SPRAY SYSTEM WITH NOZZLE HOLDER WITH VIBRATION SENSOR

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of agricultural spraying systems. More specifically, the invention relates to a spray boom, comprising at least one spray nozzle and a vibration sensor measuring the vibration of a fluid passing through said nozzle. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] An agricultural spray boom typically includes nozzle holders evenly spaced along its length, for spraying plant protection products, such as liquids or fertilizers, onto rows of crops. Specifically, this type of spray boom is designed for applying liquids directly to the field.

[0003] As is well known, a spray boom consists of a plurality of nozzles spaced at a fixed distance, allowing for double or even triple coverage of the sprayed area by the liquid. A typical spray boom allows for spraying the entire field, rather than spraying in a line.

[0004] The sprayed plant protection product has a certain viscosity and forms a mass of suspended sediment during spraying. Therefore, the spray nozzles can become totally or partially clogged during the spraying process, preventing spraying, or at least its homogeneity, by preventing spraying of certain areas of the plant rows or resulting in restricted spraying.

[0005] Furthermore, the risk of at least partial blockage of the spray nozzles creates significant stress for the user, who must constantly check the proper functioning of the nozzles throughout the spraying process to ensure proper spraying. This includes frequently turning around to observe the spray pattern and quickly detect any blocked nozzles. US 2006 / 265106 A1 illustrates such a system known in the prior art.

[0006] The invention aims to resolve the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art, in particular by proposing a spray boom comprising at least one nozzle holder enabling the measurement of the condition of the nozzles, i.e. whether they are spraying correctly or whether they are obstructed, at least partially, and warning the user when this is the case. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] More specifically, the invention relates to a spraying system for an agricultural sprayer, comprising a spray boom having a main duct and at least one nozzle holder connected to the main duct. The nozzle holder includes a body housing a product inlet line configured to be supplied with the product to be sprayed via said main duct. The nozzle holder includes at least one first spray nozzle for said product, having at least one product outlet orifice and configured to be supplied with product via the product inlet line and to convey said product to said outlet orifice. The nozzle holder includes at least one vibration sensor housed in said body or connected to said first nozzle.The spraying system also includes a vibration amplification device located upstream of the spray nozzle outlet, said amplification device being configured to amplify the vibrations of the body or the nozzle. The spray boom is configured to spray product through the first spray nozzle, the vibration sensor being configured to measure the body vibrations. The spraying system further includes a processing unit configured to compare the measured vibrations of the body or the first nozzle to a reference signal to determine the nozzle's blockage status.

[0008] The product to be sprayed is conveyed from the main line to the nozzle outlet via the nozzle holder's inlet line. When the spray nozzle is partially blocked, disturbances are generated in the product flow, causing vibrations in the nozzle holder body. The vibration sensor then measures these vibrations and compares them to a reference signal. When the generated vibrations exceed the reference signal, the nozzle is partially blocked. When the vibrations approach zero, the nozzle is completely blocked. The spraying system thus informs the user of nozzle blockage status without requiring them to constantly check each nozzle to ensure it is correctly spraying the plant protection product.

[0009] Advantageously, the vibration sensor is a piezoelectric sensor.

[0010] Advantageously, the vibration sensor is housed in the body of the nozzle holder, near the outlet orifice of said nozzle.

[0011] This location as close as possible to the nozzle outlet allows for the most accurate possible measurement of body vibrations and in particular of the noise generated by the exit of the product to be sprayed through the nozzle outlet.

[0012] Advantageously, the vibration sensor is further configured to transform the vibration measurement into an electrical signal.

[0013] Even more advantageously, the vibration sensor is further configured to transform the electrical signal into a differential signal.

[0014] Advantageously still, said vibration sensor is configured to send the signal, possibly differential, to the computing unit which is configured to compare said signal to a predetermined threshold signal.

[0015] Advantageously, the nozzle holder has a plurality of spray nozzles, the vibration sensor being configured to measure the vibrations of the body of each of the nozzles and to determine the state of obstruction of each of the nozzles.

[0016] Advantageously, the nozzle holder has a plurality of spray nozzles, with a vibration sensor connected to each nozzle and configured to measure the vibrations of each nozzle and determine their state of obstruction.

[0017] Such amplification devices increase the body's vibrations when the spray nozzle becomes clogged. This makes the measurement by the vibration sensor more accurate.

[0018] According to a first variant, the amplification device includes propellers comprising blades configured to rotate in the product to be sprayed, so as to disrupt the flow of product to be sprayed passing through the nozzle.

[0019] Thus, the liquid flow through the nozzle vibrates more than if it had not been disturbed, generating more vibration and therefore more noise. The sensor therefore measures greater vibrations.

[0020] According to a second variant, the amplification device includes protrusions protruding from the body walls, in the direction of the product to be sprayed which passes through it and configured to disrupt said product.

[0021] The protrusions are configured to deflect the flowing spray product in several directions, thus disturbing it in order to increase vibrations in the body and thereby increase the noise generated.

[0022] Advantageously, the spraying system also includes a second sensor configured to measure the ambient noise of the spraying system, so that the measurement made by the vibration sensor can be compared to the measurement made by said second sensor.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a method for detecting the obstruction of at least one nozzle of a spraying system as previously described, comprising at least the following steps: a step consisting of passing the product to be sprayed through an orifice of said nozzle; a step consisting of measuring the vibrations of the nozzle body by means of a vibration sensor; a step consisting of converting the vibration measurement into an electrical signal; an optional step consisting of converting said amplified electrical signal into a differential signal, by means of a card integrated into said vibration sensor; a step consisting of transporting said electrical signal, possibly converted into a differential signal, to a calculation unit of the spraying system; a step consisting of comparing said electrical signal, possibly converted into a differential signal, transported to a reference signal.

[0024] The method according to the invention may further include a step for measuring the surrounding noise, prior to or after the step of passing the product to be sprayed through an orifice of the nozzle, the measurement of the surrounding noise being filtered from the measurement of the vibrations of the nozzle body.

[0025] Advantageously, a step consisting of amplifying the electrical signal is interposed between said step consisting of transforming the measurement of vibrations into an electrical signal and said step consisting of transforming said amplified electrical signal into a differential signal, by means of a card integrated into said vibration sensor.

[0026] According to a first embodiment, the reference signal is a predetermined threshold value pre-recorded in said computing unit.

[0027] When the measured noise exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the nozzle is partially obstructed. When the measured noise approaches zero, the nozzle is completely obstructed.

[0028] According to a second embodiment, the reference signal corresponds to a calibrated threshold signal at the start of said at least one spray nozzle.

[0029] In this embodiment, the noise measured by the sensor is compared to a calibrated threshold signal. When the measured noise is greater than the calibrated threshold signal, the nozzle is partially obstructed. When the measured noise approaches zero, the nozzle is completely obstructed.

[0030] According to a third embodiment, in which the spray boom comprises a plurality of spray nozzles and in which the reference signal corresponds to an average of the electrical signals, possibly transformed into differential signals, carried from the other spray nozzles.

[0031] In this embodiment, the noise measured by the sensor is compared to an average of the noise generated by the other nozzles on the spray boom. When the measured noise is higher than the average of the other nozzles, the nozzle is partially obstructed. When the measured noise approaches zero, the nozzle is completely obstructed. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0032] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and on which: There figure 1 is a schematic perspective representation of a nozzle holder according to the invention, comprising a main conduit to which is connected the body of the nozzle holder including four spray nozzles and at least one vibration sensor; The figure 2 is a schematic representation from the left of the nozzle holder of the figure 1 to which a cover has been removed from the nozzle holder body, revealing the electronic circuit board of the vibration sensor; and The figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the process of detecting the obstruction of at least one nozzle of the nozzle holder of the spray boom of the figure 1 .

[0033] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to enable implementation of the invention; although not limiting, said figures serve in particular to better define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The invention relates to a pesticide spraying system for agricultural sprayers. In particular, the product to be sprayed is in liquid form or as a liquid fertilizer with a certain viscosity. A suspended deposit may form during spraying.

[0035] The spraying system, as shown on the figures 1 and 2 includes a spray bar.

[0036] The spray boom is configured to spray plant protection product onto rows of vegetation.

[0037] The spray boom includes a main conduit 4 and at least one nozzle holder 5 connected to the main conduit 4.

[0038] The nozzle holder 5 has a body 50 housing a delivery line for the plant protection product to be sprayed. The delivery line is configured to be supplied with product via the main line 4.

[0039] The nozzle holder 5 further comprises at least one first nozzle 1, advantageously a plurality of nozzles 1, comprising a product outlet orifice and configured to be supplied with product through the product inlet line and to convey it to the outlet orifice.

[0040] With reference to the figure 1 , the nozzle holder 5 here has four spray nozzles 1.

[0041] The nozzle holder 5 includes at least one vibration sensor 2. The vibration sensor 2 is housed in the body 50 of the nozzle holder 5.

[0042] The nozzle holder 5 comprising a plurality of nozzles 1 may include a sensor at each orifice of each of the nozzles.

[0043] The vibration sensor 2 includes at least one electronic board 3. The electronic board 3 is housed in the body 50 of the nozzle holder 5.

[0044] According to an unrepresented variant, the electronic board can be offset from the body 50 of the nozzle holder 5.

[0045] In particular, the body 50 of the nozzle holder 5 has a chamber 51, the lateral walls of which define an opening. The sensor 2, which is connected to the body 50, is inserted through this opening. The chamber 51 is closed by a cover 52, visible on the figure 1 On the figure 2 , cover 52 was removed, so as to make sensor 2 visible.

[0046] Sensor 2 is configured to measure body vibrations 50.

[0047] In particular, the sensor 2, housed in the body 50 and more precisely in the chamber 51, is located near the outlet orifice of the nozzles 1 of the nozzle holder 5.

[0048] According to one variant, the sensor 2 is housed at the junction between the spray boom and the nozzle holder 5 so as to have only one sensor 2 for a plurality of nozzles 1.

[0049] This location as close as possible to the nozzle outlet allows for the most accurate measurement possible of the vibrations of body 50 and in particular of the noise generated by the exit of the product to be sprayed through the outlet of nozzle 1.

[0050] The greater the measured body vibrations 50, the greater the noise generated by the exit of the product to be sprayed through the outlet orifice of the nozzle 1.

[0051] When nozzle 1 is partially obstructed, the vibrations of body 50 are significant and the noise generated is also significant.

[0052] When nozzle 1 is completely blocked, the vibrations of body 50 cease, and no more noise is generated.

[0053] The vibration sensor 2 can also be configured to transform the vibration measurement into an electrical signal, where appropriate to amplify said electrical signal, and optionally to transform it into a differential signal.

[0054] Advantageously, sensor 2 is a piezoelectric sensor.

[0055] The spraying system also includes a calculation unit configured to compare the vibration measurement of body 50 to a reference signal to determine the obstruction state of the spray nozzle 1.

[0056] The sensor 2 configured to measure the vibrations of the body 50 allows, by means of the calculation unit, to determine the state of obstruction of each of the nozzles 1 when the nozzle holder 5 has a plurality of nozzles such as the example shown in the figures.

[0057] The vibration sensor 2 is configured to measure the body vibrations 50 of each of the nozzles 1 and to determine the obstruction state of each of the nozzles 1.

[0058] In particular, the vibration sensor 2 is configured to send the electrical signal, possibly transformed into a differential signal, to the computing unit, itself configured to compare said differential signal transported to a predetermined threshold signal.

[0059] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the spraying system further comprises a second sensor configured to measure the ambient noise of the spraying system. The measurement taken by the vibration sensor 2 can then be compared to the measurement taken by the second sensor, so as to allow for a precise measurement of the vibration of the nozzle holder body 50. In particular, the measurement from the second sensor makes it possible to detect only ambient noise, and thus to filter it from the measurement of the first sensor 2, so as to obtain only the measurement of the vibrations of the body 50. To this end, the measurement of the ambient noise is, for example, deduced from the measurement of the vibrations of the body 50 of each of the nozzles 1.According to one embodiment, in this case, the measurement carried out by the second sensor can be carried out even before the start of the spraying system, that is to say before the product to be sprayed passes through the orifice of nozzle 1 or nozzles 1.

[0060] The second sensor is placed on the spraying system, specifically on the spray boom, in particular in a location far from the first sensor, so as to capture the surrounding noises of the spray boom, such as the noise of the agricultural machinery engine for example, but without capturing the noises generated by the spraying of the plant protection product by the spray nozzles.

[0061] Advantageously, the second sensor is a piezoelectric sensor.

[0062] For example, the second sensor is configured to measure the signal corresponding to the noise generated by a PWM coil controlling the opening and closing of nozzles 1 and / or to measure the signal corresponding to the noise generated by a motorization device of a multi-nozzle holder carrying a set of nozzles 1.

[0063] According to the invention, the spraying system includes a noise amplification device. The vibration amplification device is configured to amplify the vibrations of the body 50 and, in particular, the noise generated by the exit of the product to be sprayed through the nozzle outlet 1.

[0064] The amplification device is arranged in the body 50 of the nozzle holder 5. In particular, the amplification device is located upstream of the outlet orifice of the nozzle 1.

[0065] According to one variant, it can be positioned at the junction between the spray boom and the nozzle holder 5 so as to have only one amplifier device for a plurality of nozzles 1.

[0066] The amplification device may, for example, include propellers whose blades are configured to rotate within the product to be sprayed, thereby disrupting the flow of liquid through nozzle 1. As a result, the liquid passing through nozzle 1 vibrates more than if it had not been disrupted, and therefore generates more noise. Sensor 2 thus measures these increased vibrations.

[0067] The amplification device may also include propellers, at least a portion of whose blades are helical. The blades are configured to rotate within the product to be sprayed, thereby disturbing the flow of liquid through nozzle 1. As a result, the liquid passing through nozzle 1 vibrates more than if it had not been disturbed, and therefore generates more noise. Sensor 2 thus measures these increased vibrations.

[0068] The amplification device may also include protrusions projecting from the walls of the body 50, in the direction of the product to be sprayed as it passes through it. The protrusions are configured to deflect the flowing product in several directions, thereby disturbing it and increasing the vibrations within the body 50, and thus increasing the noise generated.

[0069] The amplification device may also include a vibrating reed corresponding to a blade configured to vibrate, a static mixer, a flexible membrane or any other means of obtaining the same effect.

[0070] In particular, such amplifier devices make it possible to increase the vibrations of the body 50 when the spray nozzle 1 becomes clogged.

[0071] The invention also relates to a method for detecting the obstruction of at least one nozzle 1 of the spraying system as previously described.

[0072] With reference to the figure 3 The detection process includes a step 100 consisting of passing the product to be sprayed through the outlet orifice of the nozzle 1.

[0073] In particular, the product to be sprayed is conveyed into the main conduit 4 ( figure 1), then in the nozzle holder 5, through the body 50 of the nozzle holder 5, towards the spray nozzle or nozzles 1, then through the spray nozzle or nozzles 1 towards their outlet orifice, to then be sprayed out of the outlet orifice.

[0074] The process then includes a step 200 consisting of measuring the vibrations of the body 50 of the nozzle 1 or nozzles 1, using the vibration sensor 2.

[0075] Then, the process includes a step 300 consisting of transforming the measurement of body vibrations 50 from step 200 into an electrical signal.

[0076] The process then includes an optional step 400 consisting of amplifying the electrical signal generated in step 300. This step is implemented in a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention.

[0077] In the particular embodiment in which the spraying system includes a second sensor for measuring ambient noise, the detection process may include a step 101, during which the second sensor measures the ambient noise. Specifically, step 101 may be implemented prior to step 100, i.e., even before the spraying system starts, in other words, before any product to be sprayed passes through the orifice of nozzle 1 or nozzles 1. Alternatively, the measurement by the vibration sensor 2 and the measurement of ambient noise by the second sensor may, for example, be carried out simultaneously. The ambient noise measurement is used to filter the ambient noise from the measurement performed by the vibration sensor 2. In this case, the second sensor is preferably located at a point on the spraying system, in particular on the spray boom, away from the vibration sensor 2.

[0078] An optional step 500 consists of converting the amplified electrical signal into a differential signal using the electronic board 3 integrated into the vibration sensor 2. Converting the electrical signal into a differential signal improves the efficiency of the process. This step is, however, optional.

[0079] Step 600 involves transporting the electrical signal, possibly transformed into a differential signal, to the calculation unit of the spraying system.

[0080] Step 700 consists of comparing said electrical signal, possibly transformed into a differential signal, transported to a reference signal.

[0081] According to a first embodiment, the reference signal is a predetermined threshold value pre-recorded in said computing unit.

[0082] In this embodiment, the noise measured by sensor 2 is compared to a predetermined threshold value. When the measured noise exceeds the predetermined threshold value, nozzle 1 is partially obstructed. When the measured noise approaches zero, nozzle 1 is completely obstructed.

[0083] According to a second embodiment, the reference signal corresponds to a calibrated threshold signal at the start of the spray nozzle 1.

[0084] In this embodiment, the noise measured by sensor 2 is compared to a calibrated threshold signal. When the measured noise is greater than the calibrated threshold signal, nozzle 1 is partially obstructed. When the measured noise approaches zero, nozzle 1 is completely obstructed.

[0085] According to a third embodiment, the reference signal corresponds to an average of the electrical signals, possibly transformed into differential signals, carried from the other spray nozzles 1.

[0086] In this embodiment, the noise measured by sensor 2 is compared to an average of the noise generated by the other nozzles 1 of the spray boom. When the measured noise is higher than the average of the other nozzles, then nozzle 1 is partially obstructed. When the measured noise approaches zero, nozzle 1 is completely obstructed.

[0087] More generally, the reference signal, whether pre-recorded in the system or not, can depend on spraying parameters, including the speed of the spraying system, the flow rate of the sprayed product, or the pressure of the product circulating in the spray boom of the spraying system. Therefore, the processing unit can be configured to automatically adjust the reference signal to adapt it to the spraying parameters or to one or more of them. For example, if the speed, the flow rate of the sprayed product, or the pressure of the product circulating in the spray boom of the spraying system changes, then the reference signal changes accordingly.

[0088] According to the invention, detecting an obstruction in a nozzle 1 generates a signal for the user to warn them of the potential clogging of one or more spray nozzles. Indeed, the suspicion of a clog in at least one nozzle 1 can take the form of an audible or visual signal, for example.

[0089] It should also be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Indeed, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiment described above, in light of the information just disclosed to them.

Claims

1. Spraying system for an agricultural sprayer, comprising a spray boom having a main duct (4) and at least one nozzle holder (5) connected to the main duct (4), the nozzle holder (5) comprising: - a body (50) housing a spray product inlet duct configured to be supplied with spray product via said main duct (4); - at least one first nozzle (1) for spraying said product, comprising at least one outlet orifice for said product and configured to be supplied with product via the product inlet duct and to convey said product towards said outlet orifice; - at least one vibration sensor (2) housed in said body (50) or connected to said nozzle (1); said spray boom being configured to spray product through said first spray nozzle (1); said vibration sensor (2) being configured to measure the vibrations of the body (50); and said spraying system further comprising a computing unit configured to compare the measurement of the vibrations of the body (50) or nozzle (1) with a reference signal to determine the clog state of said nozzle (1); characterized in that the spraying system further comprises a vibration amplification device located upstream of the spray nozzle (1) outlet orifice, said amplification device being configured to amplify the vibrations of the body (50) or nozzle (1).

2. Spraying system according to claim 1, wherein the vibration sensor (2) is a piezoelectric sensor.

3. Spraying system according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the vibration sensor (2) is housed in the body (50) of the nozzle holder (5), in the vicinity of the outlet orifice of said nozzle (1).

4. Spraying system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vibration sensor (2) is further configured to transform the vibration measurement into an electrical signal.

5. Spraying system according to claim 4, wherein the vibration sensor (2) is further configured to transform the electrical signal into a differential signal.

6. Spraying system according to claim 5, wherein said vibration sensor (2) is configured to send the differential signal to the computing unit which is configured to compare said differential signal with a predetermined threshold signal.

7. Spraying system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the nozzle holder (5) comprises a plurality of spray nozzles (1), the vibration sensor (2) being configured to measure the vibrations of the body (50) of each of the nozzles (1) and to determine the clog state of each of the nozzles (1).

8. Spraying system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the nozzle holder (5) comprises a plurality of spray nozzles (1), a vibration sensor (2) being connected to each of the nozzles (1) and being configured to measure the vibrations of each of the nozzles and determine their clog state.

9. Spraying system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the amplification device comprises propellers comprising blades configured to rotate in the spray product, so as to disrupt the flow of spray product passing through the nozzle (1).

10. Spraying system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the amplification device comprises protuberances projecting from the walls of the body (50), in the direction of the spray product passing through it and configured to disrupt said product.

11. Spraying system according to one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a second sensor configured to measure the ambient noise of the spraying system, so that the measurement made by the vibration sensor (2) can be compared with the measurement made by said second sensor.

12. Method for detecting the clogging of at least one nozzle (1) of a spraying system according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising at least the following steps: - a step (100) consisting in passing the spray product through an orifice of said nozzle (1); - a step (200) consisting in measuring the vibrations of the nozzle (1) body (50) by means of a vibration sensor (2); - a step (300) consisting in converting the vibration measurement into an electrical signal; - an optional step (500) consisting in converting said amplified electrical signal into a differential signal, by means of a circuit board (3) integrated into said vibration sensor (2); - a step (600) consisting in transporting said electrical signal, where applicable converted into a differential signal, to a computing unit of the spraying system; - a step (700) consisting in comparing said transported electrical signal, where applicable converted into a differential signal, with a reference signal.

13. Detection method according to claim 12, comprising a step (101) of measuring the ambient noise, in particular prior to the step (100) consisting in passing the spray product through an orifice of said nozzle (1), the measurement of the ambient noise being filtered from the measurement of the vibrations of the body (50) of the nozzle (1).

14. Detection method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a step (400) consisting in amplifying the electrical signal is interposed between said step (300) consisting in converting the vibration measurement into an electrical signal and said step (500) consisting in converting said amplified electrical signal into a differential signal, by means of a circuit board (3) integrated into said vibration sensor (2).

15. Detection method according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the reference signal is a predetermined threshold value pre-stored in said computing unit.

16. Detection method according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the reference signal corresponds to a threshold signal calibrated at the start-up of said at least one spray nozzle (1).

17. Detection method according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the spray boom comprises a plurality of spray nozzles (1) and wherein the reference signal corresponds to an average of the electrical signals, where applicable converted into differential signals, conveyed from the other spray nozzles (1).