On-the-go Soil Sensor Control for Uniform Seed Germination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current agricultural practices face challenges in achieving uniform seed germination and plant emergence due to inconsistent soil moisture, temperature, and seed-to-soil contact, leading to yield reductions, particularly in corn production, as existing technologies lack reliable on-the-go sensors for real-time soil moisture and contact monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A control system integrated with on-the-go sensors for soil moisture, seed-to-soil contact, and temperature monitoring, which adjusts planting depth and row unit down pressure in real-time to optimize seed germination and emergence, utilizing a combination of soil moisture sensors, seed trench depth sensors, and intelligent control systems to ensure uniform planting conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If seed planting depth is adjusted based on real-time soil moisture sensing, then uniform seed germination and plant emergence is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of sensors and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform seed germination and plant emergenceVSAvoidintegration of sensors and control systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The planter is divided into multiple row units, each equipped with its own soil moisture sensor and depth control mechanism. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of planting depth for each row based on local soil conditions, improving germination uniformity while distributing system complexity across modular units rather than requiring a centralized complex system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs real-time feedback through soil moisture sensors that continuously monitor soil conditions at planting depth. The control system uses this feedback to automatically adjust planting depth, creating a closed-loop control that improves germination reliability while automating the adjustment process to reduce operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If on-the-go soil moisture sensing is implemented, then planting depth adjustment precision is improved, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to sensor accuracy challenges in moving conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplanting depth adjustment precisionVSAvoidsoil moisture sensor accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary soil moisture sensing before seed deposition at each row unit. This preliminary measurement allows the control system to pre-adjust planting depth based on anticipated soil conditions, improving depth precision while capturing moisture data under representative conditions rather than attempting post-adjustment measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Each row unit measures soil moisture at its specific location and adjusts planting depth locally based on that local condition. This localized measurement and adjustment approach improves precision for each individual planting location, accounting for spatial variability in soil moisture without requiring averaged field-wide measurements that would reduce accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple sensors (moisture, temperature, contact) are integrated for real-time monitoring, then seed germination control accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed germination control accuracyVSAvoidnumber of sensor types and control mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed to handle multiple sensor types (moisture, temperature, contact sensors) through a universal interface and integrated processing unit. This multi-functional approach allows the same control hardware to process data from various sensor types, improving germination control accuracy through comprehensive monitoring while avoiding the need for separate dedicated control systems for each sensor type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sensing functions (moisture detection, temperature measurement, seed-to-soil contact verification) are merged into a single integrated control system at each row unit. This combination consolidates what could be separate complex systems into one unified controller, improving overall control accuracy through coordinated sensing while reducing total system complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enhances yield potential by ensuring synchronized seed germination and emergence, reducing yield losses associated with uneven germination and emergence, and improving the effectiveness of fertilizers and pesticides by adjusting application depths based on real-time soil conditions.

Implementation Method 1

measuring moisture at the planting depth with the soil moisture sensor as seeds are planted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSoil moisture sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS10806072B2On-the-go soil sensors and control methods for agricultural machines

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 AG LEADER TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

An on-the-go monitor and control means and method for an agriculture machines includes on-the-go soil sensors that can be used to control tillage and seeding depth. On seeder implements, the sensors provide information that affects uniform plant emergence.