EP4611526A1

EP4611526A1 - Volumetric metering unit for granular and powdered materials

Info

Publication number: EP4611526A1
Application number: EP23818545.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea MASCHIO; Paolo Michieli; Rudy MARTIN
Original assignee: Maschio Gaspardo SpA
Current assignee: Maschio Gaspardo SpA
Priority date: 2022-11-04
Filing date: 2023-11-06
Publication date: 2025-09-10
Also published as: WO2024095240A1; CN120225047A; JP2026508732A; IT202200022806A1

Abstract

A volumetric metering unit (100) for the metered supply of granular and/or powdered materials comprises a housing (1) including a chamber (10), an inlet opening (11) and an outlet opening (12). The metering unit (100) further comprises a rotating distribution drum (2) which includes a shaft (20) which has a first end (21) and a second end (22) which are axially opposite and a motorization unit (3) which is or can be connected in terms of rotation to the second end of the shaft in order to rotate the drum. There are provided connection means (4) which are configured to connect in terms of rotation the second end (22) of the shaft (20) to the motorization unit (3). The connection means (4) are configured so as to be able to be engaged and disengaged by means of movement along the rotation axis of the drum (2). The metering unit (100) further comprises a flanged element (5) which supports the shaft (20) and which is applied to the first wall (13) of the chamber (10) via bayonet type connection means (6).

Description

Volumetric metering unit for granular and powdered materials

DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to a volumetric metering unit for granular and/or powdered materials, particularly for machines for distributing such materials.

Technological background

Volumetric distributors of this type are widely applied to agricultural sowers in order to distribute granulated materials in a metered manner, such as seeds, fertilizers and/or additives, such as disinfectants or insecticidal substances in association with the seed during the sowing operations. These distributors are also known by the term granulators or micro-granulators, particularly when they are used for distributing additives. In addition to this preferred use, they are further used in all sectors in which metered supply of a product is reguired.

An example of a volumetric distributor constructed according to the prior art is described in the document W02004015378A1 in the name of the same Applicant. This distributor comprises a box-shaped structure in which a distribution drum is rotatably supported.

A first problem results from the difficulty of cleaning or replacing the distribution drum. The replacement is particularly necessary in order to be able to fit the distributor with a different drum which is suitable for the material to be distributed. This involves removing the transmission means which cause the drum to rotate, the opening of a suitable port of the distributor, extracting the drum which is present and introducing the desired drum. All these steps reguire a high level of dexterity. In fact, the known structures have the disadvantage of comprising a large number of components which have to be assembled in the correct order and way with connection means, screws, flanges and still other items. This philosophy is poorly suitable for the context of agricultural machines, for which many interventions have to be carried out in fields and the consequent need for removing and handling different components may involve losing or incorrectly assembling them.

A second problem is connected with the fact that the handling of the drum involves a high risk for the operator because the seeds, fertilizers and the additives to be distributed over the ground may often have a specific degree of toxicity as a result of the composition of the products themselves or the chemical products associated therewith. Typically, the seeds are processed with tanning substances or fungicides which are harmful on contact and for inhalation. The fertilizers and the additives may release dangerous powders or ones which are at least irritants, or which contain dangerous products per se. It would therefore be desirable to avoid direct contact with such materials. A possible solution would be the use of protective gloves which is not ideal, however, because it limits the possibility of effectively and easily handling the small mechanical components described above.

Another example of a volumetric distributor constructed according to the prior art is described in DE102007034997A1. This distributor comprises a housing for a hollow drum, in which the hollow drum is axially fitted on a drive shaft which is mounted in an axially removable manner in the housing. In order to remove the drum from the housing, it is therefore necessary to remove the drum from the shaft, with the disadvantage that the drum can become stuck in the housing as a result of the presence of powder between the drum and the shaft.

Another example of a known volumetric distributor is described in DE102020002763A1.

In different technical sectors, an example of a connection system between the rotor and a drive shaft is described in US4602727 which particularly relates to a rotary medical valve.

Therefore, the problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a volumetric metering unit for granular and/or powdered materials which is structurally and functionally configured to at least partially overcome one or more of the disadvantages set out with reference to the cited prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a volumetric metering unit for granular and/or powdered materials in which the removal and possible replacement of the rotor can be carried out in a simplified manner, with the removal of a limited number of connections and parts generally.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a volumetric metering unit for granular and/or powdered materials in which the risk of contact with the materials which are contained in the metering unit by the operator is significantly reduced.

An object of the present invention is also to make available to the art a volumetric metering unit for granular and/or powdered materials which allows the known solutions to be improved in the context of a simple, rational solution with rather contained costs.

Description of the invention

This problem is solved and these objects are achieved at least partially by the invention by means of a volumetric metering unit for the metered supply of granular and/or powdered materials comprising a housing.

Preferably, the housing includes a chamber, an inlet opening and an outlet opening, between which there is defined a flow direction of granular and/or powdered material, a first wall and a second wall which are opposite each other. Preferably, the metering unit comprises a rotating distribution drum which is rotatably supported in the housing about a rotation axis. Preferably, the drum includes a shaft which has a first end and a second end which are axially opposite and which are supported on the first wall and the second wall, respectively.

Preferably, the metering unit comprises a motorization unit which is or can be connected in terms of rotation to the second end of the shaft in order to rotate the drum.

Preferably, the metering unit comprises connection means which are configured to connect in terms of rotation the second end of the shaft to the motorization unit. Preferably, the connection means are configured so as to be able to be engaged and disengaged by means of movement along the rotation axis through a seat which is formed in the first wall of the chamber towards and away from the second wall, respectively.

Preferably, the metering unit comprises a flanged element which supports a rolling element, by means of which there is in turn rotatably supported the first end of the shaft which is applied to the first wall of the chamber.

Preferably, the flanged element is connected to the first wall via bayonet type connection means which are configured to selectively close and open the seat by means of a combined movement of rotation about the rotation axis and translation along the rotation axis of the flanged element.

It will be appreciated that the metering unit according to this first aspect allows simple removal and subsequent repositioning of the rotor in the relevant housing without any need for carrying out the disassembly of the motorization unit and with a simple roto-translational movement.

As a result of the specific connection means, furthermore, it is also possible to carry out the unblocking of the rotor without disassembling components, therefore reducing the risk of dropping components in a field or in any case limiting the manual operations required by the operator.

Furthermore, the unblocking of the drum can be brought about by rotation and, as a result of the configuration adopted, it is possible to carry out this operation by acting on the flanged element independently of the shaft, therefore in a manner independent of the means for connection to the motorization unit.

In this manner, it is not necessary to rotate the motorization unit in order to remove the characteristic drum which also contributes to avoiding any need to necessarily disassemble the motorization unit in order to carry out the removal of the drum.

Generally, therefore, the complexity of the operation can thereby be reduced, and the consequent risk of contact with the materials present in the metering unit.

The present invention may also have one or more of the following preferred features in addition to those mentioned above.

Preferably, the motorization unit is in a distal position with respect to the first wall of the chamber and in a proximal position with respect to the second wall of the chamber.

It is thereby possible to leave the extraction zone clear of components of the motorization unit, further facilitating the operations.

In some embodiments, the connection means comprise a movable portion and a fixed portion which are formed on the second end of the shaft and on the motorization unit, respectively. Preferably, the connection means are configured so as to be able to be engaged and disengaged by the movable portion being moved with respect to the fixed portion along the rotation axis.

Preferably, the connection means comprise a portion which forks into two tines and a connection pin which are formed on the second end of the shaft and on the motorization unit, respectively, or vice versa, the tines being configured to receive the connection pin between them.

This configuration allows simple and reliable implementation of the connection means of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the forked portion and the connection pin define the movable portion and the fixed portion, respectively, or vice versa.

It is preferable for the connection means to be configured so as to be able to be engaged and disengaged by moving the drum together with the shaft along the rotation axis through the seat towards and away from the second wall, respectively.

Preferably, the motorization unit comprises a hollow shaft, the connection pin being formed on the hollow shaft.

Preferably, the motorization unit comprises a pulley, to which the hollow shaft is connected in terms of rotation, the pulley being configured to transmit a rotational movement to an additional rotating component via a transmission belt. As a result of this feature, it is possible to ensure a high level of robustness for the connection and ease of assembly without any need for removing components of the motorization unit. Furthermore, the present invention advantageously allows the removal of the drum without having to remove the transmission belt from the pulley.

Preferably, the seat is configured so as to allow the passage of the drum towards and away from the housing, therefore allowing a high level of accessibility in the housing.

Preferably, the flanged element has a hole, through which the flanged element is axially fitted onto the shaft in an axial intermediate position between the first end of the shaft and a blading of the drum, the first end of the shaft projecting axially from the hole away from the flanged element outside the chamber and having a slot, which is preferably annular and which can be gripped in order to axially move the drum away from the second end of the chamber, together with the flanged element.

It is thereby possible to use the slot to grip the drum by means of a tool which can be engaged in the suitable slot.

Preferably, the bayonet type connection means comprise at least one through- slot which is formed on the flanged element and which has a widened portion which is configured so as to allow the passage through the slot of a blocking element which is supported on the first wall, and a narrowed portion which is configured to prevent the passage of the blocking element through the slot.

These features allow a robust solution, which is particularly suitable for the uses in the agricultural sector where it is necessary for the components also to be able to withstand high stresses.

Preferably, the through-slot is in the form of a circumferential arc concentric with respect to the rotation axis.

So as to obtain the connection, by means of a rotational movement about the rotation axis it can be carried out with a simple structural solution, still for the benefit of the robustness of the structure.

Preferably, the connection means comprise a plurality of through-slots which are distributed in a non-uniform manner about the rotation axis, at least one of the slots comprising a pair of widened portions.

In this manner, the connection can be carried out in an asymmetrical manner, therefore making the flanged element suitable for connection in two different positions, for example, one on the right side and the other on the left side of the machine, by means of rotation in one case in a clockwise direction and in the other in a counter-clockwise direction.

Preferably, the metering unit comprises a calibration port for calibrating the material flow.

Preferably, the metering unit comprises at least one movable wall which is supported in the housing in order to direct the material flow selectively towards the outlet opening or towards the calibration port.

Preferably, the metering unit comprises a lever which is suitable for controlling the movement of the movable wall.

It will be appreciated that the simplified removal system of the present invention is particularly highly suitable for the case in which there is present a calibration port, in fact simplifying the accessibility inside the housing and therefore the possibility of being able to also reach the calibration port, for example, for cleaning or maintenance.

In particular, such a feature is particularly advantageous if there are present movable elements, such as the above-mentioned wall, inside the housing.

According to another aspect, the present invention also relates to an agricultural distribution machine, in particular a spreader and/or sower, comprising at least one volumetric metering unit which has one or more of the previously mentioned features and at least one hopper, the hopper including a lower portion which has a supply opening, to which the inlet opening of the volumetric metering unit is applied.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention also relates to a kit comprising a volumetric metering unit which has at least one rotating distribution drum which is rotatably supported in the housing about a rotation axis, the drum including a shaft which carries a first end and a second end which are axially opposite, with the first end of the shaft having a slot and one or more of the features mentioned above and a calibration tool which is configured to engage in the slot.

The tool preferably comprises an attachment device with respect to the calibration port of the metering unit and collection means for the calibration material which are secured to the attachment device. Preferably, the attachment device comprises an engagement member which is provided to be removably engaged in the slot of the shaft of the drum in order to facilitate the movement thereof.

Preferably, the collection means for the calibration material comprise a calibration bag having an opening which is secured to the attachment device in such a position that, when the tool is applied to the calibration port, the calibration bag is positioned to be supplied by material falling from the calibration port.

Preferably, the tool comprises a handle fixed to the attachment device.

Preferably, the handle is fixed to the attachment device at the side opposite the engagement member.

Preferably, the attachment device comprises a pair of walls which are positioned in a spaced-apart relationship, a cross-member which extends between the walls and first engagement means on the walls at the opposite side to the collection means, the first engagement means being able to be connected to respective first engagement counter-means which are provided on the calibration port.

Preferably, the engagement member comprises second engagement means on the cross-member which are capable of being connected to respective second engagement counter-means which are provided on the distribution drum.

Preferably, the second engagement means comprise a recess which is formed in the cross-member.

Preferably, the recess is open towards the collection means.

Preferably, the walls have a cam-like profile which projects beyond the crossmember at the side opposite the handle.

The same advantages set out in relation to the first aspect may also therefore be achieved by means of the agricultural machine and the kit constructed in this manner.

Additional preferred aspects are also defined in the appended claims and by the following description.

In the present description, and in the claims appended thereto, and more generally in the context of the present invention, a number of terms and expressions are considered to take on the meaning expressed in the definitions below, unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

In particular, the term "bayonet type connection means" is intended to be understood to be both actual bayonet type connections and connections of a different type, in which the connection is brought about by means of a mechanical connection which is produced by means of a relative movement between two components which includes both a rotation and a translation, preferably along an axis parallel with the axis in which the rotation occurs.

These movements may take place in any order and also in a partially or completely simultaneous manner.

Brief description of the Figures

The features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the detailed description of a number of exemplary embodiments thereof which are illustrated, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the volumetric metering unit of the present invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are a sectioned view with respect to a horizontal plane of the metering unit of Figure 1 and a relevant detail, respectively;

Figure 4 is a sectioned view, taken in a vertical plane, of the volumetric metering unit of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a rotating drum and a relevant flanged element, components of the volumetric metering unit of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a schematic view of an agricultural machine comprising the volumetric metering unit of the present invention.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

With reference to Figure 6, there is generally designated 200 a distribution machine for granular materials which can be used both for sowing and for distributing fertilizers, disinfectants and the like.

The machine 200 comprises one or more hoppers for containing the material to be scattered, a fan which supplies an air flow under pressure to an air injector, at least one volumetric metering unit 100 which supplies metered quantities of the material present in the hopper to the air flow generated by the fan and a distributor which distributes the mixed flow of air and material to be transported towards distribution pipes.

Now with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the volumetric metering unit 100 substantially comprises a housing 1, in which a rotating distribution drum 2 is housed rotatably about a rotation axis X.

As illustrated in greater detail in Figures 3 and 4, the housing 1 includes a chamber 10, an inlet opening 11 and an outlet opening 12, between which there is defined a flow direction F for granular and/or powdered materials.

There are further present a first wall 13 and a second wall 14 which are opposite each other and which define a space inside which the rotating distribution drum 2 can be received.

Advantageously, the rotating distribution drum 2 includes a shaft 20 which has a first end 21 and a second end 22 which are axially opposite and supported on the first wall 13 and the second wall 14, respectively.

The rotation of the drum 2 is brought about by means of a suitable motorization unit 3 which is connected in terms of rotation to the second end 22 of the shaft, for example, by means of a gear system 30 or step-down system.

By the drum 2 being rotated, therefore, the granular and/or powdered materials can be transported in a metered manner from the inlet opening 11 to the outlet opening 12 in the flow direction F. To this end, the drum 2 has a blading 8 which allows the material to be metered in accordance with the formation thereof and the speed of rotation of the drum 2 itself.

There may also be provided a calibration port 16 for calibrating the flow of material. The flow may advantageously be redirected by means of a movable wall 7 which is supported in the housing 1 in order to direct the flow of material selectively towards the outlet opening 12 or towards the calibration port 16.

As may be observed in the Figures, the motorization unit 3 is advantageously in a distal position with respect to the first wall 13 of the chamber and in a proximal position with respect to the second wall 14 of the chamber.

In some embodiments, the motorization unit 3 comprises a pulley which is configured to transmit a rotational movement to additional rotating components of the distributor via a transmission belt 31.

The rotation between the motorization unit 3 and the drum 2 is transmitted by way of suitable connection means 4 which are illustrated in greater detail in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 3.

In particular, the connection means 4 are configured to connect in terms of rotation the second end 22 of the shaft 20 to the motorization unit 3.

Preferably, the connection means 4 comprise a portion which forks into two tines 42 and a connection pin 41 which are formed on the second end 22 of the shaft 20 and on the motorization unit 3, respectively, preferably in the region of a relevant hollow shaft 33 which can advantageously be connected to the pulley 32 itself.

Advantageously, the connection pin 41 which is formed on the hollow shaft 33 and the tines 42 retain the pin 41 between them when the end 22 of the shaft is inserted in the hollow shaft 33. In this manner, the connection means 4 can be configured so as to be able to be engaged and disengaged by means of movement along the axis X without removing the pin 41, causing the drum 2 to pass through a seat 15 which is formed in the first wall 13 of the chamber 20 in a direction towards and away from the second wall 14, respectively. It will therefore be appreciated that preferably the connection means 4 are configured so as to be able to be engaged and disengaged by means of movement of the drum 15 together with the respective shaft 20 along the axis X.

Preferably, therefore, the seat 15 is configured so as to allow the passage of the drum away from and towards the housing.

In any case, it will be appreciated that the position of the pin and tines may be reversed and that it will also be possible to provide alternative embodiments to those described, in which the connection is brought about by means of different components but always by movement towards/away along the axis X.

At the side opposite the connection means, there is provided a flanged element 5 which supports a rolling element 50 by means of which in turn the first end 21 of the shaft 20 is rotatably supported.

The flanged element 5 is advantageously applied to the first wall 13 of the chamber 10 by way of bayonet type connection means 6 which are configured to selectively close and open the seat 15 by means of a combined rotational movement about the rotation axis X and translational movement along the rotation axis X of the flanged element 5.

Preferably, the flanged element 5 has a hole 50, through which the flanged element 5 is fitted axially on the shaft 20 in an intermediate axial position between the first end 21 of the shaft and the blading 8 of the drum, the first end 21 of the shaft axially projecting from the hole 50 away from the flanged element outside the chamber and having a slot 23, which is preferably annular and which can be gripped in order to move the drum axially away from the second end of the chamber, together with the flanged element.

In some embodiments, the bayonet type connection means comprise at least one through-slot 51 which is formed in the flanged element and which has a widened portion 52 which is configured so as to allow passage through the slot 51 of a blocking element 54 which is supported on the first wall 13, and a narrowed portion 53 which is configured to prevent the passage of the blocking element 54 through the slot 51.

For example, the blocking element 54 may be formed by means of a nut which may be provided with a washer or wing nut or another element which has such dimensions as to allow the passage through the widened portion 52 but which is not able to pass through the narrowed portion 53.

In this manner, the connection can be brought about by means of a combined translational and rotational movement, where applicable by tightening the nuts/wing nuts in order to obtain a more stable blocking action.

It will also be appreciated that the slot 51 may advantageously be in the form of a circumferential arc with a development which is concentric to the rotation axis X.

As may be more clearly observed in Figure 6, according to another aspect the connection means 5 comprise a plurality of through-slots 51 which are distributed in a non-uniform manner about the rotation axis X, at least one of the slots 51 comprising a pair of widened portions 52.

This allows use of the same component for connecting in different positions. For example, as may be observed in Figure 6, a first widened portion may be used to fix the flanged element to a first metering unit and the second widened portion may be used to fix a second metering unit.

The invention thereby solves the problem proposed, at the same time affording a plurality of advantages. In fact, the metering unit of the present invention allows easy removal of the rotating drum, both in order to replace it, for example, in order to provide a different blading, and for the purposes of inspecting and maintaining the housing.

Furthermore, the connection which is produced by means of the flanged element is found to be particularly versatile and practical to use.

Claims

1. A volumetric metering unit (100) for the metered supply of granular and/or powdered materials comprising: a housing (1) including a chamber (10), an inlet opening (11) and an outlet opening (12), between which there is defined a flow direction of granular and/or powdered material, a first wall (13) and a second wall (14) which are opposite each other; a rotating distribution drum (2) which is rotatably supported in the housing (1) about a rotation axis (X), the drum (2) including a shaft (20) which has a first end (21) and a second end (22) which are axially opposite and which are supported on the first wall and the second wall, respectively; a motorization unit (3) which is or can be connected in terms of rotation to the second end (22) of the shaft in order to rotate the drum (2); connection means (4) which are configured to connect in terms of rotation the second end (22) of the shaft (20) to the motorization unit (3), the connection means (4) being configured so as to be able to be engaged and disengaged by means of movement along the rotation axis (X) through a seat (15) which is formed in the first wall (13) of the chamber (20) towards and away from the second wall (14), respectively; a flanged element (5) which supports a rolling element (50), by means of which there is in turn rotatably supported the first end (21) of the shaft (20) which is applied to the first wall (13) of the chamber (10) via bayonet type connection means (6) which are configured to selectively close and open the seat (15) by means of a combined movement of rotation about the rotation axis (X) and translation along the rotation axis (X) of the flanged element (5).

2. The volumetric metering unit (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the motorization unit (3) is in a distal position with respect to the first wall (13) of the chamber and in a proximal position with respect to the second wall (14) of the chamber.

3. The volumetric metering unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection means (4) comprise a portion which forks into two tines (42) and a connection pin (41) which are formed on the second end of the shaft and on the motorization unit, respectively, or vice versa, the tines being configured to receive the connection pin between them.

4. The volumetric metering unit (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the motorization unit comprises a hollow shaft (33), the connection pin (41) being formed on the hollow shaft (33).

5. The volumetric metering unit (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the motorization unit comprises a pulley, to which the hollow shaft (33) is connected in terms of rotation, the pulley being configured to transmit a rotational movement to an additional rotating component via a transmission belt.

6. The volumetric metering unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat (15) is configured so as to allow the passage of the drum towards and away from the housing.

7. The volumetric metering unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flanged element (5) has a hole (50), through which the flanged element (5) is axially fitted onto the shaft (20) in an axial intermediate position between the first end (21) of the shaft and a blading (8) of the drum, the first end (21) of the shaft projecting axially from the hole (50) away from the flanged element outside the chamber and having a slot (23), which is preferably annular and which can be gripped in order to axially move the drum away from the second end of the chamber, together with the flanged element.

8. The volumetric metering unit (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bayonet type connection means (6) comprise at least one through-slot (51) which is formed on the flanged element and which has a widened portion (52) which is configured so as to allow the passage through the slot (51) of a blocking element (54) which is supported on the first wall (13), and a narrowed portion (53) which is configured to prevent the passage of the blocking element (54) through the slot (51).

9. The volumetric metering unit (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the through-slot (51) is in the form of a circumferential arc concentric with respect to the rotation axis (X).

10. The volumetric metering unit (100) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the connection means (5) comprise a plurality of through-slots (51) which are distributed in a non-uniform manner about the rotation axis(X), at least one of the slots (51) comprising a pair of widened portions (52).

11. The volumetric metering unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a calibration port (16) for calibrating the material flow and at least one movable wall (7) which is supported in the housing (1) in order to direct the material flow selectively towards the outlet opening (12) or towards the calibration port (16).

12. The volumetric metering unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection means (4) comprise a movable portion and a fixed portion which are formed on the second end (22) of the shaft and on the motorization unit (3), respectively, the connection means (4) being configured so as to be able to be engaged and disengaged by the movable portion being moved with respect to the fixed portion along the rotation axis (X).

13. The volumetric metering unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection means (4) are configured so as to be able to be engaged and disengaged by moving the drum (2) together with the shaft (20) along the rotation axis (X) through the seat (15) towards and away from the second wall (14), respectively.

14. An agricultural distribution machine, in particular a spreader and/or sower, comprising at least one volumetric metering unit according to one or more of the preceding claims and at least one hopper, the hopper including a lower portion which has a supply opening, to which the inlet opening of the volumetric metering unit is applied.