Simulation and experimental study on the seed filling performance of a split cotton seeder

Abstract

To enhance the seed-filling performance of the split-type cotton seed displacer, a force analysis of the cotton seed filling process and a coupling simulation analysis were conducted. Firstly, these analyses identified three key factors influencing the seed-filling performance: vibration frequency, negative air suction pressure, and seed content in the seed box. Secondly, single-factor simulation tests were carried out on the above three influencing factors, and the influence law of each single factor on the filling performance was obtained. Ultimately, by leveraging three evaluation indices, i.e. the qualification rate, the missed-seeding rate, and the re-seeding rate, a three-factor, five-level quadratic rotational orthogonal combination test was executed. This initiative was launched to formulate the mathematical models corresponding to each influencing factor, to analyse the underlying influence mechanisms of factor interactions on the qualification rate and missed-seeding rate, and to conduct parameter optimisation coupled with experimental verification. At the optimal simulated parameter combination of a vibration frequency of 81.69 Hz, air suction negative pressure of 2.24 kPa, and the seed content of the seed box of 51.19 %, the qualification rate was 92.4 %, the missed seeding rate was 3.4 %, and the reseeding rate was 4.2 %. This was verified by a bench test that gave a qualification rate of 92.3 %, the missed seeding rate was 3.6 %, and the reseeding rate was 4.1 %. The optimisation results were validated by the results of the bench test, which meets the agronomic requirements of cotton sowing.