Real-Time Chemical Injection for Agricultural Sprayer Booms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayers face challenges in achieving even distribution of agricultural products due to field irregularities and variations in the sprayer configuration, leading to waste and undesired application patterns.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a distribution boom with multiple sections, a first pump for a carrier substance, a second pump for a chemical substance, and a control module that individually controls the chemical supply to each boom section, allowing for real-time injection and precise application rates, reducing lag time and enabling spot spraying and on-the-go variation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single distribution boom is used to cover multiple rows of crops, then productivity is improved by treating multiple rows at once, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in achieving even distribution across the entire boom length
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution boom is divided into multiple independently controllable sections, each with its own chemical injection system and control valve. This segmentation allows each section to be controlled separately to achieve uniform distribution across the entire boom length while maintaining high productivity by treating multiple rows simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If the sprayer configuration is simplified for ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to unwanted variation in application
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect field conditions and the control module automatically adjusts chemical application rates for each boom section based on detected irregularities. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation while achieving precise, consistent application through automated control rather than manual adjustment.
3Device complexity
If chemical injection is performed at a single central location, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to lag time and inability to provide on-the-go variation
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical injection system is segmented into multiple injection points distributed along the boom, each capable of independent control. This allows real-time adjustment of application rates for different sections based on local field conditions, eliminating lag time and enabling on-the-go variation while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection system transitions from a static, centralized configuration to a dynamic, distributed configuration where each injection point can be independently adjusted in real-time based on sensor feedback and control algorithms, enabling precise adaptation to varying field conditions.
4Productivity
If the distribution boom is made longer to cover more rows, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to increased difficulty in maintaining even distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The long distribution boom is divided into multiple sections with independent chemical injection and control systems. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized and controlled independently, maintaining uniform distribution across the entire extended length while achieving high productivity through increased coverage area.
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 ensures reduced waste and improved application precision by allowing for independent control of chemical application rates along the distribution boom, adapting to field irregularities and optimizing the use of agricultural products.
Implementation Method 1
a first pump device configured to provide a flow stream of a carrier substance for the distribution boom
Implementation Method 2
a second pump device configured to supply a chemical substance into the flow stream of the carrier substance
Implementation Method 3
a control valve configured to supply the chemical substance to the mixing device
Implementation Method 4
a mixing device configured to provide a combination of chemical and carrier to the one or more dispensers
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises a distribution boom, a first pump device configured to provide a flow stream of a carrier substance for the distribution boom, a second pump device configured to supply a chemical substance into the flow stream of the carrier substance, and a control module. The distribution boom includes a plurality of boom sections. A boom section includes one or more dispensers, a mixing device configured to provide a combination of chemical and carrier to the one or more dispensers, and a control valve configured to supply the chemical substance to the mixing device. The control module is configured to individually control a rate of supply of the chemical substance to the boom section by the control valve.