Liquid Fertilizer Dispensing Device with Segmented Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spreading devices for liquid fertilizers require frequent refilling and disposal of residual amounts, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, as they do not allow for a needs-based nutrient supply tailored to different plant species and soil conditions.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with separate containers for different fertilizer components, each with a metering line and pump, controlled by a central device to adjust mixing ratios, allowing for customizable fertilizer composition and distribution via a mixing device and pump nozzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional spreading devices use a single container for liquid fertilizer, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot provide needs-based nutrient supply for different plant species and requires frequent refilling and disposal of residual fertilizer
Solution Approach 1:
The single fertilizer container is divided into multiple separate containers, each holding a different fertilizer component (nitrogen, phosphate, potassium). This segmentation allows the device to provide customized nutrient compositions for different plant species while maintaining manageable container sizes that reduce refilling frequency.
2Productivity
If conventional spreading devices use a single fertilizer container, then the device is easy to operate, but productivity decreases due to frequent refilling and disposal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fertilizer containers are integrated into a single dispensing system with a common pumping and spraying mechanism. This merging allows the device to operate as a unified system, improving productivity by eliminating the need to switch between separate application devices while maintaining ease of operation through centralized control.
3Loss of substance
If conventional spreading devices dispense fixed composition fertilizer, then the device structure is simple, but substance loss increases due to disposal of residual fertilizer
Solution Approach 1:
The fertilizer composition parameters (nitrogen, phosphate, potassium ratios) are made variable rather than fixed. The mixing system adjusts the proportions of each component based on plant needs, allowing complete utilization of all fertilizer components in the containers. This eliminates the need to discard residual fertilizer and significantly reduces substance loss.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple application systems are used for different fertilizer compositions, then needs-based nutrient supply is achieved, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single dispensing device is designed to perform multiple functions by mixing different fertilizer components in variable ratios. The system can produce various fertilizer compositions (high nitrogen for lawns, high phosphate for fruit plants, high potassium for flowering plants) using one unified apparatus, eliminating the need for multiple separate application systems and reducing overall costs.
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
Enables an efficient, needs-based nutrient supply for plants by allowing real-time adjustment of fertilizer composition based on plant type, soil conditions, and season, reducing waste and costs through customizable mixing ratios and replaceable containers.
Implementation Method 1
each container (14) with a fertilizer component is assigned a metering line (16) and a metering pump (20)
Implementation Method 2
the mixing device (30) is designed to mix the fertilizer components (5) with one another
Implementation Method 3
conveyed via a pump (40) and a discharge nozzle (50) to be sprayed into the surrounding area
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a dispensing device and a method for dispensing a liquid fertilizer (5) by means of a pumping device (40) via a discharge nozzle (50). According to the invention, at least one first container (14A) for a first fertilizer component and at least one second container (14B) for a second fertilizer component are provided, each container is assigned a metering line (16A) and a metering pump (20) via which the respective fertilizer component can be supplied to a mixing device (30), and the mixing device (30) is configured to mix the fertilizer components, the mixing device being located upstream of the pumping device (40).