Seed Distribution Regulating Device Wheel Teeth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seeders, particularly in-line seeders, face challenges in achieving precise and uniform seed distribution, leading to irregular plant growth and yield loss due to seed packets and gaps, and are often complex and costly like single-seed seeders or lack versatility for seeds with inter-row spacings less than 25 cm.
Innovation Solution
A regulating device with a wheel having rows of teeth and a semi-circular housing is placed downstream of the metering device, allowing seeds to be picked up, maintained, and released progressively along a slide, ensuring regular distribution without pneumatic means, and adaptable to different seed types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If single-seed seeders are used to achieve precise seed distribution, then seed distribution precision is improved (90-95%), but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The seeder is divided into independent modular units, each with its own hopper and distribution mechanism. This allows the system to achieve precision similar to single-seed seeders while maintaining simpler overall architecture through standardization of modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Seeds are pre-calibrated and sorted before entering the distribution system. This preliminary preparation ensures that seeds meet size and shape specifications, enabling simpler distribution mechanisms to achieve high precision without complex control systems.
2Device complexity
If conventional in-line seeders are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but seed distribution precision deteriorates (below 40%) due to irregular seed distribution
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer zone is introduced as an intermediary element between the metering device and the distribution point. This buffer zone allows seeds to be temporarily stored and redistributed evenly, smoothing out irregularities in seed flow and achieving more uniform distribution without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters such as seed flow rate, buffer zone dimensions, and distribution geometry to optimize seed distribution. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves improved precision while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If single-seed seeders are used to achieve precise seed distribution, then seed distribution precision is improved, but adaptability to different seed types and inter-row spacings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seeder is designed with universal components that can handle multiple seed types and spacing requirements. The modular architecture allows different hopper and distribution configurations to be combined, enabling the same basic system to adapt to various crops and inter-row spacings while maintaining precision.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3B
Figure 3C~3D
AI summary
The invention relates to a regulating device (18a, 18b, 22) for a seed drill, intended to supply seeds to a seeding unit (12) of a seed drill and intended to be mounted downstream of seed metering and transport means. This regulating device (18a, 18b, 22) comprises a reserve zone (22a), supplied with seeds (100) via a feed inlet connected to said metering and transport means. The regulating device includes an inlet connected to the dosing means and an outlet connected to the seeding element, and a wheel (23) capable of collecting seeds (100) from said reserve zone (22a), by means of at least one row of teeth, each ensuring the collection of one seed from the reserve zone, each tooth having a substantially flat surface (36), extending over a length L and forming a slide, a housing (35) defining substantially a semicircle of radius Ri and a point forming a beak.The radius Ri is between 1 and 10 mm and in that said length L is at least three times said radius Ri.