UAV Spiral Spraying for Precise Fruit Tree Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current UAV plant protection methods for fruit crops are labor-intensive, prone to manual errors, and inefficient due to the complexity of fruit tree topography, leading to incomplete spraying and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A UAV operating method that acquires mapping information for safe height and spray radius, adjusts flight height, and performs spiral spraying operations based on determined parameters, allowing autonomous flight and precise dosing without full manual participation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual and remote control mode is used for fruit tree spraying, then the UAV can operate in complex environments, but labor cost increases and operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to complex environmentsVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The UAV autonomously navigates to target fruit trees using GPS coordinates, automatically adjusts flight height based on tree height data, and controls spraying operations without continuous manual intervention. The system self-manages the complete spraying task from navigation to dosage control, eliminating the need for full manual participation while maintaining adaptability to complex orchard environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-acquires mapping information including tree locations, heights, and spray radii before operation. GPS coordinates of target trees are predetermined and stored, allowing the UAV to automatically navigate and execute spraying tasks without real-time manual guidance, thus improving efficiency while maintaining environmental adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If manual control is used for fruit tree spraying, then the operator can adjust to different tree conditions, but manual errors increase and spray coverage becomes incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidspray coverage accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses pre-acquired mapping information including tree height and position data to automatically adjust flight parameters and spray dosage. The UAV receives feedback from GPS location and altitude sensors to maintain precise positioning and consistent spray coverage, eliminating manual errors while preserving operational flexibility through automated decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical control is replaced with automated electronic control systems. The UAV uses electronic navigation based on GPS coordinates and automated flight control based on pre-acquired tree data, substituting human manual operation with electronic systems that provide more consistent and reliable spray coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If line-by-line scanning spraying is used for flat farmlands, then precise spraying can be achieved, but the method cannot be applied to fruit trees with complex topography

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray precisionVSAvoidapplicability to different crop types
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the spraying approach based on the target object. For fruit trees, it transitions from fixed line-by-line scanning to flexible spiral flight patterns centered on each tree, with dynamic adjustment of flight height based on real-time tree height data from mapping information, maintaining spray precision across different crop types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes flight parameters including path pattern (from linear to spiral), flight height, and spray radius based on the specific characteristics of the target crop. Mapping information provides tree-specific parameters that are used to customize the spraying operation, enabling the same UAV system to precisely spray both flat field crops and three-dimensional fruit trees

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3557362B1Unmanned aerial vehicle operating method and device
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 GUANGZHOU XAIRCRAFT TECH CO LTD
  • EP3557362B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3557362B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3557362B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Provided are an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operating method and device. The method includes that: mapping information of an operation object to be operated is acquired (101), the mapping information including a safe height, geographic position information and a spray radius, of the operation object; a flight height of the UAV is adjusted to the safe height, and the UAV flies, according to the safe height, to a position corresponding to the geographic position information (102); and at the position corresponding to the geographic position information, a spiral spraying operation is performed on the operation object based on the spray radius (103). Through the method and device, the UAV is enabled to fly autonomously to each crop to perform spiral flight with a continuous flight curve, perform coverage spray on each crop, and accurately control the dose according to a spiral state, so as to achieve the effect of precise spraying.