Seed Press Wheel With Elastic Rim And Metallic Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seed pressure rollers in agricultural seed drills face challenges such as complex manufacturing processes, high material costs, inability to adapt to soil conditions, soil buildup, and difficulties in precise scraper setting due to material properties and design limitations, including seams and edges that facilitate soil adhesion.

Innovation Solution

A seed pressure roller composed of a rotatably mounted rim with an elastic rim blade and a dimensionally stable metallic ring element, where the rim blade protects against impacts and the ring element provides a seamless, metallic running surface for effective soil removal, eliminating the need for additional resilient suspensions and facilitating precise scraper arrangement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the seed press wheel is made of rubber or plastic with uniform wall thickness, then it achieves good rolling properties and self-cleaning, but the contact force in the running surface area is insufficient and soil accumulates on the surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact forceVSAvoidsoil removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different wall thicknesses to different parts of the seed press wheel: the running surface area has increased wall thickness to provide higher contact force for seed embedding, while the side walls maintain thinner construction to preserve rolling properties and reduce soil accumulation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between needing high contact force and maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Force

If the seed press wheel is made of rubber or plastic, then it provides good rolling properties, but scrapers cannot be precisely adjusted and soil still accumulates on the running surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling propertiesVSAvoidscraper adjustment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The running surface is made of a hard, dimensionally stable material (metal or hard plastic) that provides a precise, stable mounting surface for scrapers, enabling accurate adjustment. The side walls remain made of elastic material for good rolling properties. This material differentiation resolves the contradiction between rolling properties and scraper adjustment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If the seed press wheel is made of steel or hard rubber, then scrapers can be easily installed, but spring mounting is required to prevent damage from impacts and blows

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescraper installation easeVSAvoidspring mounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The running surface is made of hard material for easy scraper installation, while the side walls are made of elastic material that absorbs impacts and blows without requiring spring mounting. This material differentiation resolves the contradiction between scraper installation ease and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If the seed press wheel has seams or edges in the direction of travel, then it is easier to manufacture, but soil adheres more easily and scraper adjustment becomes difficult or impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidscraper adjustment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The running surface is manufactured as a seamless, smooth component (through casting, forging, or precision molding) to prevent soil adhesion and enable precise scraper adjustment. The side walls can have seams from standard manufacturing processes. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between manufacturing ease and scraper adjustment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution enhances flexibility and durability, reduces soil adhesion, and allows for precise tool positioning, improving the seed embedding process while minimizing manufacturing complexities and material costs.

Implementation Method 1

a rim blade (12) made of an elastic or flexible material... the rim blade (12) can be designed in such a way that it is deformable in the rolling direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a ring element (16) made of a largely dimensionally stable material, in particular a metallic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDimensional stability:

Data Source

PatentEP3207784B1Seed firming wheel
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 HORSCH MASCHEN
  • EP3207784B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3207784B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3207784B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A seed press wheel (10) for use in an agricultural seed drill and/or precision seed drill is disclosed, comprising a seed coulter or tool for drawing seed furrows and lines and/or pipes for conveying seed to the seed furrows, wherein the seed press wheel (10) has a rim (22) accommodating a bearing (18), to which rim (22) a disc-like or cavity-forming rim leaf (12) made of an elastic or flexible material is attached, characterized in that a largely dimensionally stable ring element (16) is attached to the circumference of the rim leaf (12), wherein the circumference of the ring element (16) forms the running surface (36) of the seed press wheel (10).