Seed Drill Coulter Assembly Depth Control via Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed drills struggle to maintain a constant placement depth of agricultural materials across varying soil conditions, as they primarily control force rather than vertical distance, leading to inconsistent seed distribution.
Innovation Solution
A seed drill equipped with a sensor device to determine the position of the coulter assembly structure and pressure roller relative to the arable land, and a control device to adjust the position based on target specifications, ensuring the vertical distance between the pressure roller and cutting disc remains constant, thereby maintaining consistent placement depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the position of the pressure roller relative to the seed furrow is not controlled as a control variable, then the system is simpler to operate, but the placement depth cannot be precisely maintained in frequently changing soil conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a sensor device measures the actual vertical distance between the pressure roller and cutting disc, and the control device compares this measurement with the target specification to generate control signals that adjust the coulter assembly position, thereby maintaining precise placement depth control under varying soil conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical depth control mechanisms with an automated control system that uses sensor devices to detect position and control devices to actuate adjustments, substituting manual or passive mechanical systems with active electronically-controlled systems for more precise and adaptive placement depth maintenance
2Manufacturing precision
If force control is used instead of vertical distance control, then the system is easier to implement, but placement depth varies with changing soil conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from force to vertical distance, using sensor devices to measure position rather than force, and controlling the coulter assembly position to maintain a specified vertical distance between the pressure roller and cutting disc, which directly determines placement depth and provides more consistent control under varying soil conditions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
Seed drill (10) and method for adjusting it, comprising a coulter assembly (20) mounted on a main frame structure (14) and whose position relative to a field surface (100) can be changed by means of an adjusting device (210), as well as a sensor device (220) for detecting a changing position of the coulter assembly and/or seed coulters (50) mounted thereon, and a control device (200) which is configured to provide adjusting signals for the adjusting device, wherein the seed coulters (50) are formed by a coulter frame (52), a cutting disc (54) and a press wheel (56), wherein the contact point (58) of the press wheel in field work has a vertical distance (VE) relative to a vertex (60) of the cutting disc oriented towards the field surface, wherein the vertical distance (VE) can be changed by changing the position of the coulter assembly.According to the invention, the control device is configured to provide control signals for the control device based on the position determined by means of the sensor device and a target specification of the vertical distance (VE) in such a way that the vertical distance (VE) is kept permanently at least largely constant.