Electronic Seed Pulsing System for Precision Chemical Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural product dispensing systems face challenges with inaccurate chemical application due to mechanical wear, increased costs from over-application, and environmental concerns, particularly in handling hazardous substances, and lack precise control over chemical placement relative to seeds at varying ground speeds.
Innovation Solution
An electronic system that integrates a seed transport mechanism with a sensing device and an agricultural product conduit, utilizing a control interface and electrical pulsing valve to dispense agricultural products in close proximity to seeds, optimizing seed and product placement by matching seed release speed with the ground speed of the planter unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical chain driven dispenser is used, then the system is simple and reliable, but the manufacturing precision of chemical application deteriorates due to wear and tear altering the application rate by up to 15%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical chain-driven dispenser with an electronic control system that uses a sensor to detect seed passage and triggers a solenoid valve to dispense chemical granules. This substitution eliminates the wear and tear problems of mechanical systems while maintaining reliability through electronic components, achieving both high reliability and precise chemical application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the seed transport mechanism itself to trigger chemical dispensing through a sensor that detects when a seed passes by. The seed's own movement through the mechanism serves as the trigger signal, eliminating the need for separate timing or positioning systems and maintaining precision without complex additional components.
2Quantity of substance
If chemical concentration is increased to reduce quantity handled, then the quantity of chemicals handled is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase and costs per unit weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic sensor and solenoid valve system provides precise control over chemical dispensing, ensuring accurate application rates even at higher concentrations. This electronic control mechanism maintains manufacturing precision while reducing the total quantity of chemicals that need to be handled and stored.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides feedback on seed passage timing, which the electronic control system uses to precisely time the chemical dispensing action. This feedback mechanism ensures that the correct amount of chemical is applied with each seed, maintaining precision regardless of concentration levels.
3Device complexity
If manual record keeping is used for mechanical systems, then the system complexity is low, but the loss of information increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control system automatically records and processes dispensing information, replacing manual record-keeping processes. The sensor and controller track seed passage and chemical dispensing events, eliminating manual intervention and significantly improving productivity while reducing information loss through automated data capture.
4Area of stationary object
If chemical granules are dispensed over the entire length of the seed furrow, then the coverage area is maximized, but the quantity of substance increases and manufacturing precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the chemical application into discrete segments, dispensing a small amount of chemical granules at each individual seed location rather than distributing chemical continuously along the entire furrow. This segmentation maintains effective coverage at each seed point while significantly reducing the total quantity of chemical required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies chemical with local quality by dispensing it only at specific locations where seeds are placed, rather than uniformly across the entire furrow length. This localized application ensures adequate coverage at each seed site while minimizing overall chemical usage and improving application precision.
5Device complexity
If seed release speed is not matched to ground speed, then the device complexity is lower, but the manufacturing precision of seed and product placement deteriorates due to seed tumbling
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the seed transport mechanism speed to match the ground speed of the planter unit. This dynamic speed matching ensures that seeds and chemical granules are deposited at the correct location without tumbling, maintaining high placement precision while using standard planter speed control capabilities.
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 system enhances the accuracy and efficiency of agricultural product placement, reducing chemical usage, costs, and environmental impact while minimizing exposure to hazardous substances by synchronizing seed and product release with the planter's speed, ensuring precise application and reduced scattering.
Implementation Method 1
A seed sensing device operably connected to the seed transport mechanism is configured to sense a dispensation of the seed from the seed transport mechanism
Implementation Method 2
The seed transport mechanism is configured to provide a seed release speed at which the seed and agricultural product exit the seed transport mechanism. The seed release speed is proportional to the ground speed of the seed planter row unit
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for electronically pulsing agricultural product with seed includes a seed transport mechanism affixed to a seed planter row unit. A seed sensing device senses dispensation of the seed from the seed transport mechanism. An agricultural product conduit dispenses agricultural products into the seed transport mechanism to provide dispensing of the products with the seed as the seed and product exit the seed transport mechanism. A control interface electronic system dispenses a particular quantity of product with the seed in the seed transport mechanism. A pulsing valve dispenses products from the conduit when the seed sensing device senses the dispensation of the seed. A seed release speed is provided which is proportional to the ground speed of the seed planter row unit to minimize seed tumbling and optimize accurate placement of seed and product at varying ground speeds of the row unit.