Agricultural Sprayer Tank Cleaning Nozzle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural field sprayers require multiple nozzle sizes for internal cleaning, which is inefficient and requires more water to achieve adequate cleaning pressure, especially when a small quantity of liquid is used.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an electronic control and/or regulating device to intermittently supply cleaning liquid to cleaning nozzles in alternating section areas and intervals, ensuring high pressure without the need for multiple nozzle sizes, by actuating individual or grouped nozzles via valve elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If cleaning nozzles of appropriate size are installed by hand to match the liquid quantity, then adequate cleaning pressure is achieved, but device complexity increases and adjustment is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning pressureVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by operating cleaning nozzles in alternating sections with defined time intervals rather than continuously. The control device activates nozzle groups sequentially, allowing the liquid pump to maintain high pressure by delivering liquid to only active nozzles at any given moment, thereby achieving adequate cleaning pressure without requiring multiple nozzle sizes or manual adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the cleaning nozzles into multiple groups that operate in alternating sections. Instead of having all nozzles operate simultaneously, the system divides them into separate controllable groups that are activated sequentially, reducing the liquid flow demand at any one time while maintaining effective cleaning pressure on each segment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple nozzle sizes are installed for different application quantities, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to required adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the nozzle system dynamically controllable through electronic activation. Instead of static nozzle installations requiring manual selection and adjustment, the system uses a control device to dynamically activate specific nozzle groups based on operating conditions, providing adaptability without requiring operational intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by automatically managing nozzle activation through the control device. The control device autonomously manages the activation and deactivation of nozzle groups without requiring manual intervention, making the system adaptable to different conditions while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If cleaning nozzles operate continuously, then cleaning coverage is improved, but liquid consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoidliquid consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by operating cleaning nozzles in alternating sections with defined time intervals rather than continuously. The control device activates nozzle groups sequentially, allowing the liquid pump to maintain high pressure by delivering liquid to only active nozzles at any given moment, thereby achieving adequate cleaning pressure without requiring multiple nozzle sizes or manual adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that while individual nozzle groups are activated periodically, the overall cleaning process continues without interruption. As one group deactivates, another activates, providing continuous cleaning coverage throughout the tank interior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method allows for efficient and uninterrupted interior cleaning of the field sprayer with less water at sufficiently high pressure, eliminating the need for different nozzles and simplifying the cleaning process.

Implementation Method 1

a pump 2, in particular a high-pressure pump, for pressurizing the liquid and/or for supplying the liquid at a high pressure to the spray nozzles 8

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure Increase: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

cleaning nozzles 22...in such a way that the cleaning nozzles 22 are supplied with liquid within defined time intervals during the cleaning process of the inner area of the liquid tank 1 the cleaning liquid is supplied in at least two continuously alternating section areas 24, 25

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid Spray: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP2698060B1Agricultural field spraying device
Publication Date: 2015.03.11 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2698060B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2698060B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The device has a liquid tank (1), a propelled liquid pump, and a dosing device comprising an extraction pipe and a cleaning device (21) for providing cleaning fluid, where the cleaning device has cleaning nozzles (22). The cleaning device has valve elements (23) that are controlled by an electronic controlling and/or regulating device. The valve elements and regulating device are formed such that the nozzles supply the cleaning liquid to section areas (24, 25) within a defined time interval during cleaning operation of an inner area of the liquid tank.