Rotatable Calibration Trough for Seed Drill Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed drills face challenges in designing a calibration trough that is simple to move between calibration and non-calibration positions while preventing material and rain liquids from entering the trough in the non-calibration position.
Innovation Solution
A calibration trough with a circular cross-section is arranged in a sliding guide to rotate about its longitudinal axis by at least 180°, featuring adjustable guide elements and rotatable bearing rings for easy positioning, ensuring material collection during calibration and exclusion in non-calibration, with fixable positions to secure the trough.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the calibration trough is pushed in from the side below the dosing devices, then the calibration test can be carried out, but the design becomes complex and the trough may impede dosing when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration trough is made rotatable about its longitudinal axis, allowing it to dynamically change orientation between calibration position (opening upward) and non-calibration position (opening downward). This dynamic repositioning eliminates the need for complex lateral movement mechanisms while ensuring the trough does not impede dosing when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the trough laterally to and from the calibration position, the invention inverts the approach by rotating the trough in place. The trough remains in the same location but changes orientation, with the opening facing upward during calibration and downward during normal operation, thus simplifying the positioning mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the calibration trough is made rotatable about its longitudinal axis, then the trough can easily transition between positions, but additional bearing elements and fixing mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration trough is given a circular cross-section, which naturally suits rotational movement about its longitudinal axis. This curved geometry allows the trough to rotate smoothly on circular bearing rings, simplifying the bearing design compared to rectangular sections that would require complex corner support mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing elements are designed to automatically engage with the bearing rings at specific positions, requiring minimal manual intervention. The trough's own weight and geometry work together with the fixing mechanism to maintain stable positions during calibration and normal operation, reducing the need for additional active control systems.
3Quantity of substance
If the longitudinal opening is on the top of the calibration trough, then material can be received during calibration, but material and rain liquid can enter the trough in the non-calibration position
Solution Approach 1:
The trough opening orientation is made dynamic rather than fixed. During calibration, the trough rotates to position the opening upward to receive material. During normal operation, it rotates to position the opening downward, preventing material and rain from entering. This dynamic reorientation eliminates the contamination problem while maintaining collection capacity.
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
Enables seamless transition between calibration and non-calibration positions, ensuring accurate material collection during testing and preventing contamination, while ensuring efficient seed distribution during seeding processes.
Implementation Method 1
the sliding guide has a rotary bearing for rotating the calibration trough about its longitudinal axis in the sliding guide
Implementation Method 2
at least two spaced-apart circular, preferably closed bearing rings are arranged on the calibration trough, that bearing elements cooperating with the bearing rings are arranged in the region of the bearing rings of the calibration trough on the seed drill
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
Seed drill with seed hopper (1), metering devices (2) with seed wheels (3), seed lines (4) leading from the metering devices (2) to seed coulters and with at least one calibration trough (6, 6.1, 6.2) for collecting the seed during the calibration test (6, 6.1, 6.2), wherein the calibration trough (6, 6.1, 6.2) has an elongated opening (7) extending longitudinally along the calibration trough (6, 6.1, 6.2), wherein the calibration trough (6, 6.1, 6.2) can be positioned between the seed lines (4) and the metering devices (2) with the seed wheels (3) for collecting the material dispensed by the seed wheels (3) during the calibration test (6, 6.1, 6.2) and is guided in a sliding guide (5) in the longitudinal direction of the The calibration trough (6, 6.1, 6.2) is arranged on the seed drill in a way that allows it to be inserted and removed. To create a calibration trough (6, 6.1, 6.2) to create a calibration trough that is simply designed and can be easily moved into the calibration and non-calibration positions, ensuring that no material can enter the calibration trough (6, 6.1, 6.2) in the non-calibration position, it is provided that the calibration trough (6, 6.1, 6.2) has a circular cross-section and that the calibration trough (6, 6.1, 6.2) is arranged on the seed drill in the sliding guide (5) so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis by at least 180°.