Planter Depth Calibration Block for Repeatable Furrow Setting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current seed planting systems using wooden blocks for depth calibration are imprecise and wear down over time, leading to inconsistent seeding depth due to soil variability and manual adjustments, which affect the consistency of furrow depth across rows.

Innovation Solution

A hard, weather-proof calibration block with a metal plate and plasticized body, designed to set a predefined soil depth for gauge wheels, ensuring consistent furrow depth by resisting wear and soil variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If wooden blocks are used for depth calibration, then the initial setup is simple, but the blocks wear down over time leading to imprecise depth measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of setupVSAvoiddepth measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional wooden calibration block with a durable plasticized polymer block that resists wear and deformation. This single replacement resolves the contradiction by maintaining both ease of manufacture (the block is still simple to use and position) and reliability (the plasticized material does not wear down like wood, ensuring consistent depth measurement over time)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration block is made from a plasticized polymer material that combines the ease of manufacturing of simple blocks with the durability and wear resistance of engineered plastics. This composite approach allows the block to maintain its dimensional stability and precision over extended use, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If wooden blocks are used for calibration, then the device is simple, but it cannot withstand soil variability and manual adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of calibration blockVSAvoidconsistency across soil variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The plasticized polymer calibration block replaces the wooden block, providing a simple yet durable solution that can withstand soil variability and manual adjustments without deforming or wearing down, thus maintaining reliability while keeping the device simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If manual measurement of disk depth is used, then no additional equipment is needed, but the depth measurement lacks precision and repeatability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveno additional equipmentVSAvoiddepth measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration block provides a simple, inexpensive tool that when placed in the furrow, enables precise and repeatable depth measurements without requiring complex measurement equipment. The block's durable plasticized material ensures consistent positioning and measurement accuracy across multiple uses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP4175453B1Agricultural planter depth calibration block

Publication Date: 2025.11.12 PATTON BLAKE PAUL

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AI summary

A calibration block dimensioned and adapted to set a consistent, repeatable furrow depth for planter units. The calibration block provides a deck with a slot for receiving a first plate for supporting a distal end of the planter unit when setting its gauge wheels, whereby the first plate is flush with the deck at a predefine distance from the soil. The calibration block also provides a gauge block and associated second plate for increasing the predefined distance, if the user so desires.