Flexible Agricultural Applicators for Precise Between-Row Fluid Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Challenges exist in controlling fluid applications, such as fertilizers and chemicals, between rows of agricultural plants, particularly in ensuring precise placement and minimizing waste.

Innovation Solution

Implementing application units with flexible or pivoting members that adjust orientation based on plant contact, using feelers and linkage mechanisms to maintain equidistance from plant rows, allowing precise fluid application to the rhizosphere and base regions of plants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If rigid application members are used for fluid application between plant rows, then structural stability is maintained, but precision in adapting to varying plant positions and row configurations is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement precisionVSAvoidapplication unit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The application members are designed to pivot and flex dynamically rather than remain rigid, allowing them to adapt to varying plant positions and row configurations while maintaining application precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state of the application members from rigid to flexible/pivoting, enabling them to conform to different spatial configurations while delivering precise fluid application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If flexible application members are used to adapt to plant positions, then placement precision is improved, but control over fluid application becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement precisionVSAvoidapplication control

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the position and orientation of flexible application members are monitored and used to adjust fluid delivery, ensuring precise application even as members adapt to plant positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Linkage members and feelers serve as intermediaries between the rigid frame and flexible application members, transmitting positional information and enabling coordinated control of fluid application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If application members are positioned close to plant rows for precise application, then fluid placement accuracy is improved, but risk of contact with plants increases causing potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication accuracyVSAvoidplant damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The application members utilize flexible components that can bend and conform to the space between plants, allowing close positioning for accurate application while physically adapting to avoid contact with plant stems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible application members dynamically adjust their position and orientation in response to plant locations, enabling precise fluid delivery to the rhizosphere while maintaining safe clearance from plant tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12414499B2Implements and application units having at least one flexible or pivoting application member for placement of applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 PRECISION PLANTING LLC

AI summary

Described herein are implements and applicators for placement of fluid applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a fluid applicator for applying fluids to plants in rows in a field includes a base, at least one flexible or pivoting application member connected to the base and disposed to apply fluid to the plants, and a stabilizer associated with the at least one flexible or pivoting application member. The stabilizer can reduce movement of the application member to provide a more consistent fluid application to the plants.