WO2020224684A1

WO2020224684A1 - Flap and housing unit

Info

Publication number: WO2020224684A1
Application number: PCT/CZ2020/000015
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomáš SMOLA; Vojtěch KAŠPAR; Petr May
Original assignee: Farmet A.S.
Priority date: 2019-05-07
Filing date: 2020-04-29
Publication date: 2020-11-12
Also published as: EP3965547A1; CZ2019282A3

Abstract

A flap (5) for agricultural machines for sowing and/or fertilisation arranged as part of the guiding for seeds and/or granulated fertiliser to an application site (6) which comprises a sealing chamber (1) in whose cavity (3) there is arranged a hollow flexible insert (2) which is deformable by pressure from the cavity (3) to close the passage of seeds and/or granulated fertiliser with compressed air streaming through its cavity (14), with the sealing chamber (1) being connected to a source (7) of the control medium. A guide housing (4) for guiding seeds and/or granulated fertiliser by compressed air flow to the application site (6) of an agricultural machine for sowing and/or fertilising, comprising a flap (5) which is mounted in the break (10) of the channel (22) of the housing (4) so as to be replaceable.

Description

Flap and housing unit

Technical Field

The invention relates to a flap, specifically to the flap of an agricultural machine for sowing and/or fertilising, and to its arrangement in the guiding of seeds and/or fertiliser to the application site.

State of the Art

From the current state of technology pneumatic swathe seed drills are known in which flaps are used to enable the shutting of several seed tube hoses during sowing, thereby ensuring the formation of track rows. Usually, mechanical flaps with a shut-off cap or slide operated by an electric motor or compressed air are used. The disadvantage of these flaps is their mechanical complexity and higher production cost. A disadvantage is also the tendency to clog and block the shut-off cap or slide with jammed seed grains or dust. For this reason, conventional flaps must be sufficiently oversized and have electromotive actuation with appropriate force. This further increases the production cost.

From patent DE 102017203854 is known the use of a mechanical cap flap which is rotated by an electric motor so that it either closes the channel towards the seed tube and the application site or closes the channel by which the grain returns to the hopper when the seed supply to the application site is closed. A similar variant of the shut-off flap is further known from DE 102015116378.

From DE 102016218531 is also known the use of a slide which is again rotated by an electric motor to a position where the channel is opened towards the seed tube and to the application site, or the channel for conveying the seeds back to the hopper opens the moment no seeds are applied.

In recent years, the use of flaps on all hoses of the seed lines of pneumatic swathe seed drills has been expanding significantly, allowing the gradual controlled opening of the flaps at the beginning of sowing at an angled edge at the beginning of the field arid gradual controlled closing of the flaps at an angled edge at the end of the field. This system requires a large number of flaps on the machine, and the frequency of the closing cycles of each flap is significantly higher. This creates new requirements both in terms of service life and operational reliability of the flaps and in terms of their production cost. Conventional mechanical shut-off cap or slide flaps with electric or pneumatic actuators do not fully meet these requirements. From the aforementioned current technology it appears to be that main disadvantage of current technology is that the known flaps are not completely operationally reliable, easily clogged, complex to manufacture and expensive, and therefore very costly to use where a flap is positioned on all the channels of the seed tubes.

The object of this invention is a flap design that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture while being easily replaceable, while keeping in mind that it will be used on each seed tube channel leading to the application site for seed and/or fertiliser.

Principle of the Invention

The mentioned disadvantages are largely removed and the objectives of the invention are fulfilled by the flap of an agricultural machine for sowing and/or fertilising arranged as part of the housing for guiding the seeds and/or or granulated fertiliser to the application site, which according to the invention is characterised by that it comprises a sealing chamber in whose cavity is arranged a hollow flexible insert which is pressure- deformable by pressure from the cavity to close the flow of the seed and/or granulated fertiliser with a current of compressed air through its cavity, with the sealing chamber being connected to a source of control medium. The advantage is that the flexible insert very simply inflates by the pressure medium to the obstructed channel for the flow of seed and/or fertiliser into the seed tube hose and thus closes it. After the pressure has been interrupted, the flexible insert simply returns by means of its shape memory to its original shape and allows free flow of the seed and/or fertiliser without the risk of clogging. A great advantage is also a very simple and inexpensive-to-produce design.

To advantage, the control medium is compressed air. The advantage is that the compressed air source is part of the propulsion system, while compressed air allows very tight sealing. The control medium may, of course, also be a different pressurised gas.

It is also to advantage if at least one end of the flexible insert has a cylindrical shape by which it is replace-ably mounted on the front of the sealing chamber. It is to advantage that the end of the flexible liner is easily threaded onto the front of tbe sealing chamber, with its rim encircling the outer surface of the sealing chamber and thereby firmly attaching to it, while at the same time this leads to perfect sealing and avoiding subsequent leakage when the pressurised medium enters iptoThe sealed chamber. It is to further advantage that at the connection of the sealing chamber and the control medium source a control device is provided, while in the most advantageous variant the control means is connected to the agricultural machine drive means or to the control computer unit of the agricultural machine. The advantage is that the passage to the application point can be closed very simply and precisely and particularly the angled ends of the field can be sown very precisely.

It is to further advantage if the control means is a piezoelectric valve. The advantage is that the piezoelectric valve can be simply connected to the machine control system.

It is also to advantage if the flexible insert is cylindrical or oval in cross-section.

The mentioned disadvantages are further largely removed and the objectives of the invention are fulfilled by a guide housing of seed and/or granulated fertiliser with a jet of compressed air to the application point of the agricultural sowing and/or fertilising machine comprising the aforementioned flap according to the invention characterised by that the flap is mounted interchangeably in a break in the housing channel. A great advantage with regard to the design of the flap is its simple and rapid replacement in case of failure of its function.

It is an advantage if the flap is mounted on at least one channel break front, most advantageously the flap is mounted on at least one flat channel break front so that the cylindrical end of the flexible insert is in contact with the front. The advantage is that by pressing the flap into the channel break a pressure connection is created which keeps the flap gripped between the fronts of the channel breaks.

In certain applications, it may further be to advantage if the flap is mounted on at least one contoured channel break front so that the cylindrical end of the flexible insert is in contact with the front.

Furthermore, it is to great advantage if the flap is secured in the channel break by at least one locking means, which is a buckle or a screw. The advantage is that the flap bearing is very strong and stable.

In an advantageous variant, the channel in which the flap is mounted is the main channel that includes the inlet section of the main channel adjoining the connecting section of the main channel in which the flap is mounted, and the connecting section of the main channel adjoins the outlet section of the main channel, with the inlet section of the main channel being connected to the return channel to discharge the compressed air with seeds and/or fertiliser at the moment the flap is closed, and the seed and/or fertiliser collection container, the return channel being simultaneously connected by the bypass duct to the outlet section of the main channel to remove compressed air the moment the flap is closed. Thanks to this construction, the flap formed by the sealing chamber with the flexible insert can be easily removed and the flexible insert easily replaced.

The main advantage of the flap and housing according to the invention is a very simple and inexpensive design, which enables trouble-free operation with the possibility of simple flap replacement if necessary. To particular advantage is the absence of mechanical moving parts, high sealing force, the elimination of clogging and easy replacement of worn out parts, which is the flexible insert. Thanks to this the flap can be fitted to each seed tube hose and switched by the pressure medium either individually or in groups.

Overview of the Figures

The invention will be more closely elucidated using drawings, in which Fig.1 shows a sectional view of a flap mounted in the fronts of the channel, Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of a guide housing with a flap which is open, Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of a guide housing with a flap which is closed, Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of a guide housing, Fig. 5 shows a section of guide housing with a flap mounted in the housing of the collecting and distributing container with a flap to which the control medium source is connected, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the sowing part of an agricultural machine for sowing and/or fertilising, including the connection of its collecting and distribution container, by means of a guide housing comprising a flap, to the application site.

Examples of the Performance of the Invention

Example 1

The flap 5 (Fig. 1 , Fig. 6) of an agricultural machine for sowing and/or fertilising arranged as part of the housing for conducting the seeds and/or or granulated fertiliser to the application site 6. The flap 5 comprises a sealing chamber 1 in whose cavity 3 is arranged a hollow flexible insert 2 which is, by pressure from the cavity 3, pressure- deformable to close the flow of the seed and/or granulated fertiliser with a current of compressed air through its cavity 14. The sealing chamber is designed to be of fixed shape.

The sealing chamber 1 is connected by a hose 21 to a source 7 of control medium, which is compressed air. At the connection of the sealing chamber 1_ and the control medium source 7 a control device is provided 20, which is connected to the agricultural machine drive means or to the control computer unit of the agricultural machine. The control means 20 is a piezoelectric valve.

Both ends 23 of the flexible insert 2 have a cylindrical shape by which they are replace-ably mounted on the front 8 of the sealing chamber 1

The guide housing 4 (Fig. 1) of seeds and/or or granulated fertiliser to the application site 6 of the agricultural machine for sowing and/or fertilisation comprises a flap 5 which is interchangeably mounted in the break 10 of the channel 22 of the housing 4.

The flap 5 is mounted on both flat fronts 9 of the break 0 of the channel 22 so that in contact with the fronts 9 are the cylindrical ends 23 of the flexible insert 2. The fronts 9 are designed to accurately receive the flap 5, more specifically to receive the outer surfaces 24 of the flexible insert 2.

The front 9 of the break 10 of the channel 22 is in the form of a flat rim. Alternately, the front 9 of the break 10 of the channel 22 may be in the form of a sleeve.

The flexible insert 2 is cylindrical in cross-section or can alternately be oval.

The flap 5 is secured in the break 0 of the channel 22 by a securing means 18, which is a buckle.

The device operates such that the moment the flap 5 is open, the seed and/or fertiliser exiting the distributor 27 passes through the inlet section 11_ of the main channel 17, the connecting section 12 of the main channel 17, including the flap 5 arranged therein, and through the outlet part 13 of the main channel 17, into the hose 28 of the seed tube.

The moment compressed air is supplied to the flap 5, the flexible liner 2 is deformed by pressure such that the passage of the seed and/or fertiliser passing through its cavity 14 is closed. After interruption of the compressed air pressure to the flexible insert 2 it returns to its original cylindrical shape, thus enabling the free passage of seeds and/or fertilisers through the cavity 14 into the seed tube hose 28 and through this to the application site 6.

Example 2

The flap 5 (Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 6) of an agricultural machine for sowing and/or fertilising arranged as part of the housing for concreting the seeds and/or or granulated fertiliser to the application site 6. The flap Jrcompris s a sealing chamber 1 in whose cavity 3 is arranged a hollow flexible'fnsert 2_which is, by pressure from the cavity 3, pressure-deformable to close the flow of the seed and/or granulated fertilizer with a current of compressed air through its cavity 14. The sealing chamber 1 is designed to be of fixed shape.

The sealing chamber 1 (Fig. 4) is connected by a hose 21 to the source 7 of the control medium, which is compressed air. The control means 20 is connected to the sealing chamber 1 and the control medium source 7, which is connected to the agricultural machine drive means or to the agricultural machine computerised control unit. The control means 20 is a piezoelectric valve.

Both ends 23 of the flexible insert 2 have a cylindrical shape by which they are replace-ably mounted on the front 8 of the sealing chamber 1_.

The flexible insert 2 is cylindrical in cross-section or can alternately be of an oval design.

The guide housing 4 (Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6) of seeds and/or granulated fertiliser by compressed air flow to the application site 6 of the agricultural sowing and/or fertilising machine comprises a flap 5 which is mounted in the break 10 of the channel 22 housing 4 so as to be replaceable.

The flap 5 is mounted on both fronts 9 of the break 0 of the channel 22.

The flap 5 is mounted on both shaped fronts 9 of the break 10 of the channel 22 so that in contact with the fronts 9 are the cylindrical ends 23 of the flexible insert 2. The fronts 9 are shaped to accurately receive the flap 5, more specifically to receive the outer surfaces 24 of the flexible insert 2. The front 9 of the break 10 of the channel 22 are designed in such a way that they are provided, on their surface where they are in contact with the outer surfaces 24 of the flexible insert 2 with shaped projections 26.

The front 9 of the break 10 of the channel 22 is in the form of a flange. Alternatively, the front 9 of the break 10 of the channel 22 may be in the form of a sleeve.

The flap 5 is secured in the break 10 of the channel 22 by a securing means 1_8, which is an adjustable buckle.

The channel 22 (Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4) is the main channel 17 comprising an inlet section H of the main channel 17, followed by the connecting section 12 of the main channel 17, in which the flap 5 is arranged, and on the connecting section 12 of the main channel 17 follows the outlet section 13 of the main channel T7, witfTthe inlet section H of the main channel 17 being connected to the return channeFT¾. for being taken away, by compressed air, the seeds and/or fertiliser the momepTthe flap 5 is closed to the collection container 19 for seeds and/or fertiliser whece-rhe return channel 15 is simultaneously connected by the bypass duct 16 to tje-outlet section 13 of the main channel 17 to take away the compressed air the moment the flap 5 is closed. The return channel 15 is connected to the bypass channel 6 at an angle greater than 90 degrees.

The guide housings 4 (Fig. 5) with the flaps 5 are located on a circular distributor 27 in which the seed and/or fertiliser supplied by the central conduit from the metering device is distributed evenly into these flaps 5, to which the seed tube hoses 28 are connected.

The device operates such that the moment the flap 5 is open, the seed and/or fertiliser exiting the distributor 27 passes through the inlet section U of the main channel 17, the connecting section 12 of the main channel 17, including the flap 5 arranged therein, and through the outlet section 13 of the main channel 17, into the hoses 28 of the seed tube.

The moment the flap 5 is closed, the seed and/or fertiliser emerging from the distributor 27 enters the inlet section H of the main channel 17 in which it turns off into the return channel 5 from which the seed and/or fertiliser flows into the collecting container 19 of the distributor 27, with most of the compressed air being discharged through the bypass channel 16 to the outlet section 13 of the main channel 17, and from this into the hose 28 of the seed tube.

The shape of the connection of the bypass channel 16 to the return channel 15 ensures separation of the stream of seed and/or fertiliser from the compressed air, so that into the hose 28 of the seed tube only the compressed air from the pneumatic sowing device escapes, thereby ensuring full functionality even when some of the flaps 5 are closed.

Industrial Application

The flap and housing unit according to the invention can be used on an agricultural machine for precise seed sowing and/or precise fertiliser application. List of Reference Marks

1 sealing chamber

2 flexible insert

3 cavity

4 guide housing

5 flap

6 application site

7 control media source

8 front of sealing chamber

9 front of brake connecting section

10 brake of connecting section

1 1 main channel input section

12 inlet section of main channel

13 outlet section of main channel

14 cavity

15 return channel

16 bypass channel

17 main channel

18 securing means

19 collection container

20 control means

21 hose

22 channel

23 end of flexible insert

24 outer area

25 outer surface

26 shaped projections

27 circular distributor

28 hoses of seed tubes

Claims

Patent Claims

1. A flap for agricultural machines for sowing and/or fertilisation arranged as part of the guiding for seeds and/or granulated fertiliser to an application site (6), characterized in that it comprises a sealing chamber (1) in whose cavity (3) there is arranged a hollow flexible insert (2) which is deformable by pressure from the cavity (3) to close the passage of seeds and/or granulated fertiliser with compressed air streaming through its cavity (14), with the sealing chamber (1) being connected to a source (7) of the control medium.

2. The flap according to claim 1 , characterized in that the control medium is compressed air.

3. The flap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one end (23) of the flexible insert (2) has a cylindrical shape by which it is replace-ably mounted on the front (8) of the sealing chamber (1).

4. The flap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the connection of the closing chamber (1) and the control medium source (7) a control means (20) is arranged.

5. The flap according to claim 4, characterized in that the control means (20) is connected to the drive means of the agricultural machine or to the computerised control unit of the agricultural machine.

6. The flap according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the control means (20) is a piezoelectric valve.

7. The flap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible insert (2) is cylindrical or oval in cross-section.

8. A guide housing for guiding seeds and/or granulated fertiliser by compressed air flow to the application site (6) of an agricultural machine for sowing and/or fertilising, comprising a flap (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap (5) is mounted in the break (10) of the channel (22) of the housing (4) so as to be replaceable.

9. The guide housing according to claim 8, characterized in that the flap (5) is mounted on at least one front (9) of the break (10) of the channel (22).

10. The guide housing according to any one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the flap (5) is mounted on at least one flat front (9) of the break (10) of the channel (22) so that with the front (9), the cylindrical end (23) of the flexible insert (2) is in contact.

11. The guide housing according to one of Claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the flap (5) is mounted on at least one contoured front (9) of the break (10) of the channel (22) so that with the front (9), the cylindrical end (23) of the flexible insert (2) is in contact.

12. The guide housing according to one of Claims 8 to 11 , characterized in that the flap (5) is secured in the brake (10) of the channel (22) by at least one locking means (18).

13. The guide housing according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the channel (22) is a main channel (17) which comprises an inlet section (11) of the main channel (17), to which is connected the connecting section (12) of the main channel (17), in which the flap (5) is arranged, and the connecting section (12) of the main channel (17) is connected with the outlet section (13) of the main channel (17), with the inlet section (11) of the main channel (17) being connected by a return channel (15), taking away, by compressed air, the seeds and/or fertiliser the moment the flap (5) is closed to the collection container (19) for seeds and/or fertiliser with the return channel (15) being simultaneously connected by the bypass duct (16) to the outlet section (13) of the main channel (17) to take away the compressed air the moment the flap (5) is closed.