Agricultural Fluid Nozzle Control for Variable Foliage Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural fluid application systems struggle with accurately determining and adjusting operating parameters due to uneven foliage distribution, leading to inefficiencies such as under-spraying and over-spraying, and require manual adjustments that increase operation time.
Innovation Solution
A system with electrically actuated valve assemblies controlled by a controller that adjusts operating parameters based on user inputs, GPS signals for speed, and sensor data to ensure precise fluid application, accommodating variations in foliage density and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual adjustments of spray tips or orifices are made to accommodate foliage variations, then spray effectiveness is improved, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect foliage characteristics and a controller to autonomously calculate and adjust spray parameters without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by making real-time adjustments based on sensor feedback, eliminating the time-consuming manual adjustment process while maintaining spray effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of spray tips with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators to adjust spray parameters electronically, significantly reducing the time required for adjustments.
2Manufacturing precision
If spray tips or orifices are selected based on foliage density and application rate calculations, then application precision is improved, but calculation accuracy deteriorates due to field conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor foliage characteristics and provide feedback to the controller. The controller uses this real-time feedback to automatically calculate and adjust spray parameters, eliminating the need for manual calculations that are prone to errors in field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to create an electronic representation or copy of the actual foliage conditions, which the controller then processes to determine optimal spray parameters. This electronic copy allows for precise calculations without the errors associated with manual field measurements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are used to detect foliage for system control, then adaptability to foliage variations is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it processes sensor data, calculates spray parameters, controls spray valve operations, and adjusts flow rates. By making the controller a multi-functional device, the system achieves high adaptability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If constant speed is maintained during spraying, then uniform application is improved, but operational flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts spray parameters based on real-time sensor feedback and actual operating conditions including speed variations. This allows the system to maintain uniform application even when speed varies, and operators retain the flexibility to change speed as needed without compromising application quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for applying agricultural fluid to a target includes a fluid supply line, a plurality of nozzle assemblies, and a plurality of electrically actuated valve assemblies. The system includes a user interface configured to receive a user input relating to a user selection of an alternative operation mode, and a controller communicatively connected to the valve assemblies and configured to control at least one operating parameter of the plurality of electrically actuated valve assemblies. The controller is configured to retrieve a first flow value, determine the at least one operating parameter based on the first flow value, receive a signal from the user interface relating to the user selection of the alternative operation mode, retrieve a second flow value, and determine the at least one operating parameter based on the second flow value in response to the user selecting the alternative operation mode.