Agricultural Sprayer Sensor Positioning for Boom Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayer sensors face interference and debris accumulation when transitioning between extended and retracted positions, leading to potential collisions and manual cleaning requirements.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with a movable field sensor and actuator, controlled by a controller, allows the sensor to adjust between extended and retracted positions, maintaining optimal visibility and preventing interference with the boom assembly during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is fixed in an extended position on the boom section, then the sensor can continuously monitor field conditions, but the sensor collides with other boom sections when the boom assembly is moved between folded and unfolded orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is made movable relative to the boom section through an actuator system that dynamically adjusts the sensor position between extended and retracted states. This dynamic positioning allows the sensor to be extended during spraying operations for continuous monitoring and retracted during transport to avoid collisions with boom sections.
2Reliability
If the sensor extends above or below the boom section when the boom assembly is unfolded, then the sensor can detect field conditions, but the sensor collects debris when the boom assembly is folded
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor dynamically changes position based on boom assembly state. When the boom is unfolded for spraying, the sensor extends to detect field conditions. When the boom is folded for transport, the sensor retracts to a protected position that prevents debris accumulation while maintaining detection capability.
3Reliability
If the sensor is manually cleaned after debris accumulation, then the sensor can resume operation, but operational time is lost and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by retracting the sensor to a protected position before debris accumulation becomes problematic. This preventive positioning avoids the need for frequent manual cleaning, reducing maintenance time and operational interruptions.
4Length of moving object
If the boom assembly is folded for transport, then the sprayer width is reduced, but the sensor may collide with other boom sections
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system integrates with the boom folding mechanism through dynamic positioning. When the boom assembly is folded for transport, the sensor automatically retracts to a safe position that prevents collision with other boom sections while allowing the sprayer to achieve reduced width for efficient transport.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for actuating a sensor of an agricultural sprayer may include a boom assembly and a sensor assembly supported on a portion of the boom assembly. The sensor assembly may include a field sensor movable relative to the portion of the boom assembly between an extended position and a retracted position, where the field sensor generates data indicative of one or more field conditions when in the extended position. The sensor assembly may further include a sensor actuator that moves the field sensor between the extended and retracted positions, and a controller that controls the sensor actuator to move the field sensor between the extended and retracted positions. The field sensor is spaced relative to the portion of the boom assembly by a larger distance when in the extended position than when in the retracted position.