Precision Sowing with Free-Fall Seed Dressing Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing precision sowing machines contaminate their components and surroundings with seed dressing dust due to mechanical handling, posing hazards and inefficiencies in applying precise crop protection to individual seeds.
Innovation Solution
A sowing method and device where seed dressing is applied to individual seeds during their free fall onto the underlying surface, using sensors to trigger application nozzles based on seed detection and calculated time delays, ensuring precise and contamination-free application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If seed dressing is applied to separated seeds during mechanical handling in precision sowing machines, then precise application to individual seeds is achieved, but contamination of device components and surroundings with seed dressing dust occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful factor of mechanical contact between seeds and device components is eliminated by extracting the seeds from the mechanical handling path. Seeds are allowed to fall freely through a sensor shaft without contacting mechanical components during the dressing application process, thus preventing dust generation while maintaining precision through optical sensing and targeted spraying.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor shaft with optical sensors acts as an intermediary between the seed separation mechanism and the dressing application system. The sensors detect seeds optically without mechanical contact, and trigger the dressing application at the precise moment a seed passes through the detection zone, enabling accurate application without mechanical handling that causes dust.
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical handling and pneumatic separation are used to deliver seeds individually, then precise seed positioning is achieved, but seed dressing dust is generated and dispersed
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical and pneumatic systems that cause dust generation are replaced with an optical sensing system. Optical sensors detect the presence and position of seeds, and this information is used to trigger dressing application precisely when a seed is in the optimal position, eliminating the need for mechanical handling during the critical dressing application phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic sensing and triggering - the optical sensors continuously monitor the falling seeds, and the dressing application is triggered periodically at precise moments when seeds pass through the detection zone. This rhythmic, precisely-timed application ensures accurate dosing without continuous mechanical contact that would generate dust.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If seed dressing is applied during free fall without mechanical contact, then contamination is prevented, but precise timing and positioning must be achieved through non-mechanical means
Solution Approach 1:
The falling seeds themselves provide the timing signal for dressing application. As seeds naturally fall through the sensor shaft under gravity, they automatically trigger the sensing system and subsequent dressing application without requiring complex external synchronization mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the natural motion of the seeds as the control trigger.
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
Prevents contamination of sowing device components and ensures precise application of seed dressing to individual seeds, reducing environmental and operational hazards while optimizing the use of crop protection products.
Implementation Method 1
the separated seeds are allowed to fall past at least one sensor that detects each separated seed
Implementation Method 2
seeds which have been fed from a reservoir container and separated are allowed to fall freely onto an underlying surface for seed
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
In a sowing method and a corresponding sowing device for discharging granular seed onto an underlying surface for seed, seeds (K) which are present in a reservoir container (10) are removed from the reservoir container and separated by means of a separating device (20) and successively allowed to fall onto the underlying surface (B) for seed. After the separated seeds (K) leave the separating device (20) seed dressing is applied to them by means of an application device (30) during their falling movement onto the underlying surface (B) for seed.