Pivotable Nozzle Apparatus for Self-Cleaning Agricultural Sprayers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayer systems face challenges in identifying and addressing clogs and debris accumulation in nozzle apparatuses, which impede fluid distribution and reduce operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates self-cleaning filter and nozzle apparatuses with pivotable nozzle holders and pincher gear assemblies that can reposition to clear debris, along with a nozzle monitoring system using sensors and neural networks to detect clogs and initiate cleaning events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional fixed nozzle apparatuses are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but clogs and debris accumulation cannot be addressed, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle holder is made pivotable within the nozzle cavity, allowing it to switch between a nominal position for fluid distribution and a cleaning position for debris removal. This dynamic capability enables the apparatus to adapt its function, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple structure and improving operational efficiency through active clog management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-cleaning functionality where the nozzle apparatus can automatically clear its own debris without external intervention. By integrating the cleaning mechanism into the nozzle holder itself, the system maintains productivity while managing complexity through self-maintenance capabilities.
2Reliability
If self-cleaning mechanisms with pivotable nozzle holders are implemented, then clogs and debris can be effectively cleared, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle holder serves multiple functions: it distributes fluid during normal operation and performs self-cleaning when needed. This multi-functionality integrates the cleaning mechanism into the existing nozzle structure, improving reliability without adding separate dedicated cleaning apparatuses, thus managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is merged with the nozzle holder assembly rather than being a separate system. The pivotable nozzle holder combines fluid distribution and debris removal capabilities in a single integrated component, enhancing clog clearance effectiveness while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If manual cleaning of nozzles is performed, then the device structure remains simple, but time is lost and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The self-cleaning mechanism enables continuous operation by automatically clearing clogs without interrupting fluid distribution. The pivotable nozzle holder can quickly switch to cleaning position and back, maintaining continuous productive action and eliminating the time loss associated with manual cleaning interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle apparatus performs its own cleaning without requiring external manual intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the time loss from manual cleaning operations while maintaining simple overall system structure, resolving the contradiction between productivity and time loss.
4Measurement precision
If monitoring systems with sensors and neural networks are added, then clogs can be detected early, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system provides feedback on nozzle condition to trigger cleaning operations. By using sensors and neural networks to detect clogs with high precision, the system can initiate self-cleaning only when necessary, improving measurement precision while managing complexity through intelligent, condition-based activation rather than continuous complex monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual inspection and mechanical cleaning triggers with sensor-based detection and neural network analysis. This substitution improves clog detection accuracy by transitioning from mechanical/sensory human inspection to automated electronic sensing and AI analysis, managing complexity through technological substitution.
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 solution effectively identifies and addresses clogs, ensuring consistent fluid distribution and maintaining system efficiency by automatically clearing debris and adjusting nozzle configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the air inlet passage is configured to selectively receive a flow of air
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle holder is selectively pivotable within the nozzle cavity, including between a nominal position and a cleaning position
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle apparatus includes a manifold defining a nozzle cavity within an interior, a fluid inlet passage, a fluid outlet passage, an air outlet passage, and an air inlet passage. A nozzle holder and a nozzle element are selectively pivotable within the nozzle cavity. In the nominal position, the nozzle element inlet is oriented toward the fluid passage inlet and the nozzle element outlet is oriented toward the fluid passage outlet such that the primary fluid flows through the fluid inlet passage and out of the nozzle outlet through the fluid outlet passage. In the cleaning position, the nozzle element inlet is oriented toward the air outlet passage and the nozzle element outlet is oriented toward the air inlet passage such that the flow of air is directed through the air inlet passage, and out of the air outlet passage to direct debris out through the air outlet passage.