Elastic Seed Pipe for Variable-Length Conveying in Agricultural Drills
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed drills face challenges in maintaining accurate seed placement due to relative movements between the seed separating device and the drilling unit, leading to inaccurate seed distribution and increased defects, as conventional solutions like bellows can cause seed disruption and turbulence.
Innovation Solution
A seed drill with a delivery line made of elastic material that adapts to varying distances between the seed separating device and the drilling unit, reducing friction and residence time, and maintaining a consistent trajectory for seeds, thus improving placement accuracy and reducing defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the seed singling device is rigidly connected to the machine frame and the conveyor line is made very long to compensate for movements, then the seed singulation precision is maintained, but the seed placement accuracy deteriorates due to differences in seed path and constant deformation of the conveyor line
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor line is designed with a telescopic mechanism that allows it to dynamically adjust its length based on the relative position between the seed singling device and the drilling unit. This dynamic adjustment compensates for vertical movements and maintains both singulation and placement accuracy by keeping the conveyor line taut and preventing deformation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the seed singling device is rigidly connected to the drilling unit and the conveyor line is made shorter, then the seed placement trajectory is improved, but the seed singulation precision deteriorates due to constant shocks and impacts from vertical movements
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two independently movable components: the seed singling device connected to the machine frame and the drilling unit connected to the machine frame, with a telescopic conveyor line connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to move independently to optimize its function while the telescopic connector maintains their relative positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic conveyor line acts as an intermediary element between the seed singling device and the drilling unit. It mediates the relative movements between these two components, allowing them to move independently while maintaining a stable connection and consistent seed transmission path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a bellows is used to compensate for length differences in the conveyor line, then the adaptability to relative movements is improved, but the seed placement accuracy deteriorates due to seeds getting stuck in folds, colliding with surfaces, and turbulence disrupting the seed trajectory
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic conveyor line features a dynamic extension and retraction mechanism that maintains a straight, taut configuration during relative movements between the seed singling device and drilling unit. This eliminates the folds and turbulence associated with bellows while providing the necessary adaptability to length changes.
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 elastic delivery line ensures precise seed placement and higher conveying speed with reduced defects, allowing the seed drill to operate at increased efficiency and accuracy even at higher travel speeds.
Implementation Method 1
the conveyor line (14) is made of an elastic material at least in one section (26)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an agricultural sowing machine (2) with a machine frame (4), a plurality of drill units (8), which are movably arranged next to one another on the machine frame (4), and seed metering devices (6). The drill units have at least one furrow opener (10), a conveyor line (14) for conveying the seed from the seed metering device to a depositing zone with a dispensing opening arranged near the ground, and a press element (12), and the at least one furrow opener, the dispensing opening, and the press element are arranged in the drill unit in said operational sequence relative to one another. The seed metering device is movably connected to the machine frame without a mechanically rigid connection to a component of a drill unit, and the conveyor line (14) is designed to have a variable length between the seed metering device and the dispensing opening in that the conveyor line is made of an elastic material at least in one section (26).