Seeding machine and row unit of a seeding machine

(54) Title: SEEDING MACHINE, ROW UNIT, AND, METHOD FOR CHANGING SEED OUTPUT OF A SINGING MACHINE (30) Unionist Priority: 10/9/2007 usn / 869162 (73) Owner (s): Deere & Company ( 72) Inventor (s): David James Rylander, Garn Farley Penfold, James R. Peterson, Jr.

(57) Summary: seeder machine, row unit, E, METHOD FOR CHANGING SEED OUTPUT OF A SEEDING MACHINE. A seeder machine having at least one tool bar, a plurality of row units and a processing circuit. Each of the plurality of row units is connected to the tool bar. Each row unit has a seed measurement device, a seed placement device and a seed sensor. The seed measuring device includes a seed disk providing a measuring action for a plurality of seeds. The seed delivery device receives the seeds from the seed measuring device. The seed sensor is positioned to detect the passage of seeds by either the measuring device or the seed placement device. The seed sensor producing a signal indicating the passage of seeds. The processing circuit is receptive to the signal from each of the seed sensors in each of the plurality of row units. The processing circuit determines a signal-dependent seed placement parameter, the processing circuit changes the seed measurement action dependent on the seed placement parameter.

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ΡΙ0803536-9 “SEEDING MACHINE, ROW UNIT, AND, METHOD FOR CHANGING SEED OUTPUT OF A SINGER MACHINE”

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to agricultural sowing machines, and, more particularly, to the monitoring of seed placement in a furrow by a sowing machine.

Background of the Invention

An agricultural seeder, such as a row crop planter or grain drill, places the seed at a desired depth within a plurality of parallel seed grooves formed in the soil. In the case of a row harvesting planter, a plurality of row harvesting units is typically driven to land using wheels, axles, sprockets, transfer boxes, chains and the like. Each row harvesting unit has a frame, which is movably coupled with a tool bar. The frame can carry a main seed feeder, herbicide feeder and insecticide feeder. If the granular herbicide and insecticide are used, the measurement mechanisms associated with them for dispensing the granular product in the seed groove are relatively simple. On the other hand, mechanisms necessary to correctly measure seeds at a predetermined rate and to place the seeds at a relative predetermined location and depth within the seed groove, are relatively complicated.

The mechanisms associated with seed measurement and placement can generally be divided into a seed measurement system and a seed placement system, which are in communication with each other. The seed measurement system receives the seeds in a volume manner from a seed feeder carried by the frame. Different types of seed measurement systems can be used such as seed plates, finger plates and seed disc. In the case of a seed disk measurement system, a seed disk is formed with a plurality of seed cells spaced on the periphery thereof. Seeds are moved to seed cells with one or more seeds in each seed cell depending on the size and configuration of the seed cell. A vacuum or positive pressure airflow can be used in conjunction with the seed disc to aid in movement and retention of the seeds in the seed cells. The seeds are individualized and discharged at a predetermined rate to the seed placement system.

The seed placement system can be categorized as a gravity drop system or a power drop system. In the case of a gravity drop system, a seed tube has an inlet tip, which is positioned under the seed measurement system. The individualized seeds of the seed measurement system simply fall into the seed tube and fall through the gravitational force of a discharge tip of this into the seed groove. The seed tube can be bent backwards to help direct the seed into the seed groove.

A seed delivery system of the power drop variety can generally be classified as a seed conveyor belt drop, rotary valve drop, chain drop or air drop. These types of seed placement systems provide somewhat consistent placement of seeds along a predetermined path at a desired spacing.

Certain types of seed, such as flat corn seed with insecticide or other treatments on it, are difficult for vacuum meters to individualize. Poor individualization of difficult seed types is characterized by folds, jumps and seed groups carried by the disk. Folds and jumps refer to multiple seeds and no seeds, respectively, in each seed cell. Groups are multiple seeds carried by the seed group accelerators, which protrude from the surface of the seed disk. These types of seed are usually best planted with a flat seed disk in combination with a folder.

What is needed in the art is an agricultural sowing machine having an accurate positive seed spacing monitor and an efficient adjustment of a seed measurement system.

Summary of the invention

The invention includes a seeding machine having at least one tool bar, a plurality of row units and a processing circuit. Each of the plurality of row units is connected to the toolbar. Each row unit has a seed measurement device, a seed placement device and at least one seed sensor. The seed measuring device includes a seed disk providing a measuring action for a plurality of seeds. The seed delivery device receives the seeds from the seed measuring device. The seed sensor is positioned to detect the passage of seeds by either the measuring device or the seed placement device. The seed sensor producing a signal indicating the passage of seeds. The processing circuit is receptive to the signal from each of the seed sensors in each of the plurality of row units. The processing circuit determines a signal-dependent seed placement parameter, and the processing circuit changes the seed measurement action dependent on the seed placement parameter.

In another form, the invention includes a method for changing seed output from a sowing machine, the method including the steps of detecting a seed placement parameter being processed by either a seed measuring device or a seed laying device and changing the seed placement parameter of the seeds depending on a target seed spacing criterion.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an agricultural seeding machine incorporating an embodiment of a monitoring and control unit of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of the seeder having the monitoring and control unit as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a row unit having a measurement and placement system that can be used in an embodiment of the seeder machine of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a measurement system used by the row unit in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the measurement system shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a partially sectioned view of the measurement system in Figures 4 and 5.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, an agricultural system 10 including a tractor 12 and seeder machine 14 is shown. Seeder machine 14 is in the form of a row crop planter 14, but could be a grain drill . Tractor 12 provides the driving power for planter 14 and the mechanisms therein. A seed spacing monitoring / control system is incorporated and used by the tractor operator 12 to monitor seed placement, from planter 14. An adjustment system 18 allows the monitoring / control system 16 to change seed retention in one planter measurement system 14.

Now, referring further to Figures 2-6, details of planter 14 are shown which include tool bar 20, seed supply 22, row units 24, each including a measuring device 26 having a seed disk 28 in it with holes 30 and a bend eliminator 32. Bending eliminator 32 is also known as an individualizer 32, which is positioned in an adjustable manner so as to prevent two seeds from being associated with each hole 30 in a seed disk 28. Measuring devices 26 are either directly or indirectly connected to the bar tool 20, which is in turn coupled with tractor 12. Seed is provided to measuring devices 26 by means of seed supply 22 and the seed is grouped over a portion of seed disk 28. Seed disk 28 is fluidly coupled to an air flow generator that provides air flow to a cavity 46 and / or a cavity 48. The airflow generator can have an adjustable airflow that is under the control of the adjustment system 18. The air flow generator can produce positive or negative pressure depending on the planter configuration 14, for ease of explanation, the air flow will be understood to be a vacuum system. Air flow caused by the vacuum system is provided to cavities 46 and / or 48 and thereby to one side of the seed disk 28 causing air to flow through holes 30. The air flowing through holes 30 attracts seeds to it when the seed disk 28 is rotated by the seeds grouped in a measuring device 26. Seeds are connected with holes 30 and rotate the seeds grouped to a discharge point, as illustrated as a dashed line in Figure 6, of measuring device 26 so that it can travel, through a seed placement system 50, to the furrow prepared in the soil.

Row unit 24 additionally takes a double disc groove opener 52 to form a seed groove in the soil. An optional coulter wheel 54, particularly for use in situations without sandy terrain, can be placed in front of double disc groove opener 52. A pair of measuring wheels 56 is respectively associated with the pair of groove opener discs. double disc 52. More particularly, each measuring wheel 56 is generally positioned in line with and immediately adjacent to the outside of each respective double disc groove opener 52. Each measuring wheel 56 can be adjusted vertically to adjust the depth of the groove that is cut on the ground using the double disc groove opener 52.

A pair of closing wheels 58 is also part of a row unit 24. Closing wheels 58 are generally positioned in line with the double disc groove opener 52. Closing wheels 58 are preferably driven in a downward direction and have a peripheral edge with a shape that can vary depending on the application.

Seed placement system 50 is shown in the form of a gravity drop seed tube 42, but could be configured differently, such as a power drop seed placement system with a powered wheel, etc.

Seed measurement system 26 receives seed from a main seed supply, such as seed from a distant main seed feeder that is provided by air or the like, or a seed feeder carried by tool bar 20 or a drive unit frame. row 24. Within the measurement system housing 26 there is a seed cluster area. Seed disk 28 has a plurality of holes 30 having seed cells on the seed disk side 28 spaced intermittently on the periphery thereof. The vacuum air flow promotes seed entry into the seed cells and keeps the seeds in place within the seed cells. Seeds are transported from the seed cells to the 50 seed placement system. Certainly, the seed meter 26 can be configured with a positive pressure to aid in seed movement instead of a vacuum pressure.

Folder 32 is adjustable in the manual sense as shown in Figure 4, where the manual adjuster 44 can be seen. Manual adjuster 44 is adjusted to move the folder 32 relative to the seed disk 28 so that the seed passing through it can be reduced so that each hole 30 only takes one seed. Adjustment of folding eliminator 32 is desirable so that sowing occurs at the proper rate and optimum seed placement. Manual adjustment is often ignored by the operator since it is time consuming and not convenient to leave the tractor cab and adjust the various manual adjusters 44.

Row harvests require precise population levels or seeding rates to achieve maximum yields. Some crops, such as corn and cotton, yield better even with precise spacing distances from plant to plant within a given row. The present invention assesses seed spacing to achieve consistent control of plant-to-plant seed spacing thereby optimizing yield across a field having the same sowing population, but not having precise plant spacing.

When the seed departs from measuring device 26, it flows through the seed tube 42 and is sensed by the seed sensor 34, as shown in Figure 6. A signal is generated by the seed sensor 34, which is sent to an electronic processing circuit which can be in monitoring system 16. A monitor 36 in monitoring system 16 provides information to the operator in the form of the percentage of hops, the percentage of double sowing, the current or average spacing of the seed. The processing circuit receives a seed sensor signal 34 thereby to take a seed placement parameter, which in the shown embodiment is in the form of the timing between the passage of each seed. The processing circuit additionally receives a speed signal that relates to a speed of tractor 12 and / or planter 14 on the ground of a speed sensor 58. Speed ​​sensor 58 can be on tractor 12 or planter 14 and the signal is representative of planter speed 14 through the ground. The speed signal can be taken to the processing circuit via tractor signal communication 12, or the speed can be determined by placing speed sensor 58 on planter 14 with speed sensor 58 being associated with a contact wheel ground, a global positioning system, a land-based sonar system or a ground-based radar system.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the speed signal used by the processing system is rotational speed of the seed disk 28. Rotational sensor 60 is associated with the seed disk 28 and produces a signal that is representative of the rotational speed of the seed disk 28 . The rotational sensor signal 60 that relates to the rotational speed of seed disk 28 is used by the processing circuit together with the seed sensor signal 34 to produce a seed placement parameter that is used by the processing circuit as an evaluation of seed disk performance 28, and if the seed placement parameter is not within a target range, then the adjustment system 18 is used to change to the performance of measuring device 26 to bring the seed placement parameter within the target range. The parameter of seed placement among other things can be considered to be a spacing between seeds. In addition, the processing circuit can use a predetermined timing as a criterion for seed spacing, such that a certain predetermined time window is used and one or more seeds are expected to pass through a seed sensor 34 within this predetermined time. If a predetermined number of seeds passes through seed sensor 34 in the time window, then the spacing is considered objective, as can occur with folds or jumps. Conversely, if the seed fails to pass or pass outside the window, then the spacing is considered not to be objective. Alternatively, a predetermined seed disk movement 28 can be compared to the number of seeds that are placed as a seed placement determination. For example, a seed disk revolution 28 may include the placement of a specific number of seeds, such as 24 seeds. A variation in this number of seeds per revolution indicates that an adjustment is needed. If the predetermined movement is equivalent to a seed cell, then the detection of each seed is correlated on a one-to-one basis to the seed disk movement 28.

Adjustment system 18 includes an actuator 38 associated with each measuring device 26 and controls 40 associated with a monitor 36 so that the fluff eliminator 32 and / or air flow generator air flow 22 can be adjusted, thereby medium changing the performance of seed disk 28 and the placement of seed in the sowing furrow.

Seed sensor 34 can be in the form of an optical sensor with a light source located on one side of the seed tube 42 and a light sensor on the opposite side of the seed tube 42. Seed sensor 34 provides input to determine the time between seeds when they travel by sensor 34. Seeds that are too close based on a target population, row spacing and speed indicate that more than one seed during the time period was provided by a measuring device 26. Seeds that are too far apart in time indicate a leap situation. This information can be displayed on monitor 36 and controls 40 allow the operator to adjust the bending eliminator 32 by activating the actuator 38 both to become more aggressive against bending or less aggressive. Additionally, the air flow provided to the seed disk 28 can be adjusted either by changing the fan speed causing the vacuum or by adjusting the air flow provided to cavities 46 and / or 48 of each measuring device 26. In addition, adjustment system 18 may include adjusting the speed of an electric, hydraulic or other actuator, which can be connected to a seed disk 28, thereby changing the seed spacing. If the bending eliminator 32 is positioned too aggressively, it can knock the seeds off the disc causing jumps in the planting sequence. Monitor 36 as well as control 40 can form an integral unit and can be positioned at the back of planter 14 so that the operator can monitor each measuring device 26 while actually watching seed being delivered by this means. In addition, monitor 36 and controls 40 can be located in an operational position such as a tractor cab 12 so that operation of measuring devices 26 can be adjusted while planter 14 is in operation. The seed distance to be sown is information not available in the prior art and is used to activate the actuator feedback mechanism 38 or the vacuum level provided by the vacuum system to optimize the seed spacing provided by seed disk 28. Istó is used to great advantage if maize is being planted with different varieties of seeds in row units 24. For example, when a hybrid seed corn is to be produced where certain units in row 24 may have a specific variety of corn and other units in row 24 will have a different variety of corn, the individual feeling of seed spacing per unit row 24 is used to individually adjust seed retention per seed disc 28 when planter 14 operates across the field. While the adjustment of a double eliminator has been available manually for some time, the feedback from a seed sensor and the operator's ability to select an automatic adjustment mode or a selected adjustment mode of the double eliminator, rotational speed of seed disk and / or airflow is a particularly useful aspect of the present invention.

When sensor 34 detects a seed, a signal is produced that is sent to the monitoring system 16. Monitoring system 16 detects the spacing between the seeds when the seeds leave measuring device 26 or when they pass through the placement system 50. monitoring 16 takes information to the control system and adjustment system 18, all processing functions being performed by the processing circuit, which can be located in monitoring system 16. Seed retention for seed disk 28 is altered depending on seed spacing. The criteria for the acceptable percentage of hops and bends can be entered into the monitoring / control system 16 and bending eliminator 32 and / or the air flow to a specific measuring device 26 is adjusted by adjustment system 18 based on violations of criteria. If the number of hops is too high, the air flow can be increased and / or bending eliminator 32 will be adjusted to be less aggressive. If the fold percentage is too high, then the air flow to the measuring device 26 is decreased and / or the fold eliminator 32 is adjusted to be more aggressive.

The processing circuit in monitoring system 16 performs the functions of receiving the signal from the seed sensor 34. The signal being representative of the seed passing through the seed tube 42. The processing circuit determines through calculation or a look-up table, compliance with a target seed spacing criterion and sends commands to actuator 38 to change seed spacing and / or seed retention for disk 28. The percentage of hops, percentage of folds, current spacing of seeds and average spacing of seeds is determined by the processing circuit. This information is displayed on monitor 36 and can be used to change the spacing of the seeds by the processing circuit by sending a signal or a command to actuator 38. The target sowing criteria can be as simple as a number representative of the desired spacing between seeds, can include the allowable percentage of hops, percentage of folds, current spacing of seeds and average spacing of seeds, or even vary by locations in the field and vary from row unit to row unit.

Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the extent of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.