Weed damage device

Abstract

Device for damaging weeds (18) with a movable plunger (12) which has a plunger end (16) for applying pressure to a weed (18) in order to mechanically damage the weed (18), characterized by an active ingredient delivery unit (14) which is designed to deliver an active ingredient (22) to the plunger end (16) of the plunger (12) in order to additionally chemically damage the mechanically pre-damaged weed (18).

Description

State of the art The invention relates to a device, a system and a method for damaging weeds. To reduce herbicide use in cultivation, weeds can be removed purely mechanically, for example, by mechanically pushing them back into the soil. In most cases, this is sufficient to kill the plant. However, particularly robust weeds can survive this and grow back to the surface. In many cases, the time required for this is sufficient to give the crop a head start. In slow-growing crops, however, this may not be enough, and the reappearing weeds must be repeatedly controlled in subsequent weeding sessions. This increases the number of times the weeds are pushed back into the soil, which slows down the weeding process. From DE 10 2013 222 776 A1, a device is known in which pressure is applied to the weeds by means of a movable stamp. The weeds are thereby pressed into the soil by the stamp and mechanically damaged, while cultivated plants growing at a short distance remain undamaged. A device for removing plant roots is already known from CA 2410843 A1, in which the device is positioned above the plant by means of pins and in which a tip located between the pins can be pushed into the center of the plant by means of a control element. The control element, which is connected to the tip, is returned to its original position by means of a return spring. From DE 195 02 010 A1, a method for removing weed growth on surfaces such as paths, squares, and courtyards is known. In this method, a brush-like working element is pressed against the surface, with the component performing a movement at least approximately transverse to the direction of travel of a vehicle to which the component is attached. Disclosure of the invention Against this background, the approach presented here introduces a device, a system and a method for damaging weeds according to the main claims. The approach presented here creates a device for damaging weeds with a movable stamp which has a stamp end for applying pressure to a weed in order to mechanically damage the weed, and with an active ingredient delivery unit which is designed to deliver an active ingredient to the stamp end of the stamp in order to additionally chemically damage the mechanically pre-damaged weed. The approach presented here further creates a system for damaging weeds with a device described above, wherein the system is designed as a vehicle, in particular an autonomous vehicle or as a handheld device. The approach presented here also provides a method for damaging weeds, which is carried out in particular by means of a previously described device or system, comprising the following steps: - providing a movable stamp with a stamp end; - delivering an active ingredient to the stamp end of the stamp by means of an active ingredient delivery unit; - applying pressure to the weed by means of the stamp end of the stamp to mechanically damage the weed; and - delivering the active ingredient from the stamp end of the stamp to the weed by contact transfer to additionally chemically damage the mechanically pre-damaged weed. The punch can be elongated. The punch can also be cylindrical. The punch can have a constant or varying cross-section. Preferably, the punch can be circular cylindrical. The punch is preferably arranged or mounted to allow translational movement. This translational movement can be purely linear. However, it can also have a superimposed rotational component in addition to the linear movement. Therefore, the punch can also perform a translational movement as a result of a rotational movement, e.g., a helical movement, and thus be mounted to allow translational movement. Applying pressure can refer to processes such as stamping or dabbing. However, applying pressure can also include or be a cutting process. The drug delivery unit is specifically designed to deliver a defined or predefined quantity of active ingredient to the plunger end. In other words, the drug delivery unit is designed or configured to deliver a specific quantity of active ingredient to the plunger end. The active ingredient can be in gaseous, liquid, powdery, dusty, or solid form. The active ingredient is preferably a weed killer or herbicide. Dispensing can be understood as guiding, spraying, splashing, applying, discharging and / or any method of transferring the active ingredient to the stamp end of the stamp known to a person skilled in the art. The vehicle can be a tractor-mounted implement or a self-propelled work vehicle. The system can be automatically or autonomously operated. However, the system can also be manually operated. In this case, the system can have a pole-like support on which the device is mounted or in which the device is integrated. The device and system according to the invention enable a combined process of mechanical and chemical damage to weeds to be carried out simultaneously or immediately sequentially. According to the invention, an active ingredient is first dispensed to the end of the stamp by means of an active ingredient delivery unit. The stamp then extends, and the weed is pressurized or stamped by the end of the stamp, thereby mechanically damaging the weed. The crushing of the plant causes the capillaries to rupture and the plant cells to tear open. Since the previously dispensed active ingredient is located at the end of the stamp, the plant mass comes into direct contact with the active ingredient simultaneously with or immediately after the mechanical damage, allowing it to act directly on the plant body or biological material and additionally chemically damage the weed.Since plant sap can also be released when weeds are crushed, depending on the type of plant, solid active ingredients or solid herbicides can also be used in these cases, which dissolve a sufficient amount of active ingredient by moistening with the plant sap. Consequently, the device and system according to the invention, as well as the method according to the invention, advantageously enable effective damage or killing of weeds while significantly minimizing the required amount of active ingredient. Furthermore, due to the contact transfer of the active ingredient to the weeds, spray or drip losses and contamination of other areas and plants with the active ingredient can be prevented. Another advantage is that the pressure or stamping of the weeds deep into the soil can be avoided. In sandy raised beds, e.g., in carrot cultivation, the beds can be damaged by the strong force applied. In this case, the stamping process is carried out with reduced pressure, so that the weeds are only pressed to just below the soil surface and simultaneously dabbed with the active ingredient. It is further advantageous if the active ingredient delivery unit is designed to direct and / or guide and / or spray and / or inject the active ingredient to the piston end and / or transfer it via a wiper contact. It is advantageous if the active ingredient delivery unit has at least one supply line with an opening, wherein the opening is fluidically connected to the piston end and / or is located in the region of the piston end when the piston is in its retracted position. The retracted position can be the position in which the piston is located before extension or activation. It is advantageous if the supply line can be fluidically connected to and / or is connected to an active ingredient chamber. This measure allows the active ingredient to be easily delivered to the piston end before pressurization or the piston action. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the supply line is at least partially arranged within the piston and the opening of the supply line is fluidically connected to the piston end. This allows the active ingredient delivery unit to be at least partially integrated into the piston, so that the active ingredient can be guided or directed within the piston to the piston end. This enables a very compact device design. Furthermore, the active ingredient can also be in solid form. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the supply line is located at least partially outside the piston and the opening of the supply line is situated near the piston end. The opening of the supply line can be located in an area between the piston end and the ground. This allows the active ingredient to be sprayed or injected from outside the piston to the piston end, for example. It is also advantageous if the opening of the feed line is arranged in the region of the piston end such that, when the piston moves from the retracted position to a pressurized position, a rubbing contact is created between the piston end and the opening of the feed line. It is particularly advantageous if a plurality of feed lines with openings are provided, the openings being arranged in a ring around the piston end. The feed line(s) can form a "scraper" which is moistened with the active ingredient. The feed lines can also form a "scraper ring" which is moistened with the active ingredient. In the retracted position, the piston end is positioned in front of the scraper in the direction of the extension movement. During the extension movement of the piston, i.e.,During the movement of the piston from the insertion position to the pressurization position, the piston end brushes against the wiper and picks up a minimal amount of active ingredient. This allows the active ingredient to be easily dispensed or transferred from outside the piston to the piston end via a rubbing contact. It is further advantageous if the drug delivery unit includes an activation unit configured to release the drug to the piston end depending on a stroke or position of the piston and / or a pressure force acting on the piston end. It is particularly advantageous if the activation unit includes a valve, especially a reset valve, and is further configured to open the valve at or after a predefined pressure force is applied to it in order to release the drug to the piston end.It is further advantageous if the activation unit has a pressure sensor arranged at the end of the piston, whereby the valve can be opened by means of a signal from the pressure sensor, and / or has a pump, in particular a piston pump or diaphragm pump, which is arranged and configured to deliver or spray a predefined quantity of active ingredient to the end of the piston at or after a predefined travel path or predefined position of the piston. The predefined position of the piston can be a predefined position of the piston relative to the device or the active ingredient delivery unit. However, the predefined position of the piston can also be a predefined position of the piston relative to the weeds. The predefined position of the piston can be the entry position. The predefined travel path of the piston can be a predefined travel path of the piston relative to the device or the active ingredient delivery unit.The predefined travel path of the plunger can be a predefined travel path of the plunger relative to the weed. The predefined travel path of the plunger can be the pressure application position. The activation unit can be designed as the previously described "scraper" or "scraper ring" and, upon contact of the plunger with the supply line, cause the active ingredient to be dispensed at the plunger end. It is particularly advantageous if the plunger end is fluidically connected and / or connectable to an active ingredient chamber via the supply line, wherein the fluidic connection can be disconnected depending on a travel path of the plunger. In other words, the supply line that fluidically connects the plunger end to the active ingredient chamber is designed to be disconnectable, and thus the supply of the active ingredient from the active ingredient chamber to the plunger end can also be interrupted.The supply line can be designed such that it is separated from the active ingredient chamber at least in the retracted position and the pressurized position, and at least partially connected and / or connectable to the active ingredient chamber between these two positions. Alternatively, the supply line can be designed such that it is connected and / or connectable to the active ingredient chamber in the retracted position and separated from the active ingredient chamber in the pressurized position and in the positions between. This design allows for the simple activation or initiation of the active ingredient dispensing process, i.e., the application or spraying process. Furthermore, a predefined quantity of active ingredient can be drawn up before or during the extension movement of the plunger and dispensed directly or immediately after the plunger's retraction. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the stamp has a depression at its end for receiving the active ingredient. It is particularly advantageous if this depression is conical or frustoconical in shape. In other words, the stamp is recessed at its end. Since this depression or pocket containing the active ingredient is "placed" over the weed during the stamping process, a small amount of the active ingredient can be absorbed more effectively by the stamp end and released to the weed. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the stamp has a sharp edge at the end, particularly a ring-shaped cutting edge. During the stamping or punching process, the plant body of the weed is pressed or rammed into the soil by the stamp end, thus compressing it significantly. Therefore, a sharp-edged stamp end, especially one with a ring-shaped cutting edge, allows the stamping process and the resulting damage to the weed to be carried out even more effectively, and, for example, also cuts off any leaves of the weed protruding from the stamp area. Drawings The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1a-b a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a weed-damaging device according to the invention with a scraper ring; Fig. 2a-c a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the weed-damaging device according to the invention with a feed line running inside the plunger; Fig. 3a-d a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the weed-damaging device according to the invention with a feed line running inside the plunger; Fig. 4a-c a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the weed-damaging device according to the invention with a feed line running outside the plunger; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a plunger end with an active ingredient pin; and Fig. 6 a flowchart of a method for damaging weeds. In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and acting similarly, without repeating the description of the elements. In Figs. 1a-b, a weed damage device or device for damaging weeds according to the invention is provided with the reference numeral 10. The device 10 has a plunger 12 and an active ingredient delivery unit 14. The stamp 12 is elongated. The stamp 12 is cylindrical. The stamp 12 has a stamp end 16. The stamp end 16 serves to apply pressure to a weed 18 in order to mechanically damage it. The stamp 12 has a recess 20 at its stamp end 16. The recess 20 is conical or frustoconical. The recess 20 serves to hold an active ingredient 22. The active ingredient 22 serves to further chemically damage the mechanically damaged weed 18. Due to the shape of the recess 20, the stamp end 16 has a sharp edge in the circumferential direction. Thus, the stamp end 16 is designed as an annular cutting edge to more effectively damage the weed 18 mechanically. The punch 12 is mounted on a bearing element 24 so as to be translationally movable. The punch 12 is mounted so as to be extendable from an insertion position shown in Fig. 1a to a pressure-applying position shown in Fig. 1b in the direction of arrow 26. The drug delivery unit 14 is ring-shaped. The drug delivery unit 14 is arranged circumferentially around the plunger 12. The drug delivery unit 14 has a drug chamber 28 which contains the drug 22. The active ingredient delivery unit 14 serves to deliver the active ingredient 22 to the plunger end 16 of the plunger 12. The active ingredient 22 can be directed, guided, injected, sprayed, transferred via a wiper contact, or delivered to the plunger end 16 in any manner known to those skilled in the art. In the weed damage device 10 from Fig. 1a-b, the active ingredient 22 is dispensed onto the piston end 16 by means of a wiper contact. For this purpose, the active ingredient dispensing unit 14 has a plurality of supply lines 30. The supply lines 30 are fluidically connected to the active ingredient chamber 28. The supply lines 30 are arranged outside the piston 12. Each supply line 30 has an opening 32. The openings 32 of the supply lines 30 are arranged in a ring around the piston end 16 of the piston 12. As can be seen in Fig. 1a, the piston end 16 is positioned in the retracted position, i.e., in the retracted state, in the direction 26 of the extension movement, in front of the openings 32. The openings 32 of the supply lines 30 are arranged in the area of ​​the piston end 16 of the piston 12 such that, during an extension movement of the piston 12 from the retracted position to the pressurization position shown in Fig. 1b, a glancing contact occurs between the piston end 16 and the openings 32 of the supply lines 30. This allows the piston end 16, or the recess 20, to carry or receive a predefined or small quantity of active ingredient 22 during the extension movement of the piston 12. In other words, the supply lines 30 of the active ingredient delivery unit 14 form an activation unit 34, which causes the delivery of the active ingredient 22 to the piston end 16 of the piston 12.The release of the active ingredient 22 is triggered by the rubbing contact of the plunger end 16 with the supply lines 30, and thus depends on the position of the plunger 12 relative to the active ingredient delivery unit 14. The activation unit 34 is therefore designed as a "swiper" or "swiper ring" which is moistened with the active ingredient 22. Due to the fluidic connection of the supply lines 30 with the active ingredient chamber 28, the active ingredient 22 is replenished after release for the subsequent plunger action. As can be further seen in Fig. 1b, after the active ingredient 22 is released at the piston end 16 or the recess 20 of the piston 12, the weed 18 is subjected to pressure by means of the piston end 16, thereby mechanically damaging the weed 18. Since the piston end 16 also contains the active ingredient 22, the active ingredient 22 is additionally transferred from the piston end 16 to the weed 18 by contact transfer during or after the mechanical damage to the weed 18. Thus, the mechanically damaged weed 18 is additionally chemically damaged. Consequently, by simultaneously or immediately before the transfer of the active ingredient 22 to the weed 18, mechanical damage to the weed 18 can be achieved, thus enabling the chemical damage or killing of the weed 18 to be accomplished with a significantly smaller amount of active ingredient 22. Figures 2a-c show a further embodiment of a device 10' according to the invention. In comparison to the device 10 from Figures 1a-b, the active ingredient delivery unit 14 has only one supply line 30, which is arranged inside the plunger 12. The opening 32 of the supply line 30 is fluidically connected to the plunger end 16 or the recess 20. The supply line 30 is also fluidically connected to, or connectable to, the active ingredient chamber 28. The active ingredient chamber 28 has an annular channel 36. Accordingly, the plunger end 16 can be fluidically connected to the annular channel 36 and thus to the active ingredient chamber 28 by means of the supply line 30. The fluidic connection is designed to be separable depending on the travel path of the plunger 12. As can be seen in Fig. 2a, the feed line 30 is separated from the active ingredient chamber 28 when the plunger 12 is in the retracted position. Therefore, the feed line 30, and consequently also the plunger end 16 or the recess 20, contains no active ingredient 22. In this position, the plunger 12 acts as a valve, closing the annular channel 36 of the active ingredient chamber 28. During a predefined stroke of the piston 12, as shown in Fig. 2b, a fluidic connection is established between the supply line 30 and thus the piston end 16 with the active ingredient chamber 28. The active ingredient 22, preferably under pressure, can therefore flow from the active ingredient chamber 28 through the supply line 30 to the piston end 16 or the recess 20. Specifically, during its extension stroke, the piston 12 passes by the annular channel 36. The piston 12 itself has one or more radially outwardly extending bores, which are part of the supply line 30 and, in conjunction with the annular channel 36, form the activation unit 34. Thus, during the extension stroke, as the piston 12 passes the annular channel 36, a small quantity of the active ingredient is forced into the piston 12 and conveyed downwards to the piston end 16 or the recess 20 via the supply line 30.Instead of the annular channel 36, one or more bores are also conceivable. With rotationally secured mounting of the piston 12 in the bearing element 24, the bore(s) of the piston 12 can then overlap with the bore(s) of the active ingredient chamber 28, thereby establishing a fluidic connection. If rotational security is not provided, e.g., with a simple circular piston 12, the one or more bores of the piston 12 can overlap with the annular channel 36, thereby establishing a fluidic connection. The relative position of the bores or bore / annular channel combination determines the timing of the active ingredient transfer; the size of the bores / annular channel, the pressure under which the active ingredient 22 is located, and the piston extension speed determine the active ingredient or application quantity. By varying the bore cross-section and rotating the piston 12, the active ingredient or application quantity can also be adjusted.Application amount varies. As shown in Fig. 2c, after the extension movement of the piston 12 continues, the fluidic connection of the supply line 30 to the active ingredient chamber 28 is again disconnected. Upon reaching the pressurization position, the weed 18 is mechanically damaged by the piston end 16 of the piston 12. Simultaneously or immediately after this mechanical damage, contact transfer occurs between the active ingredient 22 located at the piston end 16 or in the recess 20 and the pre-damaged weed 18, thereby causing additional chemical damage. Figures 3a-d show a further embodiment of a device 10'' according to the invention. Compared to the device 10' from Figures 2a-c, the active ingredient delivery unit 14 additionally has a pressure accumulator 38. The pressure accumulator 38 is designed as a rubber bladder. However, it is also conceivable that the pressure accumulator 38 is designed as a gas bladder or a resilient diaphragm. The pressure accumulator 38 is arranged inside the piston 12. The pressure accumulator 38 is also connected to the supply line 30. The pressure accumulator 38 is designed to pressurize an active ingredient 22 located in the supply line 30. The supply line 30 is also designed differently, as will be described in more detail below. A further difference from device 10' is that the activation unit 34 has a valve 40. The valve 40 is designed as a return valve 40. The valve 40 is arranged at the opening 32 of the supply line 30. Accordingly, the valve 40 is located between the supply line 30 and the piston end 16 or the recess 20. The valve 40 is designed to open against a predefined pressure force in the direction of flow 42 of the active ingredient 22, in order to release the active ingredient 22 to the piston end 16. Analogous to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2a-c, in device 10'' the plunger end 16 is also fluidically connected to the annular channel 36 and thus to the active ingredient chamber 28 by means of the supply line 30. Here, the fluidic connection is also designed to be separable depending on the travel path of the plunger 12. As can be seen in Fig. 3a, the feed line 30 is fluidically connected to the active ingredient chamber 28 or the annular channel 36 when the piston 12 is in the retracted position. Therefore, the feed line 30 contains the active ingredient 22. Since no pressure force acts on the valve 40, the valve 40 is closed, so that the active ingredient 22 cannot exit the feed line 30 to the piston end 16 or the recess 20. From a predefined travel distance of the piston 12, which is shown in Fig. 3b, a fluidic separation of the supply line 30 to the active ingredient chamber 28 takes place. Here, the piston 12 closes the annular channel 36 of the active ingredient chamber 28, essentially acting as a valve. Accordingly, a defined volume of active ingredient 22 is located in the supply line 30, which is pressurized due to the pressure accumulator 38. As shown in Fig. 3c, when the pressurization position is reached, the weed 18 is mechanically damaged by the piston end 16 of the piston 12. The pressurized or compressed weed 18—as shown in more detail in Fig. 3d—exerts a pressure force in the direction of arrow 44 on the valve 40, either simultaneously or immediately after the mechanical damage. The valve ball of the valve 40 is pushed upwards by the plant mass, causing the closed valve 40 to open due to the pressure force. Accordingly, the activation unit 34 of the active ingredient delivery unit 14 is designed to release the active ingredient 22 to the piston end 16 of the piston 12 depending on the pressure force acting on the piston end 16 or valve 40.This causes the active ingredient 22 located in the supply line 30 to be delivered to the depression 20 and thus, via contact transfer, to the pre-damaged weed 18, thereby causing additional chemical damage to it. The amount of active ingredient to be applied can be adjusted by varying the pressure in the supply line 30 or the pressure acting on the active ingredient 22. Figures 4a-c show a further embodiment of a device 10''' according to the invention. Unlike the embodiments described above, the active ingredient delivery unit 14 is designed to spray or inject the active ingredient 22 from outside the plunger 12 onto the plunger end 16 or the recess 20. For this purpose, the active ingredient delivery unit 14 has a pump unit (not shown) and the activation unit 34 has a stop 46. Furthermore, the supply line 30 of the active ingredient delivery unit 14 is arranged outside the piston 12, with the opening 32 of the supply line 30 being located in the region of the piston end 16 when the piston 12 is in its retracted position, as shown in Fig. 4c. The supply line 30 is fluidically connected to the pump unit. The supply line 30 is also connected to the stop 46 or mechanically coupled to it. Figs. 4a-b show how the piston 12 returns from the pressurized position to the retracted position after the weed 18 has been pressurized and the active ingredient 22 has been delivered to the pre-damaged weed 18. As can be seen from Fig. 4c, the retracting or upward movement of the piston 12 is used to activate the pump unit and thereby trigger a pumping process which sprays or injects a small or predefined amount of active ingredient 22 from the active ingredient chamber 28 into the recess 20. The activation unit 34, or stop 46, is designed such that the piston 12, or a lever 47 of the piston 12, strikes the stop 46 upon reaching the retracted position, initiating a pumping action to deliver a defined quantity of active ingredient 22 to the piston end 16. The pumping action can be achieved by squeezing the supply line 30, with the pump unit having a return valve. Alternatively, the pumping action can be performed by a diaphragm or piston pump, which is actuated by the lever 47 and is part of the pump unit. Furthermore, the exhaust air from the piston stroke or return stroke can also be used to transfer the active ingredient 22 directly, i.e., via pressure, or indirectly, i.e., via the diaphragm or piston pump. Figure 5 shows another embodiment of a plunger 12. Here, the active ingredient 22 is in solid form. The active ingredient 22 has a pin shape. The active ingredient 22, or the active ingredient pin 22, is arranged in the feed line 30. The active ingredient pin 22 is located at the opening 32 of the feed line 30, adjacent to the plunger end 16, or the recess 20. The active ingredient pin 22 thus partially forms the bottom of the recess 20. The supply line 30 is designed as a through hole. The active ingredient dispensing unit 14 includes a compression spring 48. The compression spring 48 pushes the active ingredient pin 22 towards the opening 32. The opening 32 is designed such that the active ingredient pin 22 can be contacted at the plunger end, but remains in the supply line 30 despite the spring pressure. During operation, the tapping end of the active ingredient pen 22 is moistened by the plant sap oozing from the weed 18 during or after each application of pressure or tapping movement. During the waiting period until the next application of pressure or tapping movement, minimal amounts of the active ingredient 22 are released, which are then transferred to the tacked or damaged weed 18 during the next application of pressure. When the device is not in use, the active ingredient pen 22 dries out automatically, thus stopping the release of the active ingredient from the pen. In all embodiments according to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5, it is also conceivable that, alternatively or additionally, the activation unit 34 has a pressure sensor (not shown) which is arranged at the plunger end 16 of the plunger 12. The pressure sensor can be connected to the aforementioned diaphragm or piston pump and / or the valve 40, so that, by means of a signal from the pressure sensor, the active ingredient 22 is dispensed to the plunger end 16 or the recess 20 depending on a predefined pressure force acting on the plunger end 16 or the pressure sensor. Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of method 100 for damaging weeds 18. Method 100 comprises step 102 of providing a movable plunger 12 with a plunger end 16. Step 102 includes, in particular, providing a device 10, 10', 10'', 10''' according to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. 5. Method 100 further comprises step 104 of dispensing an active ingredient 22 to the plunger end 16 of the plunger 12 by means of an active ingredient dispensing unit 14. Method 100 also comprises step 106 of pressurizing the weed 18 by means of the plunger end 16 of the plunger 12 in order to mechanically damage the weed 18. The process 100 finally comprises a step 108 of releasing the active ingredient 22 from the stamp end 16 of the stamp 12 to the weed 18 by contact transfer in order to additionally chemically damage the mechanically pre-damaged weed 18. If an embodiment includes an “and / or” connection between a first feature and a second feature, this is to be read as meaning that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature, and according to another embodiment either only the first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

Device for damaging weeds (18) with a movable plunger (12) which has a plunger end (16) for applying pressure to a weed (18) in order to mechanically damage the weed (18), characterized by an active ingredient delivery unit (14) which is designed to deliver an active ingredient (22) to the plunger end (16) of the plunger (12) in order to additionally chemically damage the mechanically pre-damaged weed (18). Device (10; 10'; 10''; 10'''') according to claim 1 , characterized in that the active ingredient delivery unit (14) is configured to direct and / or guide and / or spray and / or inject the active ingredient (22) to the plunger end (16) of the plunger (12) and / or to transfer it via a wiper contact. Device (10; 10'; 10''; 10'''') according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the active ingredient delivery unit (14) has at least one supply line (30) with an opening (32), wherein the opening (32) is fluidically connected to the plunger end (16) and / or is arranged in the region of the plunger end (16) when the plunger (12) is in a retracted position. Device (10; 10'; 10'; 10''') according to claim 3, characterized in that the supply line (30) can be fluidically connected and / or is connected to an active ingredient chamber (28). Device (10'; 10'') according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the feed line (30) is arranged at least partially inside the punch (12) and the opening (32) of the feed line (30) is fluidically connected to the punch end (16) of the punch (12). Device (10; 10''') according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the feed line (30) is arranged at least partially outside the punch (12) and the opening (32) of the feed line (30) is arranged in the area of ​​the punch end (16) of the punch (12). Device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the opening (32) of the supply line (30) is arranged in the area of ​​the plunger end (16) of the plunger (12) such that when the plunger (12) moves from the insertion position to a pressurized position, a rubbing contact is created between the plunger end (16) and the opening (32) of the supply line (30). Device according to claim 7, characterized by a plurality of feed lines (30) with openings (32), wherein the openings (32) are in particular arranged in a ring shape around the punch end (16) of the punch (12). Device (10; 10'; 10''; 10'''') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active ingredient delivery unit (14) has an activation unit (34) which is configured to cause the active ingredient (22) to be delivered to the plunger end (16) of the plunger (12) depending on a travel path or position of the plunger (12) and / or a pressure force acting on the plunger end (16) of the plunger (12). Device (10; 10'; 10''; 10'''') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plunger (12) has a recess (20) at the plunger end (16) for receiving the active ingredient (22). Device (10; 10'; 10''; 10'''') according to claim 10 , characterized in that the recess (20) is conical or frustoconical in shape. Device (10; 10'; 10''; 10''') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the punch (12) is sharp-edged at the punch end (16), in particular as an annular cutting edge. Device (10; 10'; 10''; 10''') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the punch (12) is mounted in a translationally movable manner. System for damaging weeds (18) with a device (10; 10'; 10''; 10''') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system is designed as a vehicle, in particular an autonomous vehicle or as a handheld device. A method for damaging weeds (18), which is carried out in particular by means of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a system according to claim 14, comprising the steps of: - providing (102) a movable stamp (12) with a stamp end (16); - dispensing (104) an active ingredient (22) to the stamp end (16) of the stamp (12) by means of an active ingredient dispensing unit (14); - applying pressure (106) to the weed (18) by means of the stamp end (16) of the stamp (12) in order to mechanically damage the weed (18); and - dispensing (108) the active ingredient (22) from the stamp end (16) of the stamp (12) to the weed (18) by contact transfer in order to additionally chemically damage the mechanically pre-damaged weed (18).

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