Seed Distribution Line Purging for Remaining Product Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agricultural work machines face challenges in efficiently removing leftover product from distribution systems, leading to time-consuming manual cleaning processes and potential damage to components due to residual product, especially when switching between different types of products.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a controller, blower, and mechanism to manage product flow in the distribution system, determining the amount of product remaining in the distribution line, hopper, and meter assembly, and controlling the mechanism to block further product flow when the required amount is reached, ensuring only the remaining product is used for further operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning operations are performed to remove leftover product from distribution hoses, hoppers, and meters, then component damage is prevented, but significant time and effort are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically purging leftover product from the distribution system during or at the end of the work operation, before manual cleaning would be required. The blower activates to force remaining product through the distribution hoses, hoppers, and meters, eliminating the need for subsequent manual cleaning efforts while protecting components from damage.
2Quantity of substance
If product is continuously supplied from the tank to row units during operation, then adequate product supply is ensured, but excessive product remains in the distribution system after completion
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by cycling the blower on and off during operation. The blower periodically activates to push product through the distribution system to row units, ensuring adequate supply during work operations. After completion, the blower activates again in a final purge cycle to remove remaining product from the distribution lines, hoppers, and meters, minimizing residual product while maintaining adequate supply during active operation.
3Productivity
If the blower is activated to transfer product from tank to row units, then product distribution is maintained, but product may be wasted in the distribution lines
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by monitoring the work operation status and product consumption. The controller receives input about operation completion and activates the blower for a purge cycle, using the information about remaining product in the system to determine when and how long to operate the blower, thereby minimizing waste while maintaining productivity during active operation.
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 approach reduces cleaning time and prevents component damage by utilizing the remaining product efficiently, ensuring adequate product supply during operations and minimizing residual product after completion.
Implementation Method 1
a blower operably controlled to provide an air flow through the distribution line to transfer product from the tank to the row unit
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural work machine includes a frame and a tank coupled to the frame for storing a product. The tank includes a nozzle portion. A row unit is coupled to the frame and includes a hopper and a meter assembly. A product distribution line is coupled between the nozzle portion of the tank and the hopper. A blower is controlled to provide an air flow through the distribution line to transfer product from the tank to the row unit, and a mechanism located in the tank above the nozzle portion is controllable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the product in the tank flows through the mechanism into the nozzle portion, and in the closed position, the mechanism blocks the product in the tank from flowing into the nozzle portion.