Pneumatic Actuator Adjustable Link for Consistent Seed Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural implements face challenges in maintaining precise seed placement due to varying soil conditions and terrain, leading to uneven crop growth, as the depth of seed placement is affected by soil type, moisture, row unit speed, and down pressure.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural implement with a frame and row units connected by upper and lower links, equipped with pneumatic actuators that adjust the length of these links to keep ground-engaging tools in contact with the ground, ensuring consistent down pressure and precise seed placement across different terrains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed-length links are used to connect row units to the frame, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the ground-engaging tools cannot maintain consistent contact with the ground on varying terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed-length links with adjustable-length links that can change their length in response to terrain variations. The pneumatic actuator enables the links to dynamically adjust their length, allowing the row units to maintain optimal contact with the ground across varying terrain conditions while resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and contact consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pneumatics by using a pneumatic actuator to adjust the length of the links. The actuator uses compressed air to extend or retract the link, providing a reliable and controllable mechanism for maintaining ground contact. This pneumatic system resolves the contradiction by offering a relatively simple adjustment mechanism that improves contact consistency without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pneumatic actuators are added to adjust link length, then ground-engaging tools can maintain contact on varying terrain, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pneumatic actuator to provide terrain adaptation. The pneumatic system is integrated into the existing link structure, allowing for smooth and reliable length adjustment. This approach resolves the contradiction by providing effective terrain adaptation through a relatively compact and integrable pneumatic mechanism rather than a more complex mechanical or electronic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by using the pneumatic actuator to modify the length parameter of the links. By changing the link length parameter in response to terrain conditions, the system achieves adaptability. This resolves the contradiction by using a straightforward parameter adjustment mechanism that improves terrain adaptation without excessively increasing device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If down pressure is increased to ensure tool contact with ground, then seed placement precision improves, but the force required to pull the implement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the down pressure to be dynamically adjusted through the pneumatic actuator. Instead of using a fixed, high down pressure that requires excessive pulling force, the system can adapt the pressure to match actual terrain conditions. This resolves the contradiction by providing precise seed placement through dynamically adjusted down pressure rather than consistently high pressure, thereby reducing the force required to pull the implement.
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 pneumatic actuator system allows for adaptive engagement with varying terrain, maintaining consistent down pressure and ensuring that ground-engaging tools remain in contact with the ground, thereby improving seed placement precision and crop yield uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pneumatic actuator configured to change a length of the upper link or the lower link to keep the ground-engaging tools in contact with ground
Data Source
AI summary
An implement for working an agricultural field includes a frame and a plurality of row units carried by the frame. Each row unit includes a subframe trailing the frame and connected to the frame by an upper link and a lower link, at least two different ground-engaging tools carried by the subframe, and at least one pneumatic actuator configured to change a length of the upper link or the lower link to keep the ground-engaging tools in contact with ground. A method includes pulling the implement through the agricultural field, maintaining a selected pressure in the pneumatic actuator, and maintaining the ground-engaging tools in contact with the agricultural field.