Seed Delivery Sensor via Translucent Wall Intermediary
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed delivery systems face challenges with accuracy due to dust, dirt, and ambient light interference, which affect the precision of seed monitoring, particularly in the gravity drop system where sensors are often located far from the discharge point, leading to variations in seed spacing.
Innovation Solution
A seed delivery apparatus with a sensor mounted on the housing wall that emits and receives electromagnetic radiation, combined with a moving member like a brush belt to guide seeds along the interior surface, ensuring the seed passes directly in front of the sensor, reducing background noise and allowing for precise seed detection and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned far from the discharge point in gravity drop systems, then seed monitoring coverage is achieved, but seed spacing accuracy deteriorates due to variations in seed path
Solution Approach 1:
A translucent wall is introduced as an intermediary between the sensor and the seed path, allowing optical sensing through the wall material. This enables the sensor to be positioned on the external surface of the housing rather than inside the seed path, maintaining measurement precision while simplifying installation and positioning
2Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned inside the seed tube to detect seed passage, then seed detection is achieved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to dust, dirt, and ambient light interference
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the internal seed tube environment and repositioned on the external housing surface. The translucent wall acts as a barrier that separates the sensor from harmful factors (dust, dirt, ambient light) while still allowing optical detection of seeds passing by, thereby eliminating interference without compromising detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent wall material serves as a disposable or easily replaceable component that protects the sensor from contamination. Instead of protecting the expensive sensor directly, a simple translucent barrier is used that can be easily cleaned or replaced if degraded by environmental factors
3Adaptability or versatility
If ambient light levels are high, then outdoor operation is enabled, but seed detection accuracy deteriorates due to increased background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The translucent wall serves as an optical intermediary that allows the sensor to detect seeds while being physically separated from ambient light sources. This spatial separation reduces background light interference, enabling accurate seed detection even in bright outdoor conditions
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 configuration enhances seed monitoring accuracy by minimizing dust and debris entry, maintaining seed spacing control, and providing a high signal-to-noise ratio for seed detection, even in bright conditions, while ensuring seeds are discharged accurately into the trench.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor having an emitting portion that emits electromagnetic radiation and a receiving portion that receives at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation and produces an output signal in proportion to the amount of received radiation and the electromagnetic radiation passes through the wall
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A seed delivery apparatus (28) has a moving member that captures and entraps the seed (56) from the seed meter (26) and physically moves the seed (56) from the meter (26) to the lower outlet opening (78). In so doing, the seed (56) engages and travels along an interior surface (76) of the seed delivery apparatus (28). A seed sensor (102) is mounted on the housing wall such that the seed (56) passes directly in front of the sensor (102). The sensor (102) has both the light emitting devices (104) and the photo-sensitive elements (106) on the same wall of the delivery apparatus (28), or on two opposed walls. The moving member prevents ambient light, dust and dirt from entering the housing (48) and impacting the sensor output signal.