Laterally Adjustable Carrier for Nutrient Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground-engaging implements often require higher dosages of nutrients to be applied in the middle zone between crop rows, leading to increased costs for growers, as plants may not effectively absorb nutrients dispensed in this area, necessitating a more targeted application method.
Innovation Solution
A ground-engaging implement system with lateral position adjustment, featuring a laterally adjustable carrier and outlets for nutrients and seeds, allowing for precise placement of crop inputs closer to plant rows, thereby reducing nutrient waste and increasing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If nutrients are dispensed in the middle zone between adjacent crop rows, then nutrient application is simplified, but nutrient absorption efficiency decreases and growers must purchase greater amounts or concentrations of nutrients
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is made laterally adjustable to change its position relative to the crop rows. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to transition from a fixed middle-zone dispensing position to variable positions closer to individual rows, optimizing nutrient placement based on absorption efficiency requirements while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables different lateral positions of the carrier relative to different crop rows, allowing nutrients to be dispensed at optimal locations for each row. This local optimization ensures nutrients are placed where plants can most effectively absorb them, reducing overall nutrient waste while maintaining simplified application procedures
2Reliability
If greater dosages or concentrations of nutrients are applied to achieve desired results from middle zone placement, then nutrient application effectiveness is maintained, but growers' costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The laterally adjustable carrier enables dynamic repositioning to optimize nutrient placement effectiveness. By adjusting the carrier's lateral position, the system can achieve reliable nutrient application at lower quantities by placing nutrients closer to where plants can most efficiently absorb them, eliminating the need for increased dosages
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the conventional fixed mechanical dispensing system with an adjustable system that can laterally reposition the carrier. This substitution allows for optimized nutrient placement that maintains application effectiveness while reducing the total quantity of nutrients required
3Loss of substance
If nutrients are dispensed closer to crop rows to reduce nutrient waste, then nutrient absorption efficiency increases, but the lateral position of outlets must be adjustable
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is designed with lateral adjustability, transforming it from a static to a dynamic component. This allows the outlet position to be changed relative to the crop rows, enabling nutrients to be dispensed at optimal locations for absorption while managing the complexity through a focused adjustment mechanism on the carrier itself
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier adjustment assembly for coupling to a frame member of an implement includes a laterally adjustable carrier configured to be coupled to an opener and a first outlet providing at least one nutrient. The assembly further includes a plurality of lateral spacers positioned adjacent to the carrier to laterally adjust the carrier and provide a plurality of adjustment positions. The carrier adjustment assembly facilitates lateral adjustment of the carrier by removal of at least one captively held lateral spacer that sets the lateral adjustment of the carrier, a lateral adjustment of the first outlet, and an adjustment of a lateral separation between a seed row provided by a second outlet and a nutrient row provided by the first outlet.