Ducted Fan Sprayer Oscillation for Targeted Plantation Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural sprayers with ducted fans lack the ability to efficiently adjust the angle and amplitude of oscillation to effectively target different types and densities of plantations, leading to inefficient spraying.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural sprayer with a ducted fan mounted between carriages on axles, equipped with a crank-rocker mechanism that allows for adjustable inclination and oscillation amplitude, enabling precise targeting of the air-liquid mixture based on plantation type and slope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed ducted fan design is used, then the structure is simple, but the spraying efficiency is insufficient for different plantation types and densities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed ducted fan into an oscillating system. The ducted fan is mounted on a crank-rocker mechanism that enables it to oscillate back and forth, allowing the spraying direction to dynamically adapt to different plantation types, heights, and densities. This dynamic adjustment capability significantly improves spraying efficiency without requiring complete redesign of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the ducted fan assembly into independent adjustable components. The oscillation mechanism separates the spraying direction control from the fan itself, allowing independent adjustment of spraying angle and amplitude. This segmentation enables flexible adaptation to different agricultural scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If a hydraulic actuator is used to make the ducted fan oscillate, then the oscillation function is achieved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hydraulic actuators with a purely mechanical crank-rocker oscillation mechanism. The crank, driven by a simple rotating motor, converts rotational motion into the required oscillating motion of the ducted fan through the connecting rod and rocker arm. This mechanical substitution eliminates hydraulic systems, reducing complexity and maintenance requirements while achieving the same oscillation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The crank-rocker mechanism is designed to be self-regulating through its geometric parameters. By adjusting the crank radius and rocker arm length, the oscillation amplitude and range are automatically determined by the mechanism's own dimensions rather than requiring complex control systems. The mechanism serves itself by converting motor rotation directly into useful oscillation without intermediate hydraulic components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ducted fan is hinge-mounted with fixed oscillation parameters, then the manufacturing is simple, but the adaptability to different plantations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves adaptability through parameter changes in the crank-rocker mechanism. By modifying the crank radius, connecting rod length, and rocker arm dimensions, the oscillation amplitude and spraying angle can be adjusted to match different plantation types, heights, and densities. These parameter adjustments allow a single mechanism design to serve multiple agricultural applications without requiring complete redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The crank-rocker oscillation mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides oscillation for different spraying patterns, adjusts spraying angles for various plantation heights, and adapts to different densities through parameter modification. This universal mechanism replaces the need for multiple specialized fixed designs, making the system versatile across different agricultural scenarios while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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
Enhances spraying efficiency by creating a powerful air-liquid mixture that can be precisely directed at various plantations, improving coverage and penetration.
Implementation Method 1
Agricultural sprayer designs that use ducted fans are known... a ducted fan capable of changing its position... The fan duct is hinge-mounted... makes the ducted fan oscillate
Implementation Method 2
nozzles connected to a liquid container via pump
Data Source
AI summary
The agricultural sprayer includes a base with two vertical guides fixed thereon and carriages mounted on and capable of traveling along said guides. A ducted fan is turnably mounted on axles between the carriages. The inner surface of the fan duct is equipped with nozzles connected to a liquid container. One of the carriages consists of two parts: the first and the second one, with the second part capable of moving relative to the first one. The first and the second parts of said carriage have a duct-swinging crank-rocker mechanism mounted thereon. Said mechanism is configured for setting the inclination angle of the fan duct and adjusting its oscillation amplitude.