Granular Dispenser Calibration Tool with Positioning Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for calibrating granular pesticide dispensers in large-scale farming are time-consuming and costly, requiring trial and error, and do not account for wear and tear or variations in chemical formulations and application speeds.
Innovation Solution
A tool set with positioning elements of varying lengths is used to calibrate granular dispensers by inserting these elements into openings associated with the dispenser's flow control member, allowing for precise adjustment of the delivery rate, reducing the size of the discharge aperture to achieve desired application rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional trial and error calibration methods are used, then calibration accuracy can be achieved, but calibration time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and providing a chart of aperture sizes corresponding to different delivery rates before calibration is needed. This eliminates the trial-and-error process during actual calibration, as users can directly select the appropriate aperture size from the chart based on desired delivery rates, significantly reducing calibration time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a chart as an intermediary tool between the calibration objective and the meter aperture adjustment. The chart serves as a reference medium that translates delivery rate requirements into specific aperture size selections, eliminating the need for iterative trial-and-error adjustments and reducing calibration time.
2Ease of operation
If manufacturer recommended rates are used, then calibration process is simplified, but accuracy deteriorates due to equipment wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by providing a chart that accounts for variable conditions including different delivery rates, speeds, and aperture sizes. Rather than using fixed manufacturer recommendations, the chart enables dynamic selection of aperture sizes based on current operational parameters, maintaining accuracy despite equipment wear and varying field conditions.
3Productivity
If meter aperture size is increased, then delivery rate increases, but application accuracy decreases due to inability to achieve desired lower rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by providing a chart with multiple discrete aperture size options rather than a single aperture size. This segmentation allows users to select from various aperture sizes to match different delivery rate requirements, enabling both high and low delivery rates with appropriate precision for each application scenario.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly reduces calibration time and cost, providing accurate and flexible calibration for different granular products and application speeds, improving the efficiency and accuracy of pesticide application.
Implementation Method 1
The pesticide granules are held in the hopper and flow by gravity into the chemical metering device and then are dispensed through an aperture in the meter.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool is provided that is adapted to calibrate a dispenser operative to dispense a selected granular material received from the interior of a receptacle. The tool may include a handle extending longitudinally from a first handle end to a second handle end along a longitudinal axis and a positioning element located proximately to the second handle end. The positioning element is adapted to locate the flow control member associated with the dispenser at a selected position thereby to set a desired delivery rate of the granular material. The positioning element may be formed as an elongate projection extending upwardly from a location proximate to the second handle end or as a flat blade. A set of tools is also provided such that the dispenser can be set at alternative desired delivery rates. A method of calibrating the delivery rate of a dispenser is also provided.