Seed planting apparatus, systems and methods

A seed meter includes a seed disc rotatable in a direction of rotation. The seed disc has a plurality of seed apertures defining a circular path as the seed disc rotates and on which seeds from a seed source are entrained. A singulator is disposed along to the circular path. The singulator has a plurality of outer lobes and a first orientation lobe located downstream of the outer lobes. As the entrained seeds rotate along the circular path, the first orientation lobe contacts the entrained seeds to change their orientation. In some embodiments, the first orientation lobe may be disposed to remove excess seeds from the apertures and a second orientation lobe may change the orientation of the entrained seed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1is a top view of an embodiment of an agricultural planter.

FIG. 2is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a planter row unit.

FIG. 3is a left side elevation view of the seed meter and seed conveyor of another embodiment of a planter row unit.

FIG. 4is a right side elevation view of the planter row unit ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of the seed meter and seed conveyor of the planter row unit ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of the seed meter of the planter row unit ofFIG. 3having a vent hood removed.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of seed meter of the planter row unit ofFIG. 3showing a seed inlet.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of the seed meter of the planter row unit ofFIG. 3showing a seed inlet with a seed inlet housing removed.

FIG. 9is a perspective view of the seed meter of the planter row unit ofFIG. 3showing an adjustable baffle of the seed meter.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of the seed meter of the planter row unit ofFIG. 3showing an adjustable baffle of the seed meter with a seed side housing of the seed meter removed.

FIG. 11is a side elevation view of the singulator and seed disc ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 12is a downward perspective view of the singulator and seed disc ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 13is an upward perspective view of the singulator and seed disc ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 14illustrates an embodiment of a monitoring and control system.

FIG. 15illustrates an embodiment of a seed meter including a pivotal flap.

DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,FIG. 1illustrates a tractor5drawing an agricultural implement, e.g., a planter10, comprising a toolbar14operatively supporting multiple row units200. An implement monitor50preferably including a central processing unit (“CPU”), memory and graphical user interface (“GUI”) (e.g., a touch-screen interface) is preferably located in the cab of the tractor5. A global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver52is preferably mounted to the tractor5.

Turing toFIG. 2, an embodiment is illustrated in which the row unit200is a planter row unit. The row unit200is preferably pivotally connected to the toolbar14by a parallel linkage216. An actuator218is preferably disposed to apply lift and/or downforce on the row unit200. A downforce control valve1490(e.g., a pressure control valve such as a pressure reducing/relieving valve) is preferably in fluid communication with the actuator218for modifying the lift and/or downforce applied by the actuator218. An opening system234preferably includes two opening discs244rollingly mounted to a downwardly-extending shank254and disposed to open a v-shaped trench38in the soil40. A pair of gauge wheels248is pivotally supported by a pair of corresponding gauge wheel arms260; the height of the gauge wheels248relative to the opener discs244sets the depth of the trench38. A depth adjustment rocker268limits the upward travel of the gauge wheel arms260and thus the upward travel of the gauge wheels248. A depth adjustment actuator1480is preferably configured to modify a position of the depth adjustment rocker268and thus the height of the gauge wheels248. The actuator1480is preferably a linear actuator mounted to the row unit200and pivotally coupled to an upper end of the rocker268. In some embodiments the depth adjustment actuator1480comprises a device such as that disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/035585 (“the '585application”), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. An encoder1482is preferably configured to generate a signal related to the linear extension of the actuator380; it should be appreciated that the linear extension of the actuator1480is related to the depth of the trench38when the gauge wheel arms260are in contact with the rocker268. A downforce sensor1492is preferably configured to generate a signal related to the amount of force imposed by the gauge wheels248on the soil40; in some embodiments the downforce sensor1492comprises an instrumented pin about which the rocker268is pivotally coupled to the row unit200, such as those instrumented pins disclosed in Applicant's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/522,253 (Pub. No. US 2010/0180695), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Continuing to refer toFIG. 2, a seed meter300is preferably disposed to deposit seeds42from a hopper226into the trench38. The seed meter300is preferably a vacuum-type seed meter having common operating principles with the seed meter embodiments as disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/030192, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Although in some embodiments the seed meter may deposit seeds into the trench38directly or via a seed tube, the seed meter300preferably meters seeds into a seed conveyor400; the seed conveyor is preferably configured to convey seeds from the seed meter to the trench at a controlled rate of speed as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/347,902 and/or U.S. Pat. No. 8,789,482, both of which are incorporated by reference herein. In some embodiments, the seed meter300is powered by a meter drive1415configured to drive a seed disc within the seed meter. In other embodiments, the drive1415may comprise a hydraulic drive configured to drive the seed disc. A seed sensor1405(e.g., an optical or electromagnetic seed sensor configured to generate a signal indicating passage of a seed) is preferably mounted to the seed tube232and disposed to send light or electromagnetic waves across the path of seeds42. A closing system236including one or more closing wheels is pivotally coupled to the row unit200and configured to close the trench38.

Turning toFIG. 14, a planter control and soil monitoring system1400is schematically illustrated. The monitor50is preferably in data communication with components associated with each row unit200including the drives1415, the seed sensors1405, the GPS receiver52, the downforce sensors1492, the valves1490, the depth adjustment actuators1480, depth actuator encoders1482, and depth sensors1485configured to measure the actual depth of the trench opened by the row unit200. Where a seed conveyor is used to convey seed from the seed meter300to the trench, the monitor50is preferably in data communication with conveyor drives1410configured to drive each seed conveyor.

Continuing to refer toFIG. 14, the monitor50is preferably in data communication with a communication module1430(e.g., a cellular modem, wireless receiver, or other component configured to place the monitor50in data communication with the Internet, indicated by reference numeral1435, or another network or computer). Via the communication module1430, the monitor50preferably receives data from and transmits data to a weather data server1440, a soil data server1445, and an agricultural recommendation server1450. Via the communication module1430, the monitor50preferably transmits measurement data (e.g., measurements described herein) to the recommendation server1450for storage and receives agronomic recommendations (e.g., planting recommendations such as planting depth, whether to plant, which fields to plant, which seed to plant, or which crop to plant) from a recommendation system stored on the recommendation server; in some embodiments, the recommendation system updates the planting recommendations based on the measurement data provided by the monitor50.

Continuing to refer toFIG. 14, the monitor50is also preferably in data communication with one or more temperature sensors960mounted to the planter10and configured to generate a signal related to the temperature of soil being worked by the planter row units200. The monitor50is preferably in data communication with one or more reflectivity sensors950mounted to the planter10and configured to generate a signal related to the reflectivity of soil being worked by the planter row units200.

Referring toFIG. 14, the monitor50is preferably in data communication with one or more electrical conductivity sensors970mounted to the planter10and configured to generate a signal related to the temperature of soil being worked by the planter row units200.

In some embodiments, each set of sensors950,960,970comprise a sensor array900associated with a single row unit200; the sensor array900may be mounted to a seed firmer500, described elsewhere herein.

In some embodiments, a subset of the sensors on the implement are in data communication with the monitor50via a bus60(e.g., a controller area network or “CAN” bus). In some embodiments, the sensors mounted to the seed firmer400and the reference sensor assembly1800are likewise in data communication with the monitor50via the bus60. However, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 14, the sensor array900is in data communication with a wireless transmitter62. The wireless transmitters62at each row unit are preferably in data communication with one or more wireless receivers64which are in turn in data communication with the monitor50. The wireless receivers64may be mounted to the toolbar14or in the cab of the tractor5.

Turning toFIGS. 3-5, a portion an exemplary row unit200comprising a seed meter300and seed conveyor400is illustrated. In operation, the seed meter300receives seeds from a seed source, e.g., a hopper320, and singulates the seed (i.e., deposits one seed at a time) into the seed conveyor400. The seed conveyor400then conveys seed (preferably at a controlled rate directly related to the speed of the row unit200) to the trench and deposits the seed with a rearward velocity relative to the row unit; the magnitude of the rearward velocity is preferably directly related to and/or approximately the same as the forward velocity of the row unit such that the released seed has a horizontal speed relative to the soil of zero or approximately zero. In some embodiments, a seed firmer500is disposed to firm seeds deposited into the trench; the seed firmer preferably also includes a liquid conduit for dispensing liquid near the deposited seed. In some embodiments, a boot290is mounted to a lower portion of the shank254. The boot preferably includes transverse guards disposed to the left and right of a lower portion of the conveyor400to protect the seed conveyor400from contact with the opening discs244. The transverse guards preferably include portions made of a hard material (e.g., tungsten carbide) facing the interior surfaces of the opening discs244. The boot preferably includes a trench guard disposed below the lower portion of the conveyor400and configured to protect the conveyor400from contact with the trench. The trench guard preferably includes a portion or portions made of a hard material (e.g., tungsten carbide) facing the trench.

The seed conveyor400is preferably spring mounted to the row unit by a spring440which preferably biases the seed conveyor upward into engagement with the seed meter300. The seed meter300is preferably pivotally mounted to pivots318in the row unit00by means of a brace316. In an installation phase, the seed meter300is preferably tipped clockwise (on the view ofFIG. 3) about the pivots318into engagement with the seed conveyor400. Once the seed meter300is engaged with the seed conveyor400, the user preferably engages a mounting portion280of the row unit to the seed meter300; in the illustrated embodiment, the mounting portion includes a pivotal latch282which locks a hook284into engagement with a mounting aperture314in a frame310of the seed meter. The mounting portion280is preferably mounted to the frame of the row unit by a bolt286and in some embodiments also secures the spring440to the frame of the row unit.

The seed meter300preferably includes a vacuum side housing330releasably mounted to a seed side housing340. The seed side housing340and vacuum side housing330are preferably releasably mounted to the frame310, e.g., by engaging an arm348of the seed side housing to a deflectable mounting tab318fixed to the frame310. The vacuum side housing330preferably includes a vacuum inlet332placing the interior of the vacuum side housing in fluid communication with a vacuum source (e.g., an impeller) which pulls a vacuum against a portion of a seed disc370. The seed side housing preferably receives seed from the hopper320having a lid322. In some embodiments, seed is communicated by air pressure to the hopper320from a bulk tank (e.g., mounted to the planter toolbar14) via a seed inlet350. Turning toFIGS. 7 and 8, seed enters the seed inlet350via an opening352. The opening352is preferably releasably coupled to a seed supply hose (not shown) via a quick-connect structure permitting the user to twist a hose coupling to alternately release or lock the hose in fluid communication with the inlet350. Seed and air entering the inlet352pass into the hopper320via an angled conduit358having a plurality of vent openings357extending partially along the length of the conduit. As the conduit358fills with seed, the vent openings357preferably become blocked by seed such that the airflow to the inlet350is slowed; once the conduit is filled with seed such that the vent openings357are blocked, all or substantially all flow of air and seed to the inlet350is preferably stopped. The conduit358is preferably protected from atmospheric rain, moisture and debris by a hood354. Air escaping from the conduit358into the hood354preferably escapes to atmosphere via one or more vent openings (e.g., slats)355formed in the hood354. Additionally, air escaping from the conduit358into the hood354preferably escapes via one or more vent openings (e.g., slates)15leading through the frame310.

Turning toFIGS. 9 and 10, seed collected in the hopper320preferably enters the seed side housing340of the seed meter300via a seed inlet344. The size of seed inlet344is preferably set by the vertical position of a baffle362. In the illustrated embodiment, the user is enabled to adjust the vertical position of baffle362by vertically adjusting the position of a peg363in a series of notches364formed in the seed side housing340. Seed preferably flows by gravity into the seed side housing340along an angled surface343. The angled surface343preferably guides seed to the bottom of the seed side housing such that a seed pool forms near the bottom of a seed disc370in the seed side housing. The meter drive1415preferably drives the seed disc370for clockwise rotation (on the view ofFIG. 11) via an array of radially arranged gear teeth375formed in a circumferential edge of the seed disc370which cooperate with mating gear teeth (not shown) of the meter drive1415. Vacuum is preferably imposed from the vacuum side housing on a portion of the seed disc370such that seed apertures372in the region extending clockwise (on the view ofFIG. 11) from approximately6o'clock to approximately3o'clock such that seeds are entrained on an aperture372as it passes the seed pool at approximately6o'clock and released at approximately3o'clock.

Referring toFIG. 9, it should be appreciated that imposing vacuum on the seed apertures372tends to pull air from the seed side housing340into the vacuum side housing330. Thus a plurality of vents345are preferably provided in the seed side housing340such that atmospheric air enters the seed side housing340. In the illustrated embodiment, the vents345comprise laterally extending slats radially arranged in an upper portion of the seed side housing340. Turning toFIG. 9, the vents345are preferably in fluid-communication with the interior volume of a hood312having downward-facing vent openings313. The vent openings313are preferably disposed vertically above the vacuum side housing330and preferably to the side of the vacuum side housing. In operation, air enters the vent openings313into the interior volume of the hood312and then enters the seed side housing340via the vents345. The vent openings313preferably extend the longitudinal (i.e., travel-direction) length of the hood312. The vent openings313preferably extend approximately the longitudinal (i.e., travel-direction) length of the seed side housing340. The hood312preferably protects the vent openings313from atmospheric rain, moisture and debris. Referring toFIG. 6, the interior volume of the hood354preferably vents air to the interior volume of the hood312via vents315. Thus a subset of air supplied by the bulk tank to the inlet350escapes the conduit315vents357and enters the interior volume of the hood312via the vents315.

A singulator380is preferably disposed to remove all but one seed from each seed aperture372. The singulator380is preferably supported by an axial spring permitting the singulator to float axially with axial movement of the seed disc370as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,699,009 (“the '009 patent”), the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The singulator380is preferably supported by a radial spring permitting the singulator to float radially with radial movement of the seed disc370as disclosed in the '009 patent. The singulator380is preferably disposed axially flush with the face of the seed disc370. The singulator380preferably includes a plurality of outer lobes382a,382b,382cdisposed to partially pass over the seed apertures such that one or more seeds on a seed aperture372are contacted and moved radially inwardly as the seed aperture passes each lobe. The singulator380preferably includes a plurality of inner lobes384a,384bdisposed to partially pass over the seed apertures such that one or more seeds on a seed aperture372are contacted and moved radially outwardly as the seed aperture passes each lobe. Each lobe382,384preferably has an arcuate beveled surface adjacent to the seed apertures372such that seeds passing the lobe are gradually moved from a first radial position to a second radial position. The arcuate beveled surface of the lobes382,384preferably lifts seeds slightly from the surface of the disc370.

Referring toFIGS. 11-13, the seed meter300preferably additionally includes an outer seed orienting guide383and an inner seed orienting guide386. In operation, the seed orienting guides383,386preferably change the orientation of a seed about an axis tangential to the circular path of the seed on the seed disc (a “tangential axis”). The seed orienting guides383,386are preferably configured to reorient the seed about a tangential axis without lifting the seed from the surface of the seed disc370. In a preferred embodiment, the guides383,386do not overlap the seed apertures372; in other embodiments, the guide383slightly overlaps the seed apertures372. In a preferred embodiment, the seed orienting guide383rotates the seed about a tangential axis in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise along a view opposite the tangential velocity vector of the seed) and the seed orienting guide386rotates the seed about a tangential axis in a second direction (e.g., clockwise along a view opposite the tangential velocity vector of the seed).

In the illustrated embodiment, the guides383,386are mounted to the singulator380. The outer guide383is fixed to (e.g., formed as a part with) the outer lobe382c.The inner guide386is fixed to the inner lobe384bby an arm385; the inner guide386is preferably angularly spaced clockwise (on the view ofFIG. 11) from the outer guide383by an angular offset approximately the same as an angular offset between the inner lobe384band the outer lobe382c.It should be appreciated that because the guides383,386are fixed to the singulator380, the guides are enabled to float with the singulator to retain a consistent radial and axial position relative to the seed path of the seed disc370. In other embodiments, the guides383,386may be mounted separately from the singulator380.

Turning toFIG. 13, the guide383preferably includes a beveled surface1320having a seed disk angle relative to the surface of the seed disk370. The seed disk angle preferably increases continuously in a clockwise direction such that seeds are reoriented by contact with the beveled surface1320as the seeds pass the guide383in the clockwise direction. A beveled surfaced1310is preferably disposed between the lobe382c and the beveled surface1320. The beveled surface1310preferably continuously guides the seed from contact with the lobe382cto contact with the beveled surface1320. The guide383preferably further includes an axial surface1330preferably disposed clockwise of the beveled surface1320. The axial surface1330preferably extends clockwise along the seed path such that seeds passing the axial surface1330in a clockwise direction contact the axial surface1330and remain radially inward of the axial surface1330. In some embodiments the axial surface1330is disposed at or radially outward from a radially outer end of the seed apertures; in other embodiments, the axial surface1330is disposed radially inward of the radially outer end of the seed apertures and radially outward of the center of the seed apertures.

Turning toFIG. 12, the guide386preferably includes a beveled surface1220having a seed disk angle relative to the surface of the seed disk370. The seed disk angle preferably increases continuously in a clockwise direction such that seeds are reoriented by contact with the beveled surface1220as the seeds pass the guide386in the clockwise direction. The guide386preferably further includes an axial surface1230preferably disposed clockwise of the beveled surface1220. The axial surface1230preferably extends clockwise along the seed path such that seeds passing the axial surface1230in a clockwise direction contact the axial surface1230and remain radially inward of the axial surface1230. In some embodiments the axial surface1230is disposed at or radially inward from a radially inner end of the seed apertures; in other embodiments, the axial surface1230is disposed radially outward of the radially inner end of the seed apertures and radially inward of the center of the seed apertures.

In operation, after a seed has been reoriented by the guides383,386, the seed preferably continues to travel clockwise (on the view ofFIG. 11) toward the seed conveyor400. The seed is preferably grasped between two rotating loading wheels432,434at or near the location of vacuum release from the loading seed disc370. After being reoriented by the guides383,386, the seed is preferably oriented for improved introduction into the gap between the loading wheels432,434in comparison to the original orientation of the seed. For example, in the case of flat seeds, the guides383,386preferably orient the seed such that the seed is grasped about its smallest width by the loading wheels; e.g., with the longest width of the seed perpendicular to the seed disc370. The seed is then preferably propelled by the loading wheels432,434toward the belt420of the seed conveyor400. The belt420then conveys the seed downward to the trench.

Transport Seed Flap Embodiments

Turning toFIG. 15, an alternative seed meter300′ is illustrated. The alternative seed meter300′ is preferably generally similar to the seed meter300except as described herein. The seed meter300′ preferably includes a generally vertical brush1530and an upper angled brush1510. A flap1520is preferably pivotally connected a lower end of the upper angled brush1510, preferably about a hinge. In the orientation ofFIG. 15, the meter is disposed at an angle relative to the direction of gravity G such that the flap1520falls into a first position in contact with the vertical brush1530. Thus in the orientation ofFIG. 15, the brush1510, the flap1520and the brush1530preferably cooperate with the seed disc (not shown inFIG. 15) to retain seeds in the seed pool area of the seed side housing340′. Further, in the orientation ofFIG. 15, the flap1520and the brushes1510,1530preferably cooperate to prevent the seeds from entering an exit chute area E of the seed side housing (or, in seed meter embodiments in engagement with a seed conveyor, from contacting or being introduced into the seed conveyor). It should be appreciated that in planter embodiments in which the row unit200is tipped about a horizontal axis for transport, the seed meter300′ may transition to the angled orientation ofFIG. 15when the row unit is in the transport position. When the row unit200is rotated back into the working position, the seed meter300′ is returned to the working orientation as shown inFIG. 3and the flap1520preferably rotates under the influence of gravity to a second position in which the flap is generally parallel to the direction of gravity G. In the second position, the flap preferably allows seeds to fall vertically from an upper portion of the meter (e.g., after being removed from the seed disc by the singulator380′) and pass between the brushes1510,1530and back into the seed pool area P of the seed side housing340′.

The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, and the general principles and features of the system and methods described herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus, system and methods described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.