Remote Furrow Depth Adjustment for Agricultural Row Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional agricultural devices lack accuracy and unpredictability in adjusting seed planting depth due to reliance on load sensing methods, which are influenced by soil types and conditions, leading to issues with seed germination and root development.

Innovation Solution

A remote cutting depth adjustment system that includes sensors to detect furrow characteristics and moisture levels, allowing for precise adjustment of seed planting depth using an actuator controlled by a processing unit and user interface, independent of conventional biasing means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If load sensing methods are used to adjust seed planting depth, then the system can provide supplemental down force, but the accuracy and reliability of depth control deteriorates due to soil type variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupplemental down forceVSAvoiddepth control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical load sensing methods with direct depth sensing using sensors that measure actual furrow depth. This substitution eliminates the indirect measurement through gauge wheel loads that were affected by soil type variations, providing direct and accurate depth information for control decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring actual planting depth through sensors and adjusting the biasing means (airbags) accordingly. The control system compares sensed depth with target depth and modifies down force in real-time to maintain accurate planting depth despite variations in soil conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Force

If biasing means provide supplemental down force, then seed penetration is improved, but over-compaction of soil occurs leading to root development problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedown force on row unitVSAvoidsoil over-compaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback control system monitors actual planting depth and adjusts biasing force dynamically. When the target depth is achieved, the system reduces or maintains minimal down force, preventing excessive soil compaction. This closed-loop control ensures sufficient force for penetration without sustained high force that would cause over-compaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static or open-loop biasing to dynamic, adaptive biasing that responds to real-time depth measurements. The biasing means (airbags) are controlled to provide variable down force based on actual soil conditions and depth achievement, allowing the system to be aggressive during penetration then gentle during seeding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional biasing means are used, then consistent down force is applied, but the system cannot actually change the depth at which seed is being planted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistent down forceVSAvoiddepth adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback control system enables active depth management by continuously comparing actual depth with target depth and adjusting biasing force accordingly. This allows the system to adapt planting depth to varying field conditions while maintaining consistent control, transforming the system from passive force application to active depth management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system evolves from static biasing with fixed down force to dynamic biasing where down force varies in real-time based on depth measurements. This dynamic control enables the system to achieve and maintain target planting depths across varying soil conditions, providing both consistency and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of information

If gauge wheel load sensing is used, then down force can be measured, but the data is skewed by soil types and conditions requiring farmer guessing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindirect depth measurementVSAvoidactual furrow depth

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces indirect mechanical inference (gauge wheel loads) with direct electronic sensing of furrow depth. Depth sensors provide direct measurement of actual planting depth, eliminating the need to interpret gauge wheel loads through the complex medium of soil mechanics, thereby removing the information loss and requiring no farmer estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240397847A1Remote adjustment of a row unit of an agricultural device

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 KINZE MFG INC

AI summary

Agricultural devices, row unit adjustment systems, and methods of adjusting a depth of a furrow. In some aspects, an agricultural device is adapted to plant seeds and includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame and adapted to cut a furrow including a depth, a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic associated with planting seeds and generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic, and a processing unit receiving the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. The depth of the furrow is adjustable based on the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. Such characteristic may be a characteristic of the soil, a force applied to the agricultural device, or a position of a portion of the agricultural device.