Seed Variety Switching via Calculated Transition Distance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current planting systems are inefficient and inaccurate in automatically switching between different seed types during a planting operation due to difficulties in determining when a seed meter is empty, leading to inconsistent performance across varying soil types and management zones in a field.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that monitor the location of a row unit within a field, calculate a variety change distance based on transition and starvation distances, and control the seed supply to switch between seed types by terminating the supply of one type and initiating the supply of another at specific locations, ensuring efficient and accurate switching during planting operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If separate bulk fill hoppers are used for different seed varieties, then seed supply capacity is improved, but device complexity increases and switching between seed types becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the field into management zones with different seed variety requirements and segments the seed supply control by row unit, allowing different seed types to be supplied to different row units based on their location in the field
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-filling seed hoppers with different seed varieties before planting, and by pre-calculating the variety change distance and transition split percentage to determine when and how to switch between seed types
2Reliability
If the reservoir is completely cleaned out before switching seed varieties, then seed mixing is prevented, but productivity decreases due to time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the variety change distance and starvation distance before the actual seed switch, allowing the transition to be initiated at the optimal moment rather than waiting for complete hopper emptying
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the seed supply transition based on real-time calculations of row unit location, variety change distance, and starvation distance, rather than using a fixed complete-emptying protocol
3Productivity
If automatic switching between seed types is implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision is insufficient to determine when the seed meter is empty
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces intermediary calculated parameters (variety change distance, starvation distance, transition split percentage) that serve as mediators between the physical seed meter state and the control system, enabling automatic switching without direct real-time measurement of seed meter contents
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the variety change distance and starvation distance before the actual seed switch, allowing the transition to be initiated at the optimal moment rather than waiting for complete hopper emptying
4Reliability
If seed switching is delayed until the seed meter is empty, then seed mixing is prevented, but loss of time increases during the switching process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the variety change distance and starvation distance before the actual seed switch, allowing the transition to be initiated at the optimal moment rather than waiting for complete hopper emptying
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the seed supply transition based on real-time calculations of row unit location, variety change distance, and starvation distance, rather than using a fixed complete-emptying protocol
Data Source
AI summary
When performing a seed planting operation, a variety change distance may be calculated that corresponds to the distance from a variety zone boundary of a prescription map that a row unit of a planter must be located prior to initiating a variety change procedure for switching seed types. Once the row unit reaches a variety change boundary spaced apart from the variety zone boundary by the calculated variety change distance, a system controller may initiate the variety change procedure to allow the seed type being planted to be efficiently and effectively switched as the planter makes a planting pass across the field.