3D Seed Disc Ramps for Irregular Seed Singulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed metering systems face challenges in effectively singulating irregularly shaped seeds such as sunflower seeds, corn, and cotton due to their geometries, leading to multiple seeds being held at a single seed cell aperture, which affects crop yield.
Innovation Solution
A seed disc with radially spaced seed cell apertures and integrated or removable ramps that extend axially from the seed side, combined with a brush singulator, to orient and singulate seeds in three dimensions, ensuring single seeds are positioned correctly at the apertures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional singulators (brushes, blades, ramps) are used to mitigate multiple seeds at seed cell apertures, then seed distribution is improved for ideally shaped seeds, but irregularly shaped seeds (sunflower, corn, cotton) still cannot be effectively singulated due to their geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension by extending ramps axially from the seed disc surface, creating a three-dimensional seed orientation structure. This allows irregularly shaped seeds to be oriented and singulated by interacting with the ramps in multiple dimensions, not just the traditional two-dimensional seed cell aperture plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramps are positioned to interact with seeds before they reach the seed cell apertures, preliminarily orienting irregularly shaped seeds in the correct position and orientation. This preliminary action ensures that when seeds reach the apertures, they are properly positioned for singulation, preventing multiple seeds from being held at a single aperture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If circular seed cell apertures are used to accommodate various seed sizes and shapes, then versatility is improved, but the ability to hold single seeds effectively is reduced for irregularly shaped seeds
Solution Approach 1:
The ramps serve as an intermediary structure between the seed supply and the circular seed cell apertures. They pre-orient irregularly shaped seeds before the seeds reach the apertures, allowing the circular apertures to maintain their versatility while the ramps ensure reliable single seed holding by controlling seed orientation and position.
3Productivity
If multiple seeds are held at a single seed cell aperture, then seed distribution speed may be maintained, but crop yield is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The ramps create localized orientation zones at each seed cell aperture, providing targeted singulation forces specifically where needed. This local quality improvement ensures that each aperture handles seeds individually and correctly, preventing multiple seeds from being distributed while maintaining overall distribution speed through the seed metering system.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural planting implement uses an air seed meter to meter and singulate seeds before directing them towards the field for planting. The air seed meter includes a seed disc that interacts with the seed to aid in planting the seeds at the desired manner so as to provide best spacing between subsequent seeds. To aid the metering and singulation of the seeds, the seed disc includes ramps positioned generally adjacent seed cell apertures. The ramps interact with tufts of a brush singulator to aid in orienting the seed relative to the seed cell aperture to position the seed at the cell and to mitigate multiple seeds from collecting at one or more of the seed cell apertures.