Particle Delivery System for Precise Seed Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural planting implements face challenges in maintaining accurate seed spacing and speed control during seed delivery, leading to potential misplacement and reduced efficiency due to varying soil conditions and seed types.

Innovation Solution

A particle delivery system comprising a particle metering and singulation unit and a particle belt, where the particle belt accelerates particles to match its speed, ensuring precise spacing and allowing the implement to travel faster than traditional seed tube systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a traditional seed tube system is used, then the structure is simple, but the implement must travel at limited speeds and seed spacing accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplement travel speedVSAvoidseed spacing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The seed delivery system is segmented into distinct functional units: a metering mechanism that dispenses seeds individually, a suspension section that temporarily holds seeds, and an acceleration section that propels seeds toward the trench. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently, enabling the implement to travel faster while maintaining precise seed spacing through controlled release and delivery mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Seeds are preliminarily metered and suspended in a controlled manner before delivery, allowing the system to prepare seeds for optimal placement. The metering mechanism pre-measures and positions seeds, while the suspension section holds them ready for acceleration, ensuring that seeds are delivered at the correct spacing even at higher implement speeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the implement travels at varying speeds, then operational flexibility is improved, but seed placement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational speed flexibilityVSAvoidseed placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic control mechanisms that adapt to varying implement speeds. The metering mechanism adjusts its release rate, and the acceleration section modifies its propulsion force based on the implement's current speed, ensuring that seed placement accuracy is maintained across a range of operational conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain precision whether the implement is moving slowly or at higher speeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If seeds are delivered without acceleration control, then the system complexity is reduced, but seed spacing uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed spacing uniformityVSAvoiddelivery system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces simple gravitational delivery with a more sophisticated mechanical acceleration mechanism. An acceleration section actively propels seeds toward the trench using controlled forces, ensuring that seeds reach the target location with precise spacing and depth. This mechanical substitution, while increasing system complexity, provides the necessary control to achieve uniform seed spacing that cannot be obtained through passive delivery methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system ensures accurate seed placement and increased operational speed by controlling particle speed and spacing, enhancing plant development and yield while accommodating different soil and seed conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a particle acceleration system configured to apply a force to a particle to accelerate the particle from the particle metering and singulation unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce: Force

Data Source

PatentUS11483963B2Particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit includes a particle belt configured to be disposed apart from a particle metering and singulation unit and a particle acceleration system configured to apply a force to a particle to accelerate the particle from the particle metering and singulation unit and to guide the particle toward the particle belt. The particle belt is configured to receive the particle accelerated from the particle metering and singulation unit, and the particle acceleration system is configured to apply the force to the particle to accelerate the particle from the particle metering and singulation unit to the particle belt, such that a particle speed of the particle reaches a target particle speed, is within a target percentage of a belt speed of the particle belt, or both, as the particle reaches the particle belt.