Seeding System with Pneumatic Delivery and Seed Diverter
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seeding machines face challenges in achieving uniform seed spacing due to variations in seed exit dynamics from the metering system and interaction with the soil during high-speed travel, leading to undesirable seed spacing variations and random seed patterns as seeds bounce and tumble upon landing.
Innovation Solution
A seed delivery system that incorporates a seed disk with a vacuum system and a seed delivery apparatus featuring a belt mechanism and seed diverter, synchronized with the rotation of the seed disk, ensures precise seed placement by guiding seeds into seed receptacles with controlled trajectory and timing, minimizing seed bounce and tumble through coordinated motor control and sensor feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a gravity drop system is used for seed delivery, then the system structure is simple, but seed spacing uniformity deteriorates due to variations in seed exit dynamics and seed bounce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive gravity drop system with an active pneumatic system. Seeds are entrained in a stream of pressurized air that propels them through a delivery tube and directs them onto the seed bed. This substitution of mechanical gravity-based delivery with pneumatic force enables precise control over seed trajectory, velocity, and placement location, thereby achieving uniform seed spacing while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in air pressure parameters to control seed delivery. By adjusting the pressure differential in the pneumatic system, the velocity and trajectory of seeds can be precisely controlled. This parameter change allows the system to compensate for variations in seed exit dynamics from the metering system and eliminate seed bounce, ensuring consistent seed spacing across different operating conditions.
2Productivity
If seed delivery speed increases to match high-speed field travel, then productivity improves, but seed spacing control deteriorates due to amplified dynamic field conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic delivery system replaces gravity-based mechanical delivery, enabling the seeds to be propelled at controlled velocities that match high-speed field travel. The pressurized air stream maintains consistent seed velocity regardless of the planter's ground speed, allowing productivity to increase while preserving precise seed spacing control even under dynamic field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect seed placement and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows real-time adjustments to pneumatic pressure and delivery timing, compensating for dynamic field conditions and ensuring consistent seed spacing control even at high seeding speeds.
3Manufacturing precision
If a complex metering and placement system is used to achieve precise seed positioning, then seed spacing uniformity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical metering and placement mechanisms with a pneumatic delivery system. The seed metering system remains relatively simple, but the pneumatic delivery system provides precise control over seed placement by using pressurized air to propel seeds to predetermined locations. This substitution reduces overall device complexity while maintaining or improving seed placement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressurized air as an intermediary medium between the seed metering system and the seed bed. This pneumatic intermediary carries the seeds from the simple metering system to the precise placement location, eliminating the need for complex mechanical placement mechanisms. The air stream acts as a flexible mediator that can precisely control seed trajectory and placement while keeping the overall system simple.
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
The system achieves consistent and uniform seed spacing by synchronizing seed release with the belt mechanism's movement, reducing seed bounce and tumble, thereby improving seed placement accuracy and consistency across the field.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum or positive air pressure differential may be used in conjunction with the seed disk to assist in movement of the seeds into the seed cell
Implementation Method 2
a belt configured to convey the seed from said upper end to a lower end of said seed conveyor
Implementation Method 3
said loading wheel compresses the seed against an opposing surface, and wherein said loading wheel ejects the seed toward said seed conveyor
Implementation Method 4
The seed tube may have a rearward curvature to reduce bouncing of the seed as it strikes the bottom of the seed trench and to impart a horizontal velocity to the seed
Data Source
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AI summary
A seeding machine (10) with row units (16), in which each row unit (16) has a seed disk (26, 300) rotatable about a first axis to convey seed from a seed reservoir (24), includes a seed delivery apparatus (28, 180). The seed delivery apparatus (28, 180) includes an elongated housing (600) having a first opening (630) through which seed is received, a second opening (680) through which seed exits, and an elongated interior chamber. The seed delivery apparatus (28, 180) further includes a first pulley (642), a second pulley (644), and an endless member (640) driven by the first pulley (642) and/or the second pulley (644). The endless member (640) is movable within the elongated interior chamber to receive seed from the first opening (630) and convey seed to the second opening (680). A seed diverter (700) is movable with respect to the endless member (640) and pivotable about a second axis non-coincident with the first axis. The seed diverter (700) is positioned to contact and guide seed into the seed delivery apparatus (28, 180).