Agricultural UAV Docking Control for Targeted Chemical Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for applying active ingredients to agricultural crops using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are inefficient and environmentally impactful, as they often require spraying entire fields and lack precise targeting, leading to unnecessary chemical use and potential environmental harm.
Innovation Solution
An UAV system equipped with a liquid reservoir, application unit, and sensor units that communicate with a base station to optimize flight paths, refill or exchange active ingredients, and maintain operational efficiency, allowing for targeted application and minimizing resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the whole field is sprayed to ensure complete coverage, then the effectiveness of weed control is improved, but the quantity of chemical used increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable rate application technology that adjusts chemical dosage based on localized weed density and species identification. Sensors detect weed presence and distribution across the field, and the spray system modulates application rates to match actual treatment needs, applying higher concentrations where weed pressure is high and reducing or eliminating application where crops are healthy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical boom sprayers with automated, sensor-guided spray systems that use GPS, computer vision, and real-time data processing to determine precise application locations. This substitution enables targeted delivery of chemicals only where biologically necessary, replacing blanket coverage approaches with intelligent, location-specific application
2Ease of operation
If traditional boom sprayers are used to apply active ingredients, then the application process is simple, but the precision and targeting capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements autonomous UAV systems that independently navigate, identify weeds, determine appropriate treatment levels, and execute spray operations without continuous human intervention. The system self-manages the complete workflow from field mapping to targeted application, reducing operational complexity while dramatically improving precision through integrated sensors and onboard processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multi-functional UAV platforms that combine navigation, imaging, spectroscopy, and spray delivery capabilities in a single integrated system. These universal platforms can adapt to different crop types, weed species, and treatment requirements, replacing multiple specialized equipment systems with one versatile autonomous vehicle
3Measurement precision
If more sensor units and processing systems are added to the UAV, then the targeting precision and resource management are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensor types (optical, spectral, thermal), navigation systems (GPS, inertial), and control functions into a unified onboard processing architecture. By merging these previously separate subsystems into a single integrated platform with centralized data fusion and decision-making algorithms, the system achieves high precision weed detection and targeted application without proportionally increasing operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial vehicle for application of an active ingredient to agricultural crops is configured to hold: a liquid comprising the active ingredient in at least one liquid reservoir housed within or attached to the unmanned aerial vehicle. At least one liquid application unit is housed within or attached to the unmanned aerial vehicle and in fluid communication with the at least one liquid reservoir. The housing of at least one sensor unit which is configured to determine sense information comprising sensing a functioning of one or more of: the at least one liquid reservoir, the at least one liquid application unit, the at least one operating unit. A processing unit determines an instruction to the unmanned aerial vehicle to dock with a base station and get a service from the base station. This determination step comprises utilization of sense information.