Seed Meter Purging Valves for Rapid Variety Switchover

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern farming practices face challenges in maintaining seed variety purity during rapid switchover in planters, as existing technologies often require complete cleaning of seed meters before introducing a new variety, leading to mixing and inefficiencies in planting multiple seed varieties across varying soil and management zones.

Innovation Solution

A purging system for seed meters that uses vacuum-actuated piston airlock valve assemblies and pneumatic seed purging airflow systems to selectively remove and store seed varieties, minimizing mixing by directing seeds back to their respective storage compartments through a network of pipes and valves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If seed meters are completely cleaned out before introducing a new seed variety, then seed variety purity is maintained, but planting time is lost and operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed variety purityVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary purging action by removing a predetermined amount of seed from the seed meter before introducing a new seed variety. This preliminary action reduces seed mixing and eliminates the need for complete cleaning, thereby maintaining seed variety purity while preserving operational efficiency and planting time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If seed meters are completely cleaned out before introducing a new seed variety, then seed variety purity is maintained, but planting time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed variety purityVSAvoidplanting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary purging action by removing a predetermined amount of seed from the seed meter before introducing a new seed variety. This preliminary action reduces seed mixing and eliminates the need for complete cleaning, thereby maintaining seed variety purity while minimizing time loss during variety switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If rapid switchover between seed varieties is enabled, then operational efficiency is improved, but seed mixing occurs reducing seed variety purity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidseed variety purity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary purging action by removing a predetermined amount of seed from the seed meter before introducing a new seed variety. This preliminary action ensures seed variety purity is maintained while enabling rapid switchover and maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual cleaning processes with an automated purging system that uses airflow to remove a predetermined amount of seed from the seed meter. This substitution maintains seed variety purity while improving operational efficiency and enabling rapid variety switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If manual cleaning of seed meters is performed, then seed variety purity is maintained, but device complexity and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed variety purityVSAvoidcleaning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual cleaning processes with an automated purging system that uses airflow to remove a predetermined amount of seed from the seed meter. This substitution maintains seed variety purity while reducing device complexity and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The purging system automatically removes a predetermined amount of seed from the seed meter without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the purging process, maintaining seed variety purity while eliminating the need for complex manual cleaning procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 rapid and efficient switchover between seed varieties, reducing mixing and maintaining seed purity, allowing for precise planting of multiple varieties in a single pass across diverse agricultural zones with improved operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A pneumatic system may provide pneumatic pressure that conveys the removed seed from the pipe to the seed return valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

Each seed return valve may be a vacuum-actuated piston airlock valve assembly with a valve plunger that reciprocates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11464155B2Purging system for multiple variety seed meter

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A purging system for a multiple variety seed meter of a multi-variety planter. The purging system includes seed return valves that may be arranged for receiving seed that was removed from the seed meter. The seed return valves return the removed seed into corresponding appropriate seed storage compartments to allow a new seed variety to be delivered to the seed meter while reducing seed variety mixing in the seed meter. A pipe with a purge passage may extend from the seed meter to a purging hose that delivers the removed seed to the seed return valve(s). Each seed return valve may be a vacuum-actuated piston airlock valve assembly with a valve plunger that reciprocates to define seed collecting and releasing states of the valve.