Seed spacing monitoring system for use in an agricultural seeder

Abstract

A seed spacing monitoring system is used In an agricultural seeder for planting seeds. The agricultural seeder has a furrow opener, a seed meter for metering seed to be dispensed in the furrow, and a furrow closer to cover the seed in the furrow. The seed spacing monitoring system includes a detector supported to detect seeds in the furrow prior to the seeds being covered. The detector provides a plurality of seed presence signals, with each seed presence signal being indicative of a respective seed present in the furrow. A speed sensor is associated with the seeder and provides a speed signal indicating a ground speed of the seeder. An electrical processor receives the plurality of seed presence signals and the speed signal. The electrical processor determines a seed spacing, dependent upon the seed presence signals and the speed signal.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 860,290, entitled “SEED SPACING MONITORING SYSTEM FOR USE IN AN AGRICULTURAL SEEDER”, filed Aug. 20, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to agricultural seeders, and, more particularly, to seed spacing monitoring systems for use in such seeders.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]An agricultural seeder, such as a row crop planter or grain drill, places the seed at a desired depth within a plurality of parallel seed trenches (or furrows) formed in soil. In the case of a row crop planter, a plurality of row crop units are typically ground driven using wheels, shafts, sprockets, transfer cases, chains and the like. Each row crop unit has a frame, which is movably coupled with a tool bar. The frame may carry a main seed hopper, herbicide hopper and insecticide hopper. If the granular herbicide and insecticide are us...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Various types of detectors may be used. When the detector is configured as an IR sensor / scanner / camera, preheating of the seed before planting may assist in distinguishing between seed and soil or rocks in the furrow. An IR sensor / scanner / camera with seed pre-heating may be needed to accurately sense seeds in a dusty environment typical of seed planting.

Problems solved by technology

On the other hand, mechanisms necessary to properly meter seeds at a predetermined rate and to place the seeds at predetermined relative locations and depth within the seed trench are relatively complicated.

These monitors also predict seed spacing in the furrow based on the timing of seed passing a sensor (such as a photo-electric eye) in a seed tube but are not capable of determining actual seed spacing.

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