Selective Material Placement Control for Seed-Positioned Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural systems apply materials to fields in a continuous manner, leading to unnecessary application between seeds or plants, resulting in lower productivity and efficiency, particularly with high-rate applications like fertilizer.
Innovation Solution
A system that identifies seed locations and controllably dispenses material based on these positions, using sensors to detect the applied material's characteristics and generate control signals for precise application, allowing for variable rates and locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If material is applied in a continuous manner, then the application process is simple and continuous, but material is wasted in areas between seeds or plants where it is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the material application process by using individual controllable valves at each row unit rather than a single continuous application system. Each row unit can independently apply material only at specific locations where seeds are detected, dividing the overall application into discrete controlled segments that reduce waste between plants
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality by applying material selectively at specific locations where seeds are present rather than uniformly across the entire field. Sensors detect seed locations and trigger material application only at those local positions, ensuring material is placed where needed and reducing waste in areas between plants
2Productivity
If material is applied continuously at high rates, then application speed is maintained, but productivity and efficiency decrease due to unnecessary application between seeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by intermittently activating valves at each row unit based on seed detection rather than maintaining continuous material flow. The valves open only during periods when seeds are detected at specific locations and close during periods between seed placements, creating a pulsed application pattern that improves efficiency and reduces waste
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using sensors to detect seed locations and automatically triggering material application responses. The detection system provides real-time information about seed positions, and the control system uses this feedback to activate or deactivate valves accordingly, ensuring material is applied only when and where needed, thereby improving productivity and reducing waste
3Manufacturing precision
If sensors and control systems are added to enable selective material placement, then material application precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sensing and control functions into modular row units, with each row unit having its own sensors and controllable valve. This segmentation allows precise local control at each row position without requiring a completely complex centralized system, as each module operates semi-independently based on local seed detection
Solution Approach 2:
Each row unit performs self-service by autonomously detecting seeds through its own sensors and automatically controlling its own material application valve without requiring complex external coordination. This decentralized self-service approach simplifies the overall control architecture while maintaining high placement precision at each individual row unit
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
Enhances productivity and efficiency by ensuring material is applied only where needed, reducing waste and optimizing application based on seed locations.
Implementation Method 1
emitting, with a radiation emitter, an electromagnetic radiation beam; and sensing, as the characteristic of the material, that the material breaks the electromagnetic radiation beam emitted by the radiation emitter
Implementation Method 2
emitting, with a light curtain radiation emitter, a light curtain of electromagnetic radiation; detecting, with a radiation detector, electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Locations of seeds in a field can be identified. A material is applied to the field by an agricultural machine, based upon the seed locations. The placement of the material is detected and the agricultural machine is controlled.