Air Seeder Turn Compensation Using Towing-Vehicle Yaw Rate

Solution Overview

Problem

Current curve compensation systems in agricultural seeding tools, particularly air seeders, fail to accurately adjust seed application rates during turns due to the delay in seed delivery, leading to uneven distribution between the inner and outer portions of the curve.

Innovation Solution

A system that senses the instantaneous yaw rate on the towing vehicle and predicts the future yaw rate of the air application implement, adjusting the material application rate accordingly across the implement to maintain uniform distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a static seeding rate is maintained during a curve, then the seeding tool structure remains simple, but the outer portion under-seeds while the inner portion over-seeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseeding tool structureVSAvoidseeding rate uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by detecting the yaw rate of the towing vehicle and predicting the future yaw rate of the air seeder before the turn completes. This advance detection and prediction allows the system to pre-adjust seeding rates across different zones of the implement, compensating for the delay in seed delivery and ensuring uniform seeding distribution before the turn effects fully manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If curve compensation functionality is added to vary seeding rate across the tool, then seeding rate uniformity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseeding rate uniformityVSAvoidseeding tool structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary approach by placing a yaw rate sensor on the towing vehicle rather than on the air seeder itself. This intermediary sensor position provides advance warning of upcoming turns, allowing the control system to predict and compensate for yaw rate changes before they affect seed delivery. This mediator approach simplifies the overall system architecture while achieving effective curve compensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by detecting the yaw rate of the towing vehicle and predicting the future yaw rate of the air seeder before the turn completes. This advance detection and prediction allows the system to pre-adjust seeding rates across different zones of the implement, compensating for the delay in seed delivery and ensuring uniform seeding distribution before the turn effects fully manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If yaw rate sensor is mounted on the air seeder frame, then measurement precision improves, but the delay in seed delivery causes compensation inaccuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveyaw rate detection accuracyVSAvoidseed delivery delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by detecting the yaw rate of the towing vehicle and predicting the future yaw rate of the air seeder before the turn completes. This advance detection and prediction allows the system to pre-adjust seeding rates across different zones of the implement, compensating for the delay in seed delivery and ensuring uniform seeding distribution before the turn effects fully manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the yaw rate of the towing vehicle and using this information to dynamically adjust the seeding rate across different zones of the air seeder. The control system processes the yaw rate data in real-time and modifies seed delivery accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that continuously optimizes seeding uniformity based on actual turning conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Ensures consistent seed or material application rates across the field, even during turns, by predicting and compensating for the delay in seed delivery, thereby reducing over-seeding and under-seeding issues.

Implementation Method 1

A yaw rate is sensed on a towing vehicle that is towing an air application implement. The sensed yaw rate is used to predict a future yaw rate on the air application implement.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectYaw rate detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12349614B2Air seeding turn compensation using yaw rate from sensor on towing vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A yaw rate is sensed on a towing vehicle that is towing an air seeder. The sensed yaw rate is used to predict a future yaw rate on a planting implement of the air seeder. An application rate of material is varied across the application implement based upon the predicted yaw rate across the implement.