Precision Crop Spraying With Deflection Nozzles and Pressure Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural systems face challenges in applying liquids with high spatial accuracy to target objects such as crop plants and weeds while minimizing resource waste and pressure fluctuations, particularly when using a large number of nozzles with pulse-width modulation or three-way valves.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a deflection device that switches between two states to direct liquid from nozzles either towards target objects or collection containers, avoiding pressure fluctuations and enabling precise application through a control unit and sensor integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a large number of nozzles are installed close to each other to achieve high spatial accuracy, then application precision is improved, but device complexity and investment cost increase due to requiring valves for each nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple nozzles are grouped into nozzle groups that share common liquid supply lines and control mechanisms. Instead of equipping each individual nozzle with its own valve, the system uses grouped nozzles that can be controlled collectively or in subsets, reducing the total number of valves required while maintaining the ability to apply liquid to specific target regions with high spatial accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If three-way valves are installed in front of each nozzle outlet to control liquid direction, then application flexibility is improved, but pressure stability deteriorates due to pressure fluctuations caused by valve switching
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple nozzles are connected to common liquid supply lines forming nozzle groups. Liquid is supplied to these groups through shared lines rather than individual valves at each nozzle. This grouping approach reduces the number of valve operations required and minimizes pressure fluctuations in the liquid supply system, while still enabling flexible control over which regions receive liquid application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate collection containers that receive liquid from multiple nozzles before distribution to final application points. These collection containers act as buffers that smooth out pressure fluctuations caused by valve switching operations, decoupling the valve operations from the actual liquid application and stabilizing the pressure in the supply lines.
3Manufacturing precision
If pulse-width modulation valves are used to control flow rate at each nozzle, then flow rate control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system groups multiple nozzles together and controls liquid flow to these groups collectively rather than controlling each nozzle individually. This approach maintains sufficient flow rate control precision for agricultural applications while dramatically reducing the number of PWM valves required, thereby lowering device complexity and investment cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional liquid supply system where single valves control multiple nozzles, and nozzle groups can function as unified application units. This universal control approach allows the same valve mechanism to serve multiple nozzles under different operating conditions, reducing the total component count while maintaining operational flexibility and control precision.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the technical field of precision agriculture. The invention relates to a method and a system for accurate application of a liquid in a field for crop plants.