Slit-Shaped Induction Nozzle for Agricultural Sprayer Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing induction bowls in agricultural field sprayers have inefficient nozzle arrangements that hinder the compact design and effective flushing of plant treatment agents and fertilizers, leading to suboptimal mixing and distribution within the sprayer.

Innovation Solution

The induction nozzles are redesigned with slit-shaped outlet openings oriented at an angle parallel to the container's inner wall, creating a direct and efficient path for fresh water to enter the induction bowl, generating a rotating vortex for enhanced mixing and dissolution of active substances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional nozzle arrangements are used in the induction bowl, then the structure is simpler to manufacture, but the flushing and mixing of active substances is less effective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflushing effectivenessVSAvoidnozzle structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is divided into multiple functional components: a housing, a separately insertable nozzle element with the slit-shaped outlet opening, and a branch line connection. This segmentation allows for optimized flushing performance through the specialized nozzle geometry while keeping the overall structure modular and manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet opening is designed as a slit-shaped opening with a specific orientation angle relative to the induction bowl wall, introducing a directional component to the water flow. This angular orientation creates a more effective flushing pattern that improves mixing while maintaining a relatively simple nozzle structure.

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

2Reliability

If nozzles are arranged farther apart on the ring-shaped flushing line, then each nozzle has better access to the bowl interior, but the overall device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflushing coverageVSAvoidinduction bowl size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flushing line is designed as a ring-shaped structure that conforms to the curved interior surface of the induction bowl. This curved arrangement allows nozzles to be positioned at optimal intervals along the bowl's circumference, providing comprehensive coverage while maintaining a compact overall size that matches the bowl's volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple nozzles are integrated into a continuous ring-shaped flushing line structure, combining several flushing functions into a unified system. This merging allows for compact arrangement of multiple nozzles around the bowl interior, achieving comprehensive coverage without increasing the bowl's overall volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the outlet opening is oriented at an angle parallel to the container wall, then a rotating vortex is generated for better mixing, but the nozzle design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidnozzle orientation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet opening is designed with a specific angular parameter - oriented at an angle parallel to the container wall rather than perpendicular. This parameter change in the nozzle geometry directly generates the rotating vortex effect that enhances mixing efficiency, while the angular orientation itself is achieved through simple geometric design rather than complex mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The angled orientation of the slit-shaped outlet opening causes the water stream to automatically generate a rotating vortex as it enters the induction bowl. The nozzle design utilizes the natural flow dynamics of the water stream itself to create the mixing effect, rather than requiring additional mechanical mixing components, thus achieving self-service mixing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration results in improved flushing and mixing of active ingredients with fresh water, ensuring effective distribution and dissolution, enhancing the overall performance of the sprayer.

Implementation Method 1

the jet of fresh water emerging from the respective outlet openings of the induction nozzles is directed at an angle of 45° obliquely to the side and downwards towards the central area of the induction bowl. This arrangement is intended to produce a rotating and/or eddy-like movement of the liquid in the induction bowl

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP3225111B1Rinsing container with rinsing nozzles
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3225111B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3225111B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3225111B1 patent drawingFigure 3~9

AI summary

Induction nozzle for a ring-shaped flushing line of an induction hopper of an agricultural field sprayer for the metered application of plant treatment products and/or fertilizers diluted with fresh water to form a spray solution, comprising a spray agent tank, a supply line connected to the flushing line with a fresh water supply device for supplying fresh water, wherein several induction nozzles spaced apart from each other, having at least partially downward-facing outlet openings, are arranged on the flushing line and the respective supply line of the respective induction nozzle is connected to the flushing line.In order to create compact induction nozzles and their compact arrangement on a flushing line arranged in the upper area and below the induction opening of an induction hopper and designed in an annular shape, it is provided that the outlet openings are slot-shaped and that the slot-shaped course of the outlet openings of the induction nozzles is aligned at least approximately parallel to the adjacent inner wall area of ​​the induction hopper, that the line for supplying the fresh water is fed to the induction nozzle from above via a branch in the underside of the flushing line with a connecting branch line and is deflected in the area of ​​the slot-shaped course of the outlet openings by at least approximately 90° towards the opposite wall of the slot of the outlet opening and opens via a discharge opening.