Agricultural spraying device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an agricultural spraying device (10) for extensively dispensing liquids over agriculturally productive land, comprising: - a spray boom (5) having spray nozzles (6, 7) which are spaced apart from one another thereon, wherein a spray nozzle (6) in the form of an edge nozzle (7) is arranged at each of the two outermost ends (13) of the spray boom (5), with spray nozzles (6) with a single nozzle body being arranged between them, and - a control device (11) for activating the spray nozzles (6, 7), wherein the edge nozzles (7) have the same single nozzle body as the other spray nozzles (6), wherein each edge nozzle (7) has an adjustment device (16) which is designed and configured for setting a spray cone (8), which is dispensed by the edge nozzle (7), by pivoting of the edge nozzle (7) about a pivot axis (14) running substantially horizontally and vertically to the spray boom (5).

Description

[0001] Agricultural spraying equipment

[0002] The invention relates to an agricultural spraying device for the extensive application of spray liquids on an agricultural field according to the preamble of patent claim 1, a method for the extensive application of spray liquids by an agricultural spraying device according to the preamble of claim 14 and an agricultural field sprayer according to claim 15.

[0003] Agricultural spraying equipment is widely used, particularly in the agricultural sector. These are typically so-called field sprayers. They are generally used to apply spray liquids to areas typically used for agriculture, such as fields, arable land, or the like. The spray liquid is distributed over the area, particularly over the plants on it, such as crops and / or weeds, according to a specified pattern. In the simplest case, this is evenly distributed; however, the applied amount can also vary locally, for example, to adapt to different soil conditions and / or the individual needs of the respective plants.

[0004] The sprayed liquid usually contains at least one active ingredient.

[0005] The active ingredient(s) can be, for example, fertilizers, fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, or other agents. Typically, a concentrated agent is used, containing at least one or more active ingredients. This agent is diluted with a carrier liquid, such as water, so that the active ingredients are present in a spray liquid in an easily pumpable and thus easily dosed amount.

[0006] When applying spray liquid to agricultural land, it is important to comply with legal distance requirements, for example to protect bodies of water, as well as to observe field boundaries with neighbouring fields, roads or the like. In order to achieve the most precise treatment possible in boundary areas, edge nozzles are used at the two outermost ends of a spray boom. These nozzles differ from the other spray nozzles on the spray boom in terms of their spray cone. For this purpose, the edge nozzles have an asymmetrical spray cone, i.e. one limited to one side, while the other spray nozzles have a spray cone that is essentially evenly directed downwards. An agricultural spraying device of the type mentioned above is known from DE 44 441 472 A1.The disadvantage of this spraying system for the widespread application of spray liquids is that it requires manual replacement of the edge nozzles to allow for adaptation to different application situations, such as topographical conditions, tramlines, crop cultivation, or the like, in the border areas of a field or when subsequently working another field. Furthermore, the use of edge nozzles requires them to be switched off when working away from the border areas to avoid an inhomogeneous distribution of the spray liquid, which can lead to resistance and weed growth. Furthermore, this can cause damage to the crops.

[0007] Based on the above-mentioned prior art, it is therefore the object of the present invention to further develop an agricultural spraying device of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterized by more cost-effective equipment with comparable functionality.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of independent patent claim 1, wherein advantageous developments of the spraying device according to the invention are the subject of the corresponding dependent patent claims 2 to 13.

[0009] According to claim 1, an agricultural spraying device for the widespread application of liquids on an agricultural field is proposed. The device comprises a spray boom with spray nozzles arranged at a distance from one another. At each of the two outermost ends of the spray boom, a spray nozzle designed as an edge nozzle is arranged, between which spray nozzles, preferably with a single nozzle body, are arranged. Furthermore, the spraying device comprises a control device for controlling the spray nozzles.According to the invention, it is provided that the edge nozzles are preferably designed with the identically designed single nozzle body as the other spray nozzles, wherein each edge nozzle has an adjusting device which is designed and configured to adjust a spray cone or spray fan emitted by the edge nozzle by pivoting the edge nozzle about a pivot axis running substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the spray boom and / or by moving the edge nozzle along the boom, in particular towards the adjacent spray nozzle.

[0010] The invention is based on the idea of ​​dispensing with the use or replacement of special edge nozzles with an asymmetrical spray cone, in favor of using a uniform spray nozzle type with a single nozzle body across the entire width of the spray boom. The two adjustment devices, which are designed and configured to adjust the spray cone or spray fan delivered by the respective edge nozzle by pivoting and / or shifting the edge nozzle, make it possible to adapt the spray cone or spray fan in the edge areas to the prevailing conditions, preferably in a situation-appropriate manner.

[0011] The term “edge nozzle” is to be understood in the sense of the invention as meaning that it designates the position of the spray nozzle at the two outermost ends of the spray boom and not a design of the nozzle body that differs from the other spray nozzles, as is provided for in the prior art.

[0012] A pivot axis running essentially perpendicular to the spray boom is understood to mean a position of the pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal extent of the spray boom.

[0013] Preferably, the control device can be configured for pulse-width modulation of the valves assigned to the spray nozzles. Each spray nozzle, i.e., including the edge nozzles, is assigned such a valve. By means of pulse-width modulation or pulse-width frequency modulation, the application rates of all spray nozzles, i.e., including the edge nozzles, can be adjusted extremely precisely without having to vary the supply pressure of the spray liquid to be applied. However, the supply pressure of the spray liquid to be applied can be adjusted in addition to the pulse-width modulation or pulse-width frequency modulation on the application elements or on the valve units upstream of the application elements.By combining the variation of pulse width and pulse frequency, the spraying system is capable of, for example, almost continuously varying the application rate of spray fluid at individual, grouped, or all spray nozzles. The spray pressure and / or droplet size preferably remain essentially constant with pulse-width frequency modulation. Furthermore, the high droplet velocity results in a short droplet flight time. This ensures accurate application and, at the same time, significantly reduces drift.

[0014] In particular, the adjustment device for the edge nozzles can be pneumatically, hydraulically, or electromechanically operated. Depending on the type of actuation of the adjustment devices, the adjustment of the edge nozzles can be adjusted with regard to weight and / or reaction speed.

[0015] According to a further development, the control device can be configured for automated control of the adjustment device for setting a pivot angle. This can relieve an operator of the agricultural spraying device of the task of controlling the adjustment device by input via a user interface.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, the control device can be configured to adjust the application rate of at least the edge nozzle, depending on the pivot angle set by the adjustment device, taking into account the application rate of the respective spray nozzle immediately adjacent to the edge nozzle. This can prevent inhomogeneities in application caused by significantly overlapping application areas of the edge nozzle and the immediately adjacent spray nozzle. When adjusting the edge nozzle, a coordinated adjustment of the application rate of both the edge nozzle and the spray nozzle immediately adjacent to it is conceivable.

[0017] In particular, a guide element can be arranged on the spray boom between the respective edge nozzle and the spray nozzles immediately adjacent to it, preferably by means of an actuator, and adjustable and / or pivotable about an axis extending substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the spray boom. The adjustment of the guide element with respect to the axis can be effected by a rotary and / or linear movement.

[0018] For example, the guide element arranged on the underside of the spray boom between the respective edge nozzle and the spray nozzles immediately adjacent to it can be moved in a vertical direction by a linear actuator. In a neutral position, the guide element is located outside the spray cones or spray fans, and in an operative position, the guide element can be transferred, at least in sections, into a shading position in which the guide element is located in sections between the spray cones or spray fans of the edge nozzle and the immediately adjacent spray nozzle. Compared to the guide element that can be pivoted about the axis, the flat guide element that can be moved in the vertical direction has the advantage that it can be completely removed from the area of ​​the adjacent spray cones or spray fans.Furthermore, the vertical adjustment allows the effective length of the guide element to be modified compared to the guide element that is only moved rotationally. Particularly preferably, the guide element can be adjustable both rotationally and linearly. Furthermore, the control device can be configured to control the linear actuator depending on the set pivot angle of the edge nozzle in order to move the respective guide element between its neutral position and its effective position.

[0019] In particular, the guide element can be positioned and / or positionable in such a way that the pivoted spray cone or spray fan of the edge nozzle is deflected in a direction away from the immediately adjacent spray nozzle.

[0020] Furthermore, the control device can be configured to control the actuators depending on the set swivel angle of the edge nozzle in order to swivel in the respective guide element.

[0021] Preferably, the respective guide element can be manually positioned by an operator. For this purpose, a manually operable locking device can be provided on the axis relative to which the guide element is pivotable or adjustable, by means of which the respective guide element can be continuously fixed in a set position.

[0022] According to a further development, the control device can be configured to control the respective adjusting device as a function of at least one operating parameter of the spraying device in order to adjust the pivoting angle of at least one edge nozzle.

[0023] In particular, the operating parameter can be at least one parameter from the group of wind speed, wind direction, driving speed, minimum distance to be maintained, type and / or quantity of liquid to be applied, and / or droplet size range. The application of the liquid is generally subject to at least one or more influencing factors that must be considered for accurate application. In particular, the edge nozzle, which applies the liquid at the edge of a field, requires the spray cone or spray fan to be adjusted to take the operating parameter(s) into account.

[0024] Preferably, the control device can be configured to evaluate a position signal from a position-finding sensor and / or data stored in an application map of a field and / or an optical signal generated by at least one optical sensor device as a switching criterion for adjusting the pivot angle of the at least one edge nozzle. Further preferably, the control device can be configured to adjust the at least one edge nozzle in accordance with a manual input. For this purpose, the control device can be connected to a control unit, in particular a remote control unit, which enables an operator of the agricultural spraying device to manually control the adjustment of the at least one edge nozzle by means of an input to set an angle of the spray cone or spray fan adapted to the prevailing operating parameters.In addition, the control device can be configured to provide the operator with information via the operating unit that an adjustment of the pivot angle of the at least one edge nozzle is required in response to a change in at least one operating parameter.

[0025] In particular, the control device can be configured to use a distance to be maintained from a field boundary and / or an area to be excluded as the switching criterion for adjusting the at least one edge nozzle. Areas to be excluded include, among others, bodies of water, adjacent ditches, paths, or the like, where the liquid may not or should not be applied. The distances to be maintained in this case are based in particular on legal regulations.

[0026] Furthermore, the object underlying the invention is achieved by a method according to the independent claim 14. According to claim 14, a method for the area application of liquids on an agricultural field by means of an agricultural spraying device, in particular a spraying device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid is applied by means of spray nozzles arranged at a distance from one another on a spray boom, wherein at the two outermost ends of the spray boom there is arranged a spray nozzle designed as an edge nozzle, between which spray nozzles, preferably with a single nozzle body, are arranged, wherein the spray nozzles are controlled by a control device, wherein single nozzle bodies identical to the spray nozzles are used as edge nozzles, wherein each edge nozzle has an associated adjusting device,by which a spray cone or spray fan discharged by the edge nozzle is adjusted by pivoting the edge nozzle about a pivot axis extending substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the spray boom and / or by moving the edge nozzle along the boom, in particular toward the adjacent spray nozzle. Regarding the advantages and modifications of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the advantages and modifications of the spraying device according to the invention. In particular, the spraying device can be designed to carry out the method according to at least one of the above embodiments of the spraying device according to the invention.

[0027] Furthermore, the object stated at the outset is achieved by an agricultural field sprayer with a spraying device for the extensive application of spray liquids on an agricultural field according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the field sprayer is configured and designed to carry out the method according to claim 14. Reference may be made to the advantages of the spraying device according to the invention.

[0028] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0029] They show:

[0030] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary schematic representation of an agricultural spraying device;

[0031] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary and schematic perspective view of a partial area of ​​a spray boom of the spraying device according to Fig. 1;

[0032] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary and schematic representation of a partial area of ​​the spray boom with the edge nozzle in a first operating situation;

[0033] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary and schematic representation of the partial area of ​​the spray boom according to Fig. 3 with the edge nozzle in a second operating situation;

[0034] Fig. 5 shows an exemplary and schematic representation according to Fig. 4 with an adjustable guide element; and

[0035] Fig. 6 shows an exemplary and schematic representation according to Fig. 5 with a guide element that can be adjusted by pivoting.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary schematic representation of an agricultural spraying device 10. The spraying device 10, designed as a field sprayer 2, is attached behind an agricultural tractor 1. The field sprayer 2 is used for agricultural purposes, namely for spraying spray liquids on agricultural land. For this purpose, the field sprayer 2 has a tank 3 for storing the spray liquid to be sprayed and a pump device for conveying the same. In this case, a pair of wheels 4 serves to support and roll the field sprayer 2 on the field or traffic routes. If the spraying device is designed as a mounted field sprayer 2, the wheels 4 can of course be omitted or, in the case of a self-propelled field sprayer 2, supplemented by another pair of wheels 4.

[0037] To apply the spray liquid to the agricultural field, a plurality of spray nozzles 6 are arranged on a spray boom 5 of the field sprayer 2. The spray boom 5 extends transversely to the direction of travel F and is designed to be collapsible.

[0038] The spray liquid is transported under pressure from the tank 3 to the spray nozzles 6 by means of the pump device through liquid lines (not shown in detail). Alternatively or additionally, the spray liquid can be generated internally from carrier liquid and at least one active ingredient, preferably along the liquid lines and / or at the spray nozzles 6. During operation of the field sprayer 2, the spray liquid emerges from the spray nozzles 6 in the form of spray cones 8 or spray fans and is distributed over the agricultural area, as shown in Fig. 2. The spray nozzles 6 have an identical configuration, i.e. the shape and characteristics of the spray cone 8 or spray fan formed by the spray nozzles 6 are the same. The sum of all spray cones 8 or spray fans formed by the spray nozzles 6 results in the overall spray pattern of the field sprayer 2 during operation.

[0039] The spraying device 10 comprises a control device 11, which is connected to a remote control unit 9, here preferably arranged in the cab of the tractor 1, via a communication medium 12, for example, Bluetooth, WiFi, mobile radio, or CAN bus. The tractor 1 and / or the spraying device 10 can have at least one position sensor, which enables localization of the spraying device 10.

[0040] The operating unit 9 can comprise, in addition to a graphical user interface, an input unit and a control and regulation unit. A stored and / or retrievable application map can be stored in the operating unit 9, which can be used to determine a required application rate in each case. The spray nozzles 6, 7 are arranged equidistantly on the spray boom 5. The spray nozzles 6 arranged at the two outermost ends 13 of the spray boom 5 are referred to as edge nozzles 7 due to their position and function. The spray nozzles 6 with single nozzle bodies are arranged between the two edge nozzles 8. The two edge nozzles 7 are also designed with a single nozzle body, which is identical to the nozzle bodies of the other spray nozzles 6.

[0041] The two edge nozzles 7 perform a special function due to their exposed position at the two outermost ends 13 of the spray boom 5. The edge nozzles 7 are intended to prevent the unintentional discharge of spray liquid into adjacent areas where, among other things, it is prohibited to apply spray liquid due to legal regulations. These areas can include, for example, ditches, bodies of water, paths, or adjacent fields.

[0042] According to the invention, each edge nozzle 7 has an adjusting device designed and configured to adjust the spray cone 8 emitted by the edge nozzle 7 by pivoting the edge nozzle 7 about a pivot axis 14 extending substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the spray boom 5. The pivot axis 14 extends transversely to the longitudinal extent of the spray boom 5 in the direction of travel F.

[0043] In a further embodiment not shown in the figures, however, it would also be conceivable for the adjusting device to be configured to alternatively or additionally displace the edge nozzle 7 along a longitudinal axis of the spray boom 5 or transversely to the direction of travel of the field sprayer 2. Fig. 2 shows an exemplary and schematic perspective view of a partial region of the spray boom 5 of the spraying device 10 according to Fig. 1. A liquid supply line (not shown in the figures) is arranged on the spray boom 5 and is configured to supply the spray liquid to the equidistantly arranged spray nozzles 6, 7. The spray nozzles 6 and edge nozzles 7, which are designed with identical single nozzle bodies, are controlled by the control device 11. Each spray nozzle 6, 7 is assigned at least one valve (not shown). The valve is designed with an electromotive actuating element.Preferably, the valve is designed as a pulse width modulation valve.

[0044] Fig. 3 shows, by way of example and schematically, a partial region of the spray boom 5 with the edge nozzle 7 in a first operating situation. In the first operating situation, the edge nozzle 7 and the spray nozzle 6 immediately adjacent to it, as well as the other spray nozzles 6, are positioned and / or aligned in the intended manner with respect to the rows of plants. In the first operating situation, there are no restrictions, for example, due to a field boundary or a minimum distance to be maintained from a body of water or the like. The spray cones 8 emitted by the edge nozzles 7 and the other spray nozzles 6 are essentially identical.

[0045] Each edge nozzle 7 has an adjustment device 16. The adjustment device 16 of the edge nozzles 7 can be actuated pneumatically, hydraulically, or electromechanically. The adjustment device 16 is connected to the control device 11 via the communication medium 12. The adjustment device 16 has at least one drive element (not shown in the figures) on each of the edge nozzles 7.

[0046] The illustration in Fig. 4 shows an example and schematically the partial area of ​​the spray boom 5 according to Fig. 3 with the edge nozzle 7 in a second operating situation. A dashed-line application limit 17 represents a minimum distance to be maintained from a body of water, a field boundary or another area or section beyond which no spray liquid should be applied.

[0047] To maintain this application limit 17, the adjustment device 16 is preferably automatically controlled by the control device 11 to pivot the edge nozzle 7 inward about the pivot axis 14 in the direction of the immediately adjacent spray nozzle 6. Pivoting the edge nozzle 7 results in a spray cone 8a with a different orientation, as indicated in Fig. 4. Due to the identical design of the edge nozzles 7 and the spray nozzles 6 with the identically designed single nozzle body, the shape of the spray cone 8a corresponds to that of the spray cone 8.

[0048] For this purpose, the control device 11 can evaluate data generated by a detection device in order to determine the occurrence and position of the application limit 17. The detection device can have at least one optical sensor and / or at least one optical, in particular image-capturing, camera, which is / are preferably arranged in the region of the spray boom 5, in particular in front of the spray nozzles 6, 7 in the direction of travel F. In addition to the data provided by the detection device, topographical data stored in the operating unit 9 can be used alternatively or additionally to determine existing application limits 17. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, position signals from at least one position-locating sensor arranged on the spraying device 10 and / or the tractor 1 can be evaluated by the control device 11 in order to determine existing application limits 17.

[0049] The control device 11 can be configured to adjust at least the discharge rate of the edge nozzle 7, depending on the pivot angle set by the adjustment device 16, taking into account the discharge rate of the respective spray nozzle 6 arranged immediately adjacent to the edge nozzle 7. This can prevent or at least reduce inhomogeneity in the discharge rate due to the resulting partial overlap of the two spray cones 8, 8a of the edge nozzle 7 and the adjacent spray nozzle 6. When adjusting the edge nozzle 7, it is conceivable to jointly adjust the discharge rate of both the edge nozzle 7 and the spray nozzle 6 immediately adjacent to it.

[0050] Fig. 5 shows an exemplary and schematic representation according to Fig. 4 with a guide element 18. The guide element 18 is arranged on the spray boom 5 between the respective edge nozzle 7 and the spray nozzle 6 immediately adjacent to it, preferably by means of an actuator 19, and is adjustable and / or pivotable about an axis running essentially horizontally and perpendicular to the spray boom 5. The adjustment of the guide element 18 with respect to the axis can be effected manually or by motor by a rotary and / or linear movement. The guide element 18 is preferably designed to be rigid in itself in order to prevent it from experiencing a change in its set position due to external influences such as crosswinds or the like.The guide element 18 is shown here as an example in a position in which it has been adjusted in the vertical direction so that it projects between the two spray cones 8 of the edge nozzle 7 and the adjacent spray nozzle 6, and has also been inclined by a pivoting movement about a longitudinal axis of the actuator 19 by a pivoting angle in the direction of the edge nozzle 8.

[0051] The guide element 18 is positioned and / or positionable such that the pivoted spray cone 8 of the edge nozzle 7 is deflected in a direction away from the immediately adjacent spray nozzle 6.

[0052] Preferably, the respective guide element 18 can be manually positioned by an operator. For this purpose, a manually operable locking device can be provided on the axis relative to which the guide element 18 is pivotable and / or height-adjustable, by means of which the respective guide element 18 can be continuously fixed in a set position. In this case, the guide element 18 can be pivoted about the axis and / or displaced in the vertical direction. A combination of pivoting and displacing the guide element 18, as shown by way of example in Fig. 5, has the advantage that better adaptation to the set pivot angle of the edge nozzle 7 can be achieved in order to reduce the overlap of the spray cones 8.

[0053] For an automated adjustment of the respective guide element 18, the control device 11 is designed to control the actuator 19 depending on the set pivot angle of the edge nozzle 7.

[0054] Furthermore, the control device 11 can be configured to control the actuator 19 depending on the set pivot angle of the edge nozzle 7 in order to move the respective guide element 18 between its neutral position and its active position. The neutral position refers to a position of the guide element 18 in which it does not influence the spray cone 8 of the edge nozzle 7. For this purpose, the guide element 18 can be pivoted in the direction of the spray boom 5. In an embodiment according to which the guide element 18 is displaceable in the vertical direction, the guide element 18 can be displaced or retracted upwards in the direction of the spray boom 5 at least far enough that it is located completely outside the spray cone 8.

[0055] Fig. 6 shows an exemplary and schematic representation according to Fig. 5 with a guide element 18 that can be adjusted only by pivoting. As already explained above, the control device 11 controls the actuator system 19 depending on the set pivot angle of the edge nozzle 7 in order to move the guide element 18 between its neutral position and its active position. Manual adjustment of the guide element 18 is also possible according to this simplified embodiment.

[0056] Not explicitly shown is an embodiment according to which the guide element 18 is adjustable only in the vertical direction, ie perpendicular to the spray boom.

[0057] The control device 11 is configured to control the respective adjusting device 16 depending on at least one operating parameter of the spraying device 10 in order to adjust the pivot angle of at least one of the edge nozzles 7. For this purpose, the at least one operating parameter of the spraying device 10 is at least one parameter from the group consisting of wind speed, wind direction, travel speed, minimum distance to be maintained, type and / or quantity of spray liquid to be applied, and / or droplet size spectrum. Furthermore, the control device 11 can be configured to evaluate a position signal from a position-finding sensor and / or data stored in an application map of a field and / or an optical signal generated by at least one optical sensor device as a switching criterion for adjusting the pivot angle of the at least one edge nozzle 7.The at least one optical sensor device can be arranged on the tractor 1, in particular on the cab roof, in order to detect changes in the direction of travel F in advance, for example in the course of the field boundary, the occurrence of obstacles or an area to be avoided, which are to be used as a switching criterion for adjusting the pivot angle of the at least one edge nozzle 7 by the control device 11. Additionally or alternatively, optical

[0058] Sensor device may be arranged on the outer sections of the spray boom 5 in order to monitor the edge areas to be treated by the edge nozzles 7.

[0059] By means of the control unit 9, the operator of the field sprayer 2 is able to control the adjustment device 16 and / or the actuators 19 by entering and / or selecting setting parameters.

[0060] List of reference symbols

[0061] 1 tractor

[0062] 2 field sprayers

[0063] 3 tanks

[0064] 4 wheels

[0065] 5 spray booms

[0066] 6 spray nozzle

[0067] 7 Edge nozzle

[0068] 8 spray cones

[0069] 8a Spray cone

[0070] 9 Control unit

[0071] 10 Spraying device

[0072] 11 Control device

[0073] 12 Communication medium

[0074] 13 Outer end of 5

[0075] 14 Swivel axis

[0076] 16 Adjustment device

[0077] 17 Application limit

[0078] 18 Guide element

[0079] 19 Actuators

Claims

Patent claims 1. Agricultural spraying device (10) for the application of liquids over an agricultural area, comprising: - a spray boom (5) with spray nozzles (6, 7) arranged thereon at a distance from one another, wherein at each of the two outermost ends (13) of the spray boom (5) there is arranged a spray nozzle (6) designed as an edge nozzle (7), between which spray nozzles (6), preferably with a single nozzle body, and - a control device (11) for controlling the spray nozzles (6, 7), characterized in that the edge nozzles (7) are preferably designed with the identically designed single nozzle body as the other spray nozzles (6), wherein each edge nozzle (7) has an adjusting device (16) which is designed and configured to adjust a spray cone (8) emitted by the edge nozzle (7) by pivoting the edge nozzle (7) about a pivot axis (14) running substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the spray boom (5) and / or by moving the edge nozzle (7) along the boom, in particular towards the adjacent spray nozzle.

2. Spraying device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (11) is designed for pulse-width modulated control of valves assigned to the spray nozzles (6,7).

3. Spraying device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjusting device (16) of the edge nozzles (7) can be actuated pneumatically, hydraulically or electromechanically.

4. Spraying device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control device (11) is designed for the automated control of the adjusting device (16) for setting a pivoting angle.

5. Spraying device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the control device (11) is designed to adjust the application rate of at least the edge nozzle depending on the pivot angle set by the adjusting device (16). (7) taking into account the output quantity of the respective spray nozzle (6) arranged immediately adjacent to the edge nozzle (7).

6. Spraying device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that between the respective edge nozzle (7) and the spray nozzle (6) immediately adjacent thereto, a guide element (18) is arranged on the spray boom (5), which guide element can be adjusted and / or pivoted, preferably by an actuator (19), about an axis running substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the spray boom (5).

7. Spraying device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the guide element (18) is positioned and / or positionable in such a way that the pivoted spray cone (8) of the edge nozzle (7) is deflected in a direction away from the immediately adjacent spray nozzle (6).

8. Spraying device (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the control device (11) is designed to control an actuator (19) depending on the set pivoting angle of the edge nozzle (7) in order to adjust the respective guide element (18).

9. Spraying device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the control device (11) is designed to control the actuator (19) depending on the set pivoting angle of the edge nozzle (7) in order to move the respective guide element (18) between its neutral position and its active position.

10. Spraying device (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the respective guide element (18) can be positioned manually by an operator.

11. Spraying device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (11) is designed to control the respective adjusting device (16) as a function of at least one operating parameter of the spraying device (10) in order to adjust the pivoting angle of at least one edge nozzle (7).

12. Spraying device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the operating parameter is at least one parameter from the group of wind speed, wind direction, driving speed, minimum distance to be maintained, type and / or quantity of the liquid to be applied and / or drop size spectrum.

13. Spraying device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (11) is designed to evaluate a position signal of a position locating sensor and / or data stored in an application map of a field and / or an optical signal generated by at least one optical sensor device as a switching criterion for setting the pivoting angle of the at least one edge nozzle (7).

14. Method for the application of liquids over an agricultural area by means of an agricultural spraying device (10), in particular a spraying device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid is applied by means of spray nozzles arranged at a distance from one another on a spray boom (5). (6) is applied, wherein at each of the two outermost ends (13) of the spray boom (5) there is arranged a spray nozzle (6) designed as an edge nozzle (7), between which spray nozzles (6) with single nozzle bodies are arranged, wherein the spray nozzles (6, 7) are controlled by a control device (11), characterized in that single nozzle bodies designed identically to the spray nozzles (6) are used as edge nozzles (7), wherein each edge nozzle (7) has an adjusting device (16) assigned to it, by means of which a spray nozzle (6) (7) discharged spray cone (8) is adjusted by pivoting the edge nozzle (7) about a pivot axis (14) running substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the spray boom (5).

15. Agricultural field sprayer (2) with a spraying device (10) for the area application of liquids according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the field sprayer (2) is arranged and designed to carry out the method according to claim 14.

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