Modular seed body

Abstract

A modular sowing body composed of at least one soil copying module (100), a central module (200) that carries the active sowing implements, such as furrow opening discs, seed dispensers, grain treading devices, among others; a capping module (300), located at the back, comprising a plurality of capping wheels to cover the furrow once the seeds have been deposited in the soil. The modules that make up the modular seed body are independently interchangeable with each other, making it possible to have seed trains with different characteristics depending on the components chosen. Likewise, the modular construction of the planting body object of the present invention allows the use of accessories adaptable to various planting machines, so that it is possible to configure the same tools to different machinery.

Description

[0001] MODULAR SEED BODY

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to the technical field of agricultural machinery. More precisely, the present invention relates to the technical field of seeders for direct sowing, of the type that are composed of a plurality of seed trains in rows. Even more precisely, the present invention relates to a modular seeding body, for use in direct row seeding machines, wherein said seeding body is made up of several interchangeable modules that allow to configure the seeding body in multiple ways to adapt to different machines or particular seeding conditions.

[0004] PRIOR ART AND PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED

[0005] Direct row sowing machines are widely known and used today to perform seed sowing tasks in the agricultural industry.

[0006] Throughout history, this type of machine has evolved in various ways, so there is currently a diverse variety of models, types, and configurations, which differ from each other in the quantity, type and arrangement of components, size, forms of planting, and so on. However, this type of machinery has some elements common to all models that allow them to be identified as such. Generally, these machines are towing elements that are towed by a tractor. They are composed of a main chassis comprising one or more central hoppers for storing the seeds to be dispensed and, eventually, granulated fertilizers. This chassis is usually arranged transversely to the direction of advance, so as to cover a field band as it moves in one direction. Along this band, there is a plurality of tools, commonly called trains or sowing bodies, which are responsible for locating the seeds to be sown in the soil of the field.

[0007] Depending on the type of seed to be dispensed, the conditions of the soil to be sown and the type of machinery used, these sowing bodies differ from each other.

[0008] Mainly, the sowing bodies usually comprise a suspension assembly, usually located in the linkage to the central chassis of the sowing machine; furrow opener discs, in charge of tilling the land so that the seeds can be deposited; seed dispensers, which can be of different types and operation, depending on the characteristics of the grains to be dispensed; and means to close the furrow, which cover the row of open field, covering the seeds that the sower arranged in its path. Naturally, the number, type and arrangement of these elements may vary from one seed body to another and even some seed bodies may include additional elements or tools to those mentioned.

[0009] The specificity of the equipment means that each seeding machine requires particular seeding bodies. Even when changing the type of seed to be dosed, it is usually necessary to reconfigure the sowing bodies for the appropriate task. This implies a great complication when configuring the machines since each planter has a plurality of planting bodies, being able to reach several dozens of these in the largest machines.

[0010] Therefore, when having to change crops to sow or adapt the planter to a different land to sow another field, eventually it is also necessary to reconfigure all the sowing bodies, a situation that implies a high cost of equipment and a great adaptation work that also entails high preparation times.

[0011] Currently, planting bodies are known that allow the replacement and exchange of some parts to be able to adapt them to different soil conditions, such as the model described in document US2005284350A1 that discloses a planting body with interchangeable seed dispensers.

[0012] This implement allows you to use the same body of seeds and exchange the dispensers to adapt the tools of the planter depending on the crop to be dosed. In this way, it is possible to opt for various variants of dispensers, such as pneumatic, mechanical, for coarse or fine grains and to expand the versatility of the sowing bodies. However, exchanging only the dispenser is not enough to overcome the full spectrum of problems that can be faced when tackling a planting campaign.

[0013] Another example in the same sense is seen in document US2014224843A1 , where the modular design is also used to provide versatility and flexibility to the seed bodies, allowing various configurations to be acquired, exchanging dispensers and, particularly, grain hoppers, which feed said dispensers.

[0014] Again, the focus is on the exchange of dispensers, in order to adapt the machinery to a plurality of crops for sowing. However, exchanging only the dispenser is not enough to overcome the full spectrum of problems that can be faced when tackling a planting campaign.

[0015] Soil conditions often change from one field to another, so it is often necessary to modify the loading elements of the sowing bodies, responsible for effecting the pressure against the soil that regulates the penetration of the tillage discs and the depth that the seeds to be dosed will reach on the field. Although most of the current seed bodies comprise regulation elements to adjust the load and the pressure force against the soil, eventually this regulation is insufficient and it is necessary to modify the entire set, a situation that results in the integral replacement of all the seed bodies. Another common problem is related to the closure of the furrows once the seeds have been deposited. Usually, the sowing bodies are provided with a set of covering wheels, on the back of them, which are responsible for covering the carved line with soil again.

[0016] These capping wheels have various configurations and arrangements depending on the terrain on which they are going to work, for example, they may differ in the angle of incidence, the relative position of the wheels to each other, the pressure force of the capping carriage against the terrain, the format of the wheels, among other variables.

[0017] Although there are currently seed bodies that offer the possibility of adjusting some parameters of the cover trolley, such as the pressure force against the soil, this correction is often not sufficient to adapt the cover wheels to the various conditions that the soil can offer to work and, therefore, it is necessary to replace the implements, with the inevitable consequence of having to completely reconfigure the entire seed body.

[0018] Likewise, all this plurality of possible combinations and configurations must be multiplied by the number of existing seed drill chassis, that is, the main bodies of the seed drill machine. As explained above, each seeding machinery has a particular way of mounting the seeding bodies, so that the tools of a specific machine are not compatible with another seeder.

[0019] These circumstances imply a high cost of equipment, limited availability of spare parts and accessories, limited usefulness of the machines and complex configuration and maintenance tasks.

[0020] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0021] It is therefore an object of the present invention a modular seed body which overcomes the defects of the prior art. More precisely, it is object of the present invention a modular sowing body composed, at least, of a soil copying module, a central module that carries the active sowing implements, such as furrow opening discs, seed dispensers, grain treading devices, among others; a capping module, located at the back, comprising a plurality of capping wheels to cover the furrow once the seeds have been deposited in the soil.

[0022] Advantageously, the modules that make up the modular seed body are independently interchangeable with each other, allowing seed trains of different characteristics to be arranged depending on the components chosen.

[0023] Likewise, the modular construction of the planting body object of the present invention allows the use of accessories adaptable to various planting machines, so that it is possible to configure the same tools to different machinery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0024] Figure 1 A is a view of a configuration variant for coarse grain sowing of a modular sowing body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 1 B is a view of a configuration variant for fine grain seeding of a modular seeding body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a configuration variant of a modular seed body according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 A is a copying module variant for a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3B is another variant of copying module for a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3C is yet another variant of copying module for a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 A is a detail of a copy body variant for a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention, with hydropneumatic cylinder loading system.

[0031] Figure 4 B is a detail of another variant of copying body for a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention, with loading system by means of compression helical springs.

[0032] Figure 5 is a view of a configuration variant for a core module of a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 6 is a structure view of the core module of a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 7A is a detail view of components of a configuration for coarse grain seeding of the core module of a modular seeding body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 7B is a detail view of components of a configuration for fine-grained seeding of the core module of a modular seeding body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 8A is an exploded view of the crank for adjusting the rocker arm that controls the height of the depth-limiting wheels of the core module of a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8B is a detail view of the center module of a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the assembly of the adjustment system of the pivoting arm of the depth limiting wheels.

[0037] Figure 8 C is a schematic section in detail of the adjustment system of the pivoting arm of the depthlimiting wheels of the central module of a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 9 is a detail view of the action of the rocker arm detailed in Fig. 8C on the arms of the depthlimiting wheels of the central module of a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 10 is a detail view of the assembly and coupling between a copying body and a core module of a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 11 is a view of a variant of a plugging module of a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 12 is a detail view of components of a plugging module of a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 13 is a detail view of assembly and coupling between a core module and a capper module of a modular seed body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] To overcome the problems of the prior art raised above, a modular sowing body adaptable to various sowing machines and configurable according to the soil conditions or the type of seeds to be dispensed is proposed. Some non-limiting examples of the present invention can be seen in Figures 1A and 1 B.

[0045] Figure 1 A shows a variant of a modular sowing body configured for a sowing operation of coarse grains, such as corn, soybean, sunflower, among others. Mainly, the modular sowing body is composed of at least one copying module (100) that links the sowing body with the chassis of the sowing machine and contains the load adjustment systems; a central module (200) on which most of the active elements for the sowing task are mounted, such as, for example, in this case, the seed dispenser (400); and a capping module (300), which fulfills the function of closing the furrow once the seeds, and eventually the fertilizer, have been deposited on the ground. Naturally, these essential elements can be accompanied by more supplements that are necessary for each particular planting season, as their characteristics so require. In the illustrated variant of Figure 1A, a pneumatic type coarse grain seed dispenser (400), widely used at present, can be observed, although a mechanical dispenser (400), or of another type common for this type of grains, could well be used.

[0046] For its part, in the variant of figure 1 B, another arrangement of the same essential elements can be recognized, that is, the copying module (100); the central module (200); and the capping module (300).

[0047] In this arrangement, instead of the dispenser (400), a nozzle (500) for fine grains is observed, which is usual for this type of sowing. The nozzles (500) for fine grains, as is well known, are fed by hoses that distribute the grains to be sown from specific fine grain dispensers, which take the seeds from the main hopper, mounted on the chassis of the sowing machine. Eventually, individual hoppers may also be arranged on each seed body.

[0048] Also, the nozzles (500) for fine grains, are often provided accompanied by a second nozzle (510), which fulfills the same function as the first, but for granular fertilizers.

[0049] In order to better understand the particulars of the modular seed body of the present invention, each of the main elements will be addressed separately. By way of example, a configuration variant is illustrated in an exploded manner in Figure 2.

[0050] In said figure 2, the interaction of each of the modules forming the sowing body is more clearly observed: the copying module (100); the central module (200); and the capping module (300); and, by way of example, complementary accessories such as a pneumatic seed dispenser (400); and a stubble sweeping carriage (600), which serves to laterally move stubble away from the sowing line. As already explained, complementary accessories can vary in number and species depending on the characteristics of the planting campaign to be developed.

[0051] As for the copying modules (300), of which various variants are illustrated in Figures 3 A-C, these elements are responsible for transmitting the pressure force to the soil to the seed bodies. They are commonly called this way because of the function of copying the terrain they carry out.

[0052] This unit of the sowing bodies compensates for the irregularities that the ground may present, ensuring a regular depth of placement of the grains. To achieve an optimal result of the sowing and germination of the deposited grains, it is essential that the seeds are uniformly dispensed at the same depth throughout the entire row and, for this, it is necessary that the sowing body maintains the same degree of penetration on the ground regardless of the slopes that may exist.

[0053] Likewise, the copying module (100) is in charge of linking the seed bodies to the chassis of the seeding machines so that, in addition to the means to apply the vertical load, these elements comprise specific couplings to be linked to the different structures of these machines. Regardless of the variant to be considered, as can be seen in Figures 3 A-C, the copying modules (100) comprise a first plate (110), called ‘head’, which is fixedly linked to the chassis of the seeding machine when it is mounted on it. That is, the head (110) has a particular shape and arrangement that allows it to be coupled to the structure of a sowing machine through the use of fasteners such as bolts or screws.

[0054] It can be seen in the examples incorporated in Figures 3 A-C that the heads (110) of the different copying modules (100) illustrated have differences in shape and geometry, due to the fact that each copying module (100) corresponds to a different seeding machine.

[0055] Likewise, the holes (111) for mounting the transmissions of the dispensers (400) can be seen in the head (110), when this type of accessories is used. As is known, the seed dispensers (400), whether of the mechanical or pneumatic type, comprise inside them rotary seed plates that must be actuated by an external driving force. Mainly, the two most used ways of driving the moving parts of the dispensers (400) are by placing an individual electric motor for each dispenser, or by transmitting the rotation of a drive shaft transverse and common to all the seed bodies mounted on the machinery. When the latter option is used, the drive shaft passes through all the seed trains and its rotation is transmitted to the dispensers (400) by various mechanisms, such as chain and sprocket system, flexible transmission boxes, gimbal bars, among others. To this end, the head (110) of the copying module (100) has a plurality of holes (111), located near the area where the transverse drive shaft would pass, to be able to mount this type of transmission. It can be seen that each arrangement of the holes 111 varies according to the particular configuration of each copying module 100.

[0056] Another important component of the head (110) is the housing (112) for mounting a hydropneumatic cylinder (150). As previously mentioned, the main function of the copying module (100), in addition to linking the sowing train with the sower chassis, is to keep the seed placement depth on the ground constant despite soil irregularities. For this, it is necessary that the seed body exerts a certain pressure against the soil and said pressure is printed by the loading systems mounted on the copying modules (100). The loading systems most used today consist of helical springs (160) that allow regulating the force exerted as a function of the extension thereof; or, hydropneumatic cylinders (150), where the force exerted can be regulated by adjusting the pressure of the actuator fluid.

[0057] When a hydropneumatics cylinder (150) is used as an adjustable loading system, a first end (151) of the hydropneumatic cylinder (150) is fixed to the head (110) of the copying module (100), in the housing (112) that each copying module (100) has arranged for it. A second end 152 of the hydropneumatic cylinder 150, as will be explained in detail below, is linked to a second plate 140, opposite the head 110 of the copying module 100. This arrangement is best seen in Figure 4A.

[0058] In this way, by regulating the fluid pressure of the actuator, the force of the hydropneumatic cylinder 150 can be controlled to maintain a uniform seeding depth throughout the furrow. In addition, this configuration even allows the use of real-time hydraulic control systems where, based on the information obtained from a sensorthat constantly measures soil variations, a controller automatically and dynamically adjusts the pressure of the actuator, considerably increasing the precision in the calibration of this parameter of the seed body.

[0059] Finally, the head (110), on its sides, is linked with a pair of upper bars (120) and a pair of lower bars (130), which together with the second plate (140), called the ‘chest’, form a parallelogram. This arrangement, widely used in planting bodies, allows the upward and downward movement of the entire planting body so that both plates, head (110) and chest (140), are always parallel to each other. This prevents the seeding body from rotating or pivoting about a point, which could result in a defective path on the ground and poor seeding.

[0060] Although the pairs of upper (120) and lower (130) bars have the exclusive function of hingedly linking the central module (200) and the chassis of the seeding machine, by means of the chest plate (140) and the head plate (110) respectively, in turn, they have some particularities.

[0061] First, as can be seen in Figures 3 A-C and 4 A-B, the upper bars (120) are linked to the head (110) and chest (140), by bolts (121) at the ends. This allows relative movement between the bars and plates. In addition, the upper bars (120) comprise a crossbar (122) that links them and allows them to move integrally, avoiding relative offsets between one and the other.

[0062] Additionally, it can be seen that the upper bars (120) have a section with toothed boxes (123) that serve as positional regulation for the helical springs (160), when such a loading system is used.

[0063] Meanwhile, the lower bars (130) are also linked to the head (110) and chest (140) by bolts (131) at the ends. Analogously to what happens with the upper bars (120), this allows the relative movement between the bars and the plates. Likewise, the lower bars (130) also comprise a crossbar (132) that links them and allows them to move integrally, avoiding relative offsets between one and the other. Additionally, a second bar links the lower bars (130) together and serves as a fixed anchorage (133) for the coil spring (s) (160), when such a loading system is used.

[0064] As can be seen in the detail of Figure 4 B, when a coil spring loading system (160) is employed, these are assembled by hooking a first end (161) to the fixed anchorage (133), located on the lower bars (130). The second end (162) is hooked to a floating bar (163), of square section, which engages in the toothed boxes (123), of the upper bars (120). In this way, by moving the floating bar (163) between the different positions that delimit the toothed boxes (123) on the upper bars (120), it is possible to increase or decrease the tension of the helical springs (160) and, then, to adjust the vertical load applied on the seed body. Completing the parallelogram of the copying module (100), the chest (140) is arranged, which is essentially a plate arranged facing the head (110), and linked by its sides to the upper (120) and lower (130) bars, by means of their respective bolts (121 ; 131).

[0065] Thanks to this mechanism, as explained above, the chest (140) is able to move up and down, always in the same plane, that is, without rotating with respect to the chassis of the planter.

[0066] The chest (140), mainly, has holes (141) to house bolts that link the copying module (100) with the central module (200). Additionally, other holes (142) are provided to facilitate the assembly and fixing of accessories and their supports such as, for example, seed dispensers (400), among several others.

[0067] As can be seen in Figure 5, the central module (200) comprises most of the active elements for the sowing task. These elements, which in the present invention are mounted in this central module (200), are common and customary in standard sowing equipment. Without being limited to these, this group of elements mainly consists of planting discs (220), responsible for opening the furrow to deposit the seeds; depth control wheels (230), which fulfil the function of delimiting the penetration of the planting discs (220) in the ground; means for pressing the seeds against the soil, which may consist of a small wheel that presses the seeds dispensed in the furrow against the bottom thereof, although at present they are not the most used, or the currently most common ones consisting of a tread tab, commonly called beaver tail (240); means for the dispensing of seeds such as seed dispensers (400), pneumatic or mechanical or, as particularly illustrated in this figure 5, a nozzle (500) for fine grains, accompanied by a nozzle for fertilizer (510). Next, additional elements that also make up the central module (200) will be delved into in detail.

[0068] The main advantage of this design is that thanks to the fact that several copying modules (100) can be linked, it is possible to use a universal central module (200) that adapts to all seeding machines, regardless of the characteristics of their chassis. This significantly simplifies the construction process and increases the versatility of the equipment, allowing them to be perfectly compatible with each other.

[0069] As illustrated in Figure 6, the central module (200) is formed by a main structure (210), where the rest of the implements are assembled.

[0070] Said main structure (210) comprises, at one of its ends, a joint plate (211), by means of which it is linked to the copying module (100). This joint plate (211) is provided with holes (212) that correspond to the holes (141) of the copying module (100), so as to be able to link both modules by means of bolts. Preferably, the holes 212 of the joint plate 211 have a square section to accommodate bolts with a neck of the same geometry, which allow a better and firmer fit. The detail of the linkage between the central module (200) and the copying module (100) will be deepened later.

[0071] Next to the attachment plate (211), the support beam (213) is extended, which has a flat upper surface (214), with a gap (215) in its intermediate portion, which allows the means for dispensing grains to be mounted thereon. As already explained, these accessories usually consist of seed dispensers (400), when the sowing bodies are configured for the dispensing of coarse grains; or nozzles (500), in the event that the unit is arranged for the sowing of fine grains, eventually supplemented by nozzles for fertilizer (510) (see Fig. 7 B). Through the gap (215) arranged in the intermediate portion of the upper surface (214) of the central module (200), the discharge tubes (410; 501 ; 511) pass, which direct the seeds and, eventually, the fertilizer towards the bottom of the furrow openworked in the soil.

[0072] Towards the bottom of the central module (200), the vertical post (216) extends, which mainly has the function of housing the shafts (221) of the planting discs (220). As is normally known, the planting discs (220) consist of two facing discs, arranged in a non-parallel way, so that they are in their lower part, forming a "V". This arrangement is achieved thanks to the particular inclination of the axes (221).

[0073] A core module 200 configured to dispense coarse grains is seen in FIG. 7A. One of the planting discs (220) has been removed in order to be able to show the other elements in better detail, just as, for simplicity, the seed dispenser (400) was omitted.

[0074] One of the main characteristics of this configuration is observed in the arrangement of the discharge tube (410), which has a slight backward curvature. For this type of sowing, this configuration is recommended since it compensates for the horizontal component of displacement of the grains in their descent, allowing them to reach the ground with the lowest possible kinetic energy.

[0075] Just above the axes (221) of the planting discs (220), a tube holder (411) is placed that fixes the discharge tube (410) against the vertical post (216), avoiding displacements or changes of position due to vibrations.

[0076] At the lower end of the vertical post (216), a hub (217) is arranged which, in the configuration illustrated in Figure 7, fulfils the function of mounting a groove former (218). The furrow former (218) is a small keel that extends from the lower end of the vertical post (216) and serves a double function: on the one hand, it protects the discharge tube (410) by removing any debris or root that could be in the ground and hit said tube, causing damage or changing the course of the seeds that go down it; and, on the other hand, it contains the sides of the furrow preventing them from crumbling. Since the configuration of the discharge tube (410) has the aforementioned backward curvature, the exit of the seeds is located outside the area covered by the planting discs. For this reason, in very dry soil conditions, there is a risk that once the planting discs pass, the sides of the furrow will crumble, covering part of the openwork row and causing the seeds to be located at a depth that is not desired. To avoid this situation, the furrow former (218) maintains the die walls up to the passage of the discharge tube (410), ensuring that the seed is located in the desired position.

[0077] Other elements that can be observed in the illustrated example are the external disc cleaner (222), which is a metal blade that passes flush with the external face of the planting disc (220), removing any dirt, mud or stubble remains that could be adhered to it; and the secondary mast (241) that extends vertically downwards from the support beam (213) and fulfills the function of carrying the beaver tail (240) to step on the grains once deposited. Naturally, as already explained, the beaver tail (240) could be replaced by a grain treading wheel, commonly used as a replacement.

[0078] For its part, Figure 7 B is a view analogous to the recently described central module (200), with the difference that on this occasion it is configured for the dispensing of fine grains.

[0079] In the illustration, the differences that characterize it can be observed, such as, for example, the presence of the grain nozzle (500) with its respective discharge tube (501) and the fertilizer nozzle (510), also with its corresponding discharge tube (511).

[0080] In this arrangement, it can be seen that the discharge tubes, both grain (501) and fertilizer (511), do not have curvature as in the previous case.

[0081] The seed discharge tube (501) is held linked to the vertical post (216) by the tube holder (411) in a manner analogous to the previous case; while the fertilizer discharge tube (511) is held to the secondary mast (241), by means of a tube holder (242) arranged therefor.

[0082] At the lower end of the vertical post (216), a tube protector (219) is located, mounted on the hub (217). Unlike the groove former (218), the tube protector (219) only protects the discharge tube (501) from debris or ground obstacles. Since, in the configuration for sowing fine grains, the seed discharge tube (501) is straight and its path is comprised within the area covered by the planting discs (220), there is no risk of collapse that occurred in the previous variant.

[0083] In both variants, as seen in Figures 7 A and 7 B; outside the planting discs (220), depth control wheels (230) are arranged. These wheels (230) limit the degree of penetration of the planting discs (220) into the ground, by adjusting the height thereof. A higher arrangement of the control wheels (230) allows greater depth of the planting discs (220); conversely, a lower arrangement limits the incidence of the planting discs (220) to a shallower depth.

[0084] These control wheels (230) are mounted on axles (231) placed at a first end of an articulated arm (232), which at the opposite end has a bearing box (233) where it is linked to the structure (210) of the central module (200), and which is the pivot point that allows the height of the wheels (230) to be varied.

[0085] To adjust this height, the assembly comprises a lever (250), which is illustrated in detail in Figure 8A.

[0086] Said lever (250) is composed of a handle (251) linked by means of a spring (252) to a tubular body (253), which has, at a distal end, a hub (254) by means of which it is coupled to the structure (210) of the central module (200), by means of a bolt (255) and acts as a pivot point. At the end opposite the handle (251), the tubular body (253) is finished by a rocker (256) that acts as a stop for the arms (232) of the depth control wheels (230).

[0087] As is well reflected in Figures 5 - 7B and especially in detail in Figure 8B; the structure (210) of the central module (200) has, at the end opposite to the joint plate (211), a series of toothed lockers (258). These toothed lockers (258) delimit the positions in which the handle (251) can be placed. In this way, when it is desired to modify the height of the control wheels (230) and, consequently, the depth of the planting discs (220), by pulling the handle (251) and relocating it in a different toothed box (258), the tubular body (253) is pivoted, changing the position of the rocker arm (256), which abuts the arms (232) of the depth control wheels (230). The spring (252) holds the handle (251) against the locker and prevents it from moving unintentionally.

[0088] Another adjustment variable of the depth control wheels (230) is the proximity of these to the planting discs (220). The optimal arrangement is to minimize the light between the control wheels (230) and the discs (220).

[0089] To regulate this aspect, shim washers were employed in the prior art to vary the clearance of the control wheels 230 against the planter disks 220. However, this method is impractical for several reasons, first of all, this only allows a discrete adjustment, that is, the final adjustment will be subject to the specific thickness of a washer, and this measure may not be completely adequate. On the other hand, to add or remove said washers it is necessary to systematically disassemble and raise the arm (232) of the wheels (230), which is excessively laborious.

[0090] A novel advantage in this regard is the adjustment system implemented in the present invention, which can be seen in detail in Figure 8 C. Said system comprises a composite threaded bolt (260), which serves as a shaft for the arm (232) to pivot through the bearing box (233).

[0091] This composite threaded bolt (260) is composed of an internal shank (261), linked to the structure (210) of the central module (200) and a threaded sleeve (262) that surrounds it and is linked to the bearing box (233). Screwing or unscrewing the sleeve (262) adjusts the depth of the internal stem

[0092] (261) and, therefore, the distance of the arm (232) to the structure (210) of the central module. When the desired position has been achieved, by adjusting the set screw (263) the rotation of the sleeve

[0093] (262) is restricted and the position relative to the inner shaft (261) is fixed. In this way, a continuous, finer adjustment is achieved, and without the need to disassemble the entire arm assembly (232) and depth control wheel (230).

[0094] Another novel aspect of this section is in the design of the rocker (256) of the lever (250). As can be seen in Figure 9, the rocker arm (256) has convex and rounded ends. This geometry makes it possible to compensate for the difference in height between the wheels when they pass through an irregularity in the ground. By way of example, if a linear rocker were used, a 2cm lift of the left wheel would be compensated by a 2cm drop in the right wheel, which would mean a gap of 4cm in total between both wheels. The particular design of the rocker arm (256) of the present invention allows the height difference not to be transmitted linearly, but to be partially compensated, resulting in a much more uniform running of the seed body.

[0095] Additionally, it can be seen that the arms (232) of the depth control wheels (230) have a sacrificial piece (234) in the contact area with the rocker arm (256), which is replaceable and prevents friction erosion to the arm (232). Conveniently, the sacrificial piece (234) has a convex termination which, in combination with the rocker arm (256) produces the compensation effect previously described.

[0096] Figure 10 is a detailed view of the connection of the central module (200) and the copier module (100). As can be seen, the assembly is carried out by means of bolts that pass through the holes 212 of the joint plate 211 in the central module 200, and the holes 141 located in the chest 140. Those same bolts allow the assembly of additional accessories such as, for example, stubble sweeping wheels (600).

[0097] The rear part of the modular seed body is formed by the capping module (300), which can be seen in detail in Figure 11.

[0098] This covering module (300) has the function of closing the furrow and covering the seeds that were deposited in the ground.

[0099] It is mainly composed of a structure (301), which at a first end has a head (310) that is coupled to the central module (200), and a pair of capping wheels (320) that are responsible for covering the open groove as it passes.

[0100] Figure 12 shows a bottom view of the capping module (300) from which one of the capping wheels (320) was removed in order to better appreciate its constitution. At the lateral faces of the structure (301) are located a plurality of holes (302) to house the axles (321) of the capping wheels (320). The availability of more than one hole (302) per side allows the capping wheels (320) to be placed closer or further away from the central module (200), as the soil conditions so demand. Likewise, it is possible to implement an asymmetrical configuration of the capping wheels 320, that is, one more advanced than the other, which may be advantageous in certain terrain circumstances. Another particularity is that the axles (321) comprise a hub (322) that can be located both on the inner face of the capping wheel (320) and on its outer face and, in this way, can also vary its distance with respect to the structure (301) of the capping module (300).

[0101] Likewise, the capping wheels (320) have a toothed crown (323), which is removable, and can be disengaged by removing the screws and nuts (324).

[0102] Another adjustable parameter is the vertical load. Similar to what happens with other implements of the seeding body, the force with which the capping module (300) presses against the ground can affect the result and effectiveness of its performance.

[0103] In order to be able to regulate this vertical load, the capping module (300) is provided with a helical spring (330), which is linked at a first end (331) to a fixed anchor (311) located on the head (310); and at the opposite end (332) to a movable lever (340). By modifying the position of the movable lever (340) and its location in different lockers (341), arranged on top of the structure (301), it is possible to alter the tension of the helical spring (330) and, therefore, vary the vertical load of the entire capping module (300).

[0104] All these configurations give great flexibility and versatility to the capping module (300) that allows it to adapt to a wide variety of different terrain conditions.

[0105] However, this would not be an advantage if working on changing such settings was impractical or required excessive effort.

[0106] Thanks to the design of the head (310) it is possible to couple and decouple the capper module (300) completely from the central module (200) without the need to unload the helical spring (330), as was the case in the prior art.

[0107] As can be seen in the detail of Figure 13, the coupling between the capping module (300) and the central module (200) is carried out by means of a single bolt (302), which passes through the hole (272) located in the structure (210) of the central module (200), and is fixed with an "R" key (303). By releasing the "R" key (303) and removing the bolt (302) it is possible to disassemble the entire capping module (300), without unloading the helical spring (330) to be able to work in its configuration comfortably.

[0108] This simplicity of the link does not resign stability thanks to the particular design of head locks (310), which comprises notches (312) on the lateral sides, which are complementary to protrusions (270) located on the structure (210) of the central module (200) (see Figure 6), which prevent the capping module (300) from rotating with respect to the vertical axis. Likewise, on the front face of the head (310) of the capper module (300), a slot (313) is located that is complementary to a slab (271) located in the structure (210) of the central module (200). This arrangement of locks allows the capper module (300) to be stably, fixedly and simply coupled, with the manual placement of a single bolt (302).

Claims

CLAIMS1. A modular seeding body WHEREIN comprises, at least, a copying module (100) that links the seeding body with the chassis of the seeding machine and contains the load adjustment systems; a central module (200), located downstream of the copying module, on which active elements for the seeding task are mounted; and a capping module (300), downstream of the central module; which are independently interchangeable with each other.

2. The modular seeding body according to claim 1 , WHEREIN the copying module (100) comprises a first plate (110), called ‘head’, which is fixedly linked to the chassis of the seeding machine when mounted thereon; and which, on its sides, is linked with a pair of upper bars (120) and a pair of lower bars (130), and together with a second plate (140), called ‘chest’, form a parallelogram.

3. The modular seed body according to claim 2, WHEREIN the copying module (100) further comprises a loading system selected from hydropneumatic cylinders (150) and helical springs (160).

4. The modular seed body according to claim 3, WHEREIN the head (110) of the copying module (100) comprises a housing (112) for fixing a first end (151) of the hydropneumatic cylinder (150); and the chest (140) comprises a housing for fixing a second end (152) of the hydropneumatic cylinder (150), when the copying module is configured with such a loading system.

5. The modular seed body according to the preceding claims, WHEREIN the lower bars (130) of the copying module (100) comprise a fixed anchor (133) for linking a first end (161) of the helical springs (160); and the upper bars (120) comprise toothed boxes (123) for locating a floating bar (163), on which the second end (162) of the helical springs (160) is hooked; so that, when the copying body (100) is configured with such a loading system, by displacing the floating bar (163), it is possible to adjust the vertical load of the seed body.

6. The modular seed body according to the preceding claims, WHEREIN the chest (140) of the copying module (100) has holes (141) for housing bolts that link said copying module (100) with the central module (200).

7. The modular seed body according to the preceding claims, WHEREIN the central module (200) is formed by a main structure (210), which in turn comprises at one of its ends, a joint plate (211), which is provided with holes (212) that correspond to the holes (141) of the copying module (100), in order to be able to link said central module (200) with said copying module (100) by means of bolts.

8. The modular sowing body according to the preceding claims, WHEREIN the main structure (210) of the central module (200) comprises a support beam (213) extending next to the joint plate (211) and comprising a flat upper surface (214), with a recess (215) in its intermediate portion, which allows the means for dispensing grains to be mounted thereon.

9. The modular planting body according to the preceding claims, WHEREIN the central module (200) comprises a vertical post (216) which houses the shafts (221) for mounting planting discs (220).

10. The modular planting body according to the preceding claims, WHEREIN the central module (200) comprises depth control wheels (230) that limit the degree of penetration of the planting discs (220) into the ground, by adjusting the height thereof, and are mounted on shafts (231) placed at a first end of an articulated arm (232), which at the opposite end has a bearing box (233) where it is linked to the structure (210).

11. The modular seed body according to claim 10, WHEREIN the central module (200) comprises an adjustment mechanism of the depth control wheels (230) that is formed by a series of toothed boxes (258) arranged in the main structure (210); and a lever (250) comprising at one end a handle (251) and at the opposite end, a rocker (256) that abuts the arms (232) of the depth control wheels (230); so that by pulling the handle (251) and relocating it in a different toothed box (258), the lever (250) is pivoted, changing the position of the rocker (256), which abuts the arms (232) of the depth control wheels (230).

12. The modular seed body according to claim 11 , WHEREIN, the rocker arm (256) has convex and rounded terminations and the arms (232) of the depth control wheels (230) have in the contact area with the rocker arm (256), a sacrificial piece (234), which is replaceable and prevents friction erosion to the arm (232), and which has a convex termination that, in combination with the rocker arm (256) produces a partial compensation effect of the height difference transmission between the depth control wheels (230).

13. The modular seed body according to any one of claims 10 to 12, WHEREIN the central module (200) comprises a system for adjusting the proximity of the depth control wheels (230) to the planting discs (220) comprising a composite threaded bolt (260), which serves as a shaft for the arm (232) to pivot through the bearing box (233), wherein said composite threaded bolt (260) is composed of an internal stem (261), linked to the structure (210) of the central module (200) and a threaded sleeve (262) that surrounds it and is linked to the bearing box (233), so that by screwing or unscrewing the sleeve (262) the depth of the internal stem (261) is adjusted.

14. The modular planting body according to the preceding claims, WHEREIN the central module (200) further comprises clean external discs (222), which remove dirt from the external face of the planting discs (220); and a secondary mast (241), to which the seed pressure means are fixed.

15. The modular planting body according to any one of the preceding claims, WHEREIN the central module (200) is configured for the dispensing of coarse grains and comprises a seed dispenser (400) mounted on the upper surface (214) of the main structure (210); a discharge tube (410), supported by a tube holder (411) that fixes it against the vertical post (216); and a groove shaper (218), arranged at the end of said vertical post (216).

16. The modular planting body according to any one of claims 1 to 14, WHEREIN the central module (200) is configured for the dispensing of fine grains and comprises a grain nozzle (500) and a fertilizer nozzle (510), mounted on the upper surface (214) of the main structure (210); a discharge tube (501), supported by a tube holder (411) that fixes it against the vertical post (216); a fertilizer discharge tube (511), supported by a tube holder (242) that fixes it against the secondary mast (241); and a tube protector (219) arranged at the end of said vertical post (216).

17. The modular seed body according to any one of the preceding claims, WHEREIN the capping module (300) comprises a structure (301) which at a first end has a head (310) that is coupled to the central module (200), and a pair of capping wheels (320).

18. The modular seed body according to any one of the preceding claims, WHEREIN the capping module (300) comprises, on the lateral faces of the structure (301), a plurality of holes (302) for housing the axles (321) of the capping wheels (320), which allow said capping wheels (320) to be positioned closer or further away from the central module (200).

19. The modular seed body according to any one of the preceding claims, WHEREIN the capping module (300) is provided with a helical spring (330), which is linked at a first end (331) to a fixed anchor (311) located on the head (310); and at the opposite end (332) to a movable lever (340), so that by modifying the position of the movable lever (340) and its location in different lockers (341), arranged on top of the structure (301), it is possible to alter the tension of the helical spring (330) and vary the vertical load of the entire capping module (300).

20. The modular planting body according to any one of the preceding claims, WHEREIN it further comprises a stubble sweeping carriage (600) that is coupled by means of the same bolts that link the copying module (100) with the central module (200).

21. The modular seed body according to any one of the preceding claims, WHEREIN the coupling between the capping module (300) and the central module (200) is carried out by means of a single bolt (302), which passes through the hole (272) located in the structure (210) of the central module (200), and is fixed with an "R" key (303), so that, by releasing the "R" key (303) and removing the bolt (302), it is possible to disassemble the entire capping module (300), without unloading the helical spring (330).

22. The modular seed body according to any one of the preceding claims, WHEREIN the head (310) of the capping module (300) comprises notches (312) on the lateral sides, which are complementary to protrusions (270) located on the structure (210) of the central module (200), and on the front face of the head (310) of the capping module (300), a slot (313) is located which is complementary to a plank (271) located on the structure (210) of the central module (200).

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