Intermediate storage unit for a material distribution system of an application machine, material distribution system for an application machine, and application machine

Abstract

The invention relates to an intermediate storage unit (32) for a material distribution system (10) of an agricultural application machine, comprising an intermediate storage region for temporarily intermediately storing application material (M1, M2), a flow inlet which is connected to the intermediate storage region and via which a distribution air flow loaded with application material (M1, M2) can be introduced into the intermediate storage unit (32), and a distribution air outlet which is connected to the intermediate storage region and via which distribution air from the intermediate storage region can be discharged out of the intermediate storage unit (32).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] The invention relates to an intermediate storage unit for a material distribution system of an agricultural spreading machine, a material distribution system for an agricultural spreading machine and an agricultural spreading machine with a material distribution system comprising several row units.

[0003] Agricultural spreading machines require that the material to be applied, such as seed or fertilizer, is distributed internally to several dispensing devices so that the material can be deposited onto the agricultural land via these multiple dispensing devices.

[0004] When distributing the application material, the problem regularly arises that a suitable quantity of the application material must be made available to the recipient sites, as otherwise the operation of the application machine will be impaired and / or an intended local interruption or continuation of the material deposition cannot be implemented precisely.

[0005] Corresponding material distribution systems, for example, have metering devices for dispensing the quantity of material to be applied. These metering devices must be continuously supplied with application material. To ensure this, an intermediate storage unit can be provided upstream of the metering devices, which has a storage area for the temporary storage of application material. However, such intermediate storage units have the problem that supplying an unsuitable quantity of application material can lead to an unintentional overfilling of the intermediate storage unit and thus impair the operation of the agricultural application machine.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is therefore to improve the internal material distribution of the machine by means of a material distribution system comprising an intermediate storage unit.

[0007] The problem is solved by an intermediate storage unit for a material system of an agricultural spreading machine, wherein the intermediate storage unit has an intermediate storage area for the temporary intermediate storage of spreading material. The intermediate storage unit further comprises a flow inlet connected to the intermediate storage area, through which a distribution air flow loaded with spreading material can be introduced into the intermediate storage unit. Furthermore, the intermediate storage unit according to the invention comprises a distribution air outlet connected to the intermediate storage area, through which distribution air from the intermediate storage area can be discharged from the intermediate storage unit.The pneumatic connection between the flow inlet and the distribution air outlet can be blocked via the application material located in the intermediate storage area to interrupt the distribution air flow loaded with application material as needed.

[0008] To block the pneumatic connection between the flow inlet and the distribution air outlet as needed, the intermediate storage unit can have an air passage area which is increasingly covered by the application material as the fill level rises, so that when a limit fill level is reached, the air passage area is completely covered by application material and thus the flow is interrupted.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate storage unit according to the invention comprises a sensor-based level detection device, which is configured to detect the level of dispensing material in the intermediate storage area. The intermediate storage unit preferably has a housing, wherein the sensor-based level detection device is preferably located in or on the housing. The sensor-based level detection device can have one or more measuring sensors for level detection. The measuring sensors can operate without contact and are, for example, designed as displacement sensors or light barriers.

[0010] In another preferred embodiment of the intermediate storage unit according to the invention, the sensory level detection device comprises a load cell or is designed as a load cell. The load cell allows the level of application material in the intermediate storage area to be detected gravimetrically. The load cell preferably provides weight measurements from which the level of application material in the intermediate storage area can be derived.

[0011] Furthermore, an intermediate storage unit according to the invention is preferred, in which the sensor-based level detection device is configured to detect when a limit level of application material is reached in the intermediate storage area. Upon reaching the limit level, there is a risk of impaired operation of the material distribution system and / or the agricultural application machine, so that operational disruption can be avoided by means of the limit level detection. Preferably, upon reaching a limit level, the air passage area is completely covered with application material, thus interrupting the flow. Alternatively, the limit level can also be predefined or defined such that upon reaching the limit level, the air passage area is not completely covered with application material, so that a complete interruption of the airflow does not occur.If the fill level of application material in the intermediate storage area is detected by sensors and the supply of application material to the intermediate storage unit is controlled according to the fill level of application material in the intermediate storage area, the supply of application material to the intermediate storage unit can be controlled in such a way that the air passage area of ​​the intermediate storage unit remains permanently permeable to air, thus enabling continuous air discharge through the air passage area. Furthermore, an intermediate storage unit according to the invention with a material outlet connected to the intermediate storage area is preferred. Application material from the intermediate storage area can be discharged from the intermediate storage unit via the material outlet. The material outlet is preferably designed separately from the distribution air outlet.

[0012] The problem underlying the invention is further solved by a material distribution system for an agricultural spreading machine, wherein the material distribution system according to the invention comprises several row units for the row-specific application of spreading material on an agricultural area. At least two row units have an intermediate storage unit for the intermediate storage of spreading material. Preferably, each row unit has an intermediate storage unit for the intermediate storage of spreading material. In addition, the material distribution system comprises a main distribution device that can be fed by flow, which includes a distribution chamber, a flow inlet connected to the distribution chamber for a supply air flow loaded with spreading material, and several distribution outlets for discharged distribution air flows loaded with spreading material from the distribution chamber.The distribution outlets of the flow-based feedable main distribution unit can be connected to the intermediate storage units of the series units.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the material distribution system according to the invention comprises a gravity-fed main distribution unit, which includes a main storage area, a feed inlet connected to the main storage area for gravity-fed feeding of application material into the main storage area, and several distribution outlets for discharged distribution air streams loaded with application material from the main storage area. The distribution outlets of the gravity-fed main distribution unit can be connected to the intermediate storage units of the row units. In some application processes, both fertilizer and seed are to be applied, for example, in maize sowing. In other application processes, no fertilizer is to be applied, but seed with a particularly high seeding rate is to be applied, for example, in soybean sowing.In order to make the material distribution system more universally applicable with regard to the different dispensing processes, both the distribution outlets of the gravity-fed main distribution unit and the distribution outlets of the flow-fed main distribution unit can be connected to the intermediate storage units of the series units.

[0014] Alternatively or in addition to the gravity-fed main distribution unit, which serves to distribute application material from a storage container to the multiple row units, the material distribution system can also have several storage containers assigned to the respective row units. In this case, the storage containers assigned to the respective row units are preferably connectable to the intermediate storage unit of the respective row unit.

[0015] In another embodiment of the material distribution system according to the invention, either the distribution outlets of the gravity-fed main distribution unit or the distribution outlets of the flow-fed main distribution unit can be optionally connected to the intermediate storage units of the series units, so that the intermediate storage units are supplied either only with dispensing material from the main storage area of ​​the gravity-fed main distribution unit or only with dispensing material from the distribution chamber of the flow-fed main distribution unit.Alternatively or additionally, the distribution outlets of the gravity-fed main distribution unit and the distribution outlets of the flow-fed main distribution unit can be connected simultaneously to the intermediate storage units of the series units, so that the intermediate storage units are supplied with application material from the main storage area of ​​the gravity-fed main distribution unit and application material from the distribution chamber of the flow-fed main distribution unit simultaneously.If either the distribution outlets of the gravity-fed main distribution unit or the distribution outlets of the flow-fed main distribution unit can be connected to the intermediate storage units of the in-line units, the intermediate storage units can, for example, initially be supplied with application material from a storage container connected to the gravity-fed main distribution unit. When the storage container connected to the gravity-fed main distribution unit is empty, application material can then be supplied to the intermediate storage units from a storage container connected to the flow-fed main distribution unit. This significantly increases the area that can be processed without subsequent reloading.If the distribution outlets of the gravity-fed main distribution unit and the distribution outlets of the flow-fed main distribution unit can be connected simultaneously to the intermediate storage units of the row units, a material mixture can be applied, for example, with a first material being carried in a storage container connected to the gravity-fed main distribution unit and a second material in a storage container connected to the flow-fed main distribution unit. Alternatively, an application process with a comparatively high seeding rate can be achieved if the same material is carried in the storage container connected to the gravity-fed main distribution unit.

[0016] If, as an alternative to the gravity-fed main distribution unit, the material distribution system has several storage containers assigned to the respective row units, either the storage containers assigned to the respective row units or the distribution outlets of the flow-fed main distribution unit can be connected to the intermediate storage units of the row units, so that the intermediate storage units are supplied either only with application material from the storage containers assigned to the respective row units or only with application material from the distribution chamber of the flow-fed main distribution unit.Alternatively or additionally, the storage containers and distribution outlets of the flow-controlled main distribution system assigned to the respective row units can be connected simultaneously to the intermediate storage units of the row units. This allows the intermediate storage units to receive application material from both the storage containers assigned to the respective row units and the distribution chamber of the flow-controlled main distribution system simultaneously. If, optionally, either the storage containers assigned to the respective row units or the distribution outlets of the flow-controlled main distribution system can be connected to the intermediate storage units of the row units, the application material from the storage containers assigned to the respective row units can, for example, be supplied to the intermediate storage units first.When the storage containers assigned to the respective row units are empty, the intermediate storage units can then be supplied with application material from a storage container connected to the flow-based feeding main distribution device.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the material distribution system according to the invention, the intermediate storage units are designed according to one of the embodiments described above. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the material distribution system according to the invention, reference is therefore also made to the advantages and modifications of the intermediate storage unit according to the invention.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment, the material distribution system according to the invention has one or more switching devices by means of which the material distribution system can be switched between a first feeding mode and a second feeding mode. In the first feeding mode, only material from the main storage area of ​​the gravity-fed main distribution unit is supplied to the intermediate storage units. In the second feeding mode, only material from the distribution chamber of the flow-fed main distribution unit is supplied to the intermediate storage units. The one or more switching devices can be manually operated. The one or more switching devices can be operated by means of a controllable actuator. The controllable actuators can, for example, actuate a valve or a diverter of the respective switching devices.The switching devices allow, for example, switching between fertilizer and seed delivery. This results in a significantly reduced hose installation effort and a considerably smaller footprint. If no fertilizer needs to be carried, the amount of material that can be applied is significantly increased.

[0019] If, as an alternative to the gravity-fed main distribution unit, the material distribution system has several storage containers assigned to the respective row units, the intermediate storage units in the first feeding mode are supplied only with material from the storage containers assigned to the respective row units. In the second feeding mode, the intermediate storage units are supplied only with material from the distribution chamber of the flow-fed main distribution unit.

[0020] Furthermore, a material distribution system according to the invention is preferred in which the flow-controlled main distribution unit is designed as a distributor head with a material circulation path and an air discharge path. The distributor head preferably has a return path. In the case of overpressure singulation, the air pressure in the distribution lines must always be higher than the pressure of the overpressure singulation unit. Otherwise, the dispensed material from the overpressure singulation unit is conveyed back into the distribution lines. A distributor head without an air discharge path towards the overpressure singulation unit interrupts the air discharge when the distribution outlets are closed and is therefore unsuitable for overpressure singulation. A distributor head with an air discharge path also discharges an airflow from the flow-controlled main distribution unit towards the overpressure singulation unit, even when the distribution outlets are closed.In another preferred embodiment of the material distribution system according to the invention, the distribution outlets of the flow-feedable main distribution unit can be blocked by means of blocking elements. A control unit of the material distribution system is configured to actuate actuators connected to the blocking elements to release and block the distribution outlets of the flow-feedable main distribution unit. The blocking elements can, for example, be butterfly valves. The control unit preferably implements a butterfly valve control system. Due to the fill level detection in the intermediate storage units and the active butterfly valve control, it is possible to run the singulation units empty without emptying a storage container. This reduces the cleaning and / or emptying effort, for example, when the end of a production run is foreseeable.

[0021] Furthermore, a material distribution system according to the invention is advantageous in which the control device is configured to control the actuators depending on the fill level of dispensed material in the intermediate storage area of ​​the intermediate storage unit connected to the respective distribution air outlet. Upon reaching a limit fill level, the control device can, for example, cause an actuator to close the distribution air outlet connected to the intermediate storage unit, thus interrupting the material conveyance towards the intermediate storage unit. In this way, unintentional overfilling of the intermediate storage unit is effectively prevented. When the limit fill level is undershot, the control device can then cause the affected distribution outlet to be released again.

[0022] Furthermore, a material distribution system according to the invention with a driven metering device is preferred, wherein the quantity of dispensing material supplied to the flow-based fed main distribution device can be adjusted by means of the driven metering device. The control device is preferably configured to control the metering device depending on the fill levels of dispensing material in the intermediate storage areas of the intermediate storage units of the series units and / or depending on the blocking states of the blocking elements. Alternatively or additionally, the control device can also be configured to control the control device depending on the motor states of the singulation devices downstream of the intermediate storage units. The metering device can include a metering motor.The control device is preferably designed to control the speed of the metering motor of the metering device depending on the fill levels of dispensing material in the intermediate storage areas of the intermediate storage units of the series units and / or depending on the locking states of the locking elements.

[0023] Furthermore, a material distribution system according to the invention is advantageous in which each row unit has a singulation device for singulating granules of the application material, wherein the application material is supplied to the singulation devices by the intermediate storage unit of the respective row unit. The singulation devices can be configured to operate according to the principle of overpressure singulation.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment of the material distribution system according to the invention, each row unit comprises a first depositing device for depositing the application material distributed by the flow-fed main distribution device and a second depositing device for depositing the application material distributed by the gravity-fed main distribution device and the application material distributed by the flow-fed main distribution devices. The storage container connected to the gravity-fed main distribution device or the storage container connected to the flow-fed main distribution device can be designed as a front-mounted container, i.e., as a storage container of a front-mounted attachment. In this respect, the agricultural application machine could be designed as a simple trailed seed drill with only one group of depositing devices for seed.The spreading machine does not necessarily have to have fertilizer coulters. The front-mounted unit can, alternatively or in addition to the front hopper, also have a main distribution unit, in particular a flow-feed main distribution unit, for example, a distribution head. The first placement units can, for example, include a fertilizer coulter. The first placement units can each have a furrow opener for opening a fertilizer placement furrow and / or a discharge tube for shooting the fertilizer into the opened fertilizer placement furrow. The second placement units are each connected to an intermediate storage unit. The second placement units can have a seed coulter. The second placement units can have a furrow opener for opening a seed placement furrow and / or a discharge tube for shooting the seed into the opened seed placement furrow.

[0025] The problem underlying the invention is further solved by an agricultural spreading machine with a material distribution system comprising several row units, wherein the row units each include an intermediate storage unit according to one of the embodiments described above and / or the material distribution system is designed according to one of the embodiments described above. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the agricultural spreading machine according to the invention, reference is made to the advantages and modifications of the intermediate storage unit and the material distribution system according to the invention.

[0026] The spreading machine can include one or more blowers for generating the supply airflows and / or the distribution airflows. The agricultural spreading machine can have a storage hopper designed as a front-mounted container on a front attachment. Furthermore, the spreading machine can also have several, for example two, separate main distribution units that can be fed based on the flow, wherein the main distribution units that can be fed based on the flow can, for example, be designed as a distribution head. Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a material distribution system according to the invention in a first feeding mode, in which an intermediate storage unit of a row unit is supplied with output material from a gravity-fed main distribution device,

[0028] Fig. 2 shows the material distribution system depicted in Fig. 1 in a second feeding mode, in which the intermediate storage unit is supplied with output material from a main distribution device that can be fed via a flow-based feed system.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows the material distribution system depicted in Fig. 1 in the second feeding mode, in which no dispensing material is supplied to the intermediate storage unit from the flow-based feeding main distribution device due to the fill level,

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a material distribution system according to the invention in a first feeding mode, in which an intermediate storage unit of a row unit receives output material from a storage container assigned to the row unit,

[0031] Fig. 5 shows the material distribution system depicted in Fig. 4 in a second feeding mode, in which the intermediate storage unit is supplied with output material from a main distribution device that can be fed via a flow-based feed system, and

[0032] Fig. 6 shows the material distribution system depicted in Fig. 4 in the second feeding mode, in which no application material is supplied to the intermediate storage unit from the flow-controlled main distribution unit due to the fill level. Figs. 1 to 3 show a material distribution system 10 for applying application material M1, M2 to an agricultural area. For example, fertilizer and seed can be applied simultaneously using the material distribution system 10.

[0033] The material distribution system 10 comprises a blower 12a for generating a supply air flow consisting of air L1. The supply air flow is first directed through a valve 14a, by means of which the flow rate can be adjusted. The flow path can also be completely shut off via the valve 14a. Subsequently, the supply air flow enters a metering device 16, through which the supply air flow is loaded with application material M1 from the storage container 18. The metering device 16 can, for example, include a driven rotary valve, via which a set quantity of application material M1 can be metered into the supply air flow.

[0034] The air L1, loaded with application material M1, then enters a flow-controlled main distribution unit 20. This flow-controlled main distribution unit 20 is designed as a distribution head and comprises a distribution chamber, a flow inlet connected to the distribution chamber for the air L1 loaded with application material M1, and several distribution outlets for discharge air streams loaded with application material M1 from the distribution chamber. The air streams loaded with application material M1 then flow through a switching device 22 towards a storage device 24. The switching device 22 allows the material distribution system 10 to be switched between a first and a second feeding mode.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows the material distribution system 10 in the first feeding mode, in which the air-material mixture flowing into the switching device 22 is directed to the depositing device 24. The depositing device 24 serves to deposit the application material M1, distributed by the flow-based feeding main distribution device 20, onto the agricultural land. The depositing device 24 comprises a fertilizer coulter, and a furrow opener 26 of the depositing device 24 can open a fertilizer deposit furrow, so that the application material, e.g., fertilizer, can be shot into the opened fertilizer deposit furrow by means of a discharge tube of the depositing device 24.

[0036] The material distribution system 10 further comprises a gravity-fed main distribution unit 28, which is also supplied with an airflow containing air L2, generated by the blower 12a. Before entering the gravity-fed main distribution unit 28, the airflow generated by the blower 12a is directed through the valve 14b, via which the airflow can be adjusted and the flow path can be shut off.

[0037] The gravity-fed main distribution unit comprises a main storage area, a feed inlet connected to the main storage area for gravity-fed feeding of application material M2 from the storage container 30 into the

[0038] Main storage area and several distribution outlets for diverting distribution air streams loaded with application material M2 from the

[0039] Main storage area.

[0040] The air L2, loaded with the application material M2, is then directed to an intermediate storage unit 32. The intermediate storage unit 32 comprises an intermediate storage area for the temporary storage of the application material M2. Furthermore, the intermediate storage unit 32 includes a flow inlet connected to the intermediate storage area, through which the distribution air flow loaded with application material M2 can be introduced into the intermediate storage unit 32. The intermediate storage unit 32 also includes a distribution air outlet connected to the intermediate storage area, through which distribution air from the intermediate storage area can be discharged from the intermediate storage unit 32.

[0041] The pneumatic connection between the flow inlet and the distribution air outlet of the intermediate storage unit 32 can be blocked by the application material M2 located in the intermediate storage area to interrupt the distribution air flow loaded with application material M2 as needed. To block the pneumatic connection between the flow inlet and the distribution air outlet of the intermediate storage unit 32 as needed, the intermediate storage unit 32 can have an air passage area which is increasingly covered by the application material M2 as the fill level rises, so that when a limit fill level is reached, the air passage area is completely covered by application material M2 and the flow is interrupted.

[0042] The intermediate storage unit 32 further comprises a sensor-based level detection device 34, which is configured to sensorially detect the level of dispensed material M2 in the intermediate storage area of ​​the intermediate storage unit 32. The sensor-based level detection device 34 is a load cell or may include a load cell. The level detection device 34 is not strictly necessary for the operation of the material distribution system 10 in the first feeding mode.

[0043] The intermediate storage unit 32 also includes a material outlet connected to the intermediate storage area, through which the output material M2 from the intermediate storage area can be discharged from the intermediate storage unit 32 towards a storage device 36.

[0044] In an embodiment not shown, at least three intermediate storage units 32 are connected via a distributor, so that the air L2 loaded with application material M2 is divided among the three intermediate storage units 32. The distributor is preferably W-shaped, so that the distribution airflow loaded with application material M2 is directed into the flow inlet of a central intermediate storage unit 32, with two lines branching off from this supply line and being connected to the flow inlets of the externally arranged intermediate storage units 32. In this way, the number of supply lines can be reduced for material distribution systems 10 with a plurality of row units 40. The depositing device 36 serves to deposit the application material M2, distributed by the gravity-fed main distribution device 28, onto the agricultural land.The placement device 36 includes a singling device 38, by which the application material granules are singulated before being placed on the agricultural land. The singling device 38 is designed to be operated under positive pressure.

[0045] The depositing device 24 for depositing the application material M1 distributed by the flow-controlled main distribution device 20 and the depositing device 36 for depositing the application material M2 distributed by the gravity-controlled main distribution device 28 form a row unit 40, via which the application material M1, M2 can be deposited row by row onto the agricultural land. The material distribution system 10 comprises several row units 40 arranged side by side in the transverse direction, so that the application material M1, M2 can be deposited in several parallel rows on the agricultural land.

[0046] The blower 12b generates an airflow comprising L3 air, which is directed to the singulation device 38. The singulation device 38 is operated at overpressure by means of the airflow generated by the blower 12b.

[0047] Fig. 2 shows the material distribution system 10 after switching to the second feeding mode. In the second feeding mode, the application material M1, distributed by the flow-based feeding main distribution unit 20, is fed from the storage container 18 to the intermediate storage unit 32. This may be intentional, for example, if seed is also carried in the storage container 18.

[0048] In the illustrated operating state of the material distribution system 10, the air supply path between the blower 12a and the gravity-fed main distribution unit 28 is shut off by the valve 14b. In this operating state, it is essential to prevent the intermediate storage unit 32 and the hose leading to it from filling up due to overfilling with application material M1. To prevent this, the level sensing device 34 located in the intermediate storage unit 32 is used. The level sensing device 34 detects the level of application material M1 in the intermediate storage unit 32 and provides this level information to the control unit 42.The control unit 42 controls actuators of the flow-controlled main distribution unit 20, which in turn move the shut-off elements of the flow-controlled main distribution unit 20 to block and release the distribution outlets of the flow-controlled main distribution unit 20. The shut-off elements of the flow-controlled main distribution unit 20 are butterfly valves, so the control unit 42 implements a butterfly valve control.

[0049] Figure 3 shows the material system 10 in the second feeding mode, where the level detection device 34 has detected that a limit level has been exceeded in the intermediate storage unit 32. Due to the limit level being exceeded, the control device 42 initiates a closing movement of the blocking element associated with the distribution air outlet of the flow-based feeding main distribution unit 20, thereby blocking the distribution air outlet for dispensing material M1 and the

[0050] The dispensing material M1 is no longer discharged from the flow-controlled main distribution unit 20 via the distribution air outlet, but instead circulates within the flow-controlled main distribution unit 20. For this purpose, the flow-controlled main distribution unit 20 has a material circulation path. Despite the barrier element being in the closed position, air L1 can still be discharged via an air discharge path of the flow-controlled main distribution unit 20 towards the storage unit 36. The level-dependent control of the barrier elements of the flow-controlled main distribution unit 20 effectively prevents the intermediate storage units 32 and the hoses connected to them from filling up. Figures 4 to 6 show a distribution system 10 without a gravity-fed main distribution unit 28.In this case, the material distribution system 10 comprises several storage containers 30, each storage container 30 being assigned to a row unit 40 or to a storage device 36 of a row unit 40.

[0051] Fig. 4 shows the material distribution system in a first feeding mode, in which the dispensing material distributed via the flow-based feeding main distribution device 20 is fed to the storage device 24 and the dispensing material M2 from the storage container 30 assigned to the row unit 40 is fed to the storage device 36 via the intermediate storage unit 32.

[0052] Fig. 5 shows the material distribution system 10 after switching to the second feeding mode, in which the dispensing material M1 distributed via the flow-based feeding main distribution device 20 is no longer directed to the storage device 24, but to the storage device 36.

[0053] To prevent the intermediate storage unit 32 and its associated tubing from filling up, a level detection device 34 is again arranged in the intermediate storage unit 32. If the level detection device 34 detects that a limit level has been exceeded, the control device 42 causes the affected distribution air outlet of the flow-controlled main distribution unit 20 to be closed, thus interrupting the material flow.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 6, in this case an internal material circulation again occurs within the flow-controlled main distribution unit 20. Air L1 can also be discharged from the flow-controlled main distribution unit 20 towards the storage unit 36 ​​via the air discharge path of the flow-controlled main distribution unit 20.

[0055] 10 Material distribution system

[0056] 12a, 12b blower

[0057] 14a, 14b valves

[0058] 16 Dosing device

[0059] 18 storage containers

[0060] 20 flow-based feedable main distribution unit

[0061] 22 Switching device

[0062] 24 storage unit

[0063] 26 furrow openers

[0064] 28 gravity-fed main distribution units

[0065] 30 storage containers

[0066] 32 Interim storage unit

[0067] 34 Level detection device

[0068] 36 Storage unit

[0069] 38 Singling device

[0070] 40 row units

[0071] 42 Control unit

[0072] M1, M2 application material

[0073] L1-L3 Air

Claims

Claims 1. Intermediate storage unit (32) for a material distribution system (10) of an agricultural spreading machine, comprising an intermediate storage area for the temporary intermediate storage of spreading material (M1, M2); a flow inlet connected to the intermediate storage area, through which a distribution air flow loaded with spreading material (M1, M2) can be introduced into the intermediate storage unit (32); and a distribution air outlet connected to the intermediate storage area, through which distribution air from the intermediate storage area can be discharged from the intermediate storage unit (32); wherein the pneumatic connection between the flow inlet and the distribution air outlet can be blocked via the spreading material (M1, M2) located in the intermediate storage area to interrupt the distribution air flow loaded with spreading material (M1, M2) as required.

2. Intermediate storage unit (32) according to claim 1 , characterized by a sensory level detection device (34) which is configured to sensorially detect the level of application material (M1 , M2) in the intermediate storage area.

3. Intermediate storage unit (32) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensory level detection device (34) comprises a load cell or is designed as a load cell.

4. Intermediate storage unit (32) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensory level detection device (34) is configured to detect when the level is reached to record a limit level of application material (M1 , M2) in the intermediate storage area.

5. Intermediate storage unit (32) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a material outlet connected to the intermediate storage area, through which discharge material (M1, M2) from the intermediate storage area can be discharged from the intermediate storage unit (32).

6. Material distribution system (10) for an agricultural spreading machine, comprising several row units (40) for the row-related application of spreading material (M1, M2) onto an agricultural area, wherein at least two row units (40) have an intermediate storage unit (32) for intermediate storage of spreading material (M1, M2); and a flow-based feedable main distribution device (20), which comprises a distribution chamber, a flow inlet connected to the distribution chamber for a supply air flow loaded with spreading material (M1), and several distribution outlets for directing distribution air flows loaded with spreading material (M1) from the distribution chamber; characterized in that the distribution outlets of the flow-based feedable main distribution device (20) are connectable to the intermediate storage units (32) of the row units (40).

7. Material distribution system (10) according to claim 6, characterized by a gravity-fed main distribution device (28) which has a main storage area, a feed inlet connected to the main storage area for gravity-fed feeding of dispensing material (M2) into the main storage area and several distribution outlets for discharge of comprising distribution air flows loaded with dispensing material (M2) from the main storage area; characterized in that the distribution outlets of the gravity-fed main distribution device (28) are connectable to the intermediate storage units (32) of the series units (40).

8. Material distribution system (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that either the distribution outlets of the gravity-fed main distribution device (28) or the distribution outlets of the flow-fed main distribution device (20) can be connected to the intermediate storage units (32) of the series units (40), so that the intermediate storage units (32) are supplied either only with dispensing material (M2) from the main storage area of ​​the gravity-fed main distribution device (28) or only with dispensing material (M1) from the distribution chamber of the flow-fed main distribution device (20);and / or the distribution outlets of the gravity-fed main distribution unit (28) and the distribution outlets of the flow-fed main distribution unit (20) can be connected simultaneously to the intermediate storage units (32) of the series units (40), so that the intermediate storage units (32) are supplied with application material (M2) from the main storage area of ​​the gravity-fed main distribution unit (28) and application material (M1) from the distribution chamber of the flow-fed main distribution unit (20) simultaneously.; 9. Material distribution system (10) according to claim 6 or 8, characterized in that the intermediate storage units (32) are designed according to one of claims 1 to 5.

10. Material distribution system (10) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by one or more switching devices (22) by means of which the material distribution system (10) can be switched between a first feeding mode in which only application material (M2) from the main storage area of ​​the gravity-fed main distribution device (28) is supplied to the intermediate storage units (32) and a second feeding mode in which only application material (M1) from the distribution chamber of the flow-fed main distribution device (20) is supplied to the intermediate storage units (32).

11. Material distribution system (10) according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the main distribution device (20) which can be fed by flow is designed as a distribution head with material circulation path and air discharge path.

12. Material distribution system (10) according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the distribution outlets of the flow-based feedable main distribution device (20) can be locked via locking elements, wherein a control device (42) of the material distribution system (10) is configured to control actuators connected to the locking elements for releasing and locking the distribution outlets of the flow-based feedable main distribution device (20).

13. Material distribution system (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the control device (42) is configured to control the actuators depending on the fill level of dispensing material (M1, M2) in the intermediate storage area of ​​the intermediate storage unit (32) connected with the respective distribution air outlet.

14. Material distribution system (10) according to one of claims 6 to 13, characterized by a driveable metering device (16) with which the flow-based feedable main distribution device (20) the quantity of application material supplied (M1) is adjustable, wherein the control device (42) is configured to control the metering device (16) depending on the fill levels of application material (M1 , M2) in the intermediate storage areas of the intermediate storage units (32) of the row units (40) and / or depending on the blocking states of the blocking elements.

15. Material distribution system (10) according to one of claims 6 to 14, characterized in that each row unit (40) has a singulation device (38) for singulating application material granules, wherein the application material (M1 , M2) is provided to the singulation devices (38) by the intermediate storage unit (32) of the respective row unit (40).

16. Material distribution system (10) according to one of claims 7 to 15, characterized in that each row unit (40) comprises a first storage device (24) for depositing the application material (M1) distributed by the flow-based feedable main distribution device (20); and a second storage device (36) for depositing the application material (M2) distributed by the gravity-based feedable main distribution device (28) and the application material (M1) distributed by the flow-based feedable main distribution device (20).

17. Agricultural spreading machine, with a material distribution system (10) comprising several row units (40); characterized in that the row units (40) each comprise an intermediate storage unit (32) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and / or the material distribution system (10) is configured according to one of claims 6 to 16.

Images