FR2663497A1 - Single-seed selector for a seed drill - Google Patents

Abstract

Single-seed selector for a seed drill, noteworthy through the simplicity and accuracy of its grasping system which allows it to process seeds which are very irregular both in terms of their shape and in terms of their size. It is composed of crenellated cups (4) supported around a disc (2) rotating in a seed tank (15). The crenellated cup (4) plunges into the mass of seeds, grasps hold of the first seed in a correct position which it comes across, passes through the mass of seeds and lifts the single seed (14) up into a planting pipe (11). At this precise moment, a needle (6) penetrates into the bottom of the cup (4) in order to expel the seed (14).

Description

 The present invention relates to a single grain selector member for in-line seeder, comprising a rotating disc with horizontal axis provided at its periphery with crenellated cups, which pass through a mass of grains. Each cup takes care of the first grain encountered in good position when crossing the mass, retains it trapped in its bore or its slots and releases it at the desired time above the earth pipe.

 We know that the primary function of a good seed drill is to distribute only one seed at a time and at regular intervals. For this, several solutions have been or are still being put into practice; these are the seed drills with reels, cells, spoon or hole discs, with vertical or oblique axis, etc. All of these models, known as mechanical seed drills, are of more or less simple design, but do not accommodate vibrations or sloping ground which causes the grains in the tank to relapse. In addition, most of them require seeds that are very well calibrated in shape and size, which in practice is a difficult condition to obtain and therefore very expensive.

Other so-called pneumatic models, more recent, accept irregular seeds as to their shape or
their size without, however, completely avoiding duplicates
seeds or shortages. But these models require the
air turbine competition, coupled with the PTO
tractors. They are necessarily more complicated and more expensive.

They are sensitive to variations in engine speed at
air.

The present invention overcomes all these drawbacks
by presenting the advantage of a very simple construction, by
same time as that of an accuracy at least equal to that
the most sophisticated models to date.

Here is by way of nonlimiting example, a model of
realization of the invention.

The accompanying drawings also show
very features related to this invention.

Figure 1 shows 11 object of the invention in its
together and in sowing action.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the
selection, gripping and expulsion of seeds.

In Figure 1, a disc (2) supports at its periphery
rods (3) at the end of which are attached cups
crenellated edge (4). The disc (2) also supports tumblers
teurs (5) of which one arm is terminated by a needle (6) which
engages in the bottom of the crenellated cup (4); the other arm
(8) constantly presses on a central cam (9) by
spring pressure (13). Each rocker arm (5) pivots around
an axis (7) integral with the disc (2). The cam (9) is fixed
and wedged in the center of the side (10 ') of the bean container (15).

The disc (2) rotating in the bean container (15) is
secured to a shaft (1) mounted by the bearing box (16) on
the side (10) of the bean container (15).

The apparatus according to the invention operates in the manner
next
According to Figure 1, the crenellated cup (4) enters
A in a mass of grains maintained at constant level in the tank (15). The first grain being in good position, will be caught by the crenellated cup (4); it will be housed according to its shape and size, either in the bore of the cup which is conical, or in the slots which are triangular; crossing the mass, it will undergo pressure from the other grains, will get stuck and become subject in the cup (4) or its slots so that upon leaving the mass at B, the grain will fall not in the tank despite the vibrations undergone by the device in stony terrain or despite the slopes. Continuing its circuit, the cup (4) will arrive at point F. But the grain (14) will not dislodge by its own weight. Then comes the needle (6) of the rocker arm (5). This needle (6) which has remained behind during the entire circuit as indicated in point E, will be pushed forward by the effect of the cam (9) which will cause the rocker arm (5) to tilt; it will enter the cup (4) and expel the grain (14) which will fall to the ground through the conduit (11).

 It is very important for the regularity of the spacings on the sowing line, that the grains are dropped by the apparatus, imperatively from the same point, in this case from point F. Then, by the effect of the spring (13) the rocker arm (5) rocks backwards to disengage the needle (6) from the cup (4), which is ready for a new circuit.

 Figure 2 shows more clearly one of the multiple positions that can take the grain (14) in the slots of the cup (4). This cup (4) in the example described has 3 slots but can very well, depending on the seed species to be treated, include a different number and different shapes, but the most rational solution is that of the slots of 3 which best suited for different grain shapes.

 We can see very well in Figure 2, a grain (14) larger than the bore of the cup (4) and yet very well wedged in the slots. This system makes it possible to treat seeds whose grain size can easily go from simple to double. The flat, rounded, conical, spherical, etc. shape of the seeds does not present any diffi culty in properly gripping the slots of the cup (4).

Of course, the dimensions of the cup (4) and its slots must be in accordance with the average size of the grains of each species of seed to be distributed.

Claims (4)

R E V E N D I C A T I O N S 1) Single grain selector for seed drill characterized in that the grain selection and gripping member is constituted by a crenellated cup (4) which, supported by a disc (2) plunges into a mass of grains contained in a reservoir (15), catches the first grain meeting which is housed in its bore or its slots by getting stuck there by the effect of the resistance encountered while crossing the mass of grains, raises the grain (14) up to -over a grounding conduit (11) and the loose point-appointed (F) through the thrust of a needle (6) controlled by a central cam (9) through 1 through a rocker arm ( 5). 2) Grain selector according to claim 1 characterized in that the crenellated cup (4) has a conical bore as well as associated triangular slots to allow the retention and jamming of a single grain regardless of its shape and size which may vary from grain to grain.  3) Grain selector according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the préhenSion member constituted by the crenellated cup (4) is provided with a grain expulsion system (14) such as the needle (6) integral with the rocker arm (5) moving under the action of the central cam (9). 4) Grain selector according to the preceding claims characterized in that the shape, the size and the number of slots of the cup (4) can be variable to respond more exactly to the structure and dimensions of the different species of seeds to be distributed.