DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to agricultural machinery. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to an electric vibrator assembly for a tuber crop planting machine.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Typically, a tuber crop planting machine, for example, a potato planting machine comprises a bunker containing potato seedlings (also referred to as “seed potatoes”, “potato tubers”, or “cut potatoes”). The bunker is provided with a moving floor which supplies the potato seedlings to a plurality of holding cups fixed to a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt passes over two pulleys, i.e., a driver pulley and a driven pulley. The planting machine further includes a vibration generating mechanism to provide vibrations to the conveyor belt in order to ensure singulation i.e., loading of only one potato seedling into a single holding cup. The cups are spaced at equal distances from one another. The movement of the conveyor belt causes the potato seedlings to be released one by one from the cups into the furrow through a tube.
The conventional vibration generating mechanisms include a motor which is eccentrically provided with a vibration wheel and a separate ground wheel which provides drive to the conveyor pulleys. The vibration wheel is placed in the vicinity of the conveyor belt. The rotation of the motor causes an eccentric gyration of the rotating wheel, which in turn causes intermittent or discontinuous excitation of the conveyor belt or, in the lowest mechanical setting, an intermittent contact of the wheel with the conveyor belt. The intermittent excitation or contact serves to vibrate the belt, thereby removing the excess seedlings from the holding cups.
The problem with the conventional vibration generating mechanisms is that they are less efficient due to the wheel slippage and the need for ground wheel movement. Further, the vibrations produced by the conventional mechanisms may not be sufficient to remove the excess seedlings as the power transmission between the vibration wheel and the belt is not always efficient either due to slippage or different soil condition or land preparation and velocity of the vehicle. This reduces the chances of singulation i.e., plantation of one seedling at a single spot. When an implement of the plantation machine is lifted, for e.g., when the vehicle is turning in headland, the operation of the vibration motors must be stopped as otherwise, it may cause wastage of the potato seedlings. The conventional vibration generating mechanisms provide no such means for stopping the vibrations based on the implement position.
Furthermore, the conventional mechanisms provide no means of controlling the frequency of vibrations based on the travel speed of the vehicle/ tractor. Thus, precise vibration setting, and fine adjustment is not possible with the conventional mechanical settings. Moreover, the slippage may increase or vary based on the soil condition.
In addition to the above, generally, when a tractor is started, the ground wheel of the tractor does not give enough drive to make sufficient belt vibrations until the tractor reaches a normal operating speed suitable for planting. This causes doubling i.e., plantation of two seedlings at a single spot, which is not desired.
Therefore, there is a need for an electric vibrator assembly for a tuber crop planting machine that alleviates the above-mentioned problems.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electric vibrator assembly for a tuber crop planting machine that enhances the efficiency of dropping excess crop seedlings from the holding cups.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an electric vibrator assembly for a tuber crop planting machine that enhances the productivity of the plantation.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an electric vibrator assembly for a tuber crop planting machine that is low cost.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an electric vibrator assembly for a tuber crop planting machine that eliminates the problems of wheel slippage and the requirement of ground wheel movement which were encountered in the conventional vibration producing mechanisms.
A further object of the present disclosure is to provide an electric vibrator assembly for a tuber crop planting machine that increases the chances of singulation in planting i.e., ensures that only one crop seedling is planted in one spot.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an electric vibrator assembly for a tuber crop planting machine that facilitates control of the belt vibration frequency.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an electric vibrator assembly for a tuber crop planting machine that reduces the possibility of doubling i.e., two seedlings being planted at a single spot, at different travel speeds.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an electric vibrator assembly for a tuber crop planting machine. The machine includes at least one conveyor belt fixed with a plurality of holding cups to hold tuber crop seedlings. The electric vibrator assembly comprises at least one electric vibration motor and a control panel. The vibration motor is configured to provide mechanical vibrations to the conveyor belt to facilitate the dropping of excess seedlings from the holding cups. The control panel is configured to facilitate control of the operation of the vibration motor.
In an embodiment, the control panel comprises a battery, a motor driver connected to each electric motor, a control unit, a power switch, a power cut-off means, a vibration control means, and at least one indicator. The control unit is connected to the motor driver and is configured to activate the motor driver, upon receiving power from the battery, to cause the motor driver to drive the vibration motor. The power switch is operable to electrically connect the battery to the control unit to allow supply of power from the battery to the control unit. The power cut-off means is configured to detect an instance of lifting of the seedling planting implement and cut-off the supply of power from the control unit to the vibration motor. The vibration control means is connected to the control unit and is configured to facilitate a user to adjust the speed of rotation of the vibration motor, thereby adjusting the frequency of vibrations of the conveyor belt. The indicator is configured to turn on when the power switch is operated to turn on the control unit.
In an embodiment, the vibration motor is connected to the motor driver through a wiring harness. The vibration motor can be selected from the group consisting of DC electric vibration motor, brushless AC motor, brushless DC motor, and any other type of motor capable of generating sufficient vibrations.
In one embodiment, the power cut-off means is a pull cord switch. In one embodiment, the pull cord switch is connected in series between the control unit and the vibration motor and is mechanically coupled to an activating chain of the tuber crop planting machine. When the implement is lifted, the activating chain experiences a force, which in turn causes the pull cord switch to open and cut-off the supply of power from the control unit to the vibration motor. Alternatively, the pull cord switch is connected to the control unit and is configured to provide an input indicative of the implement position to the control unit, and the control unit is configured to control the operation of the vibration motor based on the input received from the pull cord switch.
In another embodiment, the power cut-off means is a sensor connected to the control unit. The sensor is configured to generate a sensed signal indicative of the implement position. The control unit is configured to receive the sensed signal from the sensor and is further configured to determine whether the implement is lifted based on the received signal and control the operation of the vibration motor accordingly. In one embodiment, the sensor is a position sensor coupled to a position control lever of the tuber crop planting machine and is configured to detect the setting of the position control lever to generate the sensed signal. Alternatively, the sensor is a force sensor mounted on a top linkage of the tuber crop planting machine and is configured to detect the movement of the top linkage to generate the sensed signal.
Advantageously, the control unit is configured to detect faults in at least one of the motor driver, the power cut-off means, the vibration motor, and the vibration control means connected thereto, and is further configured to trigger one of the at least one indicator in a pre-determined manner to cause the indicator to indicate the detected faults.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An electric vibrator assembly for a tuber crop planting machine of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an electric vibrator assembly for a tuber crop planting machine, in accordance with the present disclosure; and
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the electric vibrator assembly of Figure 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3A illustrates a block diagram of the electric vibrator assembly of Figure 1, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3B illustrates a block diagram of the electric vibrator assembly of Figure 1, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figures 4A and 4B illustrate the direction of vibrations in a potato planting machine achieved using the electric vibrator assembly of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 5 illustrates a vibration motor of the electric vibrator assembly of Figure 1 with a wheel-hub, in accordance with the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Electric vibrator assembly
10 – Tuber crop planting machine
12 – Holding cups
14 – Bunker/container
16 – Moving floor
18 – Conveyor belt
20 – Seedling planting equipment
22 – Activating chain
102 – Control unit
104a/b – Motor driver
106a/b – Vibration motor
108 – Wiring harness
110 – Power Switch
112 – Vibration control means (control knob)
114 – Indicator
116 – Pull cord switch
118 – Battery
120 – Control panel
122 – Power cut-off means
124 – Wheel hub
302 – Sensor
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
Typically, a tuber crop planting machine, such as the potato planting machine 10 shown in Figures 4A and 4B, comprises a bunker 14 containing potato seedlings (also referred to as “seed potatoes”, “potato tubers”, “cut potato seeds”). The bunker 14 is provided with a moving floor 16 which supplies the potato seedlings to a plurality of holding cups 12 provided on a conveyor belt 18. The conveyor belt 18 passes over two pulleys, i.e., a driver pulley and a driven pulley. Typically, the planting machine 10 includes a vibration generating mechanism to provide vibrations to the belt 18 in order to ensure singulation i.e., loading of only one potato seedling into a single holding cup. The cups 12 are spaced at equal distances from one another. The movement of the conveyor belt 18 causes the potato seedlings to be released one by one into the furrow through a tube.
The conventional vibration generating mechanisms include a motor which is eccentrically provided with a vibration wheel and a ground wheel which provides drive to the conveyor pulleys. The vibration wheel is placed in the vicinity of the conveyor belt 18. The rotation of the motor causes an eccentric gyration of the rotating vibration wheel, which in turn causes intermittent or discontinuous excitation of the conveyor belt or intermittent contact of the wheel with the conveyor belt 18. The intermittent excitation or contact serves to vibrate the belt 18, thereby removing the excess seedlings from the holding cups 12.
The problem with the conventional vibration generating mechanisms is that they are less efficient due to the wheel slippage and the need for ground wheel movement. Further, the vibrations produced by the conventional mechanisms may not be sufficient to remove the excess seedlings as the power transmission between the vibration wheel and the belt 18 is not always efficient. This reduces the chances of singulation i.e., plantation of one potato seedling at a single spot. Furthermore, the conventional mechanisms provide no means of controlling the vibrations based on the travel speed of the vehicle/ tractor. Therefore, the conventional mechanisms do not provide precise control and fine adjustment of the belt vibrations. Moreover, the slippage may increase or vary based on the soil condition.
In addition to the above, generally, when a tractor is started, the ground wheel of the tractor does not give enough drive to make sufficient belt vibrations until the tractor reaches a normal operating speed suitable for planting. This causes doubling i.e., plantation of two seedlings at a single spot, which is not desired.
In order to address the aforementioned problems, the present disclosure envisages an electric vibrator assembly (hereinafter referred to as “assembly 100”) for a tuber crop planting machine 10. The assembly 100 is now being described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 5.
Referring to Figure 1, the tuber crop planting machine 10 includes at least one conveyor belt 10 fixed with the plurality of holding cups 12 to hold tuber crop seedlings. The assembly 100 comprises at least one electric vibration motor (106a, 106b) and a control panel 120. The vibration motor (106a, 106b) is mounted in proximity to the conveyor belt 18 of the planting machine 10 and is configured to provide mechanical vibrations to the conveyor belt 18 to facilitate the dropping of excess seedlings from the holding cups 12, thereby ensuring loading of a single seedling into a single holding cup. The control panel 120 is configured to facilitate control of the operation of the vibration motor (106a, 106b).
In an embodiment, the control panel 120 comprises a battery 118, a motor driver (104a, 104b), a control unit 102, a power switch 110, a power cut-off means 122, a vibration control means 112, and at least one indicator 114.
The motor driver (104a, 104b) is connected to each electric motor (106a, 106b). The control unit 102 is connected to the motor driver (104a, 104b) and is configured to activate the motor driver (104a, 104b), upon receiving power from the battery (118), cause the motor driver (104a, 104b) to drive the vibration motor (106a, 106b).
In an embodiment, referring to Figure 1, the assembly 100 comprises two motors i.e., left vibration motor 106a and right vibration motor 106b. The control unit 102 is connected to the left and right motor drivers (104a, 104b). The left and right vibration motors (106a, 106b) are connected to the left and right motor drivers (104a, 104b) respectively. The control unit 102 is configured to activate the motor drivers (104a, 104b) upon receiving power from the battery 202. Upon activation, the left and right motor drivers (104a, 104b) are configured to drive the left and right vibration motors (106a, 106b) respectively. The left and right vibration motors (106a, 106b) provide mechanical vibrations to the left and right conveyor belts 18 respectively of the tuber crop planting machine 10. In an embodiment, the vibration motor (106a, 106b) is connected to the motor driver (104a, 104b) through a wiring harness (108).
The power switch 110 is operable to electrically connect the battery 118 to the control unit 102 to allow supply of power from the battery 118 to the control unit 102. In an embodiment, the power switch 110 is an on/off switch which may be operated by a user to turn on or turn off the vibrator assembly 100. When the switch 110 is turned on, a connection is established between the battery 118 and the control unit 102. This results in supply of power from the battery 118 to the control unit 102.
The at least one indicator 114 is connected to the control unit 102 and is configured to turn on when the power switch 110 is operated to turn on the control unit 102. When the control unit 102 receives the power from the battery 202, the control unit 102 switches on the indicator 114 to notify the user that the vibrator assembly 100 is in the ON state.
The vibration control means 112 is connected to the control unit 102 and is configured to facilitate a user to adjust the speed of rotation of the vibration motor (106a, 106b). This in turn allows the user to adjust the frequency of vibration of the conveyor belt 118. The user may adjust the speed of the vibration motor (106a, 106b) based on the type or size of the crop seedling being planted. For example, the frequency of vibrations required for potato seedling may be different from that required for sweet potatoes. The required frequency of vibrations may also differ based on the size of potato seedlings to be planted.
In an embodiment, the vibration control means 112 is implemented in the form of a control knob or a regulator.
In one embodiment, referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3A, the control panel 120 includes a single speed control knob 112 for facilitating simultaneous control of the speeds of both left and right vibration motors (106a, 106b). In another embodiment with reference to Figure 3B, the assembly 100 includes separate control knobs (112a, 112b) for facilitating speed control of the left and right vibration motors (106a, 106b) separately.
When a seedling planting implement 20 of the plantation machine 10 is lifted, for e.g., when the vehicle 10 is turning, the operation of the vibration motor (106a, 106b) must be stopped as otherwise it may damage the assembly 100 and cause wastage of the seedlings.
To stop the operation of the vibration motors (106a, 106b) based on the implement position, the control panel 120 includes the power cut-off means 122 configured to detect an instance of lifting of a seedling planting implement 20 and cut-off the supply of power from the control unit 102 to the vibration motor (106a, 106b).
In an embodiment, referring to Figure 2, the power cut-off means 122 is a pull cord switch 116. In an embodiment, the pull cord switch 116 is connected in series between the control unit 102 and the vibration motor (106a, 106b) and is mechanically coupled to an activating chain 22 of the tuber crop planting machine 10. When the implement 20 is lifted, the activating chain 22 experiences a force, which in turn causes the pull cord switch 116 to open and cut-off the supply of power from the control unit 102 to the vibration motor (106a, 106b).
In an alternate embodiment, the pull cord switch 116 is connected to the control unit 102 and is configured to provide an input indicative of the implement position to the control unit 102. The control unit 102 is configured to control the operation of the vibration motor (106a, 106b) based on the input received from the pull cord switch 116. This enables the control unit 102 to detect and differentiate between the conditions such as pull cord switch failure or open circuit and control the motor operation accordingly.
In another embodiment, referring to Figures 3A and 3B, the power cut-off means 122 is a sensor 302 connected to the control unit 102. The sensor 302 is configured to generate a sensed signal indicative of the implement position. The control unit 102 is configured to receive the sensed signal from the sensor 302 and is further configured to determine whether the implement is lifted based on the received signal and control the operation of the vibration motor (106a, 106b) accordingly.
In an embodiment, the sensor 302 is a position sensor coupled to a position control lever of the tuber crop planting machine 10 and is configured to detect the setting of the position control lever to generate the sensed signal.
In another embodiment, the sensor 302 is a force sensor mounted on a top linkage of the tuber crop planting machine 10 and is configured to detect the movement of the top linkage to generate the sensed signal.
Advantageously, the control unit 102 is configured to detect faults in at least one of the motor driver (104a, 104b), the power cut-off means 122, the vibration motor (106a, 106b), and the vibration control means 112 connected thereto, and is further configured to trigger one of the at least one indicator 114 in a pre-determined manner to cause the indicator to indicate the detected faults. In an embodiment, the control unit 102 is configured to check for undervoltage or overvoltage conditions, every time after the system peripheral initialization. If there is no undervoltage or overvoltage detected, the control unit 102 is configured to check for overcurrent and short circuit conditions. When the control unit 102 detects either overcurrent or short circuit condition, it is configured to immediately shut off the motor operation and enable the indicator 114 to blink at a certain rate based on the detected failure. Apart from the detection of failures, the control unit 102 is also configured to detect overvoltage and undervoltage conditions. In both conditions, the control unit 102 is configured to shut off the motor operation and enable the indicator 114 to blink at a certain rate. Once the planter operation is over, the operator will turn off the ignition key to switch off the vehicle. In some cases, an operator may forget to switch off the control unit 102. Since the motor (106a, 106b) is in operation, it will drain off the battery 118 soon. So, during control unit 102 ON condition, the control unit 102 is configured to continuously monitor the battery voltage and detect the battery undervoltage condition. If battery undervoltage condition is detected by the control unit 102, it will shut off the motor operation. The operation of the assembly 100 will resume once the control unit 102 is turned off and turned ON again.
In one embodiment, the control unit 102 uses the same indicator 114 for indicating the detected faults and failures. Typically, when the assembly 100 is in ON state, indicator 114 is turned on. In case of detection of a fault or failure, the control unit 102 triggers the same indicator 114 to cause it to blink. For example, under motor open circuit condition, the control unit 102 may cause the indicator 114 to repetitively glow for 2 seconds and turn off for 2 seconds. In case of failure of multiple components, the control unit 102 may cause the indicator 114 to turn off for 1 minute.
Alternatively, the assembly 100 includes multiple indicators, wherein each fault or failure is indicated using a separate indicator 114.
In an embodiment, the indicators 114 are Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicators. The vibration motor (106a, 106b) is selected from the group consisting of DC (electric) vibration motor, brushless AC motor, brushless DC motor, or any other type of motor capable of generating sufficient vibrations.
In an embodiment, a wheel hub 124 is affixed to the vibration motors (106a, 106b). As can be seen in Figure 5, the wheel hub 124 is a part which is fitted eccentrically with the vibration motor (106a, 106b) shaft. When the motors (106a, 106b) are rotating, the wheel hub 124 gets in contact with the conveyor belt 18 and thus creates vibration. The profile and a rotational direction which matches the belt movement direction, causes smoother excitation of the belt 18 with minimal wear and tear.
Advantageously, the motor drivers (104a, 104b) may form an integral part of the control unit 102. The indicator(s) 114, the power switch 110 and the vibration control means 112 may be provided on an operator panel.
The direction of vibration achieved using the assembly 100 is illustrated using dashed arrows in Figures 4A and 4B.
In an operative working embodiment, the assembly 100 facilitates a user to activate the vibration motors (106a, 106b) at a required speed setting which may be defined using the vibration control means 112. The control unit 102 of the assembly 100 may detect the operating state, operating condition, faults, or failures in any of the components of the assembly 100 and trigger one or more indicators 114 to indicate the same. To ensure machine or operational safety and avoid wastage of the seedlings, an input from the pull cord switch 116 or the sensor 302 may be provided to the control unit 102 to facilitate automatic activation or deactivation of the motor drivers (104a, 104b) based on the implement position. Using the control unit 102, a recommended speed (rpm), for different operating conditions in the field, may be achieved.
The electric vibrator assembly 100 of the present disclosure increases the efficiency of the seedling planting operation as there is no wheel slippage or requirement of wheel movement. As the vibrations are reliably generated and their frequency can be accurately/precisely controlled using the vibration control means 112 of the assembly 100, the singulation of seedling plantation is ensured, and the chances of doubling are reduced. The assembly 100 thus increases the efficiency of dropping of the excess crop seedlings, which in turn increases the farming productivity and reduces the cost of farming.
Advantageously, the control unit 112 and the motor drivers (104a, 104b) are implemented using one or more processor(s). The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and/or the like. The processor may be configured to retrieve data from and/or write data to the memory. The memory may be, for example, a random-access memory (RAM), a memory buffer, a hard drive, a database, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a read only memory (ROM), cloud storage, and/or so forth.
The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer- readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described above can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an electric vibrator assembly for a tuber crop planting machine that:
• enhances the efficiency of dropping excess crop seedlings from the holding cups;
• enhances the productivity of plantation;
• is low cost;
• eliminates the problems of wheel slippage and requirement of ground wheel movement which were encountered in the conventional vibration producing mechanisms;
• facilitates control of the belt vibration frequency;
• increases the chances of singulation in planting i.e., ensures that only one seedling is planted in one spot; and
• reduces the possibility of doubling i.e., two seedlings being planted at a single spot, at different travel speeds.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. An electric vibrator assembly (100) for a tuber crop planting machine (10), said machine (10) including at least one conveyor belt (10) fixed with a plurality of holding cups (12) to hold tuber crop seedlings, said assembly (100) comprising:
a. at least one electric vibration motor (106a,106b) configured to provide mechanical vibrations to the conveyor belt (18) to facilitate the dropping of excess seedlings from each holding cup (12); and
b. a control panel (120) configured to facilitate control of the operation of said vibration motor (106a, 106b).
2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control panel (120) comprises:
a. a battery (118);
b. a motor driver (104a, 104b) connected to each vibration motor (106a, 106b) through a wiring harness (108);
c. a control unit (102) connected to said motor driver (104a, 104b) and configured to activate said motor driver (104a, 104b), upon receiving power from said battery (118), to cause said motor driver (104a, 104b) to drive said vibration motor (106a, 106b); and
d. a power switch (110) operable to electrically connect said battery (118) to said control unit (102) to allow supply of power from said battery (118) to said control unit (102);
e. a power cut-off means (122) configured to detect an instance of lifting of a seedling planting implement (20) and cut-off the supply of power from said control unit (102) to said vibration motor (106a, 106b);
f. a vibration control means (112) connected to said control unit (102) and configured to facilitate a user to adjust the speed of rotation of said vibration motor (106a, 106b), thereby adjusting the frequency of vibrations of the conveyor belt (18); and
g. at least one indicator (114) configured to turn on when said power switch (110) is operated to turn on said control unit (102).
3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said power cut-off means (122) is a pull cord switch (116).
4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pull cord switch (116) is connected in series between said control unit (102) and said vibration motor (106a, 106b) and is mechanically coupled to an activating chain (22) of the tuber crop planting machine (10), wherein when the implement (20) is lifted, the activating chain (22) experiences a force, which in turn causes said pull cord switch (116) to open and cut-off the supply of power from said control unit (102) to said vibration motor (106a, 106b).
5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pull cord switch (116) is connected to said control unit (102) and is configured to provide an input indicative of the implement position to said control unit (102), wherein said control unit (102) is configured to control the operation of said vibration motor (106a, 106b) based on the input received from said pull cord switch (116).
6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said power cut-off means (122) is a sensor (302) connected to said control unit (102), said sensor (302) configured to generate a sensed signal indicative of the implement position.
7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said control unit (102) is configured to receive said sensed signal from said sensor (302) and is further configured to determine whether the implement is lifted based on said received signal and control the operation of vibration motor (106a, 106b) accordingly.
8. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said sensor (302) is a position sensor coupled to a position control lever of the tuber crop planting machine (10) and configured to detect the setting of the position control lever to generate the sensed signal.
9. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said sensor (302) is a force sensor mounted on a top linkage of the tuber crop planting machine (10) and configured to detect the movement of the top linkage to generate the sensed signal.
10. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said control unit (102) is configured to detect faults in at least one of said motor driver (104a, 104b), said power cut-off means (122), said vibration motor (106a, 106b), and said vibration control means (112) connected thereto, and is further configured to trigger one of the at least one indicator (114) in a pre-determined manner to cause said indicator to indicate the detected faults.
11. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vibration motor (106a, 106b) is selected from the group consisting of DC electric vibration motor, brushless AC motor, brushless DC motor, and any other type of motor capable of generating sufficient vibrations.
Dated this 11th day of February, 2022

MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA-25
of R.K. DEWAN & COMPANY,
APPLICANT’S PATENT ATTORNEY