Optical Plant Detection for Uniform Agricultural Spraying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural sprayers lack the ability to differentiate between areas that require treatment for weed infestation, leading to potential volume shortfalls and increased resistance of plants to plant protection agents due to insufficient application.
Innovation Solution
A method using an optical detection unit to identify plants and ascertain a plant index, applying a defined minimum volume of spray agent per unit area based on this index, ensuring complete coverage and minimizing volume shortfalls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the field sprayer frequently switches on and off to treat smaller fields or differentiate areas, then the ability to treat smaller fields improves, but the proportion of volume shortfalls increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of field sections and plant indices before spraying. By evaluating the plant index in advance, the system determines the optimal spray timing and duration, ensuring complete coverage even when treating smaller fields frequently. This preliminary evaluation prevents volume shortfalls by planning the spray application based on detected plant density and distribution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the spray process is terminated or started frequently, then the adaptability to different field sizes improves, but the risk of volume shortfalls and plant resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the plant index during field traversal and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust spray application. The optical detection unit provides real-time information about plant density and distribution, allowing the control unit to modulate spray duration and volume accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent coverage across different field sizes while minimizing the risk of volume shortfalls that could lead to plant resistance.
3Manufacturing precision
If a defined minimum volume of spray agent is applied per unit area, then the uniformity of application improves, but the quantity of substance consumed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies spray agent with varying intensity based on local plant density detected by the optical detection unit. Areas with higher plant indices receive proportionally more spray agent, while areas with lower plant indices receive less. This local quality adjustment maintains application uniformity relative to actual plant coverage needs while reducing overall spray agent consumption compared to uniform maximum application across the entire field.
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 approach minimizes the risk of plant protection agent resistance by reducing the number of switch-on and switch-off processes, achieving efficient and uniform application across agricultural areas.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a first field section of the agricultural area with the aid of an optical detection unit in order to obtain a first piece of image information from the first field section
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for applying a spray agent onto an agricultural area using a spray nozzle unit of an agricultural sprayer. The method includes: detecting a first field section using an optical detection unit to obtain a first piece of image information from the first field section; identifying plants in a first evaluation area of the first piece of image information obtained for the first field section using a control unit; ascertaining a first plant index of the first evaluation area using the plants identified in the first evaluation area using the control unit; and applying the spray agent in a defined minimum volume per unit area onto the entire first field section and onto an entire second field section adjoining the first field section in the direction of movement of the agricultural sprayer as a function of the first plant index ascertained using the spray nozzle unit.