Weed Control Vehicle with Wind Shielding for Targeted Herbicide Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weed control methods in agriculture, such as mechanical weeding and herbicide application, face challenges in efficiency and environmental impact, particularly in reducing herbicide use and minimizing drift and overspray.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with a detection device to locate cultivated plants, a spray device for targeted application of plant protection agents, a shielding device to protect the application area from external influences, and a control system to manage spray patterns, allowing precise and localized weed control without large-area herbicide application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If herbicides are applied over large areas to control weeds, then weed control effectiveness is improved, but environmental pollution and herbicide loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies herbicides locally only where weeds are detected by the detection device, rather than uniformly over large areas. The control device activates spray devices only at specific locations where weeds are present, achieving effective weed control while minimizing herbicide loss and environmental pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detection devices to automatically identify weed locations and triggers targeted herbicide application only where needed. The vehicle autonomously navigates and the control system automatically activates spray devices based on real-time detection data, eliminating the need for manual assessment and enabling precise, on-demand herbicide application.
2Productivity
If herbicides are sprayed without shielding, then application speed is improved, but drift and evaporation losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces shielding devices as intermediaries between the spray devices and the external environment. These shields create a protected zone that reduces wind-driven drift and solar radiation-induced evaporation of herbicides, allowing faster application speeds while minimizing substance loss.
3Loss of substance
If mechanical weeding is used to remove weeds, then herbicide use is reduced, but labor requirements and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical weeding systems with an automated detection and targeted spray system. Instead of using complex mechanical devices to physically remove weeds, the system uses detection devices to identify weed locations and activates spray devices to apply herbicides precisely where needed, reducing both herbicide overall usage and mechanical complexity.
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
The vehicle enables effective weed control with reduced herbicide use, minimizing drift and evaporation, and enhances application homogeneity, while maintaining crop protection and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a shielding device for at least partially shielding an area between the spray device and a surface traveled by the vehicle against external influences, in particular wind and/or solar radiation
Implementation Method 2
a shielding device for at least partially shielding an area between the spray device and a surface traveled by the vehicle against external influences, in particular wind and/or solar radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a vehicle (100) for controlling weeds between cultivated plants, which vehicle is movable, in particular in an automated manner, wherein the vehicle (100) comprises: - a detection device (105) configured to detect a location at which a cultivated plant is arranged while the vehicle (100) is traveling, - at least one spraying device (1) for dispensing a plant protection agent or fertilizer, in particular a herbicide, - a control device (106) for controlling the spraying device (1), which is configured to cause the spraying device (1) to dispense a plant protection agent or fertilizer, in particular a herbicide, at the location detected by the detection device (106) while the vehicle (100) is traveling, and - a shielding device (11) for at least partially shielding an area between the spraying device (1) and a surface traveled by the vehicle (100) from external influences,in particular wind and/or solar radiation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a vehicle (100).