Three-Applicator Plant Treatment with Shorter Electrical Conduction Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating plants using electrical current are inefficient due to high energy consumption, long conduction paths, and the need for wide distances and barriers, especially in environments with metallic conductors, leading to high costs and large device sizes.
Innovation Solution
A method using a three-applicator unit with alternating polarities and a controlled constant-power source to apply electrical direct current to plant stems and leaves, maintaining a constant power supply and minimizing ground contact to enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional two-applicator units are used with elastic spring steel applicators arranged in two rows, then the applicators can adapt to uneven ground, but this creates long conduction paths with considerable ohmic resistances and high current consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the applicator unit into three separate applicators (first, second, and third applicators) with alternating polarities instead of using two traditional applicators. This segmentation allows for shorter conduction paths between adjacent applicators of opposite polarity, reducing ohmic resistance and current consumption while maintaining adaptability to uneven ground through individual positioning of each applicator.
2Reliability
If high electric voltages are used for plant treatment, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but wide distances and barriers are required for work safety, leading to expensive and large device sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high voltage locally between adjacent applicators of opposite polarity where the plant material is present, rather than requiring high voltage throughout the entire device structure. This localized application of high voltage maintains treatment effectiveness while reducing the overall device size and eliminating the need for extensive barriers and wide safety distances.
3Use of energy by moving object
If three applicators with alternating polarities are used, then energy consumption is reduced and efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three applicators with alternating polarities into a single integrated applicator unit that operates together. While this creates a more complex configuration than traditional two-applicator units, the benefits of reduced energy consumption and improved efficiency outweigh the increased complexity. The three applicators are positioned adjacently and operated simultaneously or in sequence to achieve shorter conduction paths and reduced ohmic resistance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces energy consumption and increases efficiency in plant treatment, such as desiccation and green manure control, while minimizing damage to plants and avoiding arcing, with improved energy use and reduced device size.
Implementation Method 1
If electrical current flows through plant parts, they are damaged as a function of electrical current strength, electrical voltage, current type
Implementation Method 2
A comprehensive and uniform theory of the effect has not been present until now. It can be safely assumed that in particular the conductive bundles for transporting liquid in the plant, being the parts with the lowest electrical resistance, are damaged
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for treating plants, comprising: (S100) connecting a first, in particular substantially stationarily arranged applicator, which has a first polarity, a second, in particular substantially stationarily arranged applicator, which has a second polarity, and a third, in particular substantially stationarily arranged applicator, which has the first polarity, of at least one applicator unit to a controlled constant-power source, (S200) bringing the first applicator and the second applicator into contact with a plant stem and/or leaves of a plant, and the second applicator and the third applicator into contact with the plant stem and/or the leaves of the plant, in succession and/or at the same time, in particular without the applicators making contact with the ground, (S300) applying electrical direct current to the contacted plant stem and/or the leaves of the plant, and (S400) maintaining a substantially constant electrical power by using the controlled constant-power source.