Adjustable Sprayer Nozzle Arm for Crop Row Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural vehicles with gantry configurations often lack lateral adjustment of sprayer nozzles, leading to uneven spray patterns and soil compaction, which can negatively impact crop growth and soil health.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle platform with adjustable legs and arm assemblies that allow for vertical and lateral movement of sprayer nozzles, combined with a track assembly that minimizes soil compaction by dynamically adjusting its footprint, ensuring precise alignment and reduced ground pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gantry configuration is used to support sprayer nozzles, then the structure is simple and stable, but lateral adjustment of nozzles is limited resulting in non-parallel spray swaths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gantry configuration adjustable rather than fixed. The lateral position of the sprayer nozzles can be dynamically changed during operation to maintain parallel spray swaths that track with the vehicle's path, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational flexibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional wheels are used for vehicle movement, then the structure is simple, but soil compaction occurs which negatively impacts plant growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle's ground contact system from traditional single-wheel contact into multiple track assemblies that distribute weight across a larger surface area. This segmentation reduces ground pressure and prevents soil compaction, addressing the harmful effect on plant growth while accepting increased structural complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If sprayer nozzles are fixed in position, then the structure is stable and simple, but spray patterns do not track the target path plan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the arm assembly to laterally adjust the position of sprayer nozzles in response to the vehicle's location and orientation. This dynamic adjustment ensures that spray patterns accurately track the target path plan, achieving precise manufacturing precision through active control rather than fixed positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle platform comprises a central body that can support one or more implement configurations, such as sprayer booms, or planting row units. A plurality of adjustable legs extends downward from the central body. An arm assembly has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is pivotably coupled the central body and the second end coupled to a support beam. A plurality of nozzle assemblies is supported from the support beam. An arm actuator is arranged to control a transverse position of the support beam and the nozzle assemblies with respect to a reference point on the central body, such that each nozzle assembly may be aligned with a row of seeds or plants.