MODULAR SPRAY ARM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a spray leg for an agricultural sprayer comprising air circulation modules for such a leg, and to an agricultural sprayer equipped with at least one such leg.

[0002] Agricultural sprayers comprising spray legs are known from the prior art, each spray leg being equipped with sets of air diffusers and spray nozzles, making it possible to send phytosanitary products carried by pulsed air onto the vegetation to be treated.

[0003] Documents AU2009202946B2, EP0704157A1, EP0722657B1, as well as US4982898A ( figure 7 ) represent known agricultural sprayers.

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a spraying leg which can easily be adapted to the nature of the plants to be treated, namely in particular to their height and configuration.

[0005] For this purpose, the present invention provides a spray leg, as claimed.

[0006] The present invention also relates to an agricultural sprayer, equipped with at least one spraying leg in accordance with the above.

[0007] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in the light of the description which follows, and on examination of the appended figures, in which: THE figures 1 to 5 each schematically represent two spraying legs according to the invention carried by an agricultural machine (not shown), surrounding a plant to be treated, the spraying legs having different possible configurations, the figures 6 and 7 represent, in perspective, a possible configuration of spray leg according to the invention, seen from two different angles, corresponding to the diagram shown in figure 1 , THE Figures 8a and 8brepresent, in perspective and from two different angles, a spray leg module according to the invention, of the type capable of receiving a single assembly of air diffuser and spray nozzle, the Figure 8c represents this module in top view, the Figures 9a and 9b represent, in perspective and from two different angles, a spray leg module according to the invention, of the type capable of receiving two sets of air diffusers and spray nozzles, the Figures 10a and 10b represent, in perspective and from two different angles, a spray leg module according to the invention, of the type capable of receiving three sets of air diffusers and spray nozzles, and the figure 11 represents, in perspective view, a spray leg module conforming to the Figures 10a and 10b spraying a phytosanitary liquid on plants, the figures 12 And 13represent in perspective, a spray leg according to one embodiment.

[0008] We now refer to the figures 1 to 5 .

[0009] It has been represented on the figure 1 two spray legs J1 and J2 according to the invention, each comprising two modules M2 and M3 according to the invention forming air circulation ducts, mounted on a rigid support S.

[0010] These two spraying legs J1 and J2 are suspended from a support structure (not shown), itself connected to an agricultural machine (not shown), this agricultural machine being able to be towed, or self-propelled.

[0011] These two legs J1 and J2 are arranged on either side of an alignment of plants V to be treated by spraying, the spray jets being symbolized by the arrows f of the figure 1 .

[0012] Referring to the figures 6, 7 , 9a, 9b, we can see that the M2 module is in the form of a hollow single-block box, comprising orifices allowing two sets of air diffusers 1a, 1b and spray nozzles 3a, 3b to be accommodated.

[0013] To spray, the air flowing through the legs brings propellant air to a nozzle. The propellant air enters through an inlet of the nozzle, passes through it from side to side and exits through an outlet opening, in the form of an air jet directed towards the plants to be treated. The nozzle ensures the function of shaping the air jet and distributing it towards the plants to be treated. The plant protection product is dispersed at the outlet opening of the nozzle in order to be carried or blown by the air jet into the foliage of the plants to be treated.

[0014] An assembly of air diffuser 1 and spray nozzle 3 is also called a nozzle assembly or nozzle block and can be considered as an assembly configured to ensure a mixture of a phytosanitary product with the propellant air to form an aerosol, that is to say to spray and diffuse the aerosol.

[0015] Advantageously, this assembly is removable, preferably but not exclusively, in one piece from the wall which supports it to facilitate maintenance. This assembly preferably cooperates with a hole made in the wall with which it cooperates in the assembled position, this assembly can be attached to the hole and / or inside said hole.

[0016] The box forming the module M2 comprises parts B forming a protective shield for each assembly of air diffuser 1 and spray nozzle 3: these shields, of substantially spherical shape, are arranged so as to protect these assemblies against impacts against the plants to be treated during the movement of the agricultural machine, the direction and direction of this movement being indicated by the arrows D on the figures 6 to 11 .

[0017] The box forming the M2 module has an air inlet orifice 5 and an air outlet orifice 7.

[0018] The box forming the M2 module has a hollow shape, and is preferably made of polyethylene.

[0019] Also preferably, the box forming the module M2 is symmetrical with respect to a plane P (see Figure 9b ) cutting it roughly in the middle, so that it can be used for either a right or left spray leg.

[0020] The box forming the M2 module is connected to the S support by screws or rivets passing through this box.

[0021] As visible on the figures 6 and 7 , the pipe T for the inlet of the phytosanitary liquid to be sprayed is fixed along the support S, and connected to the spray nozzles 3 by branches 15.

[0022] In the embodiment shown in figures 1, 2 , 6 and 7 , the box forming the M2 module is surmounted by a similar box forming the M3 module, shown in more detail on the Figures 10a and 10b .

[0023] This box forming the M3 module differs from the box forming the M2 module in that it has a greater axial length, so as to be able to accommodate three sets of air diffusers 1a, 1b, 1c and spray nozzles 3a, 3b, 3c.

[0024] As can be seen on the figures 6 and 7, the boxes forming the modules M2 and M3 are connected to each other by a bellows 17, which can also be made of polyethylene.

[0025] In the embodiment shown in figures 1 , 6 and 7 , each support S is in the form of a rigid profile, for example in aluminum, so that the two boxes forming the modules M2 and M3 are immobile relative to each other.

[0026] Alternatively, in the connection zone between these two boxes, where the bellows 17 is located, the profile S could have an articulation that can be oriented manually or using a motorized system, possibly controlled, so that the inclination between the modules M2 and M3 could be modified, as can be seen in figure 2 .

[0027] This makes it possible to best match the shape of the plants V to be treated, and thus to maintain a substantially constant spraying distance from these plants.

[0028] According to another variant (not illustrated), a support S is formed partly by the walls of the modules or partly integrated into these walls, for example by a reinforcement, the modules being in the form of a hollow single-block box delimiting air circulation ducts. In such a configuration, the walls of the boxes being self-supporting, the modules are connected to each other by rigid intermediate supports.

[0029] In the same way as previously with a rigid profile, in the connection zone between two boxes, where the bellows 17 is located, an articulation can be provided to equip an intermediate support, the articulation being orientable manually or using a motorized system, possibly controlled, so that the inclination between the two modules concerned could be modified.

[0030] Each spray leg delimits an air circulation channel between successive modules and associated connecting areas, supplying air to the air diffuser of each of the air diffuser and spray nozzle assemblies.

[0031] In one configuration, the spray leg has a proximal end and a distal end: at its proximal end J' corresponds to the air inlet of the leg which also corresponds to an air inlet orifice of the box furthest upstream of the leg from which the air arrives; at its distal end J" corresponds an air outlet orifice 7 which also corresponds to an air outlet orifice of the box furthest downstream of the leg, opposite the proximal end, which orifice is closed by a plug 70 (see the figures 12 And 13 ).

[0032] According to a particular technical configuration, the plug 70 equipping the distal end of the leg is removable. This makes it possible in particular to ensure rapid disassembly to ensure rapid cleaning, for example, and more efficient than if the operator cleaned the inside of the leg only via the air inlet orifice of the leg.

[0033] This cap 70 is preferably fixed to the box by screwing and preferably has a wall delimiting a cavity allowing a user to penetrate at least part of his hand or a tool to manipulate the cap. It will be noted that other removable fixing means can be used such as clipping and / or shape cooperation.

[0034] Furthermore, the solution of manipulating the cap using a suitable tool offers the advantage of being able to form a lever arm, further facilitating opening by an operator with less effort.

[0035] Such a cavity makes it possible in particular to protect access by a user to the means of fixing the cap 70.

[0036] We have represented at the Figures 8a to 8c a module M1, shorter than the two previous modules M2 and M3, capable of accommodating a single set of air diffuser 1 and spray nozzle 3.

[0037] Optionally, and as can be seen for example on the figures 6, 7 , 10a Or 11 , it can be provided that each of the modules M1, M2, M3, has additional air outlet orifices 19, 20, located respectively upstream and downstream of the air diffusers 1 relative to the direction of advancement D of the agricultural machine, these additional orifices 19, 20 being directly formed in the material constituting the box.

[0038] Advantageously, it can be provided that these additional orifices 19, 20 are positioned so as to create air curtains respectively upstream R1 and downstream R2 (see figure 11 ) whose inclination is respectively of the order of 10° and 25° relative to the air jet 25 generated by the air diffusers 1.

[0039] Referring now to the figures 3 to 5 , we can see other possible configurations of spray legs.

[0040] On the figure 3 , each leg J1, J2 includes a central module M3 conforming to the Figures 10a and 10b , on either side of which are two M2 modules conforming to the Figures 9a and 9b .

[0041] In the embodiment shown in the figure 4 , each leg J1, J2 has two M2 modules conforming to the Figures 9a and 9b , and a third upper leg J3 also has such a module M2.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in the Figure 5, a J3 upper spray leg has two M2 modules conforming to the figure 10 .

[0043] The mode of use and the advantages of the present invention result directly from the preceding description.

[0044] The creation of each spraying leg using modules M1, M2, M3, allows this leg to be configured according to needs, i.e. in particular according to the shape of the plants to be treated.

[0045] This configuration can be done in the factory, or at the farmer's premises, who can assemble and disassemble the modules at will, for example if he has different types of crops to treat.

[0046] In the variant where each spray leg support S is articulated, it is possible to follow the envelope of the plants to be treated as closely as possible, and thus optimize the distribution of phytosanitary liquid on these plants.

[0047] The presence of the shields B formed of material with each box forming the modules M1, M2, M3, makes it possible to protect the sets of air diffusers 1 and spray nozzles 3 from impacts against the branches of the plants to be treated.

[0048] It will also be noted that these shields B define additional volumes inside each box forming the modules M1, M2, M3 in line with the air diffusers 1, thus making it possible to compensate for the volume occupied by these air diffusers inside the volume of each of these boxes.

[0049] These additional volumes help prevent the creation of air locks that could disrupt the air flow of the downstream air diffusers.

[0050] The additional upstream orifices 19 creating an upstream air curtain R1, have the effect of agitating and opening the foliage upstream of the spraying, thus facilitating the spraying of the entire surface of the foliage with phytosanitary liquid.

[0051] The additional downstream orifices 20 creating a downstream air curtain R2, make it possible to recover the drops of phytosanitary liquid which have bounced off the foliage of the treated plants, which has the advantage of avoiding a loss of phytosanitary liquid into the air, behind the spray legs relative to the direction of travel of the agricultural machine.

Claims

1. Spraying leg (J1, J2, J3) for an agricultural sprayer, comprising at least one support (S) and a plurality of spraying modules (M1, M2, M3) attached to this support (S), each module (M1, M2, M3) being in the shape of a one-piece box forming an air circulation duct and comprising at least one air inlet orifice (5) and at least one air outlet orifice (7), each module (M1, M2, M3) further comprising an opening each suitable for receiving at least one air diffuser (1) and spraying nozzle (3) assembly, the modules (M1, M2, M3) being connected therebetween by connecting means comprising bellows (17), the spraying leg (J1, J2, J3) thus delimiting an air circulation channel between the successive modules (M1, M2, M3) and the bellows (17) connecting said modules therebetween, by supplying air to the air diffuser (1) of each of the air diffuser (1) and spraying nozzle (3) assemblies, the parts of said support (S) whereupon the modules (M1, M2, M3) are attached being further hinged therebetween.

2. Spraying leg (J1, J2, J3) according to claim 1, wherein the hinges of said parts are motorised.

3. Spraying leg (J1, J2, J3) according to either of the preceding claims, wherein an air inlet corresponds to an air inlet of a module upstream of said leg and wherein an end opposite the air inlet is closed by a removable plug.

4. Spraying leg (J1, J2, J3) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one module (M1, M2, M3) comprises parts forming a protective shield (B) for said at least one air diffuser (1) and spraying nozzle (3) assembly.

5. Spraying leg (J1, J2, J3) according to either claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the at least one module (M1, M2, M3) comprises orifices for attachment to said support (S).

6. Spraying leg (J1, J2, J3) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the at least one module (M1, M2, M3) comprises air curtain outlet orifices (19, 20) upstream (R1) and / or downstream (R2) with respect to a travel direction of the agricultural sprayer.

7. Spraying leg (J1, J2, J3) according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the at least one module (M1, M2, M3) is made of rigid or flexible polyethylene.

8. Agricultural sprayer, equipped with at least one spraying leg according to any of claims 1 to 8.