Agricultural Spraying Boom Multi-Nozzle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural spraying machines equipped with multi-nozzle assemblies face challenges in adapting spray patterns and flow rates to varying plant densities, types, and terrain slopes, leading to inefficient phytosanitary product distribution.
Innovation Solution
A control system that uses GPS, cameras, and inclinometers to map plant distribution and terrain, adjusting the operation of multi-nozzle assemblies in real-time to optimize spray patterns and flow rates based on plant characteristics and slope, ensuring precise and uniform application of phytosanitary products across diverse field conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional single nozzles are used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different plant types and densities is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spray boom is divided into multiple sections, each equipped with independent multi-nozzle assemblies. Each assembly can be controlled separately based on local plant characteristics, allowing different spray patterns and flow rates for different plant types and densities while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts spray parameters in real-time based on detected plant characteristics. The control system receives data from mapping means (GPS, cameras, sensors) and automatically modifies nozzle operation to match actual field conditions, enabling adaptation to varying plant types, densities, and terrain slopes.
2Manufacturing precision
If multi-nozzle assemblies with independent control are used, then the spray adaptation precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates mapping means (GPS receivers, cameras, light receivers, sensors) that continuously detect plant characteristics and terrain conditions. This feedback is processed by the control system, which automatically adjusts multi-nozzle assembly operation to achieve precise spray adaptation without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically processes mapping data and generates appropriate spray commands without operator intervention. The system self-regulates nozzle flow rates and spray patterns based on real-time field conditions, reducing the need for complex manual control mechanisms while maintaining high precision.
3Productivity
If manual adjustment of spray parameters is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical adjustment of spray parameters is replaced by an automated electronic control system. The control system receives data from mapping means and automatically commands multi-nozzle assemblies to adjust spray patterns and flow rates, significantly improving productivity while the complexity is managed through integrated electronic control rather than mechanical adjustments.
4Loss of substance
If uniform spray application is used across the entire boom, then the ease of operation is high, but the loss of substance increases due to over-spraying in some areas and under-spraying in others
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniform spray application across the entire boom, the system applies different spray patterns, flow rates, and nozzle configurations to different sections based on local plant characteristics. This ensures optimal spray distribution in each area, reducing both over-spraying and under-spraying while the control system handles the complexity automatically.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
This control system for an agricultural spraying machine (1), of which the boom (5) is equipped with a plurality of multi-nozzle units (9), is characterized in that it comprises means (15a to 15, 17a to 17e, 23) for piloting each multi-nozzle unit (9) according to data representative of the cartography of the plants to be treated.