Method for Controlling an Agricultural Spreading Machine

Abstract

A method for controlling an agricultural spreading machine during the discharging of spreading material on an agricultural area, comprising: using a conveyor belt of the spreading machine to feed the spreading material to be discharged along an idling section, which relates to a longitudinal section of the conveyor belt, wherein the idling section lies between a rate-setting plane, in which the feed rate of spreading material entering the idling section is set by a feed-rate-setting device of the spreading machine, and an ejection plane, in which the feed rate of spreading material leaving the idling section is ejected from the conveyor belt in the direction of a first and a second spreading disc.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an agricultural spreading machine during discharging of spreading material on an agricultural land, comprising: feeding, using a conveyor of the spreading machine, the spreading material to be discharged along an idling section relating to a longitudinal section of the conveyor belt, the idling section being located between a rate setting plane, in which the feed rate of spreading material entering the idling section is set by a feed-rate-setting device of the spreading machine, and an ejection plane, in which the feed rate of spreading material leaving the idling section is ejected from the conveyor belt in the direction of a first and a second spreading disc wherein a control device for temporarily interrupting discharging of spreading material at a shut-off location on an agricultural area causes the feed-rate-setting device to prevent feeding of the spreading material into the idling section before the shut-off location is reached, so that the idling section of the conveyor belt runs empty when the shut-off location is reached.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control device for continuing discharging at a switch-on location on the agricultural area causes the feed-rate-setting device to trigger the feeding of the spreading material into the idling section in advance of reaching the switch-on location, so that the conveyor belt is loaded with the spreading material over at least a partial width along the entire idling section when the switch-on location is reached.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the spreading material leaving the idling section and located on a first partial width of the idling section is ejected from the conveyor belt in the ejection plane in a direction of a first spreading disc of the spreading machine; and/or the spreading material leaving the idling section and located on a second partial width of the idling section is ejected from the conveyor belt in the ejection plane in a direction of a second spreading disc of the spreading machine.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the feed-rate-setting device in the rate setting plane sets the feed rate of the spreading material entering a first partial width of the idling section by a first feed rate limiter; and/or the feed-rate-setting device in the rate setting plane sets the feed rate of the spreading material entering a second partial width of the idling section by a second feed rate limiter.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein at a spreading boundary of the agricultural area extending at right angles to a direction of travel of the spreading machine, the control device, upon temporary interruption of the discharging of the spreading material at the shut-off location on the agricultural area, simultaneously causes the first feed rate limiter and the second feed rate limiter of the feed-rate-setting device to close at a common closing time so as to prevent the discharging of the spreading material into the first partial width of the idling section and the second partial width of the idling section at an early stage before the shut-off location is reached, so that the first partial width of the idling section and the second partial width of the idling section synchronously run empty before the shut-off location is reached.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein, at a spreading boundary of the agricultural area extending obliquely to the direction of travel of the spreading machine, the control device, upon temporary interruption of the discharging of the spreading material at the shut-off location on the agricultural area, causes the first feed rate limiter of the feed-rate-setting device to close at a first closing time and the second feed rate limiter of the feed-rate-setting device to close at a second closing time with a time delay from one another, before reaching the shut-off location to prevent feed of the spreading material into the first partial width of the idling section and the second partial width of the idling section, so that the first partial width of the idling section and the second partial width of the idling section run empty asynchronously before reaching the shut-off location.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein that the control device calculates the common closing time, the first closing time and/or the second closing time as a function of an intended travel speed until the shut-off location is reached.

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first feed rate limiter and the second feed rate limiter of the feed-rate-setting device respectively perform a closing operation which extends in time over a closing period, so as to prevent feed of the spreading material into the first partial width of the idling section and the second partial width of the idling section, wherein the feed rate of the spreading material entering the first partial width of the idling section decreases due to the closing operation of the first feed rate limiter during the closing period of the first feed rate limiter; and/or the feed rate of the spreading material entering the second partial width of the idling section drops due to the closing operation of the second feed rate limiter during the closing period of the second feed rate limiter.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the control device adapts the belt speed of the conveyor belt during the closing operation of the first and/or the second feed rate limiters to the falling feed rate of the spreading material on the first partial width of the idling section and/or the second partial width of the idling section.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the feed-rate-setting device adjusts the feed rate of the spreading material entering the idling section by blocking the free feed cross-section above the conveyor belt.

11. A spreading system for discharging spreading material on an agricultural area, comprising a first and a second spreading disc; a conveyor belt for feeding the spreading material to be discharged along an idling section relating to a longitudinal section of the conveyor belt, said idling section being located between a rate setting plane and an ejection plane, said conveyor belt being configured to eject the conveyed quantity of the spreading material, which leaves the idling section, in the ejection plane in the direction of the first and the second spreading discs; and a feed-rate-setting device configured to set the feed rate of the spreading material entering the idling section in the quantity setting plane, wherein a control device configured to cause the feed-rate-setting device to temporarily interrupt the discharging of the spreading material at a shut-off location on the agricultural area so as to prevent the spreading material from being fed into the idling section early before the shut-off location is reached, so that the idling section of the conveyor belt has run empty when the shut-off location is reached.

12. A spreading system according to claim 11, wherein the spreading system is configured to perform the method of controlling an agricultural spreading machine during the discharging of the spreading material onto an agricultural area according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the spreading system according to the disclosure in a perspective view;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows an additional embodiment of the spreading system according to the disclosure in a plan view;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows an agricultural spreading machine during discharging of spreading material, wherein the agricultural spreading machine is controlled by the method according to the disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 4 depicts an agricultural spreading machine during discharging of spreading material, wherein the agricultural spreading machine is controlled by the method according to the disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 5A illustrates spreading material loading state of a partial width of the idling section including the feed rate limiter during spreading of spreading material;

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a further spreading material loading state of a partial width of the idling section together with the feed rate limiter during discharging of spreading material;

[0031] FIG. 7 shows another spreading material loading state of a partial width of the idling section together with the feed rate limiter during discharging of spreading material;

[0032] FIG. 8 shows a further spreading material loading state of a partial width of the idling section including the feed rate limiter during discharging of spreading material; and

[0033] FIG. 9 shows a further spreading material loading state of a partial width of the idling section together with the feed rate limiter during discharging of spreading material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a spreading system 10 for discharging spreading material S on an agricultural area. The spreading system 10 may, for example, be a component of an agricultural spreading machine, the agricultural spreading machine being, for example, a twin-disc fertilizer spreading machine.

[0035] The spreading system 10 includes a conveyor belt 12, by means of which spreading material may be transported from a reservoir to a first spreading disc 16a and a second spreading disc 16b. The conveyor belt 12 conveys the spreading material S to be discharged along an idling section 20 relating to a longitudinal section LA of the conveyor belt 12, which lies between a rate setting plane ME and an ejection plane AE. The feed quantity of spreading material S leaving the idling section 20 is discharged in the ejection plane AE in the direction of the spreading discs 16a, 16b. Guide bodies 14a, 14b are arranged between the conveyor belt 12 and the spreading discs 16a, 16b, which are designed as funnels and bring together the spreading material S leaving the conveyor belt 12 before it hits the spreading discs 16a, 16b.

[0036] The spreading system 10 further includes a feed-rate-setting device 18, by means of which the delivery rate of spreading material S entering the idling section 20 may be set in the rate setting plane ME.

[0037] The idling section 20 is divided into a first partial width 22a of the idling section and a second partial width 22b of the idling section. The spreading material S leaving the idling section 20 and located on the first partial width 22a of the idling section is discharged from the conveyor belt 12 in the ejection plane AE in the direction of the first spreading disc 16a. The spreading material S leaving the idling section 20 and located on the second partial width 22b of the idling section is discharged from the conveyor belt 12 in the ejection plane AE in the direction of the second spreading disc 16b.

[0038] The feed-rate-setting device 18 has a first feed rate limiter 24a arranged in the rate setting plane ME. By means of the first feed rate limiter 24a, the feed rate of spreading material S entering the first partial width 22a of the idling section may be adjusted. The feed-rate-setting device 18 further includes a second feed rate limiter 24b in the rate setting plane ME, by means of which the feed quantity of spreading material S entering the second partial width 22b of the idling section may be set.

[0039] The feed rate limiters 24a, 24b each include a feed slide 26a, 26b which may be lowered onto and raised from the conveyor 12. The feed slides 26a, 26b are each connected to a slide drive 28a, 28b by which the respective feed slide 26a, 26b may be raised and lowered. The slide drives 28a, 28b are electric drives.

[0040] The slide drives 28a, 28b and the belt drive of the conveyor belt 12 are connected in a signal-conducting manner to a control device 30 of the spreading system 10. The control device 30 may be an internal machine control device or an external machine control device. For example, the control device 30 is a terminal, in particular an isobus terminal.

[0041] The control device 30 is configured to cause the feed-rate-setting device 18 to prevent the transport of spreading material S into the idling section 20 at an early stage before the shut-off location AO, AO2 (cf. FIGS. 3 and 4) is reached, so that the idling section 20 of the conveyor belt 12 is idled when the shut-off location AO, AO2 is reached. Furthermore, the control device 30 is arranged to cause the feed-rate-setting device to trigger the feed of spreading material S into the idling section 20 early before the switch-on location EO, EO1 (cf. FIGS. 3 and 4) is reached, so that the conveyor belt 12 is loaded with spreading material S over at least a partial width along the entire idling section 20 when the switch-on location EO, EO1 is reached.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows that the partial widths 22a, 22b of the idling sections are adjacent partial widths of the idling sections 20, which extend along a longitudinal section LA of the conveyor belt 12. The longitudinal section LA is located between the rate setting plane ME and the ejection plane AE.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a headland situation, in which a spreading boundary runs at right angles to the direction of travel of the spreading machine. FIG. 3 shows the different loading states of the partial widths 22a, 22b of the idling section as well as the opening states of the feed rate limiters 24a, 24b while performing a headland turning operation.

[0044] When approaching the headland lane, the partial widths 22a, 22b of the idling section are initially continuously and uniformly loaded with spreading material S and the feed rate limiters 24a, 24b are in an open state. FIG. 5 shows the loading state of the partial width 22b of the idling section and the opening state of the feed rate limiter 24b in detail.

[0045] When approaching the headland lane, the control device 30 initiates the closing of the feed rate limiters 24a, 24b in good time before reaching a shut-off location AO on the agricultural land. The closing operation is initiated by the control device 30 at a closing time. FIG. 6 shows the loading state of the partial width 22b of the idling section and the closed feed rate limiter 24b in detail. From the illustration, it can be seen that the conveyed quantity of spreading material S on the partial width 22b of the idling section has a loading ramp BR, which is obtained due to the movement of the conveyor belt 12 with simultaneous closing movement of the feed slide 26b of the feed rate limiter 24b.

[0046] When the headland lane is approached further, both feed rate limiters 24a, 24b are then already closed, so that the feed of spreading material S into the partial widths 22a, 22b of the idling section is prevented. The partial widths 22a, 22b of the idling section therefore run synchronously empty before reaching the shut-off location AO. The idling situation is shown in detail in FIG. 7.

[0047] When the shut-off location AO is reached before the headland lane, both partial widths 22a, 22b of the idling section are completely empty, so that the turning operation is carried out with an unloaded idling section 20. FIG. 8 shows the partial width 22b of the idling section in detail.

[0048] After the turning operation has been carried out, the partial widths 22a, 22b of the idling section are filled again with spreading material S by opening the feed rate limiters 24a, 24b in good time before the switch-on location EO is reached. FIG. 9 shows the filling process of the partial width 22b of the idling section in detail. Due to the opening process of the feed rate limiter 24b, a loading ramp BR again is obtained on the partial width 22b of the idling section.

[0049] The control device 30 calculates the closing time for the feed rate limiters 24a, 24b when approaching the headland and the opening time for the feed rate limiters 24a, 24b when leaving the headland as a function of an intended travel speed until the shut-off location AO or the switch-on location EO is reached.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a spreading situation with the spreading boundary of the agricultural area running diagonally to the direction of travel. In this spreading situation, the partial widths 22a, 22b of the idling section run asynchronously empty. Initially, the partial widths 22a, 22b of the idling section are both completely and uniformly loaded with spreading material S and the feed rate limiters 24a, 24b are in an open state. When approaching the headland lane, the feed rate limiter 24b at the outer curve side is closed first, so that the partial width 22b of the idling section runs empty when approaching the headland lane further. With a time delay, the feed rate limiter 24a on the inside of the curve is then closed so that the partial width 22a of the idling section runs empty as the headland lane is approached further. Thus, the control device 30 causes the feed rate limiter 24b to close early before the shut-off location AO1 is reached, and causes the feed rate limiter 24b to close early before the shut-off location AO2 is reached. During the turning operation, both partial widths 22a, 22b of the idling section are then completely idle.

[0051] When driving out of the headland, the feed rate limiter 24b at outer curve side is opened first so that the partial width 22b of the idling section at the outer curve side is fed with spreading material S. The feed rate limiter 24a at the inner curve side is then opened after a time interval so that the partial width 22a of the idling section at the inner curve side is filled with spreading material S. The feed rate limiter 24a at the inner curve side is then opened at a time interval so that the partial width 22a of the idling section at the inner curve side is fed with spreading material S. The opening of the feed rate limiter 24b is thus initiated in good time before the switch-on location EO1 is reached. The opening of the feed rate limiter 24a is initiated in good time before the switch-on location EO2 is reached.

[0052] As a result of the fact that in the spreading situations shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 no spreading material S is provided on the idling section 20 during the turning operation, there is no risk of spreading material S unintentionally falling onto the spreading discs 16a, 16b during bumpy driving. Furthermore, it is prevented that spreading material S lies on the wrong side of the idling section 20 during an intended continuation of discharging of spreading material after or during a turning operation, so that no unintended local excessive spreading of spreading material, for example fertilizer, takes place in the area inside the curve when carrying out turning operations.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0053] 10 Spreading system [0054] 12 Conveyor belt [0055] 14a, 14b Guide body [0056] 16a, 16b Spreading discs [0057] 18 Feed-rate-setting device [0058] 20 Idling section [0059] 22a, 22b Partial widths of the idling section [0060] 24a, 24b Feed rate limiter [0061] 26a, 26b Feed slider [0062] 28a, 28b Slide drives [0063] 30 Control device [0064] AE Ejection plane [0065] AO, AO1, AO2 Shut-off locations [0066] BR Loading ramp [0067] EO, EO1, EO2 Switch-on locations [0068] LA Longitudinal section [0069] ME Rate setting plane [0070] S Spreading material