Seed Sowing Apparatus With Segmented Soil Opening Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seed drill devices face challenges in operating effectively in wet soils, as the soil closing stage becomes clogged, and there is a need to ensure optimal seed depth for germination and root formation.

Innovation Solution

A seed sowing apparatus with a soil opening member that forms a shallow seed collection slot and a deeper root growth slot, along with a seed deflector to direct seeds into the collection slot, and a soil deflection mechanism to cover the seeded trenches, allowing operation in saturated soils without a roller or wheel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a roller or wheel is used for soil closing in conventional seed drills, then soil compaction and seed trench closing are achieved, but the roller or wheel becomes clogged in wet soils preventing optimal operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation reliability in wet soilVSAvoidclogging of soil closing stage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the roller or wheel from the soil closing stage entirely, replacing it with a tine-based system that opens adjacent trenches and allows soil to collapse naturally onto the seeded trench. This extraction eliminates the clogging problem inherent in roller/wheel systems when operating in wet soils.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a single trench-forming element that requires closing, the invention uses two separate trench-forming tines that create adjacent trenches. The seeded trench is allowed to collapse and close naturally under its own weight and the pressure of the adjacent soil, inverting the conventional approach of forming one trench and then mechanically closing it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If seed is planted too shallow, then easier planting is achieved, but root formation is limited; if planted too deep, then root growth is improved, but germination is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegermination successVSAvoidseed planting depth control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The soil opening member is segmented into an upper part and a lower part that are laterally offset. The upper part forms a shallow seed collection slot for optimal seed placement and germination, while the lower part forms a deeper rooting slot for root development. This segmentation allows both shallow and deep functions to coexist in a single seeding operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-depth trench to a two-level slot system by introducing lateral offset between the upper and lower parts of the soil opening member. This dimensional change creates vertical stratification of the soil profile, with the upper slot at one depth level and the lower slot at a deeper level, enabling simultaneous optimization for both germination and root growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12096714B2Seed sowing apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.09.24 CHAPLIN SIMON ROBERT FRANK

AI summary

A seeding unit comprising: a support; a soil opening member mounted to the support; and a seed delivery outlet, defining an exit aperture for releasing seed; wherein the soil opening member comprises: an upper blade portion operative to form a seed collection slot in the ground; and a lower blade portion laterally offset from the upper blade portion and operative to form a deep rooting slot in the ground that is offset laterally from the seed collection slot.