WO2013055288A1

WO2013055288A1 - Distributor device for seed drills

Info

Publication number: WO2013055288A1
Application number: PCT/SE2012/051101
Authority: WO
Inventors: Magnus Stark
Original assignee: Väderstad-Verken Ab
Priority date: 2011-10-14
Filing date: 2012-10-15
Publication date: 2013-04-18
Also published as: SE1150955A1; SE536205C2

Abstract

The invention refers to a distributor device for seed drills (106, 206) with a frame, which comprises at least two foldable sections, each of which comprises at least one riser pipe (103, 203) and at least one associated distributor head (102, 202) assembled on the frame of the seed drill and which is adapted to via flexible hoses (407, 408) transport granular material, such as different types of seed or fertiliser to implements (409), such as seed coulters or seed tines. The riser pipe (103, 203) comprises at least two joints (104, 115, 216, 215, 203c, 405), which are adapted to fold the riser pipe (103, 203) and the distributor head (102, 202) together from a working position to a favourable transport position for folding of the sections of the seed drill.

Description

DISTRIBUTOR DEVICE FOR SEED DRILLS

The invention refers to a distributor device for seed drills with foldable sections according to the ingress of Claim 1.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Centrally positioned seed houses with pneumatic metering systems, which in a main conduit blow granular material, such as various types of seed or fertiliser, to one or more distributor heads, have been available on the market since the 1970s. These systems function extremely well and are used on a large scale. An important detail is the riser pipe, through which seed grains are transported in a stream of air upwards to the distributor head. This transport of the grains has the effect that they are transported upwards to the distributor head from where they are dispatched in as uniform a distribution as possible out into the flexible hoses to the seed entities. It is important for this purpose that the distributor head has a fall in relation to all seed entities. One problem is that the space, into which the system has to be built in the seed drill, is limited. This gives problems in folding of the sections of the seed drill from a working position to a transport position. The German company Amazone-Werke H. Dryer GmbH & Co. KB, Germany, has developed such a seed drill with the brand name 'Citan', where the distributor entities are arranged on the side sections and where these side sections on folding to the transport position are folded forwards in the horizontal plane and thereafter folded upwards and inwards towards the central axis of the machine. This folding method is dependent on the space requirements of the distributor entities and limits the degree of folding of the side sections. Furthermore, the machine in its entirety acquires a width that limits the width of the seed container. AIM OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to achieve a distributor device for seed drills with foldable sections that minimises the abovementioned problems, and which is reliable in its construction and easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This aim is achieved through a distributor device according to the characterising part of Claim 1. The sub-claims describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The cost of manufacturing is as in all industrial production an important aspect and the foldable riser pipe also represents a cost-effective solution. Through the distributor device according to the present invention an essential problem in folding of the sections is solved. The solution also leads to very great user friendliness and gives a very compact entity that can easily be incorporated into even limited spaces. The foldable riser pipe contributes greatly to the compact seed drill when the sections are folded in to the transport position. In particular, the distributor device according to the invention with folding riser pipe contributes to the construction of 5-section seed drills with narrow transport width. The distributor device according to the invention is advantageous since there is a risk that the riser pipe and distributor head can collide with neighbouring components. This also applies for machines with several distributor heads with associated riser pipes. According to the invention the folding of the riser pipe can occur in any direction of choice, which is decided by the construction of the seed drill in question.

At least one foldable joint is arranged on the riser pipe in the bend where the riser pipe is bowed to the vertical part that leads to the underside of the distributor head and an additional joint under the distributor head, either integrated into the head or as a separate component. Through connecting these parts together with known machine elements a parallelogram is formed, through which the entire distributor device comprising the distributor head and the riser pipe can be folded together with all hoses still coupled to the distributor head. Through the arrangement of a distributor device according to the invention both the distributor head and the riser pipe can retain their size, which is of significance for the function of the seed drill, and a compact entity is still obtained.

DRAWING SUMMARY

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings, which show preferred embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a view of a first embodiment of a foldable distributor device according to the present invention for a seed drill in a folded out working position.

Figure 2 shows a view of the distributor device in Fig. 1 in an intermediate position. Figure 3 shows a view of the distributor device in Fig. 1 in a folded transport position.

Figure 4 shows a view of a second embodiment of a foldable distributor device according to the present invention for a seed drill in a folded out working position.

Figure 5 shows a view of the distributor device in Fig. 4 in an intermediate position.

Figure 6 shows a view of the distributor device in Fig. 4 in a folded transport position. Figure 7 shows schematically a side view of a seed drill with a foldable distributor device according to the embodiment in Figs. 4 - 6 in a working position.

Figure 8 shows schematically a view from the rear of a part of the seed drill in Fig. 7 with a foldable distributor device according to the invention according to Figs. 4 - 6 in a working position.

Figures 9 - 11 show views corresponding to Fig. 8, in which views are shown momentary positions, where the distributor device according to the invention is folded to a folded transport position according to Fig. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Similar items depicted in the drawings have in certain diagrams been denoted with the same reference number. Figs. 1 - 3 show a first embodiment of a distributor device 101 according to the invention comprising a distributor head 102 and a riser pipe 103 connected under the distributor head 102. The riser pipe 103 is adapted to be folded to an in the direction of the inlet opening 110 of the distributor head 102 essentially perpendicular position.

The riser pipe 103 is by means of a swivel coupling 104 or similar connected to a transport pipe 105. The transport pipe 105 is connected to an air pressure source 107, such as a fan, which blows air through the transport pipe 105 past a hopper 108, from which by means of a dosing entity 109 granular material, such as various types of seed or fertiliser, are transported onwards through the transport pipe 105 and via the riser pipe 103 to the distributor head 102.

According to Figs. 1 - 3 the riser pipe 103 at its one end 112 is connected to the transport pipe 105 by means of the swivel coupling 104 and at its opposite end 113 to the underside of the distributor head 102, either directly or as shown in Figs. 1 - 3 via a stop pipe 114, which is connected with the underside of the distributor head 102. The stop pipe 114 is adapted to sealingly receive the upper end of the riser pipe. The riser pipe 103 and the stop pipe 114 are pivotably connected via a hinge joint 115. In the working position the riser pipe 103 is locked firm against the stop pipe 114 by means of a not shown lock device, such as an eccentric lock. Folding of the riser pipe can occur manually, but it is advantageously automatically foldable via a control entity through mechanical or hydraulic adjustment apparatus. The riser pipe 103, which in the working position is essentially vertically arranged, and the distributor head 102 are via the joints 104, 115 adapted to be folded to the position shown in Fig. 3, where the longitudinal elongation of the riser pipe 103 and the main plane of the distributor head 102 are essentially parallel to each other in order to be accommodated between two sections of the seed drill. Figs. 4 - 6 show a second embodiment of a distributor device 201 according to the invention which is advantageous for the hose layout to function well with more than two side sections. This distributor device 201 comprises a distributor head 202 and a riser pipe 203 connected under the distributor head 202 against its inlet opening 210. The riser pipe 203 is by means of a pipe elbow 204 connected to a transport pipe 205.

According to Figs. 4 - 6 the riser pipe 203 is divided into two parts 203a and 203b, which are pivotably connected by means of a hinge joint 203 c. In the working position the parts 203a and 203b of the riser pipe 203 are locked firm against each other by means of a not shown lock device, such as an eccentric lock. At its one end 212 the riser pipe 203 is connected to the transport pipe 205 via the pipe elbow 204 and at its opposite end 213 to the underside of the distributor head 202, either directly or as shown in Figs. 4 - 6 via a stop pipe 214, which is connected with the underside of the distributor head 202. The pipe elbow 204 is at its one end connected fast with the part 203b of the riser pipe 203 and is at its other end pivotably connected with the transport pipe 205 by means of a hinge joint 215. In the working position part 203b of the riser pipe 203 is locked firm against the transport pipe 205 by means of a not shown lock device, such as an eccentric lock. The stop pipe 214 is adapted to sealingly receive the upper end of the riser pipe. The riser pipe 203 and the stop pipe 214 are pivotably connected via a hinge joint 216. In the working position the riser pipe 203 is locked firm against the stop pipe 214 by means of a not shown lock device, such as an eccentric lock. Folding of the riser pipe can occur manually, but it is advantageously automatically foldable via a control entity through mechanical or hydraulic adjustment apparatus. The riser pipe 203, which in the working position is essentially vertically arranged, and the distributor head 202 are via the joints 216, 203c, 215 adapted to be folded to the position shown in Fig. 6, where the two pipe parts 203a, 203b of the riser pipe 203 and the main plane of the distributor head 202 are essentially parallel to each other in order to be accommodated between two sections of the seed drill, which is described in more detail below with reference to Figs. 7 - 14. Fig. 7 shows schematically from the side a seed drill 401 with the distributor device 201 according to Fig. 4 - 6 mounted. The transport pipe 205 is connected to a not shown air pressure source, such as a fan, which blows air through the transport pipe 205 past a hopper 202, from which by means of a dosing entity 404 granular material, such as various types of seed or fertiliser, is transported onwards through the transport pipe 205 and via the riser pipe 203 to the distributor head 202 at the distributor device 201.

Figs. 8 -11 show a view from the rear rotated 90° relative to the view shown in Fig. 7. The folding accordingly illustrates the use of a distributor device 201 according to the second embodiment in Figs. 4 - 6. The seed drill 401 comprises a container 402 for seed, fertiliser or other soil cultivating material, which is supported by a frame construction 403 and on the underside of which is assembled a dosing entity 404, which pneumatically, by means of a not shown fan device, transports the seed through a pipe 205 to the distributor head 202 via the riser pipe 203. The pipe 205 has a in Figs. 4 - 6 not shown joint 205', which divides up the pipe 205 into two parts 205a and 205b.

The pipe 205 is connected to the riser pipe 203 by means of a coupling 215. See in particular Figs. 4 - 6. The riser pipe 203 comprises an upper pipe part 203a pipe, which is adapted to be folded to an in the direction of the inlet opening 210 of the distributor head 202 essentially perpendicular position.

The seed drill 401 also comprises a plurality of jointed sections 405 and 406 arranged beside each other, where the inner section 405 is jointed at a centre section 407. The outer and inner sections on the opposite side of the centre section 407 are not shown. The seed or fertiliser is transported via flexible hoses 408 to sowing implements 409, such as seed coulters in the form of for example seed discs or seed tines.

Each section 407, 405 and 406 is provided with a suitable number of sowing implements 409. Additional implements can be coupled in front of or behind the sowing implements, but these are not shown here. Joints 410 and 411 are arranged between the sections 407, 405 and 406. First the distributor head 202 and the riser pipe 203 are folded sideways from the position in Fig. 8 to the position shown in Fig. 9 according to the description for Figs. 4 - 6. Thereafter the outer section 406 is folded upwards and inwards around the joint 410 over the distributor head to the position shown in Fig. 10. The starting position for the outer section and its movement are shown schematically through the dotted section 406' and the arrow 412. The distributor head 202 and the divided riser pipe 203 consisting of the parts 203a and 203b, are thereafter folder upwards by approx. 90° and inwards towards the centre of the seed drill to the position shown in Fig. 11. The starting position for the inner section and its movement are shown schematically through the dotted section 405' and the arrow 413. During this movement the inner side section 405 is swung around the joint 410 and the parts 205a and 205b of the pipe 205 around the joint 205'. In the case of an additional distributor device 201 according to Figs. 4 - 6 being assembled on each side of the seed container 402 these distributor devices are folded in opposite directions and are brought together to a compact transport position.

Swivel couplings can to a great extent be used instead of hinge joints (for example the joint 215 in Figs. 4 - 6), since these allow the riser pipe to remain connected on folding from the working position to the transport position and vice versa. This provides the advantages that no spillage of seed occurs and that no dirt can force its way into the riser pipe during transport. In the same way, the swivel coupling can be replaced with a hinge joint.

An important aspect of the distributor device according to the invention is that through the folding of the distributor device in the ways shown in the embodiments the flexible hoses 408 from the distributor heads 102 and 202 to the implements 409 are bowed in such a way that they cannot be overstressed or broken off.

Two embodiments each of which refers to a distributor device have been described above. Within the framework of the invention a seed drill can also be provided with two or more such distributor devices. The distributor device 101 and 201 according to the invention can accordingly be adapted for seed drills with two up to five sections arranged beside each other in respect to the driving direction. Through the folding of the riser pipe 103 and 203, as described above, a considerably more compact seed drill in the transport position is obtained, which facilitates transport of newly manufactured seed drills to the user and also transport of seed drills on public thoroughfares.

The invention can be varied in a plurality of different ways within the framework of the attached Claims, although the above-described embodiments are to be preferred.

Claims

1. Distributor device for seed drills (106, 206) with a frame, which comprises at least two foldable sections, each of which comprises at least one riser pipe (103, 203) and at least one associated distributor head (102, 202) assembled on the frame of the seed drill and which is adapted to via flexible hoses (307, 408) transport granular material, such as different types of seed or fertiliser to implements (306, 409), such as seed coulters or seed tines, characterised in that the riser pipe (103, 203) comprises at least two joints (104, 115, 216, 215, 203c, 405), which are adapted to fold the riser pipe (103, 203) and the distributor head (102, 202) together from a working position to a favourable transport position for folding of the sections of the seed drill.

2. Distributor device according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the inlet opening (110, 210) of said folding distributor head (102, 202) remains directed towards the section (305, 405) that is to be folded together with the distributor head.

3. Distributor device according to either one of Claims 1 - 2, characterised in that one (115, 216) of said joints is arranged at the end (113, 213) of the riser pipe (103,

203) which is connected to the underside of the distributor head (102, 202).

4. Distributor device according to any one of Claims 1 - 3, characterised in that one (104, 215) of said joints is arranged at the end (112, 212) of the riser pipe (103, 203), where it becomes an essentially vertical pipe part (105, 205) for connecting to the dosing entity (304, 404) of the seed drill (106, 206).

5. Distributor device according to any one of Claims 1 - 4, characterised in that in the transport position the inlet opening(110, 210) of the distributor head (102, 202) is directed essentially perpendicular to the axial direction of the riser pipe (103, 203).

6. Distributor device according to any one of Claims 1 - 5, characterised in that the riser pipe (103) consists of a pipe, which is adapted to be folded to an against the direction of the inlet opening (110) of the distributor head (102) essentially perpendicular position.

7. Distributor device according to any one of Claims 1 - 6, characterised in that the riser pipe (203) consists of two by a joint (203c) connected pipe parts (203a, 203b), which are adapted to be folded to positions, where both are essentially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the inlet opening (210) of the distributor head (202).