GB2170685A

GB2170685A - A seed drill

Info

Publication number: GB2170685A
Application number: GB08529257A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rudolf Gehrke
Original assignee: Amazonen Werke H Dreyer SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Amazonen Werke H Dreyer SE and Co KG
Priority date: 1984-11-28
Filing date: 1985-11-27
Publication date: 1986-08-13
Also published as: DE3443360C2; FR2573609A1; DE3443360A1; DK546385D0; DK546385A; GB8529257D0

Abstract

A seed drill including a frame and a storage container from which the seeds are supplied to sowing coulters via a metering arrangement, at least one level indicating means being disposed in the storage container. In order to provide a simple level indicator as economically as possible, a level indicator (9) is provided as a microswitch (16). A plate (17) is disposed on the control level or stem (20) of the microswitch (16), and surrounds it by a downwardly orientated wall or edge (18). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A seed drill The present invention relates to a seed drill includ ing aframe and a storage containerfrom which the seeds are supplied to sowing coulters via a metering arrangement, at least one level indicating means being disposed in the storage container.

Aseed drill is disclosed in German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2 438 575 wherein, inter alia, the level in the storage container is measured and displayed. To measure the level in the storage container, a condenser is disposed in the storage container ofthe seed drill, such condenser being a transducer and having a capacitance which alters as the level changes. This condenser is provided with condenser plates which extend in the discharging direction ofthe storage container and have capacitances which change when there isa change betweenthe air and seed grains which serve as the dielectric.An oscillator is used to indicate the capacitance ofthe condenser and has an oscillation of a pre-determined frequency when the capacitance of the condenser corresponds with air as the dielectric, such an oscillation being interrupted when there is a change in the dielectric. A rectifier and filter stage, which distinguishes between the condi tions of the oscillator, is connected atthe outlet end of the osciliator and converts the various osciilation states ofthe oscillator into a control signal. This control signal is amplified in a terminal amplifier in such a mannerthat an appropriate consuming device -an indicator light, forexample-may be directly actuated by the control signal.

Utilisation of such a level indicator in the storage container of a seed drill involves a considerable amount of measuring technology to process the signals produced by the condenser. As a result of such a considerable amount of measuring technology, the costs of such a level indicator are so high that it is not feasibleforsuch an indicator to be incorporated into a storage container of seed drills.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide a simple level indicator as economically as possible.

According to the present invention there is provided a seed drill including a frame and a storage container from which the seeds are supplied to sowing coulters via a metering arrangement, at least one level indicating means being disposed in the storage container, wherein the level indicating means is a microswitch and a plate is disposed on the control member ofthe microswitch; and wherein the plate is surrounded by a downwardly orientated edge orwall.

In a very simple and economical manner, the level indicating means permits the level of the seeds in the storage container of a seed drill to be monitored and an indication thereof two be provided in good time by a signalling arrangement when the seed level has dropped to such an extentthatvery shortly itwill be necessaryto re-charge the storage container with seeds. Microswitches are available on the market at very low prices.

In one embodiment according to the present invention,the downwardly orientated, surrounding wall ofthe plate defines a cavity and coversthe microswitch. As a result of these features, the microswitch is advantageously protected from being in direct contact with the seeds and the operabiiity of the level indicator as a microswitch is ensured.

According to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the weight of the plate is such thatthe switch urges the plate upwardly when there is no more material on the plate. This arrangement permits a simple and economical level indicator to be produced very simply, such an indicator operating along the lines of a simple on/off switch and requiring no complicated signal conversion thus constitutes a particularly simple and economical solution.

According to the present invention also, the microswitch is connected to a signalling arrangement. This signalling arrangement indicates in good time to the driver of the tractor towing the seed drill when the level of the seeds in the storage container has dropped to auch an extentthatthecontainer needsto be recharged in orderto preventthe storage container from suddenly becoming empty.

In an additional, particularly preferred embodiment according to the present invention, a plurality of microswitches are disposed in the storage container at different levels in the storage container. This feature permits the individual levels ofthe storage container to be accurately monitored, and the tractor driver is at all times aware of the seed content in the storage container of his seed drill.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment ofthe present invention, a plurality of switches are disposed in the storage container when viewed with respect to the longitudinal direction of extension ofthe storage container. This arrangement permits the distribution ofthe seeds to be uniformly monitored overthe entirewidth ofthestoragecontainer and consequently any problems regarding the distribution means can be immediately recognised and overcome.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. lisa rear elevation partly broken away of a seed drill which is equipped with level indicating means according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of an arrangement of a level indicator in the storage container; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the level indicator shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of an alternative embodi mentofa level indicator shown in its loaded position; and Fig. 5 illustrates the level indicator offig. 4 in its unloaded position.

A seed drill 1 has a frame 2, which in the operational position, is supported on the soil 4 by running wheels 3 and a storage container 5. Metering members 6are disposed inthe lowerregion ofthestoragecontainer5 and the seeds in the storage container 5 pass in adjustable amounts from the metering members 6 The drawing(s) originally filed was (were) informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

through pipes 7 and into the soil 4 in a known manner by means of drill coulters8.

In the interior of the storage container 5, level indicators 9 are disposed on the frontwall 10 of the container5 is such a mannerthatthey are situated directly above the agitator shaft 11 ofthe storage container 5, such indicators 9 being disposed on the right, on the left and in the middle of the storage container5 respectively when viewed as in Fig. 1.

Such as arrangement of the level indicators 9 in the storage container5 indicates in good time when the level ofthe seeds has dropped down to slightly above the agitator shaft 11 and when it is necessary, in consequence, to recharge with fresh seeds. An additional level indicator 9 is shown by dash-dotted lines above the central level indicator9 in the middle ofthe storage container 5.

This arrangement serves to illustrate that the level indicators 9 can be disposed at different levels in the storage container 5. Consequently, the tractor driver is provided with accurate information concerning the level in the storage container 5 of this seed drill during the sowing process, this being particularSyadvan- tageous when large agricultural areas are involved.

As shown in Fig.2, the level indictors 9 and 9' are disposed in the interior of the storage container 5 in such a mannerthatthey are secured to the frontwall 10 ofthe storage container5 by means of secu ring brackets or struts 12 and 1 2'.The level indicator9 is disposed slightly abovethe agitator shaft 11, and in turn the level indicator 9' is disposed above the level indicator 9. The level indicators 9 and 9' are connected to signaliing arrangement 14 by means of leads or cables 13 and 13'. This signalling arrangement 14 is provided with indicator lights 15; each level indicator 9 having an indicator light 15 associated therewith.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view ofthe level indicator 9. The level indicator9 is a microswitch 16 and is disposed beneath a plate 17 which surrounded bya downward ly orientated edge or wall 18 and forms an enclosed space at cavity 19. This plate 17 is connected to the microswitch 16 via a switching means or control stem 20 which protrudes from the upper end 21 of the microswitch 16. The level indicator 9 is screwconnected to thefrontwall 10 ofthe container 5 by means of screw 22 via the securing bracket or strut 12 which is mounted on the side ofthe microswitch 16.

The cable 13 extends from the interior ofthe container Sthrough a bore 23 and establishes the connection between the microswitch 16 and the signalling arrangement 14.

The mode of operation of the microswitch 16will be explained with reference to Figs.4 and 5. The level indicator 24, which is illustrated in Figs.4 and 5, differs in terms of construction from the level indicator 9, but is based on the same operating principle. The level indicator 24 is also in the form of a microswitch 16. The microswitch 16 is disposed in the cavity 19 which is formed by the plate 17 and the downwardly orientated, surrounding wall or edge 18. The microswitch 16 is provided with bores 25 for mounting purposes. A control lever 27 is mounted at one end in the pivot 26 of the microswitch 16, and its other end is disposed on the plate 17. The lever 27 is constructed in such a mannerthat it operates the switching means or control stem 20 ofthe microswitch 16.

The weight ofthe plate 17 which is surrounded by its downwardly orientated wall of edge 18 is such thatthe switch 20, or respectively/i.e. the switch lever 27, presses the plate 17 upwardlywhen there is no more material on the plate 17, as shown in Fig. 5. When the plate 17 is in the upwardly pressed position, the switch 20 causes a circuit to be closed, and the appropriate indicator light 15 ofthe particular microswitch 16 lights-up on the signalling arrangement 14which is connected to the microswitch 16 via the cable 13.This visual signal may easily be replaced by an acoustic signal or be linked with an audibie signal, and such visual signal indicates that the container 5 has been emptied down to the appropriate level where a level indicator9 or24 is disposed.

Fig. 4 illustrates the plate 17 when it had been pressed-down by the seeds 28. In this position, the switch 20 is also pressed downwardly by the control lever 27, and the circuit in the microswitch 16 is interrupted. However, ifthere is a reduction in the weight of the seeds 28 which load the plate 17, the plate 17 and also, in consequence, the switch 20 move upwardly in the direction ofarrow29, and the circuit is closed as soon as there is no more material, or only a little material left on the plate 17. A counterweight 30, indicated by dash-dotted lines, is provided on the downwardly orientated edge 18 and serves, when necessary, to balance-outthe equilibrium conditions so that the switch 16 operates correctly.

In alternative arrangements, in place of a plate and downwardly projecting wall a dome-orpartspherically-shaped member our similar cap like member may be utilised or other seed pressure sensing and transmitting means. An inverse or reverse arrangement of the microswitch is also envisaged within the scope ofthe invention.

Claims

1. A seed drill including a frame and a storage containerfrom whichthe seeds aresuppliedto sowing coulters via a metering arrangement, at least one level indicating means being disposed in the storage container, wherein the level indicating means is a microswitch and a plate is disposed on the control member ofthe microswitch; and wherein the plate is surrounded buy a downwardly orientated edgeorwall.

2. A seed drill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surrounding wall defines a cavity.

3. A seed drill as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plate covers the switch with the surrounding wall.

4. Aseed drill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weight ofthe plate is such thatthe switch presses the plate upwardlywhen there is no more material on the plate.

5. A seed drill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microswitch is connected to a signalling or display arrangement.

6. A seed drill as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of microswitches are disposed in the storage container at different levels in the storage container.

7. Aseed drill as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of switches are disposed in the storage container when viewed with respecttothe longitudinal direction ofthestoragecontainer.

8. Aseed drill with level indicating meanssubstan tially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.