Boom Camera Vision for Real-Time Spray Pattern Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural fluid application systems face challenges in accurately monitoring and adjusting fluid distribution due to issues such as nozzle plugging, pressure variations, and spray pattern uniformity, which affect the efficiency and precision of applications like fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating cameras and lights on a boom arm of a sprayer to capture images of spray patterns, analyze them using artificial intelligence, and adjust nozzle operation based on real-time feedback to ensure uniform distribution and identify blockages or drift.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional fluid application systems are used without real-time monitoring, then the system complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision and application uniformity deteriorate due to nozzle plugging and pressure variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of spray patterns using cameras before fluid application issues become problematic. Image capture and AI analysis occur continuously in real-time, allowing the system to predict and prevent nozzle plugging and pressure variations before they significantly degrade spray uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where cameras capture spray patterns, AI algorithms analyze the images to detect deviations, and the system responds by adjusting nozzle operations or alerting operators. This real-time feedback continuously corrects spray pattern uniformity, maintaining high manufacturing precision despite system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring and AI analysis are implemented, then the measurement precision of spray patterns improves, but the use of energy and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical spray pattern analysis methods with optical imaging and AI-based digital analysis. Cameras capture spray patterns non-contactly, and machine learning algorithms process the images to detect patterns, blockages, and drift with high precision. This substitution reduces energy consumption compared to mechanical measurement devices while improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates optical copies (images) of the spray patterns using cameras instead of direct physical measurement. These digital copies are then analyzed by AI algorithms to determine spray characteristics, blockages, and drift. This copying approach enables high-precision measurement with lower energy consumption than traditional mechanical sensors.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras and lights are added to the boom arm, then the measurement precision and coverage area improve, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the camera and light system on the boom arm to serve multiple functions: capturing spray patterns for analysis, detecting nozzle blockages, identifying drift, and monitoring overall application uniformity. By making the imaging system multi-functional, the patent achieves comprehensive coverage area without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware infrastructure supports multiple detection objectives.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system having a boom; a plurality of cameras attached to the boom; and a plurality of lenses on each camera; wherein not all lenses have a same field of view.