WO2006031182A1

WO2006031182A1 - Device at a seed drill

Info

Publication number: WO2006031182A1
Application number: PCT/SE2005/001318
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jörgen FRANSSON; Johan Mattsson; Crister Stark
Original assignee: Väderstad-Verken Ab
Priority date: 2004-09-13
Filing date: 2005-09-12
Publication date: 2006-03-23
Also published as: SE0402240D0; DE112005001968B4; SE0402240L; DE112005001968T5; SE527842C2

Abstract

Device at a seed drill comprising a frame (30) and at least one sowing aggregate (8) directly or indirectly suspended at the frame (30) via two essentially parallel connection elements (40, 42) where at least one connection element is directly or indirectly suspended with spring in at least one end.

Description

Device at a seed drill

The invention refers to a device at a seed drill according to the ingress of Claim 1.

Background of the invention

Today there are on the market seed drills provided with a number of sowing aggregates arranged at a beam at the rear end of the machine. The sowing aggregates commonly comprise a sowing entity with a seed furrow creating member, a seed nozzle and a following packer wheel. To achieve good potential for sowing depth regulation the sowing aggregates are often suspended with a parallel link arrangement. A spring member is often attached between the joints or some joint points to take up forces and movements.

Existing solutions with parallel link arrangements comprise many joints which can bring disadvantages in the form of high wear and poor lateral stability. Furthermore they sometimes display little range of movement upwards at high forces against the ground. The maximum force against the ground is often relatively low.

There are also solutions with only one joint but they can bring disadvantages such as poor sowing precision at high speed.

Aims of the invention

The aim of the invention is to provide a device at a seed drill with sowing aggregates where the abovementioned disadvantages are reduced or eliminated.

Summary of the invention The above aim of the invention is solved by a sowing aggregate adapted according to Claim 1 directly or indirectly suspended at the frame via two essentially parallel connecting elements situated in essentially the same vertical plane, where at least one connecting element is directly or indirectly suspended with spring in at least one end. Z

A rotation joint and a spring element are hereby eliminated, since the connecting element itself or its suspension acts as a spring. This suspension is also relatively stable laterally.

According to Claim 2, the connecting element is comprised of a spring element, preferably in the form of a leaf spring, firmly attached in at least one end. Hereby is enabled a robust and functionally secure solution that can handle high forces and relatively large movements.

Claims 3-6 describe advantageous embodiments that provide simple solutions with few moving or turnable parts.

Through a device according to Claim 7 the direct or indirect suspension with spring of the connecting element is turnable relative to the frame with the aim of influencing the spring force which corresponds to the bearing force of the sowing aggregate against the underlying surface. Hereby one can vary the bearing force depending on operating conditions for optimal sowing results while simultaneously it also allows the entire sowing aggregate to be lifted out of the soil to a transport position.

Finally Claim 8 describes a device where the fastening of the second connecting element at the same part, the frame or the sowing aggregate, as the mentioned suspension with spring is moveable essentially corresponding to a rotation relative to the mentioned suspension with spring. This hereby allows sowing depth adjustment in that a relative displacement occurs in a vertical direction between the seed distribution aggregate and the packer wheel. Sowing depth is determined by the vertical difference between the seed furrow and the packer wheel.

Further characteristics and advantages with the invention are described more closely below with the help of an embodiment example with reference to the attached figures. Drawing summary

Figure 1 shows schematically a seed drill.

Figure 2a shows a side view of a sowing aggregate and its suspension arrangement in a working position. Figure 2b shows a side view of the sowing aggregate in Figure 2a in a transport position. Figure 2c shows a view according to Figure 2a of a first alternative embodiment of the suspension arrangement.

Figure 3 shows a sowing aggregate with a second alternative embodiment of the suspension arrangement.

Description of an embodiment example

Figure 1 shows schematically a seed drill intended to be coupled to a towing vehicle, commonly a tractor. The seed drill comprises a frame 2, a seed container 4, a number of toolbars 6 (here in transport position) and a sowing aggregate 8 suspended at the frame.

The sowing aggregate 8 and its suspension at the frame are shown in Figure 2a. The sowing aggregate 8 is in all essentially itself known and comprises a carrying part 10, a distribution member 12 and a packer wheel 14. The seed distribution member 12 here comprises a seed furrow creating entity 16, here in the form of a so-called V-disc, and a seed tube 18 with a not shown seed nozzle. The seed tube 18 is connected in a known but not shown way to the seed container 4.

The seed drill is provided with a framefixed crosswise first beam 30. At the beam 30 is a downwards directed fastening console 32 arranged at which a crosswise second beam 36, preferably of square pipe, is turnably journalled in bearings. The rotation of the beam 36 is achieved via a hydraulic cylinder 50 turnably journalled in bearings at a rotation point 52 on a second fastening console 34 and a lever arm 51 fixed at the second beam 36. A link arm 56 is in its one end turnably journalled in bearings at the second beam 36 and its other end displaceably journalled in bearings at the first beam 30 at rotation point 52, here with the help of a rigging screw or crank 54 through a rotation point 55. A third beam 38, preferably also of square pipe, is turnably journalled in bearings at the link arm 56 between the second beam 36 and the rotation point 55.

A first connection element 40 according to the invention is turnably journalled in bearings at the carrying part 10 of the sowing aggregate 8 at a rotation point 46 and fixed at the second rotating beam 36. In a similar way a second connection element 42 according to the invention is turnably journalled in bearings at the carrying part 10 of the sowing aggregate 8 via a rotation point 48 and fixed at the third rotating beam 38. The connection elements 40, 42 are in themselves springing and are comprised of a leaf spring, here in the form of a rectangular steel spring.

The sowing aggregate 8 is thereby allowed to move relative to the frame because of the soil influence through the parallelogram 36-46-10-48-42-38-56-36. Sowing depth is maintained essentially constant since the height relationship between the seed distribution member 12 and the packer wheel 14 is unchanged.

Sowing depth can be set with the help of the crank 54. Hereby the rotation point 55 can be displaced relative to the framefϊxed rotation point 52. This means that the link arm 56 is rotated around the second beam 36. Hereby the third beam 38 is also influenced to a rotation around the second beam 36 whereby the parallelogram 36-46-10-48-42-38-56- 36 is displaced so that the sowing aggregate 8 is rotated around the joint 46. Anticlockwise rotation in Figure 2a thus brings about increased sowing depth.

In Figure 2b the sowing aggregate 8 is shown in a transport position. Here the hydraulic cylinder 50 has been pushed in so that the lever arm 51 has effected the rotation of second beam anticlockwise in Figure 2b whereby the first connection element 40 has also been rotated. A link arrangement 44 results in that also the third beam 38 and the second connection element 42 have been rotated clockwise bringing about a transport position for sowing aggregate 8.

In the same way, one can by pushing out the hydraulic cylinder 50 achieve increased force from the sowing aggregate 8 against the soil, but with maintained height relationship between the seed distribution member 12 and the packer wheel 14 through the parallelogram 36-46-10-48-42-38-56-36.

With the embodiment described above the connection element 42 is indirectly fastened with spring at the second 36 and third 38 beams respectively through the springing movement being taken up in the connection element itself. It is also conceivable to utilise a relatively stiff connection element that is directly suspended with spring at the beam via a rubber bushing or similar. The latter solution comprises certain disadvantages however in the form of poorer linearity in the spring characteristic and probably poorer durability.

Furthermore it is also conceivable to reverse the arrangement so that the moving parts are arranged at the sowing aggregate side with only rotation points on the frame side. Such an arrangement comprises disadvantages since it is desirable to arrange a plurality of sowing aggregates at the same frame beam suspended independently of each other. This would mean a large amount of influencing members, link arms and rotation points which means that part of the benefit would be lost.

According to the embodiment above the second connection element is indirectly suspended at the frame via link arm 56. This indirect suspension is necessary in order to allow sowing depth adjustment with the use of the mentioned parallelogram. It is also conceivable to allow both connection elements to be directly suspended at the frame. With such an arrangement however sowing depth adjustment has to be resolved in another way. It is also possible to allow the connection element to be directly or indirectly springing in both ends. This gives a very robust fastening but requires somewhat weaker spring elements to achieve sufficiently large working range.

In Figure 2c is shown a first alternative embodiment of the invention arrangement. Here the first and second connection elements 4O₅ 42 are connected by a bar 45 that has a jointed connection at both ends. The bar 45 is arranged essentially parallel to the link 44. The bar 45 limits the relative mobility between the connection elements 40, 42 which gives a more stable movement in those cases where the connection elements 40, 42 are themselves springing. With springing connection elements 40, 42 the bar 45 also brings about surer parallelogram movement during large upwardly directed forces on the packer wheel 14.

In Figure 3 is shown a second alternative embodiment. At the beam 30 is arranged a downward directed first fastening console 132 at which a crosswise second beam 136 is turnably journalled in bearings. The rotation of the beam 136 is achieved via a hydraulic cylinder 150 turnably journalled in bearings at a rotation point 152 on a second fastening console 134 and a lever arm 151 fixed at the second beam 136.

A link arm 156 is at its one end turnably journalled in bearings at the second beam 136 and its other end displaceably journalled in bearings at the first beam 130 at the rotation point 152, here with the help of a rigging screw or crank 154 through a rotation point 138.

A first connection element 140 according to the invention is turnably journalled in bearings at the carrying part 10 of the sowing aggregate 8 at a rotation point 146 and fixed at the second rotating beam 136. Also according to this embodiment the connection element 140 is suitably comprised of a leaf spring. A second connection element 142 in the form of a bar is at its one end turnably journalled in bearings at the carrying part 10 of the sowing aggregate 8 at a rotation point 148 and at its other end at the link arm 156 at the rotation point 138.

The sowing aggregate 8 is thereby allowed to move relative to the frame because of the soil influence through the parallelogram 136-146-10-148-142-138-156-136. Sowing depth is maintained essentially constant since the height relationship between the seed distribution member 12 and the packer wheel 14 is unchanged.

Sowing depth can be adjusted with the help of the crank 54 in a similar way as for the first embodiment. The same applies for soil force adjustment and displacement to/from a transport position.

The invention can be varied in a plurality of ways within the framework of the patent claims of which a plurality of ways have already been mentioned. The influencing member, link arms and rotation points can be arranged in numerous different ways where the overall pattern of movement remains.

It is also desirable to arrange a plurality of individually suspended sowing aggregates that are however suspended at the same beams, alternatively a few sections with the same beams within each section. It can also be an advantage to place the sowing aggregate at different distances relative to the beams. With such a solution it is important that the connection elements which then acquire different lengths in different sowing aggregates, in such cases where they are comprised of springing elements, are given different characteristics so that the force picture of the sowing aggregate against the soil and the frame remains the same independent of the length of the springing connection elements.

Claims

1. Device at a seed drill comprising a frame (2), at least one sowing aggregate (8) comprising a seed distribution member (12) and packer wheel (14), which sowing aggregate (8) is directly or indirectly suspended at the frame (2) via two essentially parallel connection elements (40, 140, 42, 142) situated in essentially the same vertical plane, characterised in that at least one connection element (40, 140, 42) is directly or indirectly suspended with spring in at least one end.

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the connection element (40, 140, 42) is comprised of a spring element, preferably in the form of a leaf spring, firmly attached in at least one end.

3. Device according to either one of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the connection element (40, 140, 42) is directly or indirectly suspended with spring at the frame (30) and turnably journalled in bearings at the sowing aggregate (8).

4. Device according to any one of Claims 1-3, characterised in that both connection elements (40, 42) are directly or indirectly suspended with spring at the frame (30) and turnably journalled in bearings at the sowing aggregate (8).

5. Device according to any one of Claims 1-3, characterised in that the second connection element (142) is comprised of a bar turnably journalled in bearings at the sowing aggregate (8) and the frame (30).

6. Device according to Claim 5, characterised in that the second connection element (142) is situated above the first connection element (140).

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the direct or indirect suspension with spring of the connection element (40, 140, 42) is turnable relative to the frame (2) with the aim of influencing the spring force which corresponds to the bearing pressure of the sowing aggregate (8) against the underlying surface.

8. Device according to Claim 7, characterised in that the fastening of the second connection element (40, 42, 142) at the same part, (2, 8), the frame or the sowing aggregate, as the mentioned suspension with spring is moveable essentially corresponding to a rotation relative to the mentioned suspension with spring with the aim of allowing sowing depth adjustment through a relative displacement in a vertical direction between the seed distribution member (12) and the packer wheel (40).