Seed Meter Speed Pulsing for Grouped Seed Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machines face difficulties in planting multiple seeds in close proximity to each other, especially in scenarios where soil conditions such as heavy rainfall lead to soil crusting, as they often rely on seed meters with single rows of apertures, making it challenging to achieve the desired seed groupings.
Innovation Solution
A motor control system that pulses the RPM speed of the seed meter and active seed delivery system to group seeds closely together and then space them based on a target seed population, using a combination of seed meter and delivery system motors to achieve precise seed placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single row of apertures is used in the seed meter, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of seed groupings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture row is segmented into multiple groups along the rotation direction, with each group containing multiple apertures arranged in the radial direction. This segmentation allows seeds to be discharged in controlled groupings rather than individually, achieving precise seed groupings while maintaining a relatively simple single-row aperture structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seed meter utilizes periodic rotation to achieve controlled seed discharge. By rotating the aperture row at specific intervals and controlling the timing of seed discharge, the system achieves precise seed groupings through periodic action rather than complex mechanical structures.
2Reliability
If seeds are planted in tight groupings, then the germination and emergence improve, but the seed population density control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control system receives information about the actual seed population and grouping from sensors, compares it with the target values, and adjusts the rotation speed and discharge timing of the seed meter accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of both seed population density and grouping tightness simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the rotation speed of the seed meter and the timing of seed discharge based on real-time conditions. By making the system dynamic and adaptable, it can maintain precise control over seed population density while achieving tight seed groupings, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A planting machine (100) is disclosed. The planting machine comprising: a seed meter (124) that receives seeds, at a seed meter input, from a seed source, and rotates to provide the seeds at a seed meter output; a seed meter motor (172) that drives rotation of the seed meter (124); a seed delivery system that receives the seeds, from the seed meter output, and outputs the seeds at an outlet end of the seed delivery system, into a furrow (162); and a motor control system (222) that generates a motor control signal to control the seed meter motor (172) to intermittently change motor speed of the seed meter motor (172) to provide seed groupings, of a predefined number of seeds, to the seed delivery system, the predefined number of seeds in the seed groupings being spaced closely relative to one another by an intra-group seed spacing and the seed groupings being separated from one another by a group separation distance that is greater than the intra-group seed spacing. Furthermore, a method of controlling such a planting machine (100) is disclosed.