Dispensing device

Abstract

To spray a sprayed material such as pesticide more easily and efficiently by an unmanned flying object.SOLUTION: A spraying device 100 includes an unmanned flying object 10 having a spraying part 11 for spraying a sprayed material, and a powered sprayer body 20 carried by an operator. The sprayer body 20 includes a power supply part 21, a housing part 23 for the sprayed material, and a feed part 22 having a power pump 24. The unmanned flying object 10 and the power supply part 21 are connected by a feeder line 30, and the spraying part 11 and the feed part 22 are connected by a feed tube 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a spraying device for a sprayed object using an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when spraying a chemical such as a pesticide on crops in a field, an operator manually performs a spraying operation while carrying a backpack-type sprayer filled with the chemical. In this backpack-type sprayer, the chemical is sent from a tank to a spray nozzle via a hose, and is pressurized by a pump or the like from this spray nozzle and sprayed onto crops or the like. Therefore, the operator can easily spray the chemical, and the backpack-type sprayer was suitable for spraying on medium-scale or small-scale farms or the like. However, when the spraying target is at a high position such as a tree, the operator has been required to take measures such as using an extended rod-shaped nozzle or increasing the pressure of the pump that sends the chemical.

[0003] On the other hand, a technique for performing chemical spraying using an unmanned aerial vehicle called a drone has also been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This Patent Document 1 discloses a chemical spraying device that supports a power supply line, a chemical hose, etc. by a plurality of drones, and then performs chemical spraying by another drone dedicated to chemical spraying. Each drone is supplied with power from a power source installed on the ground via a power supply line, and the drone dedicated to chemical spraying is supplied with the chemical from a chemical tank installed on the ground via a chemical hose. As a result, spraying can be performed without considering the limitation of the battery duration or the limitation of the chemical loading amount on the drone.

[0004] However, in this conventional technique, since the power source and the chemical tank are installed on the ground, the action range of the drone is limited, and as a result, the chemical spraying range is also limited. When changing the spraying location, it is necessary for the operator to move while carrying the power source and the chemical tank, or to move them on a cart or the like. During the movement, the drone cannot be operated or sprayed, which is not efficient. In addition, since it has a plurality of drones, it takes time and cost to operate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present disclosure is made for the purpose of more easily and efficiently spraying a sprayed material such as a pesticide by an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, the spraying device of the present disclosure is a spraying device for spraying a sprayed material on a predetermined spraying target, and includes an unmanned aerial vehicle having a spraying unit for spraying the sprayed material, and a powered spraying device main body that is worn or carried on a human body. The spraying device main body includes a power supply unit, and a supply unit having a storage unit for the sprayed material and a power pump. The unmanned aerial vehicle and the power supply unit are connected by a power supply line, and the spraying unit and the supply unit are connected by a supply tube.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] By configuring in this way, it is possible to more easily and efficiently spray a sprayed material such as a pesticide by an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the spraying device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The spraying device 100 according to the first embodiment is a device that sprays a sprayed material on a farmland that is the object to be sprayed or on agricultural products grown in the farmland. The farmland is a place where agricultural products such as rice, vegetables, fruits, and forage are grown, and examples include fields, paddies, orchards, and pastures. The spraying device 100 according to the first embodiment is suitable for use on relatively medium-sized or small farms and the like. The sprayed material in the spraying device 100 of the first embodiment is a liquid agricultural chemical such as a herbicide or an insecticide, a fertilizer, a growth promoter, or the like.

[0011] Note that the form of the sprayed material of the present disclosure is not limited to a liquid, and may be granules, powder, or the like. Further, the sprayed material is not limited to the above-mentioned agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, and growth promoters, and may be anything that can be sprayed on a farmland, such as seeds, water, etc. Further, the object to be sprayed with the sprayed material is not limited to a farmland or agricultural products grown in the farmland, and may be a park, a garden, a yard, a mountain forest, a roadside, an empty lot, etc., or a plant body growing in these.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spraying device 100 according to the first embodiment includes an unmanned aerial vehicle 10, a sprayer main body 20, a power supply line 30, a supply tube 40, and a controller 50.

[0013] The unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is also called an unmanned aircraft, a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), etc., and is an aerial vehicle that is not occupied by a person (unmanned). The unmanned aerial vehicle 10 includes, for example, a drone, an unmanned helicopter, a radio control (RC), etc., but is not limited thereto as long as it can fly unmanned. The unmanned aerial vehicle 10 of the first embodiment is an unmanned rotary wing aircraft having a plurality (four) of rotary wings 12 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the unmanned aircraft 10 includes a spraying unit 11, a rotary wing 12, a motor 13, an imaging unit 14, various sensors 15, a communication unit 16, a control unit 17, and a memory unit 18. The motor 13, the imaging unit 14, the sensors 15, the communication unit 16, the control unit 17, and the memory unit 18 are electrical devices that operate by the power supplied from a power supply unit 21 described later.

[0015] The spraying unit 11 is a device that sprays a material to be sprayed onto a spraying target. In the first embodiment, it is composed of an injection nozzle. The spraying unit 11 is fixed to the body 10a or the leg 10b of the unmanned aircraft 10 with its spraying port facing downward or horizontally. When the spraying unit 11 sprays the material to be sprayed in a narrow range (pinpoint), one spraying unit 11 may be provided in a predetermined direction, or when spraying in a wide range, a plurality of spraying units 11 may be provided in a plurality of directions. Further, the spraying unit 11 may be provided with a power pump or the like for injecting the material to be sprayed.

[0016] The rotary wing 12, also called a rotor, is a device for flying the unmanned aircraft 10, and a plurality (four) of them are provided in consideration of flight stability and the like. Each rotary wing 12 is attached to an arm 10c extending from the body 10a. The motor 13 is provided on each rotary wing 12 and is rotationally driven by the control unit 17. By rotating the rotary wing 12, the unmanned aircraft 10 is flown.

[0017] The imaging unit 14 is a device that acquires images around the unmanned aircraft 10. The imaging unit 14 is composed of, for example, a digital camera that captures still images or moving images. The imaging unit 14 outputs the captured images to the control unit 17.

[0018] The sensor 15 is a device that detects various information, and examples thereof include an altimeter, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a magnetic azimuth sensor, and a GPS (Global Positioning System). The sensor 15 transmits the acquired information to the control unit 17. These information are used for grasping the position and attitude of the unmanned aircraft 10, the distance to the spraying target, the spraying amount of the material to be sprayed, the flight conditions, and the like.

[0019] The communication unit 16 is a device that performs wireless communication with a controller 50 for remotely operating the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 in order to transmit and receive signals and data. Note that the communication between the communication unit 16 and the controller 50 is not limited to wireless communication, and may be communication by wire.

[0020] The control unit 17 is a so-called flight controller that controls the operation of the entire unmanned aerial vehicle 10. The control unit 17 is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and functions as a control device that controls the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 18. The control unit 17 controls the flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 by controlling the rotation speed of the motor 13 based on the input information received from the controller 50 via the communication unit 16, the detection results input from various sensors 15, etc. Further, the control unit 17 stores the image input from the imaging unit 14 in the storage unit 18 or transmits it to the controller 50 via the communication unit 16.

[0021] The control unit 17 controls the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 to perform autonomous flight according to a preset procedure, and controls the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 to perform flight by remote control (manual operation) according to an instruction signal from the controller 50.

[0022] The storage unit 18 is a storage device composed of a semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage medium such as a hard disk drive, an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The storage unit 18 stores an operating system, an application program, and various information such as parameters for controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle 10, images taken by the imaging unit 14, and detection results by the sensors 15.

[0023] The spreader main body 20 is a power-driven spreader worn or carried by the operator P. The spreader main body 20 of the first embodiment is a backpack-type engine-powered spreader that uses an engine as power and can be carried on the back by the operator (see Fig. 1).

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, the spreader main body 20 includes a power supply unit 21 and a supply unit 22. The power supply unit 21 is a power source for supplying power to the electrical equipment of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 via the power supply line 30. The power supply unit 21 of this embodiment is composed of a generator that generates electricity using gasoline, which is the power source 25 of the power pump 24. Note that the power supply unit 21 is not limited to a generator, and it may be a battery, a cell, or the like. Also, if the power source 25 is a battery or the like, the power source 25 itself can be used as the power supply unit 21.

[0025] The supply unit 22 includes a storage unit 23, a power pump 24, and a power source 25. The storage unit 23 is composed of a chemical tank that stores the chemical liquid, which is the material to be spread. The storage unit 23 is formed of a resin such as polyethylene, and is lightweight and excellent in liquid resistance and chemical resistance. The power pump 24 is for injecting the material to be spread stored in the storage unit 23 from the spraying unit (spray nozzle) 11 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 by pressure via the supply tube 40. The power pump 24 is driven by operating a lever (not shown) or an instruction from the controller 50. The power pump 24 of the first embodiment is composed of an engine-type power pump driven by the power source 25, but is not limited thereto, and any device that can supply the chemical liquid to the spraying unit 11 for injection may be used. The power pump 24 is a gasoline engine-type power pump that uses gasoline as the power source 25, but is not limited thereto, and it may also be a diesel engine-type, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) engine-type, or CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) engine-type power pump. Also, the power source 25 is not limited to gasoline, and it may be power from a battery or the like.

[0026] The power supply unit 21 and the supply unit 22 are mounted on the frame member 20a (see FIG. 1). A shoulder strap 20b that is placed on the shoulder of the operator P is attached to the frame member 20a. Thereby, the operator P can carry the sprayer main body 20 on the back, and the sprayer main body 20 excellent in portability and workability can be obtained.

[0027] The power supply line 30 connects the power supply unit 21 of the sprayer main body 20 and the electrical equipment of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10, and supplies the power from the power supply unit 21 to the electrical equipment. The length of the power supply line 30 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably set to a length that does not prevent the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 from ascending or moving to a height at which a liquid agent can be sprayed onto a spraying target such as a tree.

[0028] The supply tube 40 connects the power pump 24 and the storage unit 23 of the sprayer main body 20 and the spraying unit 11 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10, and supplies the chemical liquid sprayed from the storage unit 23 by the power pump 24 to the spraying unit 11. Examples of the supply tube 40 include resin tubes such as rubber tubes and polyvinyl chloride tubes (including hoses, pipes, and pipes). The length of the supply tube 40 is preferably the same as the length of the power supply line 30.

[0029] The controller 50 is a so-called remote controller and is a device used by the operator P to control the unmanned aerial vehicle 10. The controller 50 has an operation unit such as an operation lever, a display unit such as a liquid crystal monitor, a communication device, and the like. The controller 50 may be composed of, for example, a portable information device such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone, a notebook personal computer, or the like, or may be composed of a dedicated controller.

[0030] The controller 50 transmits an instruction signal related to flight such as a flight direction, altitude, and speed to the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 in accordance with an operation performed by the operator P. Further, the controller 50 receives various information such as an image captured by the imaging unit 14 and a detection result detected by the sensor 15 from the unmanned aerial vehicle 10, and displays it on, for example, the display unit.

[0031] The operation of the spraying device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described below. The spraying device 100 of the first embodiment is a spraying device for spraying a sprayed material (for example, a liquid agent) on a predetermined spraying target (for example, a farm field), and includes a drone 10 having a spraying unit 11 for spraying the sprayed material, and a powered spraying device main body 20 worn or carried by a human body (operator P). The spraying device main body 20 includes a power supply unit 21, and a supply unit 22 having a storage unit 23 for the liquid agent and a power pump 24. The drone 10 and the power supply unit 21 are connected by a power supply line 30, and the spraying unit 11 and the supply unit 22 are connected by a supply tube 40.

[0032] By the way, in conventional drones for spraying sprayed materials such as agricultural chemicals, the airframe tends to become larger due to the demand for extending the operation time and increasing the payload. For such drones, in order to extend the operation time, those with an enlarged battery capacity using a large airframe, hybrid types using a gasoline engine and a battery, etc. have been commercialized. However, with large drones, the introduction cost and usage cost increase, the storage space also expands, and it has been difficult to introduce them on small-scale farms, etc.

[0033] Also, conventionally, there is a method of spraying agricultural chemicals, etc. using a riding sprayer, etc. Also, agricultural chemicals, etc. need to be sprayed so that there is no uneven spraying, but in order to obtain the maximum effect of spraying, there were cases where excessive spraying was performed using a riding sprayer, etc. Riding sprayers enable labor saving and efficient spraying of large areas, but it was difficult to improve the accuracy such as spraying an appropriate amount at a specific position.

[0034] Also, the power supply to the drone is also performed wired from a battery or a vehicle installed (fixed) on the ground. Also, agricultural chemicals, etc. are also supplied to the drone via a tube or the like from a tank installed on the ground or in a vehicle. As a result, even a small drone can perform spraying without being restricted by power or the sprayed material. However, there were problems such as the action range of the drone being restricted because the power source and the tank were fixed.

[0035] In addition, in a conventional backpack-type spraying device, it was necessary to hold a spraying rod with nozzles in both hands. At that time, the direction of the nozzles attached to the spraying rod was predetermined, and if the rod was not moved, the spraying direction was limited to one direction. Therefore, in order to spray an appropriate amount at the optimal position, it was necessary to constantly move the spraying rod, which imposed an excessive burden on the operator. In addition, it was difficult to hold the spraying rod with both hands and spray by hand to a high position such as a tree.

[0036] On the other hand, the spraying device 100 according to the first embodiment can solve the above problems by having the above configuration. Hereinafter, using the spraying device 100 according to the first embodiment, a procedure for spraying a liquid agent on a spraying target at a relatively high place such as a tree T in an orchard O will be described, but it is also possible to spray the liquid agent on a spraying target growing in a low place such as a crop in a field or a paddy field. It is assumed that the storage unit 23 is sufficiently filled with the liquid agent and the power source 25 of the power pump 24 is also sufficiently replenished.

[0037] First, as shown in FIG. 1, the operator P puts on the spraying device main body 20 through the shoulder strap 20b with the arm. Then, the operator P operates the controller 50 to fly the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 and approach the tree T to be sprayed. When the operator P operates a lever or the like to drive the power pump 24, the liquid agent is continuously supplied from the storage unit 23 to the spraying unit 11 of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 via the supply tube 40 by the action of this power pump 24. This liquid agent is sprayed from the spraying unit 11 onto the tree T. Since the spraying port of the spraying unit 11 faces downward or horizontally, the liquid agent is accurately sprayed onto the spraying target such as the tree T from above or from the side through the spraying unit 11. The operator P can appropriately spray the liquid agent evenly on one tree T, and further on a plurality of trees T and fruits in a predetermined range by operating the controller 50 to move the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 in desired directions up, down, left, and right.

[0038] When the spraying on the trees T in the predetermined range is completed, the operator P walks to another place. At this destination, the operator P can appropriately spray the liquid agent on the trees T in another range by performing the same operation.

[0039] In this way, in the spraying device 100 of the first embodiment, the unmanned aerial vehicle 10 is constantly supplied with power from the power supply line 30 and constantly supplied with the liquid agent from the supply unit 22, so that spraying operations can be carried out for a long time without being restricted by the capacity of the power, the capacity of the liquid agent, etc. And the operator P can efficiently carry out the spraying operation while moving the location. Also, since the operator P is carrying the sprayer main body 20, both hands are free, and the operation of the controller 50 becomes easy. Further, the operator P does not need to use a spraying rod or the like, and only needs to have a holding force to adjust the movement of the power supply line 30 and the supply tube 40 during spraying, greatly reducing the burden on the operator.

[0040] Also, the nozzle, which is the spraying unit 11, can be brought closer to the spraying target by the unmanned aerial vehicle 10. Furthermore, the determination of the spraying position depends on the movement of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10, and the spraying unit 11 can be directed at a position facing the spraying target accurately. Thereby, spraying of pesticides, etc. in unnecessary directions can be suppressed, and scattering to unintended crops generated during pesticide spraying can be reduced. Also, being able to improve the spraying accuracy at the targeted position makes it possible not to perform spraying at the targeted position, improving the selectivity of spraying. As described above, the spraying device 100 of the first embodiment can spray the object to be sprayed, such as pesticides, more easily and efficiently by the unmanned aerial vehicle 10.

[0041] (Second Embodiment) Next, the spraying device 100A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The spraying device 100A according to the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the spraying device 100 according to the first embodiment, except that it sprays pesticides, etc. composed of granules as the object to be sprayed. For this reason, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 3, the spraying device 100A according to the second embodiment includes a drone 10, a sprayer main body 20, a power supply line 30, a supply tube 40, and a controller 50. The drone 10 has the same basic configuration as the drone 10 of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but the spraying unit 11 is composed of a nozzle with a structure capable of spraying granules. The supply tube 40 preferably also has a structure that can smoothly pass the granules. The power supply line 30 and the controller 50 can be the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0043] The sprayer main body 20 of the second embodiment is a backpack-type engine-powered sprayer for spraying granular pesticides and the like. This sprayer main body 20 includes a power supply unit 21, a supply unit 22, a frame member 20a, and shoulder straps 20b. The supply unit 22 includes a granule storage unit 23, a power pump 24, and a power source 25. It is preferable to use a tank and a pump with a configuration suitable for storing and injecting granules for the storage unit 23 and the power pump 24.

[0044] When using the spraying device 100A according to the second embodiment configured as described above to spray granular pesticides and the like on the plant body V in the field F or the like, as shown in Fig. 3, the operator P passes an arm through the shoulder strap 20b to carry the sprayer main body 20 on the back. Then, the operator P operates the controller 50 to fly the drone 10 and approach the plant body V to be sprayed. Then, when the operator P operates a lever or the like to drive the power pump 24, due to the action of this power pump 24, granular pesticides and the like are continuously supplied from the storage unit 23 to the spraying unit 11 of the drone 10 via the supply tube 40. Then, this pesticide or the like is sprayed from the spraying unit 11 onto the field F. The operator P can appropriately and evenly spray granular pesticides and the like on the plant body V within a predetermined range by operating the controller 50 to move the drone 10 in the desired directions of up, down, left, and right.

[0045] When the spraying onto the plant body V within the specified range is completed, the operator P moves to another location on foot. At this new location, the operator P can appropriately spray pesticides or the like onto the plant body V in another range by performing the same operations. Therefore, the spraying device 100A of the second embodiment can spray the sprayed material such as pesticides more easily and efficiently by means of the unmanned aerial vehicle 10.

[0046] As described above, the embodiments and variations of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and variations, and design changes that do not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the sprayed material is pesticides such as herbicides and insecticides, fertilizers, activators, seeds, water, etc., and the spraying device is configured to spray these onto spraying targets such as fields, parks, gardens, yards, mountain forests, road edges, vacant lots, etc. However, the sprayed material and the spraying device are not limited to such. As other different examples, the sprayed material may be paint, and the spraying device may be a device that sprays (applies) the paint onto a spraying target such as a building. Also, the sprayed material may be a detergent, and the spraying device may be a device that sprays for cleaning onto a spraying target such as an object to be cleaned. Further, the sprayed material may be a drug such as a bactericide or an antibacterial agent, and the device may be one that sprays for disinfection or antibacterial of the spraying target. Even with such a spraying device, a person can perform the spraying operation more simply and efficiently while walking.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0048] 10: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 11: Spraying Unit 20: Sprayer Main Body 21: Power Supply Unit 22: Supply Unit 23: Storage Unit 24: Power Pump 25: Power Source 30: Power Supply Line 40: Supply Tube 100: Spraying Device 100A: Spraying Device

Claims

Claim 1 A spraying device for spraying a sprayed material onto a predetermined spraying target, comprising: a drone having a spraying unit for spraying the sprayed material; and a powered spraying device body worn or carried by a human body, wherein the spraying device body includes a power supply unit, and a supply unit having a storage unit for the sprayed material and a power pump, wherein the drone and the power supply unit are connected by a power supply line, and the spraying unit and the supply unit are connected by a supply tube. The spraying device is characterized by the above. Claim 2 The spraying target is a farm field, and the sprayed material is a pesticide, fertilizer or activator selected from any one of a liquid, granule and powder to be sprayed on the farm field. The spraying device according to claim 1, characterized by the above. Claim 3 The power supply unit is either a battery or a generator that generates electricity by a power source of the power pump. The spraying device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

Images