Coulter Roller Bogie Layout for Stable Seed Furrow Depth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Maintaining the desired working depth of a coulter disc in agricultural seeders is complex due to the interaction of the pressure roller with the depth control roller, leading to uneven soil contact forces and instability, especially when the coulter disc is tilted, which affects seed placement accuracy and smooth running.

Innovation Solution

The depth control roller and pressure roller are combined on a common rocker-like suspension beam, allowing even distribution of contact forces and improving smooth running by overlapping with the coulter disc, with adjustable asymmetry to manage soil clumps and varying soil conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the depth control roller and pressure roller are separately mounted, then each roller can be independently adjusted, but the distribution of soil contact forces becomes uneven and system stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent adjustment capabilityVSAvoidSystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the depth control roller and pressure roller onto a common rocker-like suspension beam, creating a coupled suspension system. This merging allows the rollers to share the suspension load and distribute soil contact forces more evenly, improving system stability while maintaining adjustment capability through the rocker mechanism's natural motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If the coulter disc is tilted to cut the furrow, then the desired furrow width and depth are achieved, but smooth running is affected due to uneven soil contact forces

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFurrow dimensionsVSAvoidSmooth running
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the depth control roller and pressure roller onto a common suspension beam, the system creates a coupled mechanism that naturally balances soil contact forces. This helps maintain smooth running of the tilted coulter disc while preserving the precise furrow cutting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rocker-like suspension beam provides dynamic adaptation to varying soil conditions, allowing the system to self-adjust and maintain smooth operation. The rocker mechanism enables controlled motion that accommodates the tilted disc configuration while distributing forces evenly during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjustment options are provided for depth control, then depth setting flexibility is improved, but the complexity of maintaining desired working depth increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDepth setting flexibilityVSAvoidDepth control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The common rocker-like suspension beam integrates multiple adjustment functions into a unified structure. The rocker mechanism itself provides depth control capability, reducing the need for separate complex adjustment mechanisms while maintaining flexibility through the coupled roller system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration ensures precise depth control and reduces soil clod throwing, enhancing seed placement accuracy and system stability by evenly distributing contact forces and scraping off adhering soil, maintaining smooth operation across varying soil types.

Implementation Method 1

The depth control roller and pressure roller are mounted on a common, rocker-like suspension beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRocker mechanism:

Implementation Method 2

This not only improves running smoothness but also minimizes the unwanted throwing up of clods of earth or soil by the share disc

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce distribution:

Implementation Method 3

The depth control roller is arranged overlapping with and adjacent to an end face of the share disc and forms a scraper for removing soil from the share disc

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScraping action:

Implementation Method 4

a pressure roller trailing behind the coulter disc for pressing down material deposited in the seed furrow and/or closing the seed furrow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure application:

Implementation Method 5

the axis of rotation of the coulter disc can be tilted at an acute angle to a horizontal plane and/or at an acute angle to an upright plane extending transversely to the direction of travel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTilting mechanism:

Implementation Method 6

the coulter disc cuts a furrow of the desired width and depth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCutting action:

Data Source

PatentEP4677983A1Coulter system and sowing machine with such a coulter system
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 ALOIS POETTINGER MASCHFAB
  • EP4677983A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4677983A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4677983A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a coulter system (1) for an agricultural machine, comprising a coulter disc (2) for drawing a seed furrow, a depth control roller (11) for controlling the working depth of the coulter disc (2), and a pressure roller (7) trailing behind the coulter disc (2) for pressing down material deposited in the seed furrow and/or closing the seed furrow. The invention further relates to a seed drill with such a coulter system (1). According to the invention, the depth control roller (11) and the pressure roller (7) are mounted on a common, rocker-like suspension support (13) in the manner of a bogey chassis, wherein the depth control roller (11) is arranged overlapping with and adjacent to an end face of the coulter disc (2) and forms a scraper for removing soil from the coulter disc (2).