Helical Coil Closing Wheels for No-Till Furrow Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional closing wheels for seeder units fail to effectively close furrows in no-till cropping applications due to soil residue and can penetrate too deeply in softer soils, leading to seed displacement and trench cracking.
Innovation Solution
A closing wheel system with helical coil members mounted at an angle to the support arm of the seeder unit, utilizing wedge washers for secure attachment and adjustable aggression, providing an auger action for improved soil compaction and moisture retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rubber closing wheels are used, then they work effectively in tilled ground with smooth surfaces, but they bounce and fail to adequately close furrows in no-till applications with heavy crop residue
Solution Approach 1:
The closing wheel design changes the physical parameters of the wheel surface by providing adjustable aggression levels through different wheel configurations (smooth, dimpled, or spiked surfaces). This allows the same wheel system to adapt to different soil conditions - smooth surfaces for tilled ground, dimpled for moderate residue, and spiked for heavy no-till residue - thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability in specific conditions and adaptability across conditions.
2Reliability
If spiked closing wheels are used to penetrate soil and crop residue, then they avoid bouncing and effectively close furrows, but they penetrate too deeply into softer soil causing seed displacement and trench cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The closing wheel system incorporates adjustable aggression levels that allow dynamic adaptation to soil conditions. The wheel can be configured with smooth, dimpled, or spiked surfaces and adjusted vertically to provide the appropriate level of penetration force. This dynamic adjustability ensures effective furrow closing in hard or residue-heavy soils while preventing excessive penetration and seed displacement in softer soils, thereby resolving the contradiction between closing effectiveness and harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the closing wheel by providing interchangeable or adjustable wheel surfaces (smooth, dimpled, spiked) and vertical position adjustments. This allows optimization of penetration depth and force according to soil conditions, preventing both insufficient closing and excessive penetration that causes seed displacement and trench cracking.
3Adaptability or versatility
If closing wheels are made more aggressive to handle heavy crop residue, then they can penetrate and close furrows in no-till applications, but they cause excessive soil disturbance and seed displacement in softer conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The closing wheel system provides dynamic adjustability through vertical position control and interchangeable wheel surfaces. This allows the operator to reduce wheel aggression for soft soils and increase aggression for heavy residue conditions, thereby adapting to different situations without causing harmful effects like excessive soil disturbance or seed displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes by allowing adjustment of wheel surface characteristics (smooth to spiked) and vertical position. This provides the versatility to handle different residue conditions while controlling the level of soil disturbance, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and harmful effects.
Data Source
AI summary
A closing wheel system for a seeder unit comprising a pair of closing wheels, each closing wheel comprising a coil member having a first end and a second end and a plurality of coil windings extending therebetween. The system comprising a base plate having a first surface and a second surface to which the second end of the coil member may extend around a periphery of the base plate. The system comprising an axle member extending through the base plate and having a free end extending from the base plate for engagement with the support arm, and a pair of wedge washer members mounted on the free end. The wedge washer members may engage with the support arm such that the wedge washers members engage with the support arm such that the axle member is caused to extend downward to orientate the closing wheels with respect to the support arm.