Seed Meter Unloading via Controlled Disc Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed placement systems fail to prevent seeds from being dropped from the seed meter at undesired locations after the motor or shaft is stopped, leading to inefficiencies and increased agronomic costs.
Innovation Solution
A planter monitoring and control system that uses a combination of vacuum control and seed disc rotation management, where the system identifies a seed unload condition and rotates the seed disc to ensure seeds are retained within the meter before stopping the motor, utilizing a vacuum impeller and sensors to manage seed placement accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the motor or shaft is stopped to improve seed placement precision, then seed placement accuracy is improved, but seeds are dropped at undesired locations causing loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by rotating the seed disc a predetermined number of times (e.g., 1-5 rotations) after stopping the meter before actually stopping the disc. This preliminary rotation ensures that any seeds currently on the disc are delivered to the desired location, preventing seed loss while maintaining placement accuracy. The controller is configured to rotate the seed disc at a reduced rate for a specific duration or number of rotations before complete shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of the seed meter through a staged shutdown process. Instead of an abrupt stop, the motor is stopped first while the seed disc continues rotating at a reduced rate for a predetermined period, then the seed disc is also stopped. This dynamic, multi-stage approach allows the system to transition smoothly from planting mode to stopped mode, ensuring seeds are properly delivered before the disc halts, thereby preventing seed loss while maintaining placement precision.
2Loss of substance
If the seed meter is stopped immediately to prevent unwanted seed drops, then seed loss is reduced, but seeds may be dropped at undesired locations
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is configured to perform a preliminary rotation sequence where the seed disc rotates for a predetermined number of times (e.g., 1-5 rotations) after the motor is stopped but before the seed disc itself is stopped. This preliminary action ensures that seeds currently on the disc are delivered to the correct location, maintaining placement accuracy while preventing seed loss by ensuring complete seed delivery before the disc halts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains the useful action of seed delivery continuously even after the motor is stopped. The seed disc continues to rotate at a reduced rate for a predetermined period or number of rotations, ensuring that the seed delivery process is completed without interruption. This continuous action ensures that all seeds are delivered to the desired location before the disc stops, maintaining both placement accuracy and preventing seed loss.
3Loss of substance
If the seed disc rotates after the motor is stopped to ensure complete seed delivery, then seed loss is minimized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing seed disc and its inherent rotational capability to complete the seed delivery process. After the motor is stopped, the seed disc continues to rotate using its remaining momentum and is controlled to complete a predetermined number of rotations (e.g., 1-5 rotations) to deliver any remaining seeds. This self-service approach leverages the existing mechanical components without requiring additional complex mechanisms, thereby minimizing system complexity while effectively preventing seed loss.
4Manufacturing precision
If a predetermined rotation sequence is implemented after motor stop to ensure seed delivery, then seed placement precision is maintained, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a partial rotation sequence where the seed disc rotates for a predetermined number of times (e.g., 1-5 rotations) after the motor is stopped, which is sufficient to deliver any remaining seeds on the disc. This partial action is excessive enough to ensure complete seed delivery and maintain placement accuracy, but limited enough to minimize the additional time required. The predetermined rotation count is optimized to balance between ensuring complete seed delivery and minimizing unloading time.
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
Effectively prevents seeds from being dropped from the seed meter during unloading, ensuring precise seed placement and reducing agronomic costs by minimizing seed loss and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A seed meter unloading system utilizes a seed meter, a vacuum impeller, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify a seed unload condition and, in response to the seed unload condition, rotate the seed meter for a predetermined time period or number of rotations at a predetermined rate while the vacuum impeller creates a vacuum environment to retain seeds within the seed meter.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units. In some embodiments, seeds are planted by rotating a seed disc in a first direction; seeds are then unloaded from a seed disc into a seed pool by rotating the seed disc in a second direction. In some such embodiments an amount of rotation in the second direction is selected to ensure that seeds are released into the seed pool and not released from the seed meter.