Telescopic Support Arms for Cereal Seeder Frame Width

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cereal seeders with gravity-based seed distribution systems are limited by their working width, which restricts the number of sowing lines or rows that can be seeded in a single run due to transport width constraints, and face inefficiencies in seed transport when expanding the number of sowing elements.

Innovation Solution

A frame for the cereal seeder with telescopic support arms and fluid-dynamic cylinders allows for horizontal extension from a transport position to an expanded working position, incorporating parallelogram mechanisms and height regulation for precise sowing depth control, enabling a wider working width while maintaining a transport width of three meters or less.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the number of sowing elements is increased to expand working width, then the working width is improved, but the transport width exceeds the maximum of three metres

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking widthVSAvoidtransport width
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support arms are designed with telescopic portions that can dynamically change length. During transport, the arms are retracted to keep the overall width within three metres. During operation, the arms are extended to increase the working width and accommodate more sowing elements, thus resolving the contradiction between transport width and working width requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frame is divided into multiple support arms with telescopic portions, allowing independent adjustment of each arm's length. This segmentation enables the structure to adapt its width configuration - compact for transport and expanded for working - without requiring a complete redesign of the entire frame structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the distance between sowing elements is reduced to increase the number of sowing lines, then the productivity is improved, but the seed transport efficiency deteriorates in gravity distribution systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of sowing linesVSAvoidseed transport efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Nozzle bars are introduced as intermediary components between the seed hopper and the sowing elements. The nozzle bars receive seeds from the hopper and distribute them to multiple sowing elements, improving seed transport efficiency even when the distance between sowing elements is reduced. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing an efficient seed distribution pathway that maintains reliability while increasing productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution enables a cereal seeder to sow a greater number of rows per run with improved seed distribution efficiency and precise depth control, while being lightweight and transportable by a tractor with less power, overcoming the limitations of existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

said frame includes at least one fluid-dynamic cylinder to actuate said telescopic portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid dynamics:

Implementation Method 2

the seeds are distributed from the hopper to the furrow by gravity... have plastic tubes that channel the seeds from the dispensing hopper to each one of the sowing elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2742787B1Frame for a cereal seeder and cereal seeder that includes said frame
Publication Date: 2016.02.03 MAQUINARIA AGRI SOLA
  • EP2742787B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2742787B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2742787B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The frame (1) comprises a chassis (2a,2b) provided with a plurality of sowing elements (4) of said seeder, and it is characterized in that said chassis (2a,2b) comprises a plurality of support arms (3) of said sowing elements (4), said support arms (3) being disposed substantially parallel in a same horizontal plane, each sowing element (4) of said support arms (3) determining a sowing line of said seeder, said arms (3) comprising at least one portion (3a) susceptible of being horizontally unfolded from a transport position to an expanded working position. The seeder comprises the frame and makes it possible to modify the working width of the machine at the same time guaranteeing a width for transport of no more than three metres.