Rotating Multi-Nozzle Body for Variable Spray Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-nozzle bodies for agricultural field sprayers are either too complex and expensive or limited in the number of dispensing elements that can be arranged at a 50 cm distance, making it difficult to achieve the necessary 25 cm spacing for specialized applications without duplicating the nozzle bodies.

Innovation Solution

A multi-nozzle body design featuring a freely rotating dispensing element carrier with a bypass line and additional outlet openings, allowing for the arrangement of dispensing elements at both 50 cm and 25 cm distances with a simplified and cost-effective configuration, including markings for easy positioning and unhindered spray fan formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If multi-nozzle bodies are arranged 50 cm apart on the spray boom, then the standard spacing is achieved, but it is impossible to achieve 25 cm spacing between spray nozzles without doubling the number of multi-nozzle bodies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespacing between spray nozzlesVSAvoidnumber of multi-nozzle bodies
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-nozzle body is segmented into a main housing and a rotatable dispensing element carrier. The carrier can be rotated to different positions (0° for central dispensing elements, 45° for lateral dispensing elements), allowing a single multi-nozzle body to provide both 50 cm and 25 cm spacing configurations without requiring additional nozzle bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing element carrier is made rotatable about the central axis of the main housing, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of the dispensing elements' positions. This rotation allows the system to switch between different spacing modes (central at 50 cm, lateral at 25 cm) based on operational requirements, eliminating the need for static multiple nozzle bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If additional application elements are arranged on the multi-nozzle body to achieve 25 cm spacing, then the spacing requirement is met, but the multi-nozzle body becomes very complex and relatively expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespacing between application elementsVSAvoidstructure of multi-nozzle body
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable dispensing element carrier serves multiple functions: it holds central dispensing elements when in the 0° position and lateral dispensing elements when rotated to 45°. This single component replaces what would otherwise require separate fixed structures for different spacing configurations, simplifying the overall design while achieving 25 cm spacing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing element carrier is nested within the main housing, rotating about the central axis. This nested configuration allows the carrier to be integrated into the existing multi-nozzle body structure without adding external complexity, enabling additional dispensing elements to be accommodated in a compact, space-efficient manner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of application elements on a multi-nozzle body is increased to achieve 25 cm spacing, then the spacing flexibility is improved, but the number of application elements that can be arranged is very limited due to space constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespacing flexibility of application elementsVSAvoidspace on multi-nozzle body
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing elements are arranged in two-dimensional space on the rotatable carrier, utilizing both the radial dimension (distance from central axis) and the angular dimension (rotation position). Central dispensing elements are positioned on the central axis, while lateral dispensing elements are positioned radially outward. This two-dimensional arrangement maximizes the use of available space, allowing multiple dispensing elements to be accommodated without increasing the overall footprint of the multi-nozzle body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3403497B1Multiple nozzle body
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3403497B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3403497B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3403497B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A multi-nozzle body for mounting on the boom of an agricultural field sprayer, comprising a main housing connected to a supply line, wherein at least one supply line with a transfer connection branches off from the supply line, and wherein a spray element carrier freely rotatable about its central axis of rotation and adjustable to various positions is arranged on the underside of the main housing. To create a multi-nozzle body with a spray element carrier freely rotatable about a central axis of rotation and adjustable to various positions, and with a plurality of spray elements, including additional spray elements arranged at a greater distance from one another, wherein the various spray elements can be switched on or off by rotating the spray element carrier, it is provided that a bypass line having an inlet and outlet opening is arranged in the spray element carrier.that an additional outlet opening is arranged in the main housing with adjoining additional outlet lines branching into two branch lines and pointing in diametrically opposite directions, that at least one coupling nozzle for the arrangement of dispensing elements is arranged at the free ends of each additional outlet line, that the coupling nozzles are each arranged at a distance of 12.5 cm from the axis of rotation of the rotatable dispensing element carrier.