Agricultural machine
The inclined arrangement of weighing sensors in agricultural machines addresses the challenge of mechanical stress and vibrations, enabling reliable and efficient load measurement in agricultural machines.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- KVERNELAND GRP NIEUW VENNEP BV
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing agricultural machines face challenges in efficiently and safely recording weighing information for transport or storage containers carrying solid or liquid loads, particularly due to vibrations and mechanical stress on weighing sensors during operation.
The design incorporates weighing sensors with a connecting line inclined relative to the direction of travel, supported by a frame, and a force application point, minimizing mechanical damage from oscillations and ensuring reliable weighing signals.
This configuration enhances the mechanical resilience of weighing sensors, allowing safe and accurate determination of load quantities in transport or storage containers, even under operational vibrations.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025084553_04062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Kverneland Group Nieuw-Vennep BV
[0002] K75336WO
[0003] Agricultural machine
[0004] The invention relates to an agricultural machine.
[0005] background
[0006] Agricultural machinery is used for various tasks and activities in agriculture, for example in fieldwork. This regularly involves carrying solid or liquid loads of various kinds in a transport or storage container, especially for transport purposes.
[0007] For example, agricultural machines for spreading solid and / or liquid materials are known, particularly as spreading machines. In these machines, the respective agricultural machine has a transport or storage container in which the material to be spread is received. Using a spreading device, the material to be spread is received from the transport or storage container, optionally after being temporarily stored in a container downstream of the transport or storage container, and then spread or distributed. For example, a spreading material such as fertilizer, which may be provided as a granular material, can be applied in this way. In another embodiment, the transport or storage container can be a tank to hold a liquid material to be applied, for example, a spray solution, such as a pesticide or a liquid fertilizer.Seed from a seed drill is also usually first collected in such a transport or storage container in order to then sow the seed, either in groups of seeds or as a single seed.
[0008] For the operation of agricultural machinery used to spread solid or liquid material, information about the quantity of material to be spread remaining in the transport or storage container is important. To determine this, a weighing device can be provided, which is attached to the transport or storage container.
[0009] In other agricultural machines, such as harvesters or agricultural transport vehicles, the transport or storage container serves to collect and transport other loads such as bulk goods or harvested crops, but also to collect and transport excrement such as liquid manure, slurry, and slurry. BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT
[0010] - 2 -
[0011] Summary
[0012] The object of the invention is to provide an agricultural machine in which weighing information for a transport or storage container with cargo contained therein can be efficiently and safely recorded.
[0013] To solve the problem, an agricultural machine according to independent claim 1 is provided. Embodiments are the subject of dependent subclaims.
[0014] According to one aspect, an agricultural machine is designed to have the following: a frame; a transport or storage container attached to the frame and equipped to hold a solid or liquid load such as spray fluid, grit, seeds, bulk goods, harvested crops, or the like; and a weighing device associated with the transport or storage container, including weighing sensors that are operable to detect weighing signals from the transport or storage container containing the load. For each weighing sensor, a connecting line is inclined relative to the direction of travel of the agricultural machine between a frame support on the weighing sensor, in the area where the weighing sensor is supported by the frame, and a force application point, in the area where a weight force acting on the weighing sensor from the transport or storage container is applied to the weighing sensor.
[0015] The proposed design of the weighing sensors and their arrangement in relation to the direction of travel or operation of the agricultural machine supports the safe and reliable acquisition of weighing signals for the transport or storage container and its contents during agricultural operation. Based on these weighing signals, it is possible, for example, to determine the quantity of material in the transport or storage container at the time of measurement. Similarly, weighing signals at different measurement times can be used to determine the quantity of material that has left the transport or storage container, for example, when it has been spread.
[0016] When an agricultural machine travels across terrain being worked, especially a field, it experiences vibrations, which cause the transport or storage container to sway or swivel. Forces also act on the transport or storage container during road travel, particularly when accelerating and braking, causing it to sway. In these cases, the transport or storage container swivels both in the direction of travel or work and perpendicular to it. The BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT
[0017] - 3 -
[0018] Swaying of the transport or storage container places mechanical stress on the associated weighing sensors. The proposed alignment of the connecting line between the frame support on the weighing sensor and the force application point on the weighing sensor enhances the mechanical resilience of the weighing sensors against oscillations or movements of the transport or storage container during transport, particularly in agricultural operations. By tilting the sensor relative to the direction of travel or work, mechanical damage to the weighing sensors caused by oscillations in the direction of travel or work, as well as perpendicular to it, is avoided or at least minimized.
[0019] In the area of the frame support, the weighing sensor can be mounted on the frame with either a flat or point support. A multi-point support is also possible. Similarly, in the area of force application, the transport or storage container can be mounted on the weighing sensor with either a flat or point support.
[0020] The connecting lines of the weighing sensors can lie together in one plane, especially in a horizontally oriented plane.
[0021] The connecting line can be arranged at an angle of 35 degrees to 55 degrees to the direction of travel for each weighing sensor, in particular at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.
[0022] The weighing sensors can each be formed with a sensor body, and at least the frame support or at least the force application can be arranged in an end section of the sensor body. In one embodiment, both the frame support and the force application are arranged in respective end sections of the sensor body, in particular in opposite end sections.
[0023] The weighing sensors can each have an elongated sensor body, and the connecting line can run substantially along the longitudinal direction of the elongated sensor body. The sensor body can be rod-shaped. In this embodiment, at least the frame support or at least the force application can be located in the region of one rod end of the sensor body.
[0024] The sensor body can be equipped with a housing designed to accommodate sensor components, in particular a sensor element and optionally associated electronic circuitry for the sensor element. BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT
[0025] - 4 -
[0026] The frame support and I or the force application can be formed in the area of a respective section of an outer surface of the sensor body.
[0027] At least some weighing sensors can incorporate a weighing sensor from the following group: shear beam weighing sensor and bending beam weighing sensor. In these weighing sensors, also known as load cells, springs or bending beams integrated into the sensor body serve as the sensing element. The intensity of the deformation of this sensing element due to the applied weight force then provides information about the weight force, for example. Strain gauges or thin-film sensors are used, for example, to form the sensing element.
[0028] The frame support can be arranged internally with respect to the force application. This embodiment provides that the frame support is arranged internally along the inclined connecting line, for example, when the multiple weighing sensors are arranged along a circumferential line. Accordingly, the force application along the connecting line is then arranged externally. In one embodiment, a base surface of the transport or storage container, which is arranged opposite the weighing sensors and which serves as the contact surface for the force application to multiple weighing sensors, can thus be larger than a frame section against which the weighing sensors are supported.
[0029] The weighing device can be located on the base of the transport or storage container, and at least some of the weighing sensors can be positioned in a corner area of a base surface of the transport or storage container opposite the weighing device and / or adjacent to it. In one embodiment, the base surface is rectangular. For example, four weighing sensors can be located in the corner areas of such a base surface.
[0030] The frame can be formed with a frame structure, and at least some of the weighing sensors can be located in a corner area of the frame structure and / or adjacent to it. The frame structure can be open on the inside. A rectangular shape can be provided for the frame structure. An outer perimeter of the frame structure can follow an outer perimeter of the base. For example, the frame structure can have a rectangular shape if the base surface is rectangular. BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT
[0031] - 5 -
[0032] The weighing sensors can each be arranged, at least partially, in a designated mounting pocket or opening on the frame. In this way, the weighing sensors can be at least partially surrounded by sections of the frame, thus providing, for example, mechanical protection. This design also allows for a space-saving arrangement of the weighing sensors. If the frame is at least partially formed with a hollow profile, the weighing sensors can be inserted, at least partially, through an opening in the frame profile.
[0033] The agricultural machine can be configured for the transport or storage container in one of the following ways: the transport or storage container is carried or held by a tractor via its frame; or the transport or storage container is carried or held by its frame on a trailer that can be coupled to a tractor for towing. The tractor can be, for example, a tractor that holds or carries the transport or storage container, with the frame connected to the tractor by a mounting or support device. Alternatively, the agricultural machine can consist of a trailer that can be attached to and towed by a tractor.
[0034] The agricultural machine can be designed as an agricultural machine for spreading a solid or liquid material (such as a spreading machine), wherein the transport or storage container is configured to receive as its load a solid or liquid material to be applied, such as spray liquid, grit, seed, or the like. The agricultural machine has a spreading device that is operable to receive and apply the material to be applied from the transport or storage container.
[0035] It can be provided that the weighing sensors are arranged externally, relative to the dispensing device, when viewed from above the transport or storage container. The weighing sensors can be arranged along a circumferential line around the dispensing device. In one embodiment, the dispensing device is then located below the transport or storage container. In an alternative embodiment, the weighing sensors can be arranged around an opening in the transport or storage container for dispensing the material, with the material to be dispensed being conveyed from the opening to the dispensing device, which, when viewed from above the transport or storage container, is located outside the circumferential line on which the weighing sensors are arranged. In this way, the dispensing device can be, for example, in BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT
[0036] - 6 -
[0037] The direction of travel must be behind the transport or storage container.
[0038] The agricultural machine used to spread the material (distributing machine) can be one of the following: an agricultural spreader such as a fertilizer spreader, in which the transport or storage container is designed to hold a spreading material such as fertilizer; an agricultural sprayer, in which the transport or storage container is designed to hold a spraying liquid; and an agricultural seed drill, in which the transport or storage container is designed to hold seed. Each agricultural machine has a transport or storage container that holds the material to be spread. Weighing signals for the respective material are recorded using a weighing device.
[0039] In alternative embodiments, the agricultural machine is, for example, designed as a machine from the following group: a harvesting machine in which the transport or storage container is configured to receive a harvested crop; or an agricultural transport machine such as a loading wagon or tipper trailer in which the transport or storage container is configured to receive a transported load. In one embodiment, the transport or storage container serves to receive and transport, as well as optionally distribute or spread (in the case of a spreading machine), excrement such as liquid manure, slurry, and slurry.
[0040] Description of exemplary implementations
[0041] Further examples of implementation are explained below with reference to figures in a drawing. These figures show:
[0042] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an agricultural machine;
[0043] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of another agricultural machine;
[0044] Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an arrangement for an agricultural machine with a transport or storage container on a frame;
[0045] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the arrangement from Fig. 3 from the rear;
[0046] Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the arrangement from Fig. 3; and
[0047] Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the arrangement from Fig. 3 from above, with a transport or storage container omitted.
[0048] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an agricultural machine 1, which in the example shown is combined with a tractor 2 and a BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT
[0049] - 7 - agricultural implement 3 is formed, which is attached to or picked up by the tractor 2 via an implement connection 4 and is thus carried by the tractor 2. In operation, the agricultural machine 1 moves along a travel or working direction A.
[0050] In Fig. 1, the implement 3 shows, by way of example, an agricultural sprayer 5 comprising a transport or storage container 6 designed as a tank for receiving a spray liquid, a frame 7 configured to receive and hold the transport or storage container 6, and a spraying device 8 for spraying the liquid onto the ground G. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the agricultural machine 1 forms a sprayer for applying the spray liquid.
[0051] The implement connection 4 in the example shown includes a three-point linkage 9. Various types of three-point linkages are known. In the example shown, an upper connecting arm 10 and two lower connecting arms 11 are provided on opposite sides. The upper connecting arm 10 can, for example, include a hydraulic cylinder. The length L of the upper connecting arm 10 can be varied.
[0052] The upper connecting arm 10 is pivotably connected to the implement frame 7 in an upper connection section 12. On the opposite side of the upper connecting arm 10, the upper connecting arm 10 is pivotably connected to the tractor 2. The lower connecting arms 11 are pivotally connected to vertical implement frame elements 7a in a lower connection section 13.
[0053] With the help of the implement connection 4, the horizontal inclination and height above the ground G of the agricultural implement 3 carried by the tractor 2 can be adjusted.
[0054] Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of the agricultural machine 1, in which the implement 3 exemplarily comprises an agricultural spreader 14, which is operable to spread a spreading material by means of a spreading device 15, which is collected in the transport or storage container 6. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the agricultural machine 1 forms a fertilizer spreader.
[0055] In alternative configurations (not shown), the transport or storage container 6 can be arranged on a trailer for receiving a liquid or solid load. BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT
[0056] - 8 - which is pulled by means of the tractor 2 during operation.
[0057] Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an arrangement for the agricultural machine 1 according to Fig. 2, which is exemplified as a distribution or application machine. The transport or storage container 6, which is designed to receive the load, such as material to be applied, in a receiving chamber 6a, for example a granular spreading material like fertilizer, is arranged on a frame 20, which can, for example, be formed with the machine frame 7. In the alternative embodiment according to Fig. 1, the transport or storage container 6 is formed with the tank for receiving a liquid material, for example in the case of an agricultural sprayer.
[0058] Figures 4 and 5 show the arrangement from Figure 3 from the front and the side. In the illustration in Figure 6, the transport or storage container 6 has been omitted for simplification; a top view with the frame 20 is shown.
[0059] Adjacent to corner areas 21.1, ..., 21.4 of the frame 20, a weighing device 22 with weighing sensors 22.1, ..., 22.4 is formed. With the aid of the weighing device 22, weighing signals for the transport or storage container 6 and the cargo contained therein can be recorded.
[0060] The weighing sensors 22.1, ..., 22.4 are formed with a respective sensor body 23, which in the illustrated embodiment has a rod shape. Each weighing sensor 22.1, ..., 22.4 is supported on the frame 20 in the area of a frame support 24, adjacent to the corner areas 21.1, ..., 21.4 in the illustrated example. The respective frame support 24 is located internally with respect to a force application 25 at the weighing sensor 22.1, ..., 22.4. In the area of the force application 25, a weight force is applied to each weighing sensor 22.1, ..., 22.4 by the transport or storage container 6 with the load contained therein. If, for example, the weighing sensors 22.1 , ... , 22.4 each have a shear bar or a bending bar weighing sensor formed with a strain gauge, this leads to a strain or bending proportional to the weight force.
[0061] As shown in Fig. 6, a connecting line 27 runs between the respective frame support 24 and the respective force application 25 at an angle to the direction of travel or work A during operation of the agricultural machine 1. In this way, fluctuations of the transport or storage container 6 and / or the frame 20 and the resulting BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT
[0062] - 9 - mechanical loads for the weighing sensors 22.1 , ... , 22.4 are optimally absorbed without causing mechanical damage to the weighing sensors 22.1 , ... , 22.4.
[0063] The frame support 24 and / or force application 25 can each be formed on the weighing sensor 22.1 , ... , 22.4 with a flat support or a point support.
[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 20 is designed as an open frame structure with a rectangular shape (see Fig. 6). The area covered by the frame 20 in a horizontal plane is smaller than the rectangular base 27 of the transport or storage container 6, which is supported externally by the weighing sensors 22.1, ..., 22.4 with respect to the frame 20.
[0065] In the operation of the agricultural machine 1, the material to be spread is fed from the receiving chamber 6a via outlets 30, 31 to a respective spreading device in the arrangement shown in Figs. 3 to 6, as is known as such and as Fig. 2 shows by way of example.
[0066] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawing can be important for the realization of the various embodiments, both individually and in any combination.
Claims
Kverneland Group Nieuw-Vennep BV K75336WO Claims 1. Agricultural machine (1), with: - a frame (20); - a transport or storage container (6) which is arranged and equipped on the frame (20) to receive a solid or liquid load such as spray liquid, grit, seed, bulk material, harvested crop or the like; and - a weighing device (22) with weighing sensors (22.1, ..., 22.4) assigned to the storage container (6), which are operable to detect weighing signals for the transport or storage container (6) with the load; wherein, in the case of the weighing sensors (22.1, ..., 22.4), a connecting line (27) between a frame support (24) on the weighing sensor, in the area in which the weighing sensor is supported on the frame (20), and a force application (25), in the area in which a weight force acting on the weighing sensor from the transport or storage container (6) is introduced onto the weighing sensor, is inclined to a direction of travel of the agricultural machine (1).
2. Agricultural machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting line (27) at the weighing sensors (22.1, ..., 22.4) is arranged at an angle of 35 degrees to 55 degrees to the direction of travel, in particular at an angle of about 45 degrees.
3. Agricultural machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the weighing sensors (22.1, ..., 22.4) are each formed with a sensor body (23) and at least the frame support (24) or at least the force introduction (25) is arranged in an end section of the sensor body (23).
4. Agricultural machine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weighing sensors (22.1, ..., 22.4) each have an elongated sensor body and the connecting line (27) in the weighing sensors (22.1, ..., 22.4) each runs substantially in the longitudinal direction of the elongated sensor body.
5. Agricultural machine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the weighing sensors (22.1 , ..., 22.4) comprise a respective weighing sensor from the following group: shear bar weighing sensor and bending bar weighing sensor. BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT -2- 6. Agricultural machine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame support (24) is arranged internally with respect to the force input (25).
7. Agricultural machine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weighing device (22) is assigned to a base of the transport or storage container (6) and at least part of the weighing sensors (22.1, ..., 22.4) are arranged in a respective corner area (21.1, ..., 21.4) of a base surface of the transport or storage container (6) opposite the weighing device and / or adjacent thereto.
8. Agricultural machine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (20) is formed with a frame frame and at least a part of the weighing sensors (22.1, ..., 22.4) are arranged in a respective corner area (21.1, ..., 21.4) of the frame frame and / or adjacent thereto.
9. Agricultural machine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weighing sensors (22.1, ..., 22.4) are each at least partially arranged in an associated receiving pocket or opening on the frame (20).
10. Agricultural machine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the following embodiments is provided for the transport or storage container (6): - the transport or storage container (6) is carried by a tractor (2) by means of the frame (20); and - the transport or storage container (6) is held on a trailer vehicle by means of the frame (20), which can be coupled to a tractor (2) for towing operation.
11. Agricultural machine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, which is designed as an agricultural machine for spreading a solid or liquid material, wherein the transport or storage container (6) is configured to hold as cargo a solid or liquid material to be spread, such as spray liquid, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT - 3 - 12. Agricultural machine (1) according to claim 11, selected from the following Group: - agricultural spreading machine such as fertilizer spreader, in which the transport or storage container (6) is designed to receive a spreading material such as fertilizer; - agricultural spraying or misting machine, in which the transport or storage container (6) is designed to receive a spraying or misting liquid; - agricultural seed drill in which the transport or storage container (6) is equipped to receive seed.