Sowing Machine Earth-Trapping Disc Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seed drills face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively collecting and depositing soil thrown out of seed furrows, particularly when driven at high speeds, as existing solutions require additional expensive mounting hardware and lack effective soil containment.

Innovation Solution

A circular earth-trapping disc is integrated with the depth control roller using a cylindrical holding device, ensuring the disc does not protrude beyond the roller's circumference, allowing for targeted soil collection without additional mounting hardware, and featuring a flexible material for adaptability and soil detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate holder for attaching the guide device is used to collect soil, then soil collection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil collection capabilityVSAvoidmounting hardware
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the guide device and soil collecting device into a single integrated unit. The guide device has a guide surface that directs soil to the side, and simultaneously serves as the collecting device that deposits the soil adjacent to the seed furrow. This eliminates the need for separate mounting holders and reduces structural complexity while maintaining effective soil collection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide device is designed to perform multiple functions: it guides the soil laterally using its guide surface, and simultaneously collects and deposits the soil using its structural configuration. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated components for guiding and collecting soil.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the vehicle is driven fast, then productivity is improved, but soil throwing distance increases and soil collection becomes ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesowing speedVSAvoidsoil depositing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a depth control roller that can be adjusted vertically to adapt to different ground conditions and speeds. The roller's position is controllable, allowing the system to maintain effective soil collection even at higher speeds by dynamically adjusting the collection point's depth and position relative to the ground.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated guide and collecting device structure allows the soil to be collected and deposited automatically as the machine moves forward. The design self-adjusts to maintain functionality at various speeds through its geometric configuration, where the guide surface angle and collecting device positioning work together to capture soil regardless of forward speed variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If additional mounting hardware is used for the earth-catching disc, then soil collection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil containmentVSAvoidmounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The earth-catching disc is integrated directly into the depth control roller structure. The roller serves both as a depth control mechanism and as the mounting structure for the earth-catching disc. This eliminates the need for separate brackets, holders, or additional mounting hardware, reducing structural complexity while maintaining effective soil containment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The depth control roller is designed to perform dual functions: controlling the depth of the seed furrow and serving as the mounting structure for the earth-catching disc. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated mounting hardware while ensuring effective soil collection and containment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Area of stationary object

If the earth-catching disc protrudes beyond the depth control roller, then soil collection area is increased, but depth control contact with ground is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil collection areaVSAvoiddepth control contact
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The earth-catching disc is positioned such that it does not protrude beyond the outer circumference of the depth control roller. This localized positioning ensures that the depth control roller maintains full contact with the ground for accurate depth control, while the earth-catching disc's surface area is optimized within the available space to effectively collect and contain soil.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2335466B1Sowing machine
Publication Date: 2013.04.17 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2335466B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2335466B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2335466B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The sowing machine comprises a frame, a storage vessel, a sowing share (1), and a guiding unit, which is formed as plow. A holding unit (12) is provided, which is fastened at a depth guiding roller (7) of a circular earth catching disk (13). The earth catching disk is projected above the outer circumference of the depth guiding roller.