Agricultural Sprayer Speed Control via Spray Quality Index
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayers face challenges in maintaining uniform spray quality due to varying field conditions such as high winds and inconsistent ground speed, leading to suboptimal agricultural outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize sensors and a computing system to determine application variables and a spray quality index, allowing for real-time adjustment of the sprayer's ground speed to maintain optimal spray quality by controlling the speed based on the determined index.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sprayer travels at high speed to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but spray quality deteriorates due to wind and turning effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts ground speed based on real-time spray quality index calculations. The computing system continuously monitors application variables and modifies the sprayer's ground speed to maintain optimal spray quality while maximizing productivity, rather than operating at a fixed speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors measuring application variables (flow rate, pressure, ground speed, boom position) to calculate a spray quality index. This feedback loop allows the system to detect spray quality degradation and adjust ground speed accordingly to maintain uniform agricultural fluid application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sprayer operates in high winds or during turns, then adaptability to field conditions is improved, but spray quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors application variables including boom position and ground speed, calculates a spray quality index that reflects the impact of wind and turns, and provides feedback to adjust operations to maintain spray quality despite varying field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (ground speed, boom position) in response to calculated spray quality index variations caused by wind and turns, maintaining optimal spray application under varying field conditions.
3Ease of operation
If the sprayer maintains constant ground speed, then ease of operation is improved, but spray quality uniformity deteriorates when field conditions vary
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors application variables, calculates spray quality index, and adjusts ground speed without operator intervention. This self-service approach maintains spray uniformity while eliminating the need for constant manual speed adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing system uses feedback from sensors to automatically adjust ground speed based on calculated spray quality index, maintaining spray uniformity without requiring operator awareness or manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a ground speed of an agricultural sprayer includes one or more sensors configured to capture data indicative of first and second application variables and a computing system communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors. In this respect, the computing system configured to determine the first and second application variables based on the data captured by the one or more sensors. Additionally, the computing system is configured to determine a spray quality index associated with the dispensing of an agricultural fluid onto a field by the agricultural sprayer based on the determined first and second application variables. Moreover, the computing system is configured to control the ground speed at which the agricultural sprayer travels across the field based on the determined spray quality index.