• 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:
    This document shows a method for calibrating the feed rate of a discharge device (1) for airflow-borne discharge of granular material in an agricultural implement. The discharge device (1) comprises a first volumetric feeder (5, 50) with a first feed rotor arranged to feed a first granular material (M1) to an air flow duct (3, 30, 31, 32), and a second volumetric feeder (7 , 70) with a second feed rotor arranged to feed a second granular or powdered material (M2) to the air flow channel (3, 30, 31, 32). The method comprises advancing the agricultural implement during a first time period, during the first time period driving the first feed rotor (5, 50) at a first rotational speed for feeding a first granular material (M1), counting by means of a granule counting device (10a 10b) a number discharged granules in the air flow channel (3, 30, 31, 32) of the first granular material, to, based on the number of granules and the first rotational speed, calculate a first feed rate of the first feeder (5, 50), to advance the agricultural implement under a second time period, to drive the first feed rotor (5, 50) during the second time period so as to achieve a first predetermined granule discharge rate, and to drive the second feed rotor (7, 70) during the second time period, so that both the first (M!) and the second (M2) material is fed into the air flow duct (3, 30, 31, 32). The document also shows a discharge device and an agricultural implement comprising such a discharge device. g. 1)
    公开号:SE1650709A1
    申请号:SE1650709
    申请日:2016-05-23
    公开日:2017-11-24
    发明作者:Stark Crister
    申请人:Väderstad Holding Ab；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    TECHNICAL FIELD This document relates to a method for calibrating the feed rate of the hose discharge device for the airflow-borne discharge of granular material into an agricultural implement. The method can be used in agricultural implements which use airflow-borne discharge, such as seed drills.
    The document also relates to a discharge device for airflow-borne discharge of granular material in an agricultural implement which can be calibrated according to the above procedure.
    Background It is known that in agricultural implements such as seeding machines use a generated air flow to transport granular or powdery material, such as seed, fertilizer or pesticide, from containers, via a distributor and further through channels to a plurality of discharge tools such as seed beetles and so on. A feeder with a rotor can be used to feed material from the container to the air flow. By using a single feeder, you can ensure that the right amount of material is fed to the air flow.
    Such volumetric feeders have previously been used in conjunction with a single-mechanical coupling to a paddle wheel which engages the ground, the speed of the feeder being controlled mechanically in relation to the ground.
    In recent years, electric or hydraulically driven feeders have increasingly begun to be used, which gives greater freedom to control the feeder in relation to the driving speed.
    Another trend is to increase the precision of the grain, ie. to more precisely control how much seed is fed per unit area, which in turn provides an opportunity to optimize yield and growth.
    It is thus desirable to be able to calibrate the feeder, in order to be able to ensure that the right amount of material is fed out per unit area. This is the case, for example, with grain, where it is usually desired to ensure a certain amount of seed 2 per unit area of, for example, an acre. The desired amount of seed per unit area can depend on a number of parameters such as type of crop, size of granules, soil, etc.
    One way of calibrating a feeder is to use one or more sensors to count the number of granules passing in one or more places in the air flow ducts and to then, based on these measured values, adjust the feed rate of the feeder so that the desired amount of output is achieved. An example of calibration of a feeder of an agricultural implement with air flow feeding of seed is found in US 2014/0076217.
    In a number of situations, it can be advantageous to sow one or more additional products from the agricultural implement when sowing, in addition to the crop that is to be sown, so-called mix sowing. For example, a smaller amount of fertilizer can advantageously be fed together with the seeds. In this way, plant access is given to a little extra nutrition, which promotes its establishment. There may also be a reason to sow two or more different types of crops at the same time, for example when one crop acts as a support plant for another crop or where one simply wants to sow different crops on the same field. In the case of mixed seed, there is also a container with the crop to be sown and another container or several containers containing, for example, fertilizer or some additional crop. The contents of the containers are fed into a duct and passed by means of an air flow to a number of discharge tools, such as seed beetles. to then be distributed over the field.
    A difficulty with calibration in mixed grain is that the count of granules does not give correct values when an unknown number of particles are added to the air flow. When it comes to fertilization, the particles also vary greatly in size, usually from dust and up to pea size. The mixture of granules in the air flow means that the quantity determination cannot be performed with regard as the sensors for dettainte can distinguish between what are granules to be counted and what is not the earth.
    It would thus be desirable to provide an improved calibration method as well as an improved device in this regard.
    SUMMARY An object is to provide an improved method for calibrating the feed rate of an airflow-borne material discharge device discharging granular material in an agricultural implement, and thus an improved airflow-carrying discharge device for a granular material in an agricultural implement.
    The invention is defined by the appended independent claims. Embodiments appear from the dependent claims, from the following description and from the drawings.
    According to a first aspect, a method of calibrating the discharge rate of an airflow-borne discharge dispenser of a farm implement is provided, the dispenser comprising a first volumetric feeder having a first feed rotor arranged to feed a first granular material to the airflow vessel. during a first time period, during the first time period operating the first feed rotor at a first rotational speed for feeding a first granular material, calculating a number of discharged granules in the air flow channel of the first granular material by means of a granule counting device, calculating, based on the number of granules and the the first rotation speed, a first feed rate of the first feeder, to advance the agricultural implement during a second time period, to drive the feed rotor of the first feeder during the second time period so that a first predetermined gr anul discharge rate is achieved, during the second time period, feeding a second granular or powdered material by means of a second feeder to the air flow channel, so that both the first and the second material are fed into the air flow channel.
    By advancing the agricultural implement for a first period and during that period only operating the first feed rotor, while no feeding from the second container to the air flow channel takes place, the first 4 feeders can be calibrated separately. During this time period, only the first granular material is present in the air flow, which means that the counting of granules with the granule counting device becomes correct. No disturbances occur as a result of other material in the discharge device. Feedback from the granule counting device regarding the number of granules discharged into the air flow channel of the first granular material, and that the first rotational speed of the feed feeder rotor is known, means that a calculation of a first feed rate of the first feeder can be made.
    The granule discharge rate is thus the number of discharged granules of a granular material, for example granules / m2.
    After calibration during the first time period, the number of granules for a certain rotational speed is thus known, alternatively the number of granules per step or other angular unit of the feed rotor. Additional known parameters are included in the speed of the agricultural implement and the width over which the agricultural implement discharges.
    Consequently, the rotational speed can then be set during the second time period to achieve the desired output rate from that first feeder.
    The rotational speed of a volumetric feeder can be described as the number of pulses or steps the feeder rotor is to be rotated per distance traveled.
    The predetermined granule discharge rate may be pre-programmed or entered by the user. The desired value depends, for example, on the type of crop, the desired seed density, soil and more.
    The second material can be fed to the air flow channel downstream of the first feeder but upstream of the granule counting device, seen in the direction of the air flow. In conventional calibration, a single count of the number of granules would be misleading when two materials are mixed in the air flow and the count is performed after supply of two materials in the air flow channel. In the above method, however, a correct calibration can be performed despite the fact that a second material is supplied to the air flow duct after the supply of the first granular material but before the granule counting device, seen in the direction of the air flow. Material from the air flow duct can be fed via a distributor to a plurality of feeding tools of the agricultural implement. The granule count can be performed downstream of the distributor seen in the direction of air flow. For example, sensors can be placed on some or all air flow ducts leading between the distributor manifold head and the discharge tools. This results in as correct a value as possible of the number of granules that can be passed, where one can use values from a number of sensors and calculate, for example, an average or median value for the number of granules. An incorrect value, for example if one of the sensors stops working, does not affect as much as if only a single sensor is used.
    The method may further comprise receiving input from a user with respect to a desired change in granule discharge rate by 110 ° />, and adjusting the rotational speed of the feed rotor so that a change in the predetermined granule discharge rate by 110 ° /> is achieved. During the thread, a user thus adjusts a pre-programmed or previously input value at the desired output rate of a granular material, which may be advantageous if the user upon sowing discovers that an increase or decrease would be appropriate in the prevailing circumstances.
    Furthermore, the method may comprise performing the steps for the second volumetric feeder: advancing the agricultural implement during a third time period which is different from the first and the second time period and before the second time period, during the third time period operating the feed rotor of the second feeder at a second rotational speed for feeding a granular material, to count by the granule counting device a number of discharged granules in the air flow channel of the second granular material, to calculate, based on the number of granules per unit time and the rotation speed of the second feeder rotor, a feed rate of the second feeder, and to drive the feed rotor of the second feeder rotor. the second feeder so that a second predetermined granule discharge rate is achieved. Thus, in the case where the second container contains granular material, for example in the case of simultaneous sowing of two different crops, the second container can be calibrated separately for a third period of time before the first and second materials are mixed in the air flow channel.
    During the third time period, the second feeder can be driven and the first feeder can not be driven, so that said number of discharged granules only corresponds to the number of granules fed by the second feeder.
    Thus, separate measured values are obtained for the first and second feeds.
    Alternatively, during the third time period, both the first feeder and the second feeder may be operated so that said number of discharged granules corresponds to the sum of the number of granules fed from the first feeder and the number of granules fed from the second feeder.
    Thus, first a value corresponding to the feed rate of the first feeder is obtained and then a value corresponding to the sum of feed rates of the first and second feeders. Based on the sum value, the feed rate of the other feeder can be derived. Pilot-equivalent principles can also be applied to arrangements with three or more feeders. In a case where the discharge device further comprises a third volumetric feeder with a feed rotor arranged to feed a third granular material to the air flow channel, the method may further comprise the steps of the third volumetric feeder: performing the agricultural implement for a fourth period of time which is different from the first, the second and the third time period and before the second time period, during the fourth time period, to drive the feed rotor of the third feeder at a third rotational speed for feeding a third granular material, to count by the granule counting device a number of discharged granules in the air flow channel of the third granular material. based on the number of granules and the third feed rotor rotation speed, a feed rate of the third feeder, 7 to drive the feed rotor of that third feeder during the second time period so that a third predetermined granule discharge rate is achieved, and that during the second t During this period, feed the third granular material to the air flow channel, so that both the first, the second and the third material are fed into the air flow channel.
    A third container can be used, for example, when sowing two different crops plus fertilizer, or when sowing three different crops. The third container is then calibrated separately for a fourth period of time, and thus a rotational speed of the feed rotor of the third feeder can then be set to obtain the desired discharge rate of the third granular material.
    In addition to this, additional containers are conceivable which feed material to the air flow duct, which in such a case is calibrated as specified for the third container above.
    The length of the first time period can be determined based on a quantity of variances dispensed with respect to said number of discharged granules in the air flow channel, preferably based on the variance being below a predetermined value for a certain time. Furthermore, a relationship between driving speed and rotational speed based on said variance can be determined. In this way, the agricultural implement is carried forward for such a long period of time that the value of the fringe granule counting device can be considered stable and thus suitable for use in the calibration calculation. In this way it is possible to compensate for such variations which may arise as a result of vibrations arising from the movement of the agricultural implement, and / or from variations in the ability of the granules to flow under the influence of gravity.
    According to a second aspect, a discharge device is provided for airflow-borne discharge of granular material in an agricultural implement, comprising: a first container for a first granular material, a first volumetric feeder with a first feed rotor arranged to feed the first material from the first container to a second air flow channel, container for a second granular or powdered material, a second volumetric feeder with a second feed rotor arranged to feed the second material from the second container to the air flow duct, the second feeder being arranged to feed the second material to the air flow duct downstream of the first feeder direction of an air flow direction. the air channel, and the air flow channel is arranged to guide the first and second materials to a plurality of discharge tools of the agricultural implement, a granule counting device for counting the number of granules transported in the air flow channel, the granule counting device being arranged downstream the first and the second feeder, and a control unit for controlling the first and second feeders, the control unit being arranged: for a first time period operating only the first feed rotor with a first rotational speed, for during the first time period collecting data from the granule counting device representing number of granules, calculating, based on said number of discharged granules and the first rotational speed of the feed rotor, a first feed rate of that first feeder, and operating the first and second feeders for a second period of time, the first feeder being driven to achieve a first predetermined granule discharge rate.
    The discharge device may further comprise a distributor for conveying material from the air flow channel to the discharge tools via a plurality of air flow channels.
    The granule counting device can be arranged downstream of the distributor set in the direction of the air flow.
    The output device may further comprise a user interface for presenting information to a user as well as receiving offspring from the user. In this way, information can be presented to the pre-user, for example the current number of granules in the feeders, the number of calculated granules in the air flow, the prevailing granule discharge rate, etc. The user also has the option of entering instructions to the discharge device, for example regarding the desired granule discharge rate and more.
    The control unit of the output device may be further arranged: during a third time period, which is different from the first and second time periods and occurs before the second time period, the drive feed rotor of the second feeder at a second rotational speed, to obtain data from the granule counting device during the third time period. granules of the second granular material, to calculate, based on the number of granules discharged and the feed rotor other rotational speed, a second feed rate of the second feeder, and to operate the second feeder during the second time period to provide a second predetermined granule discharge rate of the second granular material.
    In this way, the output from the second container is calibrated separately from the calibration of the first container, for example when the two containers contain two different crops to be planted.
    Furthermore, the dispensing device may also comprise a third container for a third granular material, and a third volumetric feeder with a single-feed rotor arranged to feed the third granular material from the third container to the air flow duct, and the control unit may be further arranged: for a fourth period of time, which is different from the first, second and third time periods and occurs before the second time period, the drive feed rotor of the third feeder at a third rotational speed, to obtain during the fourth time period data from the granule counting device concerning the number of granules of the third granular material, to calculate based on number of granules discharged and feed rotor third rotational speed, a third feed rate of the third feeder, and during the second time period operating the first, second and third feeders, the third feeder being driven to provide a third predetermined granule discharge rate for the third feeder of the third granular material.
    This means that separate calibration of a third container containing granular material can be performed.
    The granule counting device may comprise one or more sensors counting granules at one or more places in the air flow channel and / or in the air flow channels departing from the distributor to the discharge tools.
    The sensors register the number of granules that pass and the values from several sensors can be used to ensure as accurate results as possible.
    According to a third aspect, an agricultural implement comprising a discharge device is provided as described above.
    The agricultural implement can be a seed drill, a precision seed drill with a so-called nursing function, a device for spreading fertilizer or pesticides, or a combination of these.
    Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a discharge device for discharging granular material.
    Fig. 2 shows an agricultural implement comprising a feeding device according to Fig. 1.
    Figs. 3a-3d show different feeding scenarios that can be achieved with a system such as that in the agricultural implement in Fig. 1.
    Detailed Description Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a dispensing device for airflow-borne dispensing of granular material in an agricultural implement. The dispensing device 1 comprises a first container 4 for a first granular material l1 / l1, a second container 6 for a second granular or powdered material l / l2 . The first container connects to a first feeder 5 and the second container comprises a second feeder 7. Furthermore, the dispensing device 1 comprises a fan 2, an air flow duct 3 and a distributor 8. The distributor comprises a distributor head and a plurality of air flow ducts leading to a number of dispensing tools 9a-9d of the agricultural implement. The discharge device 1 further comprises a granule counting device with one or more sensors 10a, 10b and a control unit 11.
    The first container 4 is connected to the air flow duct 3 via the first feeder 5. Correspondingly, the second container 6 is connected to the air flow duct 3 via the second feeder 7. The fan 2 is connected to an upstream portion of the air flow duct and a downstream portion of the air flow duct to the distributor 8. comprises a manifold head with a plurality of outlets connected, each with its own discharge tool 9a-9d via its own air flow channel, for example in the form of a pipe or hose.
    The sensors 10a, 10b of the granule counter device in Fig. 1 are arranged connected to air flow ducts emanating from the distributor head 8.
    The control unit 11 is connected to the feeders 5, 7 and the sensors 10a, 10b of the granule counting device.
    Granular material l / l1 from the first container 4 is fed to the air flow duct 3 via the first feeder 5. The l / charger is preferably a volumetric feeder, but can also be of some other type. The lateral surface located in the container 4 falls mainly under the influence of the gravity via a material inlet to the feeder 5. The lathe 5 is formed with a feed rotor, which is for example divided into a plurality of delimited compartments which are open along the circumference of the feed rotor, and where each compartment holds a predetermined volume. As the feed rotor rotates, material is taken from the material inlet through an inlet opening so that compartments that are upright open are filled. The dematar rotor continues to rotate, the opening of the respective compartment will face the air flow channel 3, which means that the granules which are thereby by gravity fall down into the channel 3. The rotational speed of the latar rotor can be controlled by means of the control unit 11, which means an increased or decreased amount granules are discharged from the hopper 4 to the channel 3. For example, the feeder can be driven by a stepper motor or by a motor with speed control. 12 l the air flow duct 3 feeds material further into the device by means of a generated air flow F. The air flow F is provided in a conventional manner by means of one or more fans 2, which may be hydraulically or electrically driven. The fan generates an air flow which transports the material 3 to the discharge tools 9a-9d via the vial air flow channel 3, the distributor head and the distributor air flow channels.
    From the second container 6 a granular or powdered material l1 / l2 can be fed via a second feeder 7 to the air flow channel 3. The second container 6 can for instance contain fertilizer to be added to the crop to be planted, or an additional crop in complement to the granular material to be fed. out from the first container 4, for example so-called “companion crop”. The second feeder 7 may be of the same type as the first feeder 5 or of a different type, depending on the material which is discharged from the second hopper 6. The second hopper 6 may be positioned so that material from it is discharged downstream, in the air flow F direction, the feed from the first feeder 5, but it could also be located so that the feed takes place upstream of the feed from the first feeder 4.
    The discharge device 1 in Fig. 1 also comprises a granule counting device. The granule counting device may comprise one or more sensors 10a, 10b for counting granules. The sensors may be located at different points in the discharge device 1. Preferably, a plurality of sensors are arranged in all or some of the air flow ducts leading out of the distributor head. Alternatively, or as a complement, one or more sensors can be arranged in the air flow channel 3 upstream of the distributor 8, seen in the air flow direction.
    The sensors used to count granules passing through the airflow at a given time may be of the optical, magnetic or ultrasonic type, for example, but other types of sensors may also be used. By registering objects passing its sensing area, information can be obtained about the number of granules passing through a certain position per unit of time. When a plurality of sensors are used for counting, the number of granules passing per unit time can be calculated by compiling data from all sensors and from this calculate a value, for example a mean value from the output of all sensors. In this way, an acceptable result of the calculation is ensured even if an individual sensor for some reason would return an incorrect value.
    Information from the sensors 10a, 10b is sent to the control unit 11 for further processing. The control unit 11 is arranged to receive signals from the sensors 10a, 10b, perform calculations and send output signals to other units, for example to one or more feeders 5, 7 in the output device 1. The control unit 11 may comprise a single control unit or a plurality of cooperating control units. It can also be arranged to communicate with other devices on the agricultural implement as well as a device for presenting information to a user and for receiving commands from the user. It is also conceivable that the control unit 11 is arranged to send and receive signals from units which are not arranged on the agricultural implement such as a remote server for storing data, or an information unit for monitoring the status of the agricultural implement and so on.
    Calibration of the discharge of the first granular material l1 / l1 from the first container 4 is performed by the control unit 11 driving only the first feeder 5 for a first period of time to discharge granules of the first material into the air flow channel 3. The second feeder 2c of the second container 6 (as well as other feeders belonging to additional containers if such) are not operated. The agricultural implement is driven at a first speed V1 and has a known width B over which granular material is discharged. For the first granular material, there is a first predetermined feed rate perarea unit TA1 which is desired to be achieved. The predetermined feeding rate perarea unit depends on the type of crop in question, granule size, soil and more. The predetermined value can be pre-programmed or specified by the user when using the agricultural implement.
    When the agricultural implement is advanced during the first time period, the granule counting device, by using one or more sensors, calculates how 14 quantities of granules pass per unit of time when driving the feed rotor of the first feeder at a first rotational speed Rf. This information is sent to the control unit with which calculations can be made based on the received values. Because the rotational speed FH and the number of granules per time unit in the air flow are known variables, the number of granules that are discharged per revolution or per step of the first feeder 5 can be determined.
    Because the speed V of the agricultural implement and the width B (the part of the working width of the machine fed by the system) are also known variables, the control unit can thus, after calibration, drive the first feed rotor at a speed which achieves the desired number of granular per unit area.
    The discharge device may further comprise a third container (not shown) with granular or powdered material connected to the air flow duct 3 via a third feeder. Sometimes, for example, it may be desirable to sow or harvest several crops at the same time or to have several containers to accommodate more material on the agricultural implement. It is also conceivable to include additional containers in the discharge device, connected to the air flow duct 3.
    In the event that there are several containers with material, each feeder can be calibrated separately for a respective period of time until the desired discharge amount per unit area for the material in question is reached.
    Calibration as above can thus be performed for all containers with associated feeders for granular material used in the dispensing device. By calibrating each container separately for a certain period of time, the granule counting device is not disturbed by extraneous particles, but a correct counting of the granules in question is achieved.
    It will be appreciated that calibration can be performed by running one feeder at a time, providing measurement values for each of the feeders.
    Alternatively, the feeders can be activated sequentially, each activation being followed by a measurement / count before the next feeder is activated. Each measured value will thus correspond to the sum of the feeds from the feeders that are active.
    Transmission of information within the output device 1 and to and from it can take place wirelessly or wired, depending on the prevailing circumstances.
    The length of the first time period can be a predetermined value, for example corresponding to a certain time. Alternatively, the length of the period may correspond to a certain distance and thus be dependent on the speed of travel during the first time period.
    As a further alternative, the length of the time period can be dynamic, for example depending on a measure of the variance of the output rate being measured. The variance can then be measured rolling for a predetermined period of time, for example 10-30 seconds, until a predetermined time average value of the variance measure is reached. As a measure of variance, for example, some form of measure of variance or standard deviation can be used.
    If such a time average is not reached within a certain time, the procedure can be restarted, an error message is made, or the predetermined time average is adjusted upwards, so that greater variation is allowed. Fig. 2 shows an agricultural implement 100, which comprises a pair of containers 40, 60 and a pair of parallel feeding systems corresponding to what has been described above: a right feeding system and a left feeding system.
    In the example shown, both feeding systems retrieve material from both containers 40, 60. It will be appreciated that each system may have its own, separate, container. The charging system comprises a fan 20, which is arranged to provide an air flow as described above. In the example shown, the fan feeds the air flow to a cavity within a portion of the agricultural implement frame 30.
    In the following, only the right feeding system will be described, and with reference to Figs. 3a-3d, but it will be appreciated that the left feeding system may be constructed in an analogous manner. It will also be appreciated that more than two feed systems may be provided, for example three, four or five parallel feeding systems. In Figs. 3a-3d, a first supply circuit is thus provided, through which a rear distributor 80b is fed, and a second supply circuit, through which a front distributor 80f is fed.
    From the cavity, a first outlet 33 leads to a first channel which forms the first supply circuit. Furthermore, a second outlet 34 leads from the cavity to the second channel 32, which forms a second supply circuit.
    The outlets can be provided with respective controllable valves (in a known manner), so that the discharge from the feeder can be selectively directed to one or more alternative or supplementary channels, which makes it possible to achieve greater flexibility in the discharge.
    In the example shown, there are thus two containers 40, 60 (Fig. 2) and feeders 50, 70 associated with the respective containers, which can selectively feed material to both channels 31, 32.
    By this arrangement it is thus possible to selectively effect feeding of two or more crops or materials to two or more distributors.
    In the system shown, therefore, both feeders have a respective "gear" which makes it possible to control the output from the respective feeders 50, 70 to one of two parallel channels 31, 32. In Figs. 3a-3d a closed outlet is indicated with Hereby it is possible to achieve a number of different feed scenarios.
    According to a first scenario, as shown in Fig. 3a, only the rear travel carriages 90b are used, which are fed via the rear distributor 80b.
    In this scenario, material can be fed from the front container 40 and from the rear container 60. Both materials are then fed via the first outlet of the respective feeders to the same channel 31 and the second outlets of the feeders are closed. The valve which controls the inlet 33 to the first channel 30 is open here and the valve which controls the inlet 34 to the second channel 32 can be closed here.
    According to a second scenario, as shown in Fig. 3b, only the front sieve beetles are used, which are fed via the front distributor 80f. In this scenario, material can be fed from both containers via the second channel 32, the valve controlling the inlet 34 being open, and the valve directing the inlet 33 to the first channel 31 being closed.
    The first outlets of both feeders are closed here, and the second outlets of both feeders are open, so that material is fed to the second channel 32.
    The scenarios shown in Figs. 3a and 3b can be used in so-called "mix grain". According to a third scenario, shown in Fig. 3c, both inlets 33, 34 can be open and the first outlet of the front feeder 50 is closed and the second outlet of the rear feeder 70 is closed. Thus, material from the first feeder 50 is fed via the rear distributor 80b to the rear sieve beetles and material from the second feeder 70 is fed via the front distributor 80f to the front sieve beetles.
    According to a fourth scenario, shown in Fig. 3d, both inlets 33, 34 may be open and the second outlet of the front feeder 50 is closed and the first outlet of the rear feeder 70 is closed. Thus, material from the first feeder 50 is fed via the front distributor 80f to the front seed beetles and material from the second feeder 70 is fed via the rear distributor 80b to the rear seed beetles.
    The scenarios shown in Figs. 3c and 3d can be used for so-called "combi-seed".
    For example, the material obtained from the front feeder may constitute a main crop and the material obtained from the rear feeder may constitute a second material, for example fertilizer or a companion crop.
    It will be appreciated that the left, or further, feed system may be designed and operated in the same manner.
    It is also understood that each feed system may comprise more than two feeders, for example 3, 4 or 5 feeders, which sequentially feed material or several air flows.
    Calibration of the respective feeders can be achieved as described above, ie. by performing a calibration run with granule counting for each feeder while the other feeders are switched off. 18 Furthermore, it is understood that for feeders which feed materials which are not suitable for calculation by means of granule counters, such as, for example, fertilizers or pesticides, calibration can be done individually, in a known manner, by tensile tests.
    Furthermore, it will be appreciated that although it is not possible to count granules with acceptable reliability while driving, the granule counting sensors 10a, 10b can still be used while driving.
    For example, the granule counters can be used to provide an indication of whether or not feeding is taking place: even if the feeders do not show the correct number of granules, they can still show that material flow occurs in the respective line, which can therefore be used as an indication that the feeding is working.
    Furthermore, the granule counters can be used to assess whether the distribution between channels leaving the distributor 9, 80 is within acceptable limits, or if a stop has occurred in some outgoing line.
    By providing all channels with granule counters, such an indication can be achieved for all channels.
    Depending on the type of material being fed, it is also possible to track the distribution for a given combination of materials over time, even if you do not get the exact value of the number of granules.
    权利要求:
    Claims (17)
    [1]
    A method for calibrating the feed rate of a single discharge device (1) for airflow-borne discharging granular material into an agricultural implement, the discharging device (1) comprising: a first volumetric feeder (5, 50) having a first feed rotor adapted to feed a first granular material ( I / I1) to an air flow duct (3,30,31, 32), and a second volumetric feeder (7, 70) with a second feed rotor arranged to feed a second granular or powdered material (I / l2) to the air flow duct ( 3, 30, 31, 32), the method comprising: advancing the agricultural implement for a first period of time, during the first period of time operating the first feed rotor (5, 50) at a first rotational speed for feeding a first granular material (IV11), by means of a granule counting device (10a 10b) counting a number of discharged granules in the air flow channel (3, 30, 31, 32) of the first granular material, that, based on the number of granules and the first rotational ha calculate a first feed rate of the first feeder (5, 50), to advance the agricultural implement for a second period of time, to drive the first feed rotor (5, 50) during the second time period so that a first predetermined granule feed rate is achieved, and that during the the second time period drives the second feed rotor (7, 70), so that both the first (l / ll) and the second (l / l2) material are fed into the air flow duct (3, 30, 31, 32).
    [2]
    A method according to claim 1, wherein the second material (I1 / I1) supply air flow duct (3, 30, 31, 32) downstream of the supply from the first feeder (5, 50) but upstream of the granule counting device (10a, 10b), seen in the air flow (F ) direction.
    [3]
    A method according to claim 1, wherein the second material (1/12) supplies the supply air flow channel (3, 30, 31, 32) upstream of the supply from the first feeder (5, 50) but upstream of the granule counting device (10a, 10b), seen in the air flow (F ) direction.
    [4]
    A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein material from the air flow duct (3, 30, 31, 32) is fed via a distributor (8, 80hb, 80vb, 80hf) to a plurality of discharge tools (9a-9d) of the agricultural implement.
    [5]
    A method according to claim 3, wherein said number of discharged granular per unit time of the first granular material is counted downstream of the distributor (8, 80hb, 80vb, 80hf) seen in the direction of the air flow (F).
    [6]
    A method according to any preceding claim further comprising, during the second time period, receiving input from a user regarding a desired change in granule discharge rate, and adjusting the rotational speed of the feed rotor so that a corresponding change of the predetermined granule discharge rate is effected.
    [7]
    A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises: for the second volumetric feeder (7, 70) performing the steps: performing the agricultural implement during a third time period which is different from the first and second time periods and falls before the second time period, that during the third time period, drive the feed rotor of the second feeder (7, 70) at a second rotational speed for feeding a granular material (M2), to count by means of the granule counting device a number of discharged granules the air flow channel (3, 30, 31, 32) of the second granular material (M2), 21, based on the number of granules per unit time and the rotational speed of the second feeder rotor, calculating a feed rate of that second feeder (7, 70), and during the second time period operating the feed rotor of that second feeder (7, 70) so that a second predetermined granule discharge rate per unit area is achieved.
    [8]
    A method according to claim 7, wherein during the third time period, the second feeder is operated and the first feeder is not operated, so that said number of granules discharged corresponds only to the number of granules fed by the second feeder.
    [9]
    The method of claim 7, wherein during the third time period, both the first feeder and the second feeder are operated so that said number of discharged granules corresponds to a sum of the number of granules fed from the first feeder and the number of granules fed from the second feeder.
    [10]
    A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the first time period is determined based on a measured on the variation of said number of granules discharged into the air flow channel, preferably based on a variance or a standard deviation, for a certain time, being below a predetermined value.
    [11]
    Dispensing device (1) for airflow-borne discharge of granular material in an agricultural implement, comprising: a first container (4, 40) for a first granular material (l / / l1), a first volumetric feeder (5, 50) with a first feed rotor device feeding the first material from the first container to a single air flow duct (3, 30, 31, 32), a second container (6, 60) for a second granular or powdered material (1/12), 22 a second volumetric feeder (7, 70) with a second feed rotor arranged to feed the second material from the second container to the air flow channel (3, 30, 31, 32), the second feeder (7, 70) being arranged to feed the second material to the air flow channel (3, 30, 31, 32), and the air flow channel (3, 30, 31, 32) is arranged to guide the first and second material to a plurality of discharge tools (9a-9d) in the agricultural implement, a granule counting device (10a, 10b) for counting the number of granules transported in the air flow channel, fir the counting device is arranged downstream of the first and the second feeder, and a control unit (11) for controlling the first and second feeders, the control unit being arranged: to drive only the first feed rotor during a first time period with first rotation speed, to collect data during the first time period the granule counting device representing the number of granules, to calculate, based on said number of granules discharged per unit time the first rotational speed of the feed rotor, a first feed rate of the first feeder (5, 50), and to operate the first and second feeders (5, 7 for a second period of time; 50, 70) wherein the first feeder is driven to provide a first predetermined granule discharge rate.
    [12]
    The discharge device of claim 11, further comprising a manifold (8, 80hb, 80vb, 80hf) for conveying material from the air flow channel (3, 30, 31, 32) to the discharge tools (9a-9d) via a plurality of air flow channels.
    [13]
    Dispensing device according to claim 11, wherein the granule counting device is arranged downstream of the distributor (8, 80hb, 80vb, 80hf) seen in the direction of the air flow (F). 23
    [14]
    An output device according to any one of claims 11-13, further comprising a user interface for presenting information to a user and receiving commands from the user.
    [15]
    An output device according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein the control unit (11) is further arranged: that during a third time period, which is separate from the first and second time periods and occurs before the second time period, the drive feed rotor of the second feeder (7, 70 ) with a second rotational speed, to obtain during the third time period data from the granule counting device representing the number of granules per unit of time of the second material (l / / l2), to calculate, based on the number of discharged granules per unit of time the second rotational speed of the second feeder, and during the second time period operating the second feeder (7, 70) to provide a second predetermined granule discharge rate per unit area of the second material (IV12).
    [16]
    Dispensing device according to any one of claims 11-15, wherein the granule counting device comprises one or more sensors (10a, 10b) counting granules at one or more places in the air flow channel (3, 30, 31, 32) and / or in those from the distributor (8). , 80hb, 80vb, 80hf) to the discharge tools (9a-9d) outgoing airflow ducts.
    [17]
    Agricultural implements comprising at least one of the discharge devices according to any of claims 11-16.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    WO2017204716A1|2017-11-30|
    US20190200514A1|2019-07-04|
    US10863666B2|2020-12-15|
    EP3462828A1|2019-04-10|
    SE539925C2|2018-01-16|
    CA3024384A1|2017-11-30|
    EP3462828B1|2020-04-29|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US20100264163A1|2008-11-13|2010-10-21|Tevs Nikolai R|Product Dispensing Apparatus And Method|
    US20120022646A1|2008-12-15|2012-01-26|Allergan, Inc.|Prosthetic device and method of using in breast augmentation and/or breast reconstruction|
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    US8695396B2|2010-08-12|2014-04-15|Deere & Company|Method of calibrating the meter of a product distribution apparatus and monitoring method|
    US8408478B2|2010-08-20|2013-04-02|Deere & Company|Product distribution apparatus with system and method of automatic meter calibration|
    US9043949B2|2012-09-14|2015-06-02|Deere & Company|System and method of calibrating the meter of a product distribution machine|US10918010B2|2018-09-07|2021-02-16|Cnh Industrial Canada, Ltd.|Air cart automatic fan control|
    US10820486B2|2018-09-07|2020-11-03|Cnh Industrial Canada, Ltd.|Air cart automatic fan control calibration|
    CA3124021A1|2019-05-31|2020-12-03|Precision Planting Llc|Methods and systems for using duty cycle of sensors to determine seed or particle flow rate|
    US11259456B2|2020-01-07|2022-03-01|Cnh Industrial America Llc|Applicator with multiple offset booms and method of controlling the same|
    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    SE1650709A|SE539925C2|2016-05-23|2016-05-23|Method for calibrating the feed rate of an output device, an output device and an agricultural tool provided with such an output device|SE1650709A| SE539925C2|2016-05-23|2016-05-23|Method for calibrating the feed rate of an output device, an output device and an agricultural tool provided with such an output device|
    PCT/SE2017/050479| WO2017204716A1|2016-05-23|2017-05-12|Method for calibration of feed rate of a metering device and a metering device|
    US16/303,244| US10863666B2|2016-05-23|2017-05-12|Method for calibration of feed rate of a metering device and a metering device|
    EP17737921.1A| EP3462828B1|2016-05-23|2017-05-12|Method for calibration of feed rate of a metering device and a metering device|
    CA3024384A| CA3024384A1|2016-05-23|2017-05-12|Method for calibration of feed rate of a metering device and a metering device|
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