Self-Contained Hopper Gravity Metering for Precision Seeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Seeding implements lack the accuracy in placing agricultural products like canola seeds due to their reliance on centralized pneumatic systems, leading to reduced yield and higher costs compared to precision planting implements.

Innovation Solution

An agricultural implement with self-contained hoppers that store agricultural products and gravity-fed singulating meters, which output substantially singulated particles directly to row units, eliminating the need for centralized supply containers and pneumatic distribution systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a centralized pneumatic delivery system is used to meter and deliver agricultural product to row units, then the system can deliver agricultural product to multiple row units, but the placement accuracy of agricultural product is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to deliver agricultural product to multiple row unitsVSAvoidplacement accuracy of agricultural product

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized pneumatic system into independent self-contained units, where each row unit has its own hopper and metering mechanism. This segmentation allows each unit to operate independently with precise local control, improving placement accuracy while maintaining the ability to serve multiple row units through modular configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the metering and storage functions from the centralized system and places them directly at each row unit. By removing the intermediate pneumatic distribution stage, the system eliminates the source of imprecision while preserving multi-row unit capability through multiple independent extracted units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If a planting implement with precision on-row meters is used, then the placement accuracy of agricultural product is improved, but the manufacturing cost is significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement accuracy of agricultural productVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing each row unit with its own simplified hopper and metering mechanism rather than using a complex centralized system. This localized approach achieves precision placement through simple, inexpensive components at each unit, avoiding the high manufacturing cost of full-planter precision systems while maintaining adequate placement accuracy for small-seed crops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If self-contained hoppers are coupled to the frame independently of the row unit, then the system complexity is reduced, but the integration between hopper and row unit is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidintegration between hopper and row unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the frame the universal mounting structure that accommodates both the hoppers and row units independently. This universal coupling approach simplifies the overall system architecture by using a single reference frame for all components, while maintaining reliable functional integration through standardized mounting interfaces and gravity-fed material flow paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design enhances the accuracy of agricultural product placement and reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs by integrating hoppers and meters closer to the row units, making the system more economical and efficient.

Implementation Method 1

The self-contained hopper is configured to store an agricultural product, and the self-contained hopper is not configured to receive the agricultural product from a supply container coupled to the agricultural implement. The singulating meter is configured to receive the agricultural product from the self-contained hopper via movement of the agricultural product under the influence of gravity from the self-contained hopper to the singulating meter.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10806071B2Agricultural implement having self-contained hoppers for singulating row units

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 CNH IND CANADA

AI summary

An agricultural implement includes a frame, a row unit coupled to the frame, and a hopper coupled to the frame independently of the row unit. The hopper is configured to store an agricultural product, and the hopper is not configured to receive the agricultural product from a supply container coupled to the agricultural implement. The agricultural implement also includes a meter configured to receive the agricultural product from the hopper via movement of the agricultural product under the influence of gravity from the hopper to the meter. The meter is configured to output substantially singulated particles of the agricultural product, the row unit includes a ground-engaging tool configured to open a trench within soil, and the row unit includes a product tube configured to receive the substantially singulated particles of the agricultural product from the meter and to direct the substantially singulated particles toward the trench.