AGRICULTURAL SPRAYER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an agricultural sprayer according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for emptying an active ingredient tank according to the preamble of claim 8.

[0002] With agricultural sprayers that have a direct injection system for producing the spray solution on-site, the amount of pesticide required for application cannot usually be precisely determined in advance due to the system's site-specific treatment. A residual amount of pesticide regularly remains in the active ingredient tank of the direct injection system after application.

[0003] In this context, German patent DE 10 2018 105 737 A1 discloses an agricultural field sprayer with a corresponding direct injection system, in which an active ingredient tank of the direct injection system can be removed without any active ingredient leakage. The active ingredient tank is coupled with a special adapter that allows for fluid-tight removal of the active ingredient tank.

[0004] In many applications, however, it is either undesirable or impossible to remove the active ingredient tank of the direct injection system, meaning that the residual amount of pesticide remaining in the tank after application must be pumped out. Pumping pesticides from the active ingredient tank of a direct injection system has so far been a complex and / or error-prone process involving considerable effort and / or a sophisticated fluid system.

[0005] The object underlying the invention is therefore to simplify the pumping out of a residual quantity of pesticide from an active ingredient tank of a direct feed system of an agricultural sprayer.

[0006] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0007] The invention utilizes the fact that a fluid-conducting connection between the active ingredient tank and an external pumping container can be established via the coupling, without the need to connect additional lines or other fluid components to the agricultural sprayer. The coupling thus allows the residual quantity of the active ingredient to be pumped back from the active ingredient tank of the direct injection system into an external pumping container directly via a section of the active ingredient delivery path and without the need to connect a separate pumping hose. The external pumping container can, for example, be the original container of the active ingredient. The pumped-back residual quantity of active ingredient can then be reused in a subsequent application.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the agricultural sprayer according to the invention, the direct feed system comprises a feed pump, and the coupling is arranged between the feed pump and the feed point. The feed pump is preferably configured to pump active ingredient from the active ingredient tank along the active ingredient delivery path. Because the coupling is arranged between the feed pump and the feed point, the feed pump can also be used to pump out the active ingredient tank after the coupling has been disconnected. Thus, no external pump needs to be connected to the agricultural sprayer for pumping out the active ingredient tank. The active ingredient delivery path between the feed pump and the coupling preferably runs through a flexible hose. After disconnecting the coupling, the flexible hose can therefore be conveniently and easily connected to an external discharge container without requiring significant effort or labor.Preferably, the flexible hose for fluid-conducting connection to the device-external pumping container is inserted section by section into the device-external pumping container or attached to a connection of the device-external pumping container.

[0009] The agricultural sprayer according to the invention is further advantageously developed in that the coupling can be disconnected manually and / or without tools. The coupling is preferably disconnectable without damage. Preferably, the coupling has two coupling parts that can be connected and disconnected from each other. The manual and / or tool-free disconnectability of the coupling creates a quick-release coupling that can be easily disconnected and reconnected. Preferably, the coupling is designed as a leak-free coupling. Due to the leak-free design of the coupling, no fluid escapes after disconnection, even if fluid is still present in the pipe sections adjacent to the coupling. Alternatively, the coupling can be designed as at least a low-leakage coupling. In this case, excessive release of the active ingredient during disconnection is avoided.

[0010] In the agricultural sprayer according to the invention, the coupling is designed as a quick-release coupling. Quick-release couplings are particularly convenient and easy to operate. This simplifies and speeds up the pumping process. The coupling is preferably a fluid coupling or a hydraulic coupling.

[0011] Furthermore, an agricultural sprayer according to the invention is preferred in which the active ingredient delivery path between the active ingredient tank and the injection point comprises a feed line, wherein the coupling is arranged in or on the feed line. The feed line can have several line sections. The coupling is preferably arranged between two line sections of the feed line. One line section of the feed line preferably extends from the injection pump to the coupling. The line section extending from the injection pump to the coupling is preferably a flexible line section and / or can be formed by a hose. The line sections connected to the coupling can be disconnected from one another by disconnecting the coupling. Preferably, a pump-side line section is located between the injection pump and the coupling.After disconnecting the coupling, the coupling-side section of pipe located between the feed pump and the coupling can be connected to an external pump-out container to pump out any residual quantity from the active ingredient container. One or more sections of the feed line can be designed as a flexible hose, particularly a pressure hose.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the agricultural sprayer according to the invention, one or more shut-off devices are arranged in the active ingredient delivery path between the active ingredient tank and the injection point. Alternatively or additionally, one or more shut-off devices are integrated into the coupling. The one or more shut-off devices prevent the release of the active ingredient when the coupling is disconnected. The one or more shut-off devices are designed to create a sealing effect when the coupling is disconnected.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment of the agricultural sprayer according to the invention, at least one shut-off device is designed as a check valve, in particular as a spring-loaded check valve. Preferably, the coupling has a pump-side coupling part and a feed-point-side coupling part. A shut-off device, in particular a shut-off device designed as a check valve, can be integrated into each of the pump-side coupling parts. A check valve integrated into the pump-side coupling part is preferably spring-loaded. One or more shut-off devices can also be designed as a shut-off diaphragm, which only releases the flow when a specific fluid pressure is reached or exceeded. The one or more shut-off diaphragms can be pre-tensioned diaphragms. One or more shut-off diaphragms can also be integrated into the coupling.

[0014] In another embodiment of the agricultural sprayer according to the invention, a locking device arranged between the feed pump and a pump-side coupling part of the coupling, or a locking device integrated into the pump-side coupling part of the coupling, is configured to switch from a locked state to a released state when a delivery pressure generated by the feed pump reaches or exceeds a pressure limit. This ensures that, with the coupling disconnected and the feed pump switched off, no liquid escapes from the pump-side coupling part of the coupling when the static line pressure is below the pressure limit. The user can thus disconnect the coupling and insert the pump-side coupling part into the external discharge container to be filled.When the feed pump of the direct feed system is switched on, a sufficiently high delivery pressure builds up to switch the locking device located between the feed pump and the pump-side coupling part of the coupling, or the locking device integrated into the pump-side coupling part of the coupling, from the locked state to the unlocked state, thus starting the pumping process. As soon as the feed pump is switched off again, the delivery pressure drops below the pressure limit, so that the locking device located between the feed pump and the pump-side coupling part of the coupling, or the locking device integrated into the pump-side coupling part of the coupling, switches back from the unlocked state to the locked state, and the pumping process is interrupted.

[0015] The problem underlying the invention is further solved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein, within the framework of the method according to the invention, a coupling in an active ingredient conveying path of the direct injection system between an active ingredient tank and the injection point is separated and a fluid-conducting pump connection is established between the active ingredient tank of the direct injection system and an external pumping container using the section of the active ingredient conveying path running between the active ingredient tank and the coupling.

[0016] The method according to the invention is preferably used to empty the active ingredient tank of a direct injection system of an agricultural sprayer according to one of the embodiments described above. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the method according to the invention, reference is therefore first made to the advantages and modifications of the agricultural sprayer according to the invention.

[0017] The direct injection system is used to produce a spraying liquid to be applied internally from a carrier liquid, which is stored in a large-volume reservoir of the agricultural sprayer, and the active ingredient, which is stored in the active ingredient tank of the direct injection system.

[0018] The method according to the invention is further advantageously developed in that an active ingredient located in the active ingredient tank is pumped into the external discharge container via the fluid-conducting pump connection with the coupling disconnected, using a feed pump of the direct feed system. By using the feed pump of the direct feed system, no external pump is required to empty the active ingredient tank. The emptying process is thus simplified and accelerated.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the escape of the active ingredient upon disconnection of the coupling is prevented by one or more blocking devices arranged in the active ingredient delivery path between the active ingredient tank and the injection point and / or integrated into the coupling. One or more blocking devices can be designed as shut-off valves, in particular as spring-loaded shut-off valves. One or more blocking devices can be designed as a blocking diaphragm, wherein a corresponding blocking diaphragm automatically switches to a release state as soon as the delivery pressure reaches or exceeds a specific pressure limit. The one or more blocking diaphragms can be pre-tensioned diaphragms.

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an application system of an agricultural sprayer according to the invention.

[0021] The Fig. 1 Figure 10 shows an application system 10 of an agricultural sprayer designed as a field sprayer. The agricultural sprayer is equipped with both a recirculation system 12 and a direct injection system 14.

[0022] The recirculation system 12 has a fluid circuit, in which a reservoir 16 for a carrier fluid T is integrated. The carrier fluid T contained in the reservoir 16 can be applied to an agricultural area via the fluid circuit of the recirculation system 12 using application elements 30a-30e and 32a-32e. The application elements 30a-30e and 32a-32e are designed as spray nozzles. For this purpose, the agricultural sprayer must be operated in a recirculation mode. In this recirculation mode, the carrier fluid T circulates within the fluid circuit of the recirculation system 12.

[0023] Using the direct feed system 14, active ingredient W can be fed from an active ingredient tank 54 into the carrier liquid T from the storage container 16 to produce a spray solution for application within the device. The feed takes place at the feed point 60, which is located inside a mixing chamber 62.

[0024] The carrier liquid T in the storage container 16 can be water or a premixed spray solution. The active ingredient W in the active ingredient tank 54 can be a highly concentrated plant protection product.

[0025] In the recirculation mode of the agricultural sprayer, the carrier fluid T in the reservoir 16 is drawn in by a circulation pump 20 and passed through a filter 18. The flow rate of carrier fluid T can be precisely adjusted via the flow control valve 22. The purge valve 24 is open in the recirculation mode of the agricultural sprayer, so that the carrier fluid T is directed to the valve 26. In the recirculation mode of the agricultural sprayer, the carrier fluid T is introduced through the valve 26 into the application line 28, through which it is then directed to the application elements 30a-30e and 32a-32e. Excess carrier fluid T is returned to the reservoir 16 via the return line 34 and the non-return valve 36.

[0026] Further return of carrier fluid T from the fluid circuit of the circulation system 16 can be achieved via the return line 38. A non-return control valve 40 is arranged in the return line 38 to regulate the return flow. The carrier fluid T returned to the reservoir 16 via the return line 38 is introduced into the reservoir 16 through reservoir nozzles 42.

[0027] Furthermore, the application system 10 includes a return pump 44, which draws carrier fluid T from the filter 18 and returns it to the reservoir 16 via the return line 46 and the non-return valve 48. The carrier fluid T returned to the reservoir 16 via the return line 46 is introduced into the reservoir 16 through reservoir nozzles 50. The reservoir nozzles 42 and 50 ensure a fluid flow within the reservoir 16 and can therefore also be described as agitators. This fluid flow within the reservoir 16 prevents deposits from forming. In particular, if the carrier fluid T is a premixed spray solution, a flow within the reservoir 16 is necessary to prevent such deposits.

[0028] In the injection mode of the agricultural sprayer, the active ingredient W, located in the active ingredient tank 54, is injected into the carrier liquid T via an injection line 58. To convey the active ingredient W from the active ingredient tank 54 to the injection point 60, the direct injection system 14 includes an injection pump 56. In the injection mode, the purge valve 70 is closed, so that the active ingredient W in the active ingredient tank 54 is conveyed by the injection pump 56 into the mixing chamber 62.

[0029] Unlike in recirculation mode, in feed mode, valve 26 introduces the carrier fluid T into the dispensing line 64, so that the carrier fluid T from the reservoir 16 is also introduced into the mixing chamber 62. The spray solution to be applied is then produced internally in the mixing chamber 62 and subsequently supplied to the dispensing elements 30a-30e and 32a-32e. In feed mode, the return line 34 is blocked by the non-return control valve 36, thus preventing the internally produced spray solution from flowing back into the reservoir 16. This prevents contamination of the carrier fluid T in the reservoir 16 by the active ingredient W.

[0030] After an application process is complete, a residual amount of pesticide remains in the active ingredient tank 54 of the direct injection system 14. This pesticide is often extremely viscous and / or sticky, necessitating extensive rinsing of the active ingredient tank 54 for cleaning. To clean the active ingredient tank 54 of the direct injection system 14, carrier fluid T is injected from the storage tank 16 into the active ingredient tank 54 via the inlet line 66 and the rinsing nozzle 52. The carrier fluid T injected into the active ingredient tank 54 of the direct injection system 14 is then conveyed to the application elements 30a-30e and 32a-32e. In the rinsing mode of the agricultural sprayer, the rinsing valve 70 is opened, allowing the carrier liquid T flushed into the active ingredient tank 54 of the direct feed system 14 to be conveyed via a separate rinsing line 68 and via line sections of the circulation system 12 to the application elements 30a-30e, 32a-32e.In this way, the carrier liquid T flushed into the active ingredient tank 54 of the direct injection system 14 can be discharged relatively quickly onto the agricultural land via the application elements 30a-30e, 32a-32e.

[0031] The active ingredient tank 54 is a permanently installed liquid container which is fluidly connected to the feed point 60 via an active ingredient delivery path 78. A separable coupling 72 is arranged in the active ingredient delivery path 78 between the active ingredient tank 54 and the feed point 60; disconnecting this coupling interrupts the active ingredient delivery path 78. By disconnecting the coupling 72, any residual amount of pesticide remaining in the active ingredient tank 54 after completion of an application process and before rinsing the tank 54 can be pumped back into an external pumping container. Thus, the residual amount of pesticide remaining in the active ingredient tank 54 after completion of the application process can be reused in a subsequent application process. The external pumping container into which the residual amount from the active ingredient tank 54 can be pumped back is, for example, the original container of active ingredient W.

[0032] The coupling 72 is arranged between the feed pump 56 and the feed point 60, so that the feed pump 56 can be used to pump the active ingredient W out of the active ingredient tank 54 after the coupling 72 has been disconnected.

[0033] The coupling 72 can be disconnected manually by an operator without tools. The coupling 72 is a damage-free and leak-free coupling. Because the coupling 72 is leak-free, no active ingredient escapes when it is disconnected. For example, the coupling 72 is a plug-in coupling or a screw coupling.

[0034] The feed line 58 extends along the active ingredient delivery path 78. The coupling 72 is located in or on the feed line 58. The feed line 58 has a pump-side section and a feed-point-side section. The pump-side section of the feed line 58 is connected to a pump-side coupling part 74a. The feed-point-side section of the feed line 58 is connected to a feed-point-side coupling part 74b. After disconnecting the coupling 72, the pump-side section of the feed line 58 can be connected to an external pump-out container to pump out the remaining quantity. This can be done, for example, by inserting the pump-side section of the feed line 58 into the external pump-out container in sections.The pump-side section of the feed line 58, which runs between the feed pump 56 and the pump-side coupling part 74a, can be a flexible hose, in particular a flexible pressure hose.

[0035] A locking device 76a is integrated into the pump-side coupling part 74a, which prevents the release of the active ingredient when the coupling 72 is disconnected. A locking device 76b is integrated into the feed-point-side coupling part 74b, which also prevents the release of the active ingredient when the coupling 72 is disconnected. The locking devices 76a and 76b are designed as check valves. The locking device 76a is designed as a spring-loaded check valve.

[0036] Alternatively, the blocking devices 76a, 76b can also be designed as blocking diaphragms, which only allow the flow through the respective coupling part 74a, 74b above a specific fluid pressure.

[0037] The locking device 76a integrated into the pump-side coupling part 74a of the coupling 72 is designed to switch from a locked state to a released state when the delivery pressure generated by the feed pump 56 reaches or exceeds a pressure limit. This ensures that no liquid escapes from the pump-side coupling part 74a of the coupling 72 when the coupling 72 is disconnected and the feed pump 56 is switched off, as the static line pressure is below the pressure limit. Consequently, the user can disconnect the coupling 72 and insert the pump-side coupling part 74a into the external pumping container to be filled without any liquid escaping from the pump-side coupling part 74a.When the feed pump 56 is switched on, a sufficiently high delivery pressure builds up to switch the locking device 76a, integrated in the pump-side coupling part 74a of the coupling 72, from the locked state to the unlocked state. During the pumping of the active ingredient W from the active ingredient tank 54, the locking device 76a in the pump-side coupling part 74a is therefore in the unlocked state.

[0038] As soon as the feed pump 56 is switched off again, the delivery pressure drops below the pressure limit value, so that the locking device 76 integrated in the pump-side coupling part 74a of the coupling 72 switches again from the release state to the locking state.

[0039] By disconnecting the coupling 72, a fluid-conducting pump connection can therefore be established between the active ingredient tank 54 of the direct injection system 14 and an external pumping tank, without the need for any further fluid components. Reference symbol list

[0040] 10 Dispensing system 12 Circulation system 14 Direct injection system 16 Storage tank 18 Filter 20 Circulation pump 22 Flow control valve 24 Flushing valve 26 Valve 28 Dispensing line 30a-30e Dispensing elements 32a-32e Dispensing elements 34 Return line 36 Backflow control valve 38 Return line 40 Backflow control valve 42 Tank nozzles 44 Return pump 46 Return line 48 Backflow control valve 50 Tank nozzles 52 Flushing nozzle 54 Active ingredient tank 56 Injection pump 58 Injection line 60 Injection point 62 Mixing chamber 64 Dispensing line 66 Induction line 68 Flushing line 70 Flushing valve 72 Coupling 74a, 74b Coupling parts 76a, 76b Shut-off devices 78 Active ingredient delivery pathway Carrier fluid Active ingredient

Claims

1. Agricultural sprayer, comprising - a direct feed system (14) for the sprayer-internal production of a spray liquid to be applied from a carrier liquid (T) and an active ingredient (W), the direct feed system (14) having an active ingredient tank (54) for storing the active ingredient (W) and the active ingredient tank (54) being fluidly connected to a feed point (60) via an active ingredient conveying path (78); a separable coupling (72) being arranged in the active ingredient conveying path (78) between the active ingredient tank (54) and the feed point (60), the separation of which coupling leads to an interruption of the active ingredient conveying path (78), characterized in that the coupling (72) is designed as a plug-in coupling.

2. Agricultural sprayer according to claim 1, characterized in that the direct feed system (14) comprises a feed pump (56) and the coupling (72) is arranged between the feed pump (56) and the feed point (60).

3. Agricultural sprayer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling (72) can be separated manually and / or without tools and / or the coupling (72) being designed as a leak-free coupling (72).

4. Agricultural sprayer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active ingredient conveying path (78) has a feed line (58) between the active ingredient tank (54) and the feed point (60), the coupling (72) being arranged in or on the feed line (58).

5. Agricultural sprayer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more locking devices (76a, 76b) are arranged in the active ingredient conveying path (78) between the active ingredient tank (54) and the feed point (60), and / or one or more locking devices (76a, 76b) are integrated in the coupling (72), by means of which devices an escape of the active ingredient can be prevented when the coupling (72) is separated.

6. Agricultural sprayer according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one locking device (76a, 76b) is designed as a check valve, in particular as a spring-loaded check valve.

7. Agricultural sprayer according to any of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that a locking device (76a) arranged between the feed pump (56) and a pump-side coupling part (74a) of the coupling (72) or a locking device (76a) integrated in the pump-side coupling part (74a) of the coupling (72) is designed to switch from a locking state to a release state when a conveying pressure caused by the feed pump (56) reaches or exceeds a pressure limit.

8. Method for emptying an active ingredient tank (54) of a direct feed system (14) of an agricultural sprayer, in particular an agricultural sprayer according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: - separating a coupling (72) in an active ingredient conveying path (78) of the direct feed system (14) between an active ingredient tank (54) and the feed point (60); and - establishing a fluid-conducting pump connection between the active ingredient tank (54) of the direct feed system (14) and a sprayer-external pumping container using the section of the active ingredient conveying path (78) running between the active ingredient tank (54) and the coupling (72); characterized in that the coupling (72) is designed as a plug-in coupling.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized by the step of: - pumping an active ingredient (W) located in the active ingredient tank (54) into the sprayer-external pumping container by means of a feed pump (56) of the direct feed system (14) via the fluid-conducting pump connection with the coupling (72) separated.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the step of: - preventing the escape of active ingredient (W) when the coupling (72) is separated by one or more locking devices (76a, 76b) arranged in the active ingredient conveying path (78) between the active ingredient tank (54) and the feed point (60) and / or integrated in the coupling (72).