Adjustable Liquid Outlet Positioning for Agricultural Spray Tubes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural liquid dispensing systems lack adaptability to different plant species and terrain, with fixed application heights and limited variability in dispensing positions, making them prone to damage and inefficient in treating uneven terrains.

Innovation Solution

A device with a tubular body and adjustable outlet device that can be positioned along its length and height, allowing for flexible attachment to machines, featuring a flexible hose and spring device for positioning, and a clamping mechanism for secure attachment, enabling variable dispensing heights and angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the outlet device is fixed at a single position on the tubular body, then the structure is simple and robust, but the adaptability to different plant species and dispensing positions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different plant species and dispensing positionsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet device is made adjustable along the longitudinal direction of the tubular body, allowing it to be positioned at different locations. This dynamic positioning capability enables adaptation to different plant species and dispensing requirements without increasing overall device complexity, as the adjustment mechanism integrates seamlessly with the tubular structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular body with adjustable outlet device serves multiple functions: it can dispense liquid at various heights and positions to treat different plant types (stem, leaves, etc.), and the same basic structure can be used across different agricultural applications by simply repositioning the outlet device rather than requiring different specialized equipment for each plant type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the outlet device is attached to the end of the tubular body, then the structure is simple, but the application height cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of application heightVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet device can be positioned at multiple locations along the longitudinal direction of the tubular body, enabling adjustment of application height. This dynamic positioning allows operators to select the appropriate dispensing height for different agricultural needs while maintaining simple attachment and adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the dispensing system is made robust for impassable terrain, then the reliability increases, but the flexibility in positioning and adapting to different terrains decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability in impassable terrainVSAvoidflexibility in positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing system is divided into separable components: the tubular body and the outlet device can be detached from each other. This segmentation allows the robust tubular body to withstand harsh terrain conditions while the outlet device can be easily repositioned or replaced to adapt to different positioning requirements and terrain types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detachable connection between the tubular body and outlet device enables dynamic reconfiguration of the system. In impassable terrain, the robust tubular body provides reliability, while the outlet device can be adjusted to different positions along the tubular body or removed entirely if needed, providing flexibility without compromising the structural integrity of the main system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables precise and adaptable liquid application to various plant species and terrains, reducing damage and improving efficiency by allowing adjustable dispensing positions and heights, enhancing the robustness and versatility of the dispensing system.

Implementation Method 1

a spring device is arranged on the flexible body, which can achieve the desired flexibility of the flexible body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3494789B2Device for applying liquid, fertiliser, pesticide and the like
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 AGROTOP GMBH
  • EP3494789B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3494789B2 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Device (1) for dispensing liquids, and in particular fertilizers, pesticides, and the like, comprising a connection (2) for attaching this device (1) to a machine, a tubular body (6) for guiding the liquid, and a first outlet device (4) through which the liquid can be discharged. According to the invention, the outlet device (4) can be fixed at different positions in a longitudinal direction (L) of the tubular body (6) such that a position of the outlet device relative to the tubular body can be selected.