Seed Planter Trailing Arm Equalizer Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural seed planters face challenges in maintaining consistent seed depth and avoiding damage in rough field conditions, especially when using liquid fertilizer, due to issues with soil accumulation and equipment interference, and the need for foldable designs without removing fertilizer equipment.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a walking axle assembly with a trailing arm configuration that includes a rotatable furrow-opening disc and a furrow-closing wheel, allowing these components to oscillate and follow field contours, maintaining consistent pressure and enabling the planter to fold without interference, while preventing soil buildup on gage wheels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If fertilizer depositing equipment is located on the front side of the planter, then liquid fertilizer can be deposited in the seed furrow, but soil accumulates on the gage wheels causing the planter to run too shallow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefertilizer depositing capabilityVSAvoidseed depth consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fertilizer depositing equipment is extracted from the front side and relocated to the trailing arm assembly at the rear of the planter. This separation removes the source of soil accumulation from the gage wheel area, eliminating the problem of soil buildup while preserving the fertilizer deposition function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The trailing arm assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that allows fertilizer deposition without direct contact between the fertilizer equipment and the gage wheels. The trailing arm configuration provides a mechanical linkage that maintains proper seed depth while enabling fertilizer application through a separate operational pathway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the planter is made larger to include fertilizer equipment, then liquid fertilizer can be provided, but the planter cannot be folded without removing the fertilizer equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefertilizer provision capabilityVSAvoidfolding capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fertilizer depositing equipment is merged with the trailing arm assembly, which is an existing foldable component of the planter. By integrating the fertilizer equipment into the trailing arm structure, the planter maintains its folding capability while incorporating fertilizer provision functionality, eliminating the need to remove equipment for folding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The trailing arm assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the planter, enables folding operation, and carries the fertilizer depositing equipment. This multi-functionality allows a single component to fulfill multiple roles, maintaining planter versatility without compromising folding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the planter traverses rough field surfaces, then it can operate in no-till situations, but seed depth varies radically between too deep and too shallow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverough field operation capabilityVSAvoidseed depth consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The trailing arm assembly is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to rough field surfaces. The arm can pivot and adjust its position in response to terrain variations, maintaining consistent fertilizer deposition depth and preventing radical variations in seed depth that occur on uneven surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the planter operates in rough field conditions, then it can access no-till fields, but planter components are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveno-till field accessVSAvoidplanter component durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The trailing arm assembly provides a cushioning effect by absorbing and distributing the impact forces encountered when traversing rough field surfaces. The flexible linkage and pivot points in the trailing arm structure act as shock absorbers, protecting the planter components from damage while enabling operation in no-till fields.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS8356563B2Seed planter with equalizer assembly

Publication Date: 2013.01.22 SCHAFFERT MFG CO INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an agriculture planter. The planter may include a planter frame, a seed hopper and a trailing arm assembly. The planter frame may include a hitch tongue extending forwardly from the planter frame. The planter frame supports the seed hopper. The a trailing arm assembly is vertically pivotally coupled to a rear portion of the planter frame, extends rearward from the planter frame and includes a trailing arm frame and a lever arm vertically pivotally coupled to the trailing arm frame by a pivot point. The lever arm includes a leading end, a trailing end, a middle portion, a furrow opener disc and a first furrow closer wheel. The disc is rotatably mounted to the lever arm near the leading end. The first wheel is rotatably mounted to the lever arm near the trailing end. The middle portion is pivotably coupled to the pivot point.