Fertilizer Hose Airflow Cleaning for Real-Time Blockage Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural fertilizer spreaders face issues with blockages in hoses that lead to uneven fertilizer distribution, which are not promptly detected by current optical sensors, necessitating a mechanism to identify hose blockages in real-time.

Innovation Solution

A system incorporating a blower to accelerate gravity-fed fertilizer through a sensor device using airflow, maintaining sensor cleanliness and enabling real-time detection of blockages by an optical sensor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If granular fertilizer flows through hoses by gravity alone, then the system structure is simple, but fertilizer build-up occurs in hoses and sensors become blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose system structureVSAvoidsensor detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies pneumatic principles by introducing pressurized air through nozzles into the fertilizer hose to create airflow that prevents fertilizer build-up. The air pressure forces fertilizer through the hose and keeps the sensor channel clear, resolving the contradiction between simple gravity-fed structure and reliable sensor detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If sensors are placed in hose channels to detect blockages, then blockage detection capability is improved, but sensors become blocked for extended periods before detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblockage detection capabilityVSAvoidtime delay in blockage detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by introducing air flow into the hose before complete blockage occurs. The air continuously prevents fertilizer accumulation on the sensor, proactively maintaining sensor clarity rather than waiting for blockage to detect and then responding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If optical sensors monitor fertilizer flow in hoses, then real-time blockage detection is achieved, but sensor contamination from fertilizer build-up occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblockage detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses air flow as an intermediary substance between the fertilizer and the sensor. The air creates a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between fertilizer and the optical sensor, allowing the sensor to monitor fertilizer flow accurately without contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Ensures consistent and uniform fertilizer application by preventing blockages in the hose channels, allowing for immediate detection and alerting the operator to clean the system, thereby maintaining optimal field coverage.

Implementation Method 1

A blower is adapted to deliver an airflow through a blower hose, wherein the blower hose is operatively connected to the fertilizer hose assembly between the fertilizer hose input and the sensor device. The airflow is directed into the flowing gravity fed fertilizer to accelerate the gravity fed fertilizer through the sensor device and toward the fertilizer hose output.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow:

Implementation Method 2

The sensor device includes an interior surface and an optical sensor directed toward the interior surface to determine granular fertilizer build up on the interior surface.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Implementation Method 3

A metering device having a cavity adapted to hold the granular fertilizer, wherein the metering device provides gravity fed fertilizer from a metering device output connected to the cavity.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12622346B2Fertilizer blockage cleaning system for an agricultural fertilizer spreader

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 DEERE & CO

AI summary

An agricultural fertilizer system and method for applying a granular fertilizer to a field. A hopper defines a cavity adapted to hold the granular fertilizer and a metering device is coupled to the hopper, and is adapted to deliver a metered amount of fertilizer through a fertilizer hose coupled to a fertilizer spreader. A sensor device is disposed along the fertilizer hose between the fertilizer hose input and the fertilizer house output to identify a blockage resulting from a build-up of fertilizer. A blower delivers an airflow through an airflow hose operatively connected to the fertilizer hose, wherein the airflow hose is connected to the blower hose between the metering device and the sensor device. The airflow provided by the blower reduces or eliminates a buildup of fertilizer within the fertilizer hose to maintain a proper flow of fertilizer from the metering device and the fertilizer spreader.