Autonomous Crop Spray Control With Real-Time Drift Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The uneven distribution of crop protection products applied by drones due to wind results in insufficient or excessive application, potentially leading to ineffective pest control and legal or regulatory issues, as well as exposure to protected zones.

Innovation Solution

A process and system involving a digital application map for drones to apply crop protection products, with real-time adaptation of application parameters based on spatial distribution data to ensure accurate and targeted application, minimizing drift and ensuring compliance with regulatory limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If crop protection product is applied by drone without drift correction, then application speed and productivity are improved, but spatial distribution uniformity deteriorates due to wind drift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication speedVSAvoidspatial distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines the spatial distribution of crop protection product during application and uses this information as feedback to adapt application parameters in real-time, correcting drift effects while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The application parameters are dynamically adapted during the application process based on determined spatial distribution, allowing the system to respond to changing wind conditions and maintain uniform distribution without reducing application speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If crop protection product is applied by drone without real-time monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but application precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidapplication accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs multiple functions: it determines spatial distribution of the crop protection product, adapts application parameters, and controls the application process, eliminating the need for separate monitoring and control systems while maintaining high application precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of substance

If crop protection product is applied without drift adaptation, then loss of substance is reduced through simpler application, but harmful factors increase due to exposure of protected zones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct wasteVSAvoidexposure of protected zones

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines spatial distribution during application and uses this feedback to adapt parameters in real-time, preventing drift into protected zones and reducing product waste through precise application control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively adapts application parameters based on determined spatial distribution to prevent drift into protected zones before it occurs, rather than reacting after exposure happens

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS11608175B2Drift correction during the application of crop protection agents

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 BASF AGRO TRADEMARKS GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to the autonomous application of crop protection products by means of a drone. The present invention relates to a process and to an unmanned aerial vehicle for applying crop protection product taking into consideration drift phenomena. The present invention furthermore relates to a computer program product which can be employed for controlling the process according to the invention.