Retrofit Kit for Seed Meter with Rearward Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The John Deere Pro-Series™ seed meter experiences issues with seed singulation accuracy due to new seed treatments making seeds sticky and rough, leading to poor flowability and potential overfilling, especially when using after-market disks with more aggressive agitation, which can result in seed skips and meter performance failures.
Innovation Solution
A retrofit kit for the Pro-Series™ seed meter that includes a replacement auxiliary hopper with an opening positioned rearward of the seed meter's vertical axis, reducing the likelihood of overfilling by minimizing the entry of excess seeds into the seed reservoir, and incorporating features like a perforated air separation tube and vent system to maintain a steady seed supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If after-market disks with larger or deeper ribs are used to provide more aggressive agitation, then seed pool fluidity is improved, but the likelihood of meter overfilling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the seed delivery system by introducing a separate agitation disk with adjustable ribs that operates independently from the metering disk. This allows aggressive agitation to be applied to the seed pool without interfering with the precise metering function, resolving the contradiction between seed pool fluidity and overfilling risk
Solution Approach 2:
The agitation disk acts as an intermediary element between the seed pool and the metering apertures. It provides the necessary aggressive agitation to maintain seed fluidity while its design (with ribs that do not extend to the outer periphery) prevents it from directly causing overfilling, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements
2Reliability
If new seed treatments are applied to protect seeds from pests, then seed protection is improved, but seed flowability deteriorates due to rough and sticky surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation disk with radially spaced ribs creates mechanical agitation and vibration within the seed pool. This continuous agitation prevents treated seeds with rough and sticky surfaces from adhering to each other, maintaining seed flowability while allowing the use of protective seed treatments
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dynamic agitation mechanism that can be adjusted based on seed treatment characteristics. The agitation disk rotates at variable speeds and its rib configuration can be modified to match different seed treatment types, allowing the system to adapt to maintain optimal seed flowability despite varying treatment effects
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
The solution effectively enhances seed singulation accuracy to 98% or above, preventing overfilling and seed skips while maintaining the existing seed meter structure and on-demand delivery system, providing a cost-effective modification for existing meters and minimal retooling for manufacturers.
Implementation Method 1
a source of vacuum in communication with a second opening positioned rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter and in communication with the seed reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system wherein seed from the auxiliary hopper enters the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter. And a retrofit kit for existing on-demand seed delivery systems, and method of retrofitting such existing pneumatic on-demand seed delivery systems, so as to provide an auxiliary hopper that communicates seed to the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter.