Seed Delivery Control Using Target Location Maps for Precise Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural planting machines face challenges in maintaining precise seed spacing and placement due to variations in air pressure, seed size, and foreign materials, leading to irregularities in seed distribution, which can decrease yield potential and field area utilization.
Innovation Solution
A control system for agricultural machines that includes a seeding system with a seed metering and delivery system, equipped with sensors and motors to track individual seed movement and control seed release to precise target locations, using a target seed planting model to identify optimal planting locations and adjust the machine path accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional seed metering system uses air pressure to bias seeds into apertures, then seed delivery is simplified, but seed spacing precision deteriorates due to variations in air pressure, seed size, and foreign materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional air-pressure-based seed biasing mechanism with an optical detection system and active control mechanism. Sensors detect individual seed positions, and actuators actively adjust seed delivery timing and position, substituting passive pneumatic control with active sensor-actuator control to achieve precise seed spacing despite variations in seed size and foreign materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor seed positions and delivery conditions, and the control system adjusts actuator commands in real-time based on detected deviations from desired spacing. This closed-loop feedback compensates for variations in air pressure, seed size, and foreign material interference to maintain precise seed placement.
2Device complexity
If seeds are delivered using gravity drop system, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of seed placement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system between the gravity drop mechanism and the seed trench. Sensors act as intermediaries to detect seed positions, and actuators serve as intermediaries to actively adjust delivery timing and position, mediating between the simple gravity drop system and the precision requirements to achieve accurate seed placement without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate actuators drive metering system and delivery system, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of separate actuators into a unified sensor-actuator control system. While multiple actuators remain for operational flexibility, they are coordinated through a centralized control system that processes sensor data and synchronizes actuator operations, reducing overall system complexity through integrated control while maintaining the ability to independently adjust metering and delivery operations.
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
The system ensures precise seed placement and spacing, enhancing yield potential and field area utilization by accurately tracking and controlling seed distribution, reducing seed wastage and deviations from desired spacing.
Implementation Method 1
The seeds can be biased into the seed apertures in the seed metering system using air pressure (such as a vacuum or a positive air pressure differential)
Implementation Method 2
Metered seeds from the seed metering system are dropped into the seed tube and fall (via gravitational force) through the seed tube into the seed trench
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine includes a seeding system comprising a plurality of planting units, each planting unit configured to meter and deliver seed and a control system configured to obtain a seed planting model that identifies a plurality of seed planting locations on a worksite, identify a machine path on the worksite, identify, based on the machine path, a set of the seed planting locations for each of the planting units, and control each planting unit to deliver seeds to the set of seed planting locations identified for the planting unit.