Sectional Control for Agricultural Seeders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing farm implements face challenges in preventing double seeding and seed bed destruction when traversing narrow or irregularly shaped fields, as prior art systems either lack the ability to selectively obstruct the seed metering system or automatically control ground-engaging openers, leading to over-seeding and uneven germination.
Innovation Solution
A notification and warning system that alerts the operator when the implement is passing over previously seeded or fertilized areas, allowing manual control of the seed metering system and ground-engaging openers to prevent repetitive seeding and disturbance of the seed bed, using a combination of GPS/GNSS technology and manually operable gates and hydraulic actuators to selectively block seed flow and raise openers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If larger air seeders with greater field coverage are used, then productivity increases, but the implement cannot seed narrow or irregularly shaped fields without over-seeding
Solution Approach 1:
The air seeder is divided into multiple independently controllable row units, each with its own metering device and ground-engaging opener. This segmentation allows selective operation of individual row units or groups of row units, enabling the implement to adapt to narrow or irregularly shaped fields while maintaining overall large capacity, thereby preventing over-seeding in areas that have already been seeded.
2Manufacturing precision
If metering devices are used to control seed application, then seeding precision improves, but double seeding still occurs when land is too narrow or oddly shaped
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic control capabilities where row units can be selectively activated or deactivated based on real-time field conditions and GPS location data. This dynamic adaptability allows the metering devices to maintain precise seed application control while the overall system adapts to varying field shapes and sizes, preventing double seeding in narrow or irregular areas.
3Reliability
If ground-engaging openers remain engaged to maintain seed bed, then seed bed quality is maintained, but previously seeded areas are destroyed causing uneven germination
Solution Approach 1:
Each row unit's ground-engaging opener is independently controllable, allowing selective raising or lowering of specific openers corresponding to specific row units. This segmentation enables the system to maintain ground engagement and seed bed quality in unseeded areas while raising openers in previously seeded areas to prevent destruction and uneven germination.
4Manufacturing precision
If fully automated control systems are implemented, then precision control of seeding is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides operators with manual control capabilities and real-time notification systems that enable them to self-manage the sectional control of row units based on visual or electronic field boundary markers. This self-service approach achieves precise sectional control without requiring complex fully automated systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining control precision.
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 system enables precise control over seeding and fertilizing, reducing waste and ensuring even germination by allowing operators to manually manage seed application and opener positions, thus reducing costs and complexity compared to fully automated systems.
Implementation Method 1
input from a GPS/GNSS satellite navigation system to prevent the meter device delivering seed or fertilizer to selected of the ground-engaging members
Implementation Method 2
raising means, responsive to input from the GPS/GNSS satellite navigation system detecting that the device is travelling or is about to travel over areas of soil that has been previously seeded or fertilized, is further provided to raise the selected ground-engaging members
Data Source
AI summary
A sectional control apparatus and method prompts the operator of an implement when the implement, or portion thereof, is traversing over land that has already been seeded and/or disturbed. The apparatus includes a GPS or GNSS receiver that communicates with a GPS or GNSS system and a controller that maps movement of the implement so that real-time positional data for the implement can be compared to the movement map. When the position of the implement, or portion thereof, is detected as moving over previously seeded and/or disturbed land, the controller activates an alert mechanism in the operator cab of the implement to notify the operator that sectional control, i.e., shutting down metering of product or raising the tool bar, needs to be implemented.