Distributor Head Funnel Return for Pneumatic Seed Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributor heads for agricultural machines face challenges in evenly distributing seeds or fertilizers across varying crop types, particularly due to issues with airflow and seed distribution when blocking outlets, leading to inefficiencies and uneven application rates.
Innovation Solution
A distributor head design featuring a collective return system with a funnel surrounding the riser pipe, which slows down returned material, allowing it to enter the riser pipe primarily via gravity, reducing airflow disruption and enhancing seed entrainment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If blocking elements are inserted into individual outlets to change row spacing, then adaptability for different crops is improved, but airflow stability deteriorates causing excessive flow speed in uncovered outlets or coffee grinder effect
Solution Approach 1:
A return device is introduced as an intermediary element that redirects blocked outlets to a common return opening. This mediator allows blocked outlets to discharge material without disrupting the airflow in active outlets, preventing both excessive flow speed and coffee grinder effect while maintaining row spacing adaptability through blocking elements
2Productivity
If returned material is directed back into the riser pipe at high speed, then productivity is improved by quick return, but manufacturing precision deteriorates as material cannot be easily entrained in the upward airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The return device utilizes a vertical dimension by directing returned material downward into a lower opening of the riser pipe, allowing gravity to assist the return process while the upward airflow from the blower entrains the material. This dimensional approach enables both quick return and even distribution by combining gravitational force with pneumatic entrainment
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 ensures easier and more even distribution of seeds or fertilizers, maintaining airflow stability and improving application rates by reducing the speed of returned material and enhancing its entrainment in the riser pipe.
Implementation Method 1
seeds, fertilizer or similar granular substances are usually guided from a seed hopper through a tube to a distributor head with the aid of an air stream
Implementation Method 2
the seed in the distributor chamber is distributed to the outlets arranged on the outside
Implementation Method 3
returning the material to be distributed from a blocked outlet into the riser pipe
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a distributor head (8) for an agricultural distribution machine (1), in particular a seed drill and/or fertilizer spreader, for pneumatically distributing material such as seeds, fertilizer or the like, with an upright, central riser pipe (7) for feeding the material into a preferably mushroom-shaped distributor chamber (13), from which a plurality of outlets (14) extend around the circumference of the distributor chamber (13), leading from the distributor head (8) to application elements (10) of the distribution machine (1), wherein at least one blocking element is provided for selectively blocking or releasing at least one outlet (14) and a return device is provided for returning the material from a blocked outlet (14) to the riser pipe (7).According to the invention, the return device is formed by a funnel (20) surrounding the riser pipe (7), which connects to the distributor chamber (13) with its upper edge (20o) and transitions into the riser pipe (7) with its lower end (20u), so that an upper part of the riser pipe (7) lies inside the funnel chamber.