Agricultural Spreader Boundary Deflection for Uniform Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural spreading devices often result in severe over- and under-fertilization near borders due to uneven transverse distribution of grit, particularly when spreading in normal and border modes.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a border spreading device to deflect part of the thrown-off grit, combined with a reduction in the total amount of grit applied, ensures a more uniform distribution near borders by adjusting the amount and application point of grit on the spreading discs, and employing an intermediate spreading mode with a deflection device or adapted blade positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If normal spreading mode is used with standard spreading discs, then spreading efficiency is maintained, but severe over- and under-fertilization occurs near boundaries due to uneven transverse distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of spreading material distributionVSAvoidspreading operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spreading device is segmented into multiple functional components: a first spreading disc for central area spreading, a second spreading disc for boundary area spreading, and a boundary spreading device with deflectors. Each component handles a specific zone, allowing precise control of material distribution patterns in different areas to eliminate over- and under-fertilization near boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts its spreading pattern by switching between normal spreading mode (using first spreading disc) and boundary spreading mode (using second spreading disc with deflectors). The boundary spreading device can be positioned at different locations and the deflectors can be adjusted to change the spreading pattern, enabling the system to optimize material distribution for each specific operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If a boundary spreading device with deflectors is used to improve distribution near boundaries, then uniformity near boundaries improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of spreading material distribution near boundaryVSAvoidspreading device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second spreading disc serves multiple functions: it can operate independently for boundary spreading, work in conjunction with the first spreading disc, and accommodate adjustable deflectors that can be positioned at different locations. The boundary spreading device itself can be positioned at different locations along the spreading disc, making the system versatile and adaptable to various boundary conditions without requiring entirely separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The deflectors are strategically positioned only in the discharge area of the spreading disc that faces away from the boundary, creating a localized modification to the spreading pattern. This local intervention redirects material that would otherwise be thrown beyond the boundary, concentrating it in the boundary zone where it is needed, thereby improving uniformity without requiring complex modifications throughout the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If reduced total amount of spreading material is applied in boundary spreading mode, then uniformity near boundary improves, but total spreading coverage may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of spreading material distributionVSAvoidtotal spreading coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different quantities of spreading material to different zones: a reduced total amount is applied when operating in boundary spreading mode with the second spreading disc, while full amounts are applied to central areas using the first spreading disc. This localized adjustment of material quantity ensures uniform distribution near boundaries without compromising overall productivity, as the majority of the field area can still be covered at full rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4026417B1Method for spreading granular material
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4026417B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4026417B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for spreading spreading material onto an agricultural area (100) by means of an agricultural spreader (10) with two rotatably driven spreading discs (12a, 12b), comprising the steps of: spreading spreading material by means of the agricultural spreader (10) in a normal spreading mode of the agricultural spreader (10) while driving on inner lanes (104) within an inner area far from the boundary of the agricultural area (100), and spreading spreading material by means of the agricultural spreader (10) in a boundary spreading mode of the agricultural spreader (10) while driving on an outer boundary lane (106) running at least partially parallel and adjacent to the boundary (102) of the agricultural area (100) within an area near the boundary of the agricultural area (100).wherein in the boundary spreading mode a boundary spreading device is used to deflect at least part of the dispensed spreading material and a reduced total amount of spreading material is applied compared to the normal spreading mode.