Separating device for a sowing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a separating device (1) for a sowing machine, in particular a pneumatic sowing machine, the separating device having a housing (2) comprising a main part (3) and a cover element (4), which can be released and / or pivoted relative to the main part, and having a rotational body (5), which is mounted within the housing so as to be rotatable relative to the housing about a rotational axis (6), for separating seeds, wherein the rotational body can be displaced relative to the housing in an axial direction (A) along the rotational axis by means of an adjusting device (29). According to the invention, the adjusting device is mounted on the cover element and is designed in such a way that the rotational body can be displaced when the housing is closed, in particular when the housing is pressurized.

Description

[0001] Applicant: January 13, 2026 LEMKEN GmbH & Co. KG PCT 631

[0002] singulation device for a seed drill

[0003] The present invention relates to a metering device for a seed drill, in particular a pneumatic seed drill.

[0004] Pneumatic seed drills, especially pneumatic precision seeders, are used for sowing seeds that are to be placed individually and usually in rows. These precision seeders typically have a singulation device for each row to be sown, in which the seeds are separated and dispensed for placement in the soil. Singulation is usually achieved using differential pressure, which acts via a rotating element, such as a seed disc and / or drum.

[0005] A singulation device of this type for a pneumatic precision seeder is known from EP0193833A1. The singulation of the seed within the device is achieved by means of a rotating seed disc, which has a series of openings along its circumference. Different air pressures act on the two sides of the rotating seed disc, so that the seed is held against the openings and thus singulated. The axial position of the seed disc can be changed, for example, to ensure reliable singulation. Furthermore, different seed discs can be used for different types of seed due to their varying sizes.To replace and adjust the seed discs, the respective singling device must be opened, which makes adjusting the seed disc particularly cumbersome if a correct setting is not achieved immediately. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a singling device for a seed drill which enables improved singling quality and simplified handling.

[0006] The problem is solved by an adjustment mechanism according to the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] A singling device for a seed drill, particularly a pneumatic one, comprising a housing with a base body and a cover element that is removable and / or pivotable relative to the base body, and a rotating body rotatably mounted within the housing and relative to it about an axis of rotation for singling out seeds, wherein the rotating body can be displaced relative to the housing in an axial direction along the axis of rotation by means of an adjusting device. According to the invention, the adjusting device is arranged and designed on the cover element such that displacement of the rotating body is possible when the housing is closed, particularly when pressurized.

[0008] The singulation device can be designed as a pneumatic differential pressure singulation system, which can singulate seeds by means of positive or negative pressure on a rotating body, in particular a seed disc and / or drum. The singulation device comprises a housing with a base body, which can, for example, be rigidly or movably mounted on the frame of a seed drill. The base body can be designed to hold a supply of seeds for singulation by the seed disc. Furthermore, the housing has a cover element, which is detachably and / or pivotably mounted on the base body. A rotating body for singulating seeds can be arranged within the housing and rotatably mounted relative to it about an axis of rotation. The rotating body can be rotatably mounted on the cover element, particularly on a side facing the base body.

[0009] The rotating body can be displaced axially along the axis of rotation, particularly steplessly, relative to the housing, especially the base body and / or the cover element, by means of an adjustment device. In an assembled state, the base body and the cover element can form a substantially pressure-resistant housing. During operation of the singulation device, an overpressure relative to a first area can act within the housing to singulate the seeds. The first area can be located on the cover element side of the rotating body and / or within the rotating body. The first area can be fluidically connected to the environment of the singulation device, allowing the ambient pressure of the singulation device to act within the first area.The second area can be pressurized with a higher pressure than the ambient pressure by means of a blower, thereby generating a pressure difference across the rotating body or the seed disc.

[0010] The adjustment device can be arranged and designed on the cover element such that it can be located at least partially inside and / or outside the cover element. By arranging it at least partially inside the cover element, the rotating body can be mounted on the adjustment device on the inside of the cover element, and in particular, be rotatable about the axis of rotation. When the cover element is released and / or pivoted, the rotating body can be moved together with the cover element. This has the advantage that the rotating body is easily accessible and can be replaced or inspected without much effort.

[0011] By arranging the adjustment device at least partially outside the cover element, it can be operated, particularly manually and / or by motor, from the outside of the cover element. This has the advantage that the adjustment device, and thus the axial displacement of the rotating body, can be operated with the housing closed, and especially pressurized, for example, during operation of the singulation device. The adjustment device according to the invention offers the advantage that, during operation, i.e., when pressurized or with an effective pressure differential on the rotating body, axial adjustment of the rotating body can be carried out without opening the housing, thereby improving singulation quality and handling. Furthermore, connecting the rotating body to the cover element simplifies maintenance and assembly of the rotating body.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the adjusting device has an actuating element which is arranged in the cover element in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner, in particular rotatably and / or axially displaceably. The actuating element can be arranged directly or indirectly in the cover element.

[0013] The actuating element can be arranged in the cover element in such a way that axial displacement of the actuating element is possible, whereby the actuating element can be arranged at least partially inside and / or outside the cover element. The actuating element can be designed to be subjected to a force, particularly in the axial direction, relative to the cover element by means of an elastic element, for example, a spring. The elastic element can act in the axial direction, particularly in the direction of pressure. The elastic element can be unaffected by the overpressure, i.e., it cannot be compressed by the overpressure acting against the environment. The elastic element enables backlash-free adjustment of the actuating element. The actuating element can be arranged in the cover element without a spring element.The actuating element can be designed in the form of a hollow body and / or have at least one opening for exhaust air to pass from a first area into the surroundings. Such an actuating element of the adjustment device offers the advantage that a displacement of the rotating body relative to the cover element can be implemented using simple design means.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the adjusting device has an axially displaceable connecting element arranged on the adjusting element and the rotating body. The connecting element can be located essentially between the adjusting element and the rotating body. The rotating body can, for example, be arranged radially on the outside of the connecting element, in particular rotatably about the axis of rotation. The connecting element can be rotatably connected to the adjusting element, in particular inside and / or outside the cover element, about the axis of rotation.

[0015] The actuating element and the connecting element can be connected in such a way that a rotational movement of the actuating element leads to an axial displacement of the connecting element and thus of the rotating body. This axial displacement of the connecting element can occur without rotation, in particular purely translationally, along the axis of rotation. This offers the advantage of axially adjusting the rotating body or the connecting element without causing other components to rotate, which could lead to an adjustment of the singulation mechanism. Preferably, the actuating element and the connecting element are movably connected to each other by a positive locking mechanism, in particular via a locking element. The positive locking connection can be located outside the housing, in particular the cover element.A groove can be formed, at least partially, along the circumference of the actuating element, into which a locking element formed and / or mounted on the connecting element side can engage in a form-fitting manner. The locking element can be designed as a releasable ring, in particular in the form of a shaft retaining ring.

[0016] The advantage here is that the positive locking connection allows for an axial adjustment of the connecting element, and in particular of the rotating body, in both directions along the axis of rotation.

[0017] Particularly preferably, at least one bearing element is arranged between the actuating element and / or connecting element and the rotating body. The rotating body can be rotatably connected to the actuating element and / or connecting element about the axis of rotation via at least one bearing element, in particular in the form of a ball bearing. The bearing element can, in particular, be arranged radially on the outside of the connecting element. Radially on the inside components of the bearing element, for example in the form of an inner ring, can be fixed radially on the outside of the connecting element in the axial direction, in particular detachably. This has the advantage that axial force transmission along the axis of rotation can be enabled in both directions, so that the rotating body can be moved in both directions.In a further preferred embodiment, the rotating body comprises at least one seed disc and / or a drum, wherein, in particular, the seed disc is detachably arranged on the drum. The rotating body can have a drum or bell to which a seed disc can be connected, thereby forming a first region which can be arranged substantially within the rotating body. The seed disc can adjoin the first region on the inside and a second region on the outside, in particular outside the rotating body. Both the first and second regions can be arranged and formed within the housing. The second region can have a higher air pressure than the first region within the rotating body. The pressure difference acting across the seed disc can, for example, singulate seeds arranged in the second region.Connecting the seed disc to the drum offers the advantage that the seed disc can be adjusted axially. A detachably connected seed disc also allows for easy replacement, for example, to adapt it to the type of seed being sown.

[0018] Preferably, at least one seed disc, a release element, and / or a cleaning element are arranged on the inside of the connecting element. The seed disc can also be arranged directly on the axially displaceable connecting element. Furthermore, a release element and / or a cleaning element can be arranged on the inside of the connecting element, within the first area. The release element serves to close openings in the seed disc in order to release seed adhering to the openings in the second area and can be in the form of a roller. The cleaning element serves to clean or pierce openings in the seed disc and can be in the form of a spiked wheel. The release element and / or cleaning element can be connected to the connecting element by means of a support.Connecting the release element and / or cleaning element to the connecting element allows for twist-free positioning of the release element and / or cleaning element along the axis of rotation together with the rotating body. The advantage here is that the release element and / or cleaning element can be positioned axially together with the rotating body. This allows the contact pressure of the release roller against the seed disc to be kept essentially constant, thereby improving the repeatable release of the seed.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the adjusting element has a profile on its radial outer surface, at least partially along its circumference. The profile can be located substantially outside the cover element. The profile facilitates manual adjustment of the adjusting element and improves grip during adjustment. The profile can be formed at least partially along the circumference of the adjusting element and / or on the end face of the adjusting element. The profile can, for example, be in the form of semicircular arc-shaped recesses.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a cover is provided which is detachably arranged on the cover element on the outside of the adjusting device. The cover has at least one locking element on its inside, which, in a mounted state, interacts with the adjusting device and secures it against rotation. When the cover is mounted on the cover element, the locking element of the cover can engage at least partially in the profile of the adjusting element and secure it against rotation. The locking element can be located on the outside of the adjusting device and at least adjacent to the adjusting element when the cover is mounted. The locking element can be integrally formed with the cover or mounted as a separate element.In addition to fixing the actuator, the mounted cover offers the advantage that exhaust air escaping through the actuator can be deflected, for example towards the floor.

[0021] Preferably, at least one sealing element, particularly one acting radially, is provided between the housing, especially the cover element, and the rotating body, the connecting element, and / or the actuating element. The sealing element can seal off a pressure difference between the interior of the housing, especially the second compartment, and the environment. A radially acting sealing element is particularly advantageous between components that rotate relative to each other.

[0022] Preferably, the rotating body has a drive profile radially on its outer surface, at least partially along its circumference, with which a drive unit of the singulation device can interact. The drive profile can be formed radially on the outer surface of the drum and / or the seed disc of the rotating body along at least a portion of its circumference. It is also conceivable that the drive profile can be formed on an end face of the rotating body. The drive profile can be in the form of a toothed ring or a surface with increased friction. A drive unit, for example in the form of an electric or fluidic drive, can interact with the drive profile to set the rotating body in rotation.

[0023] The invention further relates to an agricultural implement, in particular a pneumatic seed drill, especially a precision seed drill, with at least one singulation device as described and designed above. An arrangement of the adjustment device according to the invention allows the adjustment device to be operated from outside the cover element. This has the advantage that the adjustment device, and thus the axial displacement of the rotating body, can be operated with the housing closed, and in particular pressurized, for example, during operation of the singulation device, thereby improving singulation quality and handling. Furthermore, the connection of the rotating body to the cover element simplifies maintenance and assembly of the rotating body.

[0024] Further details of the invention can be found in the figures and the description of the figures, which show a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0025] They show:

[0026] Fig. 1: a sectional view of a singulation device with an adjustment device for axially displacing a rotating body; and

[0027] Fig. 2: a detailed view of the singulation device shown in Fig. 1.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a singulation device 1 for an agricultural implement in the form of a pneumatic seed drill or a precision seeder. For sowing seed to be singulated, one singulation device 1 is typically used per seed row, which means that, depending on the working width, a plurality of singulation devices 1 are arranged side by side on one implement. The singulation device 1 has a housing 2, which comprises a base body 3 and a cover element 4 that is removable and / or pivotable relative to the base body 3. A rotating body 5 is arranged inside the housing 2, which is rotatably mounted relative to the housing 2 about a pivot axis 6 for singulating seed (not shown). The rotating body 5 comprises a drum 8 and a seed disc 7 that is removable from the end face of the drum. Radially, the rotating body 5 has aThe drum 8 incorporates a drive profile 20 in the form of a toothed ring, which can interact with a drive (not shown) to rotate the rotating body 5 about the axis of rotation 6. The rotating body 5 forms a first region 9, with a second region 10 being formed outside the rotating body 5 and at least partially within the housing 2. A higher atmospheric pressure acts within the second region 10 than within the first region 9, which may be fluidically connected to the environment.

[0029] The pressure difference between the first and second regions 9, 10 also acts via the seed disc 7. The seed disc 7 has a plurality of openings 16 radially on its outer circumference. Due to the pressure difference, seed (not shown) in the second region 10 can adhere to the openings 16 of the seed disc 7 and thus be singulated. The rotating body 5 can be displaced within the housing 2 relative to the housing 2 in the axial direction A along the axis of rotation 6 by means of an adjusting device 29.

[0030] According to the invention, the adjusting device 29 is arranged and designed on the cover element 4 such that the rotating body 5 can be displaced when the housing 2 is closed, particularly when pressurized. This allows the seed disc 7 to be adjusted relative to the housing 2 containing the seed, for example to adapt to the size of the seed or to compensate for manufacturing and assembly tolerances, thereby achieving improved seed singulation.

[0031] The adjusting device 29 has an actuating element 11, which is at least partially arranged within the cover element 4. The actuating element 11 is designed in the form of a hollow body or a body with at least one opening 17 through which air from the first region 9 inside the rotating body 5 can escape from the housing 2 into the environment. The actuating element 11 is positively connected to the cover element 4 via a thread and is rotatably mounted in the cover element 4 about the axis of rotation 6. A cover 21 is detachably arranged on the outside of the cover element 4. The cover 21 deflects the air exiting through the opening 17 via the actuating element 11 towards the ground. A locking element 23 is formed on the cover element side of the cover 21, which, when the cover 21 is mounted, engages in a profile 22 of the actuating element 11, thereby fixing the actuating element 11 and securing it against unintentional rotation.The profiling 22 of the actuating element 11 is formed outside the cover element 4 along the circumference of the actuating element 11 and improves manual adjustment of the actuating element 11.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the adjusting device 29 from Figure 1. The adjusting element 11 is positively and rotatably connected to the cover element 4 via a thread and can be rotated via the profile 22 and thus adjusted in both directions in the axial direction A along the axis of rotation 6. A sealing element 28 is also arranged between the adjusting element 11 and the cover element 4 to prevent contamination of the thread. A connecting element 12 is arranged coaxially to the adjusting element 11 between the cover element 4 and the rotating body 5. The connecting element 12 is positively and rotatably connected to the adjusting element 11. For this purpose, the adjusting element 11 has a groove 14 outside the cover element 4 along its circumference in the radial direction R, into which a locking element 13, in particular in the form of a shaft retaining ring, engages rotatably and positively in the axial direction A.

[0033] The locking element 13 is connected to the connecting element 12 at its end face by means of a connecting element 26, or detachably screwed to it. This allows an axial movement of the adjusting element 11 to be transmitted to the connecting element 12 when it rotates, whereby the connecting element 12 performs a purely translational axial movement along the axis of rotation 6.

[0034] Radially on its outer side, the connecting element 12 is connected to the rotating body 5 via bearing elements 18, allowing the latter to rotate about the connecting element 12. A sealing element 19 is arranged between the cover element 4 and the rotating body 5 or the drum 8. The sealing element 19 acts in the radial direction R. The pressure difference between the second area 10 and the environment acts via the sealing element 19. The bearing elements 18 are designed as ball bearings, the inner rings of which are fixed to the connecting element 12 in the axial direction A. This is achieved by means of a support 15 which is detachably arranged on the connecting element 12 on the disc side. The support 15 is arranged coaxially with the connecting element 12 and is detachably connected or screwed to the connecting element 12 by means of a fastening element 27.

[0035] On the carrier 15, a release element 24 and a cleaning element 25 are arranged on the seed disc side. The release element 24 is in the form of a roller, which is arranged such that openings 16 of the seed disc 7 on the inside of the rotating body 5 are closed at a defined point, thus enabling the release of adhering seed at this opening 16. The cleaning element 25 is in the form of a mandrel wheel, which can pierce the openings 16 and thus clean them. The release element 24 and the cleaning element 25 are displaced axially in direction A purely translationally by means of the connecting element 12 when the adjusting element 11 is adjusted. The axial adjustment occurs together with the rotating body 5 or the seed disc 7, so that a preset contact force of the release and cleaning unit 24, 25 remains unchanged.

[0036] Singulation device 24 Release element Housing 25 Cleaning element Base body 26 Fastening element Cover element 27 Fastening element Rotating body 28 Sealing element Rotary axis 29 Adjustment device Seed disc

[0037] Drum A Axial direction First area R Radial direction Second area

[0038] Actuator

[0039] Connecting element

[0040] Safety element

[0041] Nut

[0042] carrier

[0043] Opening seed disc

[0044] Opening actuator

[0045] bearing element

[0046] Sealing element

[0047] Drive profile

[0048] cover

[0049] Profiling

[0050] Locking element

Claims

Patent claims 1. Singulation device for a seed drill, in particular a pneumatic one, comprising a housing (2) which has a base body (3) and a cover element (4) which is detachable and / or pivotable relative to the base body (3), a rotating body (5) which is rotatably mounted within the housing (2) and relative to it about an axis of rotation (6) for singulating seed, wherein the rotating body (5) can be displaced relative to the housing (2) in an axial direction (A) along the axis of rotation (6) by means of an adjusting device (29), characterized in that the adjusting device (29) is arranged and designed on the cover element (4) in such a way that a displacement of the rotating body (5) is possible when the housing (2) is closed, in particular when pressurized.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting device (29) has an adjusting element (11) which is arranged in the cover element (4) in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner, in particular rotatable and / or axially displaceable manner.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjusting device (29) has an axially displaceable connecting element (12) which is arranged on the adjusting element (11) and the rotating body (5).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (11) and the connecting element (12) are movably connected to each other in a form-fitting manner, in particular via a locking element (13).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one bearing element (18) is arranged between the actuating element (11) and / or connecting element (12) and the rotating body (5).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating body (5) comprises at least one seed disc (7) and / or a drum (8), wherein in particular the seed disc (7) is detachably arranged on the drum (8).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one seeding disc (7), a release element (24) and / or a cleaning element (25) is arranged on the inside of the connecting element (12).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (11) has a profile (22) radially on its outer side, at least partially along its circumference.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover (21) is provided which is detachably arranged on the cover element (4) on the outside of the adjusting device (29), wherein the cover (21) has at least one locking element (23) on its inner side which, in a mounted state, interacts with the adjusting device (29) and secures it against rotation.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sealing element (19), in particular acting in a radial direction (R), is provided between the housing (2), in particular the cover element (4), and the rotating body (5), the connecting element (12) and / or the actuating element (11).

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating body (5) has a drive profile (20) radially on the outside, at least partially along its circumference, with which a drive unit of the singulation device (1) can interact.

12. Agricultural implement, in particular pneumatic seed drill, with at least one singulation device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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