Seed Planter Row Unit Damping With Flow Restrictor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seed planting implements experience bouncing or chatter when traveling at high speeds or encountering hard soil, leading to reduced stability due to excessive downward force applied to openers to prevent these issues.
Innovation Solution
A system with fluid-driven actuators and flow restrictors that provide viscous damping to row units, allowing adjustable damping rates by varying the size of the fluid passage throat, and a check valve to direct fluid flow through the restrictor during movement and bypass it during return, enhancing stability and reducing excessive force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator exerts more downward force on the opener to prevent bouncing or chatter, then the bouncing and chatter are reduced, but the overall stability of the seed planting implement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the fluid flow characteristics through the actuator. A flow restrictor is installed in the fluid line to the actuator, which changes the fluid dynamics by creating a restricted orifice. This restriction causes a pressure differential that provides damping effect, allowing the actuator to respond more smoothly to soil variations without requiring excessive downward force, thus preventing bouncing and chatter while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow restrictor acts as an intermediary element between the fluid supply and the actuator. It mediates the fluid flow by restricting it, which creates a damping effect that smooths out rapid changes in actuator force. This intermediary component allows the system to achieve reliable soil engagement without the need for excessive actuator force, thereby preventing bouncing and chatter while maintaining implement stability.
2Force
If the actuator exerts excessive downward force on the opener, then soil penetration is ensured, but the stability of the seed planting implement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor changes the fluid pressure parameters dynamically. By restricting fluid flow to the actuator, it creates a pressure differential that provides damping. This allows the actuator to exert just enough force for soil penetration without applying excessive downward force, thereby maintaining implement stability while ensuring adequate soil engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by incorporating a flow restrictor in the fluid line to the hydraulic actuator. The restrictor creates a pressure differential across the actuator that provides damping effect. This hydraulic damping mechanism allows the actuator to apply force smoothly and consistently for soil penetration without causing excessive downward force that would destabilize the implement.
3Reliability
If the flow restrictor restricts fluid exit from the first fluid chamber, then viscous damping is provided to the row unit, but the rate at which fluid exits the chamber is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor changes the fluid flow rate parameter by creating a restricted orifice. This restriction reduces the rate at which fluid can exit the actuator chamber, which in turn provides viscous damping to the row unit. The damping effect smooths out rapid movements and vibrations, improving reliability of row unit operation while the reduced flow rate is compensated by the pump maintaining adequate pressure.
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 system effectively reduces bouncing and chatter by providing controlled damping, improving the stability and operation of seed planting implements by adjusting damping rates based on soil conditions, thereby optimizing seed deposition and soil engagement.
Implementation Method 1
the flow restrictor being configured to reduce a rate at which fluid is permitted to exit the first fluid chamber in a manner that provides viscous damping to the row unit
Implementation Method 2
The valve may further be fluidly coupled to the flow restrictor in a parallel relationship such that the valve is configured to permit the fluid exiting the first fluid chamber to flow through the flow restrictor and the fluid entering the first fluid chamber to bypass the flow restrictor
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a system for controlling an operation of an actuator mounted on a seed planting implement may include an actuator configured to adjust a position of a row unit of the seed planting implement relative to a toolbar of the seed planting implement. The system may also include a flow restrictor fluidly coupled to a fluid chamber of the actuator, with the flow restrictor being configured to reduce a rate at which fluid is permitted to exit the fluid chamber in a manner that provides damping to the row unit. Furthermore, the system may include a valve fluidly coupled to the flow restrictor in a parallel relationship such that the valve is configured to permit the fluid exiting the fluid chamber to flow through the flow restrictor and the fluid entering the fluid chamber to bypass the flow restrictor.