Liquid Manure Sensor for Real-Time Ingredient Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional technologies face challenges in accurately analyzing and optimizing the spreading of liquid manure ingredients due to variations in manure types, sediment layers, and uneven distribution in storage tanks, leading to rough estimates and high equipment and logistical costs for precise application.

Innovation Solution

A device with a sensor integrated into the removal or transfer line system of a liquid manure tanker, connected to an evaluation device, allows for real-time spectral analysis of manure ingredients, controlling the application quantity through a pump and valve system to match specified nutrient requirements per unit area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional stationary sensor systems are deployed over large areas to analyze soil values, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and capital expenditure increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil value determinationVSAvoidsensor distribution system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the analysis function from the stationary ground-based sensor system and relocates it to a mobile sensor system integrated with the manure tanker. This allows the sensor to travel with the manure application equipment, providing continuous analysis of manure composition during transport and application without requiring extensive stationary infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile sensor system serves multiple functions: it analyzes manure composition, determines application rates, and provides real-time feedback for optimizing fertilizer application. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate stationary soil analysis systems and manual sampling procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If liquid manure is analyzed during storage tank emptying to determine ingredients, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time occurs due to sampling and analysis delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanure ingredient analysisVSAvoidsampling and analysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system performs preliminary analysis of manure composition during the transfer and application process itself, rather than waiting for post-emptying laboratory analysis. This real-time preliminary measurement allows immediate adjustment of application rates based on actual manure content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system operates continuously during manure transfer and application, providing ongoing composition data without interruption. This continuous monitoring eliminates the discontinuous sampling and analysis delays associated with traditional methods, maintaining productive operation throughout the entire process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If real-time manure analysis is performed during spreading to optimize application, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication quantity controlVSAvoidsensor and control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system provides real-time feedback on manure composition to the control system, which automatically adjusts application rates to match actual nutrient content. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise application control based on real-time measurements, optimizing fertilizer usage while managing system complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If comprehensive manure analysis is conducted to determine exact ingredient proportions, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time occurs in the analysis process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveingredient proportion determinationVSAvoidanalysis processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical laboratory analysis methods with optical or electrochemical sensor systems that can rapidly measure manure composition in real-time. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming physical sampling, laboratory processing, and manual analysis steps while providing continuous, precise ingredient proportion data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 efficient and accurate optimization of manure application, reducing deviations and operational costs by analyzing manure during transfer or removal, ensuring precise nutrient distribution according to soil needs.

Implementation Method 1

A sensor (8, 82, 83) for spectral analysis of liquids is integrated into the removal line system (5, 52, 53) or the transfer line system (52) of a liquid manure tanker (1, 12, 13)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpectral analysis: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP2234470B1Devices for spreading liquid manure
Publication Date: 2017.07.26 ZUNHAMMER SEBASTIAN
  • EP2234470B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2234470B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2234470B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to devices for spreading liquid manure, wherein a liquid manure sensor (8) determines the ingredients of the liquid manure (G) to be spread and an evaluation unit (10) compares the determined values to preset ingredient data. The quantity of liquid manure (G) to be spread per unit of area is calculated based on this comparative result. According to the comparative result, an adjustable valve (6) actuates a dispensing device (7), by means of which the calculated quantity of liquid manure (G) is spread onto the farm field.