Compact Singulating Device for Precision Seed Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing singulating devices for agricultural implements, such as seed drills, are not compact enough to accommodate small row spacings, limiting their precision and efficiency in distributing granular materials like seeds, fertilizers, or pesticides.
Innovation Solution
A compact singulating device design featuring a rotatable singulating part with through-holes utilizing a pressure difference, a rotatable closure part, and a motor-driven mechanism that allows for reduced space usage and low friction operation, enabling precise distribution of granular materials with minimal seal contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a traditional singulating device design is used, then the device can operate with standard row spacings, but the device occupies excessive space in width direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the motor from a central location to an external location on the base part, and redirects the drive shaft to extend radially outward rather than axially. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the singulating part to be mounted directly on the base part without requiring excessive central space, thereby reducing the overall width of the device while maintaining its singulation precision function
2Length of moving object
If the singulating part is mounted on the motor shaft, then the drive transmission is direct, but the device requires more space in the axial direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by mounting the singulating part on the base part rather than on the motor shaft, and extends the drive shaft radially outward to the singulating part. This dimensional change redirects the power transmission path from an axial arrangement to a radial arrangement, reducing the axial length while maintaining effective drive transmission
3Loss of energy
If seal contact is used to prevent leakage, then the device maintains pressure differential, but friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing contact requirement from the system by providing an open mounting arrangement where the singulating part is mounted on the base part without sliding seals. The pressure differential is maintained through the through-holes in the singulating part itself, eliminating the need for seal contact and associated friction losses while maintaining operational reliability
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
The compact design allows for efficient and precise distribution of granular materials with reduced space requirements, improving the precision and efficiency of agricultural implements, especially in applications with small row spacings.
Implementation Method 1
a singulating part (1407) which is rotatable relative to the base part (1401) and which has a plurality of through-holes (14073) for receiving individual granules from the granular material with the aid of a pressure difference between opposite sides of the singulating part
Data Source
AI summary
A singulating device (140) for singulating granular material comprises a base part (1401), a singulating part (1407) which is rotatable relative to the base part and which has a plurality of through-holes (14073) for receiving individual granules from said granular material with the ad of a pressure difference between opposite sides of the singulating part (1407), a closure part (1408) which is rotatable relative to the base part and which is attachable to the singulating part (1407), in order to form a closable space, such that the closure part (1408) is rotatable together with the singulating part (1407), and a motor (1409) for driving the closure part (1408) and the singulating part (1407). The singulating part (1407) is idly rotatably supported on the base part (1401). A drive shaft (14092) driven by the motor (1409) can be coupled to a driver arrangement (1408, 1413), in order to cause the driver arrangement to rotate. The singulating part (1407) is drivable by rotation of the driver arrangement (1408, 1413).