Agricultural Sprayer Automatic Spray Profile Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural spreading machines lack the ability to automatically adjust spray nozzle combinations and height control, leading to inefficient distribution of crop protection agents, particularly in precision farming where rapid changes in spray profiles are required.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural spreading machine equipped with a computer unit that stores and manages various spray profiles, including nozzle configurations, spray pressures, and height controls, allowing for automatic switching between profiles based on real-time sensor data to maintain desired distribution accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual control of spray height is used, then the system is simple to operate, but the distribution accuracy deteriorates under frequent changes in driving speed or application rate
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically adjusts the spray height based on real-time driving speed and application rate data without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors parameters itself and self-regulates the spray boom height to maintain optimal distribution accuracy under varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors driving speed and application rate, compares actual spray height with target height, and automatically adjusts the spray boom position in real-time. This closed-loop feedback control ensures distribution accuracy is maintained despite frequent changes in operating parameters.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated control of spray nozzle combinations is implemented, then the distribution accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it manages spray nozzle activation, adjusts spray height, monitors driving speed, and controls application rate all through a single integrated system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms and minimizes overall system complexity while maintaining high distribution accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the control of spray nozzle combinations, spray height adjustment, and application rate management into a single integrated control unit. By merging these previously separate control functions into one system, the patent reduces device complexity while achieving improved distribution accuracy through coordinated control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rapid switching of spray profiles is required for precision farming, then the adaptability improves, but the response time deteriorates due to manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts spray profiles in real-time based on changing operating conditions such as driving speed and application rate. The control unit continuously monitors parameters and automatically switches between pre-programmed spray profiles or creates new ones, enabling rapid adaptation to precision farming requirements without manual intervention delays.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple spray profiles are pre-programmed into the control unit with specific nozzle combinations and height settings for different operating conditions. When conditions change, the system can immediately activate a pre-prepared profile or generate a new one based on stored parameters, eliminating the delay associated with manual profile creation and switching.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An agricultural distribution machine for dispensing liquid and/or solid plant protection agents is disclosed, having a distribution device which is arranged in a vertically adjustable manner on a frame of the distribution machine, and wherein a plurality of nozzle holders having spray nozzles provided thereon for distributing the plant protection agent to be dispensed are provided in a spaced-apart manner on said distribution machine, and wherein the distribution device is actuated on the basis of at least two spray profiles stored in a computer unit, said spray profiles being composed of a plurality of parameters. In order to achieve a constant distribution quality of the plant protection agent, provision is made for it to be possible for different spray profiles to be stored in a computer unit and, if the parameters of one spray profile deviate, for the distribution machine or the distribution device to be switched automatically to the parameters of a second spray profile.