Method for treating plants

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for treating plants using a treatment device (8). The treatment device (8) has a wetting module (10) for applying a liquid substance mixture to the plants and an electric module (12) for applying electric energy to the plants, wherein the electric module (12) can be at least partly deactivated by means of an actuation signal (AS). The method has at least a step of: (S200) applying the liquid substance mixture to the plants, said mixture containing at least one active component, while the electric module (12) is at least partly deactivated.

Description

[0001] Methods for treating plants

[0002] The invention relates to a method and a treatment device for treating plants. Furthermore, the invention relates to a land vehicle with such a treatment device and a kit containing components of such a treatment device.

[0003] A device for the electrical treatment of plants is known from WO 2019 / 062 591 A1.

[0004] From DE 10 2020 115 923 A1 it is known to apply a liquid mixture of substances to plants as part of an electro-treatment of plants, in which the mixture of substances has a component that reduces electrical contact resistance.

[0005] From § 837 976 A1 it is known to spray a liquid mixture of substances in the direction of plants during an electrical treatment of plants in order to bridge an electrically non-conductive air gap between electrodes and plants.

[0006] There is a need to identify ways to develop additional applications for devices for the electro-treatment of plants.

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by a method for treating plants with a treatment device, wherein the treatment device has a wetting module for applying a liquid mixture of substances to plants, and an electrical module for applying electrical energy to plants, wherein the electrical module can be at least partially deactivated by a control signal, at least with the step: applying the liquid mixture of substances, which contains at least one active ingredient component, to plants with the electrical module at least partially deactivated.

[0008] The control signal can deactivate or override a switch-on signal that, for example, activates or switches on the wetting module and / or the electrical module. Alternatively, the control signal can also be a switch-off signal that switches off or deactivates the wetting module and / or the electrical module.

[0009] The liquid mixture of substances may contain at least one active ingredient component that reduces electrical contact resistance, while the further active ingredient component may contain one or more of the following ingredients and properties:

[0010] 1 . May contain a soil activator component with yeasts and / or lactic acid bacteria or other components that accelerate composting / plant decomposition.

[0011] 2. A field hygiene component containing oils, fats, fatty acids or other properties that reduce, slow down or inhibit bacterial, fungal or insect infestation.

[0012] 3. A plant activator component with which the non-electrically treated plants can be promoted in their further development through nutrients, growth stimulants or by activating and strengthening their immune system and developing resistance.

[0013] 4. A plant protection product component, such as a herbicide, pesticide and fungicide.

[0014] Thus, the treatment device serves at least two purposes. In addition to performing an electro-treatment of plants, in which the plants are exposed to electrical energy, it can also be used to apply the liquid mixture, for example, with the soil activator component, to the soil. This eliminates the need for two specially trained machines or land vehicles, but rather just one. Furthermore, changeover times for switching from one attachment to another can be completely avoided or reduced.

[0015] According to one embodiment, in a further step, plants are simultaneously exposed to the liquid mixture and electrical energy. Thus, an electrical treatment of plants can be combined with the application of the active component, or the active component can be applied alone. A single application of the active component can, for example, take place after and / or before the combined electrical treatment of plants with the application of the active component. This allows the treatment device to be used in a particularly versatile manner.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, applicators of the treatment device are dismantled when the treatment device is deactivated and / or moved into a non-use position. In this way, the weight of the land vehicle on which the treatment device is at least partially arranged can be reduced by dismantling the applicators. By moving the applicators into the non-use position, however, the risk of injury from the applicators, e.g. for humans and / or animals, can be reduced or completely eliminated. It can be provided that applicator units with applicators for applying electrical current to plants can be brought into their non-use position independently of nozzles of the wetting module for applying the liquid substance mixture to plants, e.g. by a pivoting movement about a first axis.Furthermore, it can be provided that the applicators can then be brought into a transport position together with the nozzles of the wetting module, e.g. by a second pivoting movement about a second axis whose direction of extension differs from the first axis. According to a further embodiment, at least one component of the treatment device can be dismantled without tools. The components that are designed to be dismantled without tools can, for example, be components of the electrical module for the electrical treatment of plants, such as for providing electrical energy for the applicators. However, they can also be safety devices that serve, for example, by measuring a step voltage to prevent personal injury from electric current.Furthermore, it can also be provided to replace a storage tank containing a first substance mixture or a substance mixture concentrate to be diluted with water with another storage tank containing a different substance mixture or its active ingredient concentrate. This free space can be used to accommodate other assemblies. To enable tool-free disassembly, the tool-free disassembly assemblies can have, for example, pins, quick-release devices, or hose connectors that engage in corresponding bores or fittings in the treatment device. This allows the treatment device to be designed to be particularly easy to adapt.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, at least one deactivatable component of the treatment device is deactivated when the treatment device is deactivated, and at least one non-deactivatable component of the treatment device is active when the treatment device is deactivated. In particular, safety devices for preventing personal injury from electrical current, such as for measuring a step voltage, can be deactivated when the electrical module is deactivated. Other components that provide the necessary operating power, such as a generator that supplies GPS and / or communication modules or a pump of the wetting module with operating power, remain activated.

[0018] The invention further includes a treatment device for treating plants, a land vehicle with such a treatment device, and a kit containing components of such a treatment device. The invention will now be explained with reference to the figures. They show:

[0019] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a

[0020] Land vehicle with a treatment device for treating plants.

[0021] Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the device shown in Figure

[0022] 1 shown land vehicle with the treatment device.

[0023] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of two cantilever arms of the treatment device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0024] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of further details of a boom arm shown in Figure 3.

[0025] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a storage tank in the

[0026] Treatment device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0027] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of an applicator unit of the treatment device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0028] Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of deactivatable and non-deactivatable components of the treatment device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0029] Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of a process flow for

[0030] Operation of the land vehicle shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0031] Reference is first made to Figure 1. It depicts a land vehicle 2 for use on arable land. In the present embodiment, the land vehicle 2 is a combination consisting of a tractor 4 pulling a trailer 6.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the towing vehicle 4 is designed as a tractor with its own drive, while the trailer 6 does not have its own drive.

[0033] In the present embodiment, a treatment device 8 for treating plants, comprising a wetting module 10 and an electrical module 12, is assigned to the trailer 6. Deviating from the present embodiment, the wetting module 10 and / or the electrical module 12 can be assigned to the towing vehicle 4. If both the wetting module 10 and the electrical module 12 are assigned to the towing vehicle 4, the trailer 6 can be omitted. Furthermore, the wetting module 10 and / or the electrical module 12 can each be designed as individual attachments that can be mounted as needed and dismantled again after use.

[0034] The wetting module 10 is designed to apply a liquid mixture of substances to the plants and / or soil to be treated. The liquid mixture of substances applied to the plants can contain an active ingredient that reduces the electrical contact resistance of plants and / or one or more additional active ingredients. The mixture of substances can also contain other active ingredients.

[0035] The electrical module 12, on the other hand, is designed to apply electrical energy to plants in order to kill them, e.g., as part of green manure control or desiccation, e.g., of potato plants. The plants can be, in particular, terrestrial plants (Embryophyta), such as higher plants, or vascular plants, especially plants with a structure consisting of roots, stems, and leaves (corms), which are to be controlled or killed accordingly.

[0036] By applying the mixture of substances with a component that reduces contact resistance, electrical contact resistance between applicators 30a, 30b, 30c (see Figure 5) of the electrical module 12 for contacting the plants and the contacted plants can be reduced. Furthermore, the tendency toward arcing is reduced, which reduces energy consumption during such an electrical treatment of plants.

[0037] In the present embodiment, during an electrical treatment of plants on the agricultural land, the plants are exposed to electrical energy in the form of a direct current. Direct current is understood to be an electric current that is free from changes in sign or direction.

[0038] In the present embodiment, an electrical direct voltage of 1,600 V to 5,500 V with a maximum residual ripple of 5% to 20% (in the frequency range 60 kHz to 200 kHz) is used for the electrical treatment of plants.

[0039] In the present embodiment, a generator 14 is also arranged on the trailer 6 to supply, for example, pumps of the wetting module 10 and the electrical module 12 with electrical operating energy. The generator 14 provides electrical operating energy and is connected to the wetting module 10 and the electrical module 12 to transmit the electrical operating energy.

[0040] In the present exemplary embodiment, the generator 14 is supplied with mechanical operating energy via a power take-off shaft 16 of the towing vehicle 4. Deviating from the present exemplary embodiment, mechanical drive energy for the generator 14 can also be provided via a hydraulic circuit. Furthermore, if the towing vehicle 4 has an electrified drive train, a supply of operating energy can be provided without interposing the generator 14.

[0041] In the present embodiment, generator 14 provides three-phase electrical current with a power of 160 kVA at an electrical voltage of 400 V and a frequency of 50 Hz to 60 Hz. Deviating from the present embodiment, the power of the three-phase electrical current can also be higher, e.g., twice as high.

[0042] The three-phase electrical current is transmitted via electrical cables to at least one transformation and control unit of the electrical module 12.

[0043] Further details and components of the electrical module 12 will be explained later.

[0044] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 2.

[0045] A plurality of applicator units 18 are arranged next to one another in an applicator row 22 on two extension arms 20a, 20b of the treatment device 8, which can be displaced between a working position (shown) and a non-use position (not shown), wherein the extension direction of the applicator row 22 preferably extends transversely, in the present embodiment at an angle of 90°, to the direction of travel FR of the land vehicle 2.

[0046] Figure 2 shows that, with the treatment device 8, a surface section A of a planted area was first wetted with the liquid substance mixture by the wetting module 10 and then subjected to an electrical treatment by applying a direct electrical current by the electrical module 12. For this purpose, the trailer 6 with the treatment device 8 was moved by the towing vehicle 4 in the direction of travel FR at a speed v over the surface section A and applied with a direct electrical current across the entire width b of the applicator row 22. Thus, each of the applicator units 18 treats a strip-shaped surface section A of the area.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the applicator row 22 covers a total working width of 0.3 m to 48 m, preferably 6 m to 27 m.

[0048] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 3.

[0049] Shown is one of the two cantilever arms 20a, 20b, namely the cantilever arm 20a of the treatment device 8 with the wetting module 10 and the electrical module 12 in the working position.

[0050] In the present exemplary embodiment, the wetting module 10 has a plurality of jointly or individually controllable nozzles 24 for applying the liquid substance mixture to plants, which nozzles are arranged in a nozzle row 26 parallel to the applicator row 22. Thus, each of the applicator units 18 is assigned at least one of the nozzles 24, so that the respective applicator units 18 and nozzles 24 can interact during operation in such a way that plants are first wetted with the liquid substance mixture using the nozzles 24 and then subjected to an electro-treatment using the applicator units 18. Deviating from the present exemplary embodiment, several nozzle rows 26 can be provided parallel to the applicator row 22, e.g., in front of and / or behind the applicator row 22. With the nozzle row 26 arranged behind the applicator row 22, for example,a second application of the liquid mixture of substances and / or an application of a further liquid second mixture of substances, which differs in composition from the first mixture of substances, to plants.

[0051] In the present embodiment, it is provided that applicators 30a, 30b, 30c (see Figure 5) of the applicator units 18 can be moved individually or in groups into a non-use position. In the present embodiment, this can be achieved by a pivoting movement S1 about a first axis. This relocation of the applicator units 18 into their non-use position can occur independently of the nozzles 24 of the wetting module 10 for applying the liquid substance mixture to plants. In other words, the active nozzles 24 of the wetting module 10 are not relocated but remain in their working position.

[0052] Furthermore, the present embodiment provides for the nozzles 24 of the wetting module 10 to be moved from their working position to a transport position. In the present embodiment, the nozzles 24 of the wetting module 10, together with the applicator units 18 (which are in their non-use position), can be moved to a transport position, e.g., by a second pivoting movement S2 about a second axis whose direction of extension differs from the first axis.

[0053] In other words, in the present embodiment, in a first displacement step, the applicator units 18 are moved from their working position to their non-use position by the first pivoting movement S1. In a second displacement step, the nozzles 24, together with the applicator units 18, are then moved into the transport position by the second pivoting movement S2. Deviating from the present embodiment, it can also be provided that the applicator units 18 and the nozzles 24 can be moved separately from their respective working positions to their respective transport or non-use positions.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the first axis of the first pivoting movement S1 extends transversely to the direction of travel FR and thus in the direction of the respective longitudinal extensions of the two boom arms 20a, 20b, while the second axis of the second pivoting movement S2 extends in the direction of travel FR. In other words, the two boom arms 20a, 20b are folded upwards to bring them into their transport position.

[0055] The liquid substance mixture can have at least one component which reduces the electrical contact resistance in the area of ​​the plant surface, wherein the substance mixture has at least a first active ingredient component which contains at least one surface-active substance selected from the group consisting of surfactants, and at least a second active ingredient component which contains at least one viscosity-increasing substance selected from the group consisting of pure silicic acids, pyrogenic silicic acids, mixed oxides, magnesium phyllosilicates, organic additives based on biogenic oils and their derivatives, polyamides and modified carbohydrates.

[0056] Furthermore, the liquid substance mixture can comprise one or more active ingredient components, wherein one of the active ingredient components has multiple effects, such as the effect of a surface-active substance and the effect of a viscosity-increasing substance.

[0057] Furthermore, the liquid mixture of substances can contain a soil activator component as an active ingredient, such as yeast and / or lactic acid bacteria or other components that accelerate composting.

[0058] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 4.

[0059] In the present exemplary embodiment, liquid components of the liquid substance mixture are stored in storage tanks 28 and diluted with water, e.g. from a water tank (not shown), before use. In this case, the substance mixture can already contain all of the liquid components, e.g. the active ingredient component that reduces the electrical contact resistance and the soil activator component, or the different active ingredients are only combined when diluted with water or, alternatively, are applied to plants using separate nozzle systems, e.g. in the form of several rows of nozzles 26. In deviation from the present exemplary embodiment, it can also be provided that the liquid substance mixture is already stored completely or partially diluted ready for use.

[0060] It may also be provided, for example, to replace the storage tank 28 containing a first substance mixture with another tank (not shown) containing a different substance mixture. Free space created by removing the storage tank 28 can also be used to arrange other or additional modules there. For example, the additional application of the active ingredient component may require the additional addition of water, for which an additional pump in the form of a pump module (not shown) is used.

[0061] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 5.

[0062] In the present embodiment, each applicator unit 18 has a plurality of applicators 30a, 30b, 30c for applying direct electrical current to plants, which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel FR, so that the plants first come into contact with the first applicator 30a, then with the second applicator 30b, and finally with the third applicator 30c of the applicator unit 18. Deviating from the present embodiment, more than two applicator units 18 can be provided one behind the other in the direction of travel FR, or more than three applicators 30a, 30b, 30c.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the three applicators 30a, 30b, 30c are metallic applicators in order to keep at least the electrical resistance at the respective contact points of the plants as low as possible.

[0064] In the present exemplary embodiment, the three applicators 30a, 30b, 30c are so-called short applicators (also called Short Range Blades - SRBs), whose spacing is in the range of 0.1 m to 0.5 m. In contrast to the present exemplary embodiment, the three applicators 30a, 30b, 30c can be designed as long applicators (also called long-range applicators, tongue applicators or Long Range Blades - LRBs). Such applicators have a spacing of 0.8 m to 1 m, for example. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first applicator 30a is connected to a first polarity P1, the second applicator 30b to a second polarity P2, and the third applicator 30c to the first polarity P1. The first polarity P1 is a positive polarity, and the second polarity P2 is a negative polarity. The applicator units 18 in the present embodiment can therefore also be regarded as an applicator trio.

[0065] In the present embodiment, a first electrical voltage is established between the first applicator 30a and the second applicator 30b due to the difference between the two polarities P1, P2. A second electrical voltage is established between the second applicator 30b and the third applicator 30c, with the first and second voltages being equal. Unlike in the present embodiment, the two electrical voltages can also have different values.

[0066] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 6.

[0067] In the present exemplary embodiment, deactivatable components 32 of the treatment device 8 are deactivated in response to a control signal AS, and non-deactivatable components 34 of the treatment device 8 remain unaffected. The non-deactivatable components 34 are thus active even when the treatment device 8 is deactivated. In particular, a high-voltage power electronics unit 36 ​​of the electrical module 12, which provides the electrical energy applied to the plants to be treated, or a safety device 38 for preventing personal injury from electrical current, such as for measuring a step voltage, can be deactivated. Other components, which, for example, provide the required operating energy, such asthe generator 14 and its associated low-voltage power electronics 40, which supplies a GPS module 42 and / or a communication module 44 of the treatment device 8 or a pump 46 of the wetting module 10 with operating energy, remain activated.

[0068] Furthermore, an activation signal AK can activate the deactivatable assemblies 32 of the treatment device 8.

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

[0070] In the present exemplary embodiment, the treatment device 8 is designed such that the deactivatable assemblies 32 of the treatment device 8 can be dismantled without tools if the deactivated assemblies 32 are not required when the electrical module 12 is deactivated.

[0071] Thus, the free space created by removing the deactivatable assemblies 32 can be used to install other or additional modules. For example, an additional tank (not shown) for storing the liquid mixture and / or its components can be installed here. An additional pump in the form of a pump module (not shown) can also be used.

[0072] To enable tool-free disassembly, in the present embodiment, the deactivatable assemblies 32 are combined into a structural unit having pins 48 that engage in corresponding bores 50 of the treatment device 8. The pins 48 and bores 50 can also cooperate to form electrically conductive connections to transmit electrical energy and / or electrical control signals.

[0073] Furthermore, the treatment device 8 in the present embodiment is designed so that applicators 30a, 30b, 30c of the treatment device 8 for applying electrical energy to plants can be disassembled and / or relocated to the non-use position when the treatment device 8 is deactivated. Reference is now additionally made to Figure 8 to explain a method sequence for operating the treatment device 8 for treating plants.

[0074] In a first, optional step S100, plants are simultaneously exposed to the liquid mixture by the wetting module 10 and to electrical energy by the electrical module 12.

[0075] Furthermore, the deactivatable modules 32 of the treatment device 8 are deactivated in response to the control signal AS, while the non-deactivatable modules 34 of the treatment device 8 remain active when the treatment device 8 is deactivated.

[0076] Furthermore, it can be provided that the deactivatable assemblies 32 can now be dismantled without tools.

[0077] Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the applicators 30a, 30b, 30c of the treatment device 8 are disassembled and / or moved into the non-use position when the treatment device 8 is deactivated.

[0078] In a further step S200, plants and / or arable soil are then exposed to the liquid mixture of substances by means of the wetting module 10 while the treatment device 8 is deactivated.

[0079] In a further, optional step S300, plants are then again simultaneously exposed to the liquid substance mixture by the wetting module 10 and to electrical energy by the electrical module.

[0080] In this case, the deactivatable assemblies 32 of the treatment device 8 can be activated beforehand by the activation signal AK. Furthermore, the deactivatable assemblies 32 can be assembled without tools, and / or it can be provided that the applicators 30a, 30b, 30c are reassembled and / or moved from the non-use position back into the working position.

[0081] Deviating from the present embodiment, the order of the steps may also be different. Furthermore, multiple steps may be executed concurrently or simultaneously. Furthermore, deviating from the present embodiment, individual steps may be skipped or omitted.

[0082] Thus, the treatment device 8 is used in at least two ways. In addition to performing an electro-treatment of plants, it can also be used to apply the liquid mixture containing the active ingredient to the soil. This eliminates the need for two specially trained machines or agricultural vehicles. Furthermore, changeover times for switching from one implement to another can be completely avoided or reduced.

[0083] List of reference symbols

[0084] 2 land vehicle

[0085] 4 tractor

[0086] 6 followers

[0087] 8 Treatment device

[0088] 10 Wetting module

[0089] 12 Electrical module

[0090] 14 Generator

[0091] 16 PTO

[0092] 18 Applicator unit

[0093] 20a boom arm

[0094] 20b boom arm

[0095] 22 applicator row

[0096] 24 nozzle

[0097] 26 nozzle rows

[0098] 28 storage tank

[0099] 30a applicator

[0100] 30b Applicator

[0101] 30c applicator

[0102] 32 deactivatable modules

[0103] 34 non-deactivatable assembly

[0104] 36 High-voltage power electronics

[0105] 38 Safety device

[0106] 40 Low-voltage power electronics

[0107] 42 GPS module

[0108] 44 communication modules

[0109] 46 Pump

[0110] 48 cones

[0111] 50 holes

[0112] A area section

[0113] AK activation signal AS control signal b width

[0114] FR direction of travel

[0115] P1 Polarity P2 Polarity

[0116] 51 Swivel movement

[0117] 52 Swivel movement v Travel speed S100 Step

[0118] S200 Step

[0119] S300 step

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for treating plants with a treatment device (8), wherein the treatment device (8) has a wetting module (10) for applying a liquid mixture of substances to plants, and an electrical module (12) for applying electrical energy to plants, wherein the electrical module (12) can be at least partially deactivated by a control signal (AS), at least with the step: (S200) Applying the liquid mixture containing at least one active ingredient component to plants while the electrical module (12) is at least partially deactivated.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in a further step (S100, S300) plants are simultaneously exposed to the liquid mixture of substances and to electrical energy.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein applicators (30a, 30b, 30c) of the treatment device (8) are dismantled and / or moved into a non-use position when the treatment device (8) is deactivated.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one deactivatable assembly (32) of the treatment device (8) is dismantled without tools.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one deactivatable assembly (32) of the treatment device (8) is deactivated when the treatment device (8) is deactivated, and at least one non-deactivatable assembly (34) of the treatment device (8) is activated when the treatment device (8) is deactivated.

6. Treatment device (8) for treating plants, comprising a wetting module (10) for applying a liquid mixture of substances containing at least one active ingredient component to plants, and comprising an electrical module (12) for applying electrical energy to plants, wherein the electrical module (12) can be at least partially deactivated by a control signal (AS).

7. Treatment device (8) according to claim 6, wherein the treatment device (8) is designed to simultaneously apply the liquid mixture of substances and electrical energy to plants.

8. Treatment device (8) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein applicators (30a, 30b, 30c) of the treatment device (8) for applying electrical energy to plants when the treatment device (8) is deactivated can be removed and / or moved into a non-use position.

9. Treatment device (8) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein at least one assembly (32) of the treatment device (8) is designed to be removable without tools.

10. Treatment device (8) according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein at least one deactivatable assembly (32) of the treatment device (8) is deactivated when the treatment device (8) is deactivated, and at least one non-deactivatable assembly (34) of the treatment device (8) is activated when the treatment device (8) is deactivated.

11. Land vehicle (2), in particular trailer (6), with a treatment device (8) according to one of claims 6 to 10.

12. Kit comprising components of a treatment device (8) according to one of claims 6 to 10 for forming a land vehicle (2) according to claim 11.

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