Rotary Distribution Device Blockage Detection and Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distribution devices for flowable media like liquid manure often experience disruptions due to foreign elements, leading to reduced output and potential blockages, which hinder the efficient application of these substances on agricultural land.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sensor system that monitors the distribution device's operation and controls the motor and receiving space to detect and mitigate blockages, including a direct outlet for immediate release of the media, and a reciprocating movement mechanism to clear obstructions, ensuring continuous and effective distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a distribution device with rotary valve and multiple openings is used to distribute extract, then the distribution efficiency is improved, but the susceptibility to blockages by foreign elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a sensor device that detects characteristic values indicating proper functioning of the distribution device, and a control device that responds to these sensor signals by controlling the motor or opening/closing the receiving space. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect blockages and take corrective action, resolving the contradiction between distribution efficiency and susceptibility to blockages.
2Reliability
If a sensor device and control device are added to monitor and control the distribution device, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution device is equipped with sensor devices that automatically detect blockages and control devices that automatically respond by adjusting motor control or opening the receiving space. This self-service capability allows the system to monitor and correct its own operation without external intervention, improving reliability while the automation manages the added complexity.
3Reliability
If the receiving space is opened to clear blockages, then the reliability is improved, but the loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed to open the receiving space only when sensor devices detect characteristic values indicating a blockage. This preliminary action approach ensures that the receiving space is opened only when necessary to clear blockages, rather than continuously, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing substance loss through controlled, targeted opening events.
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for applying a flowable medium, in particular an extract, to agricultural land, comprising a reservoir (2) for receiving the extract, a conveying line (4) for conveying the extract to a distribution device (6), the distribution device having an inlet (62) by means of which the extract can be supplied to a receiving chamber (64) of the distribution device (6), and a plurality of outlets (66a, 66b) through which the extract can be distributed to a plurality of application lines, and wherein the distribution device has within the receiving chamber a distribution body rotatable with respect to a rotational axis, which can be driven to rotate by a motor (72), and furthermore a control device for driving this motor (72) is provided, wherein the device (1) has at least one sensor device (8) which detects at least one value,which is characteristic for the proper functioning of the distribution device (6) and the control device (80) is suitable and intended to control the motor taking into account this characteristic value.