Agricultural Distributor Head Pneumatic Air Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing distributor heads for agricultural spreading machines have limited air separation performance, which can lead to flow stalls and blockages in the main delivery line, affecting the efficient distribution of granular materials.

Innovation Solution

The distributor head design pneumatically connects the material return flow region and air discharge flow region along a separation section, allowing air to be separated and returned, with a separation path length of at least 10mm, and features a rotating material return flow area that acts like a centrifugal separator to enhance air separation, while maintaining a wall-free connection to prevent granular material entry into the air discharge area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the material return flow area and air discharge flow area are pneumatically separated by a channel or line wall, then granular material can be prevented from entering the air discharge area, but air separation performance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of granular material entry into air discharge areaVSAvoidair separation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The return device is divided into distinct functional areas (material return flow area and air discharge flow area) that are wall-free separated along a separation path. This segmentation allows air to be separated and discharged while preventing granular material from entering the air discharge area, resolving the contradiction between material containment and air separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A separation path acts as an intermediary between the material return flow area and air discharge flow area. This intermediate zone allows air to pass through while blocking granular material, enabling both air separation and material containment without requiring a complete wall separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a wall-free connection is provided between material return flow area and air discharge flow area, then air separation performance is improved, but granular material may enter the air discharge area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair separation performanceVSAvoidprevention of granular material entry into air discharge area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The separation path has specific local characteristics (length of at least 10mm, geometric separation via an edge) that provide selective permeability. This local quality allows air to pass through while preventing granular material from entering the air discharge area, resolving the contradiction between air separation and material containment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the separation path length is increased to at least 10mm, then air separation performance is significantly improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair separation performanceVSAvoidseparation section design
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separation path is integrated into the existing return device structure, merging the air separation function with the material return flow path. This integration achieves improved air separation performance without significantly increasing device complexity, as the separation path utilizes the existing geometric configuration of the return device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design significantly improves air separation performance, enabling error-free operation in applications requiring pronounced air separation, reducing the risk of flow stalls and blockages, and ensuring efficient granular material distribution.

Implementation Method 1

the material return flow region and the air discharge flow region of the respective return devices are pneumatically connected to one another along a separation section in such a way that air from a return flow flowing through the material return flow region can be separated into the air discharge flow region along the separation path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic connection: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the material return flow area rotates at least in sections, in particular spirally, around the air discharge flow area. The material return flow area forms a winding or outer helix that wraps around the air removal flow area. The flow area available for air separation is significantly increased by providing a separation section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP4241548A1Distribution head for an agricultural application machine and application machine and method for distributing material
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4241548A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4241548A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4241548A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a distributor head (10) for an agricultural spreading machine (100), comprising a main conveying line (12) through which granular material can be introduced into a distribution area (22) of the distributor head (10), several discharge channels (24) extending from the distribution area (22) through which granular material can be introduced into discharge lines (110) leading to depositing devices (104), and several return devices (14), each comprising a material return flow area (28) and an air discharge flow area (26), wherein granular material can be returned from a discharge channel (24) to the main conveying line (12) via a return flow through the material return flow area (28), and air separated from a return flow can be directed to a discharge channel (24) and/or a discharge line (110) via the air discharge flow area (26). is.