Seed Branch-Off Assembly for Tramline Skipping in Seeding Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seeding machines struggle to efficiently create transverse tramlines at high speeds, as the mechanical drive switching off mechanisms are complex and unreliable for rapid on/off operations.
Innovation Solution
A planting unit for a seeding machine that includes a seed supply, a driven seed meter, and a seed branch-off assembly controlled by an electronic control unit. The seed branch-off assembly can withdraw seeds from the seed delivery system by suction and feed them back to the seed supply to skip seed deposition at designated tramline locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical drive switching off mechanisms are used to create transverse tramlines, then tramlines can be provided, but the mechanism becomes complex and unreliable for rapid on/off operations at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the seed from the seed delivery system at a specific location using a seed branch-off assembly. Instead of switching off the entire mechanical drive, only the problematic seed is removed from the delivery stream while the rest of the seeding mechanism continues operating normally. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for complex switching mechanisms while maintaining reliable tramline creation.
Solution Approach 2:
The seed branch-off assembly acts as an intermediary component between the seed delivery system and the seed supply. It selectively removes individual seeds that would otherwise be deposited on tramline areas, enabling tramline creation without disrupting the overall seeding operation. This intermediary approach avoids the complexity of switching mechanisms while achieving the desired pattern.
2Productivity
If mechanical drive is switched off rapidly to skip single seeds for tramlines, then transverse tramlines can be created, but the switching mechanism becomes unreliable and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The seed branch-off assembly continuously extracts seeds from the delivery system at a controlled rate, rather than requiring rapid on/off switching. This extraction mechanism operates smoothly at high seeding speeds while reliably achieving the seed skipping needed for tramlines, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The seed branch-off assembly maintains continuous operation during the seeding process, continuously removing seeds destined for tramline areas without interrupting the overall seeding flow. This continuous action enables high-speed operation while maintaining reliable tramline creation, eliminating the need for disruptive switching.
3Speed
If complex mechanical mechanisms are used for rapid switching, then tramlines can be provided at high speeds, but the system becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The seed branch-off assembly provides a simple, continuous seed extraction mechanism that operates reliably at high travel speeds without complex switching. By removing only the necessary seeds from the delivery stream rather than switching the entire system on/off, the patent achieves both high speed and reliable tramline provision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical switching mechanisms with a simpler seed extraction system using the seed branch-off assembly. This substitution eliminates the reliability issues associated with rapid mechanical switching while maintaining the capability to create tramlines at high travel speeds.
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
Enables the creation of transverse tramlines in a simple and reliable manner, even at high seeding machine speeds, by precisely controlling seed dispensing and allowing for efficient operation without complex mechanical mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The seed branch-off assembly might be adapted, upon receipt of a signal from the control unit, to withdraw a seed out of the seed delivery system by suction and to feed it back to the seed supply using an air stream.
Data Source
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AI summary
A planting unit (20) for a seeding machine (12) is disclosed. The planting unit comprising: a seed supply (42); and a driven seed meter (38) adapted to receive seeds (60) from the seed supply (42) and to dispense a singularized seed (60) to a seed delivery system (46) adapted to deposit the seed (60) within a furrow (50) in the ground of a field; wherein the driven movement of the seed meter (38) is adapted to be controlled by an electronic control unit (34) such as to achieve a pre-defined pattern of the seeds (60) in the field and the planting unit (20) is adapted to skip dispensing of seeds (60) at locations at which a tramline (68) extending in an angle to the travel direction is to be provided according to the pre-defined pattern. The planting unit further comprising a seed branch-off assembly, the seed branch-off assembly adapted, upon receipt of a signal from the control unit (34), to take a seed (60) out of the seed delivery system (46) and to feed it back to the seed supply (42) to provide the skip.