Air Seeder Manifold with Selective Outlet Valves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large agricultural seeding and fertilizing equipment struggles with uniform application on irregularly shaped fields, leading to over-seeding and over-fertilization, which results in inefficiencies and poor crop yields due to uneven germination and destruction of seed beds.

Innovation Solution

An agricultural implement with a metering device that continuously supplies particulate material to a distributor manifold with adjustable outlet valves, allowing precise control of delivery based on travel speed and previously seeded areas, and raising soil-engaging members to avoid re-seeding or re-fertilizing already treated areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If large seeding equipment is used to cover wide areas, then productivity increases, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to overlapping and non-uniform application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseeding coverage areaVSAvoidseeding uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution manifold is divided into multiple independently controllable sections with individual outlet ports for each ground-engaging member. This segmentation allows precise control of seeding at each location, preventing overlap and ensuring uniform application even when using large-width equipment for high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the opening/closing state of individual outlet ports based on real-time positioning data and previously seeded areas. This dynamic control enables the equipment to maintain manufacturing precision by preventing re-seeding of already treated areas while covering new ground efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If ground-engaging members continuously engage the soil, then productivity is maintained, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to seed bed destruction in already seeded areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseeding rateVSAvoidseed bed destruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from positioning data and records of previously seeded areas to control the opening/closing of outlet ports. When a ground-engaging member enters an already seeded area, the corresponding outlet port is closed to prevent material delivery, eliminating seed bed destruction while maintaining continuous operation for productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If metering means delivers material at fixed rate, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to adjust for different delivery requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetering controlVSAvoiddelivery rate accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Each outlet port on the distribution manifold is equipped with independent control capability, allowing different delivery rates to be applied at different locations. This local quality control enables precise adjustment of material delivery for each ground-engaging member based on specific field conditions while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Ensures accurate and efficient application of seed and fertilizer, preventing over-application and seed bed disturbance, thereby improving yield and reducing costs by ensuring uniform coverage and maintaining seed bed integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The metered particulate material from the metering means is delivered to the soil via pneumatic tubing which connect the metering means, via an intermediary primary distribution hub, to ground-engaging openers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic conveyance: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a distribution manifold having a plurality of outlet ports and valve means on each of the plurality of outlet ports to permit selected opening and closing of the plurality of outlet ports

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow control through selective port opening: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS7555990B2Air seeder/fertilizer apparatus having metering means and distribution manifold with selectively openable ports

Publication Date: 2009.07.07 ONE PASS IMPLEMENTS

AI summary

A seeding apparatus having a distribution manifold with selectively openable outlet ports thereon, to permit or stop delivery of seed or fertilizer to soil A meter device, responsive to both the number of selected open ports and the speed of the apparatus over the ground, is provided to regulate supply of seed/fertilizer to a distribution manifold. The distribution manifold has a plurality of outlet ports spaced about a periphery of such manifold, each outlet port having a valve to allow opening and closing of individual outlet ports. Soil engaging members on such apparatus are individually raisable from an lowered operative position to a raised inoperative position, and when moved to such inoperative position, valve associated with an outlet port for providing seed and/or fertilizer to such soil engaging member is closed to prevent supply to the associated soil engaging member.