Lateral Position Adjustment for Ground-Engaging Implement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural implements that dispense nutrients between crop rows often result in inefficiencies, as plants may not absorb nutrients effectively, leading to increased costs for growers due to the need for higher dosages in the middle zone between rows, while current solutions fail to efficiently target nutrient application closer to plant stems.
Innovation Solution
A ground-engaging implement with lateral position adjustment capabilities, allowing for dynamic adjustment of nutrient application zones closer to plant rows, utilizing a system with movable carriers and actuators to precisely control the lateral separation of seed and nutrient outlets relative to planted seed rows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If nutrients are dispensed in the middle zone between adjacent crop rows, then nutrient application is simplified, but plant absorption efficiency decreases leading to increased nutrient requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the lateral position of the nutrient outlet adjustable rather than fixed. The outlet can be dynamically repositioned between the middle zone and closer to plant rows, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements and optimize both application simplicity and absorption efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameter of nutrient application by allowing the outlet position to vary laterally. This parameter change enables transition from the conventional middle zone placement to a more efficient position near plant rows, improving absorption efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Productivity
If greater dosages or concentrations of nutrients are applied to the middle zone, then desired yield results are achieved, but grower costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the spatial parameter of nutrient application from middle zone to near-row placement, the system achieves the same productivity (yield per land unit area) with reduced nutrient quantity. This parameter change optimizes the efficiency of nutrient use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating nutrients in the specific zone near plant rows where absorption is most efficient, rather than distributing them uniformly in the middle zone. This localized application improves productivity while reducing overall nutrient requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If nutrient outlets are positioned closer to plant rows, then nutrient absorption efficiency increases, but device complexity increases due to lateral adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics to justify the added complexity: the lateral adjustment mechanism provides dynamic repositioning capability that enables significantly improved nutrient absorption efficiency. The dynamic adaptability outweighs the static simplicity of fixed-position systems.
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed lateral separation between seed and nutrient outlets is maintained, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different planting configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fixed to dynamic lateral separation, allowing the nutrient outlet to be repositioned relative to the seed outlet. This dynamic capability provides adaptability to different planting configurations while maintaining reasonable manufacturing simplicity through modular design.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A laterally movable carrier is associated with a row frame. The carrier is connected to a frame member, an opener, a first outlet and a second outlet to allow for dynamically variable adjustment of the lateral separation between a first row of planted seed and a second row of planted seed, where the first row of seed is adjacent to the second row of seed.