Agricultural Boom Nozzle Controller for Uniform Spraying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural devices for dispensing liquid products over non-planar fields face challenges in maintaining uniform spray distribution due to topographical variations, leading to pressure differences and irregular flow rates, which result in uneven treatment and growth differences in crops.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a boom with a longitudinal supply line and nozzles, a pressure regulation unit with a nozzle controller, and an inclination detection means. The nozzle controller calculates nozzle operation data based on inclination data and nozzle position to regulate the opening and closing times of the nozzles, ensuring homogeneous spraying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the boom height and inclination are adjusted to match non-planar field topography, then the nozzles maintain desired distance from the ground, but pressure differences occur due to height variations causing non-uniform flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements individual pressure regulation for each nozzle or pipe section, allowing local adjustment of pressure parameters to compensate for height variations. Each nozzle receives tailored pressure control based on its specific position and elevation, ensuring uniform flow rates despite topographical differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pressure parameters for different nozzle positions along the boom. By changing pressure values locally at each nozzle or pipe section, the system compensates for hydrostatic pressure variations caused by height differences, maintaining consistent flow rates across all nozzles.
2Reliability
If conventional pressure regulation with bypass valves and additional pipes is used, then pressure can be regulated, but the device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates pressure regulation functionality directly into the existing nozzle assembly or pipe structure, eliminating the need for separate bypass valves and additional pipes. The pressure control mechanism is merged with the spray system components already present, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes unnecessary bypass valves and complex mechanical pressure regulation components from the system. By extracting only the essential pressure regulation function and implementing it through a simplified mechanism, the system achieves reliable pressure control with fewer parts.
3Manufacturing precision
If individual pressure regulation for each nozzle is implemented, then uniform flow rates are achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the boom into manageable pipe sections, with pressure regulation implemented at the section level rather than requiring completely individual regulation for each nozzle. This segmentation approach achieves sufficient uniformity while reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure regulation mechanism is designed to be universally applicable across multiple nozzles or pipe sections. A single pressure control component can serve multiple nozzles, reducing the total number of individual regulation devices needed and simplifying manufacturing.
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
This solution achieves a more accurate and uniform dispensing of liquid products over varying field topographies, reducing weight and maintenance costs by eliminating additional mechanical components, and allowing for efficient operation on any field without modification.
Implementation Method 1
an inclination detection means for determining an inclination of the longitudinal supply line with respect to a horizontal
Implementation Method 2
the adjustment of the boom height and inclination with respect to the ground surface results in pressure differences that depend on the height of the column of liquid separating them and the density of the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural device and a method for dispensing a liquid product over a surface. The device includes at least one boom and a plurality of nozzles positioned along the boom, a pressure regulation unit including a nozzle controller configured for controlling the opening and closing of one or more associated nozzles, and an inclination detection means for determining an inclination of the longitudinal supply line with respect to a horizontal. The pressure regulation unit and/or the at least one nozzle controller is configured to calculate nozzle operation data for each associated nozzle involving inclination data transmitted by the inclination detection means and the position of the nozzle on the longitudinal supply line, and the nozzle controller is configured to operate the nozzles based on the calculated nozzle operation data to obtain a homogeneous spraying of the liquid product over a surface of a field to be sprayed.