Pneumatic Seed Sowing Machine Mulching Sheet Perforation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seed sowing machines struggle with concurrent hole creation and seed deposition in mulching sheets, leading to incorrect seed alignment, fixed hole sizes, and inability to adjust seed density and hole spacing without replacing mechanical holing means, which increases machine weight and complexity, and lacks simultaneous application of fertilizers or disinfectants.

Innovation Solution

A seed sowing machine connected to a tractor with pneumatic seed ejection means that uses compressed air to propel seeds through a mulching sheet, forming holes of variable sizes and spacing, and integrates fertilizing/disinfecting substance application, with electronic control for optimal seed distribution density based on seed type and ground characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If mechanical means are used to hole the mulching sheet before seed deposition, then holes are created in the sheet, but the seed alignment with holes is incorrect due to time lag between holing and deposition operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseed alignment with holeVSAvoidtime lag between holing and deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the holing operation and seed deposition operation into a single integrated process. The seed is propelled by compressed air through the mulching sheet, and the seed itself creates the hole while passing through, eliminating the separate holing step and ensuring perfect alignment between seed and hole.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compressed air is prepared and directed in advance through the seed conveying means, and the seed is propelled through the mulching sheet before any separate holing operation would occur. This preliminary preparation of the air stream ensures the seed is ready to create its own hole and deposit simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical holing means are used to create holes in the mulching sheet, then holes of specific size are made, but the hole size cannot be adjusted without replacing the mechanical means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehole size adjustmentVSAvoidmechanical holing means replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of hole creation from mechanical cutting to pneumatic propulsion. The hole size is determined by the physical dimensions of the seed itself and the characteristics of the compressed air stream, rather than by fixed mechanical holing tools. This allows different seed types to naturally create appropriately sized holes without tool replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical holing system with a pneumatic system. Instead of using mechanical means to cut holes in the mulching sheet, compressed air is used to propel seeds through the sheet, and the seeds themselves create the holes upon impact. This substitution eliminates the need for adjustable mechanical holing means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If mechanical means for holing the mulching sheet are included in the seed sowing machine, then holes can be created in the sheet, but the machine dimensions and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehole creation capabilityVSAvoidmachine weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the separate mechanical holing means from the seed sowing machine. The holing function is eliminated as a distinct mechanical subsystem and replaced by the pneumatic seed delivery system, which uses compressed air to propel seeds through the mulching sheet without requiring dedicated holing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pneumatic principles to replace mechanical holing. Compressed air is used to propel seeds through the mulching sheet, and the kinetic energy of the propelled seeds creates the necessary holes. This pneumatic approach eliminates heavy mechanical holing components while achieving the same hole creation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate operations for holing and seed deposition are used, then each operation can be performed independently, but the seed density cannot be selectively changed according to ground type

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseed density adjustmentVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities to the pneumatic seed delivery system. The compressed air flow rate, pressure, and timing can be dynamically adjusted to control seed propulsion velocity and deposition density. This dynamic control allows selective adjustment of seed density according to different ground types and sowing requirements without complicating the operational process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables simultaneous and precise seed deposition and hole creation, adjustable seed density, and application of fertilizers/disinfectants, reducing machine weight and complexity while ensuring proper seed alignment and optimal growth conditions.

Implementation Method 1

pneumatic means that produce and direct a compressed air flow through said seed conveying means; separately transporting each seed, coming from said seed distribution and separating means, by means of said compressed air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

pneumatic ejection means of the seeds to be deposited, which are connected in an air-tight manner downstream with respect to said seed conveying means, and have an end part configured as seed ejection mouth; propelling and ejecting by means of said compressed air flow each seed through said ejection mouth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air propulsion: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

forming in said portion of said mulching sheet a series of holes corresponding to said at least one furrow and produced by means of perforation of the sheet by seeds propelled forcefully in sequence through said ejection mouth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical perforation: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3793341B1Seeding method by means of a seed sowing machine connected to a tractor and seed sowing machine
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 RUBIOLO ALDO
  • EP3793341B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3793341B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3793341B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Seeding method by means of a seed sowing machine (S) connected to a tractor corn- prising at least one hopper (20.1) for containing a mass of seeds and means (20.2) for distributing and separating the seeds contained in said at least one hopper, and furrower means (70) that, during advance of the tractor on said portion of ground to be sown, form at least one furrow, in which the seeds are deposited, said method comprising the steps consisting of: - providing in said seed sowing machine (S) of the seed conveying means (20.4, 20.52); - providing in said seed sowing machine (S) pneumatic means (20.5, 20.51) that produce and direct a compressed air flow along said seed conveying means (20.4, 20.52); - separately transporting each seed along said seed conveying means (20.4, 20.52); - providing in said seed sowing machine (S) pneumatic ejection means (20.53) of the seeds to be deposited, which have an end part configured as seed ejection mouth; - arranging said seed ejection mouth of said pneumatic ejection means (20.53) above said at least one furrow; - propelling and ejecting by means of said compressed air flow each seed sequentially in said at least one furrow. According to the invention, said method is characterized by the steps consisting of: - providing in said seed sowing machine (S) means for supporting, deploying and de- positing a mulching sheet (P); - arranging a portion of said mulching sheet (P), which is unwound from said at least one reel (80.7), below and close to said seed ejection mouth of said pneumatic ejection means (20.53) and above said at least one furrow, on which the mulching sheet (P) is superimposed; - forming in said portion of said mulching sheet (P), which is deposited on the ground during advance of said tractor, a series of holes (V) corresponding to said at least one furrow and produced by means of perforation of the sheet (P) by seeds propelled in sequence through said ejection mouth of said pneumatic ejection means (20.53) and which are deposited sequentially in said at least one furrow.