Spray Nozzle Deviation Detection Using Neighbor Score Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to reliably detect all faults causing degradation in spray performance during targeted spray operations in agricultural vehicles, leading to potential underspray or overspray issues.
Innovation Solution
The system detects statistical anomalies in nozzle instructions and measured signals from image sensors, generating composite scores to identify deviations. It compares these scores to determine if a threshold level of difference exists between spray performance of individual nozzles or sensors and their neighbors, and takes appropriate actions such as switching to a fallback mode or adjusting sensitivity settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If targeted spray operation is performed with individual nozzle control, then spray precision and cost efficiency are improved, but reliability of fault detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors spray performance by comparing actual spray patterns against expected patterns, and automatically adjusts or alerts operators when deviations are detected. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable fault detection while maintaining precision targeted spray operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring system that includes sensors, processors, and communication modules. This intermediary layer between the spray nozzles and control system enables reliable fault detection by analyzing spray performance data without interfering with the precision of individual nozzle control.
2Device complexity
If fault detection systems are simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of spray performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is designed to perform multiple functions using a unified architecture: it monitors spray performance, detects faults, compares patterns, and triggers alerts or adjustments. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through integrated sensing and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple monitoring functions into a single integrated system that processes spray performance data from multiple nozzles simultaneously. By merging sensor arrays, processing units, and control logic into a cohesive system, the patent achieves accurate measurement without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
For each of a plurality of spray nozzles of an autonomous agricultural vehicle, a set of instructions provided by the autonomous agricultural vehicle to the spray nozzle is accessed. Each instruction in the set is generated by analyzing a respective image of a portion of a geographic area captured by the autonomous agricultural vehicle. A spray performance of at least one spray nozzle from among the plurality of spray nozzles is identified as an outlier by analyzing the sets of instructions respectively provided to the plurality of spray nozzles. An action with respect to the at least one spray nozzle identified as the outlier is performed. The action may be to place the vehicle in fallback state in which a targeted spray may be switched to broadcast spray.