Drone Spray Control Using Drift-Aware Application Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drones used for applying crop protection products face challenges in ensuring even distribution due to wind, leading to insufficient or excessive application, and potential drift into protected zones, which can result in inefficiencies and regulatory issues.
Innovation Solution
A process and system involving a digital application map for drones to apply crop protection products, with real-time adaptation of application parameters based on spatial distribution data, including route adjustments and nozzle control to minimize drift and ensure precise application according to the map.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If crop protection product is applied by means of a drone, then productivity is improved through automation, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to uneven distribution caused by wind
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the spatial distribution of crop protection product during application and feeds this information back to the control unit, which automatically adjusts application parameters to maintain uniform distribution despite wind conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The application parameters are made dynamically adjustable during flight, allowing the drone to adapt nozzle settings and flight path in real-time based on monitored spatial distribution and wind conditions
2Reliability
If crop protection product application is increased to ensure sufficient coverage, then reliability is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to damage to protected zones and regulatory violations
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives real-time data on spatial distribution and automatically adjusts application rates, preventing both under-application and over-application that could cause drift into protected zones
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes application parameters including dosage rates and flight path based on real-time monitoring, ensuring sufficient coverage in treatment zones while preventing drift into protected zones
3Object-generated harmful factors
If crop protection product application is decreased to avoid drift into protected zones, then object-generated harmful factors are reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to insufficient coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different crop protection product rates to different spatial zones within the field, ensuring sufficient coverage in treatment areas while applying minimal or zero dosage in protected zones
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time spatial distribution monitoring provides feedback that enables the control unit to precisely control application rates in different zones, preventing drift into protected areas while maintaining sufficient coverage in treatment areas
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the autonomous application of crop protection products by means of a drone. The present invention relates to a process and to an unmanned aerial vehicle for applying crop protection product taking into consideration drift phenomena. The present invention furthermore relates to a computer program product which can be employed for controlling the process according to the invention.