Planter Depth Adjustment via Adjustable Link
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current seed planters with equalizing gauge wheel mechanisms often experience uneven seed planting depths due to manufacturing tolerances and unequal wear, leading to inconsistent furrow opener penetration across multiple row units, despite settings being adjusted to the same indicated depth.
Innovation Solution
A link is introduced to connect the depth adjustment lever with the equalizer bar, allowing for adjustable length adjustments to synchronize the height of gauge wheels relative to the furrow opener, ensuring consistent actual penetration depth across all units when set to a common indicated depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a common depth adjustment mechanism is used for multiple row units, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing tolerances and unequal wear cause the actual running depth to vary across different row units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the depth adjustment system into individual segmentable units for each row unit. Each row unit has its own depth adjustment lever and link mechanism, allowing independent calibration and adjustment. This segmentation enables each row unit to be precisely calibrated to achieve consistent actual running depth across all units, while still maintaining operational simplicity through standardized individual mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If the gauge wheels are height-adjusted by a common depth adjustment mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the indicated depth does not correspond accurately to the actual running depth due to tolerances and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary calibration action during the setup phase. A calibration procedure is performed before field operation to adjust the link length or gauge wheel height so that the indicated depth accurately corresponds to the actual running depth. This preliminary adjustment compensates for manufacturing tolerances and wear, ensuring measurement accuracy without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If manufacturing tolerances and unequal wear are present in row units, then the device can be manufactured more easily and at lower cost, but the furrow openers operate at different actual depths despite being set to the same indicated depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables parameter adjustment through calibration procedures that modify the relationship between indicated depth and actual running depth. By adjusting parameters such as link length, gauge wheel height, or lever positioning during calibration, the system compensates for variations caused by manufacturing tolerances and wear. This allows standard components to be used while achieving precise depth consistency across all row units through parameter optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A planter row unit has a pair of ground-engaging gauge wheels located in close proximity to opposite sides of a furrow opener of the unit. The depth of penetration of the furrow opener depends upon the vertical position of the gauge wheels relative to the furrow opener. Wheel arms that connect the gauge wheels to the frame of the row unit are operably coupled with a depth adjustment lever through a rigid link that transmits adjusting movement of the depth adjustment lever to the gauge wheels to raise or lower the same. The link is made adjustable in length to provide fine depth adjustment of the unit for calibration purposes or otherwise.