DISTRIBUTION DEVICE FOR GRANULAR MATERIAL

Abstract

The invention relates to a distribution device (10) for granular material, in particular seed, having: a distributor housing (24) which has a material inlet opening (16) for the granular material; at least one conveying air duct (26a, 26b), situated in the distributor housing (24), for a material-free conveying air flow, the conveying air duct (26a, 26b) being connected within the distributor housing (24) to a grain-holding region (30, 30a, 30b) within which the granular material entering the distributor housing (24) via the material inlet opening (16) can be introduced into the material-free conveying air flow; one or more material flow lines (18a, 18b, 32, 32a, 32b), which adjoin the grain-holding region (30, 30a, 30b), for the conveying air flow laden with granular material; and at least one additional air duct (34), which is situated in the distributor housing (24), for a material-free additional air flow, which can be introduced into the one or more material flow lines (18a, 18b, 32, 32a, 32b) via at least one additional air inlet (38a, 38b).

Claims

1. Distribution device (10) for granular material, especially seed, comprising a distributor housing (24) having a material inlet opening (16) for the granular material, at least one conveying air duct (26a, 26b) arranged in the distributor housing (24) for a material-free conveying air flow, wherein the conveying air duct (26a, 26b) is connected to a grain-holding region (30, 30a, 30b) within the distributor housing (24), within which the granular material entering the distributor housing (24) via the material inlet opening (16) can be introduced into the material-free conveying air flow, and one or more material flow lines (18a, 18b, 32, 32a, 32b) adjoining the grain-holding region (30, 30a, 30b) for the conveying air flow laden with granular material; characterized by at least one additional air duct (34) arranged in the distributor housing (24) for a material-free additional air flow, which can be introduced via at least one additional air inlet (38a, 38b) into the one or more material flow lines (18a, 18b, 32, 32a, 32b).

2. Distribution device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the distributor housing (24) has at least one main air inlet opening (22), via which an air flow can be introduced into the distributor housing (24), wherein a flow dividing device is preferably arranged within the distributor housing (24), which is adapted to divide the air flow introduced into the distributor housing (24) into the conveying air flow and the additional air flow.

3. Distribution device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a flow control device (28a, 28b) is arranged in the at least one conveying air duct (26a, 26b), by means of which the conveying air flow can be adjusted.

4. Distribution device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a flow control device (36a, 36b) is arranged in the at least one additional air duct (34) and/or at the at least one additional air inlet (38a, 38b), by means of which the additional air flow can be adjusted.

5. Distribution device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more material flow lines (18a, 18b, 32, 32a, 32b) comprise one or more main conveying lines (32, 32a, 32b), wherein the grain-holding region (30, 30a, 30b) is preferably arranged in a lower region of the distributor housing (24) and the one or more main conveying lines (32, 32a, 32b) each extending upright in the distributor housing (24) and each being arranged to convey a conveying air flow laden with granular material upwardly from the grain-holding region (30, 30a, 30b).

6. Distribution device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one additional air inlet (38a, 38b) for introducing the additional air flow is located on the one main conveying line (32) or on each of the plurality of main conveying lines (32a, 32b).

7. Distribution device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more material flow lines (18a, 18b, 32, 32a, 32b) comprise one or more material transport lines (18a, 18b) by means of which the conveying air flow or the conveying air flows laden with granular material can be guided out of the distributor housing (24).

8. Distribution device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the one or more material transport lines (18a, 18b) each have a quick-release fastener by means of which a material transport tube can be connected to the respective material transport line (18a, 18b), in particular without tools.

9. Distribution device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution device (10) comprises a plurality of distribution modules (14, 14a-14l) arranged side by side, wherein the distribution device (10) is modularly expandable via further distribution modules (14, 14a-14l).

10. Distribution device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that each distribution module (14, 14a-14l) comprises at least one conveying air duct (26a, 26b) connected to a grain-holding region (30, 30a, 30b), one or more material flow lines (18a, 18b, 32, 32a, 32b) adjoining the grain-holding region (30, 30a, 30b), and at least a portion of the additional air duct (34) which is connected to the one or more material flow ducts (18a, 18b, 32, 32a, 32b) via at least one additional air inlet (38a, 38b).

11. Distribution device (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the distribution modules (14, 14a-14l) are inserted into a housing frame (12) and are preferably non-destructively removable from the housing frame (12).

12. Seed drill, comprising a storage container for granular material, a distribution device (10) adapted to introduce the granular material from the storage container into a plurality of conveying air flows; several supply units, each of which is adapted to collect the granular material from a conveying air flow laden with granular material and to provide it to a grain singling device; a plurality of grain singling devices, each connected to a supply unit and adapted to single grains from the granular material provided by the supply unit; and several seed drill coulters for placing singled grains on an agricultural area; characterized in that the distribution device (10) is configured according to one of the preceding claims.

Description

[0023] In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therein:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the distribution device according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0025] FIG. 2 shows the distribution device shown in FIG. 1 in a further perspective view;

[0026] FIG. 3 shows the distribution device shown in FIG. 1 in a sectional view;

[0027] FIG. 4 shows the distribution device shown in FIG. 1 in a further sectional view;

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a distribution module of a distribution device according to the invention in a side view;

[0029] FIG. 6 shows a distribution module of a distribution device according to the invention in a side view;

[0030] FIG. 7 shows a distribution module of a distribution device according to the invention in a side view;

[0031] FIG. 8 shows a distribution module of a distribution device according to the invention in a side view;

[0032] FIG. 9 shows a distribution module of a distribution device according to the invention in a perspective view; and

[0033] FIG. 10 shows several distribution modules of a distribution device according to the invention in a perspective view.

[0034] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a distribution device 10 for seeds of an agricultural seed drill. The distribution device 10 has a plurality of distribution modules 14a-14l arranged side by side, which are inserted into a housing frame 12. The distribution modules 14a-14l can be non-destructively inserted into the housing frame 12 and non-destructively removed from the housing frame 12. Due to the modular structure of the distribution device 10, it is configured to be modularly scalable and can thus be adapted to different system sizes. Possible configurations of the distribution modules 14a-14l will be explained later with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9.

[0035] The distribution device 10 comprises a distributor housing 24, which has a material inlet opening 16 for the seed. The distribution device 10 is to be arranged below a seed storage container of the seed drill so that the distribution device 10 can function as a distribution lock between the seed storage container and the grain singling devices of the seed drill. The seed falls under the action of gravity through the material inlet opening 16 into the distributor housing 24.

[0036] The distributor housing 24 further has a main air inlet opening 22 through which an air flow can be introduced into the distributor housing 24. Within the distributor housing 24, a flow dividing device is arranged which divides the air flow introduced into the distributor housing 24 into material-free conveying air flows and a material-free additional air flow. Separate material-free air flows are thus generated within the distributor housing 24. For example, the flow dividing device may have one or more air deflecting surfaces positioned within the flow path of the air flow introduced into the distributor housing 24 via the main air inlet opening 22. Due to the common main air inlet opening 22, the conveying air flows and the additional air flow may be generated by the same blower. In an embodiment not shown, the distributor housing 24 includes two main air inlet openings 22 on opposite sides of each other.

[0037] A plurality of conveying air ducts 26a, 26b are arranged within the distributor housing 24 for guiding the material-free conveying air flows. Flow control devices 28a, 28b are arranged within the conveying air ducts 26a, 26b, by means of which the material-free conveying air flows can be adjusted. The flow control devices 28a, 28b in the conveying air ducts 26a, 26b each comprise a flap mechanism, which has a pivotable air metering flap. By changing the rotational angle position of the air metering flaps, the conveying air flows can be adjusted.

[0038] The air metering flaps are connected to a flap shaft, and the rotational angle positions of the air metering flaps can be adjusted by rotating the flap shafts. Flow control is thus achieved by varying the flow cross-section within the conveying air ducts 26a, 26b.

[0039] The conveying air ducts 26a, 26b are connected within the distributor housing 24 to a grain-holding region 30. Within the grain-holding region 30, seed entering the distributor housing 24 through the material inlet opening 16 is introduced into the material-free conveying air flows. Material flow lines 32, 18a, 18b for the conveying air flows laden with the seed are connected to the grain-holding region 30. Via the material flow lines 32, 18a, 18b, the air flows laden with the seed can be conducted out of the distributor housing 24. The air flows laden with the seed can then leave the distribution device 10 via the material flow outlets 20a, 20b.

[0040] The material flow lines 32, 18a, 18b include one main conveying line 32 for each distribution module 14a-14l. The grain-holding region 30 arranged in the lower region of the distributor housing 24 is arranged below the respective main conveying lines 32. The main conveying lines 32 stand upright in the distributor housing 24 and serve to convey the conveying air flows laden with seed upwardly from the grain-holding region 30.

[0041] Furthermore, an additional air duct 34 for the material-free additional air flow is arranged within the distributor housing 24. The material-free additional air flow is introduced into the main conveying lines 32 via additional air inlets 38a, 38b. By means of the additional air flows, the main conveying lines 32 can be supplied with additional air so that the flow velocity and the seed are accelerated. In this way, a deposit of the granular material or even a clogging of the material flow lines 32, 18a, 18b is avoided. By means of the additional air flows, the material flow lines 32, 18a, 18b can also be kept free of residues adhering to the seed.

[0042] Flow control devices 36a, 36b are arranged at the additional air inlets 38a, 38b, by means of which the additional air flows can be adjusted. The flow control devices 36a, 36b at the additional air inlets 38a, 38b each comprise a slide mechanism which has a continuously displaceable air metering slide. By changing the position of the air metering slides, the additional air inlets 38a, 38b can be partially or completely covered so that the additional air flows can thereby be adjusted. The adjustment of the additional air flows is thus performed by changing the free flow cross-section in the region of the additional air inlets 38a, 38b.

[0043] The main conveying lines 32 are each divided into two material transport lines 18a, 18b downstream of the additional air inlets 38a, 38b. By means of the material transport lines 18a, 18b, the conveying air flows laden with seed can be guided out of the distributor housing 24. The material transport lines 18a, 18b can each have a quick-release fastener, to each of which a material transport tube can be connected without tools. The quick-release fasteners may be bayonet fasteners, for example.

[0044] The distribution device 10 may, for example, be connected to a plurality of supply units of the seed drill, each of which is adapted to collect seed from the conveying air flows laden with seed and to provide grain singling devices. The grain singling devices connected to the supply units then separate the grains of the seed and provide the singled grains to seed drill coulters, wherein the seed drill coulters place the singled grains onto an agricultural area.

[0045] The grain singling devices can be pneumatic or mechanical grain singling devices.

[0046] FIGS. 5 to 7 each show a distribution module 14 of a distribution device 10. The distribution modules 14 each form a section of the material inlet opening 16 of the distribution device 10, via which seed can enter the distributor housing 24 of the distribution device 10. Furthermore, the respective distribution modules 14 comprise a grain-holding region 30, wherein the grain-holding region 30 is connected to two conveying air ducts 26a, 26b, respectively. In the respective distribution modules 14, a main conveying line 32 is connected to the grain-holding region 30, via which a conveying air flow laden with seed is directed upwards in the direction of the material conveying lines 18a, 18b.

[0047] The respective distribution modules 14 also each form a section of an additional air duct 34 which is connected to the main conveying line 32 via two opposing additional air inlets 38a, 38b.

[0048] In the main conveying lines 32 of each of the distribution modules 14 shown, a separating device 40 is arranged, which is adapted to create two separate flows within the main conveying line 32.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the separating device 14 is arranged downstream of the additional air inlets 38a, 38b so that two separate flows are generated only directly upstream of the material transport lines 18a, 18b.

[0050] In FIG. 6, the separating device 40 extends over the region of the additional air inlets 38a, 38b, however not up to the grain-holding region 30. In the flow direction downstream of the grain-holding region 30, a single conveying air flow laden with seed is thus initially formed, which is however divided into two separate flows by the separating device 40 upstream of the inlet area of the additional air flow.

[0051] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the separating device 40 extends up to the grain-holding region 30 so that two separate flows are formed within the main conveying line 32 directly downstream of the grain-holding region 30.

[0052] FIG. 8 shows a distribution module 14, which has two main conveying lines 32a, 32b arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other, which connect directly to the grain-holding regions 30a, 30b located in the lower region of the distribution module 14. The two main conveying lines 32a, 32b merge in the flow direction downstream of the additional air inlets 38a, 38b into material transport lines 18a, 18b, via which the conveying air flows laden with seed are guided out of the distribution module 14.

[0053] FIG. 9 shows a distribution module 14 of a distribution device 10. The distribution module 14 is configured from two mirror-image halves. Further, the distribution module 14 has a mirror symmetrical outer contour such that the material flow outlets 20a, 20b can be arranged either on a first side of the distribution device 10 or on a second opposite side of the distribution device 10 depending on the alignment of the distribution module.

[0054] FIG. 10 shows several distribution modules 14a-14c arranged side by side, which can be inserted into a housing frame 12 of a distribution device 10. The number of available material flow outlets 20a, 20b can be determined by the number of distribution modules used. Thus, the distribution device 10 is configured to be modularly expandable and can thus be adapted to the system size of the seed drill.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0055] 10 distribution device [0056] 12 housing frame [0057] 14, 14a-14l distribution modules [0058] 16 material inlet opening [0059] 18a, 18b material flow lines [0060] 20a, 20b material flow outlets [0061] 22 main air inlet opening [0062] 24 distributor housing [0063] 26a, 26b conveying air duct [0064] 28a, 28b flow control devices [0065] 30, 30a, 30b grain-holding regions [0066] 32, 32a, 32b material flow lines [0067] 34 additional air duct [0068] 36a, 36b flow control devices [0069] 38a, 38b additional air inlets [0070] 40 separating device