Variable Force Trench Closer with Radar Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seeding machines face challenges in ensuring proper trench closure, which affects seed-to-soil contact and seed depth, leading to reduced crop yield and uneven germination due to incomplete or improper soil coverage.
Innovation Solution
The seeding machine incorporates a sensing device, such as a radar system, to monitor trench closure and adjust the trench closer assembly's performance based on feedback signals, ensuring optimal trench closure and seed depth through variable biasing and secondary closing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed force trench closer assembly is used, then the structure is simple, but the trench closure quality is inconsistent leading to poor seed-to-soil contact
Solution Approach 1:
The trench closer assembly incorporates a variable biasing member (spring or actuator) that dynamically adjusts the closing force applied to the trench. This allows the system to adapt to varying soil conditions and achieve consistent trench closure quality without requiring complex manual adjustments for each field condition.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensing device (such as a radar system) monitors trench closure quality and provides feedback to a controller, which then adjusts the biasing force of the trench closer assembly. This closed-loop control system ensures optimal trench closure by continuously monitoring and adjusting based on actual performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual trench closing is used, then the device complexity is low, but the seed depth control is poor leading to uneven germination
Solution Approach 1:
A sensing device (such as a radar system) monitors trench closure quality and provides feedback to a controller, which then adjusts the biasing force of the trench closer assembly. This closed-loop control system ensures optimal trench closure by continuously monitoring and adjusting based on actual performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical trench closing with an automated system that uses sensors (radar or optical) and actuators to control the trench closer assembly. This substitution of manual operation with automated sensing and actuation enables precise seed depth control and consistent trench closure.
3Reliability
If increased closing force is applied, then trench closure is improved, but seed depth varies leading to uneven crop emergence
Solution Approach 1:
A sensing device (such as a radar system) monitors trench closure quality and provides feedback to a controller, which then adjusts the biasing force of the trench closer assembly. This closed-loop control system ensures optimal trench closure by continuously monitoring and adjusting based on actual performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The trench closer assembly incorporates a variable biasing member (spring or actuator) that dynamically adjusts the closing force applied to the trench. This allows the system to adapt to varying soil conditions and achieve consistent trench closure quality without requiring complex manual adjustments for each field condition.
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 solution improves seed-to-soil contact, enhances germination rates, and achieves uniform crop growth by ensuring complete trench closure and precise seed depth, thereby optimizing crop yield and field treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The sensing device is a radar system including a radar transmitter that emits radar waves and a radar receiver that receives reflected radar waves from the soil
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
An agricultural seeding machine (10) includes a trench closer assembly (40) and a sensing device (50) configured to sense an aspect of the soil without contacting the soil and to output a sensed signal corresponding to the aspect of the soil. A processing device (70) processes the sensed signal to generate a processed sensed signal, and compares a characteristic of the processed sensed signal to a stored signal characteristic representative of a soil condition. A trench closure quality metric is determined and provided via a user interface. Additionally, in response to and based upon the comparison, the processing device may automatically adjust the force applied to the soil by the soil contacting member (41). In this manner, the seeding machine utilizes a feedback signal to determine how well a trench is closed and can adjust the performance of the trench closer assembly in accordance with that feedback.