Pre-metering Unit for Gentle Seed Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed dosing devices for granular materials like cereals and rapeseed are not gentle enough, leading to potential damage due to high relative speeds between the conveying device and the seeds, which is not suitable for delicate seeds such as wheat, rye, barley, oats, or rapeseed.
Innovation Solution
A dosing device with a pre-metering unit that rotates the granular material before it reaches the conveyor, minimizing the relative speed and using a rotatably mounted disc with drivers to set the seeds in rotation, allowing for axial feeding and gentle treatment, eliminating the need for a distributor head and central dispenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If seeds are fed directly into the conveying device from a stationary position, then the feeding process is simple, but the high relative velocity between the conveying device and seeds causes damage to delicate seeds
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-metering unit performs preliminary action by setting seeds in rotation before they enter the main conveying device. This preliminary rotational motion reduces the relative velocity between seeds and the conveying device, thereby minimizing seed damage while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a pre-metering unit is added to reduce seed damage, then seed handling becomes gentler, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-metering unit is merged with the main conveying device such that the pre-metering unit's housing forms part of the overall device structure. The drivers on the pre-metering disc are integrated into the system, and the pre-metering unit shares the same axis of rotation as the conveying device, reducing overall complexity while achieving gentler seed handling.
3Productivity
If seeds are conveyed tangentially into the dosing unit, then the conveying process is efficient, but the rapid rotation of the conveying system damages the granules
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-metering unit performs preliminary action by gradually accelerating seeds to rotational speed before they enter the main conveying device. This preliminary acceleration reduces the speed differential and impact forces during tangential feeding, maintaining conveying efficiency while reducing granule damage.
4Volume of moving object
If the pre-metering unit moves granular material axially, then the feed to the conveyor becomes more compact, but additional mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-metering unit creates a controlled environment where granular material is gradually accelerated to match the rotational speed of the conveying device. By equalizing the velocity conditions before material transfer, the system achieves compact axial feeding without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
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 pre-metering unit ensures a defined quantity of seeds is fed gently to the conveyor, reducing damage and enabling precise dosing, while the design minimizes seed damage and allows for a more compact arrangement, effectively addressing the gentleness issue in seed treatment.
Implementation Method 1
the pre-dosing unit sets the granular material in rotation and moves it in the direction of the conveying device's axis of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a metering device for granular material, in particular seeds. Said metering device comprises a conveying device which is mounted so it can rotate in a housing, said conveying device interacting with a housing wall or a guide element such that granular material can be conveyed from a receiving area into a discharge area. Said metering device comprises a pre-metering unit by means of which the granular material can be conveyed from a reservoir (3) to the conveying device and the granular material can be set in rotation by the pre-metering unit and can be moved in the direction of the rotational axis of the conveying device.