Site-Specific Seed Orientation for Uniform Crop Emergence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural planting methods fail to ensure precise seed orientation, leading to delayed plant emergence, uneven growth, and reduced yield due to factors like soil compaction, machinery contact, and inefficient light, water, and nutrient utilization.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for site-specific seed orientation using a processor to determine the position and orientation of a seed orienter within an agricultural field, adjusting the seed orientation in three dimensions relative to the ground, and ensuring the actual planted seed orientation matches the desired orientation through a combination of seedbed makers, positioning devices, and closed-loop control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional planting methods are used, then the planting process is simple and fast, but seed orientation is imprecise leading to delayed emergence and uneven growth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed orientation precisionVSAvoidplanting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines the desired seed orientation in advance based on position data and field characteristics before actual planting occurs. This preliminary determination allows the seed orienter to pre-position seeds correctly, achieving precise orientation without complicating the planting process itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system verifies that the actual planted seed orientation corresponds to the desired orientation, creating a closed-loop control system. This feedback mechanism ensures precision while maintaining operational simplicity through automated verification and adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If seeds are planted without precise orientation control, then the planting process is faster, but light, water, and nutrient utilization is inefficient reducing yield

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop yieldVSAvoidplant emergence time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies site-specific seed orientation based on the local position within the agricultural field. Each location receives customized orientation instructions tailored to its specific conditions, optimizing resource utilization and emergence timing for each local area rather than using a uniform approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If seed orientation is not controlled, then the planting operation is simpler, but soil compaction and machinery contact cause harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil compaction and machinery contactVSAvoidplanting operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seed orienter automatically adjusts seed orientation based on position data and desired orientation instructions without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously determining and implementing correct seed placement, reducing the need for complex operational procedures while minimizing harmful effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250311660A1Site-specific seed orientation

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A method for planting a seed (124) with a desired planted seed orientation (141) within an agricultural field (90), the method comprising: determining, with a processor (140), a seed orienter (120) position within the agricultural field (90) using position data from at least one of a planter (302) or an agricultural vehicle (300); determining, with the processor (140), the desired planted seed orientation (141) for the seed orienter (120) position within the agricultural field (90); and planting the seed (124) according to the desired planted seed orientation (141) at the position within the agricultural field (90).