Sowing Machine Seed Placement via Mulch Sheet Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sowing machines that operate on mulched terrain often damage the protective covering sheet by inserting distribution spouts into the ground, leading to irregular breaks and imprecision in seed placement due to the need for complex calculations and potential distortions in the covering sheet between the cutting point and the ground.

Innovation Solution

A sowing machine equipped with a seed passage sensor and logic control unit that synchronizes the actuation of cutting means with seed deposition, ensuring through openings are made in the covering sheet exactly at the seed position, using a distribution wheel and conveyance duct to precisely distribute seeds and a mulching system that extends and cuts the covering sheet without damaging it.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If distribution spouts are inserted into the ground to deposit seeds on mulched terrain, then seeds can be distributed on the ground, but the protective covering sheet is damaged and broken irregularly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseed distribution capabilityVSAvoiddamage to covering sheet
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The covering sheet is cut with through openings at predetermined positions before seed distribution. This preliminary action allows seeds to be deposited through the openings without inserting spouts into the ground, thus avoiding damage to the covering sheet while maintaining seed distribution capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of inserting spouts upward from the ground through the covering sheet, the invention inverts the approach by creating openings in the covering sheet first and depositing seeds through these openings from above, eliminating the need for ground insertion and subsequent sheet damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Manufacturing precision

If through openings are made in the covering sheet at a distance from the ground, then seed placement precision can be improved, but complex calculations and potential distortions in the covering sheet occur between the cutting point and the ground

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseed placement precisionVSAvoidcomplex calculations and control
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex mechanical calculations and synchronization systems with a direct mechanical linkage. The cutting means are mechanically connected to the conveyance duct system, so that the position of seed deposition automatically determines the position of through openings without requiring complex calculations or electronic control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the natural movement and positioning of the conveyance duct and seed distribution mechanism to automatically determine where openings should be made. The cutting means follow the seed deposition process automatically through mechanical linkage, eliminating the need for external control systems and complex calculations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If the covering sheet is cut to make through openings, then precise seed placement is achieved, but the protective capacity of the covering sheet is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseed placement precisionVSAvoidreduced protective capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The covering sheet is modified with through openings only at specific local positions where seeds need to be deposited, rather than making the entire sheet permeable or removing large sections. This maintains the protective capacity of the sheet in areas where openings are not needed while enabling precise seed placement at specific locations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4082317B1Sowing machine for distributing seeds on the ground and method for operating said machine
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 ROTER ITALA SRL
  • EP4082317B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4082317B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4082317B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Sowing machine for distributing seeds (S) on the ground (T), which comprises sowing means (3) and mulching means (5) mounted downstream with respect to the sowing means in order to extend a covering sheet (6) on the sowed ground. The sowing machine also comprises a seed passage sensor (4) associated with an outlet section (22) of a conveyance duct (20) in order to detect seed sowing positions (P) in the ground, a machine advancing sensor (90), cutting means (7) for cutting the covering sheet (6) to make a plurality of through openings (61) in the covering sheet and a logic control unit (8) operatively connected to the sensor means and to the cutting means and configured for driving the latter to make the through openings in areas of the covering sheet (6) intended to be extended on the ground at said sowing positions.