Seed Drill Sowing Unit with Segmented Support Arm

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seed drill sowing units have complex structures that complicate assembly, maintenance, and repair, with functional components often obstructing access to the sowing heart and requiring intricate mounting procedures.

Innovation Solution

A sowing unit design featuring a coupling device with a parallelogram joint and separate attachment points for functional components, where the sowing heart is mounted on a distal support arm with a T-shaped configuration, allowing for efficient assembly and maintenance by providing unobstructed access and simplified mounting, with the support device comprising a mono-pivoting component and cast metal construction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex support device structure is used to support functional components, then the structural stability and functional support are improved, but the assembly complexity and maintenance difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support device is segmented into a proximal support arm and a distal support arm that are integrally formed but functionally distinct. The sowing heart is mounted separately on the distal support arm, allowing independent assembly and maintenance of functional components while maintaining overall structural stability through the integral connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support device serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the sowing heart, enables pivoting motion through the joint device, and offers mounting points for other functional components. The integral formation of proximal and distal support arms creates a multi-functional component that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If functional components are mounted on the support device, then the functional capability is improved, but the accessibility and maintenance ease deteriorate due to obstructions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The sowing heart is separated from the main support device structure by mounting it on the distal support arm. This segmentation allows the sowing heart to be accessed and maintained independently without dismantling other functional components mounted on the proximal support arm or the joint device, improving accessibility while maintaining functional capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the sowing heart is mounted on a complex support structure, then the structural support is improved, but the assembly time and maintenance time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integral formation of proximal and distal support arms creates a pre-assembled support structure that provides robust structural support. The sowing heart can then be mounted on this pre-formed structure, reducing assembly time compared to constructing the support structure and mounting the sowing heart as separate operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The proximal and distal support arms are integrally formed in advance, creating a ready-to-use support structure. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site assembly of the support structure, reducing both assembly time and potential errors during installation while maintaining structural reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3320764B1Sowing row for a seed drill
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 KVERNELAND AS
  • EP3320764B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3320764B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3320764B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a seed drill with a coupling device (2) which is configured to couple to a support element of a seed drill; a joint device (3) which provides a joint between the coupling device and a support device (5) on which separate attachment points for functional components arranged on the support device are formed; and a seed drill which is configured to meter a working material to be applied.The support device has a proximal support arm (5a) which couples to the joint device, and a distal support arm (5b) which extends away from the proximal support arm on a side of the joint device facing away from the proximal support arm, which is integrally formed on the proximal support arm and on which the seed heart is arranged laterally in the area of ​​a mounting section, such that a rear side of the seed heart is opposite the mounting section of the distal support arm and a front side of the seed heart is arranged unobstructed by the support device.