Inclined Rotatable Disk for Seeder Soil Redistribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural seeder machines leave behind uneven ground relief due to wheel tracks, resulting in compacted earth that is unfavorable for seed germination, as existing solutions like central teeth for crumbling only address part of the issue and do not effectively restore a level seedbed.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an inclined, rotatable disk positioned behind the wheels that extends beyond the wheel track to return soil from the edge back into the track, creating a favorable germination environment for seeds and leveling the surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wheels are used to move the seeder in the working area, then the seeder can be transported and positioned, but the wheels create compacted earth and uneven relief that is unfavorable for seed germination

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSeeder movement and positioningVSAvoidCompacted earth and uneven relief

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful compacted earth and pushed soil beads created by wheels into beneficial fine soil for germination. The disk redistributes the pushed soil beads back into the wheel track, transforming the harmful compacted structure into favorable loose soil conditions for seed emergence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The disk acts as an intermediary element between the wheel and the planting elements. It receives the pushed soil from the wheel's path and redistributes it back into the track, serving as a mediating mechanism that reconciles the wheel's movement function with the planting elements' germination requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If teeth are used to crumble the packed area, then some crumbling is achieved, but the teeth only work inside the packed area and do not act beyond, leaving uneven relief

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCompacted earth crumblingVSAvoidSeedbed uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from vertical crushing action (teeth working downward into packed soil) to lateral redistribution action (disk moving soil laterally from edges back into the track). This dimensional change allows the mechanism to address soil uniformity across the entire wheel track area, including the edges where teeth cannot reach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having teeth push soil outward from the center (conventional approach), the disk pulls soil inward from the edges back into the wheel track. This inverted approach effectively redistributes the pushed soil beads that conventional teeth cannot reach, achieving more uniform seedbed preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If teeth work at greater depth to create enough fine soil, then more crumbling is achieved, but this creates additional resistant force at machine advance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFine soil productionVSAvoidResistant force at advance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The disk performs a partial action by only redistributing the pushed soil beads from the edges back into the track, rather than deeply crumbling the entire packed area. This partial approach achieves sufficient fine soil production without the excessive resistance that would result from deep vertical crushing, maintaining easier machine advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 solution effectively creates a uniform seedbed by redistributing soil from the wheel tracks, ensuring seeds are planted in loose, favorable soil, improving germination and seed emergence consistency.

Implementation Method 1

a disk (18) inclined with respect to the vertical and free to rotate in an oblique position with respect to the direction of advance (A) at work and that said disk (18) is arranged at least substantially behind one of said wheels (5) so that it extends at least partially beyond said corresponding wheel (5) and extends between an outer implantation element (13) and a corresponding wheel (5), according to a side view. Thanks to this disc (18), the soil accumulated at the edge of the trace (15) is returned to the trace (15).

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2186390B1Seeder

Publication Date: 2017.02.22 KUHN SA

AI summary

The seeder (1) has a chassis (4) resting on ground by wheels (5) and carrying grain implantation elements (7). The wheels are equipped in a work zone of an exterior implantation element (13). A bulged disk (18) is inclined with respect to a vertical direction and is freely rotated in an oblique position with respect to a forward direction during operation. The disk is arranged behind one of the wheels such that the disk is partially extended above the corresponding wheel. The disk is rotatably mounted on an arm (19), where the arm is directly or indirectly suspended with the chassis.