Resilient Mounting for Double-Shoot Knife in Planting Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Double-shoot planting units face operational challenges due to obstructions and forces exerted on the knife as it draws through the soil, leading to diminished efficiency and effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A resilient mounting arrangement is used to attach the second product delivery arrangement to the frame, allowing for limited movement and improved durability by absorbing soil forces, enabling horizontal and vertical stratification of seed and fertilizer in a single pass.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid mounting arrangement is used for the second product delivery arrangement, then structural stability is maintained, but operational life and efficiency are diminished due to impact from obstructions and forces exerted by the soil

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational lifeVSAvoidimpact from obstructions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient mounting arrangement incorporates cushioning elements that are pre-installed between the second product delivery arrangement and the frame. These elements absorb and mitigate the impact forces from obstructions and soil resistance before they can damage the knife or reduce operational efficiency, thereby extending operational life while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If a resilient mounting arrangement is used for the second product delivery arrangement, then operational life and efficiency are improved by absorbing soil forces, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational lifeVSAvoidmounting arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting arrangement is segmented into distinct functional components: a frame, a second product delivery arrangement, and separate resilient mounting elements positioned between them. This segmentation allows the resilient elements to be independently selected, replaced, or adjusted without affecting the entire assembly, thereby managing complexity while maintaining operational life benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If seed and fertilizer are deposited together in a single furrow, then planting process is simplified, but fertilizer concentration must be reduced to prevent seed damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplanting efficiencyVSAvoidfertilizer concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The planting system segments the deposition process into two separate product delivery arrangements: one for seed and one for fertilizer. The resilient mounting arrangement specifically positions the second product delivery arrangement (delivering either seed or fertilizer) at a controlled distance and angle from the first, enabling spatial separation of the two products in the furrow while maintaining synchronized single-pass operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from mixing seed and fertilizer in the same horizontal plane to stratifying them vertically and horizontally within the furrow. The resilient mounting arrangement enables the second product delivery arrangement to create a separate trench or deposit pattern that is spatially distinct from the first product, achieving stratification that prevents direct contact between high-concentration fertilizer and seed while maintaining planting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances the operational life and efficiency of the planting unit by reducing damage from obstructions and allowing higher fertilizer concentrations without seed damage, resulting in improved growing conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The resilient mounting arrangement is operatively disposed between the frame and the second product delivery arrangement and configured for providing limited resilient movement of the second product delivery arrangement from the neutral position under action of the soil on the second product delivery arrangement.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10813277B2Resilient mounting of a double-shoot knife in a single-pass, double-shoot planting unit for an agricultural implement

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 CNH IND CANADA

AI summary

An apparatus and method for depositing fertilizer and seed in a single-pass, double-shoot manner utilize a planting unit that includes a frame, a disk arrangement, first and second product delivery arrangements and a resilient mounting arrangement for attaching the second product delivery arrangement to the frame. The rotating disk cuts a furrow in a planting surface for receiving a first agricultural product such as fertilizer from the first product delivery arrangement. The second product delivery arrangement has a cutting edge that cuts a vertically and horizontally offset trench in a side wall of the furrow for receiving a second agricultural product such as seed. The resilient mounting arrangement provides limited resilient movement about a neutral position of the second product delivery arrangement under action of the soil on the second product delivery arrangement.