Lateral Position Adjustment for Nutrient Applicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural implements often result in inefficient nutrient distribution, as a significant portion of nitrogen or nutrients dispensed between crop rows is not absorbed by plants, leading to increased costs for growers due to higher dosages required for effective results.
Innovation Solution
A ground-engaging implement system with lateral position adjustment capabilities, utilizing a hitch angle sensor, pivotable arms, and actuators to precisely adjust the position of nutrient applicators relative to plant rows, allowing for targeted nutrient application closer to plant stems, thereby optimizing nutrient use and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If nutrients are dispensed at the middle zone between adjacent crop rows, then nutrient application is simplified, but plant absorption efficiency decreases leading to increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The implement employs dynamically adjustable lateral positioning of nutrient applicators relative to crop rows. The system can shift applicator position between middle zone and target zone (closer to plant rows) based on real-time conditions, allowing optimization of nutrient placement for maximum plant absorption while maintaining operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the lateral position parameter of nutrient applicators dynamically during operation. By adjusting the horizontal distance between applicators and plant rows, the system transitions from fixed middle-zone placement to variable positioning that places nutrients in the optimal target zone closer to plant absorption areas, thereby reducing nutrient waste
2Reliability
If greater dosages or concentrations of nutrients are applied at the middle zone, then desired results are achieved, but grower costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the lateral position parameter of nutrient application to place nutrients in the target zone closer to plant rows. This positional parameter change improves absorption efficiency, allowing reduction of nutrient quantity while maintaining application effectiveness and reducing grower costs
3Loss of substance
If nutrients are applied closer to plant rows in the target zone, then plant absorption efficiency increases, but implement complexity increases due to lateral position adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The implement uses dynamic lateral positioning mechanisms that allow adjustment of applicator position relative to crop rows. This dynamic capability enables the system to place nutrients in the optimal target zone closer to plants, improving absorption efficiency while maintaining operational flexibility through controllable movement
4Manufacturing precision
If lateral position adjustment is implemented, then nutrient placement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the lateral position parameter of nutrient applicators to achieve precise placement in the target zone. By controlling the horizontal position parameter dynamically, the system achieves high placement precision that maximizes nutrient placement accuracy while managing system complexity through focused parameter control
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 system enables more efficient nutrient distribution, reducing the amount of nutrients needed while maintaining or increasing yields per land unit area, by ensuring that nutrients are applied directly to the target zone closer to plant roots, thus enhancing plant absorption and reducing unnecessary application.
Implementation Method 1
The hitch is associated with a hitch angle sensor for estimating an observed implement angle with respect to the front member, a vehicle heading, or to a longitudinal axis of a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
A first position sensor estimates the first lateral position of the first opener or first row unit with respect to the front member, where the first position sensor estimates the first lateral position based on an angle between any first pivotable arm and the front member or the first rear member
Data Source
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AI summary
A data processor determines whether a draft force on the implement is unbalanced based on an error between the observed implement angle and a target implement heading exceeding a threshold deviation. The data processor is adapted to generate a control signal to compensate for the imbalance in the draft force by adjusting the first lateral position via the first actuator, or by adjusting the second lateral position via the second actuator, the first actuator and the second actuator being positioned on opposite lateral sides of the implement.