Adjustable Row Cleaner Actuation for Debris Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural planters face challenges in preventing debris from entering the furrows formed during seeding, which can lead to inefficiencies and poor seed germination.

Innovation Solution

The agricultural planter incorporates an adjustable row cleaner assembly with debris cleaners that are adjustable in distance and position relative to the travel direction, and are actuated by a control processor to optimize debris removal based on velocity and surface debris quantity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If debris cleaners are made adjustable in position and distance, then the ability to adapt to different travel velocities and debris quantities is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different travel velocities and debris quantitiesVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustable row cleaner assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The row cleaner assembly incorporates adjustable components that can dynamically change position and distance based on operating conditions. The system includes actuators and control mechanisms that allow the debris cleaners to move forward and backward relative to the planter frame, enabling adaptation to different travel velocities and debris quantities while maintaining a controlled level of complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the debris cleaner is actuated to move into position based on velocity signals, then the effectiveness of debris removal is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of debris removalVSAvoidenergy consumption of actuation system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control processor receives velocity signals from sensors and uses this feedback information to automatically actuate the row cleaner assembly into appropriate positions. The system continuously monitors travel velocity and adjusts the debris cleaner position accordingly, optimizing debris removal effectiveness while managing energy consumption through intelligent control rather than continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12274199B2Agricultural planter including adjustable row cleaners

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 DEERE & CO

AI summary

An adjustment assembly for an agricultural planter operable in a travel direction and at a travel velocity and configured to dispense seeds into a furrow formed within an agricultural surface includes a bracket configured to be coupled to a frame of the agricultural planter and a debris cleaner coupled to the bracket and configured to inhibit debris from entering the furrow. A control processor is configured to receive a first signal representing a first velocity of the agricultural planter relative to the agricultural surface, send a second signal to actuate movement of the debris cleaner into a first position based on the first signal, receive a third signal representing a second velocity of the agricultural planter relative to the agricultural surface, and send a fourth signal to actuate movement of the debris cleaner into a second position based on the third signal.