Safety device for monitoring a treatment device for plants

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for treating plants, comprising the following steps: (S100) detecting a sensor signal (SS) indicative of a rotation of a grounding disk (41a, 41b) by means of a wheel rotational speed sensor (51) of a safety device (40) in order to deduce that the grounding disk (41a, 41b) is in contact with the ground, (S200) starting up a treatment device (1) by way of the safety device (40) if a rotation of the grounding disk (41a, 41b) and / or no electric current flowing through the grounding disk (41a, 41b) have / has been detected.

Description

[0001] Safety device for controlling a treatment device for plants

[0002] The invention relates to a method, a computer program product, and a safety device for controlling a treatment device for treating plants, in particular for desiccating field crops, for green manure control, or for weed control. Furthermore, the invention relates to a carrier vehicle with such a safety device and a kit containing components of such a safety device.

[0003] Desiccation (German: desiccation) is an agricultural practice in which herbicides are applied immediately before harvest. It facilitates harvesting and promotes crop ripening. This process mimics the natural desiccation process of wilting crops during ripening, during which the green parts of the plant above ground turn brown. A welcome side effect is the simultaneous killing of weeds, whose still-green parts would otherwise be harvested with grain, for example, and increase the moisture content of the harvested crop.

[0004] Field crops are cultivated plants grown in fields. Field crops include cereals, root crops, pulses, oilseeds, and green crops used as animal feed or, like silage maize, for energy production.

[0005] Green manure refers to the targeted cultivation of plants to improve soil quality in arable farming, orchards, vineyards, and horticulture. Unlike crops, these plants are not usually harvested but mulched or plowed under.

[0006] When electric current flows through plant parts, they are damaged depending on the electrical current intensity, voltage, and current type (direct current, alternating current, frequency, degree of smoothing or residual ripple, etc.). A comprehensive and unified theory of the mechanism of action does not yet exist. It can be assumed with certainty that the vascular bundles for fluid transport in the plant, as the parts with the lowest electrical resistance, are particularly damaged to the point that they become dysfunctional. The plant subsequently dies and dries out, depending on the degree of damage and the weather conditions.

[0007] The use of direct electrical current for the treatment of plants is known, for example, from US 2,007,383 and WO 2019 / 052591 A1, while the use of direct or alternating electrical current is known, for example, from WO 2018 / 095450 A1 or WO 2018 / 050142 A1.

[0008] Traditionally, two metallic applicators are used to apply electrical current to plants in order to at least keep the electrical resistance at the contact point as low as possible.

[0009] Such applicators are also called long-range applicators (long-range applicators, tongue applicators or LRB (from English "Long Range Blade")). Such applicators have a spacing of 0.8 m to 1 m, for example. However, short applicators (SRA - for English: Short Range Blade) can also be used, whose spacing is in the range of 0.1 m to 0.5 m.

[0010] Furthermore, in some cases the circuit is not closed by a second contact on plants with the opposite pole, but by electrodes cutting into the soil.

[0011] The use of high electrical voltages requires large distances and barriers for occupational safety reasons (especially when metallic conductors are present in the work area, e.g., in a vineyard or in urban applications). Such devices are correspondingly expensive due to complex insulation requirements and disadvantageously large due to increased creepage and clearance requirements. Their technical and economic feasibility is therefore limited.

[0012] US 4 338 744 A1 discloses measures to increase safety during the operation of a device for the electrical treatment of plants.

[0013] There is therefore a need to identify ways in which improvements in occupational safety can be achieved.

[0014] The object of the invention is achieved by a method comprising the steps:

[0015] Detecting a sensor signal indicative of a rotation of a grounding disc with a wheel speed sensor of a safety device in order to conclude that the grounding disc has made contact with the ground,

[0016] Commissioning of a treatment device by the safety device when rotation of the earthing disc and / or when no electrical current flowing through the earthing disc has been detected.

[0017] The treatment device is therefore only activated and thus exposed to electrical voltages that pose a hazard when the grounding disc is rotating and / or when no electrical current flowing through the grounding disc has been detected. It is assumed that the grounding disc only rotates when the grounding disc is in contact with the ground and the carrier vehicle is moving forward in the direction of travel. The fact that the grounding disc is in contact with the ground ensures reliable detection of a flowing electrical current.

[0018] When a carrier vehicle is moving forward in the direction of travel, it can be assumed that, for example, no one is within range of the applicators or even touching them. The fact that the safety device only allows the treatment device to be started up if no electrical current flowing through the grounding plate has been detected ensures that an already damaged treatment device is not put into operation. Such start-up would otherwise result in a fault current, for example, due to damaged electrical insulation in a component of the treatment device.

[0019] This is a particularly simple way to significantly reduce the risk of injury.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the steps

[0021] Detecting an electric current flowing through the earthing plate with the safety device, and

[0022] Deactivation of the treatment device by the safety device when a flowing electrical current is detected.

[0023] This detects an electrical fault current that occurs after commissioning, for example, due to a damaged electrical insulation in a component of the treatment device, and which now partially flows through the grounding plate. This provides a particularly simple way to significantly reduce the risk of injury.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the sensor signal indicative of rotation of the grounding disk is detected by the safety device for a predetermined minimum period of time, and the treatment device is activated by the safety device if the sensor signal has been detected continuously for the minimum period of time. In other words, commissioning only occurs when a predetermined minimum frequency is reached. Therefore, the treatment device is only activated after the minimum period of time has elapsed, and thus subjected to dangerous electrical voltages. This reduces the risk of injury, particularly during start-up of the carrier vehicle. Furthermore, it ensures that commissioning cannot occur when the carrier vehicle is stationary, i.e., not moving.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the further steps

[0026] Determining an electrical current intensity of the detected electrical current through the safety device,

[0027] Comparing the determined electrical current with a threshold value by the safety device, and

[0028] Deactivation of the treatment device by the safety device when the determined electric current intensity of the flowing electric current is greater than the threshold value.

[0029] This ensures that the treatment device is only deactivated when the minimum current permitted by the guidelines is exceeded. This prevents harmless electrical currents from deactivating the treatment device. This ensures continuous operation of the treatment device without unnecessary interruptions.

[0030] The invention further includes a computer program product, a safety device for controlling a treatment device for treating plants, in particular for desiccating field crops or for controlling green manure, a carrier vehicle with an associated safety device of this type and a kit containing components of such a safety device.

[0031] The invention will now be explained with reference to the figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a

[0032] Embodiment of a carrier vehicle with a treatment device for treating plants and with a safety device.

[0033] Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the device shown in Figure

[0034] 1 shown carrier vehicle.

[0035] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the mechanical components of the safety device.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of further details of Figure 3.

[0037] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of further details of Figure 3.

[0038] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of further details of Figure 3.

[0039] Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of the mechanical and electrical components of the safety device.

[0040] Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of the electrical components of the safety device.

[0041] Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of a process flow for

[0042] Operation of the carrier vehicle shown in Figures 1 to 7.

[0043] Reference is first made to Figure 1.

[0044] Fig. 1 shows an arrangement of individual components of a treatment device 1 for treating plants on an agricultural machine serving as a carrier vehicle 30. The treatment device 1 can, for example, be used to effect desiccation by applying an electric current to plants. It can be provided to reduce electrical contact resistances by applying a contact resistance-reducing medium 15, such as a suitable liquid, prior to applying the electric current.

[0045] Agricultural machinery is a specialized machine used primarily in agriculture. It can be self-propelled or pulled by an agricultural towing vehicle, such as a tractor. In other words, the agricultural machine can be a self-propelled towing vehicle or a non-self-propelled trailer pulled by a towing vehicle.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the carrier vehicle 30 is designed as a tractor. Deviating from the present embodiment, the carrier vehicle 30 can also be designed as a fertilizing, seeding, or harvesting machine that has been modified by attaching the components of the treatment device 1. For this purpose, the components of the treatment device 1 can also be provided in the form of a kit.

[0047] The treatment device 1 and the carrier vehicle 30 may vary depending on the mode of use and the specific requirements of the crop in question and the time of treatment.

[0048] In the present exemplary embodiment, the treatment device 1 has a first module 10 for applying the contact resistance-reducing medium 15 and a second module 20 for transmitting direct electrical current to plants. In contrast to the present exemplary embodiment, the treatment device 1 can also have only a second module 20 for transmitting electrical current to the plant parts. Furthermore, it can be provided that, for example, in a combination consisting of a towing vehicle and a trailer pulled by the towing vehicle, the first module 10 is assigned to the towing vehicle and components of the second module 20 are assigned to the towing vehicle and the trailer. The components of the second module 20 can also be assigned only to the trailer.

[0049] In this embodiment, the contact resistance reducing medium 15 is a contact resistance reducing liquid.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the first module 10 is arranged at the front and the second module 20 at the rear of the carrier vehicle 30. This arrangement allows the application of the contact resistance-reducing medium 15 to always take place before or simultaneously with the electrophysical treatment by applying an electrical current, such as a direct current.

[0051] The first module 10 has at least one application device designed as a nozzle 11. In combination with the nozzle 11, the application device can also be a wiper (not shown), or alternatively can be designed as a wiper itself. The application device is thus designed for spraying and wiper-off or applying the contact resistance-reducing medium 15, or alternatively also for spraying or wiper-off. The first module 10 has a number of jointly or preferably individually controllable nozzles 11 or wipers, which are arranged on a first support structure 13 at a desired working width of the treatment device 1 (e.g. 1.5 - 48 m, preferably 6 - 27 m) and geometry (statically or flexibly mounted or sensor-controlled in height).The nozzles 11 and / or wipers are supplied with the contact resistance-reducing medium 15, a liquid in the present embodiment, which is stored in one or more liquid containers 14. Sensors 16 are arranged, among other things, in the area of ​​the nozzles 11 (not shown), the data from which are used, if necessary, to control the amount of contact resistance-reducing medium 15 applied. Additional sensors 16 can be arranged at the front of the first module 10 (i.e., in the direction of travel FR) for work safety purposes. Sensors used include, but are not limited to, current / voltage sensors, optical sensors, e.g., camera systems, position or motion sensors, LIDAR, metal detectors, and others. Drones flying ahead can also be used to detect the plants ahead. Furthermore, electric fence applicators can be arranged on the carrier vehicle 30 or the second module 20 to deter or scare away animals.

[0052] In the present exemplary embodiment, the carrier vehicle 30 supplies mechanical drive energy via a power take-off shaft 31 or a hydraulic circuit for an electric generator 32 of the second module 20, which can be located in the rear area (as shown). The individual modules of the treatment device 1 are arranged, for example, as attachments, e.g. with three-point linkages. Special crops require special machines, sometimes already as a carrier vehicle 30 with special suspensions, possibly also to the side or underneath the carrier vehicle 30. For treatment devices 1 with very high energy requirements, e.g. due to very large working widths or carrier vehicles 30 without sufficient free power capacity, independent power generator systems can also be used, which can be coupled to the carrier vehicle 30, mounted on a semi-trailer, or moved on a trailer.

[0053] Electrical current is transmitted from the generator 32 via electrical lines to a transformation and control unit 33 of the second module 20. There, the electrical current is converted for transformation and then brought to the predetermined electrical voltage with a predetermined residual ripple in centrally or distributed transformers and further control units.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the second module 20 comprises a plurality of applicator units 2, each with a plurality of applicators 21a, 21b, 21c for applying direct electrical current to plants. Deviating from the present embodiment, the plants can also be applied with alternating electrical current. Reference is now also made to Figure 2.

[0055] The majority of applicator units 2 are arranged in an applicator row 12, wherein the extension direction of the applicator row 12 extends transversely, in the present embodiment at an angle of 90°, to the direction of travel FR of the carrier vehicle 30. The applicators 21a, 21b, 21c of the applicator row 12 are arranged on a support structure 24.

[0056] In order to reduce the risk of injury, in particular from electric shocks, during operation of the treatment device 1, a safety device 40 is provided with, in the present embodiment, two grounding disks 41a, 41b.

[0057] Reference is now made additionally to Figures 3 to 6.

[0058] Shown are mechanical components of the safety device 40 for controlling the treatment device 1 for treating plants.

[0059] The mechanical components include one of the grounding disks 41 a, 41 b, a locking pawl 42, a scraper rubber 43, a handle 44, a height adjustment 45, a swivel arm 46, a swivel adjustment 47, a leaf spring 48, a hydraulic cylinder 49, a magnetic bolt 50 and a tension spring 60.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the grounding disks 41a, 41b are a disk-shaped base body made of electrically conductive material, such as stainless steel or aluminum, which is rotatably mounted. Deviating from the present embodiment, the grounding disks 41a, 41b can also have another rotationally symmetrical basic shape, such as a cylinder with an outer surface that can roll on a floor. The locking pawl 42 is a transport lock for the securing device 40. In the present embodiment, the locking pawl 42 can be manually engaged and disengaged, in particular to move the grounding disks 41a, 41b from a transport position to an operating position.

[0061] The scraper rubber 43 is intended to remove the biomass and soil stuck to the respective grounding discs 41 a, 41 b.

[0062] The handle 44 allows the respective earthing disc 41 a, 41 b to be lifted or pivoted.

[0063] The height adjustment 45 allows the respective grounding plate 41a, 41b to be adjusted to the level of the floor surface. For transport, the grounding plates 41a, 41b can be locked in an upper end position if necessary. In the present embodiment, the height adjustment 45 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as a plastic material. In the present embodiment, the height adjustment 45 is not electrically bridged to enable fault current measurement.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the pivot arm 46 is designed to be able to pivot the entire assembly by 90° in order to provide access to other components, in particular the treatment device 1.

[0065] Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the track width of the first grounding disk 41 a relative to the second grounding disk 41 b can be changed during operation via the pivot arm 46. In the middle position, the track width in the present exemplary embodiment is 1.5 m. If the magnetic bolt 50 is moved to the inner position, the grounding disks 41 a, 41 b can be pivoted outwards, increasing the track width to, for example, 1.95 m. In the present exemplary embodiment, the pivot adjustment 47 allows the respective grounding disks 41 a, 41 b to be pivoted upwards and secured for transport if necessary (depending on the size of the carrier vehicle 30), in addition to the height adjustment 45.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the leaf spring 48 ensures that the grounding disk 41 a, 41 b is aligned along the direction of travel FR or direction of travel during travel.

[0067] The hydraulic cylinder 49 is designed to lower and raise the respective grounding disk 41 a, 41 b.

[0068] The tension spring 60 "pulls together" the parallelogram guide 57 so that the grounding disc 41 a, 41 b is always pulled downwards.

[0069] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 7.

[0070] Shown are further mechanical and electrical components of the safety device 40 for controlling the treatment device 1 for treating plants.

[0071] The mechanical components shown are a parallelogram guide 57 for guiding the earthing plate 41 a, 41 b and fastening nuts 58 for fastening the earthing plate 41 a, 41 b to a hub.

[0072] The electrical components shown are a wheel speed sensor 51 and a trigger wheel 59 which interacts with the wheel speed sensor 51 and which, in the present exemplary embodiment, is formed by the annularly arranged fastening nuts 58 made of a magnetic material. The wheel speed sensor 51 is designed to detect a rotation of the associated grounding disk 41a, 41b and to provide a sensor signal SS (see Figure 8) which is indicative of a current rotational speed of the grounding disk 41a, 41b, e.g. in the form of pulses per predetermined time unit. In the present exemplary embodiment, the wheel speed sensor 51 is designed as an induction transmitter or sensor. In contrast to the present exemplary embodiment, the wheel speed sensor 51 can also be designed as a Hall sensor or as a rotary encoder.

[0073] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 8.

[0074] Shown are further electrical components of the safety device 40 for controlling the treatment device 1 for treating plants.

[0075] In addition to the wheel speed sensor 51, the electrical components include an evaluation unit 52, a timer 53, a measuring device 54, a comparison device 55 and a control unit 56.

[0076] The safety device 40 and the aforementioned components may each have hardware and / or software components for their tasks and / or functions described below.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the evaluation unit 52 is designed to read in the sensor signal SS and, upon the presence of, for example, a pulse of the sensor signal SS, to start the timer 53 with an activation signal AK.

[0078] The timer 53 then monitors the expiration of a minimum time period MT and sends a stop signal ST to the evaluation unit 52 after the expiration of the minimum time period MT, ie when the time period T is greater than the minimum time period MT. Until the expiration of the minimum time period MT, ie until the stop signal ST, the evaluation unit 52 in the present embodiment counts the number N of pulses of the sensor signal SS during the predetermined time interval starting with the start until the expiration of the minimum time period MT and compares the determined number N with a predetermined minimum number MA of at least two.

[0079] If the sensor signal SS has a predetermined minimum number of pulses MA within a predetermined time interval with the minimum duration MT, it is assumed that the sensor signal SS is continuously present. Otherwise, it is assumed that the sensor signal SS is not continuously present.

[0080] If the specific number N is greater than the predetermined minimum number MA, the control unit 56 is controlled, which then provides a switch-on signal ES that activates the treatment device 1.

[0081] In the present embodiment, the grounding plate 41a and the second grounding plate 41b each provide a sensor signal SS. Before the control unit 56 is activated, a comparison of the number N of pulses of the two sensor signals SS during the predetermined time interval is performed. The switch-on signal ES is only provided if the deviation between the two values ​​for the number N is less than a predetermined error threshold. In other words, additional error control is achieved by comparing the sensor signals SS provided by the two grounding plates 41a, 41b.

[0082] In the present exemplary embodiment, the measuring device 54 is designed to detect an electrical current I, i.e., an electrical fault current, which is caused, for example, by an insulation fault in a component of the treatment device 1, and to determine its current intensity A. In the present exemplary embodiment, the comparison device 55 is designed to compare the current intensity A with a predetermined threshold value SW. If the current intensity A is greater than the threshold value SW, the control unit 56 is controlled, which then provides a shutdown signal AS that deactivates the treatment device 1.

[0083] Furthermore, the present exemplary embodiment provides that the treatment device 1 can only be started up by the safety device 40 if no electrical current flowing through the two grounding plates 41a, 41b has been detected. This ensures that no already damaged treatment device 1 is put into operation, the start-up of which would otherwise lead to a fault current, e.g. due to an electrical insulation of a component of the treatment device 1 that has become damaged in the meantime. Here, the present exemplary embodiment provides that no electrical current is concluded to be flowing through one of the two grounding plates 41a, 41b if a detected electrical current intensity A of a detected electrical current is less than a predetermined limit value.

[0084] Deviating from the present exemplary embodiment, the safety device 40 may in particular also have other mechanical and / or electrical components, and / or the safety device 40 may also be designed without some of the aforementioned components.

[0085] A method sequence for operating the treatment device 1 together with the safety device 40 of the carrier vehicle 30 will now be explained with additional reference to Figure 9.

[0086] In a first step S100, the sensor signal SS is detected, indicative of a rotation of the grounding disk 41a, 41b of the safety device 40, in order to conclude that the two grounding disks 41a, 41b are in contact with the ground. The presence of ground contact of the grounding disk ensures reliable detection of a flowing electrical current. In a further step S200, the treatment device 1 is started up by the safety device 40 if a rotation of the grounding disk 41a, 41b and / or if no electrical current flowing through one of the two grounding disks 41a, 41b has been detected.

[0087] For this purpose, it is monitored whether the sensor signal SS, indicative of a rotation of the grounding disk 41, has been detected by the safety device 40 for a predetermined minimum time period MT. Only if the sensor signal SS has been detected continuously for the minimum time period MT will the treatment device 1 be put into operation by the safety device 40.

[0088] The fact that in the present exemplary embodiment, additional commissioning of the treatment device 1 by the safety device 40 is only possible if no electrical current flowing through the two grounding plates 41 a, 41 b has been detected, ensures that no already damaged treatment device 1 is put into operation. Otherwise, commissioning would result in a fault current, for example due to an electrical insulation of a component of the treatment device 1 that has become damaged in the meantime. In the present exemplary embodiment, it is provided that no electrical current is concluded to be flowing through one of the two grounding plates 41 a, 41 b if a detected electrical current intensity A of a detected electrical current is less than a predetermined limit value.

[0089] Additionally, in the present embodiment, the grounding plate 41a and the second grounding plate 41b each provide a sensor signal SS, and a comparison of the number N of pulses of the two sensor signals SS is performed during the predetermined time interval before the control unit 56 is activated. The switch-on signal ES is only provided if the deviation between the two values ​​for the number N is less than a predetermined error threshold. In a further step S300, an electrical current I flowing through the grounding plate 41a, 41b is detected by the safety device 40.

[0090] In a further step S400, the electrical current intensity A of the detected electrical current I is determined by the safety device 40.

[0091] In a further step S500, the determined electrical current intensity A is compared with the threshold value SW by the safety device 40.

[0092] In a further step S600, the treatment device 1 is deactivated by the safety device 40 if the determined electrical current intensity A of the flowing electrical current I is greater than the threshold value SW.

[0093] Deviating from the present embodiment, the order of the steps may also be different. Furthermore, multiple steps may be executed simultaneously. Furthermore, deviating from the present embodiment, individual steps may be skipped or omitted.

[0094] Thus, the safety device 40 can reduce the risk of injury during operation of the carrier vehicle 30 with the treatment device 1 in a particularly simple manner.

[0095] List of reference symbols

[0096] 1 treatment device

[0097] 2 Applicator unit

[0098] 10 first module

[0099] 11 Nozzle

[0100] 12 applicator rows

[0101] 13 first support structure

[0102] 14 liquid containers

[0103] 15 contact resistance reducing medium

[0104] 16 sensors

[0105] 20 second module

[0106] 21a electric applicator

[0107] 21 b electric applicator

[0108] 21c electric applicator

[0109] 24 second support structure

[0110] 30 carrier vehicles

[0111] 31 PTO

[0112] 32 Generator

[0113] 33 Transformation and Control Unit

[0114] 40 Safety device

[0115] 41a Earthing plate

[0116] 41 b Grounding plate

[0117] 42 pawl

[0118] 43 Scraper rubber

[0119] 44 Grab handle

[0120] 45 height adjustment

[0121] 46 Swivel arm

[0122] 47 Swivel adjustment

[0123] 48 leaf spring

[0124] 49 hydraulic cylinders

[0125] 50 magnetic bolts

[0126] 51 Wheel speed sensor 52 Evaluation unit

[0127] 53 timers

[0128] 54 Measuring device

[0129] 55 Comparison device

[0130] 56 Control unit

[0131] 57 Parallelogram guide

[0132] 58 Fastening nut

[0133] 59 Trigger wheel

[0134] 60 tension spring

[0135] A electrical current

[0136] AK activation signal

[0137] AS shutdown signal

[0138] ES switch-on signal

[0139] FR Direction of movement

[0140] I electric current

[0141] SS sensor signal

[0142] ST stop signal

[0143] SW threshold

[0144] Minimum number of employees

[0145] MT minimum duration

[0146] N number

[0147] T Duration

[0148] S100 step

[0149] S200 Step

[0150] S300 step

[0151] S400 step

[0152] S500 step

[0153] S600 step

Claims

Patent claims: Method for treating plants, comprising the steps: (S100) Detection of a sensor signal (SS) indicative of a rotation of an earthing disc (41 a, 41 b) with a wheel speed sensor (51 ) of a safety device (40) in order to conclude that the earthing disc (41 a, 41 b) is in contact with the ground, (S200) Commissioning of a treatment device (1) by the safety device (40) when a rotation of the grounding disk (41a, 41b) and / or when no electric current flowing through the grounding disk (41a, 41b) has been detected. Method according to claim 1, with the further steps: (S300) Detecting an electric current (I) flowing through the earthing disc (41 a, 41 b) with the safety device (40), and (S600) Deactivating the treatment device (1) by the safety device (40) when an electric current (I) is detected. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor signal (SS) is detected by the safety device (40) as an indicator of rotation of the grounding disk (41a, 41b) for a predetermined minimum time period (MT), and the treatment device (1) is activated by the safety device (40) when the sensor signal (SS) is continuously detected during the minimum time period (MT). A method according to claim 1, 2, or 3, further comprising the steps: (S400) Determining an electric current (A) of the detected electric current (I) through the safety device (40), (S500) Comparing the specified electric current (A) with a threshold value (SW) by the safety device (40), and (S600) Deactivation of the treatment device (1) by the safety device (40) when the specified electric current (A) of the flowing electric current (I) is greater than the threshold (SW). Computer program product, configured to execute a method according to one of claims 1 to 4. Safety device (40) for controlling a treatment device (1 ) for treating plants, wherein the safety device (40) is configured to detect a sensor signal (SS) indicatively for a rotation of an earthing disc (41a, 41b) with a wheel speed sensor (51 ) of the safety device (40) in order to infer ground contact of the earthing disc (41a, 41b), and to put the treatment device (1 ) into operation when a rotation of the earthing disc (41a, 41b) and / or when no electric current flowing through the earthing disc (41a, 41b) has been detected.Safety device (40) according to claim 6, wherein the safety device (40) is configured to detect an electric current (I) flowing through the grounding disk (41a, 41b) and to deactivate the treatment device (1) when an electric current (I) is detected. Safety device (40) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the safety device (40) is configured to detect the sensor signal (SS). The safety device (40) is designed to detect a rotation of the grounding disc (41a, 41b) for a predetermined minimum duration (MT) and to activate the treatment device (1) if the sensor signal (SS) is continuously detected during the minimum duration (MT). The safety device (40) is configured according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the safety device (40) is configured to detect an electric current (A) of the electric current (I), to compare the determined electric current (A) with a threshold value (SW), and to deactivate the treatment device (1) if the determined electric current (A) of the flowing electric current (I) is greater than the threshold value (SW). The carrier vehicle (30), in particular a self-propelled agricultural machine, is equipped with an associated safety device (40) according to any one of claims 6 to 9.Kit comprising components of a safety device (40) according to one of claims 6 to 9 for forming a carrier vehicle (30) according to claim 10.

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