Belt Planter Return Means Arrangement for Seedling Singulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing belt planters face limitations in singulation, leading to uneven planting and reduced capacity due to seedling interference and terrain challenges, which restricts planting speed and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The belt planter features successively arranged return means between planting belt units, allowing seedlings to roll freely and rotate the belt bed to maintain a horizontal position based on slope sensors, eliminating partitions that impede singulation and enabling increased planting speed and density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If walls/partitions are provided between return means of successive planting belt units to prevent seedlings from being pushed to one side, then seedling distribution is improved, but singulation deteriorates as seedlings hit the walls and are pushed into the row
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the walls/partitions that were previously installed between return means of successive planting belt units. By extracting these obstructive elements, seedlings can move freely between units without being deflected into the row, thereby improving singulation while maintaining adequate seedling distribution through the sequential arrangement of return means.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary spatial arrangement where return means of successive planting belt units are positioned sequentially without direct physical barriers. This intermediary configuration allows seedlings to transition smoothly between units through controlled movement paths, avoiding direct contact with walls that would disrupt singulation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the speed of planting belt units is restricted to prevent seedling interference, then singulation is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a dynamic system where the planting belt units operate at higher speeds enabled by the sequential arrangement of return means. The removal of walls allows the system to accommodate increased seedling flow rates without compromising singulation, transforming the static speed limitation into a dynamic operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by increasing the speed of planting belt units beyond previous restrictions. The modified return means configuration allows the system to operate at elevated speeds while maintaining singulation quality, effectively changing the speed parameter from a constrained value to an optimized higher value.
3Device complexity
If planting is carried out on sloping terrain without belt bed rotation, then device complexity is reduced, but singulation deteriorates due to seedling interference
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dynamic rotation capability to the belt bed, allowing it to adjust its orientation relative to the slope. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to maintain horizontal positioning on inclined terrain, ensuring proper seedling singulation without requiring complex structural modifications to the overall device.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter of belt bed orientation by enabling rotation to a horizontal position regardless of terrain slope. This parameter adjustment allows the system to compensate for terrain inclination, maintaining singulation quality without permanently altering the device structure.
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 design enhances singulation, allowing for closer seedling spacing and higher planting capacity, ensuring even distribution and efficient planting on uneven terrain without seedling interference, thus increasing yield per hectare.
Implementation Method 1
a slope sensor for determining the slope of the belt bed with respect to the level
Implementation Method 2
seedlings can roll between these successive planting belt units on these return means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Belt planter (1) for planting seedlings, such as potatoes (2) or other tuberous or bulbous plants, comprising a belt bed (3) comprising at least two planting belt units (4), each of which is provided in order to supply seedlings to be planted along a supply direction in one row from a supply point to a discharge point, and comprising return means (5) on either side of each planting belt unit (4) in order to return seedlings which fall out of the row to the supply point counter to the supply direction, characterized in that the return means (5) are successively arranged between two successive planting belt units (4) of the said planting belt units (4), so that seedlings can roll between these successive planting belt units (4) on these return means (5)