Seed Drill Coulter Carrier Assembly Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed drills have complex structures that lead to high maintenance requirements and costs due to numerous mechanical components, particularly expensive hydraulic cylinders, which affect productivity.
Innovation Solution
A seed drill design that combines the coulter pressure adjustment device and coulter lifting device into a single assembly, reducing the number of moving parts and using a common cylinder connected via a joint and lever system to adjust coulter pressure and lift coulters, minimizing errors and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate hydraulic cylinders are used for coulter pressure adjustment and coulter lifting, then each function can be independently controlled, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the coulter pressure adjustment device and coulter lifting device into a single integrated assembly. One hydraulic cylinder performs both functions: adjusting coulter pressure by rotating the first beam and lifting coulters by rotating the second beam. This merging reduces the number of hydraulic cylinders from two to one, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining independent control capability through the joint mechanism with adjusting lever and spacer lever.
Solution Approach 2:
The single hydraulic cylinder is designed to perform multiple functions: it can adjust coulter pressure and lift coulters between working and transport positions. The joint mechanism with adjusting lever and spacer lever enables this multi-functionality by allowing the cylinder to selectively engage different beams (first beam for pressure adjustment, second beam for lifting) based on operational requirements.
2Measurement precision
If multiple hydraulic cylinders are used for separate functions, then precise control is achieved, but maintenance costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the pressure adjustment and lifting functions into one hydraulic cylinder and joint assembly, the patent reduces the number of components that require maintenance. Fewer hydraulic cylinders mean fewer seals, pistons, and mounting points that can fail, directly reducing maintenance time and cost while preserving precise control through the integrated joint mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated design eliminates redundant components that would require maintenance. By discarding the separate second hydraulic cylinder and combining its lifting function with the first cylinder's pressure adjustment function, the system recovers maintenance resources and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining functional precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the second bar is moved for pressure adjustment, then flexibility is increased, but positioning errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions by dedicating the first beam to pressure adjustment and the second beam to lifting operations. The joint mechanism with adjusting lever and spacer lever allows selective engagement: when adjusting pressure, only the first beam rotates; when lifting, the second beam rotates. This segmentation prevents positioning errors by ensuring the second bar is not moved during pressure adjustment, maintaining precision while preserving flexibility through the joint's adjustable range.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint mechanism provides dynamic control by allowing the adjusting lever to rotate within a defined angular range around the second bar. This dynamic range enables flexible pressure adjustment without moving the second bar, while the stop mechanism prevents over-rotation and positioning errors. The system adapts between different operational states (pressure adjustment vs. lifting) through controlled movement of the joint components.
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 design reduces maintenance costs and increases productivity by simplifying the mechanical components, allowing precise coulter pressure adjustment and efficient coulter lifting without unnecessary movement, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of the seed drill.
Implementation Method 1
the cylinder is designed as a pneumatic cylinder, as a hydraulic cylinder or as an electric linear motor
Implementation Method 2
the cylinder is designed as a pneumatic cylinder, as a hydraulic cylinder or as an electric linear motor
Implementation Method 3
the cylinder is designed as a pneumatic cylinder, as a hydraulic cylinder or as an electric linear motor
Implementation Method 4
the joint and the cylinder forming the common assembly
Implementation Method 5
movement of the beam through the common assembly can cause the coulter carrier to be raised
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
Seed drill with a movable coulter carrier on which a plurality of seed coulters are arranged, with a coulter pressure adjustment device for adjusting the coulter pressure of the seed coulters, and with a coulter lifting device for lifting the seed coulters from a working position to a transport position by means of the coulter carrier, characterized in that the movement of the coulter carrier for adjusting the coulter pressure and the coulter lifting device is effected by an assembly common to the coulter pressure adjustment device and the coulter lifting device, and a method for operating a seed drill.