Piezo Actuated Nozzle Valve for Precision Agricultural Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural vehicles face challenges with high power consumption and slow operation of solenoid valves, which hinder precise control and efficient application of substances to fields, particularly in terms of speed and compatibility of different substances.

Innovation Solution

A piezo-actuated valve system is introduced, featuring a piezo element and flexure that amplifies movement to control the flow of substances quickly and precisely, allowing for faster operation and independent control of valve positions, enabling the simultaneous application of multiple substances at varying rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If solenoid valves are used to control substance flow, then the valve can be opened and closed, but the operation is slow (6-10 milliseconds to open, 7-10 milliseconds to close) and power consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve operation speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the solenoid (electromagnetic) actuation system with a piezoelectric actuation system. The piezoelectric element converts electrical signals directly into mechanical displacement, eliminating the need for electromagnetic coils and reducing power consumption while achieving faster response times (sub-millisecond range).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the actuation mechanism from electromagnetic to piezoelectric, fundamentally altering the physical principle used to drive the valve. This parameter change enables both reduced power consumption and increased operational speed, as piezoelectric materials respond almost instantaneously to voltage changes and require minimal holding energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If solenoid valves are used, then the valve can open and close, but it is difficult to control the valve position and hold it in positions between full open and full closed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve position controlVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexure mechanism that provides continuous, smooth motion control of the valve needle. The flexure allows the piezoelectric element to translate small displacements into precise valve position adjustments, enabling proportional control between fully open and fully closed states without requiring complex positioning electronics or additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexure acts as an intermediary between the piezoelectric element and the valve needle. It amplifies the small piezoelectric displacement and provides mechanical leverage to precisely control the valve opening, simplifying the control system while achieving fine position control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If rapid switching between substances is required, then multiple substances can be applied, but solenoid valves are too slow to enable rapid switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstance application rateVSAvoidvalve switching speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The piezoelectric actuation system replaces the slow solenoid mechanism, enabling rapid valve switching. Piezoelectric elements can respond to voltage changes in sub-millisecond timescales, allowing the system to switch between multiple substances at high rates and significantly increasing productivity in multi-substance application scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The piezo-actuated valve system operates at twice the speed of solenoid valves, providing precise control and efficient application of substances, accommodating variable flow rates and pressure changes, and enabling the use of incompatible substances by rapidly switching between positions, thus improving agricultural machine efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a piezo element configured to move in response to the valve control signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a flexure, coupled to the piezo element, and configured to amplify the movement of the piezo element to provide a valve driving movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical amplification: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS11800830B2Piezo actuated nozzle control valve

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 DEERE & CO

AI summary

An agricultural machine includes a source of a substance to be applied to an agricultural field and a substance outlet through which the substance is configured to pass to be applied to the field. The agricultural machine further includes a controllable piezo-actuated valve and a control signal generator configured to generate a valve control signal. The piezo-actuated valve includes a valve inlet configured to be in fluidic communication with the source of substance to be applied to the field and a valve outlet through which the substance to be applied to the field passes to move through the piezo-actuated valve. The piezo-actuated valve further includes a piezo element configured to move in response to the valve control signal and a flexure, coupled to the piezo element, and configured to amplify the movement of the piezo element to provide a valve driving movement.