Integrated Furrow Shaper for Soil Sensing and Fluid Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural devices fail to effectively V-shape furrows for seed deposition, accurately measure soil properties, and dose fluids in real-time, leading to poor seed germination and inefficient crop growth.
Innovation Solution
A device that simultaneously shapes furrows into a V-profile, senses soil properties, and doses fluids, comprising a body with angled faces, damping and biasing means, fluid conduits, and sensing units, capable of being mounted on agricultural vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If furrow opening discs are widely spaced apart or show wear, then the device complexity is reduced, but the furrow shape deteriorates from V-shape to W-shape causing poor seed contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single furrow shaper component: it merges the furrow shaping function with integrated sensing capabilities and fluid dosing mechanisms. The furrow shaper body integrates soil property sensors and fluid delivery conduits, allowing simultaneous shaping, sensing, and dosing operations that would otherwise require separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The furrow shaper is designed as a multi-functional device that performs furrow shaping, soil property measurement, and fluid dosing all in one unit. This universal device replaces the need for separate furrow opening discs, sensing devices, and dosing mechanisms, achieving multiple objectives with a single integrated system.
2Reliability
If separate devices are used for furrow shaping, soil sensing, and fluid dosing, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity increases and real-time coordination becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges furrow shaping, soil sensing, and fluid dosing functions into a single integrated furrow shaper device. The body of the furrow shaper contains embedded sensors for measuring soil properties and integrated conduits for fluid delivery, allowing all functions to operate together as one coordinated system rather than as separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The furrow shaper is designed as a universal device that performs multiple functions: shaping the furrow to V-profile, sensing soil properties (moisture, temperature, electrical conductivity), and dosing fluids (water, fertilizers, biological compounds) all through one integrated unit, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices.
3Device complexity
If rustic measuring tools are used for soil property sensing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality levels to different parts of the device: while the overall structure remains simple and rustic, the sensing components embedded in the furrow shaper body are precision instruments capable of accurately measuring soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity. This local quality approach allows precise measurement without making the entire device complex.
4Manufacturing precision
If furrow shaping and fluid dosing are performed separately, then each operation can be optimized, but the productivity decreases due to sequential operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous simultaneous operation of furrow shaping and fluid dosing through the integrated furrow shaper. As the furrow is being shaped by the angled faces of the shaper body, fluids are continuously dosed through embedded conduits into the same furrow, eliminating sequential operations and improving productivity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges furrow shaping and fluid dosing operations into a single simultaneous process through the integrated furrow shaper device. The shaping faces and dosing conduits work together in real-time during one pass, allowing continuous operation that improves productivity compared to separate sequential operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Device for shaping the profile of a furrow, sensing soil properties and dosing fluids in the soil of an agricultural field, includes a body comprising an upper portion and lower portion defining a right lateral face and a left lateral face that are laterally opposite, a front face and a rear face that are longitudinally opposite, and an upper face and lower face that are vertically opposite, wherein the laterally opposite faces at the lower portion of the body are angled relative to a vertical direction forming a V-shaped profile cross section for V-shaping furrows; damping and biasing means linked to the upper face of the body; a fluid dosing conduit including an inlet and an outlet, and being longitudinally arranged within the body; sensing means on a face of the body for measuring soil properties; and a sensing unit for commanding the sensing means and receiving information thereof.