WO2016071269A1

WO2016071269A1 - Pneumatic sowing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2016071269A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/075423
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heinz Dreyer
Original assignee: Amazonen-Werke H. Dreyer Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2014-11-05
Filing date: 2015-11-02
Publication date: 2016-05-12
Also published as: DE102014116101A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a pneumatic sowing machine (1), comprising a seed container (7), from which seed is pneumatically fed by means of an air duct system (13) of a sowing device (4), and comprising a pressure sensor (15) for measuring the pressure in the air duct system (13) and/or in the seed container (7), wherein the sowing machine (1) comprises a control device (16), which is designed in such a way that, in the event of a pressure drop below the setpoint pressure, in particular by a specified value that indicates a leak, the air flow rate is increased in such a way that the seed conveyance rate and/or the pressure in the seed container (7) is controlled to an at least substantially constant value.

Description

Pneumatic seed drill

The invention relates to a pneumatic seed drill with at least one

Seed container from which seed and / or fertilizer is fed pneumatically through an air duct system of a sowing device, and with a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the air duct system and / or in the seed hopper.

Such seeders are known from the prior art. Typically, the seed delivery rate of pneumatic seeders depends on the pressure at which the seed is delivered. Small fluctuations are of little importance, but larger fluctuations will reduce the flow rate and thus the filing quality. Such strong fluctuations occur especially at a pressure drop due to a leakage in the seed hopper or in the air duct system. The pressure drop greatly reduces the amount of airflow in the air stream that promotes the seed and / or fertilizer. If this is not compensated, the delivery rate will be reduced accordingly.

It is known to measure the pressure in the air line system and / or in the seed hopper, so that a pressure drop can at least be detected during operation. However, if the leakage is detected, the amount of waste will be too low by a considerable amount because of the operator's reaction time. In addition, the leakage must be found and eliminated, or the performance of the blower, for example, must be adjusted manually. In practice, this is associated with a lot of time. It is therefore an object of the invention, even if in operation a leakage in the

Air duct system and / or occurs in the seed hopper, to ensure a consistently high storage quality without loss of delivery with the least possible time.

The object is achieved in the seeder of the type mentioned in the present invention, that the seeder comprises a control device which is designed such that at a pressure drop below the target pressure, in particular by a predetermined value, which indicates a leakage, the air flow amount is increased so that the Seed flow rate and / or the pressure in the seed hopper is controlled to an at least substantially constant value.

An advantage of the seed drill is that an operator of the seed drill neither monitor the pressure nor eliminate a leak or manually adjust the amount of air flow to ensure a consistently high filing quality.

If a (pressure) value is set which is not equal to zero, fluctuations can be tolerated to a certain extent. This is advantageous because only at significant

quality-reducing pressure drop the performance of a conveyor is adjusted and because it may be unfavorable for the operation of a conveyor when the power is subject to constant fluctuations.

The seed hopper may be open to refill the material to be dispensed during operation to the outside. Alternatively, the seed hopper may be in the form of a container which, except for the connections to the air guidance system and to a conveying device in the

Normal operation completed, in particular impermeable to air. Thus, the

Seed containers are pressurized. The seed hopper may also include one or more normally closed openings for reloading seed.

The air duct system may include, for example, pipes and / or hoses. In the air duct system valves may be arranged, for example, check valves or metering valves.

The pressure sensor can be designed in the form of a piston manometer, a liquid manometer, and / or in the form of a preferably electrical measuring device for indirectly measuring the pressure. Measuring instruments for the indirect measurement of pressure comprise electrical, optical, chemical and / or mechanical measuring devices.

The seed and / or fertilizer delivery device may comprise any device suitable for generating overpressure, for example a pump, a compressor, a blower or an overpressure turbine. The term "constant" means constant over time.The constant value of the flow rate designates a desired flow rate.The term "at least substantially constant" expresses that fluctuations in the flow rate which occur at constant pressure (for example due to turbulence) or due to smaller

Pressure fluctuations are allowed.

To control to a substantially constant value means that by regulating in normal operation, the delivery rate does not remain permanently below a desired value. This means that due to the delay inherent in a control loop and the inertia of the change in the power of the conveyor, for example in the event of a very sudden and / or severe pressure drop, the flow rate may deviate from the constant value for a short period of time (possibly also significantly). , but then back to this is regulated. Seed flow rate is understood here to mean the mass of the seed which is conveyed from the seed hopper into the air guidance system in a certain period of time.

Under pneumatic conveying or supply of seed is understood that the seed is moved by means of compressed air, for example due to an overpressure in an area from which it is to be removed, for example in the air duct system and / or in the seed hopper. Overpressure refers to a pressure which is higher than the atmospheric pressure.

A leakage is here understood to mean a leakage of the seed container, that is to say that the container is no longer closed to the outside, ie has air-permeable points through which air can escape from the seed container. The leakage reduces the

Flow rate, since the same power of the conveyor, the pressure is reduced due to the exiting air. Increasing the amount of airflow can be done automatically. The amount of air flow can be increased so that a predetermined target flow rate is not exceeded.

The target flow rate is a predetermined value, for example, to the

Driving speed, the seed used and / or the type of seed drill (For example, the number of coulters) is adjusted. One or more such values may be stored so that the control device has access thereto, for example in the control device itself or a memory connected to the control device. The value can be constant, speed-dependent and / or time-dependent

(for example, to take into account the approach of the seed drill).

The regulating device may be designed to regulate the amount of air flow, in particular for regulating based on the measured pressure, wherein the increasing is a partial step of the regulation.

The regulation, in particular the increase, of the amount of air flow can then include a regulation, in particular an increase, of a performance of the seed delivery device, for example a blower or a pump. With increasing the performance of

Conveying device is meant that the conveyor more energy is supplied, which is in each case used to generate overpressure.

The regulating, in particular increasing, the amount of air flow may include regulating, in particular increasing, the pressure in the air duct system and / or in the seed hopper, in particular such that the measured pressure is increased to the target pressure. With rules can be an automatic rules, in particular based on measured

Values of pressure, which requires no manual intervention. However, it does not exclude that in the seed drill, the pressure and the power can also be set manually or controlled independently of measured values, for example by deactivating the control device.

Between the pressure sensor and the control device may be a data connection or be produced. Alternatively or additionally, between the

Regulating device and the seed conveyor a data connection exist or be produced. The data connection can be contact-based, in the form of electrical

Lines, or contactless, for example in the form of Bluetooth, WLAN,

Infrared transmission, present. The regulating device may be part of the pressure sensor or the conveying device. The control device may for example be attached to the seed hopper, to a part of the air handling system or to the conveying device or to be arranged at a distance from the sowing machine. The pressure can be measured continuously or at predetermined time intervals. Alternatively or additionally, the rules can be made continuously or at intervals. For this purpose, an appropriately trained time recording device and / or a suitably designed clock can be provided.

The pneumatic seed drill can be a time recording device and a

Evaluation device for calculating the temporal change of the measured pressure, wherein the control device is designed to control a seed flow rate based on the change over time of the measured pressure. The

Evaluation device, time detection device and / or the clock can each connected to the pressure sensor and / or the control device and / or part of the

Pressure sensor or the control device. The seeder may comprise a memory or be connected to a memory which stores the, in particular time-dependent, measured values of the pressure and / or the power of the conveyor device. This memory can be part of the example

Regulating device. Such a memory allows a later evaluation and allows conclusions about when and / or where the leakage has occurred and / or how large the leakage is. The drill may include a GPS receiver. The seeder may include an optical and / or audible and / or haptic dispenser connected to the pressure sensor and / or the control device.

The features described in connection with the device also apply in connection with the method and vice versa. They can be combined as desired with the method features described below. The advantages described in connection with the device are not repeated in connection with the corresponding method features. When fiction, contemporary methods for the pneumatic distribution of seed with a pneumatic seed drill seed from a seed hopper by a

Air duct system fed pneumatically to a seeder and the pressure in the

Air duct system and / or determined in the seed hopper. At a pressure drop below the target pressure, in particular by a predetermined value, which indicates a leakage, an amount of airflow is increased such that the seed delivery rate is regulated to an at least substantially constant value.

The amount of air flow can be increased so that a predetermined target flow rate is not exceeded. The measured pressure can be increased to the target pressure, in particular by increasing the power of the seed conveyor.

The amount of air flow can be regulated, in particular increased, in particular based on the measured pressure. Alternatively or additionally, the amount of air flow can be regulated by regulating, in particular increasing, the power of a seed conveyor,

For example, a blower or a pump, regulated, in particular increased, be. Alternatively or additionally, the amount of airflow may be regulated by, in particular

Increasing the pressure in the air duct system and / or regulated in the seed hopper, in particular increased, be.

The increase or regulation can be done automatically. The regulation may include returning the current measured pressure value to the regulator, counteracting a deviation from the target pressure by adjusting the power of the pressure

Conveying device is adjusted. There may be a pressure range around the target pressure, and the control can only take place if the measured pressure is outside the pressure range.

The pressure can be measured continuously or at predetermined time intervals. Alternatively or additionally, the rules can be made continuously or at intervals. Time intervals can be stored as preset values so that the pressure sensor can access them. The pressure measurement and / or the rules can take place at regular intervals, for example, be triggered by the signal of a clock.

The method may include timing, wherein a change over time of the pressure is determined based on the measured pressure and the measured time, and wherein the seed delivery rate is controlled based on the time change of the measured pressure. Based on the change in pressure over time, an anticipated time course of the required performance of the seed delivery device may be calculated in a predetermined time interval, and the performance of the seed delivery device may be adjusted accordingly during the time interval. The, in particular time-dependent, measured values of the pressure and / or the power of the conveying device can be stored.

GPS signals can be detected by a GPS receiver. They can be connected to the pressure values or performance values and in one

Storage device are stored. Alternatively or additionally, the

Driving speed and direction with the time-dependent pressure values or

Performance values are connected and stored.

The user of the seed drill can be output information, in particular visually and / or acoustically and / or haptically, by means of an output device, for example, the measured pressure and / or an indication of a pressure drop and / or the performance of the conveyor. For this purpose, the corresponding data or signals from the pressure sensor and / or the control device can be sent to an output device.

In particular, the user may be given the information that a leak has occurred and that the control mechanism has started. In addition, the user can be informed whether the control process was successful, ie whether the seed flow could be regulated back to the target amount. That is, the user is given an indication of whether the increase in performance was sufficient, or whether, if necessary, a certain part of the way should be covered again. In addition, the user can be given information as to whether he can continue sowing until the end of the stroke or the field or whether the leakage must be rectified immediately to ensure the storage quality.

The above statements for the dosing, conveying and spreading of seed also apply accordingly for the separate or simultaneous spreading of fertilizer, in particular granular fertilizers. Features and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures. Show

Fig. 1 is a schematic, not to scale true side view of a drill and

Fig. 2 is a schematic, not to scale representation of an embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows an already known pneumatic seed drill 1, which is not self-propelled in this case, but with the drawbar 2 of a not shown here

Tractor can be pulled. A self-propelled seed drill is also conceivable. The seeder comprises an impeller 3, the coulters 4 and

Depth guide elements 5 which are fixed to a frame 6. Furthermore, the seeder comprises a seed hopper 7, is filled in the seed, and a

Distributor head 8. The seed drill moves in the direction of travel 9. The seed coulters are designed to place the seed on the seedbed. Further elements shown in the figure which are already known and / or not directly relevant to the invention are not explained in detail here. The pneumatic seed drill may, but need not, include all of the above and / or elements shown in FIG. Again, it should be noted that the application of granular fertilizers should also be included.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic, not to scale representation of the seed hopper 7 and the distributor head 8, lead from the discharge lines 14 respectively to the individual coulters 4, a metering device 11, a lock 12 and an air duct system comprising a delivery line 13 which between the Seed container and the distributor head is arranged. In addition, the figure shows a fan 10th

The lock 12 and the doser 1 1 are optional and can be omitted or replaced. The distributor head, outgoing lines and coulters are also optional and exemplary. The delivery line can also be connected to any other system for delivering the seed and / or fertilizer, for example with separating drums.

In the seed hopper 7, a pressure sensor 15 is arranged. A control device 16 with an integrated storage device 17, which is optionally provided, is attached to a part of the Arranged air control system, which is located between the blower 10 and the pressure sensor 15. The pressure sensor 15 is connected to the control device 16 via the data link 18, here in the form of an electrical connection. The control device 16 is connected to the blower 10 via the data link 19, here also in the form of an electrical connection.

The pressure sensor 15 can in principle be arranged at any point in the seed hopper 7. Preferably, however, it is, as here, attached to the inside of a side wall. The pressure sensor 15 can, for example, at half the height of

Seed container 7 may be attached to the side wall or in an upper or lower portion of the side wall. Alternatively, it may also be attached to the ceiling or the bottom of the seed hopper 7. In principle, a plurality of pressure sensors 15 can also be arranged in the seed container 7 and connected to the regulating device 16.

As an alternative or in addition to the pressure sensor 15 in the pressure vessel, one or more pressure sensors 21, which are designed, for example, like the pressure sensor 15, can also be arranged in the air line system and connected to the control device 16 (FIG

Connection is here example contactless and therefore not shown). The values of several or all of the pressure sensors 15 can then be taken into account for the regulation of the power of the conveyor device.

The control device 16 and the pressure sensor 15 or 21 may alternatively form a unit. The storage device, instead of being integrated in the control device 16, may be present separately and connected to the control device 16 via any data connection.

Optionally, the pressure sensor 15 and / or the control device 16 a

Time detecting device and / or a GPS receiver include (not shown here) or connected to it. In this case, pressure values and / or power values can be assigned to the time and / or GPS coordinates. In addition, the

Pressure sensor 15 and / or the control device 16 include a clock (not shown here) or be connected, based on the signal of a pressure measurement and / or a control step are triggered. In addition, Figure 2 shows an optionally provided output device 20, which is formed in this case in the form of a display device and / or display, which is arranged in the cab of a tractor, not shown here. In this case, the output device 20 is contactless, for example by means of Bluetooth or WLAN, connected to the control device 16 (not shown here). The dispenser 20 may alternatively or additionally be configured to output haptic or audible signals, for example, to alert the user to a pressure drop.

With this seed drill, the method according to the invention can be carried out as follows:

First, the drill is operated in normal operation. In this case, overpressure is applied to the seed hopper 7 filled with seed, so that the seed from the

Seed container 7 is conveyed in an air duct system. Alternatively, the seed may also be conveyed by gravity into the air duct system, for example in open containers. Thus, there is a seed flow with a certain seed flow rate, whereby the seed is conveyed to the coulters 4 and then discharged through the coulters 4. In operation, the pressure in the air duct system and / or in the seed hopper 7 is measured at one or more points. The measuring of the pressure and / or the individual control steps can take place continuously or at predetermined time intervals. At predetermined time intervals, for example, a clock signal can be used as a trigger.

The measured values are sent to a control device 16 and there compared with predetermined pressure values for the target pressure and a pressure value indicative of leakage. The target pressure, the predetermined value, which indicates a leakage, and an allocation, by how much the achievement with a certain one

Pressure drop should be increased, can be stored in a memory on which the

Regulating device 16 can access.

If the pressure is within a predetermined range, especially not below a certain value below normal pressure, it is determined that there is no leakage occurred, and there is no readjustment. If, therefore, the measured values of the pressure do not fall or fall below the setpoint pressure only by a predetermined amount, the performance of the seed delivery device is also not increased. If a leak occurs, for example in one of the ducts of the air control system, the pressure can drop so much that the readjustment is activated.

Even if the control now takes place automatically, the operator is informed that there has been a pressure drop and that the readjustment has started. In addition, the operator is informed whether the pressure drop can be intercepted by a readjustment and, if so, how long he can continue despite the leak and deploy seed with the target seed quantity.

The controller increases the amount of airflow after detecting the pressure drop. This is accomplished by sending a signal to the seed conveyor that causes the performance of the seed delivery device, such as the blower, to be increased. The signal may also include how much the power should be increased. As the performance of the fan 10 is increased, the amount of airflow is also increased.

In one or more steps, the actual pressure can thus be increased again at least to the target pressure. Several steps have the advantage that the risk of oversteer is lower, but seed delivery may be too low for a longer period of time. When the target pressure is reached again, the readjustment of the power by the control device 16 ends.

In a manner not shown, an overpressure in the seed hopper 7 can also be generated via the branch line from the blower to the seed hopper 7. In the case of a pressure drop in the seed hopper 7, for example due to a leak, the required pressure in the seed hopper 7 can be readjusted in the manner described above by additional supply of air through the blower 10 in the manner described above. It is understood that in the embodiments described above mentioned features are not limited to these specific combinations, and are also possible in any other combinations.

Claims

claims

1.

A pneumatic seed drill (1) with a seed hopper (7) from which seed is pneumatically supplied to a seeding device (4) through an air duct system (13), and with a pressure sensor (15) for measuring the pressure in the air duct system (13) and / or Seed container (7),

characterized in that

the seed drill (1) comprises a control device (16) which is designed such that at a pressure drop below the target pressure, in particular by a predetermined value, which indicates a leakage, the air flow amount is increased such that the seed flow rate and / or the pressure in the seed container (7) is regulated to an at least substantially constant value.

Second

A pneumatic seeder according to claim 1, wherein the air flow amount is increased so that a predetermined target flow rate is not exceeded.

Third

A pneumatic seeder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device (16) is adapted to control the amount of air flow and / or pressure level, in particular for controlling based on the measured pressure, wherein the increasing is a partial step of the control.

4th

Pneumatic seed drill according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the regulating, in particular increasing, the amount of air flow control, in particular an increase, a performance of the seed conveyor (10), for example a blower or a pump comprises.

5th

Pneumatic seed drill according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the regulating, in particular increasing, the amount of air flow control, in particular increasing the pressure in the air duct system (13) and / or in the seed hopper (7), in particular such that the measured Pressure is increased to the target pressure.

6th

Pneumatic seed drill according to one of the preceding claims, wherein between the pressure sensor (15) and the control device (16) a data connection (17) is or can be produced and / or wherein between the control device (16) and the seed conveyor (10) has a data connection (19) is or can be produced or wherein the control device (16) is part of the seed conveyor (10).

7th

A pneumatic seeder according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a time detecting device and an evaluating device for calculating the time change of the measured pressure, wherein the regulating device (16) is configured to control a seed delivery amount based on the time change of the measured pressure.

8th.

Method for operating a pneumatic seed drill, wherein seed from a seed hopper (7) is fed pneumatically through an air duct system (13) to a sowing device (4) and the pressure in the air duct system (13) and / or in the seed hopper (7) is determined;

characterized in that

at a pressure drop below the target pressure, in particular by a predetermined value indicative of leakage, an amount of airflow is increased such that the seed delivery rate is controlled at least to a substantially constant value.

9th

Method according to one of claims 8, wherein the amount of air flow is increased such that it does not fall below a predetermined target flow rate.

10th

Method according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the air flow amount, in particular based on the measured pressure, regulated, in particular increased, is.

11th

Method according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the air flow amount by regulating, in particular increasing, the performance of a seed conveyor (10), for example a blower or a pump, regulated, in particular increased, is.

12th

Method according to one of claims 8 to 1 1, wherein the amount of air flow is regulated, in particular increased, by regulating, in particular increasing, the pressure in the air duct system (13) and / or in the seed hopper (7).

13th

Method according to one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the measured pressure, in particular to the target pressure, is increased, in particular by increasing the power of the seed conveyor (10).

14th

Method according to one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the pressure is measured continuously or at predetermined time intervals.

15th A method according to any one of claims 8 to 14, comprising a time measurement whereby a substantial change in pressure is determined based on the measured pressure and time and wherein the seed delivery rate is controlled based on the time change of the measured pressure.