Rotating Disk Seed Irradiation Device for Precise Laser Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for pre-sowing laser stimulation of seeds lack precise control over energy doses and efficient seed exposure to laser irradiation, which can reduce the effectiveness of seed germination and growth enhancement.

Innovation Solution

A device integrating a seed displacement assembly and lasers within a common housing, where seeds are transported on a rotating disk with seats or recesses, allowing for adjustable exposure to laser beams of varying wavelengths, ensuring precise and efficient irradiation with adjustable energy doses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If seeds are irradiated with laser beams using a divergent beam, then the coverage area is increased, but the energy dose precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveirradiation coverage areaVSAvoidenergy dose precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the seed treatment process into discrete segments by placing individual seeds in separate recesses on the rotating disk. Each seed receives a focused, non-divergent laser beam independently, ensuring precise energy dosing while treating multiple seeds simultaneously. This segmentation allows concentrated energy delivery to each seed without the energy dispersion that occurs with divergent beams covering large areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements local quality by providing each seed with a tailored, focused laser irradiation experience. The recesses on the rotating disk create localized treatment zones where laser energy is concentrated precisely on individual seeds. This local quality approach ensures that each seed receives the optimal energy dose without being affected by the energy dispersion inherent in divergent beam systems that treat large areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If seeds are moved along a vibrating sloping plane for irradiation, then the seed distribution is improved, but the irradiation efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseed distribution uniformityVSAvoidirradiation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical vibrating sloping plane system with a rotating disk mechanism that uses centrifugal force and controlled rotation to achieve both uniform seed distribution and efficient irradiation. Seeds are placed in recesses on the rotating disk, which delivers them through the laser beam path in a controlled manner. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming vibration and sloping plane transit while maintaining uniform distribution and adding precise rotational control for efficient treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-positioning seeds in recesses on the rotating disk before irradiation begins. This pre-arrangement ensures uniform seed distribution is achieved through the rotational mechanics of the disk rather than requiring time-consuming vibration during the treatment process. The seeds are already in their treatment positions, ready for immediate and efficient laser irradiation as the disk rotates them through the beam path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a common housing integrates seed displacement assembly and lasers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the treatment precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice integration levelVSAvoidseed irradiation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the seed displacement assembly and laser irradiation system into a single integrated device housed in a common housing. The rotating disk with seed-receiving recesses is positioned within the housing to rotate through the laser beam path. This merging reduces overall device complexity by combining seed handling and treatment functions in one unit while maintaining precision through careful design of the recess positions and laser focal points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates equipotentiality by designing the rotating disk system so that all seeds in the recesses are at equivalent positions relative to the laser beam path during rotation. This ensures that each seed receives the same level of irradiation precision regardless of its position on the disk, maintaining treatment precision while allowing the benefits of integrated housing design. The geometric arrangement ensures uniform treatment conditions for all seeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 enables precise and efficient exposure of seeds to laser irradiation, improving germination and plant growth by allowing for controlled dosing and treatment of seeds simultaneously, enhancing seed yield and resistance to diseases.

Implementation Method 1

Germination of seeds is improved by allowing laser beam to irradiate a part of the seed coat of a plant seed to perforate a part of the seed coat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser beam irradiation: Laser

Implementation Method 2

allowing laser beam to irradiate a part of the seed coat of a plant seed to perforate a part of the seed coat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 3

the laser beam after passing through the known optical system is expanded divergently and illuminates the seeds moving along a vibrating sloping plane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical beam expansion: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP3756437B1Device and method for performing pre-sowing laser stimulation of seeds
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 UNIWERSYTET ROLNICZY IM HUGONA KOATAJA W KRAKOWIE
  • EP3756437B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3756437B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3756437B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a device (1) for performing a pre-sowing laser stimulation of seeds (5), in particular by irradiation with adjustable energy doses, comprising a laser, a seed container, a seed displacement assembly and a seed receiving unit, generally called device components that are housed in a device housing for performing the pre-sowing laser stimulation of seeds (5), the seed (5) displacement assembly (10) is a driven rotary element (11) with seats (12) transporting the seeds (5) on which light beams (25; 26, 27, 28) are directed having different wavelengths emitted by at least two lasers (21, 22, 23) or sets (20) of lasers devices and located in the housing (2) of the device (1) at a path (3) of movement of the seeds (5) from the seed container (41) to the seed receiving unit (42, 45).