Crop Sensor-Based Material Application Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for applying materials to crops, such as fertilizers, often result in over- or under-application due to uniform application rates, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential harm, as they do not accurately account for the varying needs of crops based on vehicle movement and terrain changes.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system that includes a delivery vehicle with sensors to gather crop data, a controller to adjust movement based on crop needs, and an applicator controller to optimize material application, ensuring precise delivery by adjusting speed and direction in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If uniform application rate is used across the field, then the application process is simple and fast, but it results in over-application in some areas and under-application in others
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the field into multiple zones with different application rate requirements based on crop needs. Each zone receives a customized application rate rather than a uniform rate, allowing precise material distribution matched to local crop conditions while maintaining efficient automated operation across the entire field.
Solution Approach 2:
The application rate is dynamically adjusted in real-time based on vehicle position, speed, and direction changes. The system continuously modifies material delivery rates to compensate for variations in vehicle movement, ensuring precise application despite changes in operating conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle moves at varying speeds and directions, then it can adapt to terrain and field layout, but the applicator cannot accurately deliver the programmed amount of material
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors vehicle position, speed, and direction through sensors and GPS. This feedback is processed in real-time to calculate the actual material application rate and compare it against the target rate, enabling automatic adjustments to maintain precision despite vehicle movement variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator system dynamically adjusts material delivery in real-time based on actual vehicle movement conditions. The application rate is continuously modified to compensate for speed changes, direction changes, and terrain variations, ensuring accurate material distribution regardless of vehicle motion patterns.
3Measurement precision
If traditional reflectance-based sensors are used to determine application rates, then crop needs can be assessed, but over-application and under-application still occur due to lack of real-time vehicle movement integration
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges crop need assessment data from reflectance sensors with real-time vehicle movement data from GPS and motion sensors. By combining these data streams, the system calculates the actual material application rate based on both crop requirements and vehicle motion, enabling precise application that accounts for both biological needs and mechanical variables.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a material delivery system (100) and method for applying material to one or more crops. A sensor, or crop sensing head(104), moves over or near the crops and obtains crop data. An applicator (106) is configured to apply the material onto the crop(s). An applicator controller (105) can control the applicator (106). A material delivery vehicle (102) has a delivery vehicle controller (128) configured to control the material delivery (102) vehicle and an agriculture controller (132) in communication with the delivery vehicle controller (128), applicator controller (105), and sensor(104). The agriculture controller (132) can determine the needs of the crops and adjust the movement of the delivery vehicle (02) based on the needs of the crops.