged essentially at the same height as the axis of rotation 3. The end of the pivot axis 11 facing away from the axis of rotation 3 of the coulter disc 4 is at a level below the axis of rotation 3.

[0031] The seed shoe 9 has a hollow cylindrical receiving section 17 in which the pivot axis 11 is rotatably mounted, about which the seed shoe 9 can pivot. The pivot axis 11 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner in a fastening element 19. The seed shoe 9 is connected to the rocker arm 2 by means of the fastening element 19. Preferably, the fastening element 19 can be detachably arranged on the rocker arm 2 by means of a screw connection 20.

[0032] The fastening element 19 can preferably be designed as a cast part. Alternatively, the fastening element 19 can be formed as part of the rocker arm 2. The seed shoe 9 is subjected to a preload force by a spring element 21 in order to position the seed shoe 9 with respect to the coulter disc 4 essentially flush and free of play. The spring element 21 is preferably designed as a leg spring 22 or leaf spring. A cylindrical shoulder is arranged on the fastening element parallel to the pivot axis 11, on which shoulder the spring element 21 is arranged. One leg of the leg spring 22 is supported on the rocker arm 2 and its other leg on the seed shoe 9.

[0033] The illustration in Fig. 3 shows a schematic and exemplary top view of the coulter assembly 1 according to Fig. 2. The pivot axis 11, with the surface of the coulter disc 4 facing the seed shoe 9, encloses an angle of attack 23 that opens in the direction of travel FR. The angle of attack 23 of the pivot axis 11 can be in the range between 0.5° and 5°. Particularly preferably, the angle of attack 23 is in the range between 1° and 4°.

[0034] Fig. 4 shows a schematic and exemplary view according to Fig. 2 with an illustration of the seed shoe 9 in a working position 24 and in an evasive position 25. In its working position 24, the seed shoe 9 rests with its inner side facing the coulter disc 4 in sections against the surface of the coulter disc 4. This serves to prevent soil from adhering to the coulter disc 4. This position of the seed shoe 9 is held by the pre-tensioning force exerted by the spring element 21. However, if soil builds up between the coulter disc 4 and the seed shoe 9, this leads to an evasive movement of the seed shoe 9 about the pivot axis 11.

[0035] The working position 24 of the sowing shoe 9 is shown in Fig. 4 superimposed by the alternative position 25 of the sowing shoe 9.

[0036] Fig. 5 shows a schematic and exemplary view from the front of the coulter arrangement 1 according to Fig. 4. The illustration shows the superimposed representation of the sowing shoe 9 in the working position 24 and in the avoidance position 25. Merely for better illustration, the working position 24 and the avoidance position 25 of the sowing shoe 9 are shown with a lateral deflection relative to the coulter disc 4, which does not correspond to the actual operating conditions.

[0037] As can be seen from Fig. 4, the seed shoe 9, with its lower edge 13 facing the seed furrow, dips deeper into the seed furrow on its front edge 12 pointing in the direction of travel FR than in the area of ​​the rear edge 14. This is made clear by a distance 26 that arises between the lower edge 13 in the transition to the rear edge 14 and the soil horizon 6 due to the evasive movement. If material accumulates between the coulter disc 4 and the inner side of the seed shoe 9 facing it, this leads to an evasive movement of the seed shoe 9 about the pivot axis 11. The pivoting of the seed shoe 9 about the pivot axis 11, which is inclined by the angle of inclination 16 in the direction of travel FR, leads to the formation of a wedge that lifts backwards with respect to the direction of travel FR, with the distance 26 between the lower edge 13 and the soil horizon 6.In the front transition between the front edge 12 and the lower edge 13, the distance to the soil horizon 6 during an evasive movement of the seed shoe 9 is smaller than in the rear transition between the lower edge 13 and the rear edge 14 of the seed shoe 9.

[0038] Fig. 5 illustrates an additional effect which is achieved by setting the angle of attack 23 in the aforementioned range. The provision of the angle of attack 23 leads to the formation of a cleaning wedge which opens counter to the direction of travel FR between the seed shoe 9 and the coulter disc 4. The inner side of the seed shoe 9 facing the coulter disc 4 undergoes a rotation during the evasive movement so that in the evasive position 25 the horizontal distance between the front edge 12 and the coulter disc 4 is smaller than the horizontal distance between the rear edge and the coulter disc 4. This cleaning wedge which opens counter to the direction of travel FR, i.e. to the rear, promotes the escape of material which has accumulated between the seed shoe 9 and the coulter disc 4. The cleaning wedge runs essentially parallel to the soil horizon 6. In addition, more material can be guided past the seed shoe 9 on the outside, ie on the side of the seed shoe 9 facing away from the coulter disc 4.

[0039] List of reference symbols

[0040] 1 coulter arrangement

[0041] 2 swingarm

[0042] 3 axis of rotation

[0043] 4 coulter discs

[0044] 5 Depth control device

[0045] 6 Soil horizon

[0046] 7 Pressure roller

[0047] 8 Cover roller

[0048] 9 Seed shoe

[0049] 10 Supply line

[0050] 11 Swivel axis

[0051] 12 leading edge

[0052] 13 Bottom edge

[0053] 14 trailing edge

[0054] 15 component

[0055] 16 tilt angles

[0056] 17 Recording section

[0057] 18 Longitudinal axis

[0058] 19 Fastening element

[0059] 20 screw connection

[0060] 21 Spring element

[0061] 22 torsion spring

[0062] 23 angle of attack

[0063] 24 working positions

[0064] 25 Alternative position

[0065] 26 distance

[0066] FR direction of travel

Claims

Patent claims 1. Sowing coulter arrangement (1) for a seed drill, comprising a rocker arm (2) on which a coulter disc (4) rotating about a rotation axis (3) for creating a sowing furrow and a sowing shoe (9) arranged adjacent to the coulter disc (4) for spreading seed and / or fertilizer into the sowing furrow are arranged, wherein the sowing shoe (9) is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis (11) arranged adjacent to the coulter disc (4), characterized in that the pivot axis (11) is oriented inclined downwards at an angle of inclination (16) in the direction of travel (FR) in the direction of the sowing furrow.

2. Sowing coulter arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that an end of the pivot axis (11) facing the axis of rotation (3) is arranged substantially at the same height as the axis of rotation (3).

3. Seed coulter arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the angle of inclination (16) of the pivot axis (11) is in the range between 5° and 35°.

4. Sowing coulter arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a surface of the coulter disc (4) facing the sowing shoe (9) encloses with the pivot axis (11) an angle of attack (23) which opens when viewed in the direction of travel (FR).

5. Sowing coulter arrangement (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the angle of attack (23) of the pivot axis (11) is in the range between 0.5° and 5°.

6. Sowing coulter arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sowing shoe (9) is subjected to a prestressing force by a spring element (21) in order to position the sowing shoe (9) with respect to the coulter disc (4) without play and flush with each other.

7. Sowing coulter arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sowing shoe (9) has a hollow cylindrical receiving section (17) in which the pivot axis (11) is rotatably mounted, about which the sowing shoe (9) can pivot.

8. Sowing coulter arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot axis (11) is arranged in a fastening element (19) in a rotationally fixed manner, by means of which the sowing shoe (9) is connected to the rocker (2).

9. Sowing coulter arrangement (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that a cylindrical shoulder is arranged on the fastening element (19) parallel to the pivot axis (11), on which the spring element (21) designed as a leg spring (22) is arranged, one leg of which is supported on the rocker (2) and the other leg of which is supported on the sowing shoe (9).

10. Sowing coulter arrangement (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the fastening element (19) is designed as a cast part or as a component of the rocker (2).

11. Sowing coulter arrangement (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the pivot angle (16) and the angle of attack (23) of the pivot axis (11) can be predetermined by the geometry of the fastening element (19).

12. Sowing coulter arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sowing shoe (9) has a wear-resistant front edge (12).

13. Sowing coulter arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sowing shoe (9) has an internal channel into which a supply line (10) opens.

14. Seed drill with at least one sowing coulter arrangement (1), characterized in that the at least one sowing coulter arrangement (1) is designed according to one of the preceding claims.

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