Crop Input Application System with Reel-Supported Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop input application systems face challenges in efficiently and precisely applying inputs to standing crops, particularly in navigating between crop rows and maintaining consistent application rates.
Innovation Solution
A crop input application system comprising an irrigation vehicle with a transversely extending boom, wheel assemblies, and applicators, along with a supply vehicle that can be connected in tandem, and a reel positioned between crop rows to support a conduit for fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the applicator traverses between crop rows using a reel-supported conduit, then application precision and crop safety are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the reel and conduit system
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the applicator into modular components: a transverse boom structure with multiple applicator units spaced along its length, allowing independent positioning over each crop row. This segmentation enables precise targeting of inputs to specific rows while simplifying the overall control of each individual applicator unit.
Solution Approach 2:
A reel-supported flexible conduit acts as an intermediary element, delivering fluid from the supply vehicle to the applicators while accommodating the movement and positioning requirements. The conduit serves as a flexible connection that maintains fluid supply without constraining the applicator's traversal between rows.
2Productivity
If the supply vehicle is connected in tandem to the irrigation vehicle, then application efficiency and consistency are improved, but the system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supply vehicle and irrigation vehicle are combined into a tandem-operated integrated system, allowing synchronized movement and continuous fluid supply. This merging eliminates the need for separate supply and application operations, improving overall application efficiency and consistency while maintaining coordinated control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the reel is positioned between crop rows with a width less than the row distance, then crop damage is minimized and navigation is improved, but the delivery distance and fluid flow capacity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a single-point delivery approach to a distributed multi-point delivery system along the transverse boom. Multiple applicator units spaced along the boom width enable fluid delivery across the entire crop row span, compensating for the limited lateral reach of the narrow reel position while maintaining minimal crop interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse boom structure creates multiple copies of the delivery function across different lateral positions. Instead of relying on a single conduit from the reel, multiple applicator units distributed along the boom width provide redundant delivery paths, ensuring adequate fluid flow capacity despite the constrained reel position.
Data Source
AI summary
Crop input application systems, methods and apparatus are provided. In some embodiments, an irrigation system is provided with a reel in fluid communication with a liquid source. In some embodiments, a drop assembly is incorporated in an irrigation system. In some embodiments, a crop applicator system includes a reel positioned between adjacent rows of crop.