Agricultural Spraying Device Additive Dosing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The performance of spray devices in agricultural applications is inconsistent due to variations in carrier liquids and active ingredients, affecting miscibility and interactions, which can lead to undesirable effects on the spraying result.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating additives that improve the miscibility and interactions of spray liquid components, with automatic metering based on properties of the carrier liquid and active ingredients, using a control device and measuring devices to optimize the spraying process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different carrier fluids and active ingredients are used, then the spraying device can handle various spraying tasks, but the spraying result becomes inconsistent due to varying properties and interactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to handle various spraying tasksVSAvoidconsistency of spraying result
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts parameters of the spray solution by adding additives that modify pH value, water hardness, and other chemical properties to ensure consistent spraying results across different carrier fluid and active ingredient combinations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Additives are introduced as intermediary substances that mediate between different carrier fluids and active ingredients, improving miscibility and preventing unwanted interactions while maintaining reliable spraying performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual dosing of additives is used, then the device complexity is low, but the dosing precision and automation level are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of dosing systemVSAvoidautomation of dosing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device automatically determines the required additive dosage based on measured properties of carrier fluid and active ingredients, and activates the metering device to dosing the additives without manual intervention, achieving full automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system measures actual properties of the spray solution components and uses this feedback information to automatically adjust additive dosing, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures precise dosing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If additive dosing is manually determined, then the system is simple to operate, but the dosing accuracy and optimization are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of dosing operationVSAvoidprecision of additive dosing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical dosing with an automated system that uses measuring devices to detect properties and a control device to calculate and regulate additive dosing, achieving high precision without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3269241B1Spraying device and method for operating the same
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3269241B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3269241B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3269241B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a spraying device (10) for spraying liquids, particularly for agricultural purposes. This device has at least one storage tank (21) for the liquid and at least one spray nozzle (15) for spraying the liquid as a spraying liquid (16) onto a surface. The spraying liquid (16) comprises at least one carrier liquid, particularly water, and preferably at least one spraying agent. The spraying device (10) is characterized in that at least one additive (26) is added to the spraying liquid (16) and/or the carrier liquid, having a positive effect on the spraying result and/or on the interaction of the ingredients of the spraying liquid (16) and/or their miscibility. Furthermore, a corresponding method for operating a spraying device (10) is described.