Agricultural Spray Nozzle Mixing Device for Active Ingredient Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural spray devices require pre-mixing of large quantities of plant protection products, making it difficult to adjust the active ingredient application per area, leading to unwanted residual amounts that must be disposed of.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a feed device at the spray nozzles to mix active ingredients with carrier liquid directly, allowing for adjustable mixing ratios and reducing residual amounts by using concentrated or pre-diluted active ingredients, with separate lines and pumps for precise delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If large quantities of carrier liquid and active ingredient are pre-mixed in a storage tank, then the spraying device can operate continuously, but the amount of active ingredient cannot be flexibly adjusted and residual amounts must be disposed of

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous spraying operationVSAvoidflexibility in active ingredient application amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the mixing process into two segments: a large storage tank for carrier liquid and a separate mixing chamber near the spray nozzles for active ingredient mixing. This segmentation allows continuous operation from the storage tank while enabling flexible adjustment of active ingredient amounts at the point of application, eliminating the need to dispose of residual pre-mixed solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier liquid is stored in advance in a large tank ready for continuous use. The active ingredient is introduced in concentrated form just before mixing at the spray nozzle, allowing the system to prepare the exact amount needed for each application moment rather than pre-mixing everything in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If concentrated active ingredient is used, then large quantities of spray mixture can be produced from small amounts of active ingredient, but mixing becomes more difficult due to viscosity differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of spray mixture producedVSAvoidmixing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A mixing chamber serves as an intermediary device between the concentrated active ingredient storage and the spray nozzle. This chamber provides a dedicated space where the concentrated active ingredient can be thoroughly mixed with carrier liquid before delivery to the nozzle, overcoming the viscosity differences that would otherwise make mixing difficult.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses hydraulic principles by introducing the concentrated active ingredient into the carrier liquid flow through pressure-driven injection at the mixing chamber. This hydraulic mixing approach ensures thorough integration of the concentrated substance with the carrier liquid, producing the required spray mixture efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Measurement precision

If separate lines and pumps are used for active ingredient delivery, then precise dosing is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive ingredient dosing precisionVSAvoidnumber of separate lines and pumps
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by providing separate delivery lines and pumps only where precise dosing is needed - specifically for the active ingredient component. The carrier liquid uses a separate but simpler system, while the active ingredient receives targeted dosing control at the mixing chamber, achieving precision only where required rather than throughout the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables flexible and targeted application of active ingredients, minimizing residual waste and improving dosability by mixing directly at the nozzles, reducing the need for large pre-mixed solutions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one feed device for mixing at least one active ingredient from an active ingredient tank with the carrier liquid is provided in the region of the spray nozzles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 2

A pumping device serves to convey the carrier fluid from the at least one storage tank to the spray nozzles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 3

These spray nozzles are mounted on at least one boom, particularly a foldable one, arranged transversely to the direction of travel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Data Source

PatentEP4140298B1Agricultural spray device for spraying liquids, and agrigultural method for the spraying of a liquid
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4140298B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4140298B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a spraying device (10) for spraying liquids, particularly for agricultural purposes. At least one storage tank (11) for a carrier liquid (12), such as water, is provided. A plurality of separately controllable spray nozzles (16) serve to spray the carrier liquid (12), and at least one pumping device serves to convey the carrier liquid (12) from the at least one storage tank (11) to the spray nozzles (16) through at least one liquid line (15, 32). The spraying device (10) is characterized in that at least one mixing device for mixing at least one active ingredient (29) from an active ingredient tank (39) with the carrier liquid (12) is provided in the area of ​​the spray nozzles (16). Furthermore, a method for spraying liquids, particularly for agricultural purposes, is described.It is characterized by the fact that at least one active ingredient (29) is mixed with the carrier fluid (12) in the area of ​​the spray nozzles (16).