Sowing machine and row unit for a sowing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a row unit (10) for a sowing machine, said row unit having a seed depositing device (18) for depositing seed (S) on an agricultural land plot (N). The seed depositing device comprises a grain guiding device (20) for guiding seed grains (S) in the direction of a deposition furrow, said device having a dispenser opening (30) for dispensing the seeds in the direction of the deposition furrow (A).

Description

[0001] Seed drill and row unit for a seed drill

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a row unit for a seed drill and a seed drill with several row units.

[0004] In seed placement devices with pneumatic overpressure singulation, it has previously been necessary to install a catching roller to capture the seeds dispensed through a discharge tube. Under damp and sticky conditions, the catching roller can become clogged with soil and stop moving, thus impairing the seed capture process. This soil buildup can cause seeds to unintentionally adhere to the catching roller for extended periods and be thrown back out of the furrow.

[0005] From publication EP 2 549 849 B1, a seed placement device is known in which the discharge opening of the seed tube is located within the coverage of the disc coulter. From publication WO 2020 227 670 A2, a seed guiding device is known in which the seeds are guided along a curved path, on which the seeds are oriented to be placed in the furrow with a specific orientation. Furthermore, from publication US 7 814 849 B1, a seed tube with a variable cross-sectional shape is known, by which the seeds are to be aligned.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is to improve the precise placement of seeds in a placement furrow.

[0007] The problem is solved by a row unit according to claim 1. The row unit according to the invention comprises a seed placement device for placing seeds on an agricultural area, wherein the seed placement device includes a seed guide for guiding seeds towards a placement furrow, which has a discharge opening for releasing the seeds towards the placement furrow. The seed guide can be designed, at least partially, as a seed guide tube or discharge tube. The seed guide precisely guides the seeds towards the placement furrow.

[0008] The row unit according to the invention is further advantageously developed in that an end section of the seed guide device, comprising the discharge opening, extends vertically in an operating orientation of the row unit or in a direction of travel of the end section that is inclined no more than 10° forwards in the direction of travel or backwards in the direction of travel relative to the vertical direction, so that the seeds are given a direction of movement corresponding to the vertical direction or the direction of travel before leaving the seed guide device via the discharge opening. The end section of the seed guide device can be a straight pipe section. By imposing a corresponding direction of movement on the seeds before they leave the seed guide device, the tendency of the seeds to roll within the furrow is significantly reduced.The imprinted direction of movement ensures that the seeds are preferably released into the furrow in such a way that they are intentionally wedged between the sides of the furrow and / or work themselves into the furrow bottom. This effectively prevents the seeds from unintentionally rolling within the furrow.

[0009] In a further development of the row unit according to the invention, the seed guide has a tubular shape at least in sections, and the end section of the tubular seed guide, or the entire tubular seed guide, is formed by a straight section of tubing. Because at least the end section of the tubular seed guide is straight, it is effectively prevented that the seeds are subjected to rotational movement. The seeds can thus be released into the furrow with the intended grain orientation. Furthermore, a row unit according to the invention is preferred in which the end section of the seed guide has a length of at least 2 cm. Preferably, the end section of the seed guide has a length of at least 4 cm. For example,The end section can have a length between 2 and 6 cm, particularly between 2 and 4 cm. An appropriate length of the end section ensures that the seeds are imprinted with a direction of movement before leaving the seed guide, corresponding to the vertical direction or the direction of travel. Furthermore, an appropriate length of the end section of the seed guide prevents the imprinting of an unintended rotational movement.

[0010] Furthermore, a series unit according to the invention is preferred in which the end section of the grain guidance device is partially or completely removable and / or replaceable without damage. The end section of the grain guidance device can, for example, be formed by a removable sleeve. An interchangeable system can, for example, comprise the series unit and several end sleeves, wherein the several end sleeves can have different lengths and / or cross-sections and / or profiles.

[0011] Furthermore, a row unit according to the invention is advantageous in which the seed guide, in particular the end section of the seed guide, has a changing cross-section and / or at least a teardrop-shaped cross-section in certain areas. The changing cross-section and the teardrop-shaped cross-section allow the seeds to be aligned and / or their trajectory to be stabilized. This enables precise placement of the seeds in the furrow.

[0012] Furthermore, a row unit according to the invention is preferred in which the seed guidance device has a conditioning section, which is preferably arranged upstream of the end section in the direction of seed movement. The conditioning section is preferably configured to decelerate and / or align the seeds moving along it. By decelerating the seeds moving through the conditioning section, a desired flight speed or a desired release speed can be achieved. By aligning the seeds along the conditioning section, the seeds can be released in a desired orientation, so that a desired impact orientation of the seeds within the seed furrow can be achieved.

[0013] In a further development of the inventive series unit, the conditioning section of the seed guidance device is formed by a pipe section with one or more pipe bends and / or curves in one or more spatial directions. Preferably, the seed placement device has a straight end section and a conditioning section with one or more pipe bends and / or curves. The tubular conditioning section preferably has a helical-free or twist-free geometry.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment of the row unit according to the invention, one or more pipe bends define a seed guidance path, with the main guidance direction pointing downwards and / or towards the agricultural area along the entire seed guidance path. The entire tubular conditioning section preferably lies in a guidance plane extending in the direction of travel. Such a seed guidance path prevents the seeds from moving against gravity within the seed guidance device, thereby avoiding twisting effects that would affect seed orientation.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment of the row unit according to the invention, the conditioning section of the seed guide is formed by an S-shaped pipe section. The S-shaped pipe section aligns the seeds against the pipe wall. Thus, the desired seed alignment can be achieved upon exiting the discharge opening. Furthermore, a row unit according to the invention is advantageous in which the conditioning section of the seed guide is formed by a spiral or helical pipe section. The spiral pipe section has a helical shape. The helical pipe section reduces the kinetic energy of the seeds. The spiral pipe section decelerates the seeds. The spiral pipe section can be a corkscrew-shaped pipe section.

[0016] Furthermore, a series unit according to the invention is advantageous in which the conditioning section of the grain guiding device has one or more vent slots. Air can be discharged from the grain guiding device via the one or more vent slots. This air discharge reduces the movement speed of the seeds within the grain guiding device. Furthermore, the shape and / or arrangement of the vent slots can create a flow channel within the grain guiding device, thereby reducing the rotational movement of the seeds within the grain guiding device.

[0017] The row unit according to the invention preferably further comprises a pneumatic singulation device, which is configured to singulate seeds using overpressure before they are introduced into the seed guide. The seed guide can be pressurized at least partially without damage. The singulation device can be an overpressure singulation device. Row-specific singulation allows for different metering rates in the rows. Overpressure singulation allows for high operating speeds. The seed guide can be designed as an overpressure discharge tube, at least partially. Alternatively, the row unit can have a pneumatic singulation device, which is configured to singulate seeds using vacuum before they are introduced into the seed guide. A pressure booster can be installed downstream of the vacuum singulation.In a further preferred embodiment, the row unit according to the invention has a furrow former for forming a placement furrow, which in particular tapers to a point at the base of the furrow. The tapered placement furrow serves to wedge in the released seeds. The seeds are caught by the furrow flanks. The furrow former is preferably wedge-shaped. The wedge-shaped furrow former creates a wedge-shaped furrow cross-section. Preferably, the release opening is oriented transversely centrally to the tip of the furrow former so that the seeds strike both furrow flanks as simultaneously as possible, thus preventing the seeds from jumping around within the placement furrow.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment, the row unit according to the invention has a furrow opener arranged in the direction of travel upstream of the furrow former for opening the placement furrow. The forming depth of the furrow former is preferably greater than the opening depth of the furrow opener. The furrow former thus preferably operates deeper than the furrow opener. The furrow opener can comprise a tine or one or more cutting discs. The seed guide preferably runs section by section between two cutting discs of the furrow opener. In particular, the conditioning section, comprising one or more pipe bends and / or curves, is located between two cutting discs of the furrow opener. The placement furrow can collapse between the furrow opener and the furrow former. To prevent furrow collapse before the seeds are placed, the furrow former clears the collapsed placement furrow.

[0019] Furthermore, a row unit according to the invention is preferred in which the grain guidance device extends beyond the furrow opener. If the furrow opener has two cutting discs, the grain guidance device preferably does not extend between the two cutting discs of the furrow opener. Alternatively or additionally, the grain guidance device is not located within the coverage of the furrow opener. In this case, the placement furrow can be formed as intended before the seeds are deposited. A row unit according to the invention with a furrow opener for opening the placement furrow is also advantageous, wherein the grain guidance device is located sectionally on one or both sides within the coverage of the cutting discs of the furrow opener, and the row unit, in addition to the furrow opener, does not have a furrow former for forming the opened placement furrow.This allows the seeds to be deposited immediately after the furrow is opened by the furrow opener.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment, the row unit according to the invention has a pressure element arranged in the direction of travel behind the dispensing opening, which is designed to capture the seeds dispensed from the dispensing opening and / or press them into the furrow bottom. The pressure element presses the seeds into the soil to ensure good soil contact. The pressure element can be a seed fixer or a press wheel. The seed fixer preferably has an underside pressure surface designed to sweep across the furrow bottom of the sowing furrow in such a way that seeds dispensed via the seed guide device are captured by the underside pressure surface and / or pressed into the furrow bottom. The pressure element is preferably arranged in the direction of travel behind the furrow opener.

[0021] Furthermore, a row unit according to the invention is preferred in which the pressure element has a pressure surface which is configured to press the seeds into a pressure depth, wherein the forming depth of the furrow opener is greater than the pressure depth of the pressure element. The pressure depth of the pressure element preferably corresponds to the opening depth of the furrow opener.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment of the row unit according to the invention, the grain guidance device terminates at the discharge opening on the side facing the agricultural area. Alternatively or additionally, the contour of the discharge opening lies in an opening plane that is oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel of the grain guidance device, in particular along the end section. The opening plane is preferably a horizontal plane.

[0023] The problem underlying the invention is further solved by a seed drill with several row units arranged side by side transversely to the direction of travel, wherein several or all of the row units are designed according to one of the embodiments described above. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the seed drill according to the invention, reference is therefore made to the advantages and modifications of the row unit according to the invention.

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a series unit according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0026] Fig. 2 shows another series unit according to the invention in a side view;

[0027] Fig. 3 shows another series unit according to the invention in a side view;

[0028] Fig. 4 shows another series unit according to the invention in a side view;

[0029] Fig. 5 shows another series unit according to the invention in a side view;

[0030] Fig. 6 shows another series unit according to the invention in a side view; and

[0031] Fig. 7 shows the cross-section of a tubular grain guidance device of a row unit according to the invention.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a row unit 10 for a seed drill. The row unit 10 has a support device 12, which can be attached to a crossbeam or a transversely extending support frame of the seed drill. A furrow opener 14 is attached to the support device 12. The furrow opener 14 is designed as a double-disc coulter and comprises two cutting discs 16a, 16b. When the row unit 10 is moved in the direction of travel F, the cutting discs 16a, 16b of the furrow opener 14 cut a furrow A into the soil of the agricultural area N.

[0033] The row unit 10 further comprises a seed placement device 18 for placing seed S onto the agricultural area N. The seed placement device 18 comprises a tubular seed guide 20 for guiding seed grains S in the direction of the placement furrow A.

[0034] A furrow former 22 is attached to the grain guide device 20. The furrow former 22 serves to form the seed furrow A, which tapers to a point at the bottom of the furrow. The tapered seed furrow A serves to wedge in the released seeds S. The seeds S are caught by the furrow sides. The furrow former 22 is wedge-shaped, so that a wedge-shaped furrow cross-section is created by the wedge-shaped furrow former 22.

[0035] Depth control rollers 24a, 24b are arranged to the side of the cutting discs 16a, 16b of the furrow opener 14.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a row unit 10 in which the tubular seed guide 20 of the seed placement device 18 comprises a conditioning section 26, an end section 28, and a discharge opening 30. The conditioning section 26 is arranged upstream of the end section 28 in the direction of seed movement S. The conditioning section 26 serves to decelerate and align the seed S as they move along it. The conditioning section 26 is formed by a pipe section with a bend, the bend resulting in an S-shaped pipe section. The S-shaped pipe section aligns the seed S against the pipe wall. Thus, the desired seed alignment can be achieved upon exiting the discharge opening 30. The end section 28 of the seed guide 20 runs vertically in the direction V of the row unit 10 in its operating orientation.The seed grains S are guided by the end section 28, which extends vertically S, before leaving the seed guide device 20, imparting a direction of movement corresponding to the vertical direction V. The seed guide device is designed without curvature in the area of ​​the end section 28. The end section 28 of the seed guide device 20 has a length L of at least 2 cm.

[0037] The forming depth T2 of the furrow former 22 is greater than the opening depth T1 of the furrow opener 14. Therefore, the furrow former 22 works deeper than the furrow opener 14. The sowing furrow A can collapse between the furrow opener 14 and the furrow former 22. To prevent furrow collapse before the seeds S are sown, the furrow former 22 clears the collapsed sowing furrow A.

[0038] Fig. 3 shows a row unit 10, which has a pressure element 32 arranged behind the discharge opening 30 in the direction of travel F. The pressure element 32 serves to catch and / or press the seeds S discharged from the discharge opening 30 onto the furrow bottom of the sowing furrow A. The pressure element 32 presses the seeds S into the soil to ensure soil contact. The pressure element 32 is designed as a pressure roller. The pressure element 32, designed as a pressure roller, rolls on the furrow bottom of the sowing furrow A, pressing the seeds S into the furrow to a certain depth with its outer pressure surface. The forming depth T2 of the furrow opener 22 is greater than the pressure depth of the pressure element 32. The pressure depth of the pressure element 32 corresponds to the opening depth T1 of the furrow opener 14.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a row unit 10 in which the press element 32 is designed as a seed fixer for pressing the seeds S onto the furrow bottom. The seed fixer has an underside pressure surface which is designed to brush against the furrow bottom of the placement furrow A in such a way that seeds S dispensed by the seed guide 20 are pressed into the furrow bottom by the underside pressure surface. The pressure depth of the press element 32, designed as a seed fixer, corresponds to the opening depth T1 of the furrow opener 14.

[0040] Fig. 5 shows a row unit 10 in which the grain guidance device

[0041] 20 has a spiral or helical conditioning section 26. The spiral or helical tube section reduces the kinetic energy of the seeds S and thus decelerates the seeds S during their movement through the helical spiral. In the illustrated embodiment, the conditioning section 26 is a corkscrew-shaped tube section. Fig. 6 shows a row unit in which the entire tubular seed guide 20 is straight and free of curvature. The curvature-free length L therefore corresponds to the total length of the tubular seed guide 20.

[0042] The row units shown in Figs. 1-6 can have a (not shown) pneumatic singulation device which uses overpressure to singulate seeds S before they are introduced into the seed guide 20. In this case, the seed guide 20 can be pressurized without damage.

[0043] Fig. 7 shows the cross-section of a tubular grain guidance device 20. The grain guidance device has a teardrop-shaped cross-section.

[0044] The cross-section of the grain guidance device 20 can be adjusted along the

[0045] Change grain guidance device 20.

[0046] Reference mark

[0047] 10 row units

[0048] 12 T carrier device

[0049] 14 furrow openers

[0050] 16a, 16b Cutting discs

[0051] 18 Seed placement device

[0052] 20 Grain guidance device

[0053] 22 furrow formers

[0054] 24a, 24b Depth control rollers

[0055] 26 Conditioning section

[0056] 28 Final section

[0057] 30 Drop-off opening

[0058] 32 Pressure element

[0059] A storage groove

[0060] F Direction of travel

[0061] S Seed

[0062] Length L

[0063] N Usable area

[0064] T1 opening depth

[0065] T2 Forming depth

[0066] V Vertical direction

Claims

Claims 1. Row unit (10) for a seed drill, comprising a seed placement device (18) for placing seed (S) on an agricultural area (N), wherein the seed placement device (18) comprises a seed guidance device (20) for guiding seed grains (S) in the direction of a placement furrow (A), which has a discharge opening (30) for discharging the seed grains (S) in the direction of the placement furrow (A).

2. Row unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that an end section (28) of the grain guidance device (20) comprising the discharge opening (30) extends in an operating orientation of the row unit (10) in the vertical direction (V) or in a direction of travel which is inclined no more than 10 degrees to the vertical direction (V) forwards in the direction of travel (F) or backwards in the opposite direction of travel (F), so that the seed grains (S) are given a direction of movement before leaving the grain guidance device (20) via the discharge opening (30) which corresponds to the vertical direction (V) or the direction of travel.

3. Row unit (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the grain guidance device (20) has a tubular shape at least in sections and the end section (28) of the tubular grain guidance device (20) or the entire tubular grain guidance device (20) is formed by a curvature-free tube section.

4. Row unit (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the end section (28) of the grain guidance device (20) has a length (L) of at least 2cm.

5. Series unit (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the end section (28) of the grain guidance device (20) is partially or completely removable and / or replaceable without damage.

6. Row unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grain guidance device (20), in particular the end section (28) of the grain guidance device (20), has a changing cross-section and / or at least in some areas a teardrop-shaped cross-section.

7. Row unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grain guidance device (20) has a conditioning section (26) which is preferably arranged in the direction of movement of the seed grains (S) in front of the end section (28), wherein the conditioning section (26) is configured to slow down and / or align the seed grains (S) moving along the conditioning section (26).

8. Series unit (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the conditioning section (26) of the grain guidance device (20) is formed by a pipe section with one or more pipe bends and / or pipe curves in one or more spatial directions.

9. Row unit (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the one or more pipe bends define a grain guidance path for the seed, wherein the main guidance direction along the entire grain guidance path points downwards and / or in the direction of the agricultural area (N).

10. Series unit (10) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the conditioning section (26) of the grain guiding device (20) is formed by an S-shaped pipe section.

11. Series unit (10) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the conditioning section (26) of the grain guiding device (20) is formed by a spiral or helical tube section.

12. Row unit (10) according to one of claims 7 to 11 , characterized in that the conditioning section (26) of the grain guidance device (20) has one or more vent slots.

13. Row unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a pneumatic singulation device which is designed to singulate seed grains (S) using overpressure before introducing them into the grain guidance device (20).

14. Row unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a furrow former (22) for forming a deposit furrow (A), in particular tapering to a point at the base of the furrow.

15. Row unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a furrow opener (14) arranged in the direction of travel (F) in front of the furrow former (22) for opening the laying furrow (A), wherein the forming depth (T2) of the furrow former (22) is preferably greater than the opening depth (T1) of the furrow opener (14).

16. Row unit (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that the grain guide device (20) extends beyond the furrow opener (14), and / or the grain guide device (20) is not in cover of the furrow opener (14).

17. Row unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by a furrow opener (14) for opening the deposit furrow (A), wherein the grain guidance device (20) is partially or fully covered on one or both sides by cutting discs of the furrow opener (14) and the row unit (10) does not have a furrow former (22) for forming the opened deposit furrow (A) in addition to the furrow opener (15).

18. Row unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a pressure element (32) arranged in the direction of travel (F) behind the discharge opening (30), which is designed to catch the seed grains (S) discharged from the discharge opening (30) and / or press them onto the furrow bottom.

19. Row unit (10) according to claim 18, characterized in that the pressure element (32) has a pressure surface which is configured to press the seed grains (S) to a pressure depth, wherein the forming depth (T2) of the furrow former (22) is greater than the pressure depth of the pressure element (32).

20. Row unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grain guidance device (20) terminates with the discharge opening (30) on the side facing the agricultural area (N), and / or the contour of the discharge opening (30) lies in an opening plane which is oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel of the grain guidance device (20).

21. Seed drill, with several row units (10) arranged side by side transversely to the direction of travel (F); characterized in that several or all of the row units (10) are designed according to one of the preceding claims.

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