Air Seeder Restrictor Assembly for Turn-Based Airflow Compensation

Solution Overview

Problem

Air seeders face issues with inconsistent commodity distribution and hose plugging during turns due to uneven air flow, leading to reduced yields and equipment damage.

Innovation Solution

A restrictor assembly is used in the air distribution system of air seeders, which includes a movable component that adjusts air flow based on turning events, reducing air flow on the inside curve and increasing it on the outside curve to maintain consistent seeding and prevent hose plugging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the air seeder runs at the highest anticipated pressure to prevent plugging of primary hoses, then hose plugging is prevented, but energy consumption increases and commodity placement quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of hose pluggingVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts air flow restriction based on detected turning conditions. During turns, the restrictor component modifies air flow distribution to prevent hose plugging on the outside curve, while during straight travel, normal air flow is maintained to avoid excess energy consumption and commodity placement issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes air flow parameters (pressure and flow rate) based on operational conditions. The restrictor component alters air flow restriction levels in response to turning detection, allowing the system to optimize between preventing hose plugging and maintaining energy efficiency and commodity placement quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the air seeder runs at the highest anticipated pressure, then hose plugging is prevented, but commodity placement quality deteriorates due to excess air flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of hose pluggingVSAvoidcommodity placement quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts air flow restriction based on detected turning conditions. During turns, the restrictor component modifies air flow distribution to prevent hose plugging on the outside curve, while during straight travel, normal air flow is maintained to avoid excess energy consumption and commodity placement issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes air flow parameters (pressure and flow rate) based on operational conditions. The restrictor component alters air flow restriction levels in response to turning detection, allowing the system to optimize between preventing hose plugging and maintaining energy efficiency and commodity placement quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If air flow is increased on the inside curve to maintain commodity delivery, then commodity distribution improves, but commodity blows out of the ground

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommodity delivery consistencyVSAvoidcommodity blowout

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The restrictor component creates different air flow conditions at different locations along the air distribution manifold. During turns, it restricts air flow on the inside curve to prevent commodity blowout while allowing adequate air flow on the outside curve to prevent hose plugging, achieving local optimization of air flow characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Use of energy by moving object

If air flow is decreased on the outside curve to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but primary hoses become plugged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidprevention of hose plugging

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts air flow restriction based on detected turning conditions. During turns, the restrictor component modifies air flow distribution to prevent hose plugging on the outside curve, while during straight travel, normal air flow is maintained to avoid excess energy consumption and commodity placement issues.

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

This solution ensures more even commodity distribution across the field during turns, preventing commodity blowout and hose plugging, thus enhancing yield and reducing equipment wear.

Implementation Method 1

A fan may be operable to create an air stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir stream generation:

Implementation Method 2

a restrictor component having a body and configured to selectably move to restrict air flow upon identification of a turning event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow restriction:

Data Source

PatentUS11343959B2Air flow distribution control for curve compensation on air-seeding carts and tools

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 DEERE & CO

AI summary

An air distribution system for a seed cart provides for improved air flow distribution upon identification of a turning event. The seed cart may have a fan operable to create an air stream. A set of primary tubes coupled to the fan may receive separate portions of the air stream from the fan. A distribution manifold may have a first plurality of passages therethrough and a second plurality of passages therethrough. A restrictor assembly may comprise a first end, a second end oppositely disposed from the first end, and a plurality of inlets and a plurality of outlets disposed therebetween. The restrictor assembly may have a plurality of restriction components. Restriction of air flow proximate the first end is different than the restriction of air flow proximate the second end.