Targeted Soil Delivery Using Pressurized Jets for Weed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for controlling unwanted plant growth on agricultural land, such as chemical herbicides and manual removal, are undesirable due to environmental contamination and labor intensity, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for targeted release of an active agent using an active ingredient delivery unit that selectively damages vegetation by mechanical force, allowing precise control of unwanted plants without chemicals, utilizing water or alternative agents like urea solutions, and employing image recognition and GPS for precise application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical herbicides are used to control unwanted plant growth, then the effectiveness of weed control is improved, but environmental contamination and soil pollution worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical herbicides with a mechanical delivery system that uses pressurized fluid jets (water or other substances) to physically damage and control weeds. The delivery unit moves across the field and activates jets at specific locations to mechanically disrupt weed growth without chemical contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful chemical component from weed control, using only mechanical/physical means (pressurized fluid delivery) to achieve weed control. This separates the effective control mechanism from the contaminating chemical substance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual methods are used to remove unwanted plant types, then environmental contamination is minimized, but labor intensity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery unit is designed to autonomously navigate and identify weed locations using position information, then automatically activate the pressurized jet mechanism without continuous manual intervention. The system serves itself by integrating navigation, identification, and execution functions in one automated unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual labor with an automated mechanical delivery system that uses pressurized fluid jets to control weeds. This mechanical automation maintains environmental benefits while dramatically improving productivity and reducing labor requirements.
3Measurement precision
If targeted delivery is implemented to control specific plant types, then selectivity and precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery unit is designed as a multi-functional integrated system that combines position sensing, plant type identification, and pressurized fluid delivery in one universal device. This allows the same device to handle multiple tasks (navigation, targeting, weed control) without requiring separate complex subsystems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes in the pressurized fluid delivery (adjusting pressure, flow rate, jet direction) to achieve precise targeting and control. By varying these physical parameters, the system can selectively affect different plant types at different locations without changing the fundamental delivery mechanism.
4Reliability
If pressurized fluid jets are used to damage vegetation, then mechanical weed control effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurized fluid jets are activated periodically or intermittently based on the presence and type of vegetation detected, rather than continuously. The delivery unit moves across the field and activates jets only at specific locations where weeds are present, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective weed control where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies pressurized fluid jets with sufficient pressure to damage weed vegetation, using partial action only where needed rather than excessive coverage. By targeting specific weed locations with concentrated jet energy, the system achieves effective control with minimized energy expenditure compared to treating entire fields.
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
Effectively controls unwanted plant growth by mechanical means, minimizing damage to desired plants and reducing environmental impact, with rapid decomposition and sustainable control of weeds.
Implementation Method 1
The active ingredient is released in such a way that the pressure exerted by the active ingredient on the soil is at least 50 N/cm2, preferably at least 100 N/cm2, and particularly preferably at least 200 N/cm2
Data Source
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AI summary
One aspect concerns a method for the targeted release of an active ingredient onto soil, in particular agricultural land (15), wherein the method comprises the following steps: moving an active ingredient delivery unit (14) along a direction of movement (B) over the soil (15), wherein, by activating the active ingredient delivery unit (14), the active ingredient is released onto the soil (15) in a limited area of effect (34); comparing an instantaneous position of the active ingredient delivery unit (14) with location information (36) of a first type of plant occurring on the soil (15);and activating the active ingredient delivery unit (14) if the instantaneous position of the active ingredient delivery unit (14) substantially corresponds to the location information (36) of the first plant type, whereby the release of the active ingredient causes mechanical damage to vegetation located within the effective area (34), or deactivating an activated active ingredient delivery unit (14) if the instantaneous position of the active ingredient delivery unit (14) substantially corresponds to the location information (36) of the first plant type.;