Agricultural Spreader Section Deactivation for Overlap Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern agricultural spreading devices often result in unintentional multiple applications and failures when applying crop protection products or fertilizers, leading to considerable yield losses due to inaccurate position detection and driving dynamics during the application process.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a satellite-supported position detection system to determine the accuracy of the agricultural application device's position and current driving dynamics, allowing for predictive control of material spreading by adjusting the deactivation and activation times of individual application sections to prevent unintentional applications, especially in transition areas between different parts of the agricultural area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If position-dependent deactivation of application sections is implemented, then application precision is improved, but unintentional multiple applications still occur due to low position detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by determining deactivation times based on current driving dynamics state before the application device actually reaches the boundary. This anticipatory deactivation compensates for position detection inaccuracies by acting in advance, ensuring material application stops before unintentional overlap occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies a cushioning effect by extending the deactivation time window based on driving dynamics. This creates a safety margin that compensates for position detection errors, ensuring that even with low measurement precision, the application sections are deactivated early enough to prevent unintentional multiple applications.
2Manufacturing precision
If deactivation timing is adjusted based on position detection, then application accuracy is improved, but driving dynamics inertia causes unintended applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts deactivation timing based on the current driving dynamics state (speed, acceleration, steering angle) rather than using fixed timing. This allows the control system to adapt to changing operational conditions, compensating for inertia effects during cornering and speed changes while maintaining precise material output control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors measuring driving dynamics state (speed, acceleration, steering angle) to continuously adjust deactivation timing. This closed-loop control ensures that deactivation occurs at the optimal moment considering the actual mechanical state of the application device, preventing both over-application and under-application.
3Manufacturing precision
If reaction times of valves are considered, then predictive control is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for valve reaction delays by determining deactivation times in advance based on driving dynamics. Instead of reacting to position errors after they occur, the system calculates when deactivation should be initiated to account for the known reaction time of the control valves, achieving predictive control without complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for spreading material onto an agricultural area (20) using an agricultural spreading device (10), comprising the steps of: detecting the position of the agricultural spreading device (10) during the spreading of material onto the agricultural area (20) and deactivating individual spreading sections (16a-16e) of the agricultural spreading device (10) during the spreading of material onto the agricultural area (20) to avoid unintentional multiple applications (26a-26c) and/or spreading accidents (28a-28c) on the agricultural area (20).wherein the deactivation times of the individual application sub-areas (16a-16e) depend on the accuracy of the positions of the agricultural application equipment (10) recorded during the application of material onto the agricultural land (20) and/or on the current driving dynamics state of the agricultural application equipment (10).