Inflatable Air Chamber Crop Sprayer Maneuverability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop spraying devices are large and difficult to maneuver, sensitive to wind, and prone to instability, making them labor-intensive and energy-inefficient, with a high risk of damage and reduced operational effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A compact crop spraying device featuring an inflatable air chamber with vertical extension and a roll-up mechanism, equipped with gap-shaped outlet openings and adjustable height, allowing for efficient air flow and distribution, and mounted on an articulated frame for enhanced maneuverability and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If spray booms extend like wings on either side of the frame, then spraying coverage is improved, but the device becomes large and difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The spray booms are made collapsible and foldable rather than fixed, allowing them to be extended for spraying and folded for maneuvering. This dynamic structure enables the device to switch between wide coverage mode and compact transport mode, resolving the contradiction between spraying coverage and maneuverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray booms can be folded upwards in the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal footprint during turning maneuvers. This dimensional transformation allows the device to maintain wide spray coverage when needed while minimizing its spatial occupation during maneuvering operations.
2Productivity
If spray booms are extended and lowered for spraying, then spraying effectiveness is improved, but the device becomes sensitive to wind and unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The air conduits are made from flexible canvas strips that can collapse and conform to the boom structure, reducing the frontal area exposed to wind when not in use. This flexible construction maintains spraying effectiveness while minimizing wind sensitivity and improving overall device stability.
3Productivity
If the device is large with extended spray booms, then spraying coverage is improved, but the risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible and foldable spray booms can be retracted and raised when not in use or during transport, reducing the exposed surface area that could be damaged by obstacles, weather, or accidental contact. This dynamic configuration minimizes damage risk while maintaining full coverage capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible canvas construction of the air conduits provides inherent cushioning and shock absorption capabilities, allowing the structure to bend and deform under stress rather than breaking rigidly, thereby reducing damage risk from impacts or accidental contact.
4Ease of operation
If spray booms are folded upwards for turning, then maneuverability is improved, but time is lost in the folding action
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable spray booms are designed with hinge mechanisms that allow quick folding and unfolding motions, enabling rapid transition between extended and collapsed configurations. This dynamic design minimizes the time required for folding operations while maintaining full maneuverability when needed.
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
The device is more stable, easily maneuverable, less sensitive to weather conditions, labor-saving, and energy-efficient, with reduced risk of damage and improved spraying capability, enabling efficient coverage of crops of varying heights and allowing for simultaneous spraying of multiple rows.
Implementation Method 1
at least one source of air connected to the air chamber for creating an overpressure in the air chamber in comparison with the surroundings
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for spraying crops, comprising; a frame (1) provided with at least one inflatable air chamber (7, 8, 9) which is provided with a number of outlet openings (16, 17) that extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the air chamber, and with at least one source of air (11) connected to the air chamber for creating an over pressure in the air chamber in comparison with the surroundings; and with at least one spray nozzle positioned outside the air chamber and in the vicinity of the outlet opening (s) for spraying agent in the steam of air that comes out of the air chamber, whereby the whole air chamber hangs freely and in a substantially vertical direction.