Folding Seeder Residue Tool with Automatic Ground Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
No-till farming faces challenges with residue management tools that either plug in heavy residue conditions or interfere when residue is manageable, requiring laborious manual disengagement, and there's a need for a tool that can be easily engaged and disengaged without interrupting seeding.
Innovation Solution
A ground-driven residue management tool with a rotatable cutting device mounted on a parallel link, operated by a biasing device to engage and disengage with the ground, and a depth restraint to prevent over-penetration, allowing folding into a non-working position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a residue management tool is kept operational during seeding, then it can handle heavy crop residue conditions, but it interferes with proper seed/fertilizer placement when residue is manageable and requires laborious manual removal
Solution Approach 1:
The residue management tool is designed with a parallel link mechanism that allows it to dynamically change position between a working mode (engaged with ground) and a non-working mode (disengaged/folded). The biasing device provides automatic engagement/disengagement based on ground contact, eliminating manual operation requirements while adapting to different residue conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing device automatically controls the engagement and disengagement of the residue management tool based on ground contact conditions. When the parallel link contacts the ground, the biasing device automatically folds the tool into the non-working position, and when ground contact is lost, it automatically returns to the working position, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
2Reliability
If a residue management tool remains in working position, then it handles heavy residue effectively, but it causes wear and reduces working life when not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The tool dynamically adjusts its position based on actual working needs. The parallel link mechanism combined with the biasing device allows automatic folding into a non-working position when ground contact is lost, preventing unnecessary wear and extending tool life while maintaining reliability when residue management is actually needed.
3Ease of operation
If the residue management tool is manually removed mid-seeding, then it stops interfering with seed placement, but it interrupts the seeding process and consumes time
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing device provides self-service functionality by automatically detecting ground contact conditions and adjusting the tool position accordingly. When the parallel link contacts the ground, the tool automatically folds away; when ground contact is lost, it automatically returns to working position. This eliminates all manual intervention and prevents seeding interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic parallel link mechanism enables continuous automatic adjustment of tool position throughout the seeding process, ensuring the tool is engaged only when needed and folded away when not needed, maintaining seamless seeding operation without manual intervention or time loss.
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 tool prevents plugging in heavy residue conditions and extends its working life by folding away when not needed, maintaining seeding efficiency and reducing wear.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing device operative to exert a downward bias force on the pivotable parallel link of the residue management tool to engage the rotatable cutting or clearing device with the ground when in a working mode and to exert an upward force on the parallel linkage of the residue management tool to disengage the rotatable cutting or clearing device with the ground when in a non-working or a transport mode
Implementation Method 2
a parallel link having a proximal end and a distal end, the parallel link comprising upper and lower substantially parallel arm members, the proximal end of the parallel link adapted to be directly or indirectly pivotally attached to the frame
Implementation Method 3
a rotatable cutting or clearing device operably mounted to the distal end of the parallel link and operative to cut or clear the residue on the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A residue management tool is provided which is mountable to a frame of a seeder for cutting or clearing residue on the ground. The residue management tool can be engaged with the ground when crop residue is problematic and readily disengaged and placed in a non-working mode when crop residue is manageable, without interrupting seeding/fertilizing.