Nozzle Flow Rate Control via Field Map Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayers often apply materials inaccurately due to constant application rates, leading to over- or under-application in certain areas, and maneuvering restrictions near water bodies or grazing fields complicate the application process, resulting in incorrect or missed applications.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining the location of each nozzle in a field using a field map that accounts for crop requirements and application restrictions, adjusting the flow rate of each nozzle based on its location, and transmitting a flow rate signal to achieve precise application rates, with nozzle groups being controlled to vary flow rates based on velocity, crop needs, and restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a constant application rate is used across the entire width of the sprayer, then the operation is simple and fast, but the application accuracy deteriorates with some areas receiving more or less material than needed
Solution Approach 1:
The sprayer boom is divided into multiple independently controllable nozzle groups (e.g., left side, center, right side) that can be controlled separately. Each nozzle group receives individual flow rate commands from the controller based on its specific location and field map requirements, allowing precise application rates across different field zones while maintaining overall system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different application rates to different spatial zones of the field by using a field map that contains location-specific crop requirements and application restrictions. The controller adjusts the flow rate of each nozzle group according to its geographic position, ensuring that each area receives the precise amount of material needed for its specific conditions.
2Productivity
If the sprayer operates at high speed to increase productivity, then the application efficiency improves, but the ability to respond to location-specific requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The field map is pre-loaded into the controller before operation, containing all crop requirements and application restrictions for different areas of the field. This allows the system to pre-calculate the appropriate flow rates for each nozzle group based on their locations, enabling the sprayer to maintain high speeds while automatically complying with all application restrictions without requiring slow, careful operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses GPS location data to continuously monitor the sprayer's position and automatically adjusts the flow rates of individual nozzle groups based on real-time location information cross-referenced with the pre-loaded field map. This closed-loop control ensures compliance with application restrictions is maintained automatically at any operating speed.
3Reliability
If the operator manually maneuvers the sprayer to avoid restricted areas, then application restrictions are respected, but the operation complexity and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically handles compliance with application restrictions through the controller that receives location data from GPS, references the pre-loaded field map, and autonomously adjusts the flow rates of individual nozzle groups. The sprayer system serves itself by automatically preventing material application in restricted areas without requiring the operator to manually maneuver or make decisions about restriction compliance.
4Manufacturing precision
If the sprayer applies material to ensure complete coverage, then no areas are missed, but overlap in areas traversed by the boom causes over-application
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies material at different rates in different spatial zones by using the field map to determine the specific requirements of each area. When the sprayer operates in areas that have been previously treated or are adjacent to restricted zones, the controller automatically reduces or stops flow to those specific nozzle groups, preventing over-application and material waste while ensuring complete coverage of areas that require treatment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the application of agricultural fluid to a field includes determining a location of each of a plurality of nozzles of an agricultural spraying machine. A flow rate for each of the nozzles is determined based on each respective nozzle's location in the field. A field map is used to determine a crop requirement and application restriction associated with a nozzle's location. The field map contains indications of crop requirements and application restrictions. The flow rate for a nozzle is determined by comparing the nozzle's location to the field map. A flow rate signal is transmitted to each of the nozzles based on its determined flow rate.