Spray Boom Control for Uniform Nozzle Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wide spray booms on agricultural machinery face challenges in maintaining consistent nozzle-to-ground distance over uneven terrain, leading to uneven coverage and increased risk of spray drift due to air movements, as existing solutions lack sufficient flexibility and precision in adapting to varying soil contours.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for controlling the movement of a spray boom, featuring a pivotally mounted spreading rod with controllable adjusting devices and sensors to maintain consistent nozzle distance from the ground, switching between force-free and defined actuating modes based on terrain conditions to ensure uniform application, using sensors to detect vehicle inclination and ground surface variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the spray boom is made wide to increase working width, then productivity increases, but the distance from nozzles to ground becomes uneven leading to poor application quality
Solution Approach 1:
The spray boom is divided into multiple independently controllable segments (central section and lateral extension arms) that can be adjusted separately to maintain uniform nozzle-to-ground distance across the entire width, resolving the contradiction between wide coverage and uniform application precision
Solution Approach 2:
The spray boom transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with active control, where sensors detect terrain variations and actuators continuously adjust segment positions in real-time to maintain constant nozzle-to-ground distance despite terrain undulations
2Reliability
If the spray boom is elevated to reduce ground contact risk, then reliability improves, but spray drift increases due to air movements
Solution Approach 1:
The spray boom employs active dynamic control to maintain optimal nozzle-to-ground distance by adapting to terrain contours in real-time, preventing ground contact while minimizing elevation-induced drift through continuous position adjustment rather than static high positioning
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors provide continuous feedback on nozzle-to-ground distance and terrain conditions, enabling the control system to adjust boom position dynamically to maintain reliable operation at optimal height without excessive elevation that would cause drift
3Adaptability or versatility
If passive segmentation is used to allow boom flexibility, then adaptability to terrain improves, but additional supporting elements are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a single active control mechanism that both positions boom segments and provides terrain adaptation, eliminating the need for separate passive supporting elements while achieving terrain following capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive mechanical supporting elements with an active control system using sensors and actuators that provide terrain adaptation through electronic control rather than mechanical structures, reducing overall device complexity
4Strength
If the boom is rigidly mounted to maintain structural stability, then strength improves, but the ability to adapt to uneven ground decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The boom is segmented into multiple independent sections that can be controlled separately, allowing the structure to maintain overall rigidity while individual segments adapt to terrain variations, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and terrain adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamically controllable segmented structure that maintains structural integrity while actively adapting segment positions to follow terrain contours through real-time control
Data Source
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Figure 2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and a mobile device for controlling and/or regulating the motion of a dispensing device (9) for dispensing liquid and/or solid active ingredients, which comprises a dispensing boom (12) mounted on a self-propelled or towed vehicle (10) and pivotably mounted about a suspension point (30) approximately parallel to a direction of travel (14). The boom has a central section (34) and lateral extension arms (36). The central section (34) is coupled via at least one adjustable actuating device (40) to a superstructure or frame section (11) and/or to a rigidly or movably mounted support section (13) of the vehicle (10).In a first operating mode, the actuating device (40) establishes a largely force-free mechanical connection in which the spreading boom (12) is largely decoupled from torques about the pivot axis through the suspension point (30) resulting from vehicle movements (26) about the vehicle's longitudinal axis (28). Furthermore, in a second operating mode, or adjustment mode, the actuating device transmits a defined actuating force and/or a defined actuating torque between the central section (34) and the support, superstructure, or frame section (13, 11) to pivot the spreading boom (12) relative to the support section (13), superstructure, or frame (11), largely independent of disturbances resulting from vehicle movements.The adjustable actuator is coupled to at least one sensor element (54, 54a, 54b, 54c) assigned to the vehicle (20) and detecting its body movements, the output signals (56) of which are used or processed to control the actuator (40).