Rotating Fan Nozzle for Shoulder Sprayer Hydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agricultural shoulder sprayers and atomizers have limited range and efficiency in hydrating plant leaves, particularly the upper branches and rear sides, due to restricted nozzle movement and low droplet speed, leading to unsatisfactory wetting.
Innovation Solution
An end accessory for agricultural shoulder sprayers or atomizers featuring a rotating portion with blades forming a fan, actuation means for controlled rotation, and a spraying nozzle configuration that utilizes air flow to enhance droplet breakage and distribution, increasing the range and precision of leaf hydration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional nozzles are used in shoulder sprayers, then the device is simple to operate, but the range of hydration is limited and cannot reach high branches effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotating portion with blades that can rotate around the nozzle, dynamically changing the spray direction and coverage area. This allows the nozzle to reach high branches and cover larger areas without requiring the operator to physically reposition the entire sprayer, thus extending the effective range while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating portion adds a rotational dimension to the otherwise linear spray path. By introducing this new degree of freedom, the spray can cover a three-dimensional volume around the plant, reaching upper branches and rear sides of leaves that were previously inaccessible from a single nozzle position.
2Speed
If conventional nozzles are used, then the device structure is simple, but the droplet speed is low and rear side of leaves are not adequately wetted
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating blades create dynamic air movement that accelerates droplets toward the target. As the blades rotate, they generate aerodynamic forces that increase droplet velocity and extend the spray reach, ensuring adequate wetting of rear leaf surfaces without requiring a completely redesigned nozzle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating blades act as an intermediary between the nozzle and the target leaves. They receive the spray from the nozzle and use aerodynamic action to accelerate and redirect droplets, achieving higher droplet speeds and better coverage without modifying the fundamental nozzle structure.
3Area of stationary object
If the nozzle remains stationary, then the device is easy to operate, but it cannot effectively hydrate all plant surfaces including upper branches and rear leaf sides
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating portion automatically provides dynamic coverage expansion without requiring complex manual operation. The rotation can be driven by simple mechanisms such as air flow from the spray itself or lightweight motors, maintaining ease of operation while dramatically increasing the effective coverage area including upper branches and all leaf surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it extends reach to high branches, increases droplet speed through aerodynamic action, and ensures comprehensive coverage of all leaf surfaces including rear sides. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated component that enhances overall system performance without requiring separate devices for each function.
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 end accessory improves the range and surface hydration of leaves by using air flow to carry and distribute droplets effectively, reaching both sides of leaves and maintaining precision in spray trajectory and target area coverage.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating portion rotatably connected to the support portion and comprising a plurality of blades defining a fan... The spraying nozzle faces an operating volume hit by an air flow produced by the fan during a rotation of the fan
Implementation Method 2
The nozzles are configured to break the liquid droplets so that, under the action of the pump which puts it under pressure, it atomises out of the nozzle and settles on the leaves to create a droplet layer
Implementation Method 3
a manual or motorized pump... which puts under pressure... the liquid contained in a tank and put under pressure by a manual or motorized pump
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2
AI summary
An end accessory (100) for agricultural shoulder sprayers or atomizers comprises a support portion (110) that can be bound to a manoeuvring arm (20), a rotating portion (120) rotatably connected to the support portion (110) and comprising a fan (122) and actuation means (140) connected to the rotating portion (120) to carry out a controlled rotation with respect to the support portion (110). The end accessory (100) further comprises at least one spraying nozzle (102) configured for the emission of atomized fluid and defines at least one supply duct (105) for the spraying nozzle (102); the support portion (110) has an inlet section (106) of the supply duct (105) which can be coupled to a mutual outlet section of a respective connecting duct (25) inside the manoeuvring arm (20).