FR2846394A1 - Assembly for an agricultural pulverization machine has at least two multi-way valves, each with a main drive shaft controlled by a secondary drive shaft, the secondary drive shafts being free to rotate relative to each other - Google Patents

Abstract

Assembly (5) for an agricultural pulverization machine comprises at least two multi-way valves (6, 7). Each valve has a main drive shaft (R) and a command mechanism comprising a secondary drive shaft (6b, 7b) coupled to the main drive shaft to cause its rotation. The secondary drive shafts are coaxial and free to rotate relative to one another. The invention also relates to a corresponding agricultural pulverization machine.

Description

ASSEMBLY OF AT LEAST TWO MULTIVOY VALVES WITH

  COAXIAL ROTARY CONTROL SHAFTS AND MACHINE

SPRAY EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME

  The present invention relates to the field of agricultural spraying machines. Its object is a set of at least two multichannel valves for agricultural spray equipment, and a spraying machine whose liquid distribution circuit is equipped with said assembly. Agricultural spraying machines are commonly used to spread liquid crop protection products on crops, such as, in particular, selective weed killers, insecticide products, fertilizers, etc. There are mainly three types of equipment, the towed type are pulled by a tractor or equivalent; self-propelled engines that have their own means of propulsion; the

  worn-type gear, which is carried by a tractor or the like.

  Whether of the towed, self-propelled or mounted type, a spraying apparatus is usually equipped with spray nozzles, which are generally mounted on long ramps.

  supported by the chassis of the machine.

  The spray device also comprises a liquid distribution circuit, more or less complex, allowing in particular

  feeding the spray nozzles with a phytosanitary liquid.

  This distribution circuit mainly comprises a liquid circulation pump whose inlet is connectable to different liquid sources, and whose output is also connectable to different distribution points. The main source of fluid connectable to the inlet of the pump is an on-board main tank for containing the liquid plant protection product to be sprayed. The other sources connectable to the intake of the pump are for example a flushing tank on board the craft and intended to contain water, or a non-external source

  embedded (eg fixed point of water supply).

  The main distribution points connectable to the outlet of the pump are the spray nozzles. The other distribution points connectable to the outlet of the pump are, for example: the aforementioned main tank via a circulation loop equipped with a mixer-type device which makes it possible to add, to the liquid discharged at the outlet by the pump, a product phytosanitary for example in powder form, granular or liquid; one or more auxiliary output points.

  It will thus be understood that the pump must be able to be easily and selectively connected at its inlet to one or the other of the liquid sources, and at its outlet to one or other of the points of contact. distribution, the choice of the source of liquid upstream of the pump and the choice of the distribution point downstream of the pump to be

  performed by the user of the spraying machine, according to the function sought for the distribution circuit (spraying crop protection product, filling the main reservoir with phytosanitary product, draining the main reservoir, rinsing the main reservoir and the spray nozzles ).

  To allow the user of the spray device to quickly and easily perform this selective connection of the pump upstream and downstream, a known technical solution to date is to use two independent multichannel valves respectively provided upstream and downstream. Downstream of the pump. In the present text, the term "multi-channel" valve designates generally any valve of the type 1 main channel / n secondary channels (n being greater than or equal to 2). More particularly, each multi-way valve is equipped with its own rotary manual control member, in the form of, for example, a lever which is mounted on the end of a rotary drive shaft, and which allows the user to manually select the channel among the n channels of the valve by adjusting the rotational position of the lever. The two rotary control elements of the two multichannel valves are independent, the two valves being

  be set independently of each other.

  In practice, the two multichannel valves are positioned on the chassis of the spray device so that they are aligned along the longitudinal axis front / rear of the chassis, the two control levers of the two valves being accessible on the front side of the spray equipment. This provision of the valves has essentially two disadvantages. On the one hand, this arrangement of the valves generates a large lateral bulk, and depending on the type of sprayer,

  there is not necessarily sufficient space to house the two valves side by side along the longitudinal axis front / rear of the machine.

  On the other hand, in order to be able to arrange the two valves along the front / rear longitudinal axis of the spray machine, it is possible, given the space available, to be constrained to arrange the two valves in such a way that their control levers are very significantly apart from each other, which makes manual control impractical

  both valves by the user of the spray machine.

  The object of the invention is to propose a new technical solution which makes it possible to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the solution of the prior art. The invention thus has as its first object a set of at least two multichannel valves for agricultural spray equipment; each valve is equipped in a manner known per se of a main rotary control shaft. Characteristically according to the invention, each valve is

  further equipped with a control mechanism having a secondary rotary drive shaft coupled to the main rotary drive shaft so as to allow the rotational drive of said main shaft, and the secondary drive shafts are coaxial and free 30 rotation relative to each other.

  The invention thus advantageously makes it possible to obtain a lateral space saving, the two valves can now be arranged along the transverse axis of the chassis of the spraying machine, and the control members of the two valves can advantageously be concentrated.

  in the same place, which facilitates their access and use.

  Another object of the invention is a spraying machine equipped with a liquid distribution circuit comprising a said assembly of

minus two multichannel valves.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent

  more clearly in the light of the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, which description is given as a

  of non-limiting and non-exhaustive example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 shows a self-propelled spray device, equipped with a set of multiport valves of the invention, - Figure 2 is a representation of perspective of a preferred embodiment of a set of two multi-way valves according to the invention, - Figure 3 is a sectional representation of the assembly of Figure 2, - Figure 4 shows the protective housing and the two control levers of the set of multichannel valves of FIGS. 2 and 3, and FIG. 5 represents an exemplary embodiment of a distribution circuit of the spray device of FIG. 1, which distribution circuit comprises a set of two multiport valves 25 according to the invention, there is shown in Figure 1 a self-propelled agricultural spray device 1, for use in spraying crop pests phytosanitary products s liquid form (pesticides, fertilizers, selective weed killers, ...). This spraying apparatus 1 comprises, in a manner known per se, a frame 2, which in particular supports spray bars 3, and a main tank in the form of an onboard tank 4. This main tank 4 is intended to contain the liquid

phytosanitary spray.

  More particularly, each spray bar 3 comprises

  in the usual manner a plurality of spray nozzles which are distributed over the entire length of the ramp. In the particular example illustrated in FIG. 1, the spray device comprises two spray bars 3 deployable transversely to the longitudinal front / rear axis 2a of the frame 2. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, each ramp 3 The deployable is in its folded position along a lateral flank of the spraying apparatus 1.

  For the supply of the spraying nozzles, the spraying apparatus 1 comprises a liquid distribution circuit, an exemplary embodiment of which will be described later with reference to FIG. 5. This distribution circuit implements an assembly of two multichannel valves 6 and 7 according to the invention. It has been represented

  schematic in FIG. 1, the front face of this assembly 5.

  Although a self-propelled spraying apparatus has been shown in FIG. 1, the invention is however not limited to this particular type of agricultural spraying apparatus, but also applies to spraying machines of towed type, which are intended to be towed

  by a tractor, or the type of spray gear worn.

  FIGS. 2 to 4 show a particular embodiment of an assembly 5 of two multiport valves 6 and 7 according to the invention. With reference to these figures, the valve 6 (respectively valve 7) is

  a rotary-operated ball valve comprising, in a manner known per se, a substantially cylindrical valve body C of main axis Ai (respectively A2), which valve body C comprises a track 6a (respectively 7a), said main track substantially centered on the Ai axis 30 (respectively A2) and a plurality of secondary channels 6'a, 6'b, 6'c, ...

  (respectively 7'a, 7'b, 7'c, ...) which are distributed on the periphery of the

  valve body C, and which extend substantially radially. In a manner also known per se, the valve 6 (respectively valve 7) comprises inside the valve body C a rotary selector member (not visible in the figures) having a main rotary control shaft R whose longitudinal axis central is coincident with the axis AI (respectively A2), and which is accessible from outside the body C valve.

  In the particular example illustrated, the main control shaft R

  the selector member of the valve 6 (respectively valve 7) protrudes from the body C of the valve opposite the main track 6a (respectively 1o 7a).

  The manual adjustment of the angular position of the main rotary control shaft R along its longitudinal central axis allows in a manner known per se to connect the main track 6a (respectively 7a) of the valve 6 (respectively valve 7) selectively to one of the secondary channels 6'a or 6'b or ... (respectively 7'a or 7'b or ...) In the particular example illustrated in the figures, the valve 6 has five connectable secondary channels selectively to the main track 6a (only the three secondary tracks 6'a to 6'c being visible in Figure 2), and the valve 7 has six secondary channels (only the four secondary channels 7'a, 7 ' b, 7'c and 7'f being visible in Figure 2) connectable selectively to the main track 7a. The number of secondary channels of a multi-channel valve is however not limiting of the invention, a multi-way valve being defined as any valve comprising a main channel and (n) secondary channels (n greater than or equal to 2) connectable from selectively to the main track. The invention is also not limited to the implementation of ball valves, but applies to any other known type of multi-way valve generally comprising a rotary main control shaft allowing the use of ball valves.

selection of secondary roads.

  The set of multichannel valves 6 and 7 shown in Figures 2 to 4 shows the new features which will now be detailed. The valve 6 (respectively valve 7) is equipped with a mechanism

  control unit comprising a secondary rotary drive shaft 6b (respectively 7b), which is mechanically coupled in rotation to the main control shaft R of the valve 6 (respectively valve 7), so that the secondary shaft 6b ( respectively 7b) allows to drive in rotation along its central axis the main shaft R of the valve 6 (respectively of the valve 7). According to a characteristic of the invention, the secondary control shafts 6b, 7b are coaxial and free in rotation with respect to each other.

  On the secondary control shaft 6b (respectively 7b) is fixed a control lever 6c (respectively 7c). The rotational adjustment of the control lever 6c (respectively 7c) makes it possible to adjust in rotation the secondary shaft 6b (respectively 7b), and hence the main shaft 15 of the valve 6 (respectively 7). Since the two secondary shafts 6b and 7b are free to rotate relative to each other, the two multi-way valves 6 and 7 can be set independently of one another at

  by means of the control levers 6c, 7c.

  According to another preferred feature of the invention, the control levers 6c and 7c of the two valves 6 and 7 are positioned at the same end of the secondary control shafts 6b and 7b, which allows a combination of the two levers of command and a

  easier manipulation of these levers by the user.

  More particularly, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the assembly 5 also comprises a hollow fixed additional shaft 9, which is coaxial with the secondary shafts 6b, 7b, this fixed shaft being interposed between the external secondary shaft 6b and the outer shaft 6b, 7b. inner secondary shaft 7b. The secondary control shafts 6b, 7b are thus advantageously indexed with respect to this fixed shaft 9 which serves as

3 o fixed indexing reference.

  Preferably, but not necessarily according to the invention, as shown in the figures, the longitudinal central axis A of the two coaxial secondary shafts 6b, 7b is offset with respect to the axes A1 and A2 of the rotation shafts R of the valves 6 and 7, and is parallel to these axes A1 and A2. In this case, the rotational coupling of the secondary shaft 6b (respectively 7b) with the main shaft R of the valve 6 (respectively 7) is preferably achieved simply by means of two toothed wheels 6d, 6e meshing one in the other (respectively 7d, 7e), the toothed wheel 6d (respectively 7d) being fixed at the end of the secondary shaft 6b (respectively 7b) and the associated gear 6e 10 (respectively 7e) being fixed end of the main shaft R of the valve 6 (respectively 7). The ratio of teeth between the two toothed wheels 6d and 6e (respectively 7d and 7d) is for example, but not necessarily equal to one. In the context of the invention, the toothed wheels 6d, 6e, 7d, 7e could be replaced by any coupling means

1 5 fulfilling the same function.

  Preferably, but not necessarily according to the invention, the

  main control shafts R of the valves 6 and 7 are aligned along the same main axis 5a (Figure 2 / axes Ai and A2 coincides with the axis 5a).

  In another embodiment, the two axes A1 and A2 could be offset relative to each other, and it would be sufficient in this case to adapt the diameter

gear wheels.

  In the particular example illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the two valves 6 and 7 are further spaced from each other along the main axis 5a. In the space between the two valves 6 and 7 is provided a support 8, on which are fixed the two bodies C of the valves 6 and 7, and which has a base 8a or equivalent to securely fix the assembly 5

  on the chassis 2 of the spraying machine 1.

  This support 8 also comprises a gearbox 8b whose interior serves as a housing for the transmission mechanisms connecting the secondary shafts 6b, 7b to the main shafts R of the valves 6, 7, that is to say in the example particular illustrated R to the toothed wheels 6d, 6e,

7d, 7th above.

  With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the multichannel valves 6 and 7 are housed inside a protective casing CP, the control levers 6c and 7c being located on the front and on the outside of the casing CP. In order to allow identification by the user of the position of the control lever 6c, there is provided a first fixed reference 6f fixed on the front panel of the casing C and associated with a rotary index 6g integral with the secondary shaft 6b. In order to enable the user to locate the position of the control lever 7c, a second fixed marker 7f 10 is provided which is fixed on the front end on the end of the fixed shaft 9, and associated with an index

  rotating 7g secured to the secondary shaft 7b.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the assembly 5 which has just been described is fixed on the chassis 2 of the spraying apparatus 1 so that the valves 6 and 7 are arranged along a transverse axis of the chassis, c that is, in the particular example illustrated such that the main axis 5a of the valves 6 and 7 is oriented transversely to the front / rear axis 2a of the chassis of the spray apparatus. It will be understood on the one hand that the assembly 5 thus occupies a small lateral space (that is to say in the direction of the front / rear axis 2a) compared with a solution which consists in positioning the valves 6 and 7 side by side along axis 2a. Also, although the two valves 6 and 7 are arranged along the transverse axis of the frame 2, the control levers 6c and 7c of the two valves 6 and 7 are advantageously positioned at the same place,

  and are therefore easily accessible and manipulable by the user.

  FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a liquid distribution circuit capable of equipping the spray device i of FIG. 1, and comprising the set of multiport valves 6, 7, it being specified that the distribution circuit shown on

  this figure 5 is not limiting of the invention.

  This liquid distribution circuit mainly comprises: the spray nozzles 3a supported by the ramps 3, the aforementioned main tank 4, the two multiport valves 6 and 7 of the assembly 5 previously described; circulation 10, - a rinsing tank 11,

  - an induction tank 12, - a regulating valve 13.

  The circulation pump 6 is mounted between the two valves 6 and 7, the valve 6 being mounted upstream of the pump 10 and the valve 7 being mounted downstream. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, only three secondary channels of the upstream valve 6 are used (for example the channels 6'a, 6'b, and 6'c) as admission routes ai, a2 and a3, and the main track 6a of the valve 6 is used as output channel S; only four secondary channels of the downstream valve 7 are used (for example the channels 7'a, 15'7'b, 7'c and 7'd) as discharge paths if, s2, s3 and s4, and the main track 7a Valve 7 is used as the main intake lane a. More particularly, with reference to FIG. 5, the output s (main track 6a) of the upstream valve 6 is connected to the intake (suction) 20 iQa of the circulation pump 10. The outlet 10b (delivery) of the pump 10 is connected to the inlet a (main track 7a)

downstream valve 7.

  The inlet ai of the upstream valve 6 is connected to the tank 4.

  The inlet a2 of the upstream valve 6 is connected to the rinsing tank 11. The inlet a3 of the upstream valve 6 is intended to be connected to a

  water point outside the spray equipment.

  The outlet of the downstream valve 7 is connected to the induction tank 12, which is connected to the tank 4. The outlet s2 of the downstream valve 7 is connected to the interior of the main tank 4, with a view to its filling. water. The outlet s3 of the downstream valve 7 is connected to the spray nozzles 3a, a bypass being further provided towards the

  Regulating valve 13. The purpose of this regulating valve 13 is to regulate the flow of liquid at the outlet s3 of the downstream valve 7 so that in operation the feed rate of the spray nozzles 3a is substantially constant. The outlet s4 of the downstream valve 7 may be used as a direct outlet for effecting, for example, emptying of the liquid distribution circuit and the main reservoir 4.

  The main functions of the distribution circuit, according to the selection of one of the admissions ai to a3 of the upstream valve 6 and the selection of one of the outputs if at s4 of the valve 5b are the following: Selection al / s3: supply of the spray nozzles 3a with the phytosanitary liquid contained in the tank 4, - Selection a2 / s3: rinsing of the spray nozzles 3a and distribution pipes upstream of said nozzles with water contained in the flushing tank 11, - Selection a3 / sl: (with connection of a3 to an external water point) incorporation in the main tank 4 of a phytosanitary liquid composed of a mixture of water (from a3) and of a phytosanitary product from the induction tank 12, - Selection al / si: incorporation in closed circuit in the main tank 4 of a phytosanitary product from the induction tank 12, - Selection a3 / s2: (with connection of a3 to a point of outside water)

  filling the main tank 4 with water from a3.

  - Selection ai / s4 draining the main tank 4, - Selection a3 / s4 emptying the flushing tank 11. 25

Claims (10)

  i. Set (5) of at least two multi-way valves (6; 7) for agricultural spraying apparatus (1), each valve (6; 7) being equipped with a main rotary drive shaft (R), characterized in that each valve (6; 7) is furthermore equipped with a control mechanism comprising a secondary rotary drive shaft (6b; 7b) coupled to the main rotary drive shaft (R) so as to enable the drive in rotation with said main shaft (R), and in that the secondary control shafts (6b, 7b)   are coaxial and free in rotation with respect to each other.   2. An assembly according to claim 1 characterized in that each control mechanism comprises a lever (6c; 7c) for the manual actuation in rotation of the secondary control shaft (6b; 7b), and in that the levers (6c; 7c) are positioned at the same end of the shafts of secondary control (6b; 7b).   3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the secondary control shafts (6b, 7b) are indexed relative to one another. to a fixed reference.   4. The assembly of claim 3 characterized in that the fixed reference comprises a fixed shaft (9) which is coaxial with the secondary control shafts (6b, 7b), and which is interposed between a first secondary control shaft (6b ) and a second secondary control shaft (7b).   5. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that   that the main control shafts (R) of the valves (6,7) are   aligned along the same main axis (5a).   3 o 6. Assembly according to one of claims i to 5 characterized in that   the central longitudinal axis (A) of the secondary shafts (6b, 7b) is parallel to the axes (Al, A2) of the main control shafts (R) valves (6, 7).   7. An assembly according to claim 6 characterized in that each secondary shaft (6b; 7b) is mechanically coupled to the corresponding main shaft (R) by toothed wheels (6d, 6e; 7d, 7e). An agricultural spraying machine comprising a liquid distribution circuit, characterized in that said distribution circuit comprises an assembly (5) of at least two multi-way valves (6,   7) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   9. Spraying machine according to claim 8 characterized in that   the liquid distribution circuit comprises a circulation pump (10) whose inlet (10a) is connected to the main track (6a / s) of one (6) of the two multi-way valves called upstream valve (6) , and whose output (1Ob) is connected to the main channel 15 (7a / a) of the other (7) multi-way valve called downstream valve.   10. Spraying machine according to claim 8 or 9 characterized in that the two multi-way valves (6,7) are arranged along the axis   transverse frame (2) of the machine.