Radar Furrow Visualization for Real-Time Planting Depth Assessment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for assessing planter or seeder performance are time-consuming, inconsistent, and subjective, requiring manual soil measurement and observation, which do not provide a comprehensive evaluation of the entire field.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a radar sensor coupled to a planting vehicle to acquire data on furrow creation, generating a point cloud, and analyzing it with a furrow analyzing processor to provide real-time, automatic visualization and analysis of furrow characteristics, including seed placement, depth, and soil composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual soil measurement and observation methods are used to assess planter performance, then operators can obtain planting depth and seedbed quality data, but the process becomes time-consuming and can only assess a small fraction of planted seeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplanting depth measurementVSAvoidassessment speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with an optical imaging system that uses a camera to capture images of the furrow and seed placement. This substitution enables automated, high-speed assessment of planting quality without requiring physical soil digging or manual measurement, thereby dramatically increasing productivity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy (image) of the furrow and seed placement using a camera. This optical copy allows operators to assess planting quality remotely and rapidly without physically interacting with the soil, enabling comprehensive field assessment at full operating speed rather than requiring slow manual sampling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If manual observation methods are used to assess seedbed quality, then operators can obtain qualitative feedback, but the process varies due to inconsistencies and subjectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseedbed quality assessmentVSAvoidassessment consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective human visual assessment with an automated optical imaging system. The camera captures objective images of seedbed quality, and these images can be analyzed consistently without human variability. This substitution eliminates the inconsistencies and subjectiveness inherent in manual observation while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate visual feedback through captured images of furrow quality and seed placement. This objective feedback mechanism allows operators to consistently assess seedbed quality without human variability, improving reliability while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Quantity of substance

If comprehensive field assessment is to be performed, then all planted seeds should be evaluated, but manual methods can only assess a small representative sample

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of seeds assessedVSAvoidtime required for assessment

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces slow manual sampling with rapid optical imaging that can capture and assess all furrows across the entire field. The camera system operates at full vehicle speed, enabling comprehensive assessment of all planted seeds rather than limited manual sampling, thereby increasing the quantity assessed without time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging system operates continuously at full vehicle speed throughout the planting process, capturing images of all furrows as they are created. This continuous operation enables comprehensive field assessment without requiring the vehicle to stop or slow down, eliminating time loss while maximizing the quantity of seeds assessed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 contact-free, real-time assessment of furrow quality, allowing for automatic adjustments to improve seeding consistency and crop yield by providing precise feedback on seed placement, depth, and soil contact.

Implementation Method 1

a radar sensor configured to be coupled to a planting vehicle and acquire data relating to a furrow being created

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentUS12419210B2Furrow visualization

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 DEERE & CO

AI summary

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for furrow analysis and visualization. A system for furrow visualization includes a radar sensor configured to be coupled to a planting vehicle and acquire data relating to a furrow being created, and a visualization apparatus communicatively coupled to the radar sensor and configured to generate a point cloud of the furrow. The system further includes a furrow analyzing processor configured to analyze the point cloud and generate a visualization of the furrow.