Adjustable Singling Disc for Variable Seed Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed separating devices require time-consuming and complex manual adjustments to adapt the size of grain receiving recesses on the separating disk to accommodate seeds of different sizes, shapes, and weights, leading to inefficiencies in seed placement.
Innovation Solution
The use of a drive device to facilitate a relative movement between two separating disk parts, allowing for adjustable grain receiving recesses without manual intervention, utilizing existing actuators and locking mechanisms to adjust sizes cost-effectively and simplify the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the size of grain receiving recesses is fixed in the singling disc, then the structural complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the adaptability to different seed sizes and the productivity are worsened due to time-consuming disc changes
Solution Approach 1:
The singling disc is divided into two separable parts: a first singling disc part with recesses and a second singling disc part with openings. By segmenting the disc into two independently adjustable parts, the system achieves adaptability to different seed sizes without requiring complete disc changes, while each individual part remains relatively simple in structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the singling disc dynamically adjustable by allowing relative movement between the two disc parts. The drive device enables rotational adjustment of the second disc part relative to the first, allowing the grain receiving recesses to be dynamically reconfigured for different seed sizes during operation without manual intervention
2Productivity
If manual adjustment of the separating device is used to change grain receiving recess size, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and ease of operation are worsened due to time-consuming adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment of the grain receiving recess size automatically. The drive device, which already exists for rotating the singling disc during operation, is utilized to automatically adjust the relative position of the two disc parts, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling continuous productive operation
Solution Approach 2:
The drive device serves multiple functions: it rotates the singling disc during normal seed placement operation and also adjusts the relative position of the two disc parts to change the size of grain receiving recesses. This multi-functionality increases automation without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby maintaining productivity
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple singling disc sets are used to accommodate different seed sizes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and loss of substance are worsened due to the need to carry and change multiple disc sets
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the singling disc into two adjustable parts, the system eliminates the need for multiple complete disc sets. Each part can be independently configured, and their relative positions adjusted to create different grain receiving recess sizes, providing the versatility of multiple discs in a single integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustment capability allows a single singling disc assembly to replace multiple static disc sets. The drive device enables continuous or stepless adjustment of the grain receiving recess size, providing the adaptability of having multiple disc configurations available without the physical need to store and change multiple disc sets
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a singulation device (10) for singulating seeds, comprising a multi-part singulation disc (12) which has several seed receiving recesses (16) and on which at least two different sizes of seed receiving recesses (16) can be adjusted by means of a relative movement of two singulation disc parts (18a, 18b), and a drive device (20) which is connected to the singulation disc (12) and is configured to drive the singulation disc (12) rotaryally during the singulation operation of the singulation device (10).