Seed Conveyor Guide Angled Protrusion Placement Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural seed placement accuracy is compromised at both low and high implement speeds due to seeds rolling and bouncing upon landing, resulting in inconsistent plant spacing, as existing seed delivery systems fail to constrain seed path and control velocity effectively.
Innovation Solution
A seed conveyor system with a guide surface and angled portion, combined with a seed disc and pulley-driven belt, constrains seed travel and imparts a reduced horizontal velocity to seeds, ensuring accurate placement by using a seed guide to direct seeds into a seed tube or conveyor assembly, and a control system to adjust conveyor speed based on implement speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the planting implement draws through the field at faster speeds to increase productivity, then the planting speed increases, but the seed placement accuracy deteriorates due to seeds rolling and bouncing upon landing
Solution Approach 1:
The seed guide directs seeds onto the conveyor belt before the seeds are deposited into the trench. The conveyor belt then transports the seeds at a controlled speed, allowing the seeds to be placed accurately even when the planting implement moves at higher speeds. This preliminary action on the conveyor belt compensates for the increased speed of the planting implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt acts as an intermediary between the seed delivery system and the trench. It captures the seeds from the seed guide and transports them to the deposition point, controlling the seed velocity relative to the ground. This intermediary mechanism decouples the planting implement speed from the seed landing speed, maintaining accuracy at higher productivity levels.
2Productivity
If the seed conveyor delivers seed at high speed to match implement speed, then productivity is maintained, but seed placement accuracy deteriorates due to increased seed velocity causing roll and bounce
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt speed is dynamically adjusted to optimize seed delivery. The system can vary the conveyor speed independently of the implement speed, allowing the seeds to be delivered at a controlled velocity that minimizes roll and bounce while maintaining continuous operation and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct high-speed mechanical seed delivery with a controlled conveyor belt mechanism. Instead of relying on high-velocity seed ejection, the conveyor belt provides a controlled, lower-velocity transport mechanism that reduces seed bounce and improves placement consistency while maintaining productivity through continuous operation.
3Device complexity
If a traditional seed tube delivers seed directly to the trench, then the device complexity is low, but seed placement accuracy deteriorates at varying speeds due to inability to control seed path and velocity
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt system serves multiple functions: it transports seeds from the seed guide, controls seed velocity, and delivers seeds to the trench. This multi-functional mechanism improves seed placement accuracy across varying speeds while adding only moderate complexity, as the single conveyor structure performs what would otherwise require multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt introduces an intermediary transport mechanism between seed delivery and trench deposition. This intermediary allows for velocity control and path management that improves accuracy across varying implement speeds, while the overall structure remains relatively simple and maintains ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein is a seed conveyor assembly that delivers seed to a planting surface in a controlled manner to maintain seed placement accuracy within a trench. In one embodiment, a seed guide for a seed conveyor assembly includes a relief portion and an introduction portion that includes at least one protrusion. The protrusion is angled from a side of the introduction portion toward the center of the introduction portion. The end of the protrusion is proximate the center of the introduction portion being further from the relief portion.