Method and apparatus for the electrical treatment of plants in non-agricultural and / or non-forestry areas

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the electrical treatment of plants (P) in non-agricultural and / or non-forestry areas, comprising at least the step of: (S300) applying an electrical voltage (U) of less than 1500 V to the plants (P) by means of a current-fed, in particular DC-fed, applicator assembly (20) having at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) for applying electrical current (I) to plants (P), the at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) being at a distance (A1, A2) of at most 15 cm, in particular at most 10 cm.

Description

[0001] Method and device for the electro-treatment of plants on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry land

[0002] The invention relates to a method and a device for the electrical treatment of plants on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry areas.

[0003] Non-agricultural and / or non-forestry areas include, for example, roads, farm tracks and field paths, including roadside verges, railway tracks, other paved areas such as yards and business areas, parking lots, property and garage entrances, sidewalks, staircases, technical structures, areas with plant populations without agricultural, horticultural or forestry use such as embankments, field margins or field woodland and areas directly adjacent to or in surface waters and coastal waters.

[0004] From DE 102021 114692 A1 a device for the large-scale electrical treatment of plants, such as crops, on agriculturally used cultivated soil or arable land is known.

[0005] Further devices for the electrical treatment of plants are known from WO 2019 / 052591 A1 and DE 10 2020 115 923 A1.

[0006] When controlling weeds, it should be noted that the use of pesticides on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry land, in contrast to agricultural land, is generally prohibited under the Plant Protection Act.

[0007] There is a need to provide a method for the electrotreatment of plants on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry land. The object of the invention is achieved by a method for the electrotreatment of plants on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry land, comprising at least the step:

[0008] Applying an electrical voltage of less than 1,500 V to the plants by means of a current-fed, in particular direct current-fed, applicator assembly having at least two applicators for applying electrical current to plants, wherein the at least two applicators are spaced apart by a maximum of 15 cm, in particular a maximum of 10 cm.

[0009] Direct electrical current is understood to be an electrical current free from a change in polarity or direction. However, the current strength and / or voltage level can change, i.e. the direct electrical current can also be a pulsating direct current, such as a direct current obtained by rectifying an alternating or three-phase electrical current and which has a residual ripple or which is broken down into time-limited pulses by switching. The distance is measured along the straight line between the two applicators, i.e. the distance is based on the shortest distance between the applicators. Furthermore, the maximum distance of 15 cm, and in particular 10 cm, applies to applicators of different polarity. However, it can also apply to all applicators, regardless of polarity.

[0010] Because the at least two applicators are spaced a maximum of 15 cm apart and the plants are contacted close to the areas important for effective treatment (e.g., the lower shoot area), it is possible to effectively treat plants with electrical voltages of less than 1,500 V. Thus, with a maximum distance of 15 cm between the at least two applicators, sufficiently high electric field strengths or a sufficiently low, in particular ohmic, resistance of the plants can be achieved to subject plants to effective electrical treatment. This can be a full-surface electrical treatment with reliable direct contact with all plants in a section of the area, or a selective electrical treatment of plants in which individual plants are treated.

[0011] According to one embodiment, an applicator assembly with at least two applicators is used, wherein at least one of the at least two applicators is designed to provide ground contact with the ground surface. The applicators are thus arranged at different heights. A first height is selected such that plants are contacted at a minimum distance from the ground, e.g. at a distance of 1 cm to 10 cm, while a second height is selected such that the applicator touches the ground at this height. In particular, contacting of individual plants is improved because in this case there is no practically closed plant cover available for contact by the applicators, but rather an electrical ground contact is created through which an electrical current can alternatively flow.In other words, the electrical current flow extends from the first applicator through the leaves, shoots, and roots of the plants, and then through the soil to the second applicator. The second applicator can be designed as a soil contact applicator that touches the soil but does not penetrate it, or can be located below the soil surface.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises the further step:

[0013] Wetting plants and / or a soil surface with a mixture of substances, in particular with a liquid mixture of substances which has an active ingredient component which reduces electrical contact resistance.

[0014] By applying the mixture with an active ingredient that reduces contact resistance, the electrical contact resistance between the applicators of the applicator assembly used to contact the plants and the contacted plants or the soil (when current is flowing through the soil) can be reduced. This is particularly important when using low electrical voltages, as contact resistance plays a particularly important role here. Furthermore, the tendency to arcing is reduced, which lowers energy consumption during this type of electrical treatment of plants.Furthermore, the additional or alternative wetting of the soil particularly improves the contact between individual plants, since in this case there is no practically closed plant cover available for contact by the applicators, but rather an electrical soil contact can be created or improved, through which an electrical current can alternatively flow.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0016] Recording at least one size indicative of the electro-treatment of plants,

[0017] Comparing the recorded size indicative of the electro-treatment of plants with a reference value, and

[0018] Providing an output signal when the measured value indicative of the electrical treatment of plants is equal to or greater than the reference value.

[0019] The quantity indicative of the electrical treatment can, for example, be the converted electrical power / energy during the electrical treatment of a plant, which is determined, for example, by detecting the level of the electrical voltage and the current strength of the flowing electrical current. By comparing and subsequently providing an output signal, a user can be provided with information about the success of the electrical treatment of the plants. This allows, during an electrical treatment of an individual plant, the user to be informed about the time of completion of the electrical treatment via an optical and / or acoustic and / or haptic output of the output signal, in particular when a device for the electrical treatment of plants is designed, for example, as a hand-held gardening tool and has a housing, such as, for example,a protective housing that prevents the user from having direct visual contact with the individual plant to be treated, forcing them to interrupt the treatment process to determine the treatment progress through visual inspection. This allows the electrotreatment of plants to be carried out more quickly and more effectively. In further exemplary embodiments, an output signal can be used to automatically vary or switch off the current, or to act as a continuation signal for driven or even completely automatically moving systems. Deviating from the present exemplary embodiment, the detected value indicative of the electrotreatment of plants can be equal to or less than the comparison value.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, an applicator assembly with at least three applicators is used, wherein two outer applicators of the at least three applicators are subjected to a first polarity and a middle applicator of the at least three applicators is subjected to a second polarity. By using an applicator assembly with at least three applicators and an alternating polarity sequence to apply direct electrical current to the stems and / or leaves of plants, it is surprisingly possible to achieve a particularly efficient treatment of plants with reduced energy consumption. Depending on the orientation and shape of the contacted plant material, the first applicator, the second applicator, and the third applicator can be aligned transversely, longitudinally, or otherwise to a direction of travel of the applicator assembly and arranged at a distance from one another.In other words, when the applicator assembly is moved over plants, the first applicator, followed by the second applicator, and finally the third applicator, move over a reference point on the ground in succession. This allows an applicator assembly with three applicators and a particularly simple design to apply electrical current to plants in a labor-saving and efficient manner using a low electrical voltage of less than 1,500 V.

[0021] In the event that the applicator assembly does not move significantly during the main / effective treatment period, contacting a plant with the middle applicator of the three applicators is particularly advantageous, as the electrical current can then flow with low resistance in at least two directions.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, at least two applicators are used, which are designed with galvanic isolation on the output side. For example, the galvanic isolation can be realized by a transformer, so that the galvanic isolation is designed as an inductive isolation. The galvanic isolation prevents an electrical current from flowing between two separate circuits, wherein a first of the circuits, a primary circuit, comprises the primary winding, and a second of the circuits, a secondary circuit, comprises the secondary winding of the transformer. With such galvanic isolation, the electrical potentials are separated from one another, and the two circuits are then potential-free from one another. Furthermore, secondary circuits, which comprise secondary windings of the transformer, are also separated from one another.These secondary circuits can therefore be circuits that, in addition to transformer secondary windings, also contain identical applicator pairs or trios, or a larger number of applicators within an applicator assembly for applying electrical current to plants. Separating such secondary circuits increases operational safety, as a dangerous current flow only occurs if a user simultaneously touches two applicators belonging to a pair or trio of applicators within an applicator assembly.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, a safety device is used which is designed to detect a two-handed contact of a user and to deactivate a device for the electrical treatment of plants upon detection of a non-two-handed contact of the user. For this purpose, two switches or buttons connected in series can be provided, which form an AND gate. The two switches or buttons connected in series can be arranged on the push rod at a distance from one another in such a way that the two switches or buttons connected in series can only be operated by a user with one hand at a time. In other words, the user must operate the two switches or buttons connected in series with both hands at the same time in order to provide a logical switch-on signal. If the logical switch-on signal orIf it is zero because one of the two switches or buttons connected in series is not actuated, a switch-off signal is provided which causes the applicators of the applicator assembly to be de-energized and thus no longer represent a source of danger.

[0024] Furthermore, the safety device can have one or more sensors designed to detect safety-relevant objects at a safety-relevant distance around the device and, if they are suspected of being detected, to automatically terminate electrical treatment. The sensors can detect stationary or moving objects or, for example, heat signatures, e.g. water or highly conductive materials on the ground surface or highly conductive material or other vulnerable objects on the surface or underground. For this purpose, two or more switches connected in series can be provided which form an AND gate. In other words, the sensors, in addition to the other safety devices, must individually generate an enable signal which is representative of the fact that no danger or vulnerable object can be detected, in order to then jointly provide a logical switch-on signal. If the logical switch-on signal is missing orIf it is zero because one of the two or more switching elements connected in series is not actuated, a switch-off signal is provided which causes the applicators of the applicator assembly to be de-energized or to be unable to be switched on, and thus no longer represent a source of danger.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, a safety device is used which is designed to detect a correct ground orientation of the device for the electrical treatment of plants and to deactivate the gardening device upon detection of an improper ground orientation. For this purpose, orientation sensors and / or, for example, series-connected pressure switches can be provided, each of which is assigned to one of the wheels or, alternatively, to runners or feet of the device. The pressure switches detect the pressure or weight force acting on the respective wheels when the device is standing with its wheels on the ground. In other words, the series-connected pressure switches can detect whether the device is facing the ground with its underside. In this case, a further logical switch-on signal is provided. If the further logical switch-on signal orIf it is zero because one of the pressure switches is not actuated or, for example, none of the specified sensor patterns for a safety shutdown is met, a switch-off signal is provided which causes the applicators of the applicator assembly to be de-energized and thus no longer represent a source of danger.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, a safety device is used which is designed to detect a movement of the device and to deactivate the device upon detection of a movement in a predetermined direction at a speed below a predetermined threshold value. For this purpose, a value for a speed at which the device is moved across the ground is detected and compared with a threshold value. The speed can be detected using wheel speed sensors, each of which is assigned to one of the wheels and detects the rotational speed of the respective wheel. If a speed below the threshold value is detected for one or more of the wheels, a switch-off signal is provided which causes the applicators of the applicator assembly to be de-energized immediately, after a specified time, or based on further signal information, and thus no longer pose a source of danger.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, a safety device is used which is designed to detect an electrical voltage between the at least two applicators and to deactivate the device upon detection of an electrical voltage below a predetermined limit value. For this purpose, provision can be made to detect a value for a voltage level between two applicators, e.g., using a voltmeter. If the value falls below the limit value, a switch-off signal is provided which causes the applicators of the applicator assembly to be de-energized—and thus no longer pose a hazard—and / or to suppress arcing.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, a protective electrode is used that is designed to electrically shield the at least two applicators. The protective electrode can be designed as a ring electrode surrounding the at least two applicators and can be electrically connected to a grounding or earth connection. This can further increase operational reliability.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, an attachment is used for the electrical treatment of plants on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry land. The attachment can be designed for attachment to, for example, gardening equipment or other equipment used in the maintenance of non-agricultural / non-forestry land, such as lawn mowers, ride-on lawn mowers, two-axle tractors, power tillers, brush cutters, autonomous lawn mowers, brush / vacuum / blower cleaning units, other vehicles or motor vehicles, or mulching mowers, and can be mechanically connected to the latter and / or connected to transmit operating power.

[0030] The invention further includes a device for the electrical treatment of plants on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry areas.

[0031] The invention will now be explained with reference to the figures. They show:

[0032] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a

[0033] Device for the electrical treatment of plants.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of details of the device for the electrical treatment of plants shown in Figure 1.

[0035] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of further details of the

[0036] 1 shown device for the electrical treatment of plants.

[0037] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of further details of the

[0038] 1 shown device for the electrical treatment of plants.

[0039] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of further details of the

[0040] 1 shown device for the electrical treatment of plants.

[0041] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of further details of the

[0042] 1 device for electro-treatment of plants. Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of further details of the device shown in Figure

[0043] 1 shown device for the electrical treatment of plants.

[0044] Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a circuit arrangement of the device for the electrical treatment of plants shown in Figure 1.

[0045] Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a circuit arrangement of the device for the electrical treatment of plants shown in Figure 1.

[0046] Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a safety device for the device for the electrical treatment of plants shown in Figure 1.

[0047] Figure 11 shows a schematic representation of a process flow for

[0048] Operation of the device for electro-treatment of plants shown in Figure 1.

[0049] Reference is first made to Figure 1.

[0050] Shown is a device 2 for the electrical treatment of plants (not shown in Figure 1) on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry areas.

[0051] Non-agricultural and / or non-forestry areas include, for example, roads, farm tracks and field paths, including roadsides, railway tracks, other paved areas such as yards and business areas, parking lots, property and garage entrances, sidewalks, staircases, technical structures, areas with plant populations without agricultural, horticultural or forestry use such as embankments, field margins or field woodland and areas directly adjacent to or in surface waters and coastal waters.

[0052] In the present embodiment, device 2 is designed as a gardening tool. A gardening tool is understood to be a tool that a user (not shown) uses for work, for example, in gardens and parks. This is a small-scale application compared to work performed on agricultural land.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the gardening tool is designed as a hand-held gardening tool. A hand-held gardening tool is understood to be a gardening tool that is moved by the user, e.g., by pushing the tool when used on small areas, as opposed to work carried out on agricultural land. In other words, the gardening tool does not have a drive train and / or driven wheels that cause automatic forward movement. Thus, the gardening tool in the present embodiment can be considered drive train-free or drive-free.

[0054] Furthermore, the gardening tool in the present embodiment does not have a seat for the user. In other words, the gardening tool can be considered to be driver-seat-free.

[0055] Furthermore, the garden tool does not have a steering device, such as steerable wheels. In other words, the garden tool can be considered to be without a steering device.

[0056] Deviating from the present exemplary embodiment, the gardening tool can have a driver's seat and / or a steering device and / or a drive train for driving wheels 8 of the gardening tool. Furthermore, the gardening tool can also be designed as an autonomously driving vehicle that can drive, steer, and brake without user intervention, but does not necessarily have to be designed for participation in road traffic.

[0057] Furthermore, in deviation from the present embodiment, the device 2 can also be designed as an attachment for attachment to another device (not shown), e.g. as a lawn mower, such as a ride-on lawn mower, two-axle tractor, motor hoe, mulching mower, ride-on lawn mower, two-axle tractor, motor hoe, brush cutter, autonomous lawn mower, brush / vacuum / blowing cleaning units, other vehicles or motor vehicles.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the device 2 has a frame- or plate-shaped base body 4.

[0059] In the present embodiment, a push rod 6 is attached to the base body 4, with which the device 2 can be pushed forward in the direction R.

[0060] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, four wheels 8 are provided on the base body 4 as spacing means which ensure a predetermined distance from the ground. These wheels 8 are drive-free and roll on the ground when the device 2 is pushed forward in the direction R by the user by means of the push rod 6.

[0061] In contrast to the present embodiment, an air cushion or an air cushion generator, or even feet, can also be provided as spacing means. Furthermore, instead of the push rod 6, another holding or guiding device can be provided, which allows a user to guide the device 2 manually, e.g., by pulling or lifting, gradually shifting, followed by setting it down. In contrast to the present embodiment, direct ground contact without such spacing means can also be provided, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0062] For the electrical treatment of plants, in the present embodiment, a wetting module 10 and an electrical module 12 are provided on the base body 4.

[0063] The wetting module 10 is designed to apply a mixture of substances, which in the present embodiment is liquid, to plants and / or soil to be treated.

[0064] The liquid substance mixture can contain at least one active ingredient. The at least one active ingredient can be an active ingredient that reduces the electrical contact resistance in the area of ​​the plant surface. The at least one active ingredient can contain at least one conductivity-increasing substance. The conductivity-increasing substance can be selected from the group consisting of inorganic salts, carbon, organic ions, humic substances, chelated iron, other chelated metal ions, and other metal ions with complexing agents.

[0065] The liquid substance mixture can also comprise at least one first active ingredient component and at least one second active ingredient component. For example, the first active ingredient component can comprise at least one conductivity-enhancing substance, and the second active ingredient component can comprise at least one surface-active substance. The surface-active substance can be a wetting substance. The surface-active substance can be selected from the group consisting of surfactants.

[0066] The liquid mixture may contain additional active ingredients, for example, at least one viscosity-increasing substance. The viscosity-increasing substance may be selected from the group consisting of pure silicas, pyrogenic silicas, mixed oxides, magnesium phyllosilicates, organic additives based on biogenic oils and their derivatives, polyamides, and modified carbohydrates.

[0067] Active ingredient components that have multiple effects are also possible, such as the effect of a surface-active substance and the effect of a viscosity-increasing substance.

[0068] Furthermore, the liquid mixture can contain a soil activator component, such as yeast and / or lactic acid bacteria. Furthermore, the liquid mixture can contain a composting-accelerating active ingredient component. Herbicides, pesticides, and / or fungicides can also be used as active ingredients.

[0069] In the present embodiment, a storage tank 14 is provided for storing the liquid mixture on the base body 4. This storage tank is connected via a media-carrying line 16 to a plurality of nozzles 18 for applying the liquid mixture to plants. In the present embodiment, the nozzles 18 are arranged in a row with an extension direction parallel to the extension direction of applicators 22a, 22b, 22c of an applicator assembly 20. During operation, the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c and the nozzles 18 interact in such a way that plants are first wetted with the liquid mixture using the nozzles 18 and then subjected to an electrotreatment using the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c.

[0070] In the present embodiment, liquid components of the liquid mixture are stored in storage tanks 14 and diluted with water before use. The mixture can already contain all liquid active ingredients, such as the component that reduces electrical contact resistance and the soil activator component. In contrast to the present embodiment, it can also be provided that the liquid mixture is stored diluted and ready for use, or that individual liquid components are mixed with water.

[0071] The electrical module 12 is designed to apply electrical energy to plants in order to kill them.

[0072] The plants can be land plants (Embryophyta), such as higher plants, or vascular plants, especially plants with a structure of roots, stems, leaves (corms), but also mosses or lichens or algae growing on solid substrates.

[0073] By applying the substance mixture with a component that reduces contact resistance, electrical contact resistance between applicators 22a, 22b, 22c of the applicator assembly 20 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.

[0074] In the present embodiment, during an electrical treatment of plants, the plants are exposed to electrical energy in the form of a direct electrical current. A direct electrical current is understood to be an electrical current that is free from a change in sign or direction. Deviating from the present embodiment, during the electrical treatment, the plants are exposed to electrical energy in the form of an alternating electrical current, a pulsed direct current, or an electrical current with, for example, a ramp-shaped or triangular waveform.

[0075] In the present embodiment, a direct current voltage of up to 1,500 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. To supply, for example, pumps (not shown) of the wetting module 10 and the electrical module 12 with electrical operating power, a control unit 24 is also arranged on the base body 4 in the present embodiment and is connected to the wetting module 10 and the electrical module 12 to transmit electrical operating power.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the control unit 24 is supplied with electrical operating energy by a battery assembly 26. In contrast to the present embodiment, electrical operating energy can also be supplied via a line that establishes a connection to an electrical supply network that transmits electrical operating energy.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the control unit 24 provides alternating electrical current with one phase with an electrical voltage of 230 V with a frequency of 50 Hz to 60 Hz.

[0078] The alternating electrical current is conducted via electrical lines to at least one converter unit 28 of the electrical module 12.

[0079] In the present embodiment, the electrical module 12 comprises the applicator assembly 20 with three applicators 22a, 22b, 22c for applying direct electrical current to plants. These applicators are arranged one behind the other in the direction R, so that when a user moves the device 2 in the direction R, the plants first come into contact with the first applicator 22a, then with the second applicator 22b, and finally with the third applicator 22c. Deviating from the present embodiment, more than the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c can also be provided one behind the other in the direction R.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the three applicators 22a, 22b, 22c are metallic applicators in order to keep the electrical resistance at the respective contact points of the plants as low as possible. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the three applicators 22a, 22b, 22c have a rod- or tubular basic shape and extend transversely at an angle of 90° to the direction R. Such applicators 22a, 22b, 22c are advantageous when plant parts lying transversely to the direction of travel are to be energized or when current propagation transversely to the direction of travel is advantageous for other geometric reasons (e.g., edge treatment). Deviating from the present embodiment, the three applicators 22a, 22b, 22c can also each have a rounded or circular design or provide contact surfaces.

[0081] In the present embodiment, the first distance A1 between the first applicator 22a and the second applicator 22b, as well as the second distance A2 between the second applicator 22b and the third applicator 22c, is 7 cm in the direction R. Deviating from the present embodiment, the first distance A1 and the second distance A2 can have a value in the range from 5 cm to 15 cm, such as 10 cm. Furthermore, deviating from the present embodiment, the first distance A1 and the second distance A2 can also have different values.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the first applicator 22a is connected to a first polarity P1, the second applicator 22b to a second polarity P2, and the third applicator 22c to the first polarity P1. The first polarity P1 is a positive polarity, and the second polarity P2 is a negative polarity. The applicator assembly 20 can therefore also be considered an applicator trio in the present embodiment.

[0083] In the present embodiment, due to the difference between the two polarities P1, P2, a first electrical voltage is established between the first applicator 22a and the second applicator 22b, and a second electrical voltage is established between the second applicator 22b and the third applicator 22c, both of which are equal. Deviating from the present embodiment, the two electrical voltages can also have different values.

[0084] During operation, the device 2 is used to first wet a surface section A with plants with the liquid mixture by the wetting module 10 and then to subject it to an electrical treatment by applying a direct electrical current by the electrical module 12. For this purpose, a user moves the device 2 in direction R at a speed v over the surface section A and applies an electrical current across the entire width b. The device 2 thus treats a strip-shaped surface section A of the soil. In the present exemplary embodiment, the device 2 covers a working area with a width b of approximately 40 cm. In contrast to the present exemplary embodiment, the device 2 can have a working area with a width b of approximately 100 cm.

[0085] Furthermore, the device 2 can have a protective electrode (not shown) designed to electrically shield the three applicators 22a, 22b, 22c. The protective electrode can be designed as a ring electrode extending around the three applicators 22a, 22b, 22c and electrically connected to a grounding or earth connection of the device 2, thus further increasing operational reliability.

[0086] Furthermore, the device 2 can have a protective electrode that runs entirely or partially around the outside, which is connected to a residual current measuring device for transmitting the measurement signal and causes automatic shutdown in the event of excessive electrical fault currents. In this case, the protective electrode can be raised like a brush on the outside of the device 2 in addition to the ground contact. It can detect, for example, electrical contact with downpipes and other vertical metallic objects and then immediately shut down the device 2 when a fault current is detected.

[0087] Reference is now also made to Figure 2. Two applicators 22a, 22b of the applicator assembly 20 of the electrical module 12 are shown as examples.

[0088] In the present embodiment, the first applicator 22a is designed to provide ground contact with the floor surface A, while the second applicator 22b is designed to provide a predetermined distance from the floor surface A. In the present embodiment, the distance can be in a range from 1 cm to 10 cm. Furthermore, deviating from the present embodiment, other applicators 22b, 22c than the first applicator 22a can be designed to provide ground contact with the floor surface A. Furthermore, more than one or even all applicators 22a, 22b, 22c can be designed to provide ground contact with the floor surface A.

[0089] By arranging the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c at different height levels, it is achieved that a current flow S extends primarily or exclusively through a plant P. Thus, parallel current flows past the plant P are avoided and thus energy efficiency is increased.

[0090] Furthermore, this ensures that electrical current flows even at low plant density, with the circuit being closed only at one point by the plant P. However, large contact surfaces facilitate the flow of current through potentially high-resistance substrate material.

[0091] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it is provided that the wetting module 10 wets surface sections of the ground surface A that are free of plants P with the substance mixture, so that a liquid film FF forms on the ground surface A.

[0092] This ensures that high conductivity and, for example, unevenness-bridging properties are provided even on absorbent and / or porous substrates. In the case of very rough, gravel-like materials or pavement, it may also be important for the mixture to form conductive paths on the surface all the way to the next area with more conductive material (substrate, joint, fine material).

[0093] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 3.

[0094] In addition, in comparison to Figure 2, a nozzle 18 and a roller 66 of the wetting module 10 are shown. Deviating from the present embodiment, the wetting module 10 can also have only nozzles 18 or only rollers 66.

[0095] By means of mineral ions or organic ionic / ionizable components, preferably by means of viscosity-increasing and thixotropic properties of the substance mixture, a liquid film FF which is closed over longer distances can be formed during application or at least when painting over with the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c, which reduces the electrical resistance of the substrate material.

[0096] For this purpose, wetting is carried out either by spraying with the nozzle 18, preferably with an additional non-surface-covering nozzle 18 in the area in front of the first applicator 22a, which in the present embodiment is close to the ground, or by wiping from a liquid-soaked roller 66, or fixed material in a partial band of the treatment area.

[0097] Furthermore, wetting with the substance mixture suppresses the formation of arcs in the area of ​​the first applicator 22a near the ground in the present embodiment. This can counteract the formation of small glazings on stone surfaces, particularly at low speeds v, in sensitive concrete or sandstone.

[0098] In the case of very sensitive surfaces, it may be advantageous to design the first applicator 22a, which in the present embodiment is close to the ground, as a roller or grinding unit with a solid, sponge-like and liquid-impregnated outer layer on an electrically conductive base carrier.

[0099] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 4.

[0100] It is shown that in the present embodiment the substance mixture is applied in the form of liquid drops FT using the nozzle 18, and a wiper 68, which in the present embodiment is assigned to the second applicator 22b not close to the ground, causes the plant P to be wetted with the substance mixture.

[0101] Because the substance mixture is applied in the form of liquid droplets FT, no continuously electrically conductive surfaces are created. A liquid film FF is only created by smearing by the first applicator 22a, which in the present embodiment is located near the bottom, and / or the wiper 68.

[0102] This ensures that the current flow S extends primarily or exclusively through the plant P. This avoids parallel current flows past the plant P, thus increasing energy efficiency.

[0103] Reference is now made additionally to Figures 5 to 7.

[0104] A swivel joint between the base body 4 and the thrust rod 6 adjusts the thrust direction SR to the direction R, or an adjustment is made using a curved guide. This ensures that treatment is performed first with the wetting module 10, followed by the electrical module 12.

[0105] With round applicators 22a, 22b, 22c, the device 2 can be designed such that the wetting module 10 is always located in front of the electrical module 12 in the direction R. Alternatively, the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c can be driven and rotatable on one or more axes and thus continuously cover a surface, for example, in a preferred direction.

[0106] Reference is now additionally made to Figure 8 in order to explain a structure of a circuit arrangement 30 of the electrical module 12 according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0107] In the present embodiment, the circuit arrangement 30 is electrically connected to the accumulator assembly 26. Thus, the gardening tool in the present embodiment is a battery-powered gardening tool.

[0108] In the present embodiment, the circuit arrangement 30 comprises a converter unit 28 with the following components: an inverter 32, a resonant circuit 34, a transformer 36, a rectifier 38 and a smoothing capacitor 40.

[0109] In the present embodiment, the inverter 32 is a DC / AC converter. Deviating from the present embodiment, other converter types can also be used.

[0110] The resonant circuit 34 is connected to the output side of the inverter 32. For example, the resonant circuit 34 can be a series resonant circuit, the components of which are shown as an inductor 44 and a capacitor 46. In other embodiments, the circuit arrangement 30 can also be designed without a resonant circuit.

[0111] The resonant circuit 34 is electrically connected to an input of the transformer 36. In the present embodiment, the transformer 36 has two magnetically coupled coils, thus providing galvanic isolation between the input side of the transformer 36 and its output side. The output side of the transformer 36 is electrically connected to the rectifier 38, which in the present embodiment is a bridge rectifier with the downstream smoothing capacitor 40.

[0112] Through the interaction of the inverter 32 and the resonant circuit 34, as well as the transformer 36 with the downstream rectifier 38, a DC voltage of 1,000 V with a maximum residual ripple of 5% to 20% (in the frequency range 60 kHz to 200 kHz) can be provided in the present exemplary embodiment. To enable operation of the device 2 with an electrical voltage below 1,500 V, an electrical voltage of up to 1,250 V can be used, with a maximum residual ripple of 20%; with a lower residual ripple, even above 1,250 V, but below 1,500 V.

[0113] The electrical voltage is composed of a constant constant value and a residual ripple value, with the residual ripple value fluctuating between a maximum and a minimum value. The difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​corresponds to the peak-to-valley value.

[0114] The peak-to-valley value is therefore less than 300 V. Depending on the load (pure ohmic resistance), the peak-to-valley value can range from 50 V to 200 V. In the present embodiment, the peak-to-valley value is in a range from 70 V to 80 V.

[0115] Thus, during operation, the circuit arrangement 30 provides the first polarity P1, a positive polarity in the present embodiment, at a first output and the second polarity P2, a negative polarity in the present embodiment, at a second output. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an ammeter 48 measures an electrical current intensity of the electrical current flowing through the first applicator 22a and the second applicator 22b or through the second applicator 22b and the third applicator 22c, while a voltmeter 50 measures a voltage level of an electrical voltage between the first applicator 22a and the second applicator 22b or between the second applicator 22b and the third applicator 22c.

[0116] In the present embodiment, the current measuring device 48 and the voltage measuring device 50 are arranged between the circuit breaker assembly 42 and the applicator assembly 20. Alternatively or additionally, the current measuring device 48 and the voltage measuring device 50 can also be arranged between the smoothing capacitor 40 and the circuit breaker assembly 42.

[0117] In the present exemplary embodiment, the control unit 24 is configured to control the inverter 32 by means of control signals such that a substantially constant electrical power and / or electrical voltage is provided by the circuit arrangement 30 through pulse width and / or frequency modulation. A substantially constant electrical power is understood to mean an electrical power whose values ​​fluctuate within a typical range around a power setpoint, e.g., deviate from the power setpoint by 3%, 5%, or 10%.

[0118] In other words, the control unit 24 permanently detects a strength of a direct electrical current and a level of a direct electrical voltage on a secondary side of the transformer 36, so that a value for the ohmic resistance can be determined at any time.

[0119] If the respective detected ohmic resistance at the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c is too high (a maximum electrical direct voltage is reached), the direct current power output drops in proportion to the ohmic resistance. However, the level of the applied electrical direct voltage remains unchanged due to a voltage limit. Since the electrical direct voltage and the electrical direct current can now also be measured, a value for the ohmic resistance can be reliably determined even in this state. The same applies to a current limit. Once a maximum electrical direct current is reached, the output electrical direct current power drops linearly with the ohmic resistance. Even in this operating state, the strength of the electrical direct current and the level of the electrical direct voltage on the secondary side continue to be reliably measured.

[0120] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the isolating switch assembly 42 is provided between the smoothing capacitor 40 and the ammeter 48 and the voltmeter 50, with which the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c can be electrically disconnected from the smoothing capacitor 40. For this purpose, the isolating switch assembly 42 can be controlled by means of a switch-off signal AS provided by a safety device 52 (see Figure 10 and description below).

[0121] Reference is now additionally made to Figure 9 in order to explain the structure of the circuit arrangement 30 of the electrical module 12 according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[0122] In the present embodiment, the device 2 is designed to be supplied with electrical operating energy from an electrical supply network that provides single-phase alternating current at 230 V. Thus, the device 2 in the present embodiment is a mains-powered or generator-source-powered device 2.

[0123] The circuit arrangement 30 in the present embodiment also has, as essential components, the transformer 36, the rectifier 38 connected downstream of the transformer 36 and the smoothing capacitor 40 connected downstream of the rectifier 38, which is electrically conductively connected to the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c of the applicator assembly 20 in order to apply the first polarity P1 and the second polarity P2 to the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c, respectively.

[0124] The current measuring device 48 and the voltage measuring device 50 are also provided in the present embodiment.

[0125] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the isolating switch assembly 42 is also provided between the smoothing capacitor 40 and the current measuring device 48 as well as the voltage measuring device 50, with which the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c can be electrically separated from the smoothing capacitor 40 in response to the switch-off signal AS.

[0126] Reference is now additionally made to Figure 10 to explain the safety device 52 in detail.

[0127] In the present embodiment, the safety device 52 has a first switch assembly 54, a second switch assembly 56, a first comparison assembly 58, a second comparison assembly 60 and a third comparison assembly 62 as well as a logical AND gate 64.

[0128] The first switch assembly 54 has two switches or buttons connected in series, forming an AND gate. In the present exemplary embodiment, the two switches or buttons connected in series are arranged at a distance from one another on the push rod 6 such that the two switches or buttons connected in series can only be operated by a user with one hand at a time. In other words, the user must grasp the push rod 6 with both hands and simultaneously operate the two switches or buttons connected in series to provide a logical switch-on signal E1. If the logical switch-on signal E1 is missing or is zero because one of the two switches or buttons connected in series is not actuated, the switch-off signal AS is provided by the AND gate.

[0129] The second switch assembly 56 has four pressure switches connected in series, each associated with one of the wheels 8 of the device 2. The four pressure switches detect the pressure or weight force acting on the respective wheels 8 when the device 2 is standing on the ground with its wheels 8. Deviating from the present embodiment, skids or feet could also be provided instead of the wheels.

[0130] In other words, the four pressure switches connected in series detect whether the device 2 is facing the ground with its underside. In this case, an additional logical switch-on signal E2 is provided. If the additional logical switch-on signal E2 is missing or is zero because one of the pressure switches is not actuated, the switch-off signal AS is provided by the AND gate 64.

[0131] Deviating from the present embodiment, pressure sensors can also be used instead of pressure switches, wherein the measured value provided by the respective pressure sensors is compared with a comparison value and the further logical switch-on signal E2 is only provided when each of the pressure sensors provides a measured value that is greater than the comparison value.

[0132] Furthermore, in contrast to the present embodiment, position sensors or orientation sensors can be used instead of or in addition to pressure switches or pressure sensors to detect a spatial position of the device 2. Thus, it can be detected whether the device 2 is facing the floor with its underside.

[0133] Furthermore, in contrast to the present embodiment, the switching pulses of the individual sensors can be linked in more complex patterns to represent individual, still safe states in which individual sensors deliver a zero signal or a gradual value outside the permissible range. For example, one of four wheels or feet can be without ground contact, provided the position sensor still indicates a permissible position, or the position sensor can be located outside a permissible core area in a transition area, as long as all wheels, runners, or feet are still sufficiently weighted or deviations only last for a short time.

[0134] The first comparison assembly 58 is configured to compare a value for a speed v at which the device 2 is moved across the ground with a threshold value SW. If the value for the speed v is greater than the threshold value SW, a further activation signal E3 is provided.

[0135] The speed v can be detected using wheel speed sensors, each of which is assigned to one of the wheels 8 and detects the speed of the respective wheel 8. In the present exemplary embodiment, an individual comparison with the threshold value SW is provided for each wheel 8. If the threshold value SW is detected to be undershot for one of the wheels 8, the switch-off signal AS is provided by the AND gate 64. This ensures that the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c are only supplied with direct electrical current when the device 2 is moved over the ground. This also prevents a region of the ground from being subjected to electrical treatment for a prolonged period of time due to the device 2 being at a standstill at one point.

[0136] The second comparison module 60 is designed to detect a value for a voltage level U between the first applicator 22a and the second applicator 22b and / or the second applicator 22b and the third applicator 22c, e.g. using the voltmeter 50. If the value for the voltage level U is greater than the limit value GW, a further switch-on signal E4 is provided. In the present exemplary embodiment, an individual comparison with the limit value GW is provided for each of the two values ​​of the voltage level U between the first applicator 22a and the second applicator 22b and / or the second applicator 22b and the third applicator 22c. If a value below the limit value GW is detected, the switch-off signal AS is provided by the AND gate 64.This ensures that the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c are only supplied with direct electrical current if there is no short-circuit-related voltage drop between the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c.

[0137] The third comparison module 62 is designed to detect a value for a fault current I. If the value for the fault current I is less than a reference value RW, a further switch-on signal E5 is provided. This ensures that the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c are only supplied with direct electrical current when the fault current is below the reference value RW. For this purpose, a differential current can be detected as the fault current I, i.e., the electrical current flowing to the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c and the electrical current flowing away from the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c is detected and compared.

[0138] Reference is now additionally made to Figure 11 to explain a method sequence for operating the device 2 for treating plants P on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry areas.

[0139] In a first step S100, after the device 2 has been put into operation, the safety device 52 checks whether the first switch-on signal E1 and the second switch-on signal E2 and the third switch-on signal E3 and the fourth switch-on signal E4 and the fifth switch-on signal E5 are present or have a signal level of logic one.

[0140] In a further step S200, the soil surface A and / or plants P are exposed to the substance mixture by the wetting module 10. In a further step S300, the soil surface A and / or plants P are exposed to electrical energy by the electrical module 12.

[0141] Deviating from the present embodiment, however, it can also be provided that either only the wetting module 10 or the electrical module 12 is active. This means that either plants P are wetted with the substance mixture only by the wetting module 10 or are supplied with electrical energy only by the electrical module 12.

[0142] If the safety device 52 detects in a further step S300 that the first switch-on signal E1 or the second switch-on signal E2 or the third switch-on signal E3 or the fourth switch-on signal E4 or the fifth switch-on signal E5 are not present or have a signal level of logical zero, the safety device 52 provides the switch-off signal AS, which causes the switches of the isolating switch assembly 42 to be opened and thus the applicators 22a, 22b, 22c of the applicator assembly 20 to be de-energized and thus no longer represent a source of danger.

[0143] In a further step S400, the quantity G is recorded indicative of the electrical treatment of plants P.

[0144] In a further step S500, the recorded value G indicative of the electrical treatment of plants P is compared with the comparison value VW.

[0145] In a further step S600, the output signal AG is provided if the detected variable G indicative of electrical treatment of plants P is equal to or greater than the comparison value VW.

[0146] Deviating from the present embodiment, the order of the steps may also be different. Furthermore, multiple steps may be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, deviating from the present embodiment, individual steps may be skipped or omitted. Thus, a method and a device 2 for the electrotreatment of plants on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry land are provided.

[0147] List of reference symbols

[0148] 2 Device

[0149] 4 basic bodies

[0150] 6 push rods

[0151] 8 wheel

[0152] 10 Wetting module

[0153] 12 Electrical module

[0154] 14 Storage tank

[0155] 16 Line

[0156] 18 nozzles

[0157] 20 Applicator assembly

[0158] 22a Applicator

[0159] 22b Applicator

[0160] 22c applicator

[0161] 24 Control unit

[0162] 26 Accumulator assembly

[0163] 28 converter unit

[0164] 30 Circuit arrangement

[0165] 32 inverters

[0166] 34 resonant circuit

[0167] 36 Transformer

[0168] 38 rectifiers

[0169] 40 smoothing capacitor

[0170] 42 Disconnector assembly

[0171] 44 Inductance

[0172] 46 capacity

[0173] 48 ammeter

[0174] 50 voltage measuring device

[0175] 52 Safety device

[0176] 54 Switch assembly

[0177] 56 Switch assembly

[0178] 58 Comparison module 60 Comparison module 62 Comparison module 64 AND gate 66 Roll

[0179] 68 scrapers

[0180] A floor area

[0181] AG output signal

[0182] A1 distance

[0183] A2 distance

[0184] AS switch-off signal b width

[0185] E1 switch-on signal

[0186] E2 switch-on signal

[0187] E3 switch-on signal

[0188] E4 switch-on signal

[0189] E5 switch-on signal

[0190] FF liquid film

[0191] FT liquid drops

[0192] G size

[0193] GW limit

[0194] I fault current

[0195] R direction

[0196] P Plant

[0197] P1 Polarity

[0198] P2 polarity

[0199] S current flow

[0200] RW reference value

[0201] SR thrust direction

[0202] SW threshold

[0203] U voltage level v speed

[0204] VW comparison value S100 step

[0205] S200 Step

[0206] S300 Step S400 Step

[0207] S500 step

[0208] S600 step

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for the electro-treatment of plants (P) on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry land, comprising at least the step: (S300) Applying an electrical voltage (U) of less than 1,500 V to the plants (P) by means of a current-fed, in particular direct current-fed, applicator assembly (20) with at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) for applying electrical current (I) to plants (P), wherein the at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) have a distance (A1, A2) of a maximum of 15 cm, in particular a maximum of 10 cm.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an applicator assembly (20) having at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) is used, wherein at least one of the at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) is designed to provide ground contact with a ground surface (A).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step: (S200) Wetting plants (P) and / or the soil surface (A) with a mixture of substances, in particular with a liquid mixture of substances which has an active ingredient component which reduces an electrical contact resistance.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the steps: Recording at least one value (G) indicative of the electro-treatment of plants (P), Comparing the recorded value (G) indicative of the electrical treatment of plants (P) with a reference value (VW), and Providing an output signal (AG) when the detected value (G) indicative of electrical treatment of plants (P) is equal to or greater than the reference value (VW).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an applicator assembly (20) having at least three applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) is used, wherein two outer applicators (22a, 22c) of the at least three applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) are subjected to a first polarity (P1) and a middle applicator (22b) of the at least three applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) is subjected to a second polarity (P2).

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) are used, which are designed to have a galvanic isolation on the output side.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a security device (52) is used which is designed to detect a two-handed contact of a user and to deactivate a device (2) upon detection of a non-two-handed contact of the user.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a safety device (52) is used which is designed to detect a proper ground orientation of the device (2) and to deactivate the device (2) upon detection of a non-proper ground orientation.

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a safety device (52) is used which is designed to prevent movement movement of the device (2) and to deactivate the device (2) upon detection of a movement in a predetermined direction with a speed (v) below a predetermined threshold value (SW).

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a safety device (52) is used which is designed to detect an electrical voltage (U) between the at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) and to deactivate the device (2) upon detection of an electrical voltage (U) below a predetermined limit value (GW).

11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a protective electrode is used which is designed to electrically shield the at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c).

12. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein an attachment is used for the electrical treatment of plants (P) on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry areas.

13. Device (2) for the electrical treatment of plants (P) on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry areas, designed to apply an electrical voltage (U) of less than 1,500 V to the plants (P) by means of a current-fed, in particular direct current-fed, applicator assembly (20) with at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) for applying electrical current (I) to plants (P), wherein the at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) have a distance (A1, A2) of a maximum of 15 cm, in particular a maximum of 10 cm.

14. Device (2) according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) is designed to provide ground contact to the ground surface (A).

15. Device (2) according to claim 13 or 14, designed for wetting plants (P) and / or a ground surface (A) with a mixture of substances, in particular a liquid mixture of substances, which has an active ingredient component which reduces an electrical contact resistance.

16. Device (2) according to one of claims 13 to 15, designed to detect at least one variable (G) indicative of the electro-treatment of plants (P), to compare the detected variable (G) indicative of the electro-treatment of plants (P) with a comparison value (VW) and to provide an output signal (AG) if the detected variable (G) indicative of the electro-treatment of plants (P) is equal to or greater than the comparison value (VW).

17. Device (2) according to one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the applicator assembly (20) has at least three applicators (22a, 22b, 22c), wherein two outer applicators (22a, 22c) of the at least three applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) are subjected to a first polarity (P1) and a middle applicator (22b) of the at least three applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) is subjected to a second polarity (P2).

18. Device (2) according to one of claims 13 to 17, comprising at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) which are designed to have a galvanic isolation on the output side.

19. Device (2) according to one of claims 13 to 18, comprising a safety device (52) which is designed to detect a two-handed contact of a user and to deactivate the device (2) upon detection of a non-two-handed contact of the user.

20. Device (2) according to one of claims 13 to 19, comprising a safety device (52) which is designed to detect a proper ground orientation of the device (2) and to deactivate the device (2) upon detection of a non-proper ground orientation.

21. Device (2) according to one of claims 13 to 20, comprising a safety device (52) which is designed to detect a movement of the device (2) and to deactivate the device (2) upon detection of a movement in a predetermined direction with a speed (v) below a predetermined threshold value (SW).

22. Device (2) according to one of claims 13 to 21, comprising a safety device (52) which is designed to detect an electrical voltage (U) between the at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c) and to deactivate the device (2) upon detection of an electrical voltage (U) below a predetermined limit value (GW).

23. Device (2) according to one of claims 13 to 22, comprising a protective electrode which is designed to electrically shield the at least two applicators (22a, 22b, 22c).

24. Device (2) according to one of claims 13 to 23, designed as an attachment for the electrical treatment of plants (P) on non-agricultural and / or non-forestry areas.

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