Seed On-Demand System Stirring Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed on-demand systems face issues with sticky granular materials, such as seeds and fertilizers, which can lead to intermittent conveying and distribution breakdowns due to the reliance on conveyor air flow energy alone.
Innovation Solution
The proposed seed on-demand system incorporates a distributing device with a distributor housing that receives material via a gravity-fed inlet, utilizing conveyor air openings to generate a mixed flow without an actively driven metering element. A stirring element is used to loosen and homogenize the material, allowing for efficient dosing and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conveyor air flow energy alone is used to generate mixed flow, then the system structure remains simple, but distribution reliability deteriorates with sticky materials
Solution Approach 1:
A stirring element is introduced as an intermediary component between the material inlet and the conveying system. This stirring element actively breaks up clumps and homogenizes sticky granular materials, enabling the conveyor air flow to effectively pick up and distribute the material without direct contact or complex metering mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active mechanical metering elements with a passive stirring element combined with gravity-fed material flow and air flow. The stirring element performs the metering function passively by breaking up material clumps and allowing controlled flow into the conveying air stream, eliminating the need for actively driven metering mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If an actively driven metering element is used, then material dosing precision improves, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the natural gravity flow of material combined with the stirring element's passive action to achieve self-regulating dosing. The stirring element breaks up material and allows it to flow into the conveying air stream based on material properties and air flow characteristics, eliminating the need for externally powered metering devices while maintaining dosing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the active driving mechanism from the metering function, leaving only the passive stirring element. The dosing function is achieved through the interaction of gravity, air flow, and the stirring element's mechanical action, removing the need for motors, sensors, and control systems associated with actively driven metering elements.
3Power
If conveyor air flow alone is used, then energy consumption is low, but mixed flow generation is insufficient for sticky materials
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring element performs preliminary action by breaking up material clumps and homogenizing the granular material before it enters the conveying air stream. This pre-processing of the material ensures that the conveyor air flow can effectively pick up and transport the material without requiring excessive energy input.
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 solution prevents disturbances in material distribution, achieves energy-efficient mixed flow generation, and enhances the system's functional reliability by breaking up clumps and ensuring even distribution, particularly with sticky materials.
Implementation Method 1
In order to loosen the material in the area where the conveyor air flow is directed onto the material, at least one stirring element is arranged between the material inlet opening and the first receiving opening
Implementation Method 2
The material inlet opening may be arranged at the top of the distributor housing so that the material slides into the distributor housing under the effect of gravity
Implementation Method 3
the at least one conveyor air opening is arranged in particular in such a way that granular material is whirled up and entrained with the conveyor air flow
Implementation Method 4
granular material is whirled up and entrained with the conveyor air flow without the need for an actively driven metering element
Data Source
AI summary
Seed on-demand system for granular material comprising at least one storage container for granular material, at least one fan to provide a conveyor air flow, and a distributing device with a distributor housing which is designed to receive material from the storage container by means of a material inlet opening and has a conveyor air opening to direct the conveyor air flow in the direction of the material received to generate a mixed flow of conveyor air and material, and at least one distributing segment which forms at least one first conduit with a first receiving opening and a first outlet opening, wherein the conduit is arranged to receive at least a part of the mixed flow by means of the receiving opening and to discharge it from the outlet opening. To avoid disturbances in the distribution of the material and simultaneously generate the mixed flow in an energy-efficient manner, it is provided that at least one stirring element is arranged between the material inlet opening and the first receiving opening to loosen the material in the area where the conveyor air flow is directed onto the material.