Seed sensor system and method for improved seed count and seed spacing
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsNikolai R. Tevs, James Z. Liu, Noel W. Anderson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A seed sensor system determines the position of the seed relative to the seed tube as the seed passes the sensor. The position of the seed as well as the speed of the planter and the position of the seed tube above the planting furrow are used to calculate trajectory of the seed into the furrow from which the seed spacing is predicated. By sensing the seed in both X and Y directions in the seed tube, the sensor is better able to determine multiple seeds as well providing more precision to the seed population.
Claims12
A seed sensor assembly for detecting the passage of a seed through a seed tube, the seed tube having front and rear walls spaced apart in a travel direction and spaced side walls extending between the front and rear walls, the sensor assembly comprising:
- a first radiation emitter on one side wall of the seed tube;
- a first array of radiation detecting elements along the opposite side wall from the radiation emitter and extending from the front wall to the rear wall of the seed tube to determine a position of a seed passing the first array relative to the seed tube in the travel direction;
- a second radiation emitter on one side wall of the seed tube spaced from the first radiation emitter in a direction of seed travel through the tube;
- and
- a second array of radiation detecting elements along the opposite side wall from the second radiation emitter and extending from the front wall to the rear wall of the seed tube and spaced from the first array of radiation detecting elements in the direction of seed travel through the tube to determine a position of a seed passing the second array relative to the seed tube in the travel direction.
A planter and seed monitor assembly comprising:
- a frame adapted for movement over a field along an X-direction with a Y-direction extending transverse to the X-direction and a Z-direction extending upwardly normal to the X and Y directions;
- and
- multiple row units mounted on the frame, each row unit having:
- a metering device for dispensing seed at a predetermined rate;
- a seed a tube having a front wall and a rear wall which are spaced apart along the X-direction and which are joined together by two sidewalls spaced apart along the Y-direction, the tube having an open top for receiving seed and an open bottom for depositing seed;
- a first sensor assembly for seed passing through the seed tube having a first radiation emitter and a first array of radiation detecting elements along the other side wall from the radiation emitter and extending from the front wall to the rear wall of the seed tube;
- and
- a second sensor assembly for seed passing through the seed tube spaced in the Z-direction from the first sensor assembly, the second sensor assembly having a second radiation emitter and a second array of radiation detecting elements along the other side wall from the radiation emitter and extending from the front wall to the rear wall of the seed tube.
A method of predicting seed spacing in a furrow when planted by a seeding machine having a row unit with a seed meter, a furrow opener and a seed tube through which seed passes to the furrow upon release from the seed meter at a known seed release point, the method comprising,
- sensing the passing of a seed in the tube with a first seed sensor;
- determining the position of the seed relative to the tube in at least a direction of travel of the seeding machine as the seed passes the first seed sensor;
- sensing a travel speed of the seeding machine;
- and
- using the known seed release point, the position of the seed in the seed tube in the direction of travel of the seeding machine at the seed sensor and the machine travel speed, calculate a predicted seed location in the furrow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.