Adjustable Row Unit Positioning for Crop Input Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural sprayers struggle to accurately target crop inputs when plants deviate from ideal row spacing due to human error or machine inaccuracies, leading to reduced crop yields and increased environmental impact from over-application of chemicals.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural vehicle with adjustable row units that utilize satellite navigation receivers and dynamic positioning systems to adjust nozzle placement in three dimensions, ensuring precise application of crop inputs regardless of plant row alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixed row units are used on the sprayer, then the structure is simple and stable, but the sprayer cannot accurately target plants when row spacing deviates from ideal dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The row units are made dynamically adjustable in lateral position relative to the sprayer frame. Motors and drive mechanisms enable each row unit to move independently to compensate for deviations in plant row spacing, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that can adapt to varying field conditions while maintaining targeting accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The sprayer is divided into multiple independently controllable row units that can be adjusted individually. Each row unit operates separately with its own positioning system, allowing precise targeting of each plant row even when spacing varies, while the overall system remains manageable through modular design
2Productivity
If manual adjustment of row units is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and accuracy are reduced due to inability to dynamically adapt to row deviations
Solution Approach 1:
Satellite navigation receivers continuously provide feedback on the sprayer's position and orientation relative to plant rows. This real-time data feeds into the control system, which automatically adjusts row unit positions to maintain accurate targeting, enabling high productivity through automated closed-loop control
Solution Approach 2:
The sprayer system automatically adjusts its own row unit positions without operator intervention. The integrated navigation and control systems self-correct positioning errors in real-time, allowing the machine to maintain optimal spraying accuracy throughout operation while maximizing productivity
3Quantity of substance
If inaccurate targeting is used to compensate for row deviations, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of substance increases due to over-application of crop inputs
Solution Approach 1:
Manual or mechanical targeting methods are replaced with satellite navigation-based positioning systems. The electronic positioning and control system precisely determines plant row locations and adjusts spray application accordingly, eliminating the need for over-application compensation and reducing chemical loss through accurate digital targeting
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural vehicle comprises a left frame and a right frame. A left wheel is rotatable with respect to the left frame and a right wheel is rotatable with respect to the right frame. A first leg extends upward from the left frame and a second leg extends upward from the right frame to connect the legs to the beam. A data processor estimates a reference point on or below the vehicle and an angular orientation or attitude of the beam relative to the reference point based on positions of location-determining receivers associated with the beam. An upper carriage is laterally movable along the beam. A lower carriage is suspended from the upper carriage by a plurality of vertical supports, such that a target lateral position of the upper carriage establishes an actual lateral position of the lower carriage.