Agricultural Atomizer with Leaf Density Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing atomizers for agricultural applications struggle to efficiently distribute chemical products on plantations while minimizing drift and environmental impact, particularly in sensitive areas like urban centers, and often require high tractor towing consumption.
Innovation Solution
An atomizer equipped with detection sensors to adjust airflow and nozzle openings based on leaf density, using an electronic control system to optimize fan speed and liquid distribution, ensuring precise targeting and reduced waste through real-time adjustments of air flow and liquid volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional atomizers are used to distribute chemical products on plantations, then the products can be sprayed on the vegetation, but the distribution efficiency is low and drift cannot be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of airflow and liquid distribution based on real-time detection of leaf density. The fan speed and nozzle openings are continuously modified according to detected conditions, transforming the static atomizer system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying plantation characteristics, thereby improving distribution efficiency and minimizing drift.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates detection sensors that monitor leaf density and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust airflow and liquid distribution parameters, ensuring optimal product delivery to the vegetation while minimizing harmful drift, thus resolving the contradiction between distribution efficiency and drift reduction.
2Productivity
If conventional atomizers spray chemical products on plantations, then the vegetation can be treated, but the consumption of towing tractor is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by adjusting the liquid distribution and airflow to match the actual leaf density detected. Instead of uniformly spraying the entire path, the system delivers product only where vegetation is present and in proportion to leaf density, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and tractor workload while maintaining effective treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters (airflow rate, liquid flow rate) based on detected leaf density, allowing the atomizer to operate at optimal efficiency levels that reduce energy consumption and tractor towing requirements while maintaining effective treatment coverage.
3Productivity
If conventional atomizers distribute products on plantations, then chemical treatment can be applied, but the distribution is not targeted and waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by delivering chemical products specifically to areas where leaves are detected, with distribution intensity proportional to local leaf density. This localized targeted approach ensures treatment coverage where needed while preventing product waste in areas without vegetation, directly resolving the contradiction between effective treatment and waste reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection sensors perform preliminary detection of leaf density before product distribution occurs. This preliminary action allows the control system to pre-adjust airflow and nozzle openings to match the actual vegetation conditions, ensuring targeted distribution from the outset and preventing both over-spraying (waste) and under-spraying (ineffective treatment).
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
The atomizer achieves efficient and targeted distribution of chemical products, reducing waste and environmental impact by adapting to leaf density and wind conditions, leading to significant cost savings and improved operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
ventilation means, which transport the pulverized liquid mixture on the plantations
Implementation Method 2
nozzles mounted on each side of the atomizer which pulverize the liquid mixture
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Atomizer for spraying products for agriculture, in particular for treatments on plantations, which comprises a containment tank (5) for containing a liquid product to be dispensed, ventilation means (8) provided with a fan (9) in order to generate an air flow which power supplies at least one conveyor (10) and distribution means (7) for distributing the liquid product contained in the containment tank (5) comprising a plurality of nozzles (11) mechanically associated with the conveyor (10). The distribution means (7) comprise at least one pump (70) whose shaft (71) is connected to the power take-off of a tractor. The ventilation means (8) comprise an alternator (80) connected to the shaft (71) of the pump (70), an electric motor (81) mechanically connected to the fan (9), an electronic control group (82), which receives the electrical energy from the alternator (80) and power supplies the electric motor (81). The atomizer also comprises two ultrasound detection sensors (12) in order to detect the density of leaves of the plantations, and a logic control unit (13) in signal communication with the detection sensors (12), and with the electronic control group (82) and configured for controlling the power supply of the electric motor (81) through the electronic control group (82) as a function of the signals received by the detection sensor (12).