Centrifugal distributor of granular products

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a centrifugal distributor for granular products such as fertilizers. A centrifugal distributor (10) for granular products comprises at least one distribution disk (1; 2) which rotates around a vertical axis (X1; X2) and which is provided with a set of feed blades (4) for the granular product, a deflector (3) for distributing in the field boundary which can move into and out of the working position, comprising for each disk (1; 2) a corresponding screen (40) which in the working position is located directly behind the part of the circumference of the corresponding disk (1; 2) outside the trajectory of the set of feed blades (4) to intersect the feed trajectory of the granular product on the part of the circumference and / or redirect it in accordance with the deflected feed trajectory, a screen (40) comprising a fixed set of blades (36) and at least one movable set of blades (33) which can be adjusted relative to the fixed set of blades (36) to change the deflection trajectory, wherein at least one movable set of blades (33) can be located relative to fixed set of blades (36) in accordance with the trajectory of rotational-translational control.EFFECT: centrifugal distributor allows for precise adjustment of the throttle control at the field boundary and also provides the ability to automate this adjustment using actuators.10 cl, 7 dwg

Description

[0001] Field of technology to which the present invention relates

[0002] The invention relates to a centrifugal distributor for granular products such as fertilizers and the like, and a deflector for the centrifugal distributor. Such distributors are better known in the agricultural field under the term "centrifugal spreader"; both terms will be used interchangeably in the following description.

[0003] Prior art of the present invention

[0004] These spreaders are typically equipped with one or two discs, each equipped with a set of feeder blades and rotating at high speed around a corresponding vertical axis. The product being distributed is metered and can be adjusted on each disc to spread it due to the centrifugal force applied to the granules. A deflector is primarily used to distribute granular products within the field boundaries, limiting, and preferably preventing, product spillage beyond the field boundaries.

[0005] Currently commercially available central deflectors (i.e., those designed for double-disc spreaders) consist of two screens that, when deployed, partially enclose the spreading discs. The operator, where possible, lowers both screens to partially intercept the fertilizer ejected by the discs.

[0006] The mechanism that allows the deflector to be raised and lowered into and out of the working position usually has a parallelogram hinge system or a hinge type movement system.

[0007] Depending on the type of fertilizer, the working width and the distance from the boundary, it may be necessary to adjust the deflector by changing the position and / or shape of the two screens to increase or decrease the proportion of fertilizer intercepted and deflected.

[0008] Various adjustment systems are commonly used for this purpose. An example is increasing or decreasing the screen size to cover a greater or lesser portion of the feed circle. Alternatively, screens are equipped with end flaps whose position relative to the fixed portion of the corresponding screen is adjustable.

[0009] WO2016 / 108196A1 describes a group of deflectors comprising a support frame to which fixed deflector fins and adjustable deflector fins are attached. The fixed deflector fins are rigidly connected to the support frame, and the adjustable deflector fins are rotatably mounted on the support frame. A control plate is movable relative to the support frame in the direction of movement to control the rotation of the adjustable deflector fins.

[0010] In another well-known solution, two screens are connected to each other with the ability to freely change the angle between them.

[0011] Finally, a central deflector is also known, formed by two channel-shaped screens, inside which a movable adjustment flap is located.

[0012] Therefore, all these known systems rely on rotating or reciprocating deflector screens. They have one or more of the following drawbacks. First, they often have undesirable dimensions and protrusions at the rear of the distributor, including the fact that the adjustment path of the moving screen parts must be relatively high to ensure significant and effective adjustment. In some cases, the deflector must be positioned in an idle position (for example, inverted relative to the operating position), requiring significant intervention to bring it into operation. Furthermore, these systems are not suitable for remote adjustment, which can be accomplished using actuators. Finally, the adjustment that can be achieved is approximate and imprecise.

[0013] The essence of the present invention

[0014] The aim of the invention is to create a centrifugal distributor for granular products, such as fertilizers and the like, which is structurally and functionally configured to at least partially overcome one or more of the disadvantages set forth with reference to the cited prior art. The primary objective of the invention is to create a distributor of the aforementioned type that allows for precise adjustment of the throttle control at the field boundary. Furthermore, the invention aims to automate this adjustment using actuators.

[0015] Thus, in a first aspect, the present invention relates to a centrifugal distributor for granular products such as fertilizers and the like, comprising:

[0016] - at least one distribution disk that rotates around a vertical axis and is provided with a set of feeding blades for the granular product,

[0017] - a deflector for distribution at the field boundary, which can be moved into and out of the working position,

[0018] - the deflector preferably comprises for each disk a corresponding screen, which in the working position is located directly behind the part of the circumference of the corresponding disk outside the trajectory of the set of feed blades, intersecting the feed trajectory of the granular product on the part of the circumference and / or redirecting it in accordance with the deflected feed trajectory.

[0019] It is preferable for the screen to comprise a movable set of blades, but even more preferably, it to comprise a fixed set of blades and at least one movable set of blades that can be adjusted relative to the fixed set of blades to change the deflected feed trajectory. In one aspect of the invention, the movable set of blades of each screen can be positioned relative to the deflector, and in particular relative to the corresponding fixed set of blades, in accordance with the rotational-translational adjustment trajectory.

[0020] In the second aspect of the invention, the deflector comprises at least a first plate and a second plate, which are directionally connected for translational movement relative to one another. Preferably, a movable set of vanes is attached to both plates at at least two spaced locations using a corresponding pin. In a preferred embodiment, each pin engages pairs of first and second channels formed in the plates and defines corresponding and intersecting cam profiles, defining a unique position for each pin, since the relative position of the first plate varies depending on the second plate.

[0021] Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred, although not limiting, embodiment, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] - Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a detail of a centrifugal distributor according to the invention;

[0024] - Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the distributor of Fig. 1, adapted for distribution in an open field;

[0025] - Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of the distributor of Fig. 1, adjusted for distribution at the field boundary;

[0026] - Figs. 4A, B and 5A, B show schematic views of the distributor part shown in the previous figures and the corresponding position of its fixed and movable set of blades in two different adjustment positions;

[0027] - Figs. 6, 6A and 7, 7A are perspective views of a detail of the distributor shown in the previous figures and the corresponding position of its fixed and movable set of blades in two different adjustment positions.

[0028] Detailed disclosure of the present invention

[0029] In the figures, a centrifugal distributor for granular products, comprising a pair of discs 1, 2, each of which is provided with a corresponding set of feed blades 4, generally designated 10. The discs rotate in opposite directions (i.e., say, in a direction opposite to each other) around a corresponding vertical axis X1, X2 by means of a suitable motorization system, for example, a gearbox, hydraulic motors or electric motors, etc.

[0030] A deflector device 3, constructed according to the present invention, is provided between the disks. The deflector 3 is movable to and from the operating position, which is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. However, when the deflector 3 is in the non-operating position, it is removed from the disks 1, 2 in such a position as not to affect the operation of the centrifugal distributor.

[0031] The movement between two positions is carried out using a hinged parallelogram mechanism 11 with at least one pair of rods 11a, b, which are hingedly attached on one side to a fixed support 12, and on the opposite side to a movable support 13. A linear drive 14, for example an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive or a drive with rotation, serves to move the parallelogram 11 into the working position and from it, for example, by controlling the rotation of one of the pairs of rods 11a, b with the help of a handle 16 relative to the place of rotation, respectively.

[0032] The fixed support is attached to the frame 17 of the distributor, and the movable support 13 is attached to the first plate 18 of the deflector using, for example, threaded or bolted connections 19. Thus, the first plate 18 is fixed with the help of the relatively movable support, retracting the entire deflector 3 when moving into and out of the working position.

[0033] With respect to the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the second plate 20 is superimposed on the first plate 18 and is guided along it in a sliding manner, for example, by means of a set of guides that are formed in the form of two or more channels 24 (four in the illustrative embodiment), which are preferably rectilinear and parallel to each other.

[0034] The corresponding guide pins 25, attached to the first plate 18, slide into the channels 24. It can be seen that there are a pair of channels 24 for each disk. However, with respect to the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the additional channel 21 is engaged using a screw that can be moved using a handle 23 and serves to frictionally lock the two plates together.

[0035] In the first plate 18, an additional plurality of channels 26a, b, c and 27a, b, c are formed, the formation and arrangement of which will be explained in more detail below. At a particular moment in time, it can be seen that they include two rows of three channels, which are curvilinear, one row for each disk, and the first row has a mirror-symmetrical arrangement relative to the second row. The corresponding pair of rows of three channels 28a, b, c and 29a, b, c are located on the second plate 20. The corresponding channels, that is, the channels related to the adjustment of the same disk and interacting with each other in pairs, are designated by the same indices a, b, c in relation to the pairs of channels 26 and 28 and the pairs 27 and 29.

[0036] Both of these pairs of corresponding channels have the same guide roller or pin 30a, b, c and 31a, b, c which acts as a cam follower as shown below.

[0037] With respect to the embodiment shown in Fig. 7A, the guide pins 30a, b, c and 31a, b, c are attached with a predetermined relative position to the corresponding directional elements, which are formed by the first brackets 32, to which a movable set of blades 33 of the deflector 3 is additionally attached. The movable set of blades 33 preferably comprises two (or more) sections 33a, b, which are preferably arranged at an angle to each other so as to form a concavity facing the corresponding disk. It is further envisaged that these sections represent a single curved profile.

[0038] The deflector 3 further comprises a second bracket 35 which supports a fixed set of blades 36, which also preferably consists of two sections 36a, b which are located at an angle to each other (or in the limit having a curved profile) with a concavity facing the corresponding disk.

[0039] Thus, the movable and fixed sets of blades form for each disc a corresponding screen, which is generally designated by the number 40 and which is located, when the deflector 3 is in the working position, immediately behind the part of the circumference of the corresponding disc outside the trajectory of the set of feed blades, intersecting the feed trajectory of the granular product on a part of the circumference and / or redirecting it in accordance with the deflected feed trajectory.

[0040] The deflector 3 serves to distribute the granular material near the field boundary B, as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 3. In this case, under open field conditions, the granular material is fed to both discs 1, 2 and spread in the feed sector S of approximately 180° with an intersection in the overlap zone; when spreading at the field boundary B, the feed occurs only to one spreading disc, and the tractor, which carries or pulls the distributor 10, moves along the field boundary B or at a short distance from it within the corresponding field. The feed disc is directed into the field being processed. In this case, the deflector 3 is a barrier capable of crossing the feed sector S, reducing it to approximately 90°, in order to prevent the loss of the distributed granular material beyond the field boundary B.

[0041] The movable set of blades 33 can be moved relative to the corresponding fixed set of blades 36, changing the length of the corresponding sector S of the feed of each disk. The adjustment path is such that it allows changing the length of the screen 40 in the direction of a part of the circumference of the sector S of the feed of the corresponding disk in the direction of decreasing or increasing. Since the movable set of blades 33 is held on the first plate 18 and the second plate 20 by means of the corresponding first bracket 32 ​​with the help of pins 30a, b, c with both corresponding channels 26a, 28a-26b, 28b-26c, 28c, respectively, this leads to the fact that the movable set of blades as a result of the linear movement of the plates 18, 20 relative to each other and with a suitable profile of the channels can be located relative to the corresponding fixed set of blades 36 in accordance with the trajectory of the rotational-translational adjustment.

[0042] In order to ensure the relative movement between the guide pins 30a, b, c and 31a, b, c and the corresponding pairs of channels and, therefore, prevent the device from being blocked, it is preferable that at least one pair of corresponding channels that are engaged by the same pin, and preferably a single pair of channels, are engaged by a corresponding pin with a radial clearance that is smaller than the radial clearance between the corresponding other pins and the corresponding pairs of channels. Thus, the single pair of channels and the corresponding pin ensure the relative movement of the movable set of blades 33, and the action of the remaining pairs of channels and the corresponding pins is limited as a support and positional constraint between the plates 18, 20.

[0043] In some embodiments, each set of guide pins 30a, b, c and 31a, b, c comprises a main pin, designated 30b and 31b, respectively, and two additional pins, designated 30a, c and 31a, c, respectively.

[0044] Preferably, the additional pins 30a, c and 31a, c are intended only to support the deflector and guide it in accordance with the channels of the first plate 18 to such an extent that the channels of the second plate 20 in the region of the additional pins are preferably much wider than the corresponding pins. More specifically, the channels of the second plate 20 are sized to accommodate the corresponding additional pins 30a, c and 31a, c with a radial clearance greater than the radial clearance between the main pins 30b and 31b and the corresponding pairs of channels.

[0045] Although it is possible that all pins and corresponding pairs of channels contribute to the guidance of the movable set of blades 33, this solution is preferable since it limits the occurrence of friction and reduces the likelihood of jamming during adjustment of the movable set of blades.

[0046] Since the relative translational movement of the first plate 18 and the second plate 20 is linear, then by forming channels it is possible to obtain a rotational-translational movement of the movable plates 33 with the maximum adjustment efficiency (the movable set of blades will intersect to a greater or lesser extent, in accordance with the applied adjustment, the trajectory of the set of feed blades) even with a relatively moderate corresponding movement of the plates. This fact makes it possible to advantageously limit the dimensions of the deflector 3 and make possible both manual and mechanized actuation. In particular, with regard to the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, it is possible to carry out manual adjustment of the deflector, for example, using the handle 43, which is attached to the extension 42 of the second plate. Alternatively, with reference to the embodiment shown in Fig.7, it is possible to carry out a mechanized adjustment of the deflector, for example, using a linear drive 41, which is inserted between the fixed part of the deflector, for example, the first plate 18 and the extension 42.

[0047] It should be noted that the trajectory of channels 26, 27, 28, and 29 (a, b, c) is selected to achieve the maximum possible free opening, forcing the movable set of blades 33 to move in a manner that avoids impacting the distributor elements under any conditions, both in operation and in non-operation, especially during movement from the operating position to the non-operating position and vice versa. The trajectory of the channels, their length, and the dimensions of the movable set of blades 33 are designed to ensure the ability to adjust the deflector even in the non-operating position.

[0048] Furthermore, the dimensions, position and trajectory of the channels and the corresponding guide pins are selected so that the forces generated by the interaction between the channels and the pins are oriented at such angles as to ensure the movement of the deflectors and the corresponding sets of blades.

[0049] Thus, the adjustment path is such that it allows the extent of the screen 40 to be changed in the direction of decreasing or increasing in the direction of the part of the circumference of the corresponding disk, crossing it to a lesser or greater extent, respectively.

[0050] Deflector 3 is adjustable, as the "range" of fertilizer discharge from the disc varies depending on the type of granular material being spread and the machine's working width. Therefore, to minimize the amount of fertilizer spilled beyond the field boundary while still applying fertilizer to the B field boundary, it is necessary to use the supplied disc to a greater or lesser extent according to working conditions.

[0051] The deflector is preferably continuously adjustable according to operating requirements. However, it is also possible to adjust it through individual preset positions. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, to facilitate adjustment, a graduated scale 46 is located near the channels 24, which, through the effect of indicator 47, displays the superimposed throttling of the supply sector S.

[0052] The use of a fixed set of 36 blades is dictated by size, as there is insufficient space to manufacture a deflector equipped with only sets of movable blades. For this reason, a combination of fixed and movable blade sets was chosen, although the use of a single set of blades that is exclusively movable was not ruled out.

[0053] The adjustment of the 33 sets of movable blades takes into account the “ballistic” properties of the material being distributed, such as the specific gravity, the shape of the granules, the tendency to drift, and the circumstances of its distribution, such as the presence of wind, atmospheric phenomena, etc.

Claims

1. Centrifugal distributor (10) for granulated products, containing: - at least one distribution disk (1; 2), which rotates around a vertical axis (X1; X2) and which is provided with a set of feeding blades (4) for the granulated product, - a deflector (3) for distribution within the field boundary, designed with the possibility of movement into and out of the working position, - wherein the deflector (3) contains for each disk (1; 2) a corresponding screen (40), which in the working position is located directly behind the part of the circumference of the corresponding disk (1; 2) outside the trajectory of the set of feed blades (4), intersecting the trajectory of the feed of the granulated product on a part of the circumference and / or redirecting it in accordance with the deflected feed trajectory, - a screen (40) comprising a fixed set of blades (36) and at least one movable set of blades (33) configured to be adjusted relative to the fixed set of blades (36) to change the deflection trajectory, characterized in that at least one movable set of blades (33) is designed with the possibility of being positioned relative to a fixed set of blades (36) in accordance with the trajectory of rotational-translational adjustment.

2. The centrifugal distributor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the deflector (3) comprises at least a first plate (18) and a second plate (20) which are directionally connected for moving one of them translationally relative to the other, and wherein the movable set of blades (33) is attached to both plates (18, 20) in at least two places spaced apart from each other by means of a corresponding pin (30a; 30b; 30c), wherein each pin is involved in pairs of first and second channels (26a, 28a; 26b, 28b; 26c, 28c) which are formed in the plates (18, 20) and define respective and intersecting cam profiles so as to define a unique position for each pin (30a; 30b; 30c) since the relative position of the first plate (18) changes relative to the second plate (20).

3. A centrifugal distributor (10) according to claim 2, in which at least one pair of corresponding channels (26a, 28a; 26b, 28b; 26c, 28c) are engaged with the same pin (30a; 30b; 30c), and preferably one pair of channels is engaged with the corresponding pin with a radial clearance that is smaller than the radial clearance between the corresponding other pins and the corresponding pairs of channels.

4. A centrifugal distributor (10) according to claim 2 or 3, in which a pair of pins (30a; 30b; 30c) and corresponding channels (26a, 28a; 26b, 28b; 26c, 28c) connected thereto provide rotational-translational movement of the movable set of blades (33) as a result of relative movement of the first plate (18) relative to the second plate (20).

5. A centrifugal distributor (10) according to one or more of the previous points, in which the adjustment path of the movable set of blades (33) is designed with the possibility of changing, in the direction of increasing or decreasing, the length of the screen (40) in the direction of the sector of the circumference of the corresponding disk (1; 2).

6. A centrifugal distributor (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising at least three pins (30a; 30b; 30c) and corresponding channels (26a, 28a; 26b, 28b; 26c, 28c) connected thereto.

7. A centrifugal distributor (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the channels (26a, 28a; 26b, 28b; 26c, 28c) have a curved shape.

8. A centrifugal distributor (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the plates (18, 20) are directed rectilinearly relative to each other.

9. A centrifugal distributor (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a drive (41) which is located between the plates (18, 20) for their relative sliding.

10. A centrifugal distributor (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a hinged parallelogram support (11) for moving the deflector (3) into and out of the working position.

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