Real-Time Seed Spacing Variability Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Farmers lack a method to accurately determine seed spacing in real-time during planting, forcing them to wait until plants emerge to evaluate and correct planter performance, limiting opportunities for improvement in subsequent planting seasons.

Innovation Solution

A seeding apparatus with a seed monitor that uses a seed sensor and processor to calculate seed spacing variability values in real-time, displaying them to the operator, allowing for immediate corrective action and data collection for future improvements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If farmers wait until plants emerge to evaluate planter performance, then they can assess seed spacing accuracy, but they lose the opportunity for real-time corrective action

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed spacing assessment accuracyVSAvoidtime delay in detecting spacing issues

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing real-time seed spacing monitoring during the planting process itself. The seed sensor detects seed placement and the processor calculates spacing variability immediately as planting occurs, allowing farmers to identify and correct spacing issues during the current planting season rather than waiting until the next season after plants emerge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by providing real-time information about seed spacing variability to the operator through a display device. The system continuously monitors seed placement, calculates spacing metrics, and presents this feedback during planting operations, enabling immediate corrective actions to be taken while the planter is still in operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If real-time seed spacing monitoring is implemented, then immediate corrective action can be taken, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplanting efficiencyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with electronic and optical components. Instead of using mechanical devices to physically measure seed spacing, the system uses a seed sensor (optical or electronic) to detect seed presence and a processor to calculate spacing variability from timing data, significantly reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by using the planter's existing motion and timing mechanisms to provide measurement functionality. The processor utilizes the natural timing signals from seed detection and the planter's travel speed to calculate spacing variability, eliminating the need for separate, complex measurement devices and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10285325B2Seeding apparatus and method of determining a seed spacing variability value

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A seeding apparatus and a method is disclosed in which a seed spacing variability value is determined and displayed to the operator during a planting operation. Any method of determining variability among a set of data can be used to determine the seed spacing variability value. Three examples are shown: standard deviation; coefficient of variation; and coefficient of uniformity. Data can be stored for later comparison with harvest yield data to determine the effects of seed spacing on yield.