Seedling Transplanter Groove Forming Arm Dynamics

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seedling transplanters face challenges in responding to changes in seedling planting conditions, such as intrarow spacing, leading to decreased accuracy, increased torque, and potential damage to planted seedlings due to limited freedom of movement of the groove forming arm.

Innovation Solution

A seedling transplanter design where the groove forming arm is positioned to move relative to the planting claw, with a cam mechanism and link mechanism allowing it to change posture and trajectory, ensuring it does not contact planted seedlings and can adapt to varying planting conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the groove forming arm is provided below the planting claw via a bracket with fixed position, then the structure is simple and stable, but the device cannot respond to changes in seedling planting conditions such as intrarow spacing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to change in seedling planting conditionVSAvoidstructure complexity of groove forming arm

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The groove forming arm is designed to be movable relative to the planting claw through a swing arm mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and posture. This dynamic configuration enables the arm to adapt to varying intrarow spacing conditions while maintaining operational stability during seedling placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The groove forming arm is segmented into multiple components including the swing arm and the arm itself, which can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the groove forming arm to adjust its position and orientation to accommodate different planting conditions without requiring complete redesign of the entire planting device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the groove forming arm has limited freedom of movement, then the device structure is simple, but the planting accuracy decreases and torque increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseedling planting accuracyVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The groove forming arm is designed to be movable relative to the planting claw through a swing arm mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and posture. This dynamic configuration enables the arm to adapt to varying intrarow spacing conditions while maintaining operational stability during seedling placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The groove forming arm's position and posture are adjusted based on the operational state of the planting claw and the detected intrarow spacing conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures that the arm maintains optimal positioning to prevent contact with planted seedlings while achieving accurate groove formation, thereby improving planting accuracy without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the groove forming arm is fixed in position, then the structure is stable, but contact with planted seedlings occurs causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseedling protection from damageVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The groove forming arm is designed to be movable relative to the planting claw through a swing arm mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and posture. This dynamic configuration enables the arm to adapt to varying intrarow spacing conditions while maintaining operational stability during seedling placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The groove forming arm is positioned and oriented in advance before the planting claw releases the seedling into the ground. By preliminarily adjusting the arm's position based on predicted planting conditions, the system prevents potential contact with the seedling before damage can occur, ensuring reliable seedling protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4295658A1Seedling transplanter

Publication Date: 2023.12.27 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD

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AI summary

A seedling transplanter for continuously planting a seedling in a field by cutting a seedling mat placed on a seedling mount partially by a planting claw 72, the seedling transplanter includes a groove forming arm 200 that is provided near the planting claw 72 and is provided so as to move relative to the planting claw 72. The groove forming arm 200 has, as a position posture relative to the planting claw 72, a standby posture that is a position posture at the timing when the planting claw 72 cuts the seedling mat, and a groove forming posture moved forward with respect to the planting claw 72 when the seedling is planted in the field.