Seed Diverter for Pneumatic Sowing Unit Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seed sowing machines face challenges in switching off individual sowing units without significant delays or causing damage to seeds, due to issues with seed flow interruption and resumption.

Innovation Solution

A seed switch mechanism that allows sowing units to be supplied with seeds in a supply position and interrupted in a return position, with a seed diverter routing seeds back to a separate return area, and a seed separator to prevent air flow buildup, enabling minimal delay and reduced seed damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If shut-off valves are installed upstream of metering units to interrupt seed supply, then seed build-up in conveying lines is prevented, but significant time delays occur when interrupting and resuming sowing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed build-up in conveying linesVSAvoidtime delay when interrupting and resuming sowing

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A seed diverter is introduced as an intermediary device between the metering unit and the seeding unit. This diverter redirects the seed airflow away from the seeding unit when shut-off is required, preventing seed build-up in the conveying line while allowing rapid switching without the delays associated with upstream valve closure. The diverter acts as a local mediator that manages seed flow without interrupting the overall airflow system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If metering drive continues to run during shut-off to supply seed to active seeding units, then continuous operation is maintained, but seed damage occurs through friction, crushing, and grinding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation of metering driveVSAvoidseed damage through friction, crushing, and grinding

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful effect is eliminated by extracting the damaged seed from the circulation path. The seed diverter redirects the airflow containing potentially damaged seed away from the seeding unit and into a return line that leads to a seed separator. This separates the damaged seed from the active sowing process while allowing the metering drive to continue operating for active seeding units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Seed that has been circulating during shut-off periods is discarded from the active sowing path through the seed diverter and seed separator system. The separator identifies and removes damaged seed from the airflow, preventing it from being sown. This allows recovery of viable seed while discarding damaged portions, maintaining continuous metering operation without compromising seed quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Manufacturing precision

If individual seeding units are switched off to create tramlines or avoid double sowing, then sowing precision is improved, but seed flow interruption and resumption cause delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesowing precision for tramline creationVSAvoiddelay when interrupting and resuming sowing

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The seed delivery system is segmented into individual controllable paths for each seeding unit. Each seeding unit has its own seed diverter that can independently redirect seed airflow without affecting other seeding units. This segmentation allows precise control of individual units for tramline creation while maintaining continuous operation of other units, eliminating the delays associated with system-wide flow interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables targeted and efficient switching off of sowing units with minimal delays and reduced risk of seed damage, ensuring continuous operation and seed integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The seed metered in the metering units is introduced into an airflow generated by a blower to form a seed airflow, which is guided through pneumatic conveying lines extending between the metering units and the sowing units.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic conveying:

Implementation Method 2

a seed separator to prevent air flow buildup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity separation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4278878A1Machine for dispensing seeds

Publication Date: 2023.11.22 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a machine for sowing seed (S) on an agricultural area (N), comprising a storage container (2) for receiving the seed (S), a metering unit (11) comprising a seed metering device (9), and a seeding unit (3) for sowing the seed (S), which is supplied with seed (S) by the metering unit (11) via a seed airflow (Ls), with a seed diverter (4) associated with the metering unit (11) and through which the seed airflow (Ls) flows, which is designed and arranged such that the seeding unit (3) is supplied with seed (S) in a supply position (W1) of the seed diverter (4) and the seed supply to the seeding unit (3) is interrupted in a return position (W2) of the seed diverter (4) and the seed (S) is returned to a return area separate from the storage container (2). (R) is traced back.