Sprayboom Nozzle Pivot Mounting for Sensor Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing distributor linkages for crop protection sprayers face challenges in mounting sensor elements at the same height as spray nozzles due to the 'reaction time' requirement, leading to oblique mounting and problematic arrangement with holding arms, which is not suitable for selective weed detection and complicates transport due to the heavy sensor elements.
Innovation Solution
The spray nozzles are mounted on pivotable rod-shaped holders that can be adjusted to different positions, allowing them to be placed at a sufficient distance from sensor elements during application and brought close for transport, enabling flexible positioning and efficient weed detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor elements are mounted at the same height as spray nozzles, then detection precision is improved, but reaction time is insufficient for proactive detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional arrangement (same height level) to a three-dimensional arrangement by positioning sensor elements forward in the direction of travel. This spatial reconfiguration allows sensors to detect targets earlier while maintaining detection precision, effectively resolving the time-precision trade-off through dimensional expansion of the mounting arrangement.
2Length of moving object
If sensor elements are mounted on holding arms at a distance from the spray boom, then detection distance is improved, but device complexity and transport difficulty increase due to heavy sensor mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the sensor elements directly onto the spray boom structure rather than using separate holding arms. This merging of components eliminates the need for additional mounting structures, reduces overall system complexity, and leverages the existing boom structure to support the sensor elements at the required distance forward of the nozzles.
3Ease of manufacture
If spray nozzles are fixed in position on the distributor boom, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different application requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable mounting mechanism for the spray nozzles that allows them to be positioned at different locations along the distributor boom. This dynamic arrangement enables the nozzles to be adjusted forward or backward relative to the sensor elements depending on the application requirements, providing versatility while maintaining a relatively simple structural implementation through guided linear movement.
Data Source
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AI summary
Distributor boom for a crop protection sprayer, wherein the distributor boom extends transversely to the direction of travel of the crop protection sprayer and in its lower area, preferably designed as spray nozzles, are arranged application elements to which the liquid to be applied is supplied via supply lines and which apply this liquid in an adjustable manner, and with several sensor elements spaced apart from each other on the front of the distributor boom for weed detection and/or the degree of weed growth on a field area on which the liquid to be applied by the application elements is applied.To offer a simple mounting option and arrangement of the sensor elements with sufficient distance, particularly in the direction of travel from the spray nozzles, it is provided that the application elements are arranged with means supporting the application elements at a distance of >20 cm from the lower area of the distributor boom, that means capable of moving the application elements into different positions are assigned to these supporting means, and that by means of the aforementioned means the application elements are arranged in a moveable manner on the distributor boom in a parking position located in the immediate vicinity of the distributor boom and at a distance of >10 cm above the lower plane of the distributor boom, and in at least one application position located at a distance of >20 cm behind and/or below the lower and/or rear plane of the distributor boom.