Agricultural Row Unit Depth Control via Electro-Hydraulic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural row crop planters face challenges in maintaining accurate seed depth control due to varying soil conditions and obstructions, leading to inconsistent seed planting depths that affect crop growth and yield.
Innovation Solution
A row unit with a winged shank and ski configuration, combined with an electro-hydraulic actuator for depth control and a lowered seed meter position, ensures precise furrow creation and seed delivery, minimizing errors in seed placement and spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If disk openers and depth adjustment systems are used to control furrow depth, then depth control capability is improved, but accuracy deteriorates due to varying soil conditions and obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical depth control mechanisms (disk openers, gage wheels) with a hydrostatic treadmill system. This hydraulic system uses fluid pressure to control the depth of the furrow opener, providing more precise and consistent depth control that is not affected by soil variations or obstructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydrostatic treadmill mechanism that uses hydraulic pressure to control the depth of the furrow. The system includes a hydraulic pump, motor, and control mechanisms that regulate the depth of the furrow opener through fluid pressure, ensuring consistent depth control across varying soil conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If seed meter is positioned at conventional height, then seed delivery is simplified, but seed placement precision deteriorates due to increased bounce and obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the seed meter position adjustable and adaptable. The seed meter can be positioned at different heights relative to the furrow depth, allowing optimization for specific soil conditions and crop requirements. This dynamic positioning capability enables precise seed placement while maintaining simplicity through adjustable rather than fixed complex mechanisms.
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 provides consistent seed placement at the optimal depth and spacing, enhancing crop yield by maintaining desired furrow depth and reducing seed bounce and obstruction-related issues, while allowing for adjustable row unit positioning and reduced planter weight.
Implementation Method 1
electro-hydraulic actuator for depth control
Implementation Method 2
lowered seed meter position
Data Source
AI summary
A row unit for use with a planter includes a furrow creator and an apparatus for controlling the depth of furrow created. The furrow creator can be a blade and shank. A seed meter, for example, a positive pressure meter, can be included that provides precision planting of one or more particulates. The seed meter can be a single meter or can include more than one meter at each row unit, such as to provide for multi-hybrid or multi-particulate planting. The positive pressure can then be used to delivering the seed via a seed to ground device to plant the one or more particulates in the created furrow. The row unit as provided will be a more precise planting for both seed spacing and depth, as well as other planting characteristics.