Precision Seed Drill Yaw-Rate Control for Uniform Cornering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed drills face challenges in maintaining uniform seed spacing during cornering due to inconsistent angular velocities across different paths on the boom, leading to inhomogeneous seed placement, especially in precision seed drills, and control methods based on tractor-seed drill angle or satellite positioning are inadequate or costly.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing yaw rate sensors to determine the path speed of individual metering and spreading elements, adjusting their operation to maintain a consistent seed placement rate by compensating for varying path speeds during cornering, independent of the tractor's movement state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If several spreading elements are assigned to a section with geometric reasons creating inner and outer paths, then the section can cover larger working width, but the determined angular velocity is identical for both paths leading to inhomogeneous seed placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different control characteristics to different sections of the boom based on their specific path speeds. Each section is controlled independently according to its distance from the tractor, with inner sections receiving different control parameters than outer sections, thereby achieving uniform seed placement across the entire working width while maintaining the ability to cover large areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control is based on the angle between tractor and seed drill, then adaptation to cornering is possible, but the detectable angle is a time-delayed value that does not accurately reflect the current motion state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the actual path speed of each section through GPS positioning and using this real-time information to adjust the seed placement rate. This closed-loop control system eliminates the time delay inherent in angle-based control, allowing the system to adapt to cornering conditions with high precision based on the current motion state rather than delayed measurements.
3Manufacturing precision
If satellite-based positioning is used for seed placement control, then accurate seed placement is achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single GPS receiver that serves multiple functions: it determines the position of the tractor, calculates the path speed of each boom section, and provides data for controlling the seed placement rate. This multi-functional approach achieves accurate seed placement without requiring separate expensive satellite-based positioning systems for each section, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining high precision.
4Device complexity
If the angular velocity is used as control variable for seed placement, then the control system is simple, but the angular velocity is identical for all parts of the boom in a curve leading to inhomogeneous seed placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static angular velocity control to dynamic path speed-based control. Instead of using a single angular velocity value that is identical for all boom sections, the system dynamically calculates and applies individual path speed values for each section based on their specific positions and movements during cornering. This dynamic approach maintains relatively simple control system architecture while achieving uniform seed placement across the entire working width.
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
Ensures homogeneous seed placement across the entire working width by accurately adjusting seed deposition rates based on real-time yaw rates, improving yield consistency and reducing complexity and cost compared to satellite-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one detection device for detecting measured values is designed as a yaw rate sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
Agricultural seed drill, in particular a precision seed drill, for depositing seed and/or fertilizer, with a frame extending transversely to the direction of travel and several metering and/or application elements arranged at intervals from each other on the frame, wherein each application element has its own drive unit for depositing metered, in particular singulated, seed within a row of seeds, and the seed drill comprises at least one detection device for recording measured values and a control device which controls the drive unit of each metering and/or application element in such a way that the rate of metered, in particular singulated, seed deposited within a row of seeds corresponds at least approximately to a constant, adjustable value.In order to provide a seed drill and a method which enables the detection of a curve in a simple manner and controls the seed placement according to an adjustable rate based on the detected curve, it is provided that at least one detection device for recording measured values is designed as a yaw rate sensor and that the control of the drive unit of each metering and/or application element is based on the measured yaw rates.