Agricultural Row Unit Closing Wheel Depth Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural planters face challenges in maintaining optimal soil engagement and seed coverage due to varying soil hardness, which affects the depth and pressure of closing wheels used to furrow closure, leading to inconsistent seed placement and soil compaction.

Innovation Solution

A system that adjusts the downward pressure of closing wheels based on sensed depth changes relative to the firming wheel, using a proximity sensor or linear inductive distance sensor to monitor the angle between arms carrying the closing and firming wheels, and an electrical controller to adjust pressure accordingly, ensuring consistent soil engagement and seed coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If closing wheel depth is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to varying soil hardness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosing wheel control systemVSAvoidseed placement consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The closing wheel depth control system transitions from a static fixed depth mechanism to a dynamic adjustable system. The arm assembly allows the closing wheel to pivot vertically, enabling real-time depth adjustment based on soil conditions while maintaining consistent seed placement through controlled movement rather than rigid fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the depth parameter of the closing wheel dynamically by detecting soil hardness variations and adjusting the wheel's vertical position accordingly. This parameter adjustment is achieved through the arm's pivoting motion, which modifies the closing wheel's insertion depth into the soil to compensate for varying soil resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If closing wheel pressure is increased to compensate for hard soil, then adaptability improves, but force applied to the row unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil hardness adaptationVSAvoiddownward pressure on row unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring assembly acts as a counterweight mechanism that balances the downward force exerted by the closing wheel on hard soil. When the closing wheel encounters increased soil resistance, the spring compresses to absorb and counterbalance this force, preventing excessive transmission of pressure to the row unit frame while maintaining adaptability to soil conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring assembly provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-loaded and positioned to absorb sudden force spikes when the closing wheel encounters hard soil patches. This cushioning effect protects the row unit structure from excessive forces while allowing the closing wheel to maintain adequate pressure for furrow closure across varying soil conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Manufacturing precision

If depth sensing is added to detect closing wheel position, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosing wheel depth controlVSAvoidsensing and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex electronic depth sensing and control mechanisms with a simplified mechanical arm assembly. The arm's pivoting motion naturally indicates depth variations through its angular position, eliminating the need for sophisticated sensors and electronic control systems while maintaining adequate depth control for consistent seed placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 consistent seed placement and soil compaction by maintaining the desired depth of closing wheels relative to the firming wheel, adapting to changes in soil hardness, thereby improving planting efficiency and reducing mechanical stress on the row unit.

Implementation Method 1

including a linear inductive distance sensor that detects changes in the angle between the arms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLinear inductive distance sensing: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10645865B2Agricultural row unit with automatic control system for furrow closing device

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A system for controlling the depth of at least one closing wheel in an agricultural row unit for planting seeds in a furrow. The row unit includes a firming device that passes the seeds into the soil at the bottom of the furrow, and at least one closing wheel that is pressed into a side of the furrow to close the furrow over the seeds. A control system senses the depth of the closing wheels in the furrow relative to the depth of the firming device, and adjusts the downward pressure on the closing wheel, based on changes in the sensed depth of the closing wheel, to compensate for changes in the hardness of the soil.