Sowing Row Unit Sensor Layout for Precise Seed Depth Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing row units for agricultural sowing machines inadequately detect ground movements and soil compaction, leading to imprecise determination of depositing depth and covering height due to sensors being positioned forward or alongside the depth guidance element.
Innovation Solution
Sensors are arranged behind the bearing surface of the depth guidance element, with overlapping detection regions and offset orientations to enhance precision, and an evaluation device integrates sensor signals with geometric and positional data for accurate depth and height determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are arranged forward or alongside the depth guidance element, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision of depositing depth and covering height deteriorates due to inadequate detection of ground movements and soil compaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional sensor arrangement by positioning sensors behind the depth guidance element rather than forward or alongside it. This inversion allows the sensors to detect ground movements and soil compaction that occur after the guidance element passes, thereby improving measurement precision of depositing depth and covering height without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The depth guidance element performs preliminary action by preparing and compacting the soil before the sensors arrive. This preliminary compaction action allows the subsequent sensors to accurately measure the final ground condition, improving measurement precision while maintaining a simple sequential arrangement of components
2Measurement precision
If sensors are arranged behind the depth guidance element, then the measurement precision of ground conditions is improved, but the loss of time in detecting ground movements increases due to the sequential detection process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by having the depth guidance element and sensors operate in a continuous sequence along the direction of travel. The guidance element continuously prepares the ground while sensors continuously detect conditions behind it, eliminating idle time and maintaining steady-state operation that minimizes detection time delay
Solution Approach 2:
The system embraces dynamics by allowing the relative positions of the guidance element and sensors to move together at the same speed. This dynamic arrangement ensures that the time delay remains constant and predictable, allowing for real-time compensation and maintaining measurement precision without significant time loss
Data Source
AI summary
A row unit for a sowing machine for depositing material to be distributed, comprising at least one furrow opening element which is provided to open a seed furrow; at least one depth guidance element which is provided to set a defined depositing depth and/or covering height for the material to be distributed; and at least one associated electronic evaluation device which comprises several sensors associated to the row unit, wherein the sensors are configured to scan the arable land within a detection region associated with the respective sensors, and wherein the evaluation device is configured to determine by way of the sensors the depositing depth and/or covering height of the material to be distributed that is deposited in the seed furrow. In order to further improve the depositing accuracy and/or depositing quality of the material to be distributed in a simple manner, it is provided that the sensors are arranged such that said detection region of the several sensors during the deposition of the material to be spread and in the direction of travel and/or work of the row unit is arranged and/or disposed behind a bearing surface of the at least one depth guidance element.