Pivoting Farm Beam Layout for High-Density Crop Planting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Farming machinery with large tires is limited to planting, watering, and feeding in straight rows, restricting crop density.
Innovation Solution
An automated farming system with a pivoting central base, movable beam, and controllable farming implement supports that can rotate and move up/down, allowing for planting and maintenance in spiral or dense patterns without passing between rows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If farming machinery uses large tires to roll between rows of crops, then the machinery can perform planting and maintenance operations, but the crop density is limited due to the need for straight row spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the beam and farming implement supports movable rather than fixed. The beam can rotate about the central base, and the farming implement supports can move along the beam and adjust their positions dynamically. This dynamic structure allows the machinery to access plants in dense, non-linear patterns without requiring heavy tires to roll between traditional straight rows, thereby increasing crop density while maintaining operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The machinery is segmented into distinct functional components: a central base, a movable beam, and independently controllable farming implement supports. This segmentation allows each component to move and position itself independently, enabling the system to navigate complex planting patterns and access individual plants in high-density configurations without requiring the entire machinery structure to be reconfigured
2Productivity
If farming machinery plants in straight rows to accommodate large tires, then the machinery operation is simplified, but the crop yield potential is reduced due to lower planting density
Solution Approach 1:
The farming implement supports are equipped with independent control systems that allow them to autonomously navigate to target plants and perform maintenance operations. The supports can move along the beam, position themselves over individual plants or dense crop clusters, and execute planting or maintenance tasks without requiring complex manual coordination, thereby maintaining ease of operation while enabling high-density planting patterns that increase crop yield
3Quantity of substance
If the farming implement support moves between ends of the beam and adjusts position, then high-density planting is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable farming implement supports serve multiple functions: they can travel along the beam to reach different sections of the planting area, position themselves over individual plants or dense clusters, perform planting operations, and conduct maintenance tasks. This multi-functionality allows a single support structure to handle diverse operational requirements in high-density plantings without requiring separate specialized mechanisms for each function, thereby managing device complexity while achieving high plant density
Data Source
AI summary
An automated farming system includes a frame. The frame includes a fixed base, a beam, and a support. A farming implement support extends from the beam and moves up and down in relation to the beam. The farming implement support moves along a length of the beam. The movable support includes a propulsion system and is configured to rotate around the fixed base. Movement of the farming implement support and the movable support allows for high density planting of crops in hexagonal patterns and/or a continuous spiral pattern.