Spring-Loaded Tines for Uneven Ground Tillage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed drills face issues with wear and tear due to uneven terrain and stones, leading to suboptimal tillage and increased fuel consumption, especially when cornering, as they rely on tines that may not maintain consistent contact with the ground.
Innovation Solution
The seed drill incorporates spring-loaded tines that maintain a predefined contact pressure, allowing them to adapt to uneven ground and dodge stones, reducing wear and fuel consumption by gliding superficially over the ground without additional moving parts, and enabling efficient seed application near the surface without damaging existing lawns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tines are used for soil scratching, then the structure is simple, but the contact pressure with ground is inconsistent on uneven terrain leading to suboptimal tillage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spring-loaded tines that can dynamically adjust their contact pressure with the ground based on terrain conditions. The springs allow the tines to flex and maintain optimal contact force whether the ground is uneven or relatively flat, ensuring consistent tillage quality without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of contact pressure by introducing spring mechanisms with specific stiffness values. This allows the contact pressure to be precisely controlled and maintained within an optimal range despite variations in ground elevation and composition, directly improving tillage reliability.
2Reliability
If tines are pressed firmly against ground for better contact, then tillage quality improves, but wear and tear increases significantly on uneven ground with stones
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded design provides beforehand cushioning by allowing the tines to flex and absorb impact forces before they reach the tine material. When encountering stones or hard obstacles, the springs compress to reduce the peak impact forces, significantly decreasing wear and extending tine lifespan while maintaining effective soil contact during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic spring mechanism allows the system to adapt contact forces in real-time. On uneven terrain with stones, the springs reduce contact pressure to prevent damage, while on flat ground they maintain optimal pressure for tillage quality. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between consistent contact and wear prevention.
3Productivity
If traditional seed drills are used, then seed can be sown, but fuel consumption increases and cornering becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, replaceable spring-loaded tines instead of complex mechanical seed placement systems. These inexpensive tines can be easily replaced if worn, eliminating the need for expensive, fuel-intensive mechanical seeders while maintaining effective seeding capability. The simplicity of the design directly reduces fuel consumption.
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 design ensures low wear and tear, optimal soil processing on uneven terrain, reduced fuel consumption, and improved cornering capabilities while allowing for efficient seed application that does not damage existing lawns, making it suitable for seeding lawns with minimal disruption.
Implementation Method 1
whereby a spring (4) is arranged between the tine (3) and the tine carrier (2), by means of which the tine (3) is pressed onto the ground by the spring (4) with a predefined contact pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
In a seed drill (1) for the near-surface application of seed, comprising a seed application device and at least one tine carrier (2), wherein a plurality of tines (3) for scratching the soil are connected to the tine carrier (2), it is proposed that at least in a plurality of the tines (3) a spring (4) is arranged between the tine and the tine carrier (2).