Flat Seed Meter Disk with Offset Rim for Uniform Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seed meters using flat and celled seed disks experience varying seed trajectories, leading to unwanted seed bounce and spacing irregularities due to differences in seed release locations, which affect the efficiency of seed delivery and spacing.
Innovation Solution
A flat seed disk with circumferentially arranged apertures offset from the disk's rim, mimicking the seed release characteristics of a celled disk, to ensure consistent seed trajectories and reduce bounce, along with an angled rim surface to enhance seed pickup and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flat seed disk is used, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the seed trajectory is closer to the proximate seed tube wall causing seed bounce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a localized raised rim structure around the periphery of the flat disk. This rim is elevated approximately 0.020 to 0.040 inches above the disk surface, forming a distinct seed release zone. The rim provides localized seed agitation and directs seeds onto a controlled trajectory that prevents bouncing, while the majority of the disk remains flat for simple manufacturing. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining overall structural simplicity while adding localized functionality where needed.
2Reliability
If a celled seed disk is used, then the seed trajectory is more centered relative to the seed tube, but the structure is more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by replicating only the essential functional characteristics of a celled disk without copying its complex cellular structure. The raised rim on the flat disk mimics the seed release behavior of celled disks by providing a elevated perimeter that directs seeds centrally into the tube. This achieves the beneficial centered trajectory of celled disks while maintaining the manufacturing simplicity of flat disks, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
3Reliability
If the rim surface is angled, then seed trajectory is improved with axial component, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by specifying a controlled angle range for the rim surface, inclined at approximately 10 to 30 degrees relative to the rotational plane of the disk. This angular parameter imparts an axial component to the seed trajectory, improving delivery reliability. The patent provides a specific angular range that balances trajectory improvement with manufacturability, resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing precision by defining acceptable parameter boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
A flat disk type circular seed disk is provided with a series of circumferentially arranged seed attracting apertures. The apertures are spaced along a circumferential rim offset axially from the remainder of the disk to approximate the seed release location and characteristics of a cell type seed disk. The offset allows the seed to fall in the correct location of the seed tube to reduce or eliminate unwanted seed bounce and provide better seed delivery to the ground and better seed spacing as compared to flat disks without the offset. In one embodiment, the rim has a surface angled with respect to the rotational plane of the seed disk to impart an axial component to the seed trajectory. A tortuous wall between the rim and the remainder of the disk provides seed agitation.