Overlapping Gauge and Press Wheels for Seeding Furrow Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furrow opener/closer arrangements for agricultural seeding machines, particularly those with single disc openers, face issues with soil disturbance, increased power requirements, seed placement inconsistencies, and geometric space inefficiencies, especially at higher ground speeds and deeper operating depths.
Innovation Solution
A row crop unit design featuring a gauge wheel, disc opener blade, and press wheel sequentially arranged and overlapping relative to the planting direction, with the gauge wheel positioned forward of the disc opener and the press wheel positioned rearward, to enhance trench closure and minimize soil compaction while maintaining compact geometric space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single disc opener with trailing closing wheels is used, then the furrow can be closed, but the material bounces from the bottom of the furrow and may be placed shallower than desired or even on top of the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The press wheel is positioned to overlie the seed trench, with its axis rearward of the disc opener axis but overlapping the trench area. This nesting arrangement allows the press wheel to immediately cover the seed as it exits the disc opener, preventing bouncing and ensuring proper seed placement depth without requiring substantial trailing distance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the leading side wheel axis is close to the disc hub to limit soil lifting, then soil disturbance is reduced, but soil lift at the exit point becomes a problem particularly when operating depth is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The gauge wheel is positioned forward of the disc opener axis, overlapping the disc opener assembly. This preliminary positioning allows the gauge wheel to control soil conditions and limit soil lifting before the disc opener creates the furrow, preventing excessive soil disturbance while maintaining consistent seed placement even at increased operating depths.
3Ease of operation
If gauge wheel, disc opener and closing wheels are sequentially arranged, then the furrow opening and closing functions are achieved, but the geometric space requirements are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The press wheel assembly overlaps the disc opener assembly in the longitudinal direction, with its axis rearward of the disc opener but positioned to overlie the seed trench. This merging of functional zones allows the press wheel to perform closing function while occupying overlapping space with the disc opener, significantly reducing the overall geometric space requirements compared to sequential arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The arrangement transitions from a purely sequential linear arrangement to an overlapping configuration where components are positioned in both longitudinal and transverse dimensions. The press wheel overlaps the disc opener assembly longitudinally and is positioned to overlie the seed trench, utilizing two-dimensional spatial optimization to reduce the overall footprint of the opener/closer assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural seeding machine movable in a planting direction includes a frame; a disc opener assembly carried by the frame and having a first axis of rotation; a gauge wheel assembly carried by the frame and having a second axis of rotation, and a press wheel assembly carried by the frame and having a third axis of rotation. The second axis is positioned forward of the first axis relative to the planting direction. The gauge wheel assembly overlaps the disc opener assembly relative to the planting direction. The third axis is positioned rearward of the first axis relative to the planting direction. The press wheel assembly overlaps the disc opener assembly relative to the planting direction.