Design and Experiment of a Wheel Precision Seed-Metering Device with Cells for Corn

In this study, a wheel seed-metering device with cells for corn was built to enhance seed-metering performance and shorten the design cycle. The actual seedmetering process was analyzed and the three main factors influencing seed metering were obtained: rotational speed of the seed-metering device, hole diameter, and hole pitch. With the three factors as the test factors, and the QFI, MISS and MULT index as the test indexes, the multiple quadratic rotation orthogonal combination test was carried out. Using Design-Expert 8.0.6 to analyze the test data, the mathematical model between the test factors and the test index was obtained. The parameter optimization results indicate that optimal performance of the seed-metering device can be achieved under a rotational speed of 30.32 rpm, hole diameter of 13 mm, and hole pitch of 45 mm, qualification rate, miss-seeding rate, and reseeding rate were 94.99%, 1.93%, and 3.08%, respectively. Under the optimal parameter combination, the field test proved that the qualification rate, miss-seeding rate, and reseeding rate were 91.81%, 3.08%, and 5.11%, respectively. The test results were close to the optimization results, which could show the agronomic requirements of the precision sowing of maize.