Centrifugal Fertilizer Spreader Slide Position Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal fertilizer spreaders face issues with reproducible adjustment of the dosing opening size, leading to over- or under-fertilization, and are complex to manufacture due to the use of geared motors with integrated signal discs and light barriers.

Innovation Solution

A centrifugal fertilizer spreader with a rotation angle sensor arranged on the slide axis of rotation allows precise detection of the slide position without intermediate gear elements, enabling precise control of the dosing opening and simplifying the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for complex gear systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a geared motor with integrated signal disc and light barrier is used to detect slider position, then the position can be detected, but the manufacturing complexity increases and the detection precision decreases due to gear play and hysteresis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslider position detection precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the signal detection function from the drive system by placing the rotation angle sensor directly on the slide axis of rotation, separate from the geared motor. This eliminates the need for integrated signal discs and light barriers within the gear mechanism, reducing manufacturing complexity while improving detection precision by removing gear play and hysteresis interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a rotation angle sensor as an intermediary device that directly measures the slide position on the axis of rotation. This intermediary sensor provides accurate position feedback without being part of the mechanical drive train, avoiding the problems of gear-induced measurement errors while keeping the drive system simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a rotation angle sensor is arranged on the slide axis of rotation, then the slider position can be detected precisely without gear play, but the device structure changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslider position detection precisionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the position detection function with the existing slide axis of rotation structure. By mounting the rotation angle sensor directly on the axis where the slide already rotates, the invention achieves precise detection without adding separate measurement mechanisms, thus improving precision while minimizing structural changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If intermediate gear elements are used to transmit motion to the slider, then the slider can be adjusted, but the position detection becomes inaccurate due to gear play and hysteresis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslider adjustabilityVSAvoidslider position detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control system into two independent parts: the geared motor for slider adjustment and the rotation angle sensor for position detection. By separating these functions and placing the sensor directly on the slide axis, the invention maintains ease of operation through the geared motor while achieving accurate position detection independent of gear errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution provides precise and reproducible fertilizer dosing, reducing manufacturing complexity and ensuring accurate fertilizer distribution, as the angle of rotation sensor directly detects the slide position without gear play or hysteresis, allowing for precise control of the dosing opening.

Implementation Method 1

a rotation angle sensor for detecting the slide position is arranged on the slide axis of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation angle detection:

Implementation Method 2

The centrifugal disc and/or throwing arms for spreading the fertilizer on the field. The centrifugal disc may be rotatable by means of a rotary drive in order to spread the fertilizer by means of centrifugal forces.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

The reservoir can be designed at least partially as a downwardly tapering funnel, at the lower end of which the dosing opening is arranged. As a result, the fertilizer slides down in the tapering hopper due to its own gravity and falls through the dosing opening onto the distribution device.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2939512B1Centrifugal fertilizer spreader with a rotation angle sensor
Publication Date: 2016.12.07 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2939512B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2939512B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2939512B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Centrifugal fertilizer spreader (1) with a storage container (2) for fertilizer and a distribution element (3) for applying the fertilizer to a field, wherein an adjustable metering opening (4) for metering the fertilizer onto the distribution element (3) is formed with a slide (5) which is pivotable about a slide pivot axis (A) by means of a lever (6) and a drive (7) acting thereon, characterized in that a rotation angle sensor (8) for detecting the slide position is arranged on the slide pivot axis (A).