Combine Cover Crop Planter Merging Harvesting and Seeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for planting cover crops are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly, often hindered by weather and field conditions, leading to inadequate nutrient reduction in water sources due to inefficient practices.
Innovation Solution
A combine harvester-based system that integrates a soil opening mechanism and seed dispensing system, allowing for simultaneous harvesting of cash crops and planting of cover crops, utilizing a seed reservoir and actuators connected to the combine's control system to efficiently plant cover crops during the harvesting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cover crops are planted using traditional methods after harvest, then soil protection and nutrient reduction are improved, but time consumption and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cover crop planting operation with the cash crop harvesting operation into a single integrated system. The planter is mounted on the combine harvester, allowing both operations to occur simultaneously during one field pass, thereby eliminating the need for a separate planting operation and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The combine harvester is transformed into a multi-functional machine by integrating both harvesting and planting capabilities. The system uses the harvester's existing movement and operational infrastructure to perform dual functions, making the equipment more versatile and efficient.
2Reliability
If a second field pass is made for planting cover crops after harvest, then cover crop establishment is improved, but fuel consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the planting operation with the harvesting operation, so that both functions are accomplished during a single field pass. This eliminates the need for a second pass, thereby reducing fuel consumption and operational costs while still achieving effective cover crop establishment.
3Loss of time
If aerial planting is used to plant cover crops, then time for field access is reduced, but seed dispersal control and germination rates worsen due to wind and seed loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the advantages of ground-based planting precision with the efficiency of simultaneous harvesting. By planting from the moving combine harvester rather than aerially, the system achieves precise seed placement controlled by the planter mechanism while maintaining the time efficiency of not requiring separate field access operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The planter mechanism acts as an intermediary between the harvesting operation and the soil, providing controlled seed delivery and placement. This intermediary system ensures precise seed placement and good seed-to-soil contact, overcoming the precision problems associated with aerial planting.
4Reliability
If more seed is used during aerial planting to compensate for loss, then cover crop coverage is improved, but cost and environmental impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The planter mechanism serves as an efficient intermediary that delivers seed directly to the soil with minimal loss. Unlike aerial planting which scatters seed over a wide area with poor control, the planter provides targeted, controlled delivery, significantly reducing the quantity of seed needed to achieve the same coverage and improving cost efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A planting system for a combine in embodiments of the present invention may have one or more of the following elements: (a) a soil opening system having one or more soil openers operably connected to one or more mounting arms operably attached to the combine, (b) a seed handling system having one or more seed dispensers with one or more seed tubes operably connected to the one or more seed dispensers and a seed reservoir adapted for housing cover crop seed, and (c) a control system having one or more actuators operably connected to one or more controllers, wherein at least one of the sets of soil openers and sets of seed dispensers is operably attached to a header of the combine.