Flexible Seed Detaching Roller for Pneumatic Seeder

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing pneumatic precision seed drill's seed detaching rollers, made of elastic material, fail to ensure even distribution and deposition of seeds due to insufficient elasticity, leading to seed accumulation on perforations behind the roller.

Innovation Solution

The rollers are designed with a flexible outer area and curved, spoke-like spacers that deform to cover multiple perforations, interrupting pressure differences and ensuring even seed distribution by adapting to the drum surface, with spacer elements maintaining distance and reducing torque through a common axle shaft with rotatably mounted annular disks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If rollers are made of elastic material to cover multiple perforations, then adaptability to drum surface is improved, but seed distribution evenness deteriorates due to insufficient elasticity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to drum surfaceVSAvoidseed distribution evenness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The roller is designed with a flexible outer layer (rubber or plastic) that can deform to cover multiple perforations on the curved drum surface, while the underlying rigid structure with radial spokes provides the necessary stiffness to maintain proper seed detachment characteristics and distribution evenness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The roller combines different materials with complementary properties: an elastic outer layer for conforming to the drum surface and covering multiple perforations, and a rigid inner structure with radial spokes for maintaining structural integrity and controlling seed distribution, creating a composite structure that resolves the contradiction between adaptability and precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If roller surface deforms to cover multiple perforations, then seed detachment effectiveness is improved, but torque requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed detachment effectivenessVSAvoidtorque requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The roller is segmented into a rigid hub and multiple radial spokes, allowing the structure to deform in a controlled manner at the spoke connections while maintaining overall rigidity, thus achieving effective seed detachment without requiring excessive torque

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible outer layer allows the roller to conform to the drum surface and effectively cover multiple perforations for reliable seed detachment, while the underlying rigid spoke structure limits the overall deformation and reduces the torque required compared to a fully flexible roller

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If roller presses against drum surface to interrupt pressure difference, then seed separation is improved, but seed accumulation occurs behind the roller

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed separationVSAvoidseed accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The roller applies pressure locally at specific points where it contacts the drum surface to interrupt the pressure difference and detach seeds, while the flexible design allows it to maintain proper contact pressure distribution that prevents seed accumulation behind the roller by ensuring complete detachment and smooth seed release

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration allows for effective seed detachment and distribution to dispensing lines, preventing accumulation on perforations and reducing torque requirements, ensuring even seed deposition in the ground.

Implementation Method 1

The rollers (15) are flexible and/or elastic at least in their outer peripheral area (21)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the surfaces of the rollers (15) adapt due to their flexible and/or elastic training in their outer area (21) and the elastic and/or flexible spoke-like intermediate pieces (22) in the area of contact with the drum (2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

due to a pressure difference between the interior and the exterior of the drum, seed grains accumulate on the outside of the drum for the purpose of separating them at the perforations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

In the area where the individual seed grains stored on the perforations are transferred to delivery lines acted upon by a flow of conveying air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2502480B1Pneumatic single grain seeder

Publication Date: 2014.04.23 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The seeder has a sorting housing with side walls spaced at a distance from each other. Pressure difference set in perforations (7) is adjusted for removing seed grains from a covering device in an inner space of a drum. The covering device is formed as rotatably mounted rollers (15), and interrupts the perforations. An end of an exhaust duct with a branch opening to a drum surface is approximately arranged in a region of the covering device and perforation series (6). The rollers are formed in an outer rotating region in a flexible and/or resilient manner.