Design Evaluation and Performance Analysis of a Double-Row Pneumatic Precision Metering Device for Brassica chinensis

Abstract

In view of the low seeding efficiency and precision of seeders used for Brassica chinensis in China, a new double-row pneumatic precision metering device for Brassica chinensis was designed, fabricated, and evaluated. With the characteristics of small size and high sphericity of Brassica chinensis seeds in mind, the structure and key dimensions of the metering plate were determined, and a force analysis of the seed-filling process was carried out. The negative pressure (NP), angular velocity (AV) of the metering plate, and cone angle (CA) of the suction hole were selected as the main influencing factors of the experiment. In order to explore the influence of each single factor and the interaction between factors on the seeding performance, a single factor experiment and a central composite design (CCD) experiment were designed, respectively, and the experimental results were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). After optimizing the main influencing factors such that the target of the qualified index (QI) was greater than 94% and the miss index (MI) was less than 2.5%, it was found that when CA was 60°, NP was 1.55–1.72 kPa, and AV was 1.1–1.9 rad/s, the seeding performance was excellent. The bench verification results of seeding performance (94% ≤ Q ≤ 100%, 0 ≤ M ≤ 2.5%) and the coefficient of variation (CV) of seed mass (CV of seed mass in outer and inner circle: 5.15%; CV of total seed mass: 8.60%) under the condition of parameter optimization were analyzed; as a result, the accuracy of the parameter optimization was confirmed.

Design and Experiment of Seed-Cleaning Mechanism for Inside-Filling Pneumatic Cotton Precision Seed-Metering Device

“…At this time, the angle between the symmetrical centerline of the first and second segment scrapers and the horizontal axis of the seeding plate was φ = 41.64 • , and the operating range of the seed-cleaning scraper is [25 The seed-cleaning scraper and the baffle are fixed in the fore shell; in order to avoid space position interference during the installation process, the front part of each segment of the seed-cleaning scraper should be able to reach into the groove of the type hole, so its width should be less than the width of the type hole. Since the width of the type hole varies from [14,18] mm, and the increase of the front part width of the seed-cleaning scraper is beneficial to improve its strength, the front part width was selected as a = 13 mm.…”

“…The mechanical seed-metering device has rigorous limitations on the overall size of seeds, has a low efficiency of seeding, and can easily to damage seeds [3][4][5][6][7][8]. The main working link of the pneumatic seed-metering device relies on the airflow to complete the process, thus making it more adaptable to seeds and less prone to damaging them, highly efficient at seeding, and suitable for high-speed operation, among which the air-suction seed-metering device is most widely utilized [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

Simulation and Experimental Study of a Split High-Speed Precision Seeding System

“…Using Design-expert 13, the effects of sower speed, negative pressure, and hole diameter on the single seed rate and the missed seed rate can be obtained. As shown in Figure 15, the effect of each test factor on the seed rate is then analyzed [40,41].…”

An Adjustable Pneumatic Planter with Reduced Source Vibration for Better Precision in Field Seeding

“…Worldwide, many famous agricultural machinery manufacturing industries like John Deere, Horsch, Maschio, and Kinze adopt plate-type pneumatic seed metering in their models [ 1 ]. Li et al developed a double-row pneumatic metering system for Brassica chinensis [ 2 ]. The seed-metering plate of a planter may be driven by a ground-wheel drive or a forward-travel-sensing electronic motor system.…”