Resilient Seed Deflector Singulator for Doubles and Skips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural seeding machines face challenges in accurately and efficiently metering and placing seeds, particularly difficult seed types like flat corn seeds with insecticide treatments, due to poor singulation leading to doubles, skips, and bunches, and the complexity of adjusting seed disk systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a seed singulator with two resilient seed deflectors positioned at radially inner and outer sides of the seed disk's travel path, acting as a 'bunch blocker' and 'double eliminator', which improves seed singulation and reduces the need for vacuum pressure, maintaining the seed release trajectory and allowing for easier adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a seed disk with seed cells is used to meter seeds, then seeds can be dispensed at a predetermined rate, but poor singulation occurs leading to doubles, skips, and bunches
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient seed deflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the seed disk and the discharge point. This deflector intercepts seeds that are improperly positioned in seed cells and redirects them to appropriate locations, thereby improving singulation accuracy without affecting the predetermined dispensing rate
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient seed deflector changes the physical state and trajectory of seeds through elastic deformation. When seeds contact the deflector, its resilience parameter allows it to bounce and redirect seeds, transforming their motion paths to achieve proper singulation while maintaining the metering function
2Manufacturing precision
If vacuum pressure is increased to improve seed singulation, then seed placement accuracy improves, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient seed deflector replaces the need for increased vacuum pressure with a mechanical solution. Instead of relying on pneumatic forces to achieve proper seed positioning, the system uses the elastic mechanical action of the deflector to physically redirect seeds, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining placement accuracy
3Manufacturing precision
If a flat seed disk with double eliminator is used for difficult seed types, then singulation improves, but seed trajectory into the seed tube becomes less favorable and adjustments become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient seed deflector introduces dynamic adaptability to the system. Unlike fixed double eliminators on flat disks, the resilient deflector can dynamically adjust its position and angle based on seed characteristics and flow conditions, making the system easier to operate and adapt to different seed types while maintaining singulation accuracy
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 solution enhances the accuracy and efficiency of seed placement, reduces the complexity of adjustments, and decreases the vacuum requirements, effectively addressing the issues of doubles, skips, and bunches, while maintaining the compactness of the seed metering system.
Implementation Method 1
a first resilient seed deflector coupled with said bracket and being deflectable upon engaging a seed in one of said seed cells
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A seeding machine (10) includes at least one seed metering system (28). Each seed metering system (28) includes a housing (42), a seed disk (36) and a seed singulator (44, 80). The seed disk (36) is disposed within the housing (42). The seed disk (36) includes a rotational axis (50) and a plurality of seed cells (38) angularly spaced at a common radius about the rotational axis (50). The seed cells (38) define a generally circular travel path (56). A seed singulator (44, 80) includes a bracket (60), a first resilient seed deflector (62) and a second resilient seed deflector (64, 82, 84). The first resilient seed deflector (62) is coupled with the bracket (60) and deflectable relative to the bracket (60) upon engaging a seed in one of the seed cells (38). The second resilient seed deflector (64, 82, 84) is coupled with the bracket (60) and deflectable relative to the bracket (60) upon engaging a seed in one of the seed cells (38).