Agricultural Sprayer Pump Control Using Nozzle Opening Times

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural spraying devices lack optimal control and regulation of the conveying device's operating parameters, such as rotational speed, which are typically controlled based on central control valves and travel speed, leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Control and regulate the conveying device's operating parameters, particularly rotational speed, based on the adjustable opening times and duty cycles of dispensing elements, using electronic functions and characteristic maps, and consider delivery quantity and pressure, with optional feedback from measuring devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the conveying device's operating parameter (rotational speed) is controlled based on central control valves and travel speed, then the control system is simple, but the control precision and adaptability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the actual flow rate and actual delivery pressure are detected and fed back to the control unit. The control unit compares these actual values with target values and adjusts the conveying device's rotational speed accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that continuously optimizes performance based on real-time measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual or mechanical control methods with an electronic control system. The control unit uses electronic sensors to detect flow rate and pressure, processes this data electronically, and actuates the conveying device through electronic control signals, substituting mechanical control mechanisms with electronic automation for improved precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the conveying device operates at fixed speed, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different application requirements is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to application requirementsVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the conveying device from a fixed-speed operation to a dynamically adjustable speed system. The rotational speed of the conveying device is continuously variable and adapts in real-time based on detected flow rate and pressure conditions, allowing the system to optimize performance for different application requirements dynamically during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the conveying device dynamically. The rotational speed parameter is adjusted based on the detected actual flow rate and delivery pressure, allowing the system to adapt to varying application requirements by modifying key operational parameters in real-time rather than operating at fixed settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the conveying device is not optimally controlled, then the device complexity is low, but energy consumption and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback control system detects actual flow rate and pressure, compares them with target values, and adjusts the conveying device's rotational speed to minimize deviations. This continuous optimization ensures the system operates at peak efficiency, reducing energy waste and minimizing wear on components by avoiding operation outside optimal parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4498808B1Method for applying spray to an agricultural area and agricultural spraying device
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4498808B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A method for distributing spray (11) onto an agricultural area by means of an agricultural spray device (100), in which the spray (11) is conveyed by means of at least one conveying device (20) along at least one liquid circuit (10) of the spray device (100), wherein a conveying quantity and/or conveying pressure, with which the spray (11) is conveyed at least in portions along the liquid circuit (10), is set on the basis of at least one operating parameter which can be set on the conveying device (20), wherein the spray (11) is distributed onto the agricultural area via a plurality of distributing elements (50A-50L) which are arranged along the liquid circuit (10) and are each configured to set a distributing quantity of the spray (11) on the basis of the opening times which can be set at the distributing elements (50A-50L). In order to design a method for distributing spray (11) in such a way that the machine-internal conveying of the spray (11) and/or the operation of the at least one conveying device (20) are/is improved further, it is provided that the at least one operating parameter of the conveying device (20) is open-loop and/or closed-loop controlled on the basis of the adjustable opening times of the distributing elements (50A-50L).