Row Unit Coupling With Pivoting Arms for Narrow Crop-Row Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural planters face challenges in maintaining consistent seed planting depth and spacing due to undulations in the ground surface, leading to deviations in planting depth and spacing between crop rows.
Innovation Solution
A row unit coupling device that includes a mount body, a base unit with a biasing element, and pivotally coupled upper and lower arms to secure row units to a tool bar, allowing for adjustments to maintain perpendicular planting depth and accommodate narrow crop row spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If row units are positioned in a side-by-side arrangement with each row unit downstream from an adjacent tool bar, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the spacing between crop rows cannot be made relatively narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional side-by-side arrangement where row units are positioned only in the lateral dimension to a staggered arrangement that utilizes both lateral and longitudinal dimensions. Row units are offset downstream from adjacent tool bars, creating a two-dimensional positioning system that enables narrower crop row spacing while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Length of moving object
If row units are positioned closer together to achieve narrow crop row spacing, then the crop row spacing is reduced, but the ground following capabilities are adversely impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic coupling mechanisms including rock shafts and linkages that allow row units to independently respond to ground variations. This dynamic capability enables each row unit to follow ground contours even when positioned in a compact staggered arrangement, maintaining ground following capabilities while achieving narrow crop row spacing.
3Device complexity
If a common rocker arm arrangement is used to couple two rows, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ground following capabilities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coupling mechanism into multiple independent components including individual rock shafts, linkages, and depth adjustment mechanisms for each row unit. This segmentation allows each row unit to independently follow ground contours while maintaining a manageable overall system complexity through modular design.
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 device enhances ground following capabilities, ensuring consistent seed planting depth and reduced spacing between crop rows, even in uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element, such as a spring, that can be positioned to provide a biasing force to bias the base unit in a downward direction relative to the mount body
Implementation Method 2
an upper arm, and a lower arm. The upper arm is pivotally coupled to the leg segment to rotate about a first axis of rotation... The lower arm is pivotally coupled to the leg segment to rotate about a second axis of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A row unit coupling device (200) for securing a first row unit (50a) and a second row unit (50b) to a tool bar (22) of an agricultural implement is disclosed. The row unit coupling device (200) comprising a mount body (204) adapted to be coupled to the tool bar (22); a base unit (202) slidingly coupled to the mount body (204), the base unit (202) having a leg segment (232); a biasing element (210) positioned to provide a biasing force to bias the base unit (202) in a downward direction relative to the mount body (204); an upper arm (206) pivotally coupled to the leg segment (232) to rotate about a first axis of rotation (256a), the upper arm (206) having an upper central segment (246), an upper proximal end (268), and an upper distal end (270), the upper proximal and distal ends (268, 270) being at opposing ends of the upper arm (206) and offset from each other in a direction that is parallel to the first axis of rotation (256a), the upper proximal end (268) adapted for pivotal coupling to the first row unit (50a), the upper distal end (270) configured for pivotal coupling to the second row unit (50b); and a lower arm (208) pivotally coupled to the leg segment (232) to rotate about a second axis of rotation (256b), the lower arm (208) having a lower central segment (246), a lower proximal end (268), and a lower distal end (270), the lower proximal and distal ends (268, 270) being at opposing ends of the lower arm (208) and offset from each other in a direction that is parallel to the second axis of rotation (256b), the lower proximal end (268) adapted for pivotal coupling to the first row unit (50a), the lower distal end (270) configured for pivotal coupling to the second row unit (50b).