Agricultural Application Rate Control Using Remaining Field Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for agricultural product application often result in inaccurate initial estimation of application rates, leading to inefficiencies such as insufficient or excessive product use, which affects crop quality and efficiency of field coverage.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a field area processor, application rate processor, and application rate calculator to dynamically determine and adjust application rates based on field characteristics, product amount, and vehicle capabilities, ensuring precise and efficient product distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional estimation methods are used to determine application rates, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the application rate accuracy deteriorates leading to insufficient or excessive product use
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating the total field area before application and continuously monitoring the remaining area during application. This allows the system to determine the remaining application area in advance and adjust the application rate proactively to ensure accurate product distribution throughout the entire field.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the remaining field area and comparing it against the planned application parameters. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the application rate to maintain accuracy, preventing both insufficient and excessive product application.
2Loss of substance
If conventional fixed application rates are used, then the operation is simple, but product waste increases due to over-application in some areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed application rates to dynamic adjustment mechanisms. The application rate is continuously adapted based on the remaining field area and pre-calculated parameters, allowing the system to optimize product distribution in real-time and minimize waste while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the application rate parameter dynamically during operation based on calculated parameters such as remaining field area. This allows optimization of product usage by adjusting the application rate to match actual field conditions and coverage progress, reducing both over-application and under-application.
3Productivity
If manual monitoring of product usage is used, then the system is simple, but productivity decreases due to inefficiencies in field coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically calculating and monitoring the remaining field area and application rate without requiring manual intervention. The system independently determines coverage progress and adjusts parameters to optimize productivity, eliminating the need for manual monitoring while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical monitoring with automated electronic calculation and control. By using processors to calculate remaining area and determine application rates automatically, the system eliminates manual monitoring tasks and significantly improves field coverage efficiency and overall productivity.
4Reliability
If high application rates are used to ensure complete coverage, then coverage completeness is improved, but product consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the total field area and planned application parameters before starting application. This allows determination of the precise amount of product needed for complete coverage, ensuring reliability of coverage while avoiding unnecessary product consumption by applying exactly what is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the application rate parameter based on calculated remaining area and coverage progress. This ensures complete and reliable field coverage by maintaining appropriate application rates throughout the process, while optimizing product consumption to match actual coverage needs rather than using fixed high rates.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to control agricultural product application rates are disclosed. An example system to control agricultural product application rates includes a field area processor to determine an area of a field to be covered, and an application rate processor including an end product processor to determine an amount of product to be utilized during an application session, the amount of product to be utilized based on an amount of product on a vehicle and a final product amount, and an application rate calculator to determine a first application rate to be implemented by an applicator based on the amount of product to be utilized and the area of the field to be covered.