Sectional Dosing Drive with Wrap Clutches for Uniform Seeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural input dosing systems in machines like seeders and fertilizer spreaders face issues with non-uniform distribution due to irregular land shapes, leading to double sowing or fertilization and high production and maintenance costs, particularly in systems with individual motors or clutches.
Innovation Solution
A dual drive system with a main shaft and secondary shafts equipped with wrap clutches or independent electric motors, allowing precise control of input flow through solenoids or electric motors, respectively, to ensure uniform distribution and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a main shaft with clutches is used to drive feeders, then device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but control precision and reliability deteriorate compared to individual motors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into modular units where each feeder can be independently controlled through individual clutches on the main shaft. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity while achieving reliable sectional control, as each clutch can be independently engaged or disengaged to control its corresponding feeder.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces clutches as intermediary components between the main shaft and individual feeders. These clutches act as mediators that can selectively transmit or block power transmission to each feeder, providing reliable control without requiring complex individual motor systems for each feeder.
2Reliability
If individual electric motors are used for each feeder, then control precision and reliability improve, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual motor functions into a single main shaft system with clutch mechanisms. By combining the power transmission source while maintaining individual control capability through clutches, the system achieves reliable feeder control without the complexity of multiple independent motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The main shaft with clutch mechanisms serves multiple functions: it provides power transmission to all feeders simultaneously, allows individual sectional control of each feeder, and reduces overall system complexity. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
3Productivity
If the dosing system covers the entire machine width, then productivity increases, but double deposition occurs on irregular land shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the dosing system by enabling individual feeders to be selectively activated or deactivated along the machine width. This dynamic sectional control allows the system to adapt to irregular land shapes and avoid double deposition in areas that have already been treated, while maintaining high productivity on suitable terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality control by allowing different sections of the dosing system to operate independently. Each feeder can be controlled based on local field conditions, ensuring that agricultural inputs are applied only where needed rather than uniformly across the entire machine width, thus preventing waste on irregular land shapes.
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 system provides precise and uniform distribution of agricultural inputs, reducing double deposition and operational costs, while offering flexibility between clutch and electric motor options for different applications.
Implementation Method 1
a wrap clutch system consisting of a clutch in each roller section, being able to allow or stop the input flow by means of its activation or deactivation
Implementation Method 2
activation or deactivation by means of a solenoid
Implementation Method 3
an air stream that flows to multiple distribution hoses that are distributed along the entire agricultural machine
Data Source
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AI summary
An alternative drive dosing system (1) for agricultural machines, e.g. pneumatic seeders and fertilizer spreaders with sectional operation, comprising: a) a hopper having internal divisions; b) an air flow distribution system; and c) input dosing feeders (9) suitable to be operated by two different drive systems; the dosing system alternatively comprising: (i) a main drive shaft (2) linked via wrap clutches (6) to perpendicular secondary shafts (5) of a plurality of feeders (9) with roller sections (4), the wrap clutches being controlled by solenoids (7) to allow or stop the flow of input, and wherein one end of the main drive shaft is linked to an electric power generator; or ii) electric motors (8) to replace the system of wrap clutches in each roller section, wherein such motors are capable of allowing or stopping the flow of inputs by activating or deactivating the respective roller section.