Agricultural Sprayer Weighing Device for Active Substance Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural field sprayer systems face imprecision in determining small amounts of active substances metered over time, leading to inaccurate dosing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a weighing device connected to an on-board computer that calculates the metered quantity of active substances by measuring weight changes, allowing for precise dosing and application, even over long intervals, and accounting for the density of the active ingredient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a flow meter is used to determine the dosed quantity of active ingredients, then the system can continuously monitor the metering process, but the measured values become imprecise when relatively small amounts of active substance are metered per unit of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the flow meter (mechanical measurement system) with a weighing device that measures weight changes of the active substance container. This substitution enables precise measurement of small amounts of active substance by detecting weight changes, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and metering speed.
2Measurement precision
If a weighing device is used to measure very small amounts of active substance over long time intervals, then measurement precision improves, but the dosing process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing device provides continuous feedback on the weight of the active substance container to the control unit. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor the metering process in real-time and automatically adjust or terminate the dosing when the target amount is reached, optimizing the dosing time while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Productivity
If the quantity of active substance in supply lines is not accounted for, then the weighing device can continuously measure container weight, but incorrect measurements occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by rinsing the supply lines with carrier liquid before and after active substance metering, and by calculating the volume of active substance remaining in the supply lines based on flow meter data. These preliminary actions ensure that the weighing device measurements accurately reflect the actual dosed amount, preventing measurement errors while maintaining continuous measurement capability.
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
Enables precise determination and application of active substances, preventing incorrect measurements and ensuring accurate dosing processes.
Implementation Method 1
A weighing device (3) arranged on the storage frame (2) has a container (4) with an agricultural agent thereon
Data Source
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AI summary
Agricultural field-spraying system comprising an on-board computer (11) and means for determining the amount of active substances dispensed and/or to be metered. To allow more accurate determination of the amount of active substance to be dispensed, provision is made for the means to take the form of a weighing device (3).