Air Cart Metering System with Independent Module Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seeding implements lack the ability to vary product application rates across different geographic regions of a field, leading to undesirable application, product overlap, and inadequate deposition, resulting in wasted product and reduced yield.
Innovation Solution
A metering system for an air cart with multiple meter modules and a controller that adjusts the metering rates based on a prescription rate map and geographic location, allowing for precise application of particulate materials at varying rates across different field regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single meter or multiple meters controlled together are used in seeding implements, then the agricultural product is deposited into the soil at a generally uniform rate across the seeding implement, but the ability to vary product application rates across different geographic regions of a field is lost, resulting in product overlap, inadequate deposition, and wasted product
Solution Approach 1:
The metering system is divided into multiple independently controllable meter modules, each responsible for a specific section of the seeding implement. This segmentation allows each module to operate autonomously and adjust its metering rate based on geographic location, enabling variable product application rates across different field regions while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The meter modules are equipped with dynamic control capabilities that allow real-time adjustment of metering rates based on GPS location data and prescription rate maps. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to automatically vary product application rates as the implement moves across different geographic regions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity through automated control
2Measurement precision
If multiple independently controllable meter modules are implemented with GPS-based control, then precise variable product application rates can be achieved across different field regions, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates GPS receivers that continuously provide location feedback to the controller, which then adjusts each meter module's operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables precise measurement of geographic position and automatic adjustment of product application rates, achieving high measurement precision while managing system complexity through established feedback control architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual metering control with automated electronic control systems that use GPS data and prescription maps to adjust metering rates. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with electronic automation achieves precise variable rate application while reducing the operational complexity burden on the user
3Productivity
If uniform metering rates are applied across all sections of the seeding implement, then the system is simpler to operate and control, but product overlap and inadequate deposition occur in certain field portions, resulting in reduced yield
Solution Approach 1:
Each meter module is equipped with autonomous control capabilities that allow it to self-adjust its metering rate based on its own GPS location and the prescription rate map. This self-service approach enables precise variable rate application across different field regions without requiring complex manual intervention, thereby improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through automated decision-making at each module
Data Source
AI summary
A metering system for an air cart includes a metering subassembly having a first meter module configured to meter particulate material from a storage tank of the air cart to a first section of an agricultural implement and a second meter module configured to meter the particulate material from the storage tank of the air cart to a second section of the agricultural implement. The metering system includes a controller having a processor configured to receive a prescription rate map indicative of prescribed product application rates for respective geographic regions of a field, to receive a speed of the agricultural implement, and to independently adjust the first meter module and the second meter module based at least in part on the prescription rate map and the speed to facilitate application of the particulate material at the prescribed product application rates in the respective geographic regions.