Granular Doser with Sensor-Based Flow Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing devices for granular materials, such as seeds, require complex settings to adjust the central doser, making the process inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an air outlet opening in the saw facility that can be partially blocked by a buffer or blocking element, allowing a sensor unit to measure pressure and volume flow in the pneumatic conveyor channels, which is used to regulate the central doser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If grain counters are used at the outlet of singulating elements to regulate the central metering device, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical grain counters with a sensor unit that uses optical or electromagnetic fields to detect granular material. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical counting mechanisms while maintaining measurement capability, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensor unit that measures parameters (such as pressure, flow rate, or optical properties) of the granular material stream. This intermediary measurement approach allows indirect determination of material flow characteristics without requiring direct counting of individual particles, simplifying the overall system while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If calibration tests are used to adjust the central metering device, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the sensor unit continuously monitors the granular material flow and provides real-time data to adjust the central metering device. This closed-loop feedback eliminates the need for time-consuming manual calibration tests, as the system automatically adjusts to maintain dosing precision during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration through the sensor unit's continuous monitoring and automatic adjustment capabilities. The central metering device regulates itself based on real-time feedback from the sensor, eliminating the need for external calibration procedures and reducing setup time while maintaining dosing precision.
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 simplifies the setting of the central doser by using pressure and volume flow measurements to adjust the dosing process, ensuring a consistent and efficient distribution of granular materials.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor unit with which the pressure (of the flowing air) prevailing in the first pneumatic conveying channel, the second pneumatic conveying channel, and/or the distribution head can be determined
Implementation Method 2
The at least one air outlet opening of the sowing device can be closed according to the buffer fill level, which leads to increased flow resistance of the conveying air flow. This, in turn, causes a pressure increase in the conveying air line.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention comprises a metering device for granular material, in particular seeds, comprising a storage container (1) for the granular material, a central metering unit (2) connected to the storage container (1), a first pneumatic conveying channel (3) connected to the central metering unit (2) for pneumatically conveying granular material to a distribution head (5), at least one seeding device (8), and a second pneumatic conveying channel (7) for pneumatically conveying granular material from the distribution head (5) to the at least one seeding device (8), wherein the seeding device (8) has at least one air outlet opening (10) which can be at least partially blocked by a buffer of granular material or by a blocking element, wherein a sensor unit (14; 15; 16;17) is provided for determining the pressure and/or volume flow prevailing in the first pneumatic conveying channel (3), in the second pneumatic conveying channel (7) and/or in the distribution head (5), and wherein the central dosing unit (2) is adjustable or controllable based on one or more measured values of the sensor unit (14; 15; 16; 17).