Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device in order to spread bulk materials, e.g., to spread seeds or artificial or chemical fertilizers on cultivation surfaces.

Background of the Invention

Since the 1970's, pneumatic feeding out systems are used in sowing machines around the world. Almost all have some form of distribution of the seeds or, alternatively, the fertilizers, or possibly another chemical substance, henceforth called "the seeds". The seeds are usually dosed by a feeding out device into an air flow that is driven by a fan, see, for instance, SE 519 744. The seeds are led from there via the air flow to a distributor or a distribution head. There, the seeds are usually reflected 90° out, into some one of the conduits that connects directly or indirectly to the furrow openers. Having said distributors, the machines become unnecessary large since said distribution heads with the pipes thereof occupy much space. There are also limited possibilities to place the distribution heads in a suitable way on the machine, since the machine usually is to be collapsed for road transportation. This entails that the distribution heads have to be placed in the centre section of the machine including a great and unnecessary amount of pipes that costs money and time for the mounting.

There is a particular type of distributor, a so-called "flat" distributor according to the American patent US 4,717,289. This distributor conveys the seeds from a feed line of the distributor to several exits for further distribution to the furrow openers. The distribution of the seeds that is provided is effected by the fact that the feed line is corrugated so as to randomly vary the introduction of the seeds into the distributor. The solution is simple but it has a number of limitations by, among other things, the number of exits from the distributor being strongly limited. Furthermore, the device is long and thereby space-requiring. In addition, the distribution accuracy of the seeds in the distributor is considered to be relatively low.

The Object of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a distribution device that solves the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

By the present invention, as this is set forth in the independent claim, the above-mentioned objects are met wherein the mentioned disadvantages have been eliminated. Suitable embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The invention concerns a distribution device, preferably for use in agricultural machines, e.g., for pneumatic sowing or distribution of seeds, fertilizers or the like, which distribution device preferably is formed with a sector shape having more than one exit.

The present invention comprises a "flat" distributor where the seeds are reflected one or more times in the distributor, e.g., at least one time less than 90°. When a flow of seeds or other granulated materials is reflected against a surface, it is not reflected as a light ray against a mirror but rather as a light ray against a luminous tag. The stream of seeds is scattered when it is reflected against an oblique surface. This phenomenon is utilized to spread the flow of seeds that travels through the feed line. The flow of seeds impinges on the reflecting planes one or more times to be uniformly distributed so that the supplied quantity of seeds becomes uniformly distributed in the exits for further transportation to the furrow openers. In order to control the reflection of seeds, the reflecting planes can be orientated optionally on the sides of the distributor. They may be flat, orientated perpendicularly to the flow of seeds/air or they may be placed arc-shapedly concavely or arc-shapedly convexly to the flow of seeds/air. They may also have different sizes and angles. In addition, a combination of the above-mentioned alternatives may be applied. They may of course also be placed in other orientations angled in different patterns, etc. By said reflecting planes, a homogenous distribution of the seeds is obtained, wherein the distributor can be formed with a relatively large sector angle and thereby give room for many outlets and still provide a distribution of the seeds with great precision.

The different planes may meet by a radius so as to more kindly reflect the seeds through the distributor. The distributor may suitably be made from a suitable plastic that is more kind to sensitive seeds such as peas and beans instead of from sheet-metal plate. The distributor can also have a smooth internal covering so as to additionally take care of the seeds. The distributor is suitably formed with a cross-section in such a way that it becomes thinner as the width is increased in order to maintain the air speed through the distributor. By the correct relationship, the air speed can be kept almost constant through the distributor.

Between the feed line and the distributor, suitably a corrugated pipe is placed that provides a uniform but turbulent flow of the air before it rushes into the distributor. Experience shows that this improves the accuracy of the distributor in terms of the distribution. The different exits from the distributor may also be formed with a shut-off device in the exits, which also is indicated in Figures 3-5. Said shut-off devices may be formed as shutters that are pushed up from the bottom of the distribution device. Furthermore, a container for seeds, fertilizers or the like is connected to the feed line of the distributor, which container further is provided with a feeding out device.

The invention concerns a distribution device for granulate-formed materials, comprising a distributor casing formed as a closed container provided with one inlet opening in an inlet side of the distributor casing and two or more outlet openings in an outlet side, preferably opposite the inlet side, of the distributor casing. The inlet opening is connected to a feed line and each one of the outlet openings is connected to a distribution line that in turn is arranged to be connected either to the inlet opening of an additional distribution device or to a soil delivery device, such as, for instance, a furrow opener. In this connection, by pneumatic action, individual granules are arranged to be transported from the inlet opening to one of the outlet openings. The distributor casing has reflection means comprising at least one inner reflection surface inclined in relation to the main flow direction of the granules through the distributor casing, which reflection means is arranged to obstruct reflection-free passage of at least a part of the granules through the distributor casing. By reflection means, one or more flat or curved stationary fixed surface portions are intended, which also may consist of the limiting surfaces of the distributor casing.

The main flow direction is defined as the direction from the centre of an inlet opening to the centre of an outlet opening, which means that several main flow directions are identifiable. If, for instance, the distribution device is horizontally mounted and provided with one inlet opening and nine outlet openings in the same horizontal plane, accordingly, nine main flow directions can be identified. According to one embodiment, said reflection means is arranged to alter the direction of said granules at least two times from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

According to an additional embodiment, the reflection means of the distributor casing is provided with at least one surface portion, the normal direction of which is in the angle interval of 105°-150° from said main flow direction situated closest to the surface portion.

According to an additional embodiment, the angle interval of said normal direction is 115°-135° from said main flow direction situated closest to the surface portion.

According to an additional embodiment, said reflection means consists of at least one inner limiting surface as a part of the closed container.

According to an additional embodiment, the limiting surface is wave-shaped with smooth rounded troughs and crests in a direction of extension from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

According to an additional embodiment, the limiting surface is folded with troughs and crests in a direction of extension from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. In this connection, by folded, troughs and crests are intended provided with sharp changes of direction instead of the smooth rounded changes of direction described above.

According to an additional embodiment, the container is provided with two opposite limiting surfaces where the troughs of one of the surfaces are opposite the crests of the other surface.

According to an additional embodiment, the spacing between said opposite limiting surfaces in the direction of flow decreases from the inlet opening to the outlet openings.

According to an additional embodiment, said reflection means consists of at least one inner reflecting surface that is placed connecting to and projecting from at least one inner limiting surface of the closed container.

According to an additional embodiment, said reflection means consists of at least two inner reflecting surfaces at least one reflecting surface of which is placed connecting to and projecting from a first inner limiting surface of the closed container and at least one reflecting surface of which is placed connecting to and projecting from a second inner limiting surface of the closed container opposite the first inner limiting surface.

According to an additional embodiment, the extension of said reflection means is across the entire limiting surface with an orientation primarily transverse to said main flow direction.

According to an additional embodiment, the extension of said reflection means across the inner limiting surface is concave and/or convex in relation to a main flow direction.

According to an additional embodiment, at least a part of the extension of said reflection means across the inner limiting surface is flat and perpendicular in relation to one of the main flow directions.

According to an additional embodiment, said feed line is connected to the distributor casing at an angle that deviates from an angle parallel to the normal direction of the inlet side or at an angle that deviates from an angle parallel to the central main flow direction.

According to an additional embodiment, said feed line is provided with a corrugated fitting closest to the inlet opening of the distributor casing.

According to an additional embodiment, the reflection means are placed so that the granules, when contacting the reflection means, obtain an alteration of direction at an angle in the angle interval of 1°-89°.

According to an additional embodiment, the reflection means are formed as a splitter that partly splits the flow into parts. This is because a part of the flow passes without being reflected by said splitter. A part of the flow is reflected to the right or the left. A reflected seed grain according to this embodiment is outlined in Fig. 9a. When this seed grain has been captured and reflected, it is affected by the high air speed that deflects the motion of the grain. Embodiments provided with such a splitter may be suitable when it is desired to make a distributor that has many exits. In the example shown, 24 ones. Many exits makes the sector fairly large, in the embodiment illustrated according to Fig. 9a approx. 85°, but it is feasible that distributors of this type can be made with a sector angle of up to approx. 180°.

Further embodiments show that the reflecting surfaces may consist of indentations and/or projections or be provided with indentations and/or projections to further improve the splitting of the granules in the form of, e.g., seeds. These irregularities can be created by means of a number of different types of aids, inclined notches, inclined strips, pins, drops, "rivet heads", depressions of various shapes, etc., just to mention some. In one embodiment, said indentations or projections may be made so that this promotes reflection of the granules in the form of, e.g., the seeds toward one or both sides, this is to help to distribute the seeds uniformly to all exits.

In an additional embodiment, a surface is shown having symmetrical projections in a first part of the distribution device, while a second part of the distribution device shows projections with the purpose of directing the seeds outward toward the periphery to guarantee that a full quantity of seeds arrives to the outermost exits. In the cross-sectional view, a plurality of surfaces are seen that reflect materials equipped with symmetrical projections. It is possible to combine different surface irregularities in one and the same distributor. Some surfaces may be flat and some may be uneven.

Within the scope of the invention, the distributor casing may be afforded different designs, even if the shown and preferred embodiment consists of the sector shape. Also combinations of shown reflection means in one and the same distribution device are feasible within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Now, the invention will be described in more detail, reference being made in connection with the accompanying drawing figures.

Figure 1 shows a principle of placed reflection means inside the distributor casing of a distributing device according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a principle of alternatively placed reflection means inside the distributor casing of a distributing device according to the invention in a view perpendicular to the view in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a principle according to the corresponding view as in Figure

2 of reflection means according to an additional embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 shows a principle according to the corresponding view as in Figure

2 of reflection means according to an additional embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 shows a principle according to the corresponding view as in Figure

2 of reflection means according to an additional embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 shows a principle according to the corresponding view as in Figure

1 of reflection means according to an additional embodiment of the invention. Figure 7 shows a principle according to an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6. Figure 8 shows a principle according to the corresponding view as in Figure

1 of reflection means according to an additional embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9a shows a principle according to the corresponding view as in Figure

2 of reflection means according to an additional embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9b shows the reflection means according to Figure 9a laterally. Figure 10a shows a principle according to the corresponding view as in Figure

2 of reflection means according to an additional embodiment of the invention. Figure 10b shows the reflection means according to Figure 10a laterally.

Description of the Invention

Each one of the figures shows possible embodiments according to the invention, and for the sake of clarity, the corresponding common parts are indicated by the same numbered references throughout in the figures.

Figure 1 schematically shows a distribution device according to the invention comprising a distributor casing 10 having a first sector wall 11 and a second sector wall 12. The distributor casing is furthermore formed with an inlet side 13 provided with one inlet opening 14 as well as an outlet side 15 provided with at least one outlet opening 16. The interior of the distributor casing is provided with reflection means 17, which, in the embodiment illustrated, are formed as one or more flat inner reflection surfaces 18 connected to the interior of the second sector wall 12. Naturally, also one or more of such reflection surfaces may be connected also to the interior of the first sector wall 11. In Figure 1 , a central main flow direction H _c is indicated by an arrow with a direction from the centre of the inlet opening 14 to the centre of the outlet opening 16. Furthermore, it is seen from the figure that said reflection surfaces are placed in the distributor casing in a normal direction N-i, N ₂ , N ₃ at one or more angles in relation to the main flow direction in order for granules 19 to be reflected against the respective reflection surface on the way thereof from the inlet opening 14 to the outlet opening 16. The angle of the reflection surfaces in the distributor casing is indicated as the angle between the normal direction Ni, N ₂ , N ₃ Nj thereof and a central main flow direction that in the shown figure is designated by H ₀ . In the figure, the angle between H _c and N ₁ is 127°; the angle between H ₀ and N ₂ is 135°; the angle between H _c and N ₃ is 110°. The reflection surface in the figure is shown completely flat, but also curved surfaces placed in the corresponding way constitute reflection surfaces according to the present invention. This definition of reflection surfaces also applies to embodiments described below.

Figure 2 shows as well schematically a distribution device according to Figure 1 but shown perpendicular to Figure 1. The distribution device shows the distributor casing 10 having a first end portion 21 and a second end portion 22. Furthermore, the inlet side 13 is shown provided with the inlet opening 14 as well as the outlet side 15 provided with seven outlet openings 16. Between the inlet opening 14 and each outlet opening 16, six peripheral main flow directions H-i, H ₂ , H ₃ , H ₄ , H ₅ , H ₆ are defined as well as a central main flow direction H ₀ . Generally, all main flow directions may be designated by Hj. In a corresponding way as shown in Figure 1 , the interior of the distributor casing 10 is provided with reflection means 17, which are formed as a plurality of flat inner reflection surfaces 18 two of which are shown placed adjacent to the interior of the respective end portion 21 , 22 at an angle between the normal direction of the respective surface and the nearest main flow direction. Furthermore, there are shown six additional reflection surfaces placed in the distributor casing and facing the inlet opening, the normal direction of which surfaces in relation to the nearest main flow direction has been indicated.

Figure 3 schematically shows a distribution device according to an additional embodiment, the inlet opening 14 of the distributor casing 10 being connected to a feed line 31 , which in the end thereof facing the distributor casing is provided with a corrugated fitting 32. The embodiment is provided with one inlet opening 14 and nine outlet openings 16 the middle of which defines the central main flow direction H ₀ . The figure also shows that the outlet openings of the distribution device can be closed and opened, respectively, for the passage of granules through a shutter 33 connected to each outlet opening and arranged to be pushed up from the bottom of the distribution device. The figure also shows that the distribution device may be provided with contact points 34 for cable harness 35. The distributor casing is provided with reflection means 17, which consist of six flat transverse parallel reflection surfaces extending across the entire extension of the distributor casing in a direction perpendicular to the central main flow direction H _c according to the figure.

Figure 4 schematically shows a distribution device according to an additional embodiment. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 3 by the fact that the reflection means 17 thereof consist of six arc-shaped reflection surfaces the convex side of which is facing the outlet openings 16. As is seen in the figure, the spacing between said arc-shaped reflection surfaces is uniform.

Figure 5 schematically shows a distribution device according to an additional embodiment. What differs this embodiment from the ones previously shown in Figures 3 and 4 is that the reflection means 17 thereof consist of six arc-shaped reflection surfaces, the three reflection surfaces closest to the inlet opening 14 of which are facing the convex sides thereof to the outlet openings 16, while the three reflection surfaces closest to the outlet openings 16 are facing the concave sides thereof to the outlet openings 16. The spacings between said arc-shaped reflection surfaces within each group are uniform.

As has been shown in Figures 3-5, reflection means that internally extend over the entire extension of the distribution device may be varied both in terms of shape and position. Also flat reflection surfaces according to Figure 3 may be combined with arc-shaped or otherwise curved reflection surfaces in one and the same distribution device.

Figures 6-8 schematically show distribution devices according to additional embodiments, the reflection means of which consist of the inner shape of the distributor casing 10 that in Figures 6 and 7 has a limiting surface that has been formed with smoothly wave-shaped troughs 61 and crests 62 where the trough of the opposite limiting surface is opposite the crest of the first one and vice versa so that the entire shape of the distribution device becomes wave-shaped.

Figure 6 shows also that the inlet opening 14 of the distributor casing 10 is connected to a feed line 31 , which in the end thereof facing the distributor casing 10 is provided with a corrugated fitting 32. The connection of the feed line 31 to the distributor casing 10 is furthermore made at an angle that deviates from an angle parallel to the central main flow direction H ₀ according to the figure. Alternatively, the connection of the feed line 31 to the distributor casing 10 may be made at an angle that deviates from an angle parallel to the normal direction of the inlet side, i.e. connected at an angle to the distributor casing in relation to what is shown in the embodiments according to Figures 3-5 and in relation to the embodiment according to Figure 2.

Figure 7 shows a corresponding embodiment as in Figure 6, but where the connection angle of the feed line 31 to the inlet opening 14 is parallel to the central main flow direction H _c .

Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the reflection means to what has been shown in Figures 6 and 7 by the fact that the inner shape of the distributor casing 10 has a limiting surface that has been formed with sharply folded troughs 81 and crests 82 where the trough of the opposite limiting surface is opposite the crest of the first one and vice versa so that the entire shape of the distribution device becomes folded. The connection of the feed line 31 to the inlet opening 14 has been formed with a connection angle parallel to the central main flow direction H _c according to the figure.

In Figures 6-8, it has also been indicated how the granules can be reflected by the reflection means in the form of the internal surfaces of the distributor casing as well as how the distributor casing tapers from the inlet opening 14 to the outlet openings 16.

Figure 9a shows a further embodiment of reflection means where a distribution device having a distributor casing 10 is formed with twenty-four outlet openings 16. In order to allow a distribution of the granules 19 to all outlet openings, a splitter 90 in the form of an obstruction having a quadratic cross-section is placed so that two opposite corners are aligned in the central main flow direction H ₀ close to the inlet opening 14 of the distributor casing 10. The figure shows, on one hand, a seed grain that has been captured and reflected wherein it is affected by the high air speed that deflects the motion of the grain. On the other hand, the figure shows an unaffected seed grain that passes beside the obstruction in an unaffected air flow 91. Furthermore, the distributor casing 10 is formed with three foldings corresponding to those that have been shown in Figure 8, where a first folding 92 is straight and perpendicular in relation to the central main flow direction H _c . A second and a third folding 93, 94 are arc-shaped and bulge out into the central main flow direction H ₀ . Figure 9b shows the embodiment in Fig. 9a internally from the side, the splitter 90 being placed close to the inlet opening 14 of the distributor casing 10. The reflection surfaces of the three foldings 92, 93, 94 that also constitute reflection means are clearly seen in the figure.

Figure 10a shows a further embodiment of a distribution device having a distributor casing 10 comprising reflection means. This embodiment is also provided with three foldings 101 , 102, 103. One or more of the reflection surfaces 104 opposite the foldings are provided with reflection-affecting indentations and/or projections, which have, on a first reflection surface 104.1 , a circular shape and are placed in a symmetrical pattern. On a second reflection surface 104.2, indentations and/or projections are formed as ellipses orientated to direct the seeds outward toward the periphery of the distributor casing 10.

Figure 10b shows the distributor casing 10 according to this embodiment internally from the side, every second reflection surface 104.2 on the respective side being provided with indentations and/or projections and placed so that the opposite reflection surface 105 is smooth.