Electromagnetic Seed Sensor for In-Furrow Spacing Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seed sensors mounted at the midpoint of the seed tube fail to accurately detect seed spacing at the furrow due to seed ricochet and environmental interference like ambient light and dust at the egress end, where an optical sensor would be non-functional.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic seed sensor is positioned at or near the bottom end of the seed tube, using a transmitter and detector within a magnetically shielded housing to accurately detect seeds amidst dust and varying light conditions, distinguishing seed perturbations from dust and ambient light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the seed sensor is mounted at the midpoint of the seed tube, then the sensor is protected from damage and ambient light interference is minimized, but the seed-to-seed spacing detection does not accurately reflect the actual in-furrow seed placement due to seed ricochet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical detection system with an electromagnetic detection system. The electromagnetic seed sensor detects seeds as they pass through the seed tube using electromagnetic fields rather than light beams, eliminating the harmful effects of ambient light and dust that plague optical sensors while enabling accurate detection at the egress end of the seed tube where seed spacing most closely reflects actual in-furrow placement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the sensor detection point from the midpoint of the seed tube to the egress end (bottom end) of the seed tube. This positional change in the third dimension (length of the seed tube) allows the sensor to detect seeds after they have completed their trajectory through the tube, capturing the final seed-to-seed spacing that most accurately reflects actual in-furrow placement despite seed ricochet effects
2Measurement precision
If the optical sensor is positioned at or near the end of the seed tube, then the seed sensor would accurately detect actual in-furrow seed placement, but the ambient light, dust and particulate matter would interfere with the light beam rendering the sensor non-functional
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the optical sensor system with an electromagnetic sensor system that operates independently of light beams. The electromagnetic sensor uses electromagnetic fields to detect seeds, making it immune to interference from ambient light, dust, and particulate matter that would render an optical sensor non-functional at the egress end of the seed tube
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary detection mechanism between the sensor and the seed. This electromagnetic field serves as a mediator that can penetrate dust and particulate matter without being scattered or absorbed like light, enabling reliable seed detection at the egress end where environmental conditions are most challenging
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 electromagnetic seed sensor effectively measures seed passage and spacing at the furrow, reducing errors from seed ricochet and environmental interference, providing accurate in-furrow seed placement data.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic seed sensor positioned at or near the bottom end of the seed tube and including a transmitter and a detector
Implementation Method 2
The sensor is mounted at the egress end of the seed tube between the furrow opening discs
Data Source
AI summary
A seed sensor for an agricultural planter adapted to be disposed proximate an egress end of a seed tube through which seeds pass during planting operations. The seed sensor capable of generating an output signal corresponding to the passage of seed therethrough.