Seed Brush Assembly for Liquid Chemical Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural product dispensing systems face challenges in delivering consistent and uniform application of liquid products at low rates during planting, especially at high speeds, leading to inefficiencies and environmental concerns due to excessive chemical use.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a control system, seed transport mechanism, and agricultural product supply system with a seed brush assembly and pulsing valve technology to synchronize the delivery of liquid and dry products with individual seeds, reducing the volume of applied chemicals by up to 90% while maintaining biological efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If liquid agricultural products are applied at high rates continuously during planting, then sufficient chemical coverage is achieved, but chemical usage and environmental impact increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a pulsing valve mechanism that delivers liquid agricultural products in periodic pulses rather than continuous flow. Each pulse is synchronized with seed placement, creating intermittent application cycles that reduce overall chemical usage while maintaining effective coverage at seed locations
Solution Approach 2:
The application system transitions from uniform continuous coverage to localized targeted application. Liquid products are delivered precisely at seed placement locations through synchronized pulsing, concentrating chemical effectiveness where needed while reducing application in non-critical areas
2Productivity
If liquid products are applied at low rates during high-speed planting, then chemical usage is reduced, but application consistency and uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect seed placement and provide feedback signals to the pulsing valve mechanism. This closed-loop control ensures that liquid application is triggered only when and where seeds are placed, maintaining precision even at high planting speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical continuous-flow application mechanisms with an electronically controlled pulsing valve system. This substitution enables precise timing and dosage control through electronic signals rather than purely mechanical flow regulation
3Quantity of substance
If continuous stream liquid application is used throughout the furrow, then consistent coverage is achieved, but excessive chemical application occurs in areas between seeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes the unnecessary continuous flow portions of liquid application, retaining only the discrete pulses needed at seed locations. This elimination of excess application between seeds reduces overall chemical usage while maintaining effective coverage
Data Source
AI summary
A system for dispensing liquid agricultural products with seed includes a control system; a seed transport mechanism; an agricultural product supply system; and, a seed brush assembly. The seed transport mechanism is affixed to a seed planter row unit. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense agricultural products in response to an output signal from the control system. A brush housing structure of the seed brush assembly receives seed from the seed transport mechanism. A brush of the seed brush assembly has bristles positioned within the brush housing structure. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense the liquid agricultural products onto the bristles. The bristles are configured to minimize the resistance associated with the passage of seed past the wetted bristles. The liquid agricultural product is transferred from the brushes onto the seed as the seed is dispensed prior to the seed hitting the ground.