WO2020016047A1

WO2020016047A1 - Seed-depositing device for a sowing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2020016047A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/068319
Authority: WO
Inventors: Florenz Hilbert; Gunnar KETHORN
Original assignee: Amazonen-Werke H. Dreyer Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2018-07-19
Filing date: 2019-07-09
Publication date: 2020-01-23
Also published as: DE102018117493A1; EP3823431A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a seed-depositing device for a sowing machine, comprising an application device, which is designed to apply liquid to a usable agricultural area, a seed-grain-dispensing device, which is designed to dispense seed grains toward the usable agricultural area, and a control device, which is designed to control the application device in such a way that liquid is applied to the usable agricultural area in the potential regions of impact of the seed grains dispensed by the seed-grain-dispensing device.

Description

Saatqutablaqeeinrichtunq for a seeder

description

The invention relates to a seed placement device for a seed drill according to the preamble of patent claim 1, a seed drill according to the preamble of patent claim 9 and a method for depositing seeds according to the preamble of patent claim 10.

In order to be able to achieve high driving speeds and a high degree of precision in the placement of seeds on an agricultural area, seeders are increasingly being used whose seed delivery device is operated with pneumatic overpressure. For example, such seed delivery devices have separation devices which separate seeds by means of pneumatic excess pressure.

In the case of appropriate seed delivery devices, individual seeds are conveyed into a prepared seed furrow via an air stream. So that the most precise placement of the seeds can be implemented, the use of catching devices, such as catching rollers, has so far been necessary, which intercept the seeds released into the seed furrow and press them into the furrow bottom.

It is also known from the prior art to spray seeds that have already been deposited with a liquid. In this regard, reference is made to the publications US 2004/0231575 A1, US 9 763 381 B1, US 2017/0251590 A1, US 2017/0251656 A1, US 2018/0000006 A1 and US 7 370 589 B2.

Furthermore, a seeder is known from the publication WO 2011/078768 A1, in which further substances are deposited at fixed intervals from the seed grains deposited in the furrow. In practice, however, it has been shown that the use of interception devices, such as interception rollers, in particular when wet, has some disadvantages. Thus, when trapping released seeds by means of appropriate interception devices, undesired compaction and clogging of the furrow base occurs, if the soil is too humid. In this case, seeds and soil may also stick to the catch roller, causing seeds to be thrown out of the furrow.

The object on which the invention is based is, therefore, a furrow-friendly and precise seed placement even at high

To enable driving speeds.

The object is achieved by a seed placement device of the type mentioned at the outset, the seed placement device according to the invention having a control device which is set up to control the application device in such a way that liquid is applied to the respective potential impact areas of the seed grains dispensed by the seed grain dispensing device on the agricultural area ,

The invention makes use of the knowledge that interception devices for intercepting released seed grains can be dispensed with if the kinetic energy causing the seed grain movement is essentially completely released when the seed grain hits the agricultural area. During the sowing process with the seed placement device according to the invention, the seed grains dispensed are shot into the applied liquid and thus intercepted by the liquid. The liquid applied to the respective potential impact areas absorbs the kinetic energy of the respective seed grain, so that the seed grain remains within the respective impact area without the use of an interception device. An interception device, such as a catching roller, is therefore no longer necessary in order to be able to achieve high driving speeds when spreading seeds. In addition, compaction and clogging of the furrow base when wet is avoided by the storage concept according to the invention. In addition, there is no risk of seeds and soil sticking to a trap roller, which improves the placement quality and prevents seed from being thrown out of the furrow. The liquid is preferably a viscous liquid, in particular the liquid has a viscosity in the range from 50 to 250,000 mPa ^* s. The consistency of the liquid can be, for example, that of ketchup or liquid Honey. The liquid can further comprise fertilizers, crop protection agents and / or dressing agents. Alternatively, the liquid can also be free of ingredients relevant to plant cultivation.

In a preferred embodiment of the seed placement device according to the invention, the application device has a valve for controlling the flow of the liquid, the control device preferably being set up to actuate the valve as a function of a detection signal from a seed grain detection device. The valve can be controlled or actuated, for example, by means of pulse width modulation or by means of pulse width frequency modulation. The valve can be connected to a system for providing the liquid, which comprises, for example, a storage container for the liquid, a pump and / or a compressor.

In addition, a seed placement device according to the invention is preferred, in which the seed delivery device has a seed detection device which is set up to provide the control device with a detection signal when the seed detection device detects a seed in a detection area. A position detection of individual or isolated seeds is preferably carried out via the seed grain detection device. The seed grain detection device can comprise an optical sensor, for example an optical transmitter. For example, the seed grain detection device generates an infrared light barrier, whereby seed grains moving through the detection area can be detected by means of the infrared light barrier. The seed delivery device preferably has a shot channel, through which individual seeds are shot before delivery in the direction of the agricultural area. The seed grain detection device, in particular the infrared light barrier of the seed grain detection device, is preferably arranged in the firing channel of the seed grain dispensing device. Alternatively, the seed grain detection device, in particular the infrared light barrier of the seed grain detection device, is arranged in a separating device of the seed grain dispensing device. For example, the Separating device on a rotatingly driven separating element, which has a plurality of receiving areas for individual seeds. The seed grain detection device, in particular the infrared light barrier of the seed grain detection device, is preferably arranged and designed such that individual seed grains within the receiving areas of the separating element are detected by the seed grain detection device.

In another embodiment of the seed placement device according to the invention, the control device is set up to determine an application delay period by which the actuation of the valve of the application device is to be delayed after receipt of a detection signal, so that the liquid reaches the respective potential impact areas of the seed grains dispensed by the seed grain dispenser agricultural land is applied. The application delay time compensates for the movement time of the seed between the time of detection by the detection device and the time of impact on the agricultural area. In particular, the

Movement time of the seeds through the firing channel or part of the firing channel is taken into account. When determining the application delay duration, the driving speed and / or the reaction time of the valve for the liquid are also preferably taken into account. In addition, the relative position between the application opening of the application device and the delivery opening of the seed delivery device can be taken into account when determining the application delay period. In addition, the distance between the application opening of the application device and the agricultural area and / or the distance between the

The discharge opening of the seed delivery device and the agricultural area are taken into account when determining the application delay period.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the seed placement device according to the invention, the application device is set up to apply the liquid selectively to the potential impact areas. A spot application is thus implemented through the selective application. The selective application of the liquid results in considerable savings the necessary amount of liquid. The punctually dispensed liquid preferably forms an essentially round or elongated embedding area for receiving the seed. The elongated embedding area can have the shape of a band segment. Tolerances and / or inaccuracies when depositing the seeds can be compensated for via the elongated embedding area. The risk of incorrect placement, in which the seeds are not released directly onto the applied liquid, is considerably reduced in this way. Alternatively, a continuous application can be implemented, for example in the form of a, preferably uninterrupted, tape application. The continuous application of the liquid eliminates the need to adapt the liquid delivery to the timing of the seed delivery.

In addition, a seed placement device according to the invention is preferred in which the application device has a nozzle which is arranged in the direction of travel in front of the discharge opening of the seed delivery device. The fact that the nozzle is arranged in the direction of travel in front of the discharge opening of the seed discharge device prevents the trajectories of the applied liquid and the discharged seeds from crossing each other. The risk of incorrect filing is thus significantly reduced. The discharge opening of the seed delivery device preferably forms an end region of a weft channel for the seeds facing the agricultural area.

In a further development of the seed placement device according to the invention, the nozzle of the application device is arranged on a furrow former. By arranging the nozzle on the furrow former, the nozzle can be aligned precisely with the furrow formed by the furrow former. In this way, a high level of application precision can be implemented. Furthermore, this arrangement allows a simplified initial alignment of the nozzle, since the nozzle can only be positioned and aligned with respect to the furrow former.

In another embodiment of the seed placement device according to the invention, the seed delivery device has a separating device, the control device preferably being set up to control the application device in such a way that the application frequency of the application device is a singling frequency corresponds to the separating device. The separating device can be set up to pneumatically or mechanically separate seeds. In particular, the separating device is a separating device that works with pneumatic overpressure or a separating device that works with pneumatic negative pressure. Separating devices that work with pneumatic overpressure allow the implementation of high driving speeds and storage accuracy. The application device and the separating device are preferably clocked synchronously. The separating device preferably has a separating element which can be driven in rotation. For example, the control device is set up to actuate the application device as a function of the rotational state of the separating element of the separating device. The separating element can be, for example, a separating disc or a separating drum. The separating disc or the separating drum can have a plurality of receiving areas for individual seeds, the receiving areas being, for example, material cutouts or recesses.

The object on which the invention is based is further achieved by a seed drill of the type mentioned at the outset, the seed placement devices of the seed drill according to the invention being designed in accordance with one of the embodiments described above. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the seed drill according to the invention, reference is first made to the advantages and modifications of the seed placement device according to the invention.

The seed placement devices can be controlled by a common control unit, which includes all control devices of the seed placement devices. Preferably, the

Seed depositing devices of the seeder are equidistantly spaced from one another and set up to deposit the seeds in rows of seeds. In particular, the seeder is a precision seeder. The object on which the invention is based is further achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein, in the context of the method according to the invention, at least one seed grain is applied to the liquid applied by the application device by means of a seed grain dispenser Seed placement device is delivered. The application of the liquid and the dispensing of at least one seed grain onto the liquid are preferably repeated regularly during the process, so that a row of seeds is generated in which seed grains deposited on the liquid are arranged essentially equidistantly from one another. Preferably, several corresponding seed rows are generated at the same time.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the application device is controlled in such a way that the liquid is applied to the respective potential impact areas of the seed grains dispensed by the seed grain dispensing device to the agricultural area. This means that the seeds are shot directly into the applied liquid, so that unintentional rolling of the seeds in the furrow bottom is avoided.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, a seed grain is in one by means of a seed grain detection device

Detected detection area within the seed delivery device, a detection signal generated by the seed detection device based on the detection of a seed in the detection area within the seed delivery device and / or a valve of the application device for controlling the flow of the liquid in

Dependence of the detection signal of the seed detection device operated. The method preferably comprises the separation of seeds by means of a separation device, wherein the seeds can be separated pneumatically or mechanically by the separation device. In particular, the separation takes place by means of a separation device working with pneumatic overpressure or pneumatic suppression. In particular, the valve of the application device is operated to control the flow of the liquid in

Dependency of the state of the separating device, in particular depending on a rotational state of a rotatably drivable

Separating element, such as a separating disc or a separating drum, the separating device. For example, the Drive of the separating device and the control of the valve coupled together, in particular mechanically.

The method according to the invention is further advantageously developed by determining an application delay period by which the actuation of the valve of the application device after receipt of a

Detection signal is to be delayed so that the liquid is applied to the respective potential impact areas of the seeds delivered by the seed dispenser on the agricultural area.

The valve of the application device is preferably actuated, taking into account the determined application delay period, so that the seed grains delivered hit the applied liquid without touching the seed furrow after they have been dispensed by the seed grain dispenser.

Furthermore, a method according to the invention is advantageous in which the application of liquid to the agricultural area is carried out selectively. The application of liquid to the agricultural area preferably includes the creation of punctiform or elongated embedding areas from liquid on the agricultural area. Alternatively, liquid can be applied continuously to the agricultural area.

In addition, a method according to the invention is advantageous in which the liquid applied comprises fertilizers, crop protection agents and / or dressing agents. In this way, the fertilizer, the crop protection agent and / or the dressing agent is applied precisely in the area of the deposited seed, thereby achieving a high level of effectiveness. An additional application of fertilizer and / or pesticides can therefore be dispensed with. Furthermore, unheated seeds can also be deposited, which prevents the generation of pickling dust.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show: Figure 1 shows a machine combination with a seed drill according to the invention in a perspective view.

Fig. 2a shows an embodiment of the invention

Seed placement device in a lateral sectional view; Fig. 2b a stored seed shown in Fig.2a in a

Detailed representation; and

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention

Seed placement device in a side sectional view.

1, the spreading combination comprises an agricultural vehicle 200 designed as a tractor and a seed drill 100. The seed drill 100 shown is designed as a top-mounted seed drill. Alternatively, the seed drill 100 can also be designed as a seed drill, a seed drill or as a self-propelled seed drill.

The seeder 100 is a precision seeder and, in addition to the placement of seeds S, also allows the spreading of fertilizer. For this purpose, the seed drill 100 has a plurality of seed placement devices 10a-10h and a number of fertilizer application devices (not shown). The fertilizer application devices are used to apply fertilizer to an agricultural area N and are connected to the fertilizer container 104, which is used to store the fertilizer to be applied. The fertilizer hopper 104 is attached to a frame structure 102 of the drill 100. The seed placement devices 10a-10h serve to deposit seeds on the agricultural area N and are also fastened to the frame structure 102 and arranged next to one another in the transverse direction, the seed placement devices 10a-10h being equidistantly spaced from one another.

The seed placement devices 10a-10h each have an application device 12a-12h and a seed delivery device 14a-14h, the application devices 12a-12h and the seed delivery devices 14a-14h each being arranged in front of pressure rollers 18a-18h arranged in pairs. The seed placement devices 10a- 10h are controlled by a common control unit, which includes control devices 38 for the individual seed placement devices 10a-10h.

The application devices 12a-12h serve to apply liquid F to the agricultural area N. The seed delivery devices 14a-14h serve to deliver seeds S in the direction of the agricultural area N. The seed delivery devices 14a-14h each have their own seed containers 16a-16h. Alternatively, several or all of the seed delivery devices 14a-14h can have a common seed hopper.

The application devices 12a-12h are controlled during the sowing process in such a way that the liquid F is applied to the respective potential impact areas of the seed grains S delivered by the seed grain dispensing devices 14a-14h to the agricultural area N, so that the seed grains S are shot directly into the applied liquid F. become. Due to the comparatively high viscosity of the liquid F, which is for example in the range from 50 to 250,000 mPa ^* s, the liquid F applied to the respective potential impact areas absorbs the kinetic energy of the respective seed grain, so that the respective seed grain S without the use of an interception device remains within the respective impact area. Separate catching rollers for catching the seeds S are therefore not necessary.

The V-shaped pressure roller pairs 18a-18h do not serve to intercept the seeds S, but to press earth material against the deposited seeds. As an alternative to the pressure rollers 18a-18h arranged in pairs, it is also possible, for example, to use flex rubber rollers.

FIG. 2a shows a seed placement device 10 with an application device 12 and a seed grain dispensing device 14. The application device 12 and the seed grain dispensing device 14 are partially arranged on a common holding device 32. The application device 12 is set up to apply liquid F to an agricultural usable area N. The seed dispenser 14 is set up to deliver seeds S in the direction of the agricultural area N. A control device 38 of the seed placement device 10 is set up to control the application device 12 in such a way that the liquid F is applied to the respective potential impact areas of the seed grains S delivered by the seed grain dispensing device 14 to the agricultural area N.

The application device 12 has a valve 34 connected to a liquid supply 40. The valve 34 serves to control the flow of the liquid F. In addition, the seed delivery device 14 has a seed detection device 36, which is set up to provide the control device 38 with a detection signal when the seed detection device 36 detects a seed S in a detection area. Seed grains S are detected by means of an infrared light barrier within a shot channel 24 of the seed grain dispenser 14, through which individual seed grains are passed in the direction of the agricultural useful area N before they are dispensed. The infrared light barrier detects seeds S which move through the detection area, so that a position detection of isolated seeds S takes place within the firing channel 24. The control device 38 is set up to actuate the valve 34 as a function of a detection signal from a seed grain detection device 36. So that the liquid F is actually applied to the respective potential impact areas of the seeds S emitted by the seed delivery device 14 onto the agricultural area N, the control device 38 determines an application delay period by which the actuation of the valve 34 of the application device 12 is to be delayed after receipt of a detection signal , The delayed actuation of the valve 34 compensates for the duration of movement of the seed S by the remaining seed delivery device 14, that is to say the remaining firing channel 24, the driving speed of the seed drill 100 and the reaction time of the valve 34 also being taken into account when determining the application delay. FIG. 2b shows a placement product of liquid F and a seed S produced by the seed placement device 10 on the agricultural area N by means of the selective application of the liquid F by means of the application device 12, a spot application is implemented, so that essentially round embedding areas of liquid F are applied of the agricultural area N which are adapted to accommodate a seed S are generated. The seeds S are shot by the seed dispenser 14 into the applied liquid F and held by the latter due to the viscosity. The liquid F absorbs the kinetic energy of the respective seed grain S, so that the seed grain S remains within the respective impact area without the use of an interception device.

The liquid F can comprise, for example, fertilizers, crop protection agents and / or mordants, so that the germination process and / or plant growth are additionally promoted.

FIG. 3 shows that the application device 12 has an application line 28 which conducts the liquid F in the direction of an application opening 30. The application opening 30 forms an end region of an application line 28 facing the agricultural usable area N. Furthermore, the application opening 30 is part of a nozzle, which is arranged in the direction of travel in front of a discharge opening 26 of the seed discharge device 14. In addition, the nozzle is arranged on a furrow former 22. The discharge opening 26 forms an end region of a weft channel 24 facing the agricultural usable area N for the seeds S. The seed placement device 10 also has a cutting disc 20 and a separating device (not shown) for separating seeds, the separating device working with pneumatic overpressure. This allows the implementation of high driving speeds and storage accuracy. In the method for depositing seeds on an agricultural area N, liquid F is applied to the agricultural area N by means of the Application device 12 is applied and a seed S is dispensed onto the applied liquid F by means of a seed dispenser 14.

This is achieved in that the application device 12 is controlled in such a way that the liquid F is applied to the respective potential impact areas of the seed grains S emitted by the seed grain dispensing device 14 to the agricultural area N. For this purpose, the application frequency of the application device 12 is the separation frequency of the separation device

Seed placement device 10 adapted so that the application device 12 and the seed delivery device 14 are synchronized.

The application of the liquid F to the agricultural area N takes place selectively, wherein the applied liquid F can comprise fertilizers, crop protection agents and / or dressing agents.

reference numeral

10, 10a-10h seed placement devices 12, 12a-12h application devices 14, 14a-14h seed grain dispensing devices

16a-16h seed hopper

18a-18h pressure rollers

20 cutting disc

22 furrow formers

24 shot channel

26 dispensing opening

28 Application management

30 application opening

32 holding device

34 valve

36 seed grain detection device 38 control device 40 liquid supply

100 seeder

102 frame structure

104 fertilizer hopper

200 vehicle

S seed

F liquid

N usable area

Claims

claims

1. Seed placement device (10, 10a-1 Oh) for a seed drill (100), with an application device (12, 12a-12h) which is set up to apply liquid (F) to an agricultural area (N); and

a seed delivery device (14, 14a-14h) which is set up to deliver seeds (S) in the direction of the agricultural area (N);

characterized by a control device (38), which is set up to control the application device (12, 12a-12h) in such a way that liquid (F) is applied to the respective potential impact areas of the seed grains (14, 14a-14h) dispensed (14, 14a-14h) S) is applied to the agricultural area (N).

2. seed placement device (10, 10a-10h) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the application device (12, 12a-12h) has a valve (34) for controlling the flow of the liquid (F), the control device (38) preferably being set up to operate the valve (34) in dependence on a detection signal

Seed detection device (36) to operate.

3. seed placement device (10, 10a-10h) according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that the seed grain dispensing device (14, 14a-14h) has a seed grain detection device (36) which is set up to provide the control device (38) with a detection signal when the seed grain detection device (36) detects a seed grain (S) in a detection area.

4. seed placement device (10, 10a-10h) according to claim 3,

characterized in that the control device (38) is set up to determine an application delay by which the actuation of the valve (34) of the application device (12, 12a-12h) is to be delayed after receipt of a detection signal, so that the liquid (F) is applied to the respective potential impact areas of the seeds (S) delivered by the seed delivery device (14, 14a-14h) to the agricultural area (N).

5. Seed placement device (10, 10a-10h) according to one of the preceding

Expectations,

characterized in that the application device (12, 12a-12h) is set up to selectively apply the liquid (F) to the potential impact areas.

6. seed placement device (10, 10a-10h) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the application device (12, 12a-12h) has a nozzle which is arranged in the direction of travel in front of a delivery opening (26) of the seed delivery device (14, 14a-14h).

7. seed placement device (10, 10a-10h) according to claim 6,

characterized in that the nozzle is arranged on a furrow former (22).

8. seed placement device (10, 10a-10h) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the seed delivery device (14, 14a-14h) has a separating device, the

Control device (38) is preferably set up to

To control the application device (12, 12a-12h) in such a way that the

Application frequency of the application device (12, 12a-12h) corresponds to a separation frequency of the separation device.

9. seeder (100), in particular precision seeder, with

several seed depositing devices (10, 10a-10h) for depositing seeds on an agricultural area (N),

characterized in that the seed placement devices (10, 10a-10h) are designed according to one of the preceding claims.

10. A method for depositing seeds on an agricultural area (N) by means of a seed depositing device (10, 10a-10h), in particular a seed depositing device (10, 10a-10h) according to one of claims 1 to 8, with the step:

Applying liquid (F) to the agricultural area (N) by means of an application device (12, 12a-12h) of the seed placement device (10, 10a-10h),

characterized by the step:

- Dispensing at least one seed on the by the

Application device (12, 12a-12h) applied liquid (F) by means of a seed delivery device (14, 14a-14h) of the seed placement device (10, 10a-10h).

11. The method according to claim 10,

characterized by the step:

Control of the application device (12, 12a-12h) in such a way that the liquid (F) is applied to the respective potential impact areas of the seed grains (14), (14a-14h) delivered to the agricultural area (N).

12. The method according to claim 10 or 1 1,

characterized by at least one of the following steps:

- Detecting a seed grain in a detection area within the seed grain delivery device (14, 14a-14h) by means of a seed grain detection device (36);

Generating a detection signal by the

Seed detection device (36) based on the detection of a seed in the detection area within the

Seed dispenser (14, 14a-14h);

Actuation of a valve (34) of the application device (12, 12a-12h) to control the flow of the liquid (F) in dependence on the detection signal of the seed grain detection device (36).

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12,

characterized by the step:

Determining an application delay by which the actuation of the valve (34) of the application device (12, 12a-12h) is to be delayed after receipt of a detection signal, so that the liquid (F) reaches the respective potential impact areas of the seed grain dispenser (14, 14a 14h) delivered seeds (S) is applied to the agricultural area (N).

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13,

characterized in that the application of liquid (F) to the agricultural area (N) takes place selectively.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14,

characterized in that the applied liquid (F) comprises fertilizer, pesticides and / or mordants.