BR-112015013286-B1 - PROCEDURE FOR OPERATING A SEEDING MACHINE AND A SEED DISTRIBUTION MACHINE

BR112015013286B1BR 112015013286 B1BR112015013286 B1BR 112015013286B1BR-112015013286-B1

Abstract

PRESCRIPTION FOR OPERATING A SEEDING MACHINE AND SEED DISTRIBUTION MACHINE. A seeding machine, such as a row seeder (20), is described, which is adapted to switch between two or more seed varieties as the machine traverses a field. The control system uses a programmed quantity of seed, representing a number of seeds in the seed metering device, which need to be substantially consumed once the flow of a first seed variety is stopped before the introduction of a second seed variety to minimize seed mixing. The quantity of seed may be determined by a calibration process or published from the manufacturer or third parties. The quantity of seed may also be part of a seeding prescription, which includes assigning where each seed variety is to be sown in a field. The quantity of seed and the distance traveled to empty the metering device may be used to optimize the seeding operation, including the machine direction, which may also be part of the prescription.

Inventors

ELIJAH B. GARNER
CHARLES T. GRAHAM

Assignees

DEERE & COMPANY

Dates

Publication Date: 20260310
Application Date: 20131212
Priority Date: 20121214

Claims (19)

1. Process for operating a seeding machine (20), the seeding machine (20) including a seed metering device (28) having a housing (56) configured to hold a seed bank (76) to be individualized and supplied sequentially, a seed supply system (50) to supply at least two different varieties of seed to the seed metering device (28), the seed supply system (50) having a switching mechanism (68) to change from a first variety of seed to a second variety of seed being supplied to the housing (56) of the seed metering device (28), and a controller (86) configured to operate the switching mechanism (68) to control which variety of seed from the first and second varieties of seed is supplied to the seed metering device (28) based on the location of the seeding machine (20) in a field (110, 170), the controller (86) being programmed to operate the switching mechanism (68) based on a stored programmed quantity of seed value representing that quantity of seed in the housing (56) of the seed metering device (28), a process which comprises: assigning where each variety of seed should be sown within a given area of land (130); and characterized in that it further comprises programming a quantity of seed value for each variety of seed to be used by the controller (86) to determine when to stop the supply of seed to the seed metering device (28) when making a switch between varieties, the programmed quantity of seed value being adapted to the specific sowing machine (20) and the specific variety of seed.
2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises planning a path including a direction of travel for the seeding machine (20).
3. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises planning a route to traverse the land area (130) including instructions for the automatic driving of the seeding machine (20) over the land area (130).
4. Process according to claim 3, characterized in that the route plan indicates specific locations in the land area (130) for switching seed variety.
5. Process according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises a location in a mixed seed area in relation to one of the specific locations in the land area (130) for switching seed variety where a mixture of seed varieties is to be sown.
6. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes locations of mixed seed areas in the land area (130) where a mixture of seed varieties is to be sown.
7. Process for operating a seeding machine (20), the seeding machine (20) including a seed metering device (28) having a housing (56) configured to hold a seed bank (76) to be individualized and supplied sequentially, a seed supply system (50) for supplying at least two different varieties of seed to the seed metering device (28), the seed supply system (50) having a switching mechanism (68) for changing from a first variety of seed to a second variety of seed being supplied to the housing (56) of the seed metering device (28), and a controller (86) configured to operate the switching mechanism (68) to control which variety of seed from among the first and second varieties of seed is supplied to the seed metering device (28) based on the location of the seeding machine (20) in a field (110, 170), wherein the process comprises: assigning where each variety of seed should be sown within a given area of land (130); plan a route to cross the land area (130) including at least one direction of travel for the seeding machine (20); characterized in that the route plan to cross the land area (130) includes instructions for the automatic driving of the seeding machine (20) over the land area (130).
8. Process according to claim 7, characterized in that the route plan indicates specific locations in the land area (130) for switching seed variety.
9. Process according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises a location in a mixed seed area in relation to specific locations in the land area (130) for switching seed variety where a mixture of seed varieties is to be sown.
10. Process according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises programming a seed value quantity for each seed variety to be used by the controller (86) to determine when to stop the seed supply to the seed metering device (28) when switching between varieties, the programmed seed value quantity being adapted to the specific seeding machine (20) and the specific seed variety.
11. Seed distribution machine (20), comprising: a seed metering device (28) having a housing (56) configured to hold a seed bank (76) to be individualized and then supplied sequentially; a seed supply system (50) for supplying at least two different varieties of seed to the seed metering device (28), the seed supply system (50) having a switching mechanism (68) for changing from a first variety of seed to a second variety of seed being supplied to the housing (56) of the seed metering device (28); a controller (86) configured to operate the switching mechanism (68) to control which seed variety from the first and second seed varieties is supplied to the seed metering device (28) based on the location of the seed distribution machine (20) in a field (110, 170), the controller (86) having a memory (96, 102) configured to receive and store a process, the process comprising assigning where each seed variety should be sown within a given land area (130), characterized in that it further comprises a programmed quantity of seed value for each seed variety, the programmed quantity of seed value to be used by the controller (86) to determine when to stop supplying seed to the seed metering device (28) when switching between varieties, the programmed quantity of seed value being adapted to the specific seed distribution machine (20) and the specific seed variety.
12. Seed distribution machine (20) according to claim 11, characterized in that the memory (96, 102) of the controller (86) is configured to receive a path plan to traverse a given land area (130), the path plan including at least one direction of movement for the seed distribution machine (20) over the land area (130).
13. Seed distribution machine (20) according to claim 12, characterized in that the controller (86) includes a display (104) and the display (104) is configured to show an operator the direction of travel for the seed distribution machine (20) over the land area (130).
14. Seed distribution machine (20) according to claim 11, characterized in that the memory (96, 102) of the controller (86) is configured to receive a path plan to traverse a given land area (130), the path plan including instructions for the automatic driving of the seed distribution machine (20) over the land area (130), and in that the controller (86) is configured to be coupled to a machine driving controller (128).
15. Seed distribution machine (20) according to claim 11, characterized in that it includes locations in a mixed seed area where a mixture of seed varieties is to be sown.
16. Seed distribution machine (20), comprising: a seed metering device (28) having a housing (56) configured to hold a seed bank (76) to be individualized and then supplied sequentially; a seed supply system (50) for supplying at least two different varieties of seed to the seed metering device (28), the seed supply system (50) having a switching mechanism (68) for changing from a first variety of seed to a second variety of seed being supplied to the housing (56) of the seed metering device (28); A controller (86) configured to operate the switching mechanism (68) to control which variety of seed is supplied to the seed metering device (28) based on the location of the seed distribution machine (20) in a field (110, 170), the controller (86) having a memory (96, 102) configured to receive and store a process, the process comprising assigning where each variety of seed should be sown within a given land area (130) and planning a path to traverse a given land area (130), the path plan including at least one direction of travel for the seed distribution machine (20) over the land area (130); characterized in that the memory (96, 102) of the controller (86) is configured to receive a path plan to traverse a given land area (130), the path plan including instructions for the automatic driving of the seed distribution machine (20) over the land area (130), and in which the controller (86) is configured to be coupled to a machine driving controller (128).
17. Seed distribution machine (20), comprising: a seed metering device (28) having a housing (56) configured to hold a seed bank (76) to be individualized and then supplied sequentially; a seed supply system (50) for supplying at least two different varieties of seed to the seed metering device (28), the seed supply system (50) having a switching mechanism (68) for changing from a first variety of seed to a second variety of seed being supplied to the housing (56) of the seed metering device (28); and a controller (86) configured to operate the switching mechanism (68) to control which variety of seed is supplied to the seed metering device (28) based on the location of the seed distribution machine (20) in a field (110, 170), the controller (86) having a memory (96, 102) configured to receive and store a process, the process comprising assigning where each variety of seed should be sown within a given land area (130) and planning a path to traverse a given land area (130), the path plan including at least one direction of travel for the seed distribution machine (20) over the land area (130); characterized in that it includes a programmed quantity of seed value for each variety of seed to be used by the controller (86) to determine when to stop the supply of seed to the seed metering device (28) when making a switching between varieties, the programmed quantity of seed value being adapted to the specific seed distribution machine (20) and the specific variety of seed.
18. Seed distribution machine (20) according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the controller (86) includes a display (104) and the display (104) is configured to show an operator the direction of travel for the seed distribution machine (20) over the land area (130).
19. Seed distribution machine (20) according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that it further includes locations in a mixed seed area where a mixture of seed varieties is to be sown.

Description

Field [001] This disclosure relates to seeding machines, such as row-crop seeders, adapted for sowing two or more varieties of seed within a field, and in particular to the control of such a machine. Brief Description of the Drawings [002] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a seeder illustrating a row unit and two seed supply tanks of a seed supply system; Figure 2 is a sectional view of a vacuum seed metering device; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a controller; Figure 4 is a top view of a field map; Figure 5 is a top view of the field in Figure 4 illustrating pixels for a seeding prescription; Figure 6 is a flowchart of the control process; Figure 7 is a three-dimensional graph illustrating variation in the programmed amount of seed in the seed metering device based on the seeder's posture; Figure 8 is a plan view of a field illustrating variety prescription optimization; Figure 9 is a plan view of a field illustrating a Common Variety Area of the seeder; Figure 10 is a plan view like Figure 9 illustrating an alternative Common Variety Area for a seeder; Figure 11 is a plan view of a field illustrating Figure 12 is a plan view of a field illustrating another variety prescription optimization including a path plan for the seeder to minimize variety switching; and Figure 13 is a plan view of a field illustrating areas of a field where seed varieties are mixed when a switching or change of seed variety is made with a single gate switching mechanism. Description [003] Most crop production is achieved by sowing an entire field with one seed variety. However, sufficient agronomic data is now available to utilize site-specific seeding prescriptions, which use two or more seed varieties in a given field to increase yields. Several factors are used to determine the best variety for a given location. One area of a field may be lower and typically wetter than other areas. Increased moisture alone may suggest a different seed variety in that location. In addition, moisture may result in high weed or pest pressure in that location, necessitating other varieties with resistance to those pressures. To sow the field most efficiently with parallel forward and reverse passes, and to sow with multiple site-specific varieties, it is necessary to switch back and forth between varieties numerous times, based on the machine's location in the field. [004] With reference to Figure 1, a seeding machine, in the form of a row-crop seeder 20, is shown that is capable of switching between seed varieties without stopping the machine. The seeder 20 is equipped with multiple row-crop units 22, of which only one is shown. The row unit 22 is only one example of many different types of row units that can be used for seeding. The row unit 22, as shown, includes an opener 24 that forms a shallow furrow in the soil as the machine traverses a field. Depth-regulating wheels 26 control the depth of the furrow. A seed metering device 28 meters seed to deliver individual seeds sequentially to a seed tube 30, which directs the seed into the furrow below the metering device. A closing wheel or other device 32 is driven behind and covers the deposited seed with soil. Each row unit 22 is mounted on a machine frame 34. Multiple row units 22 are mounted on frame 34 so that multiple parallel rows are sown in each pass of the machine through a field. [005] Each seed metering device is equipped with a small seed hopper 40, commonly referred to as a mini-hopper. Seed from two or more tanks 42, 44 is supplied to the mini-hopper pneumatically through tubes 46, 48. Alternatively, the mini-hopper could be eliminated and the tubes 46, 48 connected directly to the metering device housing. A tube 46 extends from tank 42 to the mini-hopper 40 and a tube 48 extends from tank 44 to the mini-hopper 40. Each tank 42, 44 carries a different variety of seed so that each variety is supplied to each mini-hopper. The tanks and tubes are part of a pneumatic seed supply system 50, such as that shown in US patents 6,609,468; 6,688,244; and 7,025,010, incorporated herein by reference. The seed supply system 50 also includes a fan 52 to provide the airflow to transport the seed through the tubes 46, 48. In place of the seed supply system 50, the seeder could be fitted with larger hoppers in each row unit to supply the seed to each metering device. [006] The seed metering device 28 is shown in greater detail in Figure 2. The metering device 28 is a vacuum seed metering device, which operates with differential pressure to select individual seeds for delivery to the seed tube 30. Although the metering device 28 is a vacuum metering device, other differential pressure metering devices use positive pressure instead of vacuum. Although a differential pressure metering device provides some advantages, described below, a mechanical metering device, such as a finger-picking metering device, can also be used. The metering device 28 includes a housing 56. A seed disc 58 divides the int