Seeding Unit With Rippled Discs and Pivoting Seed Boot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seeding apparatus face issues with debris blockages, inconsistent seed depth, and difficulty in achieving narrow row spacing due to bulky and complex designs, which affect crop yields and weed control, and are prone to mud blockages and wear from gauge wheels.
Innovation Solution
A seeding apparatus with a frame design that includes pivotally attached seed boots and rippled cutting discs, allowing for adjustable seed boot positioning and furrow depth control without a gauge wheel, enabling side-by-side placement of cutting and seeding units for narrow row spacing and improved soil handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional gauge wheels are used to control furrow depth, then depth control is achieved, but mud blockages and wear occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gauge wheel component entirely from the seeding apparatus. Instead of using a gauge wheel to control furrow depth, the invention uses a depth control mechanism that adjusts the position of the cutting disc relative to the seed boot, eliminating the source of mud blockages and wear associated with gauge wheels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a depth control mechanism as an intermediary between the cutting disc and the seed boot. This mechanism uses adjustable positioning elements to control furrow depth without requiring contact with the soil surface, thereby avoiding mud blockages while maintaining precise depth control.
2Productivity
If seed boot is located adjacent to the cutting disc, then seed delivery into furrow is improved, but debris blockages occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pivoting seed boot that can dynamically adjust its position relative to the cutting disc. The seed boot is capable of rotating about a pivot point, allowing it to move away from the cutting disc when debris accumulation is detected, preventing blockages while maintaining optimal seed delivery positioning during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a scraper element that actively removes debris from the cutting disc surface before it can accumulate and cause blockages. This preliminary anti-action prevents the formation of debris blockages by continuously cleaning the cutting disc and preventing material buildup in the gap between the seed boot and cutting disc.
3Ease of manufacture
If flat cutting discs are used, then manufacturing is simple, but disc sharpness deteriorates quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces flat cutting discs with rippled cutting discs that have a curved, wave-like surface profile. The rippled configuration maintains the overall disc shape for easy manufacturing while introducing surface curvature that prevents material buildup and maintains cutting sharpness by continuously varying the contact point with the soil.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality variation to the cutting disc surface by creating rippled patterns only in the cutting zone while maintaining a smooth hub and mounting areas. This allows the disc to be manufactured using standard processes while providing enhanced cutting performance and sharpness retention in the critical cutting region through the rippled surface geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A seeding apparatus comprising a frame having a first section adapted to be attached to a toolbar for towing by a vehicle, and a second section comprising a cutting unit and a seeding unit, the cutting unit comprising at least one cutting disc and the seeding unit comprising at least one seed boot and at least one seed boot mounting, the seed boot mounting comprising a bar configured to locate the seed boot adjacent a side surface of the cutting disc, wherein the bar comprises a proximal end attached to the frame of the seeding apparatus, and a distal end for attachment of the seed boot. The invention also relates to a cutting and seeding assembly for mounting on the seeding apparatus.