Seed Drill Hopper With Partitioned Volume And Single Closure Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seed drill systems lack flexibility in adapting to different work tasks, as they are not designed to efficiently manage and distribute multiple types of granular materials, such as seeds and fertilizers, across various sowing rows.

Innovation Solution

A tank container with a partitioned volume system, featuring a pivotable closure component that allows for the separation or connection of partial volumes, enabling the discharge of granular materials through distinct bottom openings and facilitating the transition of materials between volumes, thereby accommodating different materials and adjusting volume ratios for various operational modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single hopper volume is used, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability for different work tasks is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability for different work tasksVSAvoidhopper structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hopper volume is divided into multiple separable sub-volumes (first sub-volume and second sub-volume) by a partition wall. Each sub-volume can be independently filled with different granular materials and discharged through separate bottom openings, enabling the hopper to handle multiple materials simultaneously or separately, thus improving adaptability for different work tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple bottom openings are provided for different materials, then the versatility is improved, but the complexity of the closure system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversatility for different materialsVSAvoidclosure system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single closure component is designed to control multiple openings (first bottom opening and wall opening) through one unified mechanism. The closure component can be positioned to close the first bottom opening while opening the wall opening, or vice versa, allowing one component to manage the closure of multiple openings and reducing the overall complexity of the closure system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The closure component is designed to be movable between different positions, dynamically switching which opening is closed and which is open. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different operational modes (single material or multiple materials) without requiring multiple fixed closure mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a partition wall with opening is used to separate materials, then the versatility for different materials is improved, but the complexity of the closure mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversatility for different materialsVSAvoidclosure mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure component integrates the function of closing both the first bottom opening and the wall opening in the partition wall into a single mechanism. By positioning the closure component appropriately, it can seal either opening while leaving the other open, thereby controlling material flow between compartments without requiring separate closure mechanisms for each opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3666052B1Hopper for a sowing machine and sowing machine
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 KVERNELAND AS
  • EP3666052B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3666052B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3666052B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a tank (1) for a seed drill comprising: a tank wall (2) that surrounds a tank volume (3) on several sides; a partition wall (4) that is arranged in the tank volume (3) to divide it into partial volumes, such that a first and a second partial volume (5, 6) are formed, which are separated from each other by means of the partition wall (4) and are each configured to receive a granular material such as seeds, fertilizer, or the like; a first tank sump (7) that is associated with a first bottom opening (9) in the area of ​​the first partial volume (5) and is configured to discharge the granular material in the first partial volume (5) from the tank volume; a second tank sump (8) that is associated with a second bottom opening (10) in the area of ​​the second partial volume (6) and is configured to discharge the granular material in the second partial volume (6) from the tank volume (3);a wall opening (11) in the dividing wall (4) through which the granular material can pass from the first to the second partial volume (5, 6) and vice versa when the wall opening (11) is open; and a closing element (15) which is movable between a first and a second position, such that when the closing element (15) is moved from the first to the second position, it opens the first bottom opening (9) and closes the wall opening (11), and when moved from the second to the first position, it opens the wall opening (11) and closes the first bottom opening (9). A seed drill is also provided.