Pivoting Blade Crop Input Applicator for Obstacle Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crop input applicators face challenges in efficiently applying inputs during seed planting, particularly in maintaining precise application and avoiding obstacles like rocks, while ensuring uniform distribution and depth of crop inputs.

Innovation Solution

A crop input applicator system comprising a frame, blade, actuator, and controller, where the blade is mounted on a support body that can pivot and adjust laterally using an actuator, allowing for precise application and adaptation to terrain, including the use of forward and rearward seed firmers to ensure seed placement and soil distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the blade is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the applicator cannot avoid obstacles like rocks and maintain precise application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to avoid obstaclesVSAvoidblade positioning mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adjust laterally to avoid obstacles like rocks. The actuator enables the blade to change its position dynamically during operation, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The applicator is divided into separate components: the frame, the blade, and the actuator. This segmentation allows the blade to be independently positioned and adjusted without affecting the entire structure, enabling obstacle avoidance while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the blade position is adjustable, then precise application is achieved, but the control system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication precisionVSAvoidcontroller and actuator system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller receives input about the blade's position and adjusts the actuator accordingly to maintain precise application. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate crop input placement while managing the complexity of the control system through automated regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the blade moves laterally to avoid obstacles, then terrain adaptation is improved, but the uniformity of soil depth and distribution may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterrain adaptationVSAvoidsoil depth uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The controller monitors and adjusts the blade position in real-time, ensuring that lateral movements to adapt to terrain do not compromise the uniformity of soil depth and crop input distribution. The feedback loop maintains precision despite position changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12256663B2Crop input application systems and apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 360 YIELD CENT LLC

AI summary

Crop input application systems, methods and apparatus are provided. In some examples, a blade is disposed to remove soil from a trench sidewall and deposit soil on top of a seed in the trench.