Seeding Machine Inclination Compensation for Consistent Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural seeding and planting technologies fail to maintain consistent seed spacing on non-horizontal fields due to reliance on two-dimensional coordinate systems, leading to errors when working on inclined surfaces, which prevents precise pattern maintenance and efficient cultivation.

Innovation Solution

A method and machine that utilize a two-dimensional position determination system and an inclination sensor to adjust seed placement, ensuring seeds are spread at the correct distance by activating the sowing device when the horizontal distance x = I target • cos(α) is covered, accounting for the field's inclination and maintaining consistent spacing along the working direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If two-dimensional position determination is used for seed placement, then positioning simplicity is improved, but spacing accuracy deteriorates on inclined terrain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning system complexityVSAvoidseed spacing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter used for distance measurement from horizontal distance (2D) to slope distance (3D) by incorporating inclination angle measurements. The control unit calculates the actual distance traveled along the slope using the relationship: slope_distance = horizontal_distance / cos(α), where α is the inclination angle. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple 2D positioning while achieving accurate 3D spacing compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If seed placement follows horizontal distance measurements, then operational simplicity is improved, but pattern consistency deteriorates on sloped fields

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidseed pattern consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback by continuously measuring the inclination angle of the terrain and using this information to adjust seed placement timing. The control unit receives inclination data from sensors, calculates the cumulative slope distance traveled, and triggers seed placement when the corrected distance matches the target spacing. This feedback loop maintains pattern consistency without complicating operation, as the adjustment happens automatically based on real-time terrain measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If standard 2D coordinate control is used for sowing, then system simplicity is improved, but transverse cultivation capability deteriorates on inclined terrain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidcultivation pattern flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from two-dimensional horizontal coordinate control to three-dimensional slope-aware positioning by incorporating the inclination angle dimension. While the base positioning system remains 2D for simplicity, the control unit adds the vertical dimension through inclination measurements to calculate actual path length along the slope. This dimensional enhancement enables accurate transverse and diagonal cultivation patterns on inclined terrain without requiring a completely complex 3D positioning infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3141096B1Method for the application of seed particles or plants on a field and a corresponding machine
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 DEERE & CO
  • EP3141096B1 patent drawingFigure 1~8
  • EP3141096B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3141096B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method and a machine for spreading seed particles or plants onto a field enable the seed particles or plants to be spread at a specified distance (Isoll) based on two-dimensional coordinates output by a positioning system (94) and the inclination of the field in the working direction (V).