Foldable Boom Sprayer Control for Intermediate Position Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spraying apparatuses with foldable boom assemblies can operate unsafely due to unstable conditions caused by the folding status of the booms, potentially leading to collisions or improper agent application.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural spraying apparatus equipped with a central rack, a foldable boom assembly, actuators, nozzles, and a control unit that determines the folding positions of the boom sections and prevents agent application or adjusts travel speed to ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the foldable boom assembly is designed to be movable between folded and unfolded positions for road transport and field operation, then the adaptability of the spraying apparatus is improved, but the stability and safety of operation deteriorate due to intermediate positions during folding/unfolding
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives sensor signals indicating the folding status of boom sections and automatically prevents agent application or adjusts travel speed based on detected intermediate positions, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and ensuring safety without restricting the foldable boom design
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit proactively prevents agent application and limits travel speed before unsafe conditions can occur by detecting intermediate positions in advance, rather than reacting after a collision or instability event happens
2Reliability
If the control unit prevents agent application when boom sections are in intermediate positions, then the safety is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to interruption of spraying operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit periodically monitors boom section positions through sensor signals and temporarily interrupts agent application only during intermediate positions, resuming normal operation once folded or unfolded positions are achieved, minimizing productivity impact while ensuring safety
3Reliability
If the control unit limits travel speed when boom sections are in intermediate positions, then the safety is improved by preventing collisions, but the productivity deteriorates due to reduced travel speed
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit periodically checks boom section positions and applies speed limitation only during intermediate positions, allowing full travel speed during stable folded and unfolded positions, thus minimizing the impact on overall productivity while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts travel speed based on real-time detection of boom section positions, reducing speed only when intermediate positions are detected and restoring full speed when stable positions are achieved, optimizing the balance between safety and productivity
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural spraying apparatus (1) for applying an agent in an agricultural field (2) having a foldable boom assembly (5) with at least one inner boom section (8, 13) and at least one outer boom section (10, 14) and a method of controlling the spraying apparatus (1) including the steps of determining a folding position of at least one inner boom section (8, 13) and preventing an application of agent by at least one nozzle (22) of the spraying apparatus (1) if the at least one inner boom section (8, 13) is in an intermediate position.