ES2543033A1 - Electronic device for measuring the distance between seeds in a test bench for precision seed drill (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Electronic device to measure the distance between seeds, to evaluate the precision of the dosers of the monogran seeders in laboratory conditions. It is composed of a system of proximity sensors arranged in a detection plane, where the time between seed and seed, its position and counting are determined. The measuring device is placed under the seed discharge tube. The information collected by the electronic device, together with the speed of advancement of the planter, allow to determine the distances between seeds. The information is stored in a memory, which allows the information to be transmitted to a computer. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

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AR074333A1. SEED SENSOR SYSTEM AND IMPROVED METHOD FOR SEED COUNTING AND SPACING BETWEEN SEEDS. It is a system where a sensor determines the position of the seed in relation to the seed tube as it passes through the sensor. The position of the seed of the planter and the position of the seedbed above the planting groove are used to calculate the trajectory of the seed in the groove from which the spacing between seeds is predicted. This measurement system, through optoelectronic sensors is more complex and more expensive than the one proposed since it needs the alignment of the transmitter and receiver. Furthermore, since the sensor is at the top, it does not contemplate the possibility of variations in the trajectories due to bounces inside the seed discharge tube. The proposed device differs from this system in that it uses another measuring principle, and the location of the measuring system is not found in the seed discharge tube but in the lower part of it, thus being independent of the length and the Seed tube shape.

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AR058146A1. METHOD AND PROVISION FOR OBSERVATION AND STUDY OF SEED DOSERS THROUGH THE MEASUREMENT OF THE DISTANCE BETWEEN DOSED SEEDS AND ITS POSITION IN THE Groove OBTAINED DURING A SEED. This measurement system consists of a laboratory test bench, where the measurement of the distance between seeds is manual while the proposal consists of an electronic device for the determination of the distance between seeds.

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AR052910A1. APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COUNTING AND MEASURING THE FREQUENCY OF SEEDS. This system of this patent measures only the frequency of the seed, and counts them, which does not imply that it measures the distance between seeds. For example, if the discharge tube becomes clogged, this type of device will continue to measure frequency, that is, seed passage through the tube, but it will never measure distance. Instead, the device to be patented measures the distance between seeds in a laboratory bench, once the seed passed through the tube and was deposited in the endless band of the test bench.

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AR228873. MONITOR AND SEED COUNTING DEVICE TO SUPERVISE THE PASSAGE THROUGH A DEFAULT TRIP IN A SEEDING MACHINE. This measurement system uses optical sensors (emitter-receiver) and does not allow to determine distance between seeds, only the count and passage of seeds through the sensor. Instead, the device to be patented measures the distance between seeds in a laboratory bench, once the seed passed through the tube and was deposited in the endless band of the test bench.

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CN101498624. ON-LlNE DETECTION APPARATUS FOR SEED SPACING EVENNESS OF ACCURATE PLANTER.

This device is based on a digital graphics processing technique to measure the distance between seeds, both in a test bench and in the field. It also uses a vidicon digital docked charging device (CCD), a microcontroller (MCU), an LED light and a micro fan. This system is highly expensive (possibly the cause of abandonment), while our device (optoelectronic) is simple, low cost, and of sufficient precision for the purpose of the patent.

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CN101358905. SYSTEM FOR DETECTING SOWING QUALlTY OF RICE SEEDLlNG RAISING DISK AND APPLlCATION THEREOF FOR DETECTING. This device is for rice planting (rice seedling), which does not use precision planting. Our device is for precision-seeded large grains (for example, corn).

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CN201 069905. TEST BENCH OF SEED SOWING DEVICE OF SEEDER. This device is not designed to directly measure the planting distance between seeds, its function is to evaluate the efficiency in the distribution of the seed, not in the precision with which it is sown. The device "simulates" the sowing situation of "drum" or "duckbill" type dispensers. In contrast, the device to be patented measures the distance between seeds in a laboratory bench, it is not a simulator. It is a device that measures the precision of the distance between seeds, once they crossed the discharge tube and were deposited in the endless band of the test bench.

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UA19336. TEST BENCH FOR DETERMINING THE QUALlTY OF SOWING SEEDS. This product is only valid for seeders with single row alveolated disc sowing device, while the proposed one can be used for any precision sowing device (single, double or three row honeycomb disc, finger device, sheave double, etc.)

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US2008 / 0265141. SEED COUNTING AND FREQUENCY MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD. This device measures only seed count and frequency, using the distance between the sensor and the image area where the seed passes as a means for measurement effectiveness, but does not measure the planting distance. Instead, the device to be patented measures the distance between seeds in a laboratory bench, once the seed has passed through the tube.

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UA68031. TEST RIG FOR SAWING MACHINES. This device is for seeders with seeding devices by vacuum or pressure, rare because they are not very accepted by the producer due to the high requirement of labor, product of the care of the hoses that cause the vacuum or pressure, while the The proposed device is for seeders with mechanical sowing devices, which are the majority in the rural world.

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EP0367829. CONTROL AND EVALUATION SYSTEM FOR THE SOWING OF SEEDS. This device measures the interval (time) between two consecutive seeds, which does not imply measuring the distance, as does the proposed device.

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SU1344268A1; SU1477279A2. These two measurement systems, A 1 Ysu variant A2, consist of a test bench where the measurement of the distance between seeds is manual. It has a mechanical system that moves the band to the side, which increases the amount of dosed seeds. According to the figure, it follows that the SU14772 79A2 device (from 1986) is placed in the totally upper part of the lowering device, which was common 30 years ago. The device to be patented consists of an electronic system for determining the distance between seeds. It is placed in the base of the discharge tube, where it is proven that it has the highest precision. As for the SU1344268A 1 device, it is older (1970) than the SU14772 79A2, and measures the angular velocity (w) of the planting device. According to the figure, it follows that there is no sowing tube, which does not allow the distance between seeds to be measured automatically (only manually). Instead, the device to be patented measures the distance between seeds in a laboratory bench, once the seed passed through the tube and was deposited in the endless band of the test bench.

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SU1253448. This measurement system consists of a test bench where the measurement of the distance between seeds is through a camera. The proposal differs from this patent in that it consists of an electronic system for the determination of the distance between seeds.

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US7086269. APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TESTING SEED SINGULATION OF A SEED METER. This device serves to guarantee the individual sowing of seeds, detecting the cases in which two seeds are deposited instead of one. The object of this patent has no relation to the proposed device.

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US5938071. TEST STAND FOR CALlBRATING SEED METERS. This device is for seeders with seeding devices by vacuum or pressure, rare because they are not very accepted by the producer due to the high requirement of labor, product of the care of the hoses that cause the vacuum or pressure, while our device is for seeders with mechanical sowing devices, which are majority in the rural world.

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The article "Opto-electronic Sensor System for Rapid Evaluation of Planter Seed Spancing Uniformity", published in Transactions of ASAE 41 (1): 237-245, describes the measuring system for determining the distance between seeds,

using as variables: the trajectory of the seed, the speed of advance of the seeder and the time between seeds. The optoelectronic sensor measurement system is more complex and more expensive than the proposed system. In addition, it needs the correct alignment of the emitters and receivers of light (photo-diode or photo-transistor or other detectors capable of detecting the emitted radiation), which requires skilled labor both for manufacturing, as for assembly of the sensor.

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The article "Laboratory evaluation of seed metering device using image processing method", published in the Australian Journal of Agricultural Eílgineering 2 (1): 1-4, describes the use of a digital camera and an image processing program written for the MATLAB software. This equipment is more expensive than the optoelectronic sensor, which limits its adoption.

So it follows that, in general, none of the aforementioned antecedents measures the distance between pair of seeds in laboratory conditions, in an economical, simple and precise way.

Description of the invention

The electronic device is designed to be used in laboratory conditions, on a typical test bench for the evaluation of monogram dispensers manually.

The basic principle of operation of the electronic device for measuring the distance between seeds consists in determining, through a measuring system, the distance between consecutive seeds in a horizontal plane. For this, the time elapsed between two consecutive seeds and the trajectories of the seeds is determined through a system of capacitive proximity sensors. From this information and through an integration software, the distance between seeds in the horizontal plane is determined.

The data is acquired through a system of capacitive proximity sensors (or electrical proximity sensors), which detects the passage of the seeds. This type of sensors detect the variation of capacity that is produced by the approximation of an object, in this case, seeds. Its advantage is that it can detect almost all materials, from metal to oil. When a sensor detects a seed, it emits a signal to a microcontroller, it recognizes to which sensor the signal corresponds and stores the position data, simultaneously triggers a counter that records the time until a new seed crosses the detection plane. The microcontroller stores two data vectors in the system memory, one corresponding to the positions, and another corresponding to the times.

The device connects to a computer, through a serial port, RS-232 protocol, and generates a data file. The mentioned file will be processed in an Excel data sheet, to calculate the distance between seeds.

Description of the figures

A series of figures (drawings, ...) that help to better understand the invention and that expressly relate to an embodiment of said invention that is presented as an illustrative and non-limiting example of is.

Figure 1 is the scheme of a typical test bench used for the evaluation of monogram dispensers by measuring the distance between seeds manually.

Figure 2 is a diagram of the cross section of a sensor, and of the detection of a seed by it.

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the detection plane, with three seeds (1, 11 and 1111), in three different times tl <tll <tlll.

Figure 4 is a scheme on the way of assigning the position of the seed in the detection plane.

Figure 5 is a general 3D view of the measuring device.

Detailed description of the invention

The electronic device is designed to be used in laboratory conditions, on a typical test bench for the evaluation of monogram dispensers, replacing the manual measurement (Figure 1).

The product to be patented uses a system of capacitive proximity sensors, or electrical proximity sensors, which allow the detection of both conductive and non-conductive materials, for counting functions, and for all kinds of solid level or liquid charge level controls . Their advantage is that they can detect almost all materials, from metal to oil. Capacitive sensors evaluate the variation of the capacity that is produced by the penetration of an object in the electric field. With the corresponding sizing, the capacitive sensor is also able to "see" through certain non-metallic materials. Thus, this sensor is the classic filling level detector capable of detecting the level of filling of liquids and granules through container walls. In addition, capacitive sensors offer a technological alternative for applications where the use of inductive detectors is not possible. The connection distance with respect to a given material is greater the higher its dielectric constant. Thus, this device is considered as an "ideal" component of the measurement system to be patented.

The sensor system is located in a detection plane, and consists of at least 10 capacitive proximity sensors, and the "integrated QT113" commercial component can be used, to which an electrode is connected. The electrode consists of a copper plate, responsible for producing the electric field for proximity detection. He

5 integrated circuit to which it is connected, detects the variation of capacity, and emits a signal, according to its regulation; that is, it emits the signal when it detects an object, for example seeds, at a given distance from the electrode sensor.

Capacitive proximity sensors detect variations in the dielectric constant.

1 O Therefore, when a seed is interposed in one of the sensors, the dielectric constant is modified and, with it, a signal is generated where the sensor detects the presence of a seed (Figure 2).

To illustrate a hypothetical situation of the operation of the system, the

15 following example: A first seed (Figure 3) exits through the seed discharge tube, and when entering the active detection electric field the sensor corresponding to zone 55 of the detection plane, assigning it position 9. At the same time , the timer starts working (measurement system scam. After a certain time (t ,,), a second seed (/ ~ simultaneously activates the corresponding sensors

20 to zones 57 and 58, assigning position 14, since if a seed activates two consecutive sensors, the intermediate position will be assigned to it. The third seed (l1 ~ falls after a time t ,, / (being tll /> t ,,) and activates the sensor 52 of the detection plane, corresponding to position 3. The device will also count the time elapsed between the detection of Seed ll and Seed 111. This way it goes

25 generating the vector distance between seeds, where it is stored in the memory of the measurement system.

Figure 4 shows the way of assigning the positions for the seeds when they are detected by the seed detection plane. The flow chart represents an example in which, if the seed is detected by the capacitive sensor 51 and is not detected by the capacitive sensor 52 then it means that the seed is in the zone of the sensor 51 therefore it is assigned the position to the seed 1 the location P (seed 1) = 1. In case that the sensors 51 and 52 are activated simultaneously it means that the seed is in the limit of both sensors, whereby the position P is assigned ( seed 1)

35 = 2. In this way the positions of the seeds are detected according to the passage thereof. The system has at least 10 sensors and can detect 19 seed passage positions. Each position assigned from 1 to 19 (Figure 3) is equally spaced, being able to determine the correction by trajectory of the consecutive seeds (Lh).

40 The microcontroller generates 2 data vectors (that is, two types of data): the position P (i) and the time T (i) between two consecutive seeds (Figure 4) and the total number of seeds counted, which are stored in the measurement system memory, in a data file of type .txt For our design, at least 10 sensors were used, as shown

45 Figure 3.

The microcontroller used is a PIC16F84A, where the sensor system is connected (Figure 3). The measurement system determines a vector distance between seeds according to which the sensor (s) is activated, at the same time that the timer is triggered (rip off to determine the time until the next seed detection.

In summary, capacitive sensors detect the variation in capacity that is produced by the approximation of an object, in this case, seeds. Differentiating itself from the sensors that use optical barrier, where the length of the seed (geometry) influences the measurement of time, since they measure its permanence in the infrared barrier of the sensor. When a sensor detects a seed, it emits a signal to a microcontroller, it recognizes it and stores the position data, simultaneously triggers a counter that records the time until a new seed crosses the detection plane. The microcontroller stores two data vectors in the system memory, one corresponding to the positions, and another corresponding to the times.

The way to process the data is as follows: connecting the microcontroller to any computer (through the serial port, RS-232 protocol) creates a data file obtained from the planting monitoring. This file can be loaded into a specific software for processing. It must be able to obtain the distances between seeds using the vectors position P (i) and time T (i) and the speed of advance of the machine (which must be loaded by the operator).

In mathematical terms, the above can be expressed through the following equation:

Way to calculate the distance between seeds (Oc¡). Do = va · 11I + Llx (Equation 1) where:

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Va: seeder speed of the seeder that is associated with the rotational speed of the doser

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L1t time between two consecutive seeds

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L1x¡: correction by difference of the trajectory of two consecutive seeds

Taking into account the previous equation, it is necessary to determine the variables L1t and L1xi to obtain the data of the distance between seeds.

The calculation of the distance between seeds (expressed in m) is given in equation (1) by the first term, feed rate expressed in m * s · 1, multiplied by the time between seeds expressed in s. The second term Llx is a correction in the calculation of the distance between seeds, since the seeds when dosed have different paths. The detection distance can be regulated by modifying the field strength, using the power supply of the electronic device.

Below is the design of the electronic device. The sensors and electronic components are protected with a housing that provides IP 55 protection.

An inclined baffle plate is placed on the detection plane (Figure S, Ref. 2) so that the seeds do not interfere with the measurement, so that the seeds are diverted to a small hopper.

The back has three covers, one for the batteries (2 x AA), one to access the calibration screws, and one to access the serial port for connection to the computer.

When the seeds leave the discharge tube, they are detected by the detection plane, consisting of at least 10 sensors, and diverted to a side where a container for storage is located (Figure S, Ref. 3). Through the RS-232 port (Figure S, Ref. 4) it is connected to a computer to observe in real time and / or obtain the information collected by the measurement system. The power supply for the operation of the measuring system can be battery operated or through the mains. The system has the possibility of calibrating the sensor's electric field and connecting to a computer.

The seeds are dosed into the discharge tube to the ground. Below the discharge tube, the device to measure the distance between seeds is placed. The seeds, when they leave the discharge tube, impact on the baffle plate which, when tilted, bounces and is stored in the hopper of the device (Figure S, reference 3).

The software written in C ++ language allows it to be stored on the computer through the digitized signal through the RS232 port. When the seed falls through the seed discharge tube, it passes through the detection zone composed of at least 10 capacitive proximity sensors. This signal that enters the computer is processed and determines the time between consecutive seeds determined with the timer. After this has passed, the voltage level returns to its original value until the next seed passes through the sensor. That time that elapses between the end of the passage of one seed and the beginning of the step of the next is called the "time between events". In turn, a vector of data is generated with respect to the trajectories of seeds, determining the position of passage of the seeds.

The test bench represents the most likely scenario in which this device will be used, performing tests in a fixed test bench, which will be supported on its basis on some suitable support.

The embodiment is explained below. Proceed with loading the hopper with seeds, select the speed of operation of the distributor, and place the measuring device under the seed discharge tube. Then, you can start with the essay. The duration will depend on the number of measurements you want to have.

After the test, the device is removed by unloading the seeds used by means of the gate that has one of its ends. Before performing a new test, the information obtained must be downloaded to a computer.

It can be observed with a stop seeder, such as a quality / performance control during the manufacturing of the planting unit. In this situation you can lift the seeder wheels or place on rollers (by system

5 special clamping or drums) and place the measuring device under the seed discharge tubes.

For the test, the transmission system of the machine (for example from the control wheel) must be boosted and the corresponding transmission ratios 10 selected for sowing density.

In the case of static seeder but moving the drive wheels with the dispensers, the machine will be advanced with the sowing trains to be tested raised and the measuring devices attached to them by means of the system

1 5 special.

Claims (2)

 1. Electronic device for measuring the distance between seeds in a test bench for a precision seeder, which includes a system of capacitive sensors 5 arranged next to each other, forming a physical piano of sensors with a detection diagram perpendicular to said piano ; a microcontroller, a baffle plate inclined with respect to the detection piano; and a hopper physically disposed at the lower end of the deflector plate, defined by the intersection of the physical sensor piano with the deflector plate. 10 2. Electronic device for measuring the planting distance according to claim 1, characterized in that the microcontroller receives a signal from the physical piano of sensors, upon detecting a seed, with the data of the position of each seed and the time elapsed until detection of the next seed that crosses the detection piano 15. With the data obtained, the algorithm for calculating the distance between seeds is executed by multiplying the speed of advance of the precision seeder by the time elapsed between the detection of two consecutive seeds, and added the difference of the positions assigned to those two seeds consecutive. The average distance between seeds of the precision seeder is obtained by adding 20 all the values obtained from the distance between consecutive seeds, divided by the number of measurements performed.