Multi-disc Spreader Dynamic Dosing for Cornering Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fertilizer spreader technologies face challenges in achieving even fertilizer distribution, particularly during cornering, due to limited adjustability of spreader discs and complex fan movements, leading to over-fertilization and under-fertilization issues, especially in smaller or changing curve radii and at field boundaries.
Innovation Solution
A multi-disc spreader method that adjusts metering quantities based on calculated movement speeds and trajectories, allowing for precise control of fertilizer application by varying dosing quantities on the inside and outside of curves, and adapting to cornering speeds and angles to prevent over- or under-fertilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If metering quantities are adjusted based on inside/outside of curve assumptions, then fertilizer distribution should be improved, but the limited adjustability of drop points prevents effective correction of spreading fan position
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts metering quantities based on real-time or pre-calculated movement speeds and trajectories of spreading fan sub-areas. Instead of static drop point adjustments, the invention uses dynamic dosing adaptation that responds to actual fan movement characteristics during cornering, enabling effective fertilizer distribution correction across varying curve radii and fan positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the dosing parameters (metering quantities) based on calculated movement speeds of different sub-areas of the spreading fan. By varying the dosing quantity as a function of movement speed rather than relying on fixed geometric adjustments, the system achieves adaptive fertilizer application that compensates for complex fan movements during cornering.
2Measurement precision
If spreader discs and delivery systems are adjusted separately for dosing quantities and speeds, then control precision should improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a control-based system that calculates and adjusts metering quantities electronically. Instead of physically repositioning drop points or adjusting mechanical dosing components, the system uses computational methods to determine appropriate dosing quantities based on movement speed and trajectory data, thereby achieving precise control without proportionally increasing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically calculates and adjusts dosing quantities based on pre-stored or real-time trajectory and speed data. The control unit performs self-adjustment without requiring manual intervention for each dosing parameter, reducing the operational complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through automated feedback control.
3Area of stationary object
If throw distances behind the spreader are used in practice, then the spreading fan covers larger area, but the fan centers swing out sharply during cornering causing complex fan movements
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates or pre-stores the trajectories and movement speeds of spreading fan sub-areas for various cornering scenarios. By having this trajectory information available in advance, the control unit can determine appropriate dosing adjustments before cornering begins or as cornering progresses, compensating for the complex swing-out movements of the fan centers without requiring real-time mechanical adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from GPS location recording and speed measurements to monitor actual fan movement during cornering. This feedback information is used to verify and adjust dosing quantities, ensuring that the fertilizer application remains accurate despite the complex swinging movements of the spreading fan centers caused by throw distances behind the spreader.
4Manufacturing precision
If metering quantities are reduced on the inside of curve and increased on the outside, then over-fertilization and under-fertilization should be counteracted, but this only achieves desired distribution in exceptional cases with very large curve radii
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static dosing adjustments to dynamic dosing control that adapts to varying curve radii and fan movement speeds. By calculating the movement speed of each sub-area of the spreading fan and adjusting metering quantities accordingly, the system achieves effective fertilizer distribution across a wide range of curve radii, not just very large ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different dosing adjustments to different sub-areas of the spreading fan based on their specific movement characteristics. Instead of uniform inside/outside curve adjustments, the system tailors dosing quantities to local conditions of each fan sub-area, enabling effective correction of fertilizer distribution across varying curve radii and fan positions.
Data Source
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AI summary
This document describes a method for applying fertilizer using a multi-disc spreader and a corresponding multi-disc spreader. The fertilizer is applied in overlapping spreading patterns, with the application rates for the inner and outer sections of the spreader being adjusted when cornering compared to driving straight ahead, in order to counteract over- or under-fertilization. By calculating the speed of movement of at least a portion of the spreading patterns along the area to be fertilized for cornering and adjusting the application rates for the inner and outer sections based on this calculated speed, uniform fertilizer distribution can be achieved when cornering, even with relatively tight and/or varying curve radii, and optionally with simultaneous section control.