Modular Agricultural Treatment Mixing for Zone-Specific Application
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural treatment systems lack the ability to dynamically adapt to changing in-field conditions such as biological targets and application conditions, limiting the choice and efficiency of product use.
Innovation Solution
A modular agricultural treatment system that includes a base station and field devices, utilizing a method to determine optimal product compositions and applications based on real-time field data and base product information, allowing for autonomous and efficient treatment of harmful organisms and plant health deficiencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a smart autonomous system is used for agricultural treatment, then timeliness and spatial accuracy of product application are improved, but the number of potential product choices is limited and cannot fully reflect changing in-field conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its product selection and application parameters in real-time based on changing field conditions. Sensors continuously monitor biological targets, humidity, temperature, and wind speed, while the control unit adjusts product choices and application rates accordingly, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that responds to environmental variations
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including product type selection, application rate, spray timing, and target area definition based on real-time field data. This allows the system to optimize treatment effectiveness by adjusting product parameters according to current biological and environmental conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple base products are stored in base containers, then product versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the product storage and management functions into separate base containers, each dedicated to storing specific base products. This modular segmentation allows for organized storage of multiple products while simplifying the overall system architecture by separating storage, mixing, and application functions
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of handling multiple base products. It automatically selects appropriate products, determines mixing ratios, and coordinates dispensing operations, thereby reducing operational complexity despite the presence of multiple product types in the system
3Reliability
If base products are mixed to create field products, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Base products are pre-stored in ready-to-use containers at the base station, eliminating the need for time-consuming preparation steps. The system performs preliminary sorting and positioning of base products based on predicted treatment needs, so that mixing can begin immediately when field devices request products
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing operation continues uninterrupted during field device operations. As field devices consume mixed field products, the system continuously replenishes them by mixing additional batches, ensuring that the useful action of product application never stops while maintaining optimal product freshness and effectiveness
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a modular agricultural treatment system comprising a base station and at least one field device. The base station has at least three base containers, to be filled with base products. Each field device comprises at least two field containers, to be filled with field products. According to the method, base product data and field data are provided. Based on the base product data and the field data base products and/or mixtures of base products to be used as the field products are determined. The base products are filled into the field containers of the field device accordingly. Further, for each of a plurality of zones of the agricultural field, a product composition made up out of the field products is determined. The field products are applied to the zones of the agricultural field by the field device according to the determined product composition. The invention further relates to a corresponding modular agricultural treatment system