Design and Parameter Optimization of a Finger Clip Plate Garlic Seed-Metering Device Based on EDEM

Abstract

In present-day mechanized garlic seeding, high missing rates and low qualified percentages of single seeds are common problems; thus, a finger clip plate garlic seed-metering device was designed in this study. First, the structure and working principle of the seed-metering device were studied. Subsequently, the critical component parameters of the seed-metering device were determined using theoretical calculations; then, EDEM software was used in single-factor simulation experiments to analyze the effects of opening the diameter of the seed-collecting spoon, the operating speed of the seeding tray, and the population number on the seed-filling performance. Finally, a Box–Behnken center combination experiment was conducted with the population, opening the diameter of the seed-collecting spoon, and rotating the speed of the seeding tray as experiment factors, with the single-seed filling rate, qualified percent, and missing rate as evaluation indicators. A three-factor and three-level orthogonal test was conducted to establish the mathematic regression model of the experiment factors and evaluation indicators, as well as to realize the parameter optimization. After rounding, the laboratory validation test was carried out with 240~280 seeds, a 26 mm seed scoop-opening diameter, and a 28 r/min operating speed. The average qualified rate, missing rate, and reply rate of single seeds were 91.86%, 2.71%, and 5.43%, respectively, which is basically consistent with the forecast results of regression model.