Agricultural Spreading Machine Boundary Control Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural spreading machines lack effective methods to automatically control the distribution of fertilizers and sprays near field boundaries, particularly in areas close to water bodies, to prevent environmental pollution and ensure compliance with legal regulations.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a job computer or terminal to generate signals based on predetermined distances from the field boundary, adjusting the metering elements, centrifugal disc speed, throwing vanes, and nozzles to restrict fertilizer application, and defines a restricted zone to prevent distribution in adjacent areas, including the creation of a headland area to avoid overlaps or underlaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the working width and throwing distance are reduced near field boundaries, then environmental pollution is prevented and legal requirements are met, but the productivity and coverage efficiency of the distribution machine deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution machine divides its working width into multiple independently controllable segments or zones. Each zone can be individually activated or deactivated based on its proximity to field boundaries, allowing the machine to maintain full productivity in open areas while selectively reducing coverage near boundaries to prevent environmental pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
The working width and throwing distance of the distribution machine are dynamically adjusted based on real-time position data and proximity to field boundaries. The system continuously modifies distribution parameters along the travel path, enabling high productivity in safe zones while automatically reducing coverage in boundary proximity zones to meet environmental requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual control methods are used to adjust distribution near boundaries, then flexibility in adapting to different boundary conditions is achieved, but the ease of operation and workload for the farmer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution machine performs self-adjustment of its working width and throwing distance based on automatically detected field boundary conditions. The system uses onboard positioning sensors and stored field map data to autonomously determine when and where to modify distribution parameters, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention while maintaining high adaptability to various boundary configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the machine's position relative to field boundaries using positioning sensors and compares this data with stored field contour information. Based on this feedback loop, the control system automatically adjusts distribution parameters in real-time, providing both adaptability to boundary conditions and reduction of operational complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the field boundary is used as the exact edge contour for processing, then the precision of boundary detection is maximized, but the reliability of preventing fertilizer application in adjacent areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively reduces the working width and throwing distance before the machine actually reaches the detected field boundary. By anticipating the boundary position and pre-adjusting distribution parameters, the system creates a safety buffer that maintains high measurement precision while ensuring reliable prevention of fertilizer application in adjacent protected areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary adjustment of distribution parameters based on predicted boundary positions using stored field map data and current positioning information. This advance preparation ensures that when the machine approaches the boundary, the distribution width is already reduced to safe levels, maintaining both precision and reliability in pollution prevention.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for the automatic treatment of the boundary areas of an agricultural area 4 using an agricultural spreading machine 1, wherein, up to a defined distance B, it is checked whether a field boundary of the agricultural area has been reached and, accordingly, the working width A of the spreading machine must be reduced. This can optionally also be carried out depending on the type of the adjacent area 5, 8. In addition, a method is presented for automating control processes on the agricultural spreading machine 1 depending on areas located near the spreading machine 1, which can be cultivated or uncultivated areas 10 within the agricultural area 4 itself.