Precision Seeder Dust-Free Seed Coating Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional single-grain seeders generate fine dressing dust during the sowing process due to mechanical abrasion of seeds coated with plant protection products, which can contaminate the environment and pose risks to humans and animals.

Innovation Solution

A single-grain seeder design where seeds are treated with a dressing agent only after singulation and before dispensing, using a rotating perforated disk with an application unit that applies the dressing agent directly before the seed is deposited in the soil, minimizing mechanical stress and preventing dust formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If seeds are pre-coated with dressing agent before sowing, then plant protection is effective, but mechanical abrasion during handling generates fine dressing dust that contaminates the environment and poses risks to humans and animals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant protection effectivenessVSAvoiddressing dust emission

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by coating the seed with dressing agent immediately before sowing, rather than pre-coating before storage and handling. The application unit deposits the dressing agent onto the seed in the singulating device just moments before the seed is placed in the soil, eliminating the handling time that causes abrasion and dust generation, while still achieving effective plant protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the dressing agent application process from the seed handling and storage process. By separating the coating operation from the sowing mechanism and performing it only at the moment of seed deposition, the system eliminates the source of dust generation (mechanical handling of pre-coated seeds) while maintaining the protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If seeds are coated centrally at seed producers with dressing agents, then correct dosage is achieved, but unavoidable partial abrasion occurs during farmer handling and sowing process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedressing agent dosage accuracyVSAvoiddressing agent abrasion loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-service by having the singulating device itself perform the dressing agent application. The application unit is integrated into the seed singulating mechanism, allowing each seed to be coated individually and immediately deposited without further handling. This eliminates the need for separate coating and handling operations that cause abrasion losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If pneumatic singulating members are used for controlled seed introduction, then precise depth depositing is achieved, but airflow swirls up and distributes fine dressing dust throughout the seeder

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed depth depositing precisionVSAvoiddressing dust distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pneumatic delivery system with a mechanical singulating and depositing mechanism. By using mechanical means to singulate and place the seed rather than pneumatic airflow, the system maintains precise depth control while eliminating the airflow that would otherwise swirl up and distribute dressing dust throughout the seeder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution significantly reduces or eliminates the generation of dressing dust, ensuring a dust-free and precise application of plant protection products directly to the seeds, enhancing environmental safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an application unit (30) for applying a dressing agent (10) to a singulated seed (4), wherein the application unit (30) is arranged with respect to the singulating member (2) in such a manner that the dressing agent (10) is applied to a seed (4) after the seed (4) has been singulated and prior to the seed (4) being dispensed from the singulating member (2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11224156B2Precision seeder

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 BAYER CROPSCIENCE AG

AI summary

A single-grain seeder for introducing seeds into soil, including a singulating member which is suitable for singulating seeds supplied from a storage container and for dispensing the seeds individually, wherein the single-grain seeder has an application unit for applying a dressing agent to a singulated seed, wherein the application unit is arranged with respect to the singulating member in such a manner that the dressing agent is applied to a seed after the seed has been singulated and prior to the seed being dispensed from the singulating member.