Active conforming universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive

Abstract

This invention discloses an active conformal universal seed metering device driven by an electromagnetic array, belonging to the field of agricultural machinery technology. This invention solves the problems of poor versatility, high seed damage rate, inconvenient adjustment, and low intelligence level caused by the use of rigid orifices in existing seed metering devices. Its core solution includes: multiple electromagnetic micro-pillar assemblies mounted on a rotating seed metering disc. Each assembly contains multiple micro-pillar modules made of flexible material, arranged in an array and independently driven by a main controller. During operation, the main controller selectively drives some micro-pillar modules to extend based on the three-dimensional characteristics of the seed to be sown, forming the sidewall of the orifice, while the remaining micro-pillars remain retracted, serving as the bottom surface of the orifice, thereby dynamically forming a concave space that matches the outer contour of the seed. This invention breaks the traditional limitation of "one disc, one crop," achieving active conformal and low-loss precision sowing of different crop seeds, significantly improving the versatility and operational quality of the seed metering device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of agricultural machinery technology, and specifically relates to an active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive. Background Technology

[0002] Precision seeding is a core aspect of modern agriculture, and the seed metering device, as a key component, directly affects seeding quality and crop yield. Currently, the most widely used type is the mechanical seed metering device with a perforated seed metering disc. Its principle is to separate and carry seeds using fixed perforations on the seed metering disc to complete single-seed dispensing.

[0003] However, these traditional seed metering devices have significant inherent drawbacks. First, they lack versatility. Because seeds of different crops, and even different varieties of the same crop, vary greatly in size and shape, while the aperture size of the seed metering disc is fixed, a single seed metering disc is typically only suitable for one specific seed, creating a rigid constraint of "one disc, one crop." When farmers change crops, they must stop the machine to replace the seed metering disc, significantly reducing operational efficiency and increasing equipment purchase and management costs.

[0004] Secondly, the issues of sowing precision and seed damage are prominent. The fundamental reason is the mismatch between the size of the rigid seed slit and the seed: if the slit is too small, it can easily damage the seed, affecting the germination rate; if the slit is too large, it can easily cause "double sowing" of multiple seeds; for irregularly shaped seeds, it can also easily lead to "missed sowing" due to unstable support. These problems seriously affect the uniformity and quality of sowing.

[0005] Furthermore, this "hard adjustment" method, which relies on replacing hardware, is inconvenient to adjust and has a low level of intelligence. It cannot achieve real-time, online, and precise control, and it is difficult to meet the development requirements of modern precision agriculture for the universality and intelligence of seeding equipment.

[0006] Therefore, developing an intelligent seed metering device that can overcome the limitations of rigid holes, dynamically adapt to different seed characteristics, and achieve high-precision, low-damage, and universal seeding is a technical challenge that urgently needs to be solved in the field of agricultural machinery. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to address the technical shortcomings of existing mechanical seed metering devices, such as poor versatility, low sowing accuracy, easy seed damage, and low level of intelligence, by providing an active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive. This invention replaces the traditional rigid hole type with an innovative "flexible reconstruction" hole-forming method, achieving active adaptation to seeds of different sizes and shapes, thereby achieving high-precision, low-damage, universal, and intelligent sowing.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0009] This invention provides an active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive, comprising a front housing, a seed metering disc, a seed guarding ring, a seed guide disc, and a rear housing arranged sequentially along a seed metering axis; the front housing, the seed guarding ring, and the rear housing are fixedly connected in sequence; the seed metering disc and the seed guide disc are fixedly connected to the seed metering axis to achieve synchronous rotation; the seed metering disc is provided with multiple electromagnetic micro-pillar assemblies; a main controller is electrically connected to each of the multiple electromagnetic micro-pillar assemblies.

[0010] The electromagnetic micropillar assembly includes a micropillar fixing base and multiple micropillar module units slidably connected in an array within the micropillar fixing base; the electromagnetic micropillar assembly is configured such that, according to the characteristics of the seed to be sown, the main controller selectively drives some micropillar module units to extend, forming a shaped hole on the front surface of the electromagnetic micropillar assembly for accommodating a single seed, the shape and size of the shaped hole being adapted to the outer contour of the seed to be sown;

[0011] The seed-protecting ring is provided with a seed-guiding ramp and a seed-unloading channel; the seed-guiding ramp is used to push back the elongated micro-pillar module unit in the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly that has been rotated to the seed-unloading area, so that the shaped hole on the front surface of the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly disappears and the seed leaks out, and guides the seed into the seed-unloading channel.

[0012] The seed guide disc has interdental grooves on its outer periphery, which are used to receive seeds falling from the seed discharge channel and guide the seeds out of the rear shell.

[0013] Furthermore, the micro-pillar fixing base is machined with an array of through holes, each through hole for accommodating one micro-pillar module unit; the micro-pillar module unit includes a unit control module, an electromagnetic micro-pillar sleeve, a limiting top cover, an adjustable electromagnet, a connecting rod, a limiting spring, and a flexible micro-pillar; the unit control module is electrically connected to the main controller; the adjustable electromagnet is fixed on the unit control module and the two are electrically connected; the electromagnetic micro-pillar sleeve is fixed on the top of the adjustable electromagnet, and the limiting top cover is fixed on the electromagnetic micro-pillar sleeve; the flexible micro-pillar is fixed on the top of the connecting rod, the bottom of the connecting rod extends from the limiting top cover into the electromagnetic micro-pillar sleeve, and a permanent magnet magnetic ring is integrated at the bottom of the connecting rod; the limiting spring is sleeved on the connecting rod and its two ends abut against the limiting top cover and the permanent magnet magnetic ring, respectively.

[0014] Furthermore, at least the tip portion of the flexible micropillar that contacts the seed is made of a flexible material.

[0015] Furthermore, the single-unit control module is configured to receive control signals sent by the main controller, and to steplessly adjust the electromagnetic force by adjusting the magnitude of the current applied to the adjustable electromagnet, thereby realizing continuous variable control of the extension height of the flexible micro-pillar.

[0016] Furthermore, in the electromagnetic micropillar assembly, a magnetic shielding structure made of soft magnetic material is provided between the adjustable electromagnets of adjacent micropillar module units.

[0017] Furthermore, the main controller assigns a unique address number to each micropillar module in the electromagnetic micropillar assembly, and performs addressing and drive control on any one or a group of micropillar modules based on the address number.

[0018] Furthermore, the inner wall of the front housing is provided with stirring teeth for stirring the seed population, and the stirring teeth are located in the seed filling area between the front housing and the seed dispensing tray.

[0019] Furthermore, a seed-cleaning brush is provided on the inner wall of the front housing. The seed-cleaning brush is located after the seed filling area and is used to remove excess seeds that are attached to the surface of the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly but have not entered the pore.

[0020] Furthermore, the seed-guiding ramp on the seed-protecting ring is adjacent to the seed-discharging groove, and the radial position of the seed-guiding ramp corresponds to the position of the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly. The radial position of the seed-discharging groove is located radially outside the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly. When the seed-discharging disc drives the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly, which has completed seed collection, to rotate to the seed-discharging area, the elongated micro-pillar module unit in the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly contacts the seed-guiding ramp. As the seed-discharging disc continues to rotate, the seed-guiding ramp pushes the elongated micro-pillar module unit back, causing the perforation on the front surface of the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly to disappear and the seeds to leak out. The leaked seeds are guided to the seed-discharging groove adjacent to the seed-guiding ramp. The radial position of the seed-discharging groove corresponds to the radial position of the interdental groove of the seed-guiding disc. The seeds fall into the interdental groove of the lower seed-guiding disc through the seed-discharging groove. The seeds falling into the interdental groove are carried by the seed-guiding disc and finally discharged from the seed-discharging port of the rear shell.

[0021] Furthermore, the seed metering disc has multiple mounting cavities evenly distributed along its circumference for mounting the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly; a central slip ring is provided at the center of the seed metering disc, and a conductive path is integrated inside the seed metering disc; external power enters the seed metering disc through the central slip ring and is transmitted to each mounting cavity on the seed metering disc through the conductive path; each mounting cavity is provided with an inner slip ring, and the inner slip ring is electrically connected to the main controller.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the electromagnetic array-driven active conformal universal seed metering device of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. Extremely high versatility, achieving "one machine, multiple uses": This invention completely abandons the physical seed metering tray. The formation of seed holes is based on "soft adjustment" using software algorithms and electromagnetic drives, rather than relying on fixed mechanical structures. Therefore, without replacing any hardware, it can adapt to almost all common crop seeds, from small-diameter rapeseed to large-diameter corn and soybeans, and even accommodate size differences between different varieties of the same crop, simply by adjusting software parameters. This greatly improves the continuity and efficiency of agricultural machinery operations and significantly reduces users' equipment purchase and management costs.

[0024] 2. Superior sowing precision and seed protection performance: Because the seed hole is "tailor-made" for each seed, it can achieve perfect single-seed encapsulation and support. This fundamentally solves the problems of "double sowing" (multiple seeds) and "missed sowing" (slipping) caused by the mismatch between the seed hole and the seed size. At the same time, the electromagnetically driven forming unit can achieve flexible contact and precise force control, avoiding the mechanical compression and clamping damage to the seed caused by traditional rigid seed holes, maximizing the protection of seed viability and ensuring a high germination rate.

[0025] 3. High level of intelligence and real-time adaptive capability: This invention can not only adapt to different types of crops, but also adapt in real time to natural size variations in the same batch of seeds, dynamically optimizing each seed-harvesting process to ensure sowing uniformity even in extreme conditions. Operators can switch crop varieties with a single click via a control terminal in the cab, realizing online, real-time, and intelligent management and control of the seed-harvesting process. It is an ideal execution component for realizing unmanned farms and precision agriculture. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the overall structure of the electromagnetic array-driven active conformal universal seed metering device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a half-sectional view of the active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive described in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the electromagnetic array-driven active conformal universal seed metering device after assembly, as described in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the electromagnetic array-driven active conformal universal seed metering device after assembly, as described in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0031] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the electromagnetic micropillar assembly structure described in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the single-unit installation method of the electromagnetic micropillar module in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the spatial position and numbering of each micropillar module in the electromagnetic micropillar assembly described in this embodiment of the invention;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the electromagnetic micropillars' ability to adapt to different types of seeds in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of the active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive as described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] In the picture:

[0037] 1. Rear shell; 2. Seed guide plate; 3. Seed protection ring; 4. Seed dispensing plate; 5. Seed dispensing shaft; 6. Electromagnetic micro-column assembly; 7. Seed cleaning brush; 8. Seed stirring teeth; 9. Front shell;

[0038] 101. Seed discharge port;

[0039] 301. Seed unloading trough; 302. Seed guiding slope;

[0040] 601. Individual control module; 602. Adjustable electromagnet; 603. Electromagnetic micro-pillar sleeve; 604. Limiting top cover; 605. Micro-pillar fixing seat; 606. Connecting rod; 607. Limiting spring; 608. Flexible micro-pillar;

[0041] 901. Filling port. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0043] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the overall structure of the active conformal universal seed metering device driven by an electromagnetic array according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a half-sectional view of the assembled components according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the positional relationship of the components after they are snapped together. Combined with... Figure 1 and Figure 2As can be seen, this embodiment mainly includes a rear shell 1, a seed guide plate 2, a seed guarding ring 3, a seed metering plate 4, a seed metering shaft 5, multiple electromagnetic micropillar assemblies 6, and a front shell 9. The front shell 9, seed metering plate 4, seed guarding ring 3, seed guide plate 2, and rear shell 1 are coaxially arranged from front to back along the seed metering shaft 5. The front shell 9, seed guarding ring 3, and rear shell 1 are sequentially fixed together by bolts or clips, forming a sealed internal working space between the front and rear shells, providing structural support and environmental protection for the internal components. The seed metering plate 4 is keyed to the seed metering shaft 5, and the seed guide plate 2 and seed metering plate 4 are connected by bolts to achieve synchronous rotation. Multiple mounting cavities are evenly distributed along the circumference of the seed metering plate 4, and each mounting cavity can accommodate one electromagnetic micropillar assembly 6. Each electromagnetic micropillar assembly 6 can form a specific shaped hole on its front surface according to the control command of the main controller to achieve active conformal seed picking for different seeds.

[0044] Specifically, the seed guide disc 2, as the final component guiding seed discharge, adopts a gear-like structure. The evenly distributed inter-tooth grooves on the outer circumference of the seed guide disc 2 are used to receive and guide the seeds from the seed discharge port 101 of the rear housing 1. The seed guide disc 2 is located on one side close to the rear housing 1, and the seed protection ring 3 is axially adjacent to the seed guide disc 2. The seed discharge disc 4 is located on the other side of the seed protection ring 3. Furthermore, the seed metering device described in this embodiment also includes auxiliary components such as a seed cleaning brush 7 and seed stirring teeth 8. The seed cleaning brush 7 and seed stirring teeth 8 are fixed to the inner wall of the front housing 9, and the front housing 9 and the rear housing 1 are finally fastened together, accommodating all the aforementioned components.

[0045] To enable power and signal transmission during rotation, a central slip ring is provided at the center of the seed metering disc 4, and a conductive path is integrated inside the disc body. External power enters the seed metering disc 4 through the central slip ring and is transmitted to the circumferentially distributed mounting cavities via the internal conductive path. Each mounting cavity is equipped with an internal slip ring (or annular contact), which is electrically connected to the individual control module 601 of each micropillar module of the electromagnetic micropillar assembly 6.

[0046] like Figure 3As shown in the figure, this diagram mainly illustrates the functional components integrated with the rear housing 1 and their working state, revealing the key mechanical structure of the seed unloading process. The seed-protecting ring 3 is equipped with a seed-guiding ramp 302 and a seed unloading groove 301 adjacent to the seed-guiding ramp 302. The radial position of the seed-guiding ramp 302 corresponds to the position of the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly 6, while the radial position of the seed unloading groove 301 is located radially outside the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly 6. Simultaneously, the radial position of the seed unloading groove 301 corresponds to the radial position of the interdental groove of the seed-guiding disc 2. Since the seed-protecting ring 3 is fixed to the front and rear housings, when the seed-discharging disc 4 rotates clockwise as indicated by the arrow in the figure, the seed-protecting ring 3 does not rotate synchronously with it. The seed-guiding ramp 302 and the seed unloading groove 301 together constitute the seed unloading area of ​​the seed metering device. This seed unloading area is located in the upper half of the rotation path of the seed-discharging disc 4, specifically in the area where the seed-discharging disc 4 advances along its rotational direction after passing its highest point. In this embodiment, the seed-guiding slope 302 is a continuous curved surface structure with a gentle inclination angle. When the seed-discharging disc 4 rotates the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly 6, which has completed seed collection, to the seed unloading area, the flexible micro-pillars 608 extending from the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly 6 will gradually come into contact with the starting end of the seed-guiding slope 302. As the seed-discharging disc 4 continues to rotate, the flexible micro-pillars 608 are subjected to a continuous thrust from the seed-guiding slope 302, thereby being forced and smoothly retracted to their initial state. During this process, the seed-supporting holes on the front surface of the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly 6 gradually disappear, allowing the seeds to leak out. The seeds detach under the action of gravity and are guided into the seed unloading channel 301 adjacent to the seed-guiding slope 302. To ensure smooth seed delivery, the seed unloading channel 301 is precisely designed in the radial direction, with its outlet located directly above the interdental groove of the synchronously rotating seed guide plate 2 below. The seeds eventually fall into the interdental groove, which corresponds to the seed discharge port 101 set on the outer periphery of the rear housing 1. The seeds falling into the interdental groove are carried by the seed guide plate 2 and finally fall into the seed discharge port 101 before being discharged from the rear housing 1, thus completing one seed unloading operation.

[0047] like Figure 4As shown in the figure, the auxiliary functional components integrated with the front housing 9 are mainly seed stirring teeth 8 and seed cleaning brush 7. Both the seed stirring teeth 8 and the seed cleaning brush 7 are mounted to the inner wall of the front housing 9 using bolts or other fasteners. The front housing 9 has a seed filling port 901, and the seed stirring teeth 8 are located in the filling area near the filling port between the inner wall of the front housing 9 and the seed metering disc 4. The filling area is located in the lower half of the cavity between the inner wall of the front housing and the seed metering disc 4, and is used to accommodate the seed population to be sown. When the seed metering disc 4 rotates past the filling area, the pre-formed pores on the surface of the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly 6 will contact and be filled with the seed population. During this process, the seed stirring teeth 8 moderately disturb the seed population, breaking up the bridging phenomenon between seeds, improving seed flow, and ensuring that the seeds can smoothly fill the pores of the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly 6. On the rotation path of the seed metering disc 4, the seed cleaning brush 7 is located after the seed filling area. Its bristles sweep across the surface of each completed electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly 6, removing excess seeds that failed to enter the pores, ensuring that there is only one seed in each pore, thereby effectively preventing reseeding.

[0048] like Figure 5 The diagram shown is an exploded view of the electromagnetic micropillar assembly 6. Figure 6 This illustrates the assembly diagram of the smallest functional unit constituting the array—a complete micropillar module. The electromagnetic micropillar assembly 6 includes a micropillar holder 605 and multiple micropillar module units axially slidably connected within the micropillar holder 605 in an array. The electromagnetic micropillar assembly 6 is configured such that, based on the characteristics of the seed to be sown, the main controller selectively drives some micropillar module units to elongate, forming a shaped hole on the front surface of the electromagnetic micropillar assembly to accommodate a single seed. The shape and size of the shaped hole are adapted to the outer contour of the seed to be sown. In this embodiment, the micropillar holder 605 is machined with an array of through holes, each through hole accommodating one micropillar module unit. During assembly, the pre-assembled micropillar module, consisting of a single control module 601, an electromagnetic micropillar sleeve 603, a limiting top cover 604, an adjustable electromagnet 602, a connecting rod 606, a limiting spring 607, and a flexible micropillar 608, is inserted into its corresponding through hole from below the micropillar fixing base 605. The cylindrical portion of the flexible micropillar 608 passes through the through hole, and the inner wall of each through hole forms a guide rail for the linear movement of the flexible micropillar 608, allowing it to slide freely within it. At least the tip of the flexible micropillar 608 that contacts the seed is made of a flexible material to provide flexible cushioning and encapsulation upon contact with the seed. In this embodiment, the flexible micropillar 608 is made of a flexible polymer material, and its tip in contact with the seed is designed as a hemispherical shape to reduce contact pressure.

[0049] Specifically, the micro-pillar module unit consists of a unit control module 601, an electromagnetic micro-pillar sleeve 603, a limiting top cover 604, an adjustable electromagnet 602, a connecting rod 606, a limiting spring 607, and a flexible micro-pillar 608. The adjustable electromagnet 602 is fixed to the unit control module 601 and the two are electrically connected. The electromagnetic micro-pillar sleeve 603 is fixed to the top of the adjustable electromagnet 602. The limiting top cover 604 is fixed to the electromagnetic micro-pillar sleeve 603. The flexible micro-pillar 608 is fixed to the top of the connecting rod 606. The bottom of the connecting rod 606 extends from the limiting top cover 604 into the electromagnetic micro-pillar sleeve 603. A permanent magnet magnetic ring is integrated at the bottom of the connecting rod 606. The limiting spring 607 is sleeved on the connecting rod 606 and its two ends abut against the limiting top cover 604 and the permanent magnet magnetic ring, respectively.

[0050] To address the electromagnetic interference issue between individual micropillar modules in a high-density arrangement, a magnetic shielding structure made of soft magnetic material is installed between the adjustable electromagnet 602 units of adjacent micropillar modules. This magnetic shielding structure provides a low-resistivity closed loop for the magnetic field lines generated by any adjustable electromagnet 602 unit, confining the magnetic flux within each unit, effectively preventing electromagnetic crosstalk, and ensuring high-precision, interference-free independent control of each flexible micropillar 608.

[0051] In this embodiment, the driving method of the micro-pillar module unit is as follows: the unit control module 601 is one or more circuit boards, closely attached to the bottom of the micro-pillar fixing base 605, and the driving chip on it is electrically connected to the adjustable electromagnet 602. The main controller (usually located in the tractor cab or outside the equipment) sends high-level instructions (such as crop type) to the unit control module 601 of the designated micro-pillar module unit (generally referring to the micro-pillar module unit that needs to be extended) of each electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly 6 through the central slip ring. When the designated unit control module 601 receives the instruction, it applies a driving current to the adjustable electromagnet 602. The electromagnetic force generated by this driving current is transmitted to the flexible micro-pillar 608 through the connecting rod 606. The permanent magnet magnetic ring integrated at the bottom of the connecting rod 606 acts as a mover, interacting with the adjustable electromagnet 602 to generate an electromagnetic repulsion force, driving the flexible micro-pillar 608 to move upward. The limiting spring 607 is installed between the upper surface of the permanent magnet magnetic ring and the inner side of the limiting top cover 604 to provide a restoring force. The final extension height of the flexible micropillar 608 depends on the balance between the electromagnetic force and the elastic force of the limiting spring 607. The main controller precisely controls the current of the adjustable electromagnet 602 through a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) controller or a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), thereby achieving continuous and stepless adjustment of the extension height of the flexible micropillar 608. When the current is removed, the electromagnetic force disappears, and the flexible micropillar 608 retracts under the action of the limiting spring 607.

[0052] Figure 7The diagram shows the spatial location and numbering of the individual micropillar modules in the electromagnetic micropillar assembly of this embodiment. In this embodiment, an electromagnetic micropillar assembly consists of 22 independent micropillar modules (the number can be adjusted according to actual needs). To achieve precise control, each micropillar module is assigned a unique address number (numbered 1 to 22 as shown in the figure). The main controller can independently address and drive any one or a group of micropillar modules using this address number, that is, send a drive signal to the micropillar module with a specific address number, causing its corresponding flexible micropillar 608 to extend or retract.

[0053] Figure 8 Demonstrates the use of Figure 7 The aforementioned address numbering, through programmed control, forms three typical application scenarios for shaped holes adapted to different seed characteristics. The shaped hole formation logic is as follows: by energizing some micropillar module units, the flexible micropillars 608 extend to form the sidewalls of the shaped hole, while the micropillar module units that are intended to form the bottom of the shaped hole are not energized and the flexible micropillars 608 remain in a retracted state, thereby enclosing a shaped hole. By precisely adjusting the current intensity applied to each micropillar module unit by the adjustable electromagnet 602, the magnitude of the electromagnetic force can be steplessly adjusted, making the extension height of each flexible micropillar 608 serving as a sidewall continuously variable, thus forming a three-dimensional morphology with arbitrary contours and depths. The following are specific application scenarios:

[0054] Application Scenario Example 1 (Sorghum Small Particle Seeds): The main controller powers all micro-pillar module units except those with address numbers 1, 4, and 5, causing their flexible micro-pillars 608 to extend, while the flexible micro-pillars 608 of the micro-pillar module units with address numbers 1, 4, and 5 remain retracted, forming a very small pore.

[0055] Application Scenario Example 2 (Irregularly Shaped Corn Seeds): The main controller powers all micropillar module units except those with address numbers 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8, causing their flexible micropillars 608 to extend. Meanwhile, the flexible micropillars 608 of these six micropillar module units remain retracted, forming an elongated hole that fits the contour of a corn kernel.

[0056] Application Scenario Example 3 (Large Soybean Seeds): The main controller applies a strong drive signal to the micro-pillar modules numbered 9 to 22 on the outer ring, causing their flexible micro-pillars 608 to extend significantly, forming a tall annular barrier. Meanwhile, the flexible micro-pillars 608 of the micro-pillar modules numbered 1 to 8 in the central area remain retracted, forming a wide and deep load-bearing hole.

[0057] Figure 9The overall workflow of the universal seed metering device described in this embodiment is explained in detail, and the workflow can be summarized into the following three stages:

[0058] Phase 1: Initialization and Intelligent Matching. After the system powers on and performs a self-test, the operator inputs parameters such as the type of crop to be sown through the human-machine interface. Based on the input information, the main controller retrieves and matches the characteristic data of the crop seeds and the preset configuration scheme from the internal database, automatically generating a set of array control commands for the configuration aperture.

[0059] The second stage: Flexible pore reconstruction. The main controller sends the generated control commands to the individual control modules 601 of each micropillar module in the electromagnetic micropillar assembly 6 on the seed metering tray 4 through power transmission and signal transmission structures such as slip rings. Each individual control module 601 independently drives its corresponding adjustable electromagnet 602 according to the command, causing some flexible micropillars 608 to extend to form sidewalls and some to remain retracted to form the bottom surface, thereby quickly completing the physical morphological reconstruction of the pore on the surface of the electromagnetic micropillar assembly 6 to match the target seed.

[0060] The third stage: Seeding operation cycle. After the seed holes are formed, the seed metering disc 4 rotates at a preset speed under the drive of the seed metering shaft 5, repeatedly performing the following continuous steps to achieve continuous and precise seeding operations:

[0061] Seed filling and seed retrieval: Seeds smoothly enter the seed filling zone under the agitation of the seed stirring teeth 8. At this time, the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly 6, which rotates synchronously with the seed metering disc 4 and has pre-formed pores, arrives at the seed filling zone, thereby accurately capturing a seed.

[0062] Seed cleaning: The seed metering disc 4 carrying the seeds continues to rotate, passing through the fixed seed cleaning brush 7. The seed cleaning brush 7 gently sweeps across the surface of the electromagnetic micro-column assembly 6, removing any excess seeds that may be adhering outside the pores, ensuring single-seed sowing and avoiding reseeding.

[0063] Seed unloading: The seed dispensing tray 4 continues to rotate to the seed unloading area, causing the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly 6 carrying the seed to contact the seed guide ramp 302 fixedly installed on the seed guarding ring 3. As the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly 6 moves along the surface of the seed guide ramp 302, the flexible micro-pillars 608 extending from it are smoothly and mechanically forced back to their original position by the seed guide ramp. As the shaped hole disappears, the seed detaches from the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly 6 due to gravity.

[0064] Guiding and Discharge: The detached seeds are precisely guided by the seed-guiding ramp 302 into the seed discharge channel 301 of the seed-protecting ring 3. Since the outlet of the seed discharge channel 301 precisely corresponds to the interdental groove of the synchronously rotating seed-guiding disc 2 below, the seeds smoothly fall into the interdental groove of the seed-guiding disc 2. Finally, the seed-guiding disc 2 continues to rotate, transporting the seeds from the interdental groove to the seed discharge port 101 at the bottom of the rear housing 1 and then discharging them, completing the final dispensing process.

Claims

1. An active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive, characterized in that, The system includes a front housing (9), a seed metering disc (4), a seed protection ring (3), a seed guide disc (2), and a rear housing (1) arranged sequentially along the seed metering shaft (5); the front housing (9), the seed protection ring (3), and the rear housing (1) are fixedly connected in sequence; the seed metering disc (4) and the seed guide disc (2) are fixedly connected and then fixed to the seed metering shaft (5) to achieve synchronous rotation; the seed metering disc (4) is provided with multiple electromagnetic micro-pillar assemblies (6); a main controller is electrically connected to each of the multiple electromagnetic micro-pillar assemblies (6); The electromagnetic micropillar assembly (6) includes a micropillar fixing base (605) and multiple micropillar module units slidably connected in an array within the micropillar fixing base (605); the electromagnetic micropillar assembly (6) is configured such that, according to the characteristics of the seed to be sown, the main controller selectively drives some micropillar module units to extend, forming a shaped hole on the front surface of the electromagnetic micropillar assembly (6) for accommodating a single seed, the shape and size of the shaped hole being adapted to the outer contour of the seed to be sown; The seed-protecting ring (3) is provided with a seed-guiding ramp (302) and a seed-unloading channel (301); the seed-guiding ramp (302) is used to push back the elongated micro-pillar module in the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly (6) that has been rotated to the seed-unloading area, so that the hole on the front surface of the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly (6) disappears and the seed is leaked out, and the seed is guided into the seed-unloading channel (301). The seed guide plate (2) has interdental grooves distributed on its outer periphery, which are used to receive seeds falling from the seed discharge channel (301) and guide the seeds to be discharged from the rear shell (1); The micropillar mounting base (605) is machined with an array of through holes, each through hole being used to accommodate one micropillar module unit; the micropillar module unit includes a unit control module (601), an electromagnetic micropillar sleeve (603), a limiting top cover (604), an adjustable electromagnet (602), a connecting rod (606), a limiting spring (607), and a flexible micropillar (608); the unit control module (601) is electrically connected to the main controller; the adjustable electromagnet (602) is fixed on the unit control module (601), and the two are electrically connected. The electromagnetic micro-column sleeve (603) is fixed to the top of the adjustable electromagnet (602), and the limiting top cover (604) is fixed on the electromagnetic micro-column sleeve (603); the flexible micro-column (608) is fixed to the top of the connecting rod (606), the bottom of the connecting rod (606) extends into the electromagnetic micro-column sleeve (603) from the limiting top cover (604), and a permanent magnet magnetic ring is integrated at the bottom of the connecting rod (606); the limiting spring (607) is sleeved on the connecting rod (606) and its two ends abut against the limiting top cover (604) and the permanent magnet magnetic ring, respectively.

2. The active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible micropillar (608) is made of a flexible material at least at its tip portion that contacts the seed.

3. The active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive according to claim 1, characterized in that, The single-unit control module (601) is configured to receive control signals sent by the main controller, and to steplessly adjust the electromagnetic force by adjusting the magnitude of the current applied to the adjustable electromagnet (602), thereby realizing continuous variable control of the extension height of the flexible micro-pillar (608).

4. The active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the electromagnetic micropillar assembly (6), a magnetic shielding structure made of soft magnetic material is provided between the adjustable electromagnets (602) of adjacent micropillar module units.

5. The active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main controller assigns a unique address number to each micropillar module in the electromagnetic micropillar assembly (6), and performs addressing and drive control on any one or a group of micropillar modules according to the address number.

6. The active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the front housing (9) is provided with stirring teeth (8) for stirring the population. The stirring teeth (8) are located in the filling area between the front housing (9) and the seed dispensing tray (4).

7. The active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive according to claim 1, characterized in that, A seed cleaning brush (7) is provided on the inner wall of the front housing (9). The seed cleaning brush (7) is located after the seed filling area and is used to remove excess seeds that are attached to the surface of the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly (6) and have not entered the pore.

8. The active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seed-guiding ramp (302) on the seed-protecting ring (3) is adjacent to the seed-unloading channel (301), and the radial position of the seed-guiding ramp (302) corresponds to the position of the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly (6). The radial position of the seed-unloading channel (301) is located on the radial outer side of the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly (6). When the seed-discharging disc (4) drives the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly (6) that has completed seed collection to rotate to the seed-unloading area, the elongated micro-pillar module in the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly (6) contacts the seed-guiding ramp (302). As the seed-discharging disc (4) continues to rotate, the seed-guiding ramp... The slope (302) pushes back the elongated micro-pillar module unit, causing the hole on the front surface of the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly (6) to disappear and the seeds to leak out. The leaked seeds are guided to the seed discharge channel (301) adjacent to the seed guide slope (302). The radial position of the seed discharge channel (301) corresponds to the radial position of the interdental groove of the seed guide plate (2). The seeds fall into the interdental groove of the seed guide plate (2) through the seed discharge channel (301). The seeds falling into the interdental groove are carried by the seed guide plate (2) and finally discharged from the seed outlet of the rear shell (1).

9. The active conformal universal seed metering device based on electromagnetic array drive according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seed metering disc (4) has multiple mounting cavities evenly distributed along its circumference for mounting the electromagnetic micro-pillar assembly (6); a central slip ring is provided at the center of the seed metering disc (4), and a conductive path is integrated inside the seed metering disc (4); external power enters the seed metering disc (4) through the central slip ring and is transmitted to each mounting cavity on the seed metering disc (4) through the conductive path; each mounting cavity is provided with an inner slip ring, and the inner slip ring is electrically connected to the main controller.

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