Material Dispensation System Lag Reduction via Control Position Anticipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Material application systems, such as sprayers, experience lag between observed and actual velocity and dispensation rates, leading to inaccurate dispensing of agricultural inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, due to delays in adjusting the dispensation rate to changes in vehicle speed.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an operator control position sensor, a ground speed sensor, and a data processor that anticipates changes in vehicle speed by using data from these sensors to control the dispensation system, reducing lag by adjusting the dispensation rate in real-time based on measured ground speed and control position changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dispensation rate is adjusted based on observed velocity, then the dispensing can compensate for velocity changes, but lag occurs between observed velocity and actual velocity leading to inaccurate dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting operator control position changes and anticipating future velocity changes before they actually occur. The data processor uses the control position sensor data to predict upcoming acceleration or deceleration, allowing the dispensation system to adjust in advance rather than reacting to observed velocity changes after the lag has already occurred.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies beforehand cushioning by using the control position sensor to detect operator intentions and pre-adjusting the dispensation rate before the velocity change fully manifests. This anticipatory adjustment cushions against the inherent lag in the system, ensuring accurate dispensing despite the time delay between actual velocity changes and observed velocity measurements.
2Productivity
If the system uses observed velocity to control dispensation rate, then it can maintain controlled rate dispensing, but the lag between observed and actual velocity reduces precision
Solution Approach 1:
The control position sensor acts as an intermediary that provides earlier information about velocity changes than the velocity sensor alone. By detecting the operator's control inputs, the system gains advance notice of upcoming velocity changes, allowing it to maintain precise controlled rate dispensing without being limited by the lag inherent in direct velocity measurement.
3Manufacturing precision
If the dispensation system responds to actual velocity changes, then accuracy improves, but the inherent lag in the system prevents real-time adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting control position changes that indicate upcoming velocity changes before they occur. This allows the dispensation system to prepare and adjust in advance, achieving both high precision and fast effective response by acting before the velocity change fully manifests rather than waiting to react to it.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine speed sensor determines engine speed data of an internal combustion engine for moving a material distribution vehicle. A ground speed sensor measures a ground speed of the material distribution vehicle. A data processor for controlling a dispensation system to distribute an agricultural input or material at a rate based on the measured ground speed and the engine speed data (e.g., sensed engine speed or change in engine speed) to anticipate a change in the ground speed of the material dispensation vehicle such that a lag in the rate of agricultural input delivered is reduced.