RU2833329C1 - Plant feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture.

SUBSTANCE: plant feeder comprises a frame consisting of a first semi-frame and a second semi-frame, a liquid fertilizer storage and supply device and an actuator module connected to it via a main channel. Actuating module is installed on the first semi-frame and includes multiple actuating sections, each of which contains a cutting disk, a knife and a feeding tube. Device for storage and supply of liquid fertilizer is installed on the second semi-frame and includes at least one container for liquid fertilizer and pump for mixing liquid fertilizer. Each actuating section additionally contains a sectional valve, a sectional pump and a sectional flow sensor. Plant feeder comprises a control unit configured to control each sectional valve and sectional pump separately, as well as receive information from each sectional flow sensor.

EFFECT: higher accuracy of dosed application of liquid fertilizers.

4 cl, 3 dwg

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The invention relates to agricultural engineering and can be used to equip agricultural seeding machines or soil cultivation machines for the purpose of simultaneously applying liquid complex fertilizers.

State of the art

There are various devices known for applying liquid fertilizers to the soil.

For example, a universal fertilizer spreader according to the Russian Federation patent RU2707253 contains a frame consisting of a front half-frame and a rear half-frame. A folding cross beam with working bodies for the subsoil application of liquid or bulk fertilizers, or a cross bar with nozzles for external spraying of liquid fertilizers is installed on the front half-frame. The rear half-frame is installed on transport wheels with a fertilizer container fixed to it and is connected to the front half-frame by a horizontal hinge. The axles of the transport wheels have the ability to change the wheel track for different row spacings. In the cabin of the power vehicle pulled by the fertilizer spreader, in particular a tractor, a control panel for the electronic distribution unit for the metered supply of fertilizers, located on the front half-frame, is installed. The technical result of the known fertilizer spreader is an improvement in the quality of fertilizer application, an improvement in the operator's working conditions, a more uniform distribution of loads on the soil, a reduction in the time it takes to prepare the unit for operation, and the possibility of subsurface and surface application of liquid fertilizers using one unit by replacing the front half-frame with working bodies.

The disadvantages of this known fertilizer spreader are due to its design, which includes one front half-frame. In particular, the fertilizer spreader provides fertilizer application at a certain width, corresponding to the width of the front half-frame. On a wider strip, the fertilizer spreader will have to travel a longer distance, and excessive fertilizer application to the soil is possible. The latter is also likely on a narrower strip. In addition, the amount of fertilizer applied must be uniform and, generally speaking, depend on the current conditions and soil condition in a specific area of fertilizer application. However, in the known solution, the fertilizer application parameters are set essentially "manually", i.e. by the operator of the power tool. Finally, fertilizer application is carried out by all nozzles simultaneously without the possibility of precise dosing of the fertilizer applied across the width of the strip, i.e. along the length of the frame.

The disadvantages of the described known fertilizer are partly eliminated in the automated unit for differentiated application of liquid mineral fertilizers according to the Russian patent RU2676319, which can be selected as the closest analogue of the claimed invention.

A known unit for differentiated application of liquid fertilizers includes a power unit, a sectional tank for application of liquid mineral fertilizers, a speed sensor, an intake filter, a centrifugal pump, a block of actuators, sensors of the minimum liquid level in the sections of the tank for application of liquid mineral fertilizers, a discrete input module, the inputs of which are connected to the minimum liquid level sensors, with an output via an RS-485 interface connected to the controller and a mobile communication module. The block of actuators consists of a pressure control valve, a flow meter, outlet section valves, rods with nozzles, a block of inlet section valves, a pressure sensor with a processing unit, a stepper motor with a control circuit, a frequency input module, a discrete output module, a trunk channel and a controller with a video terminal, flash memory and a navigator.

The use of the specified unit assumes a certain principle of automatic regulation of the rate of application of liquid mineral fertilizers taking into account the spatial variability of the field fertility parameters according to a program stored in flash memory and ensures differentiated application of fertilizers without omissions of the applied components, improving the operational characteristics of the unit and increasing the yield of agricultural crops.

The main disadvantage of known analogues, including the closest analogue, is the impossibility of full differentiated application of fertilizers, when not only the supply of fertilizer as such, but also the control of the supply rate, as well as control of the fertilizer consumption is carried out at the level of an individual nozzle.

Thus, there is a task of ensuring the possibility of precise regulation and control of the amount of liquid mineral fertilizer applied, including depending on the speed of movement and location of the plant feeder, in particular, by adjusting the power of the electric pumps used to supply fertilizer to each of the nozzles, calculating and adjusting the flow of liquid fertilizer in each section of multi-section plant feeders, and thus ensuring the possibility of controlling the amount of fertilizer applied at each specific point in the area of fertilizer application.

Disclosure of the essence of the invention

The technical problem solved by the present invention is the development of a new plant feeder that provides precisely dosed local application of liquid fertilizers, in which the shortcomings of the closest analogue and other known analogues are eliminated.

The technical result achieved by the present invention is an increase in the accuracy of the dosed local application of liquid fertilizers.

The stated technical problem is solved, and the claimed technical result is achieved in a plant feeder containing a frame consisting of a first half-frame and a second half-frame, a means for storing and feeding liquid fertilizer, and an actuator module connected to it via a main channel. The means for storing and feeding liquid fertilizer is mounted on the second half-frame and includes at least one container for liquid fertilizer and a pump for mixing liquid fertilizer. The actuator module is mounted on the first half-frame and includes a plurality of actuator sections, each of which contains a cutting disk, a knife, and a feed tube, as well as a section valve, a section pump, and a section flow sensor. In addition, the plant feeder contains a control unit configured to control each section valve and section pump separately, as well as to receive information from each section flow sensor.

The proposed plant feeder design allows for the most accurate and "pointed" dosing of fertilizer application through the feed tubes along the entire length of the first half-frame, thereby making the plant feeder also universal, so that it can be used on strips (inter-rows) of various widths without the need to expand or narrow the frame or install additional frames. In addition, the precise determination of the fertilizer flow supplied separately to each feed tube allows for increased accuracy of adjustment and determination of the amount of fertilizer used, and thereby optimizes the amount of fertilizer in the liquid fertilizer tank, which in turn leads to a reduction in unwanted fertilizer losses, as well as the load on the plant feeder elements, such as the pumping equipment used, filters, etc.

The stated technical problem is solved, and the declared technical result is also achieved in some versions of the plant feeder.

Thus, the plant feeder may additionally contain a data receiving and transmitting unit for receiving signals for controlling each individual section valve and section pump, as well as transmitting data from each section flow sensor. Such data may be used when exchanging signals with an external plant feeder control device, which improves the control and introduction of the required amount of fertilizer at each point of placement of the feed tubes distributed along the first half-frame, and thereby helps ensure the metered local introduction of fertilizer into the soil.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plant feeder contains a main filter and/or a magnetic filter, which provide a high degree of purification from mechanical impurities of the liquid fertilizer supplied to each actuator section equipped with a section valve and a section pump, and, accordingly, help ensure the metered local application of fertilizer to the soil.

In addition, a water tank can be additionally installed on the frame, and the plant feeder itself can contain a tap for connecting the water tank to the main channel. In this embodiment of the plant feeder, it becomes possible to wash and clean the components of each executive section, thereby ensuring the preservation of the advantage of the present invention, which consists in precise and "point" metered application of fertilizers through feed tubes along the entire length of the first half-frame.

Further, the claimed plant feeder, as well as some possible variants of its implementation, to which, however, the present invention is not limited, are explained in more detail with reference to the attached figures.

Brief description of the figures

Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the claimed plant feeder.

Fig. 2 shows a variant of the claimed plant feeder.

Fig. 3 shows the functional diagram of the claimed plant feeder.

The following elements are marked with positions on the figures:

1 - plant feeder

2 - frame

3 - first half frame

4 - second half-frame

5 - spacer

6 - support wheel

7 - executive module

8 - cutting disc

9 - knife

10 - feed tube

11 - means of control and provision of dosed application of fertilizer

12 - section valve

13 - sectional pump

14 - sectional flow sensor

15 - bracket

16 - liquid fertilizer container

17 - pump for mixing liquid fertilizer

18 - main channel

19 - main filter

20 - magnetic filter

21 - crane

22 - water tank

23 - control unit

24 - data receiving and transmission block

25 - external control device

26 - energy product

27 - thrust spring.

Implementation of the invention

The declared plant feeder 1 (Fig. 1, 2) is intended for the dosed controlled application of liquid fertilizers into the soil.

Plant feeder 1 contains frame 2, on which all other elements of plant feeder 1 are placed. Frame 2 consists of two half-frames - first half-frame 3 and second half-frame 4, separated from each other by spacers 5 and connected by means of clamps or other suitable connecting elements. Such connection of half-frames 3, 4 allows, if necessary, to change their mutual position, the advantages of which will be disclosed below.

On the first half-frame 3, support wheels 6 and an actuator module 7 (see Fig. 3) are placed, including a plurality of actuator sections distributed along the first half-frame 3.

In turn, each actuator section contains a cutting disk 8, a knife 9 and a feed tube 10, as well as a means 11 for monitoring and ensuring the metered application of fertilizer, which includes a section valve 12, a section pump 13 and a section flow sensor 14.

On the second half-frame 4, brackets 15 are mounted using clamps or similar fastening elements, on which one or more containers 16 for liquid fertilizer are placed. In Fig. 1, 2, an example of a plant feeder 1 with two containers 16 for liquid fertilizer is shown, although it will be clear to a specialist that variants with a different number of said containers 16 are also possible. In addition, a distribution and dosing unit can be placed on the second half-frame 4, including, in particular, a pump 17 for mixing liquid fertilizer, a main channel 18, and also, if available, a main filter 19, a magnetic filter 20, a tap 21 and a water tank 22.

The main channel 18 is intended for delivering liquid fertilizer from the liquid fertilizer tanks 16 to the executive sections, more specifically to the means 11 for monitoring and ensuring the dosed application of fertilizer. The main channel 18 has outlet nozzles according to the number of executive sections.

Pump 17 ensures mixing of liquid fertilizer contained in tanks 16 in order to ensure a more homogeneous liquid medium supplied through main channel 18 to the actuator sections.

As was indicated above, each actuator section contains a section valve 12, a section pump 13 and a section flow sensor 14. The section pump 13 provides the required pressure of the liquid fertilizer, which is introduced into the soil through the feed tube 10, provided that the corresponding section valve 12 is open. In this case, the state of each section valve 12 and each section pump 13 is individually regulated at a given moment in time by signals from the control unit 23, which is part of the plant feeder 1, for example, as an independent element located on the frame 2, or as part of the actuator module 7. The same control unit 23 reads the values of the liquid fertilizer flow passing through each means 11 for monitoring and ensuring the metered application of fertilizer, using the readings of the corresponding section flow sensors 14.

It is preferable, although not mandatory, if a main filter 19 and/or a magnetic filter 20 are installed on the main channel 18. Considering that in the claimed plant feeder, each feed tube 10 uses its own separate sectional pump 13 and its own separate sectional valve 12, the dimensions and performance of which can be noticeably smaller than in known plant feeders that use one common pump and one common valve for all feed tubes (nozzles) at once, it is important to ensure long-term reliable and correct operation of the sectional pumps 13 and sectional valves 12, which is precisely facilitated by the optional, but desirable purification of the liquid fertilizer flow by the main filter 19 and/or magnetic filter 20 from mechanical impurities in addition to using the pump 17 for mixing the liquid fertilizer.

In addition to this or instead of this, the plant feeder can be provided with a water tank 22 and a tap 21 connecting said tank 22 to the main channel 18. In this case, after the application of fertilizer to the soil, the user can completely flush the entire liquid fertilizer supply system by opening the tap 21 and passing water from the water tank 22 through the main channel 18 through all or pre-selected means 11 for controlling and ensuring the metered application of fertilizer and the outlet of water through the corresponding supply tubes 10.

Finally, the plant feeder 1 may additionally contain a unit 24 for receiving and transmitting data from an external control device 25 for receiving external signals for controlling each section valve 12 and section pump 13 separately, as well as transmitting data from each section flow sensor 14 to said external control device 25. Such an external control device 25 may be a user console installed, in particular, in the cabin of a power vehicle 26, such as a tractor or other moving vehicle. The unit 24 for receiving and transmitting data may be an independent element of the plant feeder 1, placed on the frame 2, or be part of, for example, the control unit 23. External control allows taking into account a larger number of factors that influence the operating parameters of the pump 17 for mixing liquid fertilizer, section valves 12 and section pumps 13, more accurately and specifically taking into account the readings from each section flow sensor 14 for the purpose of dosed controlled application of liquid fertilizer depending on the parameters of the field being processed (width of the strip, total area), properties of the liquid fertilizer, weather conditions, etc.

All fasteners and clamps used to secure the above-mentioned components of plant feeder 1 to frame 2 are made of stainless steel or other materials resistant to aggressive environments.

The declared plant feeder 1 works as follows.

The plant feeder 1 is connected to the power source 26, for example, a tractor, via the frame 2.

It is possible to arrange the semi-frames 3, 4 both horizontally and vertically by using spacers 5 and clamps that do not limit the mutual position of the semi-frames 3, 4, unlike the usually used welded joint of the semi-frames. Such flexibility in the mutual position of the semi-frames 3, 4 allows the plant feeder 1 to be adjusted most optimally for a specific field, in particular, the type of soil (its density or hardness), by adjusting and distributing the pressure on the soil, the width of the strip, the fertilized crop, the required step of fertilizer application along the length of the first semi-frame 3, etc.

Frame 2 is connected to power means 26 via a mounted device, and plant feeder 1 is transported to the field for application of liquid fertilizers. If necessary, the required track of support wheels 6 is set in advance so that they fall on the inter-row space during movement.

Also, in accordance with the row spacing, the distance between the executive sections is set in advance. The distance between the executive sections is adjusted by loosening the screws of the brackets holding the executive sections on the first half-frame 3, with their subsequent fixation. If the brackets 15, on which one or more containers 16 for liquid fertilizer are installed, were also placed on the first half-frame 3, and not on its own half-frame 4, the plant feeder 1 would not have the required flexibility in adjusting the mutual arrangement of the executive modules.

With the help of hydraulic cylinders of the power tool 26 suspension, the plant feeder 1 with the working bodies - cutting disks 8, knives 9 and feed tubes 10 - is lowered onto the soil. The deepening of the coulters to the required depth occurs by adjusting the support wheels 6. The design of the support wheel bracket 6 for adjusting the depth of fertilizer placement allows using an adjusting clamping screw for mechanical adjustment or a hydraulic cylinder for stepless adjustment of the depth using a hydraulic drive controlled by the user.

When the plant feeder 1 moves, a friction force is generated between the cutting disk 8 and the soil, which makes the cutting disk 8 rotate. The freely rotating cutting disk 8 cuts plant residues and a soil layer, opening a furrow. The knife 9 following it pushes the soil apart to the width of the feed tube 10 and compacts the furrow walls. It is allowed to use any types of cutting disks 8 - smooth, cut, etc., but the most preferable are wave-shaped ones. When the cutting disk 8 hits an obstacle, the thrust spring 27 of the actuator section is compressed, the lever on which the cutting disk 8 is mounted is raised, and the cutting disk 8 with the knife 9 are lowered. After passing the obstacle, the actuator section returns to the working recessed position.

The switching on/off of the plant feeder 1 is performed by the user on an external control device 25, located, for example, in the cabin of the power plant 26.

Before starting work, the user enters the operating parameters of the plant feeder 1 on the external control device 25, such as the working width of the plant feeder (approximately corresponds to the width of the first half-frame 3), the number of points for applying liquid fertilizer (i.e. the number of actuator sections that will be used to apply fertilizer), the rate of consumption of liquid fertilizer, the field number, the volume of the installed containers 16 for liquid fertilizer, the minimum speed of the plant feeder 1 for starting its work, etc.

After the user presses the "Start" button on the external control device 25, the plant feeder 1 is switched to the "Stirring" mode. The pump 17 is switched on for mixing the liquid fertilizer located in one or several containers 16 for liquid fertilizer, so that the entire volume of liquid fertilizer taken from the bottom of the container (or containers) 16 for liquid fertilizer is fed back into the said container 16 through the nozzle installed in its upper part.

The start of the movement of the power means 26 is registered by the control unit 23 or by the external control device 25 with the transmission of the corresponding signal to the control unit 23 via the data receiving and transmitting unit 24, and upon reaching the minimum operating speed or exceeding it, the executive module 7 is given a command to transfer the plant feeder 1 to the “Work” mode with the inclusion of sectional pumps 13, which are electric pumps.

The liquid fertilizer prepared for application to the soil is fed through the main channel 18 by sectional pumps 13 through open sectional valves 12 into the feed tubes 10, preferably through the main filter 19 and the magnetic filter 20, which additionally clean the liquid fertilizer from mechanical impurities in order to protect the plant feeder 1 elements, such as the sectional pumps 13, sectional flow sensors 14, and sectional valves 12, from damage and clogging. The liquid fertilizer passes under pressure through the sectional flow sensors 14 and enters the soil through the feed tubes 10.

From the sectional flow sensors 14, the values of the flow rate of liquid fertilizer are sent to the control unit 23, which generates messages with data on the current flow and, if necessary, sends these messages via the data receiving and transmitting unit 24 to the external control device 25, where, in accordance with the measured flow rate, the required flow rate and application rate of liquid fertilizer are determined in each discrete section of the field, for example, according to a pre-recorded program.

In accordance with the calculation of the required flow rate of liquid fertilizer, a command is sent to the control unit 23 via the data receiving and transmitting unit 24 from the external control device 25 to increase or decrease the power of each specific sectional pump 13. In this way, the required flow rate of liquid fertilizer is selected and its alignment is carried out in each individual executive section according to the standard previously set by the user.

The user can see the set and actual consumption rate of liquid fertilizer at each moment in time and at a given speed, information about the treated area and the remaining liquid fertilizer in the tank 16 for liquid fertilizer and other data.

The remaining liquid fertilizer is determined by subtracting the data on the actual volume of liquid fertilizer used from the total volume of the liquid fertilizer containers 16 installed by the user before starting work.

The measured volume of liquid fertilizer for each actuator section is introduced into the soil to a specified depth through the feed tube 10 of the corresponding actuator section, installed behind the cutting disk 8.

As stated above, the section flow sensors 14 monitor the liquid fertilizer consumption rate and, accordingly, monitor the liquid fertilizer consumption in each actuator section. In the event that the liquid fertilizer consumption is determined to be lower or higher than the calculated value in any actuator section, determined by means of information from the corresponding section flow sensor 14, the control unit 23 and/or the external control device 25 will determine the error and issue the corresponding information to the user.

After the plant feeder 1 has finished working, the user switches it to the "Flush" mode. The signal from the external control device 25 arrives at the control unit 23, which sends a command to the tap 21, in particular, the three-way ball valve with an electric drive, to switch the flow along the main channel 18 from the tank 16 for liquid fertilizer to the flow from the reservoir 22 for water and a command to turn on the section pumps 13 at full capacity. The flushing of the plant feeder 1 is switched off by the user pressing the "Stop" button on the external control device 25.

Data from all sensors of plant feeder 1 and calculations based on these data can be recorded in control unit 23 or transmitted by data receiving and transmitting unit 24 to external control device 25 for their registration and display to the user. In addition, if necessary, data on the operation of plant feeder 1, its location and work performed can be transmitted by data receiving and transmitting unit 24 to the operator-controller of the control center.

The use of the declared plant feeder 1 ensures precise dosing of fertilizers without missing components, improving the operational characteristics of the device, increasing yields and reducing the cost of agricultural crops.

Claims (4)

1. A plant feeder (1) comprising a frame (2) consisting of a first half-frame (3) and a second half-frame (4), a means for storing and feeding liquid fertilizer and an actuator module (7) connected to it via a main channel (18), wherein the actuator module (7) is mounted on the first half-frame (3) and includes a plurality of actuator sections, each of which comprises a cutting disk (8), a knife (9) and a feed tube (10), and the means for storing and feeding liquid fertilizer is mounted on the second half-frame (4) and includes at least one container (16) for liquid fertilizer and a pump (17) for mixing liquid fertilizer, characterized in that each actuator section additionally comprises a section valve (12), a section pump (13) and a section flow sensor (14), and the plant feeder (1) comprises a control unit (23) configured to control each section valve (12) and section pump individually (13), as well as receiving information from each sectional flow sensor (14). 2. A plant feeder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally contains a unit (24) for receiving and transmitting data for receiving external signals for controlling each individual section valve (12) and section pump (13), as well as transmitting data from each section flow sensor (14). 3. A plant feeder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally contains a main filter (19) and/or a magnetic filter (20). 4. A plant feeder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a water tank (22) is additionally installed on the frame (2), and the plant feeder (1) additionally contains a tap (21) for connecting the water tank (22) to the main channel (18).