Axially Adjustable Sowing Disc for Precision Seeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sowing hearts for precision seed drills are expensive to manufacture and difficult to handle due to the need for manual grinding of parts, leading to non-interchangeable components and seed loss during operation.

Innovation Solution

A sowing heart design featuring an axially adjustable sowing disc using an actuator-driven flange and tensioning element, allowing for precise adjustment and replacement without grinding, ensuring optimal sealing and minimizing seed loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the partition wall is manually ground to ensure tight separation, then sealing quality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and components become non-interchangeable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sowing disc is made axially adjustable relative to the partition wall through a movable mounting structure. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the sowing disc to adapt to different sealing requirements without requiring custom grinding of the partition wall for each sowing disc, thus maintaining high sealing quality while enabling interchangeability and reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If manual grinding is performed on the partition wall, then sealing quality is improved, but component interchangeability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing qualityVSAvoidcomponent interchangeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure allows the sowing disc to be adjusted axially relative to the partition wall. This dynamic positioning enables the sowing disc to achieve optimal sealing contact without requiring the partition wall to be custom-ground for each specific sowing disc, thereby maintaining both high sealing quality and full interchangeability of components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the sowing disc is fixed in position, then structural simplicity is maintained, but sealing quality and adjustability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidsealing quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sowing disc is mounted on an adjustable structure that allows axial movement relative to the partition wall. This dynamic mounting enables precise positioning to achieve optimal sealing contact while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The adjustment mechanism adds minimal complexity but delivers significant improvements in sealing quality and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables cost-effective and flexible handling of sowing hearts, allowing for easy replacement of components and minimizing seed loss, ensuring efficient seed delivery and extended storage of even fine seeds.

Implementation Method 1

The flange is pretensioned from its rear side by the tensioning element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the vacuum area, in which a negative pressure is generated for holding and transporting the seed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum pressure: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP2183952B1Seed meter and single grain seeder
Publication Date: 2011.04.27 KVERNELAND AS
  • EP2183952B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2183952B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2183952B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The meter (3) has a seed chamber (11) separated from a pressure chamber (10) by a rotatable seed disk (9). A storing section (17) is partially separated with respect to a transport- and delivery section (18) by a separating wall (19). The seed disk includes seed holes (15) in a defined arrangement for defined receiving and delivery of seed (16) using pressure sections (13, 14) defined by the pressure chamber. The seed chamber is separated in the storing section and the transport- and delivery section. The seed disk is adjustable with respect to the wall by a stepless adjustment device.