Sprayer Boom Deflection Compensation for Precise Targeted Spraying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayers face challenges in maintaining accurate application of agricultural products due to boom deflection during operation, leading to misapplication of the product on the field.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a boom assembly with position sensors and a computing system that determines a boom deflection model based on sensor data, allowing for precise activation of nozzle assemblies to apply products to targeted areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sprayer increases travel speed to improve productivity, then productivity increases, but boom deflection causes misapplication of agricultural product
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting targets before the sprayer reaches them and calculating the optimal spray activation time in advance. The computing system uses sensor data to identify targets, determines their positions, and pre-calculates when nozzles should activate to account for boom deflection and travel speed, ensuring accurate application even at higher speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors boom position using sensors and feeds this information back to the computing system. The computing system adjusts spray activation timing based on real-time boom deflection data, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains application precision despite changes in travel speed or boom position.
2Productivity
If the sprayer operates at high speed, then productivity increases, but the boom assembly deflects causing misapplication
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates optimal spray activation timing in advance based on detected target positions and current boom position. By determining the precise moment when nozzles should activate before the sprayer reaches the target, the system compensates for boom deflection effects and maintains reliable application accuracy at high speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts spray activation timing based on real-time boom position data from sensors. As the boom deflects during operation, the computing system continuously updates activation commands to nozzles, adapting the spray timing to the current dynamic state of the boom assembly and maintaining application reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the sprayer uses traditional boom control, then device complexity is low, but application precision deteriorates due to boom deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors to continuously monitor boom position and feeds this data back to the computing system. This feedback loop enables real-time compensation for boom deflection, significantly improving application precision. The computing system processes sensor data and adjusts spray activation timing accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accuracy despite boom movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical boom control with an electronic control system that uses sensors and computing to determine spray activation. Instead of relying solely on mechanical positioning, the system uses electronic sensing and computational algorithms to calculate optimal spray timing, substituting mechanical precision requirements with electronic measurement and control.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for an agricultural vehicle includes a boom assembly and a nozzle assembly positioned along the boom assembly. A position sensor is associated with the boom assembly. A field sensor is also associated with the nozzle assembly. A computing system is operably coupled with the nozzle assembly, the position sensor, and the field sensor. The computing system is configured to detect a target within a field based on data from the field sensor, determine a boom deflection model based on data from the position sensor, and activate the nozzle assembly to apply an agricultural product to the target based on the boom deflection model.