• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    planting unit for a seeder machine a planting unit (14) for a seeder machine is disclosed having a frame member (18) and a meter (24) mounted thereon. The meter has a housing (30) and a measuring member (100) rotatably mounted therein. the measuring member has a side wall with an inner surface and an outer surface and a rim portion (112) adjacent an outer edge of the side wall. the inner surface of the sidewall and housing form a passageway in a bottom portion of the metering member to maintain a seed cluster. a mechanical seed dispensing system (400) collects seed from the measuring member and moves the seed to a discharge location adjacent to a seed groove formed in the soil below the sowing machine.
    公开号:BR112013024381B1
    申请号:R112013024381
    申请日:2012-03-23
    公开日:2019-01-08
    发明作者:B Garner Elijah；E Zumdome Lee；E Friestad Michael；A Mariman Nathan
    申请人:Deere & Co；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    “PLANTING UNIT FOR A PLANTATOR”
    Field [001] The invention relates to a planting unit for a planter and more particularly to a planting unit having a seed and meter dispensing system.
    Fundamentals [002] Several types of meters have been developed which use an air pressure differential, both vacuum and positive pressure, to adhere seed to a measuring member. The measuring member collects seeds from a seed cluster and sequentially discharges single seeds. (In some cases, multiple seeds can be unloaded at a time.) A common type of meter is shown in US patent 5,170,909. In this, a seed disk 48 contained in a housing is used to dose the seed. The seed cluster is positioned on one side of the disk in a lower portion of it while a vacuum is applied to the opposite side of the disk. As the disk is rotated, individual seeds from the seed cluster are vacuum-adhered to the openings that extend through the disk. When the seed reaches a desired release position, the vacuum is terminated, allowing the seed to fall from the disc through a seed tube into a groove formed in the soil below.
    [003] Flexible belts have also been used in an air pressure differential meter. An example is shown in US patent application 2010/0192818 A1. In this, a flexible belt having an arrangement of openings therein is movable along a path in a housing. A seed cluster is formed on one side of the belt. Vacuum applied to the opposite side of the belt over a portion of the belt path adheres seed to the openings, allowing the belt to move the seed to a released position where the vacuum is cut. The seed then falls or is removed
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 9/33
    2/20 of the belt.
    [004] When seed falls by gravity from the meter through the seed tube, it can be difficult to maintain consistent and accurate seed spacing at planting speeds greater than about 8 kph (5 mph). To maintain spacing accuracy, a seed dispensing system that controls the seed as the seed moves from the meter to the soil is desirable. Such a dispensing system is shown in patent application US 2010/0192819-A1. With such a dispensing system, the removal of seed from the disk of patent 5.170.909 into the dispensing system is difficult to achieve in a consistent manner. While seed withdrawal can be improved with the use of a belt gauge, there is still a need for more consistent and more reliable seed withdrawal from the meter to the dispensing system. Improvements in the seed and meter dispensing system can improve the withdrawal of seed into the dispensing system.
    Summary [005] In one form, a planting unit for a planter is provided having a planting unit frame member and a meter mounted to the planting unit frame member. The meter has a housing and a measuring member rotatably mounted inside the housing. The measuring member additionally having a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface and the sidewall having a rim portion adjacent an outer edge of the sidewall. The inner surface of the side wall and the housing form a passage in a bottom portion of the measuring member to maintain a seed cluster. The inner surface of the side wall of the measuring member in the passage is oriented at an angle between 20 ° and 75 ° with respect to a vertical vector that points upwards at the outer edge of the side wall.
    [006] In another way, a planting unit for a planter is
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 10/33
    3/20 provided having a meter with a measuring member mounted for rotation. The measuring member has a sidewall that extends to an outer edge with the sidewall having inner and outer surfaces and a rim portion of the sidewall adjacent to the outer edge having openings that extend through the sidewall. The measuring member is adapted to adhere seed to the openings to sequentially move seeds to a released position. The planting unit additionally has a mechanical seed dispensing system adapted to take the seed from the measuring member in the release position and sweep seed across the inner surface of the side wall in a substantially crossed direction for a seed displacement direction in the seed member. measurement as the measuring member rotates. The seed dispensing system then moves the seed to a discharge location adjacent to a seed groove formed in the soil below the planter.
    Brief Description of the Drawings [007] In the attached drawings:
    Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a common agricultural planter;
    Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of a planting unit frame, seed dispensing system and meter;
    Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the dispensing system and meter drives;
    Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the meter with the cover open, illustrating the measuring member;
    Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the meter of Fig. 4;
    Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the measuring member of Fig. 4;
    Fig. 7 is a lateral cross section of the measuring member
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 11/33
    4/20 of Fig. 6 illustrating the orientation of the measuring member installed in a meter mounted on a planting unit;
    Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross section of an alternative measuring member;
    Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the interior of the measuring member of Fig. 6;
    Fig. 10 is a side sectional view of the seed and measuring member dispensing system;
    Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the seed withdrawal from the measuring member for the dispensing system including the dispensing system brush belt;
    Fig. 12 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 11 without the dispensing system brush belt;
    Fig. 13 is a schematic illustration of the seed input direction for the brush belt;
    Fig. 14 is a schematic illustration of the direction of travel of the seed in the measuring member and in the dispensing system in the seed release position of the measuring member;
    Fig. 15 is a side sectional view of the dispensing system and measuring member on withdrawal without the brush belt;
    Fig. 16 is a perspective view from the inside of the meter housing;
    Fig. 17 is a side sectional view of the meter housing and measuring member illustrating the seed cluster formed by the measuring member and housing;
    Fig. 18 is a side sectional view similar to Fig. 17 illustrating a prior art meter with a disk measuring member;
    Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the lower end of the
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 12/33
    5/20 dispensing system; and, Figs. 20 and 21 are perspective views of an alternative measuring member.
    Detailed Description [008] An agricultural planter 10 is shown in Fig. 1 as a row crop planter. Planter 10 has a central frame 12 on which a plurality of individual planting units 14 is mounted. Planter 10 has a front to back direction shown by arrow 15 and a transverse direction shown by arrow 17. Each planting unit 14 is coupled to the central frame 12 by a parallel connection 16 so that individual planting units 14 can move up and down to a limited degree relative to the frame 12. Large storage tanks 13 hold seed that is pneumatically dispensed to a mini cargo funnel in each planting unit. Each planting unit 14 has a frame member 18 (Fig. 2) to which the components of the planting unit are mounted. The frame member 18 includes a pair of upright arms 20 at the front end thereof. The arms 20 are coupled to the rear ends of the parallel connection 16. Groove discs (not shown) are attached to the shaft 22 in a known manner to form an open groove in the soil below the planter in which the seed is deposited. Packing and closing wheels (not shown) are also mounted to the frame member 18 in a manner known to close the furrow over the deposited seed and to firm the soil in the closed furrow. A meter 24 and a seed dispensing system 400 are also attached to the frame member 18 of the planting unit.
    [009] Meter 24 includes a housing 30 (Fig. 3) and a cover member 34. Housing 30 and cover member 34 are coupled together by complementary articulation features 36 and 38 (see Fig.
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 13/33
    6/20
    5) in the housing and cover member respectively. The hinge feature 36 includes a pivot pin 37 coupled to the housing while feature 38 is an integrally formed hook that coils around the pivot pin allowing the cover member 34 to pivot around the pin 37 axis. A locking member elastomeric 40 is coupled to the housing 30 and has an enlarged portion 42 which is seated in a socket 44 formed in the cover member to hold the cover member in a closed position in the housing 30.
    [0010] The housing 30 is formed with a second hinge element in the form of a pivot pin 46 (Fig. 3). The pivot pin 46 is seated on a hook member 48 (fig. 4) of the mounting frame 50 attached to the frame member 18. This allows the meter 24 to pivot in relation to the planting unit frame member 18 around an axis 52. A drive spindle 54 is carried by the housing 30 and has a drive hub 56 (Fig. 5) at the end of it. The spindle 54 is coupled to the output shaft 58 of the electric motor 60 to drive the meter when in the assembled position shown in Fig. 3. The meter 24 is coupled to the dispensing system by a locking mechanism 68 including a metal rod 70 having a hook at one end seated in an opening in the meter housing 30 when locked. The dispensing system additionally has a mounting hook 72, shown partially in Fig. 2, which attaches to the planting unit frame member 18 to support the dispensing system.
    [0011] The dispensing system 400 is driven by an electric motor 80, also carried by the mounting frame 50. The output shaft of the motor 80 is connected to the dispensing system via a shallow-angle drive 82. While electric motors have been shown to trigger both the meter and the seed dispensing system, will be perceived by the person skilled in the art that other types of engines, such as
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 14/33
    7/20 hydraulic, pneumatic, etc. can be used as well as various types of mechanical drive systems.
    [0012] With reference to Fig. 6, a measuring member 100 of the meter is shown in greater detail. This measuring member 100 is shown as a single piece, body shaped in a concave basin. The bowl-shaped body has a base portion 102 from which extends a side wall 104. The side wall 104 ends at an outer edge 106. The side wall has a radially inner surface 108 and a radially outer surface 110. Adjacent to the outer edge 106, the side wall has a rim portion 112 shown by the support in Fig. 6. The rim portion 112 extends radially outwardly and axially towards outer rim 106. In the rim portion 112, there is an annular arrangement of openings 114 that extends through the side wall between the inner and outer surfaces 108 and 110. The measuring member 100 is mounted in the meter housing for rotation in the direction of arrow 118 in Fig. 6. In operation, as the measuring member rotates, individual seeds from a seed cluster 120 located on a bottom portion of the measuring member are adhered to the openings 114 on the inner surface 108 of the sidewall and sequentially transported upwards to a released position 164 in an upper portion of the measuring member. Thus, the inner surface is also known as the seed side of the measuring member. A series of raised projections or features, such as blocks 116, extend from the inner surface 108 of the side wall 104 typically with a block located behind each opening 114 in the direction of rotation. Each block forms a confrontation surface 124 behind the associated opening in the direction of rotation to push the seed adhered to the opening into the dispensing system as described above. As explained above, it is the ring portion 112 of the measuring member that performs the function of removing individual seeds from the seed cluster and sequentially moving
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 15/33
    8/20 seed to the release position to supply seed individually to the 400 seed dispensing system.
    [0013] The base portion 102 of the measuring member contains a central drive opening 130 (Fig. 5) used to mount the measuring member on a rotating drive hub 56 for rotation around axis 132 in a similar manner to mounting a flat seed disk on a meter as is well known. When mounted on housing 30, measuring member 100 cooperates with the housing to form a passageway to maintain seed cluster 120 as described more fully below. Axis 132 is inclined both to a horizontal plane as well as to a vertical plane that extends forwards and backwards from the planter and a vertical plane that extends across the planter.
    [0014] With reference to Fig. 7, the measuring member 100 is shown in a sectional view. The base portion 102 is generally planar while the rim portion 112 of the inner surface of the side wall 104 is enlarged outwardly, i.e., extending both radially outwardly and axially. As shown in Fig. 7, the rim portion is conical.
    [0015] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 8 in conjunction with a measuring member side wall 104 ', the inner surface rim portion of side wall 2 may be spherical in shape. In addition, while the rim portion 112 has been shown to be enlarged outwardly, the rim portion in general may be cylindrical without any outward enlargement, i.e., extending only axially.
    [0016] The measuring member 100 can be formed as one piece or constructed of multiple pieces. The measuring member can be molded from plastic more easily such as polycarbonate, nylon, polypropylene or urethane. However, other plastics can be used as well as other materials such as metal, etc. The measuring member 100 is sufficiently
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 16/33
    9/20 rigid to be self-sustaining without additional support structure. This is in contrast to the flexible belt measuring member shown in US patent 2,960,258 where the belt member is preferably of a flexible elastomeric material and is supported within a support ring. Being self-sustaining, the measuring member does not need any support structure to maintain a shape. As a self-supporting, the measuring member may be rigid or the measuring member may be flexible to change shape when acted in a manner similar to the flexible seed disk of US Patent No. 7,661,377.
    [0017] As mentioned earlier, the measuring member
    100 can be mounted to a drive hub through the central drive opening 130 in the base portion 102. Mounting through the central drive opening 130 provides both mounting support for the measuring member as well as the rotating drive of the measuring member.
    [0018] Alternatively, the support for the measuring member can be provided on the external surface of the side wall. A groove can be formed on the outer surface of the side wall to receive rollers that support the measuring member. If the groove is also formed with drive teeth, one of the rollers can be driven by a motor to rotate the measuring member. With such possible alternative arrangements, it is not necessary for the measuring member to have a base portion. The seed measurement function is performed by the side wall and thus the side wall is the only necessary portion of the measuring member.
    [0019] As shown in Fig. 7 „the measuring member 100, when mounted in the meter housing, is oriented in a vertical inclination as shown. In this orientation, the openings 114 are on a plane 50 inclined at an angle a to the vertical. In this orientation, an upper portion 148 of the measuring member is suspended or extends
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 17/33
    10/20 in addition to a lower portion 154. As described above, this allows access to the upper portion 148 of the measuring member for the mechanical seed dispensing system 400. As shown, the angle a is approximately 24 °. However, any angle will be sufficient as long as the upper portion 148 extends beyond the lower portion sufficiently for access to the seed dispensing system from below the measuring member in the seed release position.
    [0020] The seed cluster 120 is formed at the bottom of the measuring member 100 as shown in Fig. 9. Vacuum is applied to the outer surface 110, causing individual seeds to adhere to the openings 114 while the openings travel through the seed cluster. seed. As the measuring member rotates as shown by arrow 18, the seed is moved upwards to a released position 164 in the upper portion 148 of the measuring member.
    [0021] The release position is just beyond the top or 12 o'clock position on the circular seed displacement path such that the seed is moving down somehow in the release position. This facilitates the entry of seed into the dispensing system as more fully described below. Also, passing from the top point of the path, the dispensing system is displaced from the center in relation to the measuring member, providing clearance between the dispensing system and the meter drive. In the release position 164, the inner surface of the rim portion of the measuring member is facing downwards such that seed is adhered below the measuring member or is hanging from the measuring member. See Fig. 10. The seed dispensing system 400 is also positioned below the upper portion of the measuring member in the release position 164 to pick up the seed from the measuring member as shown in Fig. 10.
    [0022] The dispensing system 400 includes a housing 402 having
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 18/33
    11/20 a left side wall 404 (see Fig. 19) and a right side wall 406 (see Fig. 3). The terms left and right are used in relation to the planter's direction of travel shown by arrow 408. Connecting the right and left side walls together is an edge wall 410. An upper opening 416 is formed in the edge wall and side walls for allowing seeds to enter housing 402. A lower opening 418 is provided at the lower end which forms a discharge location 413 for the seed. A pair of pulleys 420 and 422 are mounted within housing 402. The pulleys support a belt 424 for rotation within the housing. One of the two pulleys is a drive pulley while the other pulley is an intermediate pulley. The belt has a flexible base member 426 for engaging the pulleys. Elongated bristles 428 extend from the base member 426. The bristles are joined to the base member at proximal or radially internal ends of the bristles. Distal or radially external ends 430 of the bristles touch or are close to touching the internal surface of the edge wall of housing 410.
    [0023] As shown at the top of Fig. 10, a seed 152 is in the release position in measuring member 100 and has been inserted into bristles 428 of the dispensing system. In the release position, the rim portion 112 of the measuring member side wall 104 is generally tangent to the stationary inner surface 412 through which the brush bristles 428 pass. The surface 412 is in a locked portion 66 of the housing 30. The surface 412 is a continuation of the inner surface 414 of the dispensing system housing 402. Once the seed is captured in the dispensing system, the seed moves in the direction of the belt, shown by arrow 417. The direction of seed displacement immediately by capture by the dispensing system 400 is shown by vector 438.
    [0024] Before the seed is released from the measuring member, the seed is moving in the direction of vector 160 which is slightly to
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 19/33
    12/20 low for bristles 428. With reference to Fig. 13, vector 160 of the seed direction is at an angle 16 of about 60 ° to the length of bristles 428 shown by arrow 176. As shown in Fig. 11 , the brush belt is positioned so that the seed enters the bristles at the corner of the brush belt. The brush can be positioned so that the seed enters the brush through the distal ends of the bristles or through the side of the bristles.
    [0025] The relationship between the seed direction vector 160 on the measuring member and the seed direction vector 438 when the seed is first on the brush belt is shown in Fig. 14 illustrating the two vectors in the plane that contains both vectors in the release position 164. The angle 163 between the vectors is at least 35 ° and preferably between 50 ° and 80 °. This shows the transverse feed of the seed to the bristles, which means that the seed, before the release position is moving substantially in a different direction than the brush bristles are moving. This is in contrast to the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 of the aforementioned US patent application 2010/0192819-Al where the seed on the metering disc in the release is moving in substantially the same direction as the brush bristles. This is also the ratio by which the bristles pass over the inner surface of the side wall in relation to the direction of displacement of the seed.
    [0026] Figs. 11 and 12 show a locking member 162 carried by the meter housing 30. Locking member 162 is positioned adjacent to a seed displacement path 152 leading to release position 164 and prevents seed movement from the measuring member before reach the release position. Once the end has passed the end 174 of the blocking member 162, the seed is free to move with the brush bristles towards the vector 438 in Fig. 10. The blocking member ensures that the seed is fed
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 20/33
    13/20 constant for the brush belt in the center of the belt, in the width direction, instead of allowing the seed to enter the belt in random positions across the belt width. As shown in Fig. 15, the locking member is located below the side wall 104 of the measuring member 100 between blocks 116 and the outer edge 106 of the measuring member. The face surface 124 of blocks 116 pushes seed onto the brush bristles. The blocks or projections 116 travel further to the brush bristles as the projections cross the width of the brush as seen in Fig. 11. Once the seed is in the brush bristles, the seed is swept over the inner surface of the brush member. measurement, from the openings 114 to the outer edge 106 of the measuring member in the direction of the vector 438. The dispensing system can be arranged to sweep the seed in the opposite direction, ie away from the outer edge 106 of the measuring member .
    [0027] To further ensure consistent release of the seed from the measuring member and withdrawn into the dispensing system, an ejector 166, loaded by the cover member 34 goes on the outer surface of the rim portion of the measuring member. See Figs. 11, 12 and 15. Ejector 166 is in the form of a star wheel having a number of projections 168. Projections 168 extend to openings 114 from outer surface 110 of side wall 104 and force seed out of openings 114 The ejector is rotated through the rotation of the measuring member 100 due to the projections 168 that engage the openings 114. The ejector is mounted to the cover member 34 by means of a pivot arm 170 and support 171. The ejector 166 is polarized against the measuring member by a spring 172.
    [0028] Turning attention now to Fig. 4, a flexible seal 180 is shown on the inner side of the cover member 34. This seal rests against the outer surface 110 of the measuring member 100 forming a vacuum chamber inside the interior 182 of the seal. A first portion 184 of the seal is spaced radially additionally outside
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 21/33
    14/20 on the measuring member of what is the second portion 186 of the seal. In the area of the seal of the first portion 184, vacuum is applied to the openings 114, causing seeds to adhere to it. There is no vacuum applied to the adjacent openings and outside the seal of the second portion 186. A port 188 on the cover member 34 is adapted to connect the interior of the cover member to a vacuum source in a manner known for a vacuum seed meter . The seed release position 164 is within the vacuum chamber. Thus, the brush belt and the ejector are working in opposition to the vacuum applied to the openings 114 to release the seed from the measuring member.
    [0029] With reference to Fig. 16. The interior of housing 30 is shown. The housing includes a central protrusion 302 for drive spindle 54. The housing also includes an opening 304 for receiving seed from the loading minifunnel, not shown, mounted to the outside of the housing and surrounding opening 304. Below opening 304 , the housing wall forms a ramp 306 extending downwardly towards the lower end 308 of the housing. The ramp cooperates with the inner surface 108 of the measuring member to maintain the seed cluster 120. The housing includes an inward projection 310 forming a cavity 314 (Fig. 17) on the outside of the housing for which the upper end is the system dispensing unit 400 is positioned. The projection is opened at the upper end, forming an observation opening downwards 312 from the inside of the housing to the outside. This opening 312 allows the brush belt 424 to access the inner surface 108 of the measuring member and to transport the seed from the housing.
    [0030] Fig. 17 illustrates the orientation of the measuring member and the cooperation of the housing 30 and measuring member 100 to form a passage for the seed cluster 120 at the lower end of the measuring member. Fig. 17 shows the orientation of the measuring member
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 22/33
    15/20 when planter 10 is at ground level. At the lower end of the measuring member, the side wall 104 is inclined to the vertical such that the inner surface 108 is at an angle d to a vertical vector 126. As illustrated in Fig. 17, the inner surface is approximately 21 ° from from the vertical. The orientation of the housing adjacent to the measuring member, forming the other side of the passage, is not critical. Seed from the seed cluster 120 sits on top of the inner surface 108 and a component of the force of gravity is perpendicular to the inner surface 108. When operating on a hill side, whether the meter is tilted clockwise or counterclockwise, as seen in Fig. 17, the inner surface 108 remains tilted and gravity still has a component perpendicular to the inner surface. This is in contrast to a typical disc meter shown in Fig. 18 with a vertically oriented disc 320 that cooperates with a housing wall 322 to form a seed cluster 324. If this meter is tilted counterclockwise as noted, seed from the cluster will still lean against the disc. However, if the meter is tilted clockwise, seed from the cluster will fall away from the disk, allowing for decreased measurement performance in terms of the seed being collected by the disk. The evaluation of the meter showed improved meter performance on a hill when the angle d is as small as 5 and as large as 75 °. Best performance is achieved when the angle d is between 10 ° and 50 ° while the optimum performance is in the range of 20 ° to 40 °. This last strip provides considerable meter tilt on a hill in any direction before performance begins to decline.
    [0031] At the upper end of the measuring member, in the release position 164, the inner surface 108 has an angle f for a vertical downward vector 128 in the range of 50 ° to 90 ° with the nearest 90 ° being the best for removing the seed from the measuring member for the
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 23/33
    16/20 brush belt. As shown, the angle f is approximately 68 *. The different orientations of the inner surface 108 in relation to the vertical in the seed passage and in the release position are achieved with a measuring member that is rigid. Such variation is not possible with the flat disc measuring member shown in Fig. 18.
    [0032] As described above, the seed is adhered to the openings 114 in the measuring member due to the vacuum applied to the external surface of the measuring member creating a pressure differential on opposite sides of the measuring member. As an alternative to vacuum on the outer side of the measuring member, the pressure differential can be created by a positive pressure between the housing 30 and the measuring member 100. Such a system may require seals between the measuring member 100 and the housing 30 to create a positive pressure chamber. In a positive pressure arrangement, the cover member 34 serves only as a cover for the rotating measuring member.
    [0033] It is possible that more than one seed is adhered to a given opening 114. To prevent more than one seed at a time from being transferred to the brush belt, a pair of double eliminators or single members are attached to the housing 30 along the seed path from the seed cluster to the release position 164. The singular members are in the form of brushes 330 and 332 (Figs. 5 and 9). The brush 330 has bristles that extend substantially axially and brush seed in the openings 114 by inward extension from the outer edge 106 of the measuring member. The bristles of the brush 330 are of variable length, to engage the seed in several discrete locations along the length of the brush 330. The brush 332 has bristles that extend substantially radially and engaging the inner surface of the measuring member side wall within the blocks 116 and extend along the side wall to openings 114. Both
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 24/33
    17/20 brushes 330 and 332 act to slightly disturb seeds in the opening and cause excess seed to fall out. Once removed, the excess seed falls back into the seed cluster 120. The brushes can be fixed in position or they can be adjusted to change the degree to which the disturbed seed is brushed on the measuring member. A third brush 334 is shown which generally extends radially from the measuring member. The brush 334 serves to define a limit for the seed cluster 120. The brushes 330, 332 and 334 are mounted to the housing 30.
    [0034] Turning again to Fig. 10, once the seed is captured or trapped in bristles 428, the dispensing system controls the movement of the seed from the meter to the discharge location. The seeds are kept in the bristles such that the seeds cannot move vertically in relation to the bristles 428 or in relation to other seeds in the dispensing system. In particular, during the movement of the seeds along the vertical side of the dispensing system, the seeds are kept at least at the top and bottom of the seeds to avoid any relative movement between the seed and the brush belt. Thus, the relative position of the seeds in relation to each other is not affected by the dynamics of the planting unit while moving through a field. The seed is carried out by the bristles from the upper opening 416 to the lower opening 418 with the movement of the seed controlled at all times from the upper opening to the lower opening.
    [0035] The lower opening 418 of the dispensing system housing is positioned as close to the bottom 446 of the ditch or seed groove 448 as possible. As shown, the lower opening 418 is near or below the soil surface 432 adjacent to the seed groove. The bottom of the dispensing system should be no more than an inch or two, (2.5 to 5 cm) above the ground surface 432. If possible, the
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 25/33
    18/20 lower end of the dispensing system must be below the ground surface 432. The housing edge wall 410 forms an exit ramp 434 at the lower opening 418. The lower opening 418 and the ramp 434 are positioned along the curve on a belt path around pulley 422. The seed, being transported by the distal ends of the bristles, increases in linear speed around the pulley 422 as the distal ends of the bristles travel a greater distance around the pulley 422 than the limb base 426 of the belt. This speed difference is shown by the two arrows 440 and 442.
    [0036] In the discharge, the seed has a speed shown by the vector V. This speed has a vertical component and a horizontal component VH. The belt is operated at a speed to produce a horizontal speed component VH, that is, approximately equal to, but in the opposite direction of the front planter speed shown by arrow 408. As a result, the horizontal speed of the seed in relation to the soil is zero or approximately zero. This minimizes seed roll in a seed groove.
    [0037] Seeds can be inserted into the brush bristles in an essentially infinite number of positions. This allows the brush to be operated at the speed necessary to produce the desired horizontal speed component for the seed, regardless of the seed population. The seed meter, on the other hand, must be operated at a speed, that is, a function of both the forward displacement speed of the planter and the desired seed population. As the belt 424 can be seeded in an essentially infinite number of positions, the belt speed can be operated independently of the meter speed. This is not the case with other seed dispensing systems, such as those disclosed in US patent 6,681,706 where the dispensing system of Fig. 2 has a flying belt for making the seed. THE
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 26/33
    19/20 belt speed should be timed to meter speed to ensure that one or more flights pass the meter for each seed that is discharged from the meter.
    [0038] While it is desirable to match the seed back speed to the planter forward speed to minimize the relative seed speed to the soil, with some types of seed, it may be necessary to operate the brush belt at a different speed to ensure that the seed is discharged from the brush bristles.
    [0039] The interior of the lower portion of the dispensing system housing is shown in Fig. 19. Dispensing system housing 402 is a two-piece housing having an upper housing member 460 and a lower housing member 462. O lower housing member carries lower pulley 422. The lower housing member has an upwardly extending rod portion 464 that slides within a channel formed by walls 466 and 468 in the upper housing member. Springs, not shown, push down the stem portion 464 to polarize the lower housing member down. Brush belt 424, wound around pulleys 420 and 422, holds the upper and lower housing members together. The belt 424 is tensioned by the springs that act on the stem portion 464. A U-shaped metal strip 470 is attached to the upper housing member 460 and connects the gap 472 between the upper and lower housing members to provide a continuous surface for keep the seed in the housing between the upper opening 416 and the lower opening 418. The metal strip has a tab at the upper end of it folded over and inserted into a slot 474 in the upper housing member 460 to hold the metal strip 470 in the place. If necessary, a fastener, such as a nut and screw, can be positioned through the stem portion 464 and the upper housing member 460 to secure the upper and lower housing members together.
    Petition 870180045468, dated 05/28/2018, p. 27/33
    20/20 [0040] Different measuring members can be used for different types of seed. Measuring member 100 is intended for soybeans and other crops planted with an almost closed seed spacing. Maize which is planted at a larger seed spacing uses a measuring member 200 shown in Figs. 20 and 21. Measuring member 200 is constructed in a similar way as measuring member 100 and similar components are given with the same reference numerals, the numeral with the addition of 100. However, measuring member 200 has half of the number of openings 214 as the measuring member 100. To avoid the need to replace the ejector 166 when changing the measuring members, the measuring member 200 has a recess 226 that extends to the side wall 204 on the outer surface 210 of the wall side between each opening 214. The recesses 226 provide release for the projections 168 of the ejector 166 which are arranged to be inserted in each opening 114 of the measuring member 100. The recesses 226 are not open to the inner surface 208 of the side wall 204. Thus, there are additional projections 228 on the inner surface of the side wall 204 between the openings 214. Alternatively, the projections 228 and blocks 216 can be formed as a single projection extending from the inner surface 208.
    [0041] Having described the planting unit, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the attached claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (12)
    [1]
    1. Planting unit (14) for a planter (10) comprising:
    a planting unit frame member (18); and a seed meter (24) mounted to the planting unit frame member (18), the seed meter (24) having a housing (30) and a measuring member (100), characterized by the fact that the member measuring device (100) has a bowl-shaped body with a base portion (102) from which extends a side wall (104) with an inner surface (108) and an outer surface (110), the side wall ( 104) having a rim portion (112) adjacent to an outer edge (106) of the side wall (104), wherein in the rim portion (112) there is an annular arrangement of openings (114) extending through the side wall (104) between the inner (108) and outer (110) surfaces, where the measuring member (100) is rotatably mounted inside the housing (30) to rotate about an axis (132) inclined with respect to one or more of a horizontal plane, a vertical plane extending from the front to the back of the planter (10), and a vertical plane extending transversal to the planter (10), in which when the measuring member (100) rotates, individual seeds from a group of seeds (120) located in the bottom portion of the measuring member (100) are adhered to the openings (114) on the inner surface (108) of the side wall (104), the inner surface (108) of the side wall (104) and the housing (30) forming a passage in a bottom portion of the measuring member (100) to maintaining a grouping of seed (120), the inner surface (108) of the sidewall (104) of the metering member (100) in the passage being oriented at an angle between 5 and 75 ° relative to a vertical vector pointing up at the outer edge (106) of the side wall (104).
    Petition 870180136491, of 10/01/2018, p. 13/16
    [2]
    2/4
    Planting unit (14) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the internal surface (108) of the side wall (104) of the measuring member (100) in the passage is oriented at an angle between 10 ° and 50 ° with respect to a vertical vector pointing upwards from the outer edge (106) of the side wall (104).
    [3]
    Planting unit (14) according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the internal surface (108) of the side wall (104) of the measuring member (100) in the passage is oriented at an angle between 20 ° and 40 ° in relation to a vertical vector pointing upwards from the outer edge (106) of the side wall (104).
    [4]
    Planting unit (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it additionally comprises a covering member (34) to cover at least a portion of the outer surface (110) of the measuring member ( 100), the cover member (34) adapted to form a vacuum chamber on the outer surface (110) of the side wall (104) of the measuring member (100), the vacuum chamber extending from the passage to a position seed release (164) in a direction of rotation of the measuring member (100) in which when vacuum is applied to the vacuum chamber and the measuring member (100) is rotated, seed from the seed cluster (120) is adhered to the openings (114) of the measuring member (100) and sequentially transported to the release position (164).
    [5]
    Planting unit (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the measuring member (100) is adapted to adhere seed to the openings (114) to move seeds sequentially to a release position (164); and a mechanical seed dispensing system (400) adapted to take the seed from the measuring member (100) in the release position (164) and sweep seeds in a cross direction to a direction of seed displacement in the member
    Petition 870180136491, of 10/01/2018, p. 14/16
    3/4 (100) of measurement while the measuring member (100) rotates and moves the seed to a discharge location (413) adjacent to a seed groove (448) formed in the soil below the planter (10).
    [6]
    6. Planting unit (14) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the seed dispensing system (400) sweeps the seed in a direction that is at least 35 ° to the direction of seed displacement in the limb measurement (100).
    [7]
    Planting unit (14) according to either of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the seed dispensing system (400) sweeps the seed across the inner surface of the side wall in a direction that is between 50 ° and 80 ° for the direction of travel of the seed in the measuring member (100).
    [8]
    Planting unit (14) according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the dispensing system (400) comprises a brush belt (424) having bristles (428) that sweep over the side wall (104) of the measuring member in the release position (164) to take the seed from the measuring member (100) and move the seed to the discharge location (413).
    [9]
    Planting unit (14) according to claim 8, characterized in that the measuring member (100) comprises a projection (116) behind the openings (114) in a direction of rotation of the measuring member (100 ), the projections (116) adapted to push seed onto the bristles (428) of the brush belt (424).
    [10]
    Planting unit (14) according to either of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the seed enters the bristles (428) of the brush belt (424) at distal ends (430) of the bristles (428) .
    [11]
    11. Planting unit (14) according to either of claims 9 or 10, characterized by the fact that it comprises
    Petition 870180136491, of 10/01/2018, p. 15/16
    4/4 additionally an ejector (166) having at least one projection (168) adapted to extend into the openings (114) in the release position (164) from the outer surface (110) to push seed from the openings ( 114).
    [12]
    Planting unit (14) according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the mechanical seed dispensing system (400) has a housing (402) in which a brush belt (424) is moved to transport seed from the seed meter (24) to the discharge location (413), the dispensing system housing (402) having an opening (416) in which the side wall (104) of the measuring member ( 100) is received and additionally comprising a meter housing (30) in which the measuring member (100) is contained, the meter housing (30) having an opening (312) in it through which the brush belt (424 ) extends.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    BR112013024381B1|2019-01-08|planting unit for a planter
    BR112013024408B1|2018-12-11|seed dispenser for a pressure differential seed distributor
    BR112013024397B1|2019-02-26|SEED METER FOR A SEED MACHINE
    BR112013024393B1|2018-07-03|PLANT UNIT FOR A SEEDING MACHINE
    BR112013024396B1|2018-12-26|planting unit for a seeder with a locking member and a seed meter
    US9693498B2|2017-07-04|Seed-double eliminator for a planting unit
    BR102015001911B1|2020-06-16|PLANTING UNIT FOR A SEEDER
    EP2901836B1|2017-11-08|Seed-double eliminator and seeding machine with such
    BR132015013589E2|2018-12-04|seed dispensing apparatus and method for seed transfer
    BR102015001913B1|2020-06-16|ALIGNMENT SYSTEM
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    MX2013011023A|2014-07-09|
    US20120240838A1|2012-09-27|
    US20170172056A1|2017-06-22|
    CA2831078C|2019-09-03|
    CA2831078A1|2012-10-04|
    EP2688387A4|2015-07-15|
    MX339481B|2016-05-25|
    RU2605356C2|2016-12-20|
    US9661799B2|2017-05-30|
    US8850998B2|2014-10-07|
    WO2012135015A3|2013-06-27|
    EP2688387B1|2016-10-26|
    CN103458673A|2013-12-18|
    US10206326B2|2019-02-19|
    CA3050215A1|2012-10-04|
    CN103458673B|2016-11-09|
    US20150013581A1|2015-01-15|
    UA115223C2|2017-10-10|
    BR112013024381A2|2016-08-23|
    RU2013145878A|2015-04-27|
    US20190254224A1|2019-08-22|
    WO2012135015A2|2012-10-04|
    EP2688387A2|2014-01-29|
    US20200344941A1|2020-11-05|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US3636897A|1969-02-06|1972-01-25|Fmc Corp|Apparatus for precision planting|
    US1376933A|1920-08-23|1921-05-03|Jr William H P Gould|Plant-setting machine|
    US1480963A|1920-11-18|1924-01-15|George F Sproull|Seed planter|
    US2566406A|1949-06-20|1951-09-04|Dougherty Russell|Seed feeding disk with ejector brush|
    US2960258A|1953-10-12|1960-11-15|John M Dodwell|Apparatus for seed planting|
    US3176636A|1958-06-02|1965-04-06|Ray V Bailey|Planter mechanism|
    US3077290A|1959-09-24|1963-02-12|Max C Rehder|Seeding apparatus|
    US3156201A|1962-11-07|1964-11-10|Massey Ferguson Inc|Vacuum-type seed planter|
    CA932592A|1969-12-11|1973-08-28|Wietz Otto|Sowing device with pneumatic seed separator|
    US3757995A|1971-05-20|1973-09-11|Sperry Rand Corp|Small particle dispenser|
    US3990606A|1972-08-28|1976-11-09|H. Fahse & Co.|Single seed drilling machine|
    US3903815A|1973-09-28|1975-09-09|Robert D Winkler|Fertilizer applicator tool|
    US4023509A|1975-11-12|1977-05-17|Hanson Morris R|Apparatus for planting a plurality of individual seeds in a planting furrow|
    US4037755A|1976-01-29|1977-07-26|Massey-Ferguson Inc.|Pneumatic seed dispensing apparatus|
    US5170909A|1983-10-31|1992-12-15|Deere & Company|Vacuum seed meter|
    US4600122A|1984-03-23|1986-07-15|Deere & Company|Seed meter disk for use with sunflower and other seeds of long, slender shape|
    US4793511A|1984-03-26|1988-12-27|Deere & Company|Seed meter having seed disk aperture cleaning wiper and brush arrangement|
    SU1253450A1|1985-03-05|1986-08-30|Туркменский Научно-Исследовательский Институт Земледелия|Pneumatic sowing apparatus|
    FR2630288B1|1988-04-22|1990-08-24|Ribouleau Ateliers|DISPENSER FOR SINGLE-SEED DRILL|
    US5025736A|1988-10-03|1991-06-25|Anderson Kevin M|Furrow opener|
    RU2044436C1|1993-07-09|1995-09-27|Производственное объединение "Нижегородский машиностроительный завод"|Sowing apparatus|
    US6564730B2|1995-12-29|2003-05-20|Case Corporation|Seed planter apparatus and method|
    US5720233A|1996-03-04|1998-02-24|Deere & Company|Mechanical seed meter|
    US5855303A|1997-08-18|1999-01-05|Deere & Company|Wear insert for metering system|
    US6247418B1|1998-04-15|2001-06-19|Case Corporation|Seed metering system with improved wear enhancement|
    RU2137337C1|1998-04-21|1999-09-20|Семушкин Николай Иванович|Seeding unit|
    US6293438B1|1998-08-21|2001-09-25|American Cyanamid Company|Methods and apparatus for metering material|
    US6352042B1|2000-10-10|2002-03-05|Deere & Company|Internal seed knockout assembly|
    US6581535B2|2000-12-07|2003-06-24|Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.|Agricultural seed meter|
    US6516733B1|2001-12-21|2003-02-11|Precision Planting, Inc.|Vacuum seed meter and dispensing apparatus|
    US6681706B2|2002-02-26|2004-01-27|Precision Planting, Inc.|Apparatus and method for controlled delivery of seeds to an open furrow|
    US6729249B2|2002-03-05|2004-05-04|Precision Planting, Inc.|Seed belt housing with impact absorbing material to reduce seed skip and method for same|
    US6932236B2|2002-03-28|2005-08-23|Dale A. Ven Huizen|Method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of a John Deere vacuum planter|
    US6752095B1|2003-01-10|2004-06-22|Deere & Company|Seed metering system for use in a seeding machine|
    US6651570B1|2003-01-10|2003-11-25|Deere & Company|Seed placement system for use in a seeding machine|
    HUE024543T2|2005-08-19|2016-01-28|Prec Planting Llc|Seed singulator|
    US7448334B2|2005-11-14|2008-11-11|Deere & Company|Flat type seed meter disk with axially offset surface|
    US7404366B2|2005-12-02|2008-07-29|Deere & Company|Flat type seed meter disk with protruded pick up orifices|
    US7513200B2|2006-08-31|2009-04-07|Deere & Company|Seed singulator for a seed metering system in a seeding machine|
    US7451713B2|2007-04-13|2008-11-18|Deere & Company|Seed disk for a seed meter|
    RU2343675C1|2007-07-19|2009-01-20|Федеральное государственное образовательное учреждение высшего профессионального образования "Азово-Черноморская государственная агроинженерная академия" |Pneumatic seed-sowing device|
    US7661377B2|2007-07-23|2010-02-16|Deere & Company|Seed meter with flexible seed disc|
    SE533891C2|2008-11-18|2011-02-22|Vaederstad Verken Ab|Device at a seed dispensing device on an agricultural machine|
    US8850995B2|2009-02-02|2014-10-07|Deere & Company|Seeding machine with seed delivery system|
    US8671856B2|2009-02-02|2014-03-18|Deere & Company|Planting unit for a seeding machine having blocking member to control hand-off of seed from a seed meter to a seed delivery system|
    US7918168B2|2009-02-02|2011-04-05|Deere & Company|Differential pressure seed meter with an endless belt seed transport member|
    US20100224110A1|2009-03-06|2010-09-09|Nathan A Mariman|Seed Meter And Seed Disk With Peripheral Edge Seed Pick-Up|
    CA2665060A1|2009-04-29|2010-10-29|Straw Track Manufacturing Inc.|Singulating seed|
    US8850998B2|2011-03-25|2014-10-07|Deere & Company|Planting unit for a seeding machine having a seed meter and seed delivery system|
    UA114300C2|2011-09-27|2017-05-25|Пресіжн Плентінг Елелсі|Seed delivery apparatus, systems, and methods|US8850995B2|2009-02-02|2014-10-07|Deere & Company|Seeding machine with seed delivery system|
    US8671856B2|2009-02-02|2014-03-18|Deere & Company|Planting unit for a seeding machine having blocking member to control hand-off of seed from a seed meter to a seed delivery system|
    US8850998B2|2011-03-25|2014-10-07|Deere & Company|Planting unit for a seeding machine having a seed meter and seed delivery system|
    US8942894B2|2012-12-14|2015-01-27|Deere & Company|Seeding machine for planting multiple seed varieties and prescription for multiple varieties seeding machine|
    USD744007S1|2014-01-31|2015-11-24|Deere & Company|Liner element|
    US9775279B2|2014-05-09|2017-10-03|Deere & Company|Seed valve and planting method for multiple seed types|
    AR098148A1|2014-05-22|2016-05-04|Alberto Gentili Jorge|SEED DISTRIBUTOR DEVICE BY DIRECT DRIVING|
    US9801328B2|2014-11-07|2017-10-31|Deere & Company|Row unit for a seeding machine with dual seed meters|
    US9795078B2|2014-11-07|2017-10-24|Deere & Company|Row unit for a seeding machine with dual seed meters|
    US9648800B2|2014-11-07|2017-05-16|Deere & Company|Row unit for a seeding machine with dual seed meters|
    US9883624B2|2014-11-07|2018-02-06|Deere & Company|Row unit for a seeding machine with dual seed meters|
    US10517205B2|2014-11-07|2019-12-31|Deere & Company|Seed meter assembly for a seeding machine|
    DE102015001896A1|2015-02-26|2016-09-01|Gerald Funck|Separation unit for granular material|
    CN104929030A|2015-05-20|2015-09-23|浙江兄弟路标涂料有限公司|Pavement strip microsphere distribution vehicle|
    CN106385883B|2015-08-03|2022-03-08|迪尔公司|Seed sowing device|
    BR102015030944B1|2015-12-10|2021-08-10|Franco Felipe Peviani|EQUIPMENT FOR PRECISION VOLUMETRIC DOSAGE AND DISTRIBUTION FOR SOLID INPUTS FOR AGRICULTURAL USE|
    US10104830B2|2016-05-06|2018-10-23|Cote Ag Technologies, Llc|Row planter assembly|
    US10548259B2|2016-05-06|2020-02-04|Cote Ag Technologies, Llc|Seed meter assembly|
    BR102016029478A2|2016-12-15|2018-07-17|Jose Roberto Do Amaral Assy|pneumatic seed dispenser and pneumatic turbine|
    UA123756C2|2017-09-29|2021-05-26|Кінз Меньюфекчурінг, Інк.|Planter with high speed seed delivery apparatus|
    US10743460B2|2017-10-03|2020-08-18|Ag Leader Technology|Controlled air pulse metering apparatus for an agricultural planter and related systems and methods|
    CN110710427B|2019-11-14|2021-07-20|湖南农业大学|Rice direct seeding method|
    法律状态:
    2018-02-27| B07A| Technical examination (opinion): publication of technical examination (opinion)|
    2018-07-03| B06A| Notification to applicant to reply to the report for non-patentability or inadequacy of the application according art. 36 industrial patent law|
    2018-12-11| B09A| Decision: intention to grant|
    2019-01-08| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 23/03/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US13/072,051|US8850998B2|2011-03-25|2011-03-25|Planting unit for a seeding machine having a seed meter and seed delivery system|
    PCT/US2012/030326|WO2012135015A2|2011-03-25|2012-03-23|Planting unit for a seeding machine having a seed meter and seed delivery system|
    [返回顶部]