Free-Fall Seed Dressing Application for Dust-Free Precision Sowing
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing precision sowing machines contaminate components and the environment with seed dressing dust, leading to operational hazards and inefficiencies due to uncontrolled application and accumulation of active substances, and fail to adapt compositions to specific environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device that applies seed dressing to plant propagation materials during free-fall onto the underlying surface using sensors to measure trajectory and environmental conditions, allowing precise and adaptive application without contaminating the sowing device components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seed dressing is applied to seeds during sowing using conventional drum coaters or rotary coaters, then seeds are protected against fungi, bacteria and insects, but dust is formed and dispersed which exposes operators and the environment to active substances
Solution Approach 1:
The seed dressing is applied to the seeds before they are introduced into the sowing machine, during a separate pre-treatment step. This preliminary coating action ensures seeds are protected before sowing, while the actual sowing process does not generate dust as the dressing is already fixed on the seeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The seed dressing application function is extracted from the sowing machine itself and performed by a separate pre-treatment device. This separation removes the dust-generating coating process from the sowing operation, so that only clean seed handling occurs in the sowing machine.
2Reliability
If seeds are pre-coated with seed dressing before sowing, then seeds are protected, but the composition cannot be adapted to current environmental conditions and shelf life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The seed dressing composition is made dynamic and adaptable to current conditions through real-time formulation adjustments. The system can modify active ingredient selection, concentrations, and combination based on current pest pressure, weather conditions, and crop needs, rather than using fixed pre-mixed formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The base dressing components are prepared in advance and stored, but the final composition is completed at the point of application. This allows preliminary preparation of safe, stable base formulations while enabling final adaptation to environmental conditions just before sowing.
3Productivity
If mechanical loads are applied to coated seeds during sowing, then seeds are delivered into the soil, but abrasion occurs producing fine seed dressing dust
Solution Approach 1:
The seed dressing is applied with optimized adhesion properties during pre-treatment, creating a robust coating that resists abrasion during subsequent mechanical handling in the sowing machine. This preliminary bonding action prevents dust generation during high-speed sowing operations.
4Manufacturing precision
If pneumatically operating precision sowing machines use blowers to introduce seeds, then precise depth positioning is achieved, but fine seed dressing dust is swirled up and dispersed
Solution Approach 1:
The dust-generating coating process is extracted from the pneumatic sowing system. Seeds are pre-coated separately, then only clean seed handling and pneumatic delivery occur in the precision sowing machine, eliminating dust swirl from the blower while maintaining precise depth positioning.
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
Prevents contamination of sowing device components, enables precise application of seed dressing, reduces operator exposure, and allows adaptation of compositions to specific environmental conditions, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor unit configured for determining at least one environmental condition when in the device is in use; and for adapting the dressing composition to the condition
Implementation Method 2
an application assembly configured to selectively apply an aliquot of a dressing composition to the separated plant propagation materials while the separated plant propagation materials fall freely onto the underlying surface
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a device for selectively applying a dressing composition including an agricultural product and component and at least one adjuvant/carrier component to a plant propagation material externally from the device during sowing and/or planting, and for discharging the dressed plant propagation material onto an underlying surface, including: a. a reservoir container (10), b. a separating device (20) to separate plant propagation material (K) fed from the reservoir container and to output them individually, c. a sensor unit for determining at least one environmental condition when the device is in use, and d. an application assembly (30) configured to selectively apply an aliquot of a dressing composition to the separated plant propagation materials during free-falling after the point of discharge from the device, wherein the assembly (30) includes: i. a sensor (32. 33) for measuring the trajectory of the seed while falling, ii. a controller (35) for calculating the trajectory and for coordinating and applying the dressing composition; and iii. an outlet device for dispensing the dressing composition.