METHOD FOR APPLYING GRANULAR MATERIAL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for spreading granular material according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and to an agricultural distribution device according to the preamble of patent claim 11.

[0002] When spreading granular material, such as granular or powdered fertilizers, agricultural distribution devices, also known as pneumatic fertilizer spreaders, can be used, which have several distribution elements arranged on a distribution rod, for example distribution nozzles, impact plates, guide devices, switches and / or the like.

[0003] Since the sowing of a large number of agricultural crops takes place along seed rows, corresponding rows of plants arise on the agricultural land during the growth phase.

[0004] Devices for detecting wild plants growing alongside crops on agricultural land are already known in the state of the art. Based on the detection of wild plants, pesticides can then be applied in a targeted manner to combat the wild plants and further enhance crop growth. A corresponding device is known, for example, from DE 44 13 739 A1.

[0005] Furthermore, US 2015 / 0245565 A1 discloses a method in which rows of plants are recorded to improve the identification of weeds. The document thus proposes a method for controlling weeds.

[0006] However, due to various circumstances, crops growing on agricultural land may not be positioned locally along the intended row pattern. This may be due, for example, to inaccurate sowing. Furthermore, areas in the headland area frequently occur where the internal row structures are interrupted.

[0007] The object underlying the invention is therefore to enable a plant row-related application of granular material, in which the application can be adapted locally in a suitable manner in the area of ​​row breaks.

[0008] The object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the granular material is applied in row areas of the agricultural land having rows of plants by at least one distribution element with a first distribution pattern and is applied in row-free areas of the agricultural land not having rows of plants by at least one distribution element with a second distribution pattern.

[0009] The invention takes advantage of the knowledge that by combining plant row detection on the one hand and the ability to apply granular material both row-related and over an area on the other, suitable application adjustment can be implemented in areas where the row structure on the agricultural land is interrupted. The method thus allows row-related application of granular material in row areas with plant rows and, at the same time, over an area in row-free areas where there are no plant rows in the direction of travel of the agricultural distribution device. This leads to a considerable saving of granular material. When applying granular material to beets and corn, considerable amounts of nutrients can be saved.Applying granular material to potatoes can also save considerable amounts of fertilizer.

[0010] Plant rows within the meaning of the invention are rows of plants that run essentially parallel to the direction of travel of the agricultural distribution device. Furthermore, it should be noted that the first distribution pattern differs from the second distribution pattern. The granular material is preferably granular or powdered fertilizer. Preferably, all distribution elements of the agricultural distribution device can be controlled individually. The agricultural distribution device is preferably a pneumatic fertilizer spreader. The distribution elements of the agricultural distribution device are preferably designed as distribution nozzles, impact plates, and / or guide devices.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the granular material is applied in the row areas using a first group of distribution elements, and the granular material is applied in the row-free areas using a second group of distribution elements. The distribution elements of the first group preferably differ from the distribution elements of the second group. Alternatively, the distribution elements of the first group and the distribution elements of the second group can be substantially identical, with the distribution elements of the first group having a configuration that differs from the configuration of the distribution elements of the second group. Preferably, the distribution elements of the first group are equidistant from one another. Furthermore, it is preferred that the distribution elements of the second group are equidistant from one another.

[0012] In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the distribution pattern in a spreading area below the spreading boom is automatically changed when the start of a plant row is detected. Alternatively or additionally, the distribution pattern in a spreading area below the spreading boom is automatically changed when the end of a plant row is detected. In the area of ​​the start of a plant row, a row-free area transitions into a row area in the direction of travel of the spreading device. In the area of ​​the end of a plant row, a row area transitions into a row-free area in the direction of travel of the spreading device. When the start of a plant row is detected, the first distribution pattern is preferably automatically adjusted in the corresponding spreading area below the spreading boom, or the second distribution pattern is automatically switched to the first distribution pattern.When a crop row end is detected, the second distribution pattern is preferably automatically adjusted in the corresponding application area below the distribution boom, or the first distribution pattern is automatically switched to the second distribution pattern. A crop row can end, for example, in wedge areas of an agricultural field, at the headland of an agricultural field, or due to inaccurate sowing. Furthermore, in these areas, a corresponding crop row start is determined when traveling in the opposite direction.

[0013] Furthermore, a method according to the invention is preferred in which changing the distribution pattern in a spreading area below the spreading boom upon detection of a plant row start comprises deactivating at least one spreading element of the second group of spreading elements assigned to the spreading area and / or activating at least one spreading element of the first group of spreading elements assigned to the spreading area. Individual spreading areas below the spreading boom are each assigned one or more spreading elements, which can be activated or deactivated depending on the row detection. Deactivating a spreading element interrupts its material spreading. Activating a spreading element initiates its material spreading.When the beginning of a plant row is detected, the application area must be switched from a flat application of the granular material to a row-specific application of the granular material. The switchover occurs by deactivating at least one distribution element of the second group and activating at least one distribution element of the first group of distribution elements. Activating / deactivating distribution elements can mean switching between a distribution element of the first group and a distribution element of the second group using a guide device and / or adjusting a distribution element of the first or second group such that its distribution pattern corresponds to that of one distribution element of the second or first group.To adapt the distribution pattern of a guide element, an actuator can be provided by means of which, for example, the shape of a distribution element designed as a baffle plate can be influenced: for application in a first distribution pattern, the baffle plate can take on a V-shaped configuration, whereby its spreading width is then small, whereas for application in a second distribution pattern, the baffle plate can be converted into a plate shape, whereby its spreading width is then widely spread.

[0014] Furthermore, a method according to the invention is advantageous in which changing the distribution pattern in a spreading area below the spreading boom upon detection of a plant row end comprises deactivating at least one spreading element of the first group of spreading elements assigned to the spreading area and / or activating at least one spreading element of the second group of spreading elements assigned to the spreading area. Upon detection of a plant row end, the spreading area must be switched from a row-related spreading of the granular material to a planar spreading of the granular material. The switching takes place by deactivating at least one spreading element of the first group and activating at least one spreading element of the second group of spreading elements.

[0015] Furthermore, a method according to the invention is advantageous in which changing the distribution pattern in a spreading area below the spreading boom upon detection of a plant row start and / or a plant row end comprises changing the distribution pattern of at least one distribution element assigned to the spreading area. In particular, the distribution elements are designed as distribution nozzles, baffle plates, guide devices, switches and / or the like, whose distribution pattern is adjustable. Upon detection of a plant row start and / or a plant row end, a corresponding distribution pattern adjustment can be initiated automatically by the agricultural distribution device. When a plant row start is detected, an automatic adjustment of the first distribution pattern or an automatic switchover from the second distribution pattern to the first distribution pattern preferably takes place on the at least one distribution element assigned to the spreading area.When a plant row end is detected, the second distribution pattern is preferably automatically adjusted or automatically switched from the first distribution pattern to the second distribution pattern on the at least one distribution element assigned to the application area.

[0016] In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the first distribution pattern and the second distribution pattern differ in terms of their spreading widths and / or spreading angles. For a row-related narrow strip application, a small spreading angle in the row areas is correspondingly preferred. In the row areas, the spreading angle can be in a range of 30-40 degrees. The spreading width can be in a range of 10-20 cm. Preferably, no granular material is applied between the row areas due to the set distribution pattern. Furthermore, the method can also comprise the detection of wild growth or harmful growth between detected row areas, in which case a local omission of the application can take place on the detected wild growth or harmful growth between the row areas. A wide-area application is preferably carried out with an open spreading angle in the row-free areas.In row-free areas, application is preferably carried out with a spreading angle of approximately 120 degrees. The spreading width in row-free areas can be approximately 100 cm.

[0017] The method is further advantageously developed in that the first distribution pattern and the second distribution pattern result in different application rates and / or different application rates of granular material. By using different application rates and / or application rates, different amounts of active ingredient can be applied in the row areas and non-row areas. Since the plant cover in the row areas corresponds to the expected plant cover, a suitable application rate and / or application rate can be set relatively precisely in the row areas. In the non-row areas, the plant cover deviates from the expected plant cover, so that a corresponding factor must be taken into account in these areas when determining a suitable application rate and / or application rate.

[0018] Furthermore, a method according to the invention is preferred in which different active ingredients and / or different active ingredient concentrations are applied when applying granular material with the first distribution pattern and when applying granular material with the second distribution pattern. The active ingredients can be, for example, plant fertilizers, soil fertilizers, fine seeds, and / or pesticides. The active ingredient concentration can be higher in the row areas than in the non-row areas, particularly in the case of plant fertilizers. Alternatively, the active ingredient concentration can be higher in the non-row areas than in the row areas, particularly in the case of soil fertilizers and / or pesticides, such as slug pellets.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment of the method according to the invention, the plant rows on the agricultural land are detected by means of one or more sensor devices and / or one or more cameras of the agricultural distribution device. Preferably, the one or more sensor devices and / or the one or more cameras of the agricultural distribution device are arranged and preferably fastened to the distribution rod of the agricultural distribution device. In particular, a sensor device and / or a camera for detecting plant rows is assigned to individual or all distribution elements. In particular, the distribution elements are controlled as a function of the data generated by the one or more sensor devices and / or the one or more cameras.

[0020] The object underlying the invention is further achieved by an agricultural distribution device of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the control device of the agricultural distribution device according to the invention is designed to cause at least one distribution element to spread the granular material with a first distribution pattern in row areas of the agricultural area which have rows of plants, and to cause at least one distribution element to spread the granular material with a second distribution pattern in row-free areas of the agricultural area which do not have rows of plants.

[0021] The detection device can comprise one or more cameras and / or sensors for detecting plant rows.

[0022] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the agricultural distribution device, it is configured to carry out the method for spreading granular material according to one of the embodiments described above. Regarding the advantages and modifications of the agricultural distribution device, reference is made to the advantages and modifications of the method for spreading granular material according to the invention.

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the agricultural distribution device according to the invention during the execution of the method according to the invention in a schematic representation; and Fig. 2 shows a distribution rod of an agricultural distribution device according to the invention during the execution of the method according to the invention in a schematic representation.

[0024] The Fig. 1 shows an agricultural distribution device 10 designed as a pneumatic fertilizer spreader, which is pulled by a tractor 100. The agricultural distribution device 10 applies granular material to an agricultural area 18 and the plants located on the agricultural area 18. The agricultural distribution device 10 moves along tramlines, which are part of a tramline system established within the agricultural area 18.

[0025] During the application of granular material to the agricultural area 18, the agricultural distribution device 10 detects rows of plants on the agricultural area 18 which run essentially parallel to the direction of travel of the agricultural distribution device 10.

[0026] On the agricultural area 18, there are row areas 20a-20p in which crop rows run essentially parallel to the direction of travel of the agricultural distribution device 10. Furthermore, on the agricultural area 18, there are row-free areas 22a-22d which do not have any crop rows running parallel to the direction of travel of the agricultural distribution device 10. The row-free areas 22a-22c are due to imprecise seed application. The row-free area 22d is located in the headland area, with seed application in this area taking place parallel to the headland track, so that the field's internal row structure is interrupted in a transition area to the headland.

[0027] The agricultural distribution device 10 has a plurality of distribution elements 14a-14g, 16a-16g arranged on a distribution rod 12, which are designed as distribution nozzles. The granular material is applied via the distribution elements 14a-14g, 16a-16g to the agricultural area 18 and the plants located thereon. In the row areas 20a-20p of the agricultural area 18, the granular material is applied using a first distribution pattern M1. In the row-free areas 22a-22d of the agricultural area 18, the granular material is applied using a second distribution pattern M2. The first distribution pattern M1 and the second distribution pattern M2 differ initially with regard to their spreading widths B1, B2 and their spreading angles α, β.In row areas 20a-20p, the granular material is applied row-by-row using distribution pattern M1, resulting in a narrow strip application along the respective plant rows. Accordingly, distribution pattern M1 has a narrow spreading angle α. In the row-free areas 22a-22d, distribution pattern M2 is used to apply the granular material across a wide area, non-row-by-row distribution. Accordingly, distribution pattern M2 has a comparatively open spreading angle β.

[0028] Furthermore, the first distribution pattern M1 and the second distribution pattern M2 can result in different application rates of granular material. Since targeted application to the plants arranged in rows can be achieved in row areas 20a-20p, the application rate in row areas 20a-20p can be lower than the application rate in the non-row areas 22a-22d, to which the granular material is applied with the second distribution pattern M2.

[0029] In addition, different active ingredients and / or different active ingredient concentrations can be applied when applying granular material with the first distribution pattern M1 and when applying granular material with the second distribution pattern M2.

[0030] If the agricultural distribution device 10 detects the beginning of a plant row during the application of the granular material, the distribution pattern in the corresponding application area below the distribution boom 12 is automatically changed by the agricultural distribution device 10. In the area of ​​a plant row beginning, a row-free area 22a-22d transitions into a row area 20a-20p in the direction of travel of the distribution device 10. If the beginning of a plant row is detected, the first distribution pattern M1 is automatically adjusted in the corresponding application area below the distribution boom 12.

[0031] If a plant row end is detected in a spreading area below the spreading boom 12, the distribution pattern in the corresponding spreading area below the spreading boom 12 is automatically changed by the agricultural spreading device 10. In the area of ​​a plant row end, a row area 20a-20p transitions into a row-free area 22a-22d in the direction of travel of the spreading device 10. If a plant row end is detected, the second distribution pattern M2 is automatically adjusted in the corresponding spreading area below the spreading boom 12.

[0032] The Fig. 2shows a distribution rod 12 with several distribution elements 14a-14g, 16a-16g designed as distribution nozzles. The distribution elements 14a-14g, 16a-16g comprise a first group of distribution elements 14a-14g and a second group of distribution elements 16a-16g. With the distribution elements 14a-14g, a first distribution pattern M1 can be realized. With the distribution elements 16a-16g, a second distribution pattern M2 can be realized. The first distribution pattern M1 and the second distribution pattern M2 differ in terms of their spreading widths B1, B2 and their spreading angles α, β. In the present case, the distribution elements 14a-14g, 16a-16g are arranged in pairs, although different arrangements are possible in other embodiments.

[0033] Furthermore, several cameras 24a-24f are arranged on the distribution boom 12, which are components of a detection device. The detection device serves to detect rows of plants on the agricultural field 18 during the application of the granular material. The distribution elements 14a-14g, 16a-16g can be individually controlled by means of a control device of the agricultural distribution device 10.

[0034] In the row areas 20a-20e captured by the cameras 24a-24f, the granular material is applied by means of the distribution elements 14a, 14b, 14e, 14f, 14g of the first group of distribution elements 14a-14g. In the row-free area 22a captured by the cameras 24a-24f, the granular material is applied by means of the distribution elements 16c, 16d of the second group of distribution elements 16a-16g. Thus, in the row areas 20a-20e, the granular material is applied row-specifically with the first distribution pattern M1. In the row-free area 22a, the granular material is applied over a large area with the distribution pattern M2.

[0035] If a new plant row start is detected later on, an automatic switch from the second distribution pattern M2 to the first distribution pattern M1 takes place in the corresponding application area below the distribution boom 12. The switch from the second distribution pattern M2 to the first distribution pattern M1 is implemented by deactivating at least one distribution element 16a-16g of the second group of distribution elements 16a-16g assigned to the application area and activating at least one distribution element 14a-14g of the first group of distribution elements 14a-14g assigned to the application area.

[0036] If a plant row end is detected in the further course, an automatic switch from the first distribution pattern M1 to the second distribution pattern M2 takes place in the corresponding application area below the distribution boom 12. The switch from the first distribution pattern M1 to the second distribution pattern M2 is implemented by deactivating at least one distribution element 14a-14g of the first group of distribution elements 14a-14g assigned to the application area and activating at least one distribution element 16a-16g of the second group of distribution elements 16a-16g assigned to the application area. Reference symbol

[0037] 10agricultural distribution device 12distribution booms 14a-14gdistribution elements 16a-16gdistribution elements 18agricultural land 20a-20prow areas 22a-22drow-free areas 24a-24fcameras 100Tractor M1, M2Distribution pattern B1, B2Scatter width α, βScatter angle

Claims

1. Method for applying granular material by means of an agricultural distribution device (10), comprising the steps of: - applying granular material onto an agricultural area (18) by means of a plurality of distributing elements (14a-14g, 16a-16g) which are arranged on a distributor boom (12) of the agricultural distribution device (10), and - detecting rows of plants on the agricultural area (18) during the application of the granular material; the granular material being applied in row regions (20a-20p) of the agricultural area (18), which comprise rows of plants, by at least one distributing element (14a-14g, 16a-16g) with a first distribution pattern (M1), characterized in that the granular material is applied in row-free regions (22a-22d) of the agricultural area (18), which do not comprise rows of plants, by at least one distributing element (14a-14g, 16a-16g) with a second distribution pattern (M2).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the granular material is applied in the row regions (20a-20p) using a first group of distributing elements (14a-14g), and the granular material is applied in the row-free regions (22a-22d) using a second group of distributing elements (16a-16g).

3. Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by at least one of the following steps: - automatically changing the distribution pattern (M1, M2) in an application region below the distributor boom (12) when a start of a row of plants is detected; - automatically changing the distribution pattern (M1, M2) in an application region below the distributor boom (12) when an end of a row of plants is detected.

4. Method according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that changing the distribution pattern (M1, M2) in an application region below the distributor boom (12) when a start of a row of plants is detected comprises at least one of the following steps: - deactivating at least one distributing element (16a-16g) of the second group of distributing elements (16a-16g), which distributing element is assigned to the application region; - activating at least one distributing element (14a-14g) of the first group of distributing elements (14a-14g), which distributing element is assigned to the application region.

5. Method according to claims 2 and 3, or claims 2 and 4, characterized in that changing the distribution pattern (M1, M2) in an application region below the distributor boom (12) when an end of a row of plants is detected comprises at least one of the following steps: - deactivating at least one distributing element (14a-14g) of the first group of distributing elements (14a-14g), which distributing element is assigned to the application region; - activating at least one distributing element (16a-16g) of the second group of distributing elements (16a-16g), which distributing element is assigned to the application region.

6. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that changing the distribution pattern (M1, M2) in an application region below the distributor boom (12) when a start of a row of plants and / or an end of a row of plants is detected comprises the following step: - changing the distribution pattern (M1, M2) of at least one distributing element assigned to the application region.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first distribution pattern (M1) and the second distribution pattern (M2) differ with respect to their spreading widths (B1, B2) and / or spreading angles (α, β).

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first distribution pattern (M1) and the second distribution pattern (M2) lead to different application amounts and / or different application rates of granular material.

9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that different active substances and / or different active substance concentrations are applied when granular material is applied with the first distribution pattern (M1) and when granular material is applied with the second distribution pattern (M2).

10. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rows of plants on the agricultural area (18) are detected by means of one or more sensor devices and / or one or more cameras (24a-24f) of the agricultural distribution device (10).

11. Agricultural distribution device (10), in particular a pneumatic spreader, comprising - a plurality of distributing elements (14a-14g, 16a-16g) which are arranged on a distributor boom (12) and are designed to apply granular material onto the agricultural area (18); - a detection device which is designed to detect rows of plants on the agricultural area (18) during the application of the granular material; and - a control device which is designed to control the application of the granular material by the distributing elements (14a-14g, 16a-16g); the control device being designed to cause at least one distributing element (14a-14g, 16a-16g) to apply the granular material with a first distribution pattern (M1) in row regions (20a-20p) of the agricultural area (18) which comprise rows of plants, characterized in that the control device is designed to cause at least one distributing element (14a-14g, 16a-16g) to apply the granular material with a second distribution pattern (M2) in row-free regions (22a-22d) of the agricultural area (18) which do not comprise rows of plants.