Removable Furrow Former for Seed Drill Row Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seed drills face challenges in achieving narrow row spacing and efficient seed distribution due to space constraints caused by grain separating devices directly on dispensing elements, leading to interference between drill seed and single grain seed lines during sowing.
Innovation Solution
The seed drill features a reconfigurable coulter body with a removable furrow former and integrated seed guide channel, allowing for sequential arrangement of seed lines to avoid interference and enable precise seed placement without obstructing drill seed distribution, along with a catch roller to secure single grains in the furrow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a grain separating device is attached directly to the dispensing elements for precise single grain placement, then the longitudinal spacing and width distance of grains can be exactly maintained, but the space required in the region of the dispensing elements increases, precluding narrow row spacing of the dispensing elements
Solution Approach 1:
The grain separating device is extracted from the dispensing elements and relocated to a central position under the storage container. This separation removes the space-consuming grain separating device from the limited space at the dispensing elements, enabling narrow row spacing while preserving the precision grain placement function through pneumatic transport of separated grains to the dispensing elements via seed lines
Solution Approach 2:
Pneumatic seed lines serve as intermediaries to transport the separated grains from the centrally located grain separating device to the dispensing elements. This intermediary transport system allows the grain separating device to be positioned away from the dispensing elements while maintaining the functional connection and precision grain delivery
2Reliability
If separate coulter bodies are provided for the first and second seed lines to avoid interference, then drill seed and single grain seed can be deposited without mutual interference, but the total number of dispensing elements increases, making it difficult to arrange all dispensing elements in a row with close spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The coulter body is designed with a reconfigurable furrow former that can be removed or adjusted. For single grain placement, the furrow former is installed to create pronounced sowing grooves. For drill seed sowing, the furrow former is removed to allow scattered distribution. This dynamic reconfiguration allows one coulter body to serve both functions sequentially, avoiding the need for separate coulter bodies while maintaining reliable seed deposition for each operation type
Solution Approach 2:
A single coulter body is designed to perform multiple functions through the removable furrow former. The same coulter body can create pronounced sowing grooves for single grain placement or allow scattered distribution for drill seed, depending on the presence or removal of the furrow former. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of dispensing elements needed while maintaining operational reliability
3Productivity
If the same coulter body is used for both drill seed and single grain placement, then the number of dispensing elements can be reduced, but the drill seed tends to collect in the pronounced sowing grooves and is not widely distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The furrow former is designed to be removable from the coulter body. When single grain placement is required, the furrow former is installed to create pronounced sowing grooves for precise grain placement. When drill seed sowing is required, the furrow former is removed to allow the drill seed to be scattered widely without collecting in grooves. This dynamic reconfiguration ensures reliable seed distribution uniformity for each operation type while using a single coulter body
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
This design allows for narrow, compact seed drill configurations with improved seed distribution for both drill and single grain placement, avoiding collisions and ensuring precise seed placement without obstructing drill seed application.
Implementation Method 1
a coulter body for making a sowing groove in the soil
Implementation Method 2
a catch roller to secure single grains in the furrow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a seed drill (100) with at least one row (17, 18) of application elements (10), each comprising a coulter body (13) for creating a furrow in the soil, wherein at least two separate seed lines (9, 11) lead to at least some of the application elements (10), of which a first seed line (9) can be supplied with drilled seed and/or fertilizer and a second seed line (11) can be supplied with precision seed. According to the invention, the coulters (13) of the application elements (10), to which two seed lines (9, 11) lead, each comprise a furrow former (15) for the second seed lines (11), which is designed to be removable from a coulter body base (14) and/or from its functional position.