Multi-Variety Seed Planting with On-Row Selective Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current planters require multiple seed meters and ancillary row units or extensive cleaning to switch between different seed varieties, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in seed distribution across varying soil and management zones within a single agricultural field.
Innovation Solution
A planter system with a bulk storage system and control system that allows for instantaneous switching between seed varieties using a central bulk fill hopper and GPS-guided seed metering, enabling simultaneous planting of multiple seed types at varying rates without the need for extra seed meters or row units, by programming seed delivery based on soil type and management zone characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple seed meters and ancillary row units are used to plant different seed varieties, then the ability to plant multiple seed types is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk hopper is divided into multiple compartments, each storing a different seed variety. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple seed types without requiring multiple complete seed meter assemblies, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
A single seed meter assembly serves multiple functions by receiving seeds from different compartments through selective gating. The seed meter can be switched between different seed sources without requiring separate dedicated meters for each variety, reducing the overall number of components needed.
2Reliability
If seed varieties are switched by cleaning out or planting out the first variety completely, then the purity of seed delivery is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sorting of seeds into different compartments before planting begins. During variety switching, pre-positioned seeds in compartments are ready for immediate delivery, eliminating the need to clean out or plant out the entire hopper content before switching varieties.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the necessary amount of each seed variety from the bulk hopper compartments into the seed meter assembly as needed. This selective extraction allows for quick variety switching without requiring complete emptying or cleaning of the hopper, significantly reducing switching time while maintaining seed purity.
3Device complexity
If a central bulk fill hopper is used to store seed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision of seed variety control worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The central bulk hopper is segmented into multiple compartments, each dedicated to a specific seed variety. This segmentation maintains the space-efficient central hopper design while enabling precise variety control through physical separation of seed types, allowing the system to track and deliver the correct variety to each field zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary components (gates, conveyors, and control mechanisms) between the bulk hopper compartments and the seed meter. These intermediaries enable precise control over which seed variety is delivered from the central hopper to the planting mechanism, maintaining both simplicity and precision.
4Adaptability or versatility
If ancillary row units are added to plant multiple varieties, then the versatility to plant different seed types is improved, but the ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
A single row unit with a multi-functional seed meter serves all planting needs by selectively receiving seeds from different bulk hopper compartments. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized row units, maintaining versatility while simplifying operation through a unified control interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple seed delivery functions into a single integrated row unit. By combining the seed selection, metering, and planting functions in one unit that can access multiple seed varieties from the bulk hopper, the system maintains operational simplicity while achieving multi-variety planting capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (5) for planting multiple types of seed and automatically switching between the varieties during planting in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop or other planting of an agricultural field. The system may include a bulk storage system (19), an on-row storage system (27), and a charging system (28) that selectively delivers seeds of different varieties from the bulk storage system (19) to the on-row storage system (27). The system (5) may include a seed metering system (29) that can be controlled at each of multiple row units (13) to selectively plant different types or varieties of seed based on seed type or variety zones agricultural field, which may correspond to field characteristics defined in a seed variety prescription map.