Root Crop Guide Apparatus Deflection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planting devices for root crops, such as potato tubers, face challenges in precise discharge due to high speed differences between the conveying device and the ground, leading to uneven spacing of potato nests or plants, as well as undesirable impulses from the conveying device parts.
Innovation Solution
The guide apparatus is arranged to reduce the vertical proportion of the output direction relative to the horizontal, with a horizontal movement component greater than the vertical, utilizing a guide element that deflects the propagating crops by at least 30° to ensure a controlled and targeted discharge, reducing the relative speed between the crop and the ground, and incorporating a control device to actuate the guide apparatus based on the speed of movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conveying device operates at high speed to maintain productivity, then the relative speed between propagating crop and ground increases, but the spacing precision between potato nests deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide apparatus acts as an intermediary between the high-speed conveying device and the ground. It includes a guide element that deflects the propagating crop horizontally and a receiving element that captures and positions the crop. This intermediary system reduces the relative speed impact by the time the crop contacts the ground, allowing high conveying speeds to be maintained while achieving precise spacing.
2Productivity
If the conveying device moves at high speed, then productivity is improved, but the propagating crop receives undesirable impulses from conveying device parts
Solution Approach 1:
The guide apparatus serves as a mediator that intercepts the propagating crop before it contacts the ground. The guide element deflects the crop horizontally away from the conveying device path, and the receiving element provides a controlled landing zone. This intermediary arrangement prevents direct contact between the high-speed moving crop and the ground, eliminating undesirable impulses while maintaining productivity.
3Speed
If the output direction has large vertical proportion, then the discharge speed is reduced, but the spacing precision between crops deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element deflects the propagating crop horizontally (in the x-direction) rather than allowing it to fall vertically (y-direction). This dimensional change in the output trajectory reduces the vertical speed component while maintaining or increasing the horizontal speed component. The receiving element then captures the crop at the deflected position, achieving precise spacing control without sacrificing discharge speed.
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 approach results in more precise and composed deposition of root crops on the ground, minimizing horizontal movement impulses and vertical speed, thereby maintaining consistent spacing between individual crops and reducing deflection upon impact, ensuring closer alignment to desired distances.
Implementation Method 1
a guide element that deflects the propagating crops by at least 30°
Implementation Method 2
as a result of the superimposed gravitational acceleration, a parabolic trajectory with a vertical speed proportion which increases with the drop height
Data Source
AI summary
Planting device for planting root crops comprising a cup hopper and at least one conveying device. The conveying device includes at least one carrier element, several conveying elements arranged on the carrier element, and a guide apparatus with at least one guide element which is formed to guide the propagating crops into an output region. Respective conveying elements describe, during operation, a path which runs through the cup hopper to pick up propagating crops. The guide apparatus is arranged such that a vertical proportion of the output direction is smaller than a horizontal proportion of the output direction.