Spraying Machine Nozzle Clog Detection and Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spraying machines may continue automatic traveling without successfully spraying the planned material if a spraying nozzle becomes clogged, leading to incomplete application of chemicals.

Innovation Solution

A control method and system that determines if spraying nozzles are clogged during operation and stops the spraying process if a clog is detected, ensuring the spraying material is applied as intended.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the spraying machine continues automatic traveling with a clogged nozzle, then the machine completes the full route, but the spraying material is not applied as planned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespraying coverage completionVSAvoidspraying material application reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors the spraying nozzles during automatic traveling and detects clogging conditions. When clogging is detected, the system provides feedback to stop the spraying function, preventing completion of the route without proper material application. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable spraying material application while maintaining productivity by allowing route completion only when spraying is functional.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If the spraying nozzle is clogged, then the spraying machine can still travel automatically, but the spraying function fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic traveling capabilityVSAvoidspraying function reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device monitors spraying nozzle conditions during automatic traveling and detects clogging. When clogging is detected, the system provides feedback to stop the spraying function while allowing automatic traveling to continue. This feedback mechanism maintains automation capability while ensuring spraying function reliability by preventing continued operation with a clogged nozzle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the spraying machine stops spraying when clogging is detected, then the spraying material is applied correctly, but the work time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespraying material application reliabilityVSAvoidwork time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors spraying nozzles and provides real-time feedback on clogging conditions. When clogging is detected, the system immediately stops spraying to prevent incorrect material application, then can quickly resume or adjust operation. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable spraying material application while minimizing time loss by enabling rapid detection and response to clogging events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4248748A1Spraying machine control method, spraying machine control program, and spraying machine
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4248748A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4248748A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4248748A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a spraying machine control method, a spraying machine control program, and a spraying machine capable of easily spraying a spraying material as planned. [Solution] Provided is a method for controlling a spraying machine including a machine body 10 automatically travelable along a target route andmultiple spraying nozzles 41 supported by the machine body 10 and spraying a spraying material at least during automatic traveling of the machine body 10. The control method includes determining whether or not a monitoring target, which includes at least some of the multiple spraying nozzles 41, has been clogged, andstopping spraying of the spraying material in a case where the monitoring target has been clogged.