Automated Seed Testing Conveyor for NMR Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual testing of each seed in a large population is time-consuming and expensive, and representative sampling is not effective due to variations among seeds, making it difficult to ensure uniform characteristics in seed development.
Innovation Solution
An automated testing system that uses a conveyor to individually convey seeds from a tray to a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) testing device for analysis, allowing each seed to be tested efficiently and accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual testing of each seed is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates and loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling and testing with an automated conveyor system that mechanically transports seeds through the testing device. The conveyor automatically positions seeds on the testing stage and retrieves them, eliminating manual operations while maintaining individual seed testing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system serves multiple functions: it transports seeds to the testing stage, positions individual seeds for testing, retrieves tested seeds, and returns them to the tray. This multi-functional device combines loading, positioning, testing coordination, and unloading operations into a single automated system.
2Productivity
If representative sampling is used, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to seed variations
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system enables continuous testing of seeds one after another without interruption or sampling gaps. Each seed is individually conveyed to the testing stage, tested, and returned, ensuring that no seeds are skipped and the entire population can be tested systematically and completely.
3Measurement precision
If individual seed testing is performed manually, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is pre-configured with a tray containing multiple seeds in designated compartments. Before testing begins, all seeds are loaded and positioned in the tray, and the conveyor is ready to automatically retrieve and transport each seed to the testing stage in sequence, eliminating setup time during the testing process.
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
Enables the rapid and precise analysis of each seed, improving the development of high-performance seeds by ensuring uniform characteristics across the population, reducing costs and increasing efficiency compared to manual or representative sampling methods.
Implementation Method 1
One method of non-destructively determining characteristics of a seed such as the oil content of a seed is through analysis of the seed, and in particular nmr testing of the seed.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for the automated testing of seeds includes a testing device having a testing stage, for analyzing a seed delivered to the testing stage; and a conveyor for automatically individually conveying each of a plurality of seeds in a tray between individual compartments in the tray and the testing stage of the testing device.