Seed Delivery Device with Segmented Air Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machinery faces challenges in regulating the air stream for transporting seeds and fertilizers due to variations in seed size and weight, leading to obstruction and decreased transport capacity, particularly in 'on-demand' systems where secondary hopper fillings cause air flow obstruction and reduced seed distribution precision.
Innovation Solution
The system divides the air stream into two independent streams, where one stream activates seeds on a porous floor and the other, accelerated stream transports seeds through Venturi-effect conduits to secondary hoppers, allowing for adjustable flow regulation using a pivoting plate to manage the first stream's volume, ensuring consistent seed delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single air stream is used to transport solid particles from the main hopper to secondary hoppers, then the system structure is simple, but the transport capacity decreases and blockages occur when secondary hoppers are filled
Solution Approach 1:
The single air stream is segmented into two independent streams: a first air stream that activates seeds on the porous floor and a second air stream that transports activated seeds through Venturi-effect conduits. This segmentation allows each stream to perform its specific function optimally, preventing blockages while maintaining transport capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous floor acts as an intermediary element between the first air stream and the second air stream. The first air stream activates seeds on the porous floor, and the activated seeds are then picked up by the second air stream for transport. This intermediary mechanism ensures smooth transfer without blockages.
2Productivity
If the air stream flow rate is increased to maintain transport capacity, then transport efficiency improves, but seed distribution precision decreases due to variations in seed size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different air stream characteristics to different stages of the transport process. The first air stream uses lower velocity for gentle activation of seeds on the porous floor, while the second air stream uses higher velocity through Venturi-effect conduits for efficient transport. This local differentiation maintains precision while ensuring transport efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes air stream parameters (velocity, pressure) at different stages and locations. The Venturi-effect conduits create localized high-velocity regions for transport while maintaining controlled conditions for seed activation. This parameter differentiation allows the system to handle variations in seed size and weight effectively.
3Ease of operation
If a porous floor is used for seed activation, then seed pickup improves, but air flow obstruction occurs when secondary hoppers are filled
Solution Approach 1:
The air stream is segmented into two independent flows: the first air stream passes through the porous floor for seed activation, and the second air stream transports activated seeds through separate Venturi-effect conduits. This segmentation prevents the transport air stream from being obstructed by filled secondary hoppers while maintaining effective seed pickup.
Solution Approach 2:
The first air stream continuously activates seeds on the porous floor, and the second air stream continuously transports activated seeds. This continuous action ensures that even when secondary hoppers are filled, the activation process remains uninterrupted and transport capacity is maintained through the independent second stream.
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 solution enables precise and uninterrupted seed distribution by independently controlling the activation and transport air streams, accommodating various seed characteristics and preventing blockages, thus enhancing the operational efficiency of agricultural equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a first air stream impinging from below upwards through a porous floor on which said solid particles have settled
Implementation Method 2
said second stream being accelerated in Venturi-effect conduits before being subdivided into a plurality of streams individually accelerated by Venturi effect
Data Source
AI summary
Device for delivering solid particles on demand, intended for agricultural machine, wherein the delivery on demand of solid particles to a receiving device is regulated, particularly in the field of technology for transporting solid granulated materials by means of an air stream, without being exclusive, in agricultural machinery when an air stream is used to transport seeds or fertilizer granules from at least one central hopper to the dosing/metering equipment located on the sowing unit, and including a source of pressurized air, a distributor of solid particles “S”, a hopper whose bottom feeds solid particles “S” to the distributor and a plate permeable to the passage of air and on which said particles “S” settle.