Grain seeding apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a seed planting device, and proposes a grain seeding device (100). The grain seeding device (100) comprises at least one grain seeding unit (104) mounted on a frame (102). The grain seeding unit (104) comprises a container (108), a distribution mechanism (110) disposed in a housing (106), a drive shaft (116) and an outlet manifold (118). The distribution mechanism (110) comprises an inner cylinder (112) and a cylinder cover (114). A plurality of first slits (113) are configured on the inner cylinder (112). A plurality of second slots (115) are configured on the cylinder cover (114). The inner cylinder (112) rotates relative to the cylinder cover (114) to distribute seeds to the outlet manifold (118) through the slots (115). The drive shaft (116) connects the grain distribution mechanism (110) with a PTO shaft to rotate the inner cylinder (112) and the cylinder cover (114).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of agricultural equipment, and more specifically to seed planting equipment. Background Technology

[0002] The background information below relates to this disclosure, but is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] Typically, grains and cereals (especially rice) are grown either by transplanting seedlings or by sowing seeds. Transplanting seedlings involves a great deal of effort, as it involves making seedbeds and transplanting these seedbeds after a certain number of days, either by means of a sowing device or manually. Direct sowing is relatively advantageous because it avoids repeated harrowing and subsequent soil degradation. Furthermore, it saves at least 35% to 40% of water, thus reducing production costs. It also saves energy, fuel, scarce labor, hard work, and seeds.

[0004] Direct seeding has traditionally been accomplished using row seeders or precision pneumatic seeders. However, row seeders require highly skilled labor to avoid seed loss. Precision pneumatic seeders, on the other hand, require uniform seed shape for effective sowing, making them impractical for sowing rice seeds, especially germinated ones. Furthermore, sowing germinated seeds is a difficult task because handling them without damage is challenging. Traditional seeding devices (mentioned above) are deficient in handling germinated seeds, and most end up damaging the seeds during dispensing, rendering the entire sowing process ineffective. Additionally, most seeding devices are manually operated. Moreover, traditional seeding devices require another device to help systematically create furrows in the field to significantly reduce weeds and increase yield. As a result, the time and effort required for seed planting increases significantly. In contrast, dry seed broadcasting cannot use germinated seeds, thus hindering the possibility of seed germination.

[0005] Therefore, a seeding device that mitigates the aforementioned drawbacks is needed.

[0006] Purpose

[0007] Some of the objectives of this disclosure are as follows, and at least one embodiment herein satisfies the following objectives:

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a grain planting device.

[0009] Another object of this disclosure is to provide a grain sowing device that can easily handle germinated seeds.

[0010] Another object of this disclosure is to provide a grain planting device that can produce furrows in a field, thereby saving the time, cost and effort required to form furrows.

[0011] Another object of this disclosure is to provide a grain sowing device capable of dispensing seeds of various lengths.

[0012] Another object of this disclosure is to provide a grain planting device that avoids repeated harrowing and subsequent soil degradation.

[0013] Another object of this disclosure is to provide a grain planting device that saves water, production costs, energy, fuel, scarce labor, hard work, and seeds.

[0014] Another object of this disclosure is to provide a grain sowing device that does not require skilled labor for seedling sowing.

[0015] Other objects and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0016] This disclosure discloses a grain sowing device. The grain sowing device includes a frame and at least one grain sowing unit mounted on the frame. The grain sowing unit includes a grain container, a housing attached to the grain container, a grain dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing, and a drive shaft connected to the grain dispensing mechanism. The grain dispensing mechanism is configured to communicate with the grain container. The grain dispensing mechanism includes an inner roller housed within a roller cover. The inner roller has a plurality of first slits configured for receiving seeds. The roller cover has a plurality of second slots configured. The drive shaft is configured to be connected to and driven by a prime mover to facilitate relative rotation between the inner and outer rollers. At least one of the inner roller and the roller cover is configured to rotate to facilitate alignment of the slits and slots, thereby enabling seed dispensing through the slits and slots. An outlet manifold is configured to communicate with the roller cover for allowing seeds dispensed by the grain dispensing mechanism to fall through the outlet manifold.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the roller cover is configured to rotate relative to the inner roller in the opposite direction to the direction in which the seeds fall from the container.

[0018] In one embodiment, the frame is configured to facilitate attachment of the device to an autonomous propulsion machine having a prime mover equipped with a power take-off shaft. A drive shaft is configured to be coupled to the power take-off shaft to facilitate relative rotation between the inner roller of the grain dispensing mechanism and the roller cover.

[0019] In another embodiment, the prime mover is an electric motor. In yet another embodiment, the prime mover is a portable internal combustion engine.

[0020] In another embodiment, the outlet manifold is configured to travel over ridges formed in the planting area to help the seeds fall onto the ridges.

[0021] In one implementation, a passage is provided between the grain container and the grain dispensing mechanism to allow seeds to pass from the grain container to the grain dispensing mechanism.

[0022] In another embodiment, each slot of the roller cover is defined by an arched structure having a wide, operable first end that tapers toward a relatively narrower, operable second end of the slot.

[0023] In another embodiment, the size of the plurality of first slits is relatively larger than the size of the plurality of second slots.

[0024] In another embodiment, the slit structure is selected from a group consisting of elliptical, rhomboid, circular, egg-shaped, and teardrop-shaped shapes.

[0025] In one implementation, the inner roller is configured to rotate in a predetermined direction relative to the roller cover to change the size of the slot, thereby facilitating the distribution of seeds of a desired length through the slot.

[0026] In another embodiment, the rotational speed of the prime mover is configured to be variable to change the distance between each drop of the grain.

[0027] In another embodiment, the grain dispensing mechanism includes a locking mechanism for securing the grain dispensing mechanism to the grain sowing unit. The locking mechanism has a locking plate configured to fit within an inner roller and also configured to attach to an outer plate mounted on an operable inner surface of the sowing unit.

[0028] In another embodiment, the inner roller, roller cover, and locking plate have holes at their centers to allow the drive shaft to pass through.

[0029] In one embodiment, the device includes a wrapping mechanism disposed adjacent to an arched portion of the roller cover. The wrapping mechanism includes a plurality of rollers and a conveyor belt disposed on the rollers and configured to wrap around a portion of the roller cover to prevent accidental seed drop.

[0030] In another embodiment, the device includes a brush bristles configured to rotatably abut against the drum cover. The brush is configured to push excess grain out of the drum cover through slots and scrape off excess seeds from the drum cover.

[0031] In one embodiment, the grain sowing device has multiple grain sowing units. A frame is configured to support the multiple grain sowing units. The grain sowing units are mounted on the frame to define a row of grain sowing units that are equidistant from a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance corresponds to the desired row spacing between the seeds to be sown.

[0032] In one implementation, multiple protrusions are provided on the operable bottom portion of the frame to help form furrows as the planting device moves along the planting area.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, multiple protrusions are interspersed along the length of the frame between multiple grain sowing units. Attached Figure Description

[0034] The grain sowing apparatus of this disclosure will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 An isometric view of a grain sowing device mounted on a frame is shown.

[0036] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 An isometric view of the grain sowing unit of the equipment;

[0037] Figure 3A and Figure 3B It shows Figure 2 Different cross-sectional views of a grain sowing unit;

[0038] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view depicting the grain flow through the grain planting unit in Figure 3 is shown;

[0039] Figure 5 It shows Figure 2 An exploded view of the grain distribution mechanism in a grain sowing unit;

[0040] Figure 6 An isometric view of a fixed application of a device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0041] Figure 7 Exemplary patterns of slits and slots of this disclosure are shown.

[0042] List of reference numerals

[0043] 100 Grain Planting Equipment

[0044] 102 Frame

[0045] 104 Grain Planting Units

[0046] 106 Casing

[0047] 108 Grain Containers

[0048] 110 Grain Distribution Agency

[0049] 112 Inner Roller

[0050] 113 Slit

[0051] 114 Roller Cover

[0052] 115 Slot

[0053] 115A Slot Operational First End

[0054] 115B Slot Operational Second End

[0055] 116 drive shaft

[0056] 118 Export Manifold

[0057] 120 sudden rise

[0058] Channel 122

[0059] 124 Locking Plate

[0060] 125 spacer

[0061] 126 outer panel

[0062] 127 Wrapping Mechanism

[0063] 128 rolls

[0064] 129 Conveyor Belt

[0065] 132 Brush Bristle

[0066] 134 pallets

[0067] 136 orbits Detailed Implementation

[0068] Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] These embodiments are provided to thoroughly and completely convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. Numerous details relating to particular components and methods are set forth to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of this disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known equipment structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0070] The terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of explaining particular embodiments only, and such terminology should not be considered as limiting the scope of this disclosure. As used in this disclosure, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are open-ended transitional terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, modules, units, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0071] When a component is referred to as being "mounted" on another component, that component may be mounted directly or indirectly on that other component.

[0072] Now refer to Figures 1 to 5 The grain sowing device 100 of this disclosure is described. The grain sowing device 100 is particularly suitable for sowing germinating seeds.

[0073] The grain seeding device 100 (hereinafter referred to as "device 100") is configured to be attached to a self-propelled machine having a prime mover equipped with a power output (PTO) shaft. In one embodiment, the seeding device is a self-propelled machine towed by a tractor, tiller, direct seeder, or stationary equipment for tray seeding applications in a field. In another embodiment, the prime mover is an electric motor or a portable internal combustion engine.

[0074] Grain sowing equipment 100 includes a frame 102 and at least one grain sowing unit 104 mounted on the frame 102. The grain sowing unit 104 includes a grain container 108 for storing seeds, a housing 106, a grain dispensing mechanism 110 disposed within the housing 106, and an outlet manifold 118. The grain dispensing mechanism 110 is configured to communicate with the grain container 108. The grain dispensing mechanism 110 includes an inner roller 112 housed within a roller cover 114. The inner roller 112 is configured with a plurality of first slits 113 for receiving seeds therein. The roller cover 114 is configured with a plurality of second slots 115. The inner roller 112 and the roller cover 114 are configured to rotate to aid in the alignment of the slits 113 with the slots 115, thereby enabling seed dispensing through the slits and slots. The outlet manifold 118 is configured to communicate with the roller cover 114 and is configured to allow seeds to fall through the outlet manifold.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment, the roller cover 114 is configured to rotate relative to the inner roller 112 in the opposite direction to the direction in which the seeds fall from the container 108.

[0076] The frame 102 is configured to assist in the attachment of the device 100 to the autonomous propulsion machine. In one embodiment, the frame 102 is configured to be mounted on an operable rear end of the autonomous propulsion machine.

[0077] The device 100 includes a drive shaft 116 that is coupled to the PTO shaft and to the grain dispensing mechanism 110 to facilitate relative rotation between the inner roller 112 and the roller cover 114.

[0078] In one embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 120 are disposed on the operative bottom portion of the frame 102 to aid in the formation of ridges and furrows as the sowing device moves along the planting area. In another embodiment, the device 100 is configured to travel such that the outlet manifold 118 travels over the ridges formed in the planting area to aid in seed landing on the ridges. In another embodiment, the number of protrusions 120 disposed on the frame 102 corresponds to the number of grain sowing units 104 mounted on the frame 102.

[0079] In one embodiment, a channel 122 is provided between the grain container 108 and the grain dispensing mechanism 110 to allow seeds to pass from the grain container 108 to the grain dispensing mechanism 110.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the roller cover 114 and the inner roller 112 are configured to form a forming cylinder. In this embodiment, each slot 115 of the roller cover 114 is defined by an arched structure having a wide, operable first end that tapers towards an operable second end of the slot. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of first slits 113 are relatively larger than the plurality of second slots 115. In another embodiment, the slit structure is selected from the group consisting of elliptical, rhomboid, circular, oval, and teardrop shapes. Figure 7 A few of these are shown in the image, in which the blackened portion is thinned and made into a seat for the slot.

[0081] The inner roller 112 is configured to rotate relative to the roller cover 114 in a predetermined direction to change the size of the slot 115, thereby facilitating the dispensing of seeds of desired length through the slot. For example, if the inner roller 112 rotates clockwise such that the slot 113 of the inner roller 112 aligns with the slot 115 of the roller cover 114, the slot 115 widens, allowing the dispensing of long seeds. Conversely, rotating the inner roller 112 counterclockwise will narrow the slot 115, allowing the dispensing of short grains. The slot 115 can be selected by rotating the roller cover 114 by a predetermined angle of 20 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0082] In one embodiment, the width of the inner roller 112 and the outer cover 114 can be customized for single-outlet and multi-outlet applications by making the inner roller 112 and the outer cover 114 relatively long.

[0083] In this implementation, the rotational speed of the prime mover is configured to be variable to alter the distance between each drop of the grain. More specifically, if the prime mover rotates at a relatively slow speed, the drive shaft 116 also rotates at the same slow speed, thereby causing the inner roller 112 to rotate slowly relative to the roller cover 114. As a result, the distance between each drop of the seed is reduced.

[0084] In one embodiment, the grain dispensing mechanism 110 includes a locking mechanism (such as a locking mechanism for securing the grain dispensing mechanism 110 to the grain planting unit 104) for fixing the grain dispensing mechanism 110 to the grain planting unit 104. Figure 5 (As shown in the diagram). The locking mechanism includes a locking plate 124 configured to be fitted in the inner roller 112, and the locking plate is also configured to be attached to an outer plate 126 mounted on the operable inner surface of the seeding unit 104. A plurality of springs and fasteners are used to attach the locking plate 124 and the outer plate 126 to the inner roller 112 and the seeding unit 104.

[0085] In one embodiment, the inner roller 112, the roller cover 114, and the locking plate 124 have holes disposed at their central portions to allow the drive shaft 116 to pass through. In this embodiment, the drive shaft 116 is a keyway shaft.

[0086] In one embodiment, the device 100 includes a wrapping mechanism 127 disposed adjacent to an arched portion of the roller cover 114. The wrapping mechanism 127 includes a plurality of rollers 128 and a conveyor belt 129 disposed on the rollers 128 such that the conveyor belt 129 abuts against the roller cover 114. The wrapping mechanism 127 is configured to wrap around a portion of the roller cover 114 to prevent seeds from accidentally falling from a slot 115 in the roller cover 114. In one embodiment, the plurality of rollers 128 are arranged in a triangular configuration, and a section of the belt 128 between a pair of rollers 128 abuts against the roller cover 114. In another embodiment, the belt 128 is made of polyurethane.

[0087] In one embodiment, the device 100 includes a bristle brush 132 configured to rotatably abut against a roller cover 114. The brush 132 is configured to push excess grain out of the roller cover through a slot 115 as the brush 132 rotates, and simultaneously scrape off excess seeds from the roller cover 114.

[0088] In one embodiment, the housing 106 is a metal housing. In another embodiment, the housing 106 is a polymer housing 106.

[0089] The disclosed device 100 allows the sowing of germinated seeds, such as rice (rice seeds), without causing any damage to the germinated seeds, regardless of their various shapes. The slits can be selected by the relative rotation between the inner roller 112 and the roller cover 114, aiding in the selection between long and short grains. The device 100 can handle long-grain rice varieties, such as Basmati rice. Furthermore, the device 100 facilitates furrow formation, which allows for weeding and water conservation without relying on any skilled labor.

[0090] In the implementation method, such as Figure 1As shown, the grain sowing device 100 includes a plurality of grain sowing units 104. A frame is configured to support the plurality of grain sowing units 104. The grain sowing units 104 are mounted on the frame 102 to define a row of grain sowing units 104 that are equidistantly spaced at a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance corresponds to the desired row spacing between the seeds to be sown. In one embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 120 are arranged on the operable bottom portion of the frame 102 to help form furrows as the sowing device moves along the planting area. In a preferred embodiment, the protrusions 120 are interspersed along the length of the frame 102 between the grain sowing units 104.

[0091] Figure 7 The image shows a fixed application of the device 100 according to an alternative embodiment, wherein the grain sowing unit 104 is mounted on a tray 134 and the tray 134 is slidably mounted on a track 136.

[0092] The foregoing description of embodiments has been provided for illustrative purposes, but is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment and are interchangeable. Such changes should not be considered as departing from this disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0093] Technological progress

[0094] The present disclosure described above has several technical advantages, including but not limited to implementing a grain planting device, which:

[0095] • It can easily handle germinated seeds;

[0096] • It eliminates the lengthy and tedious effort required for transplanting grains and reduces the effort needed for land preparation;

[0097] • Helps to directly sow seeds in a systematic row and column structure to obtain better yields;

[0098] • Can be used with any autonomous propulsion machine used for seeding applications;

[0099] • Helps sow germinating seeds to ensure 100% crop growth;

[0100] • Helps with relatively better time and water management;

[0101] • Prevent strenuous labor;

[0102] • It can form furrows in the field, thus saving the time, cost, and effort required to form furrows; and

[0103] • It can assign seeds of any length.

[0104] This description explains the embodiments described herein, along with their various features and advantageous details, with reference to non-limiting embodiments. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments described herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to help understand how the embodiments described herein can be practiced, and further to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments described herein. Therefore, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0105] The above description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments described herein that others can readily modify and / or adapt these specific embodiments for various applications without departing from the general conception, by applying present knowledge. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be understood as being within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It should be understood that the wording or terminology used herein is for descriptive purposes and not for limitation. Thus, although the embodiments described herein have been described according to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications can be used to practice the embodiments described herein within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

[0106] The use of the terms "at least" or "at least one" indicates the use of one or more elements or components or quantities, as they can be used to achieve one or more desired purposes or results in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0107] Any discussion of apparatus, materials, articles, etc., already included in this specification is for the purpose of providing context for this disclosure only. Its existence anywhere prior to the priority date of this application should not be construed as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art or are common general knowledge in the field relating to this disclosure.

[0108] While this document has devoted considerable emphasis to the components and elements of the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many embodiments can be implemented without departing from the principles of this disclosure, and many changes can be made to the preferred embodiments. These and other variations in the preferred embodiments, as well as other embodiments of this disclosure, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, and it should be clearly understood that the foregoing descriptions are to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not limiting.

Claims

1. A grain sowing device (100), the grain sowing device (100) comprising: Frame (102); At least one grain sowing unit (104) is mounted on the frame (102), the grain sowing unit (104) comprising: Grain container (108); The shell (106) is attached to the grain container (108). A grain dispensing mechanism (110) is disposed in the housing (106), the grain dispensing mechanism (110) being configured to communicate with the grain container (108), the grain dispensing mechanism (110) comprising: The inner roller (112) is housed in the roller cover (114). The inner roller (112) is provided with a plurality of first slits (113) for receiving seeds. The roller cover (114) is provided with a plurality of second slots (115). Each slot (115) is defined by an arched structure having a wide first operable end (115A) that tapers toward a relatively narrower second operable end (115B). The size of the plurality of first slits (113) is relatively larger than the size of the plurality of second slots (115); At least one of the inner roller (112) and the roller cover (114) is configured to rotate relative to the other to aid in the selective alignment of the slit (113) with the slot (115), thereby changing the effective size of the slot (115) for dispensing seeds of different lengths through the slot; The roller cover (114) rotates in the opposite direction to the direction in which the seeds fall from the grain container (108); A drive shaft (116) is coupled to the grain dispensing mechanism (110), the drive shaft (116) being configured to connect to a prime mover to assist the relative rotation; and An outlet manifold (118), in communication with the roller cover (114), is used to allow the dispensed seeds to fall through the outlet manifold.

2. The grain sowing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The frame (102) is configured to facilitate the attachment of the device (100) to an autonomous propulsion machine having a prime mover with a power output shaft.

3. The grain sowing device (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The prime mover is a portable internal combustion engine or an electric motor.

4. The grain sowing device (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The drive shaft (116) is configured to be coupled to the power output shaft to facilitate relative rotation between the inner roller (112) of the grain dispensing mechanism (110) and the roller cover (114).

5. The grain sowing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The outlet manifold (118) is configured to travel over ridges formed in the planting area to help the seeds fall onto the ridges.

6. The grain sowing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, A channel (122) is provided between the grain container (108) and the grain dispensing mechanism (110) to allow seeds to pass from the grain container (108) to the grain dispensing mechanism (110).

7. The grain sowing equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The slit structure is selected from a group consisting of elliptical, rhomboid, circular, egg-shaped, and teardrop-shaped shapes.

8. The grain sowing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The inner roller (112) is configured to rotate in a predetermined direction relative to the roller cover (114) to change the size of the slot (115), thereby facilitating the distribution of seeds of a desired length through the slot.

9. The grain sowing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The rotational speed of the prime mover is configured to be variable to change the distance between each drop of the grain.

10. The grain planting device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The grain dispensing mechanism (110) includes a locking mechanism for securing the grain dispensing mechanism (110) to the grain sowing unit (104), the locking mechanism having a locking plate (124) configured to be fitted in the inner roller (112) and also configured to be attached to an outer plate (126) mounted on the operable inner surface of the sowing unit (104).

11. The grain planting device (100) according to claim 10, wherein, The inner roller (112), the roller cover (114), and the locking plate (124) have holes at their centers to allow the drive shaft (116) to pass through.

12. The grain sowing device (100) according to claim 1, the grain sowing device comprising a wrapping mechanism (127) disposed adjacent to an arched portion of the roller cover (114), the wrapping mechanism (127) comprising a plurality of rollers (128) and a conveyor belt (129) disposed on the rollers (128) and configured to wrap around a portion of the roller cover (114) to prevent accidental seed drop.

13. The grain sowing device (100) according to claim 1, the grain sowing device comprising a bristle brush (132) configured to rotatably abut against the roller cover (114), the brush (132) configured to push excess grain out of the roller cover through the slot (115) and scrape excess seeds off the roller cover (114).

14. The grain sowing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the grain sowing device (100) has a plurality of grain sowing units (104), wherein, The frame (102) is configured to support a plurality of the grain sowing units (104), which are assembled on the frame to define a row of grain sowing units (104) spaced equidistantly at a predetermined distance, the predetermined distance corresponding to the desired row spacing between the seeds to be distributed.

15. The grain planting device (100) according to claim 14, wherein, The operational bottom portion of the frame (102) is provided with a plurality of protrusions (120) to help form furrows as the grain planting equipment moves along the planting area.

16. The grain planting device (100) according to claim 15, wherein, Multiple protrusions (120) are interspersed along the length of the frame (102) between multiple grain sowing units (104).

Images