Seed Disc Cleaning Wheel for Seed Hole Scraping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing precision seed drills face issues with nozzle wear, clogging, and inadequate cleaning of seed holes due to dirt and abrasion, leading to inefficient seed residue removal, especially with small seeds.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable wheel with projections that engage and scrape seed residues from seed holes, driven by the rotating seed disc, providing thorough cleaning without the need for a separate drive and enhancing power transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a nozzle is used to clean seed holes with compressed air, then cleaning is performed, but the nozzle is subject to wear and clogging quickly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle durabilityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pneumatic cleaning system (nozzle with compressed air) with a mechanical cleaning system (rotating wheel with projections). The mechanical projections physically scrape and remove seed residues from seed holes, eliminating the wear and clogging issues associated with pneumatic nozzles while maintaining reliable cleaning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a nozzle is used for cleaning seed holes, then cleaning is achieved, but the cleaning effect becomes unsatisfactory after prolonged use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning consistencyVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating wheel with mechanical projections provides consistent physical scraping action that maintains cleaning effectiveness over time, unlike the pneumatic nozzle whose performance degrades. The mechanical contact ensures reliable removal of seed residues including drying binders that block holes, maintaining consistent cleaning quality throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a separate drive is added for the cleaning wheel, then cleaning function is enhanced, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning functionVSAvoiddrive system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cleaning wheel's drive function with the existing seed disc rotation. The seed disc, which must rotate anyway for seeding operation, directly drives the cleaning wheel through contact between its surface and the wheel's projections. This integration eliminates the need for a separate drive motor and transmission system, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable cleaning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning wheel is designed to be self-driven by the seed disc's rotation. The relative motion and contact force between the rotating seed disc and the cleaning wheel automatically propel the wheel without external power input. This self-service mechanism reduces energy consumption and eliminates additional drive components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution achieves improved cleaning efficiency by effectively removing seed residues and reducing clogging, maintaining performance over prolonged use while conserving energy.

Implementation Method 1

the wheel can be driven by at least temporary contact with the seed disc. In particular, it can be provided that the sowing disk drives the wheel in that the at least one projection is entrained by the sowing holes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2974583B9Single seed meter and single grain seeder
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 KVERNELAND AS
  • EP2974583B9 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2974583B9 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2974583B9 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A seed drill (1) for a precision seeder is proposed, comprising the following features: - a seed disc (2) rotatable in a rotational direction (R), - the seed disc (2) having seed holes (3) in a defined arrangement, - a receiving area for receiving the seed into the seed holes (3) and a discharge area for discharging the seed, - a cleaning device (4) for cleaning the seed holes (3) during operation of the seed drill (1) is provided between the discharge area and the receiving area, wherein the cleaning device (4) is designed as a rotatable wheel (4) with at least one projection (5) engaging in the seed holes (3). A precision seeder with such a seed drill is also proposed.