Counter-rotating Auger Dosing for Uniform Agricultural Material Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural spreaders face challenges in optimizing installation space and achieving precise material distribution due to pulsating material discharge from augers, which requires additional dosing devices for consistent seed or fertilizer distribution.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of counter-rotating conveyor spirals with angled ends and a modular screw conveyor system that includes a partially elastic web wall and separate outlet openings, allowing for even material flow and precise dosing, while minimizing space usage and preventing pulsating discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a funnel-shaped base is used in the container for material removal, then material flows smoothly into the dosing device, but valuable installation space within the machine or storage volume within the container is reserved
Solution Approach 1:
The container bottom is divided into multiple screw conveyor units, each with its own outlet opening. This segmentation eliminates the need for a large funnel-shaped base while maintaining smooth material flow to multiple distributed outlets, thereby saving container storage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of concentrating material flow to a single central outlet requiring a large funnel, the system distributes material flow across multiple outlet openings arranged in a planar pattern on the container bottom. This dimensional redistribution eliminates the need for deep funnel structures.
2Device complexity
If a single auger conveyor is used for material discharge, then installation space is saved, but pulsating material discharge occurs requiring additional dosing devices
Solution Approach 1:
The single auger conveyor is segmented into multiple independent screw conveyor units, each with its own outlet opening. This segmentation distributes material flow across multiple outlets simultaneously, eliminating pulsating discharge and achieving consistent material distribution without requiring additional dosing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple screw conveyor units are merged into a single integrated system sharing a common drive mechanism. This combines the simplicity of a single drive system with the material discharge consistency of multiple outlets, avoiding the need for separate dosing devices for each outlet.
3Device complexity
If screw conveyors are arranged to remove material from one side of the outlet opening, then dosing is simplified, but the center of gravity of the entire device shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The screw conveyor units are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the container centerline, with unequal numbers of outlets on each side. This asymmetric arrangement balances the center of gravity while maintaining simplified dosing mechanisms, as the imbalance in outlet distribution compensates for the asymmetric conveyor placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric arrangement of screw conveyor outlets creates a counterbalancing effect where the weight distribution of material being conveyed on one side compensates for the asymmetric placement, stabilizing the device center of gravity during operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances material delivery accuracy and installation efficiency by ensuring even material distribution across a wider area, reducing the need for additional dosing devices and optimizing space usage, while allowing for flexible and precise control over material flow.
Implementation Method 1
a conveyor screw (5) with two conveyor spirals (8, 9) arranged counter to one another along the screw axis (7) for conveying material along the screw axis into a common outlet opening (6)
Implementation Method 2
the opening (12, 12 ') can be designed to be at least partially yielding or elastic... the conveyor spirals (8, 9) can consist at least partially of a flexible or elastic material, for example elastomer
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a dosing device for an agricultural distribution machine, in which a horizontal arrangement of feed augers allows material to be supplied over a large part of the extent of the container base, thus creating more designed space or more available container space. The arrangement of contrarotating auger flights on a feed auger shaft allows material to be dispensed more uniformly into a common outlet opening below the feed auger.