Counter-Rotating Rod Singulator for Plantlet Casing Metering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Typical air carts are not configured to effectively meter plantlet casings, which are larger than seed particles, making it difficult to convey and deposit them into the ground for agricultural purposes.

Innovation Solution

A metering system incorporating a singulator with counter-rotating rods and an inductor assembly, where the singulator directs plantlet casings from a storage tank to the inductor, and the inductor conveys them to row units using an air flow, with adjustable rotation speed and vibration frequency to ensure accurate delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If typical meter rollers are used to meter plantlet casings, then the system can handle seed particles, but it cannot effectively meter larger plantlet casings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to meter different agricultural productsVSAvoideffectiveness of metering plantlet casings

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the metering mechanism by replacing traditional meter rollers with counter-rotating rods. This fundamental parameter change allows the system to handle larger plantlet casings that cannot be effectively metered by conventional roller-based systems, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the traditional mechanical roller-based metering system with a counter-rotating rod system. This mechanical substitution enables effective metering of plantlet casings by using the counter-rotation to advance casings through the system, overcoming the limitations of roller-based systems for larger objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If plantlet casings are conveyed through the system, then delivery to row units is achieved, but proper orientation and singulation are difficult to ensure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery rate of plantlet casingsVSAvoidorientation accuracy of plantlet casings

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs vibration mechanisms in the singulator to properly orient and singulate plantlet casings as they are conveyed. The vibration helps align the casings correctly and ensures they are properly positioned before being delivered to the row units, thus maintaining both productivity and orientation precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a singulator as an intermediary component between the storage tank and the conveyance system. This intermediary device ensures proper singulation and orientation of plantlet casings before they enter the main conveyance system, resolving the contradiction between delivery rate and orientation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If air flow is used to convey plantlet casings, then delivery to row units is enabled, but control over placement precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyance of plantlet casingsVSAvoidplacement accuracy of plantlet casings

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses pneumatic air flow to convey plantlet casings through the system, enabling easy operation and efficient delivery. The air flow system provides a simple and effective means of transporting the casings from the singulator to the row units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary singulation and orientation of plantlet casings in the singulator before they are conveyed by air flow. This preliminary action ensures that the casings are properly prepared and positioned, which maintains placement precision even when using the simpler air flow conveyance method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system efficiently conveys and deposits plantlet casings into the soil, ensuring proper orientation and growth, overcoming the limitations of traditional metering systems designed for seed particles.

Implementation Method 1

an air source fluidly coupled to the conduit and configured to provide an air flow through the conduit to convey the plantlet casings to the at least one row unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS10045478B2Metering system for an agricultural system

Publication Date: 2018.08.14 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A metering system for an agricultural system includes a singulator. The singulator includes a hopper configured to provide a flow of plantlet casings from a storage tank of the agricultural system, a pair of counter-rotating rods configured to receive the plantlet casings from the hopper at a feed rate, where the pair of counter-rotating rods are spaced apart from one another to form a gap, and where the gap is configured to direct the plantlet casings from a first end of the pair of counter-rotating rods to a second end of the pair of counter-rotating rods, and a drive assembly configured to drive rotation of the pair of counter-rotating rods.