Patent Publication Number: US-2023141803-A1

Title: Method and device for dispensing at least one liquid medium with the aid of a spray nozzle unit, and computer program product

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a method and a device for dispensing at least one liquid medium with the aid of a spray nozzle unit, in particular in conjunction with weed control for agricultural areas. Moreover, the present invention relates to a computer program product for carrying out the method according to the present invention or as an integral part of a device according to the present invention. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     A method for dispensing at least one liquid medium with the aid of a spray nozzle unit is described in German Patent Application No. DE 10 2017 124 934 A1. For example, during travel across an agricultural area, the presence of weeds or biomass in the area is detected with the aid of an optical sensor device, in particular with the aid of a camera. Based on the recognition of the spatial extent of the biomass, for example a spray nozzle of a spray nozzle unit, which is situated at a boom of a tractor or the like, is then activated in such a way that weed killer, for example, is sprayed or dispensed to the greatest extent possible solely in the area of the biomass. This takes place on the one hand against the background of the most sparing use possible of the weed killer or the medium, and on the other hand against the background of the lowest possible pollution load from the medium outside the area to be treated. 
     SUMMARY 
     A method according to the present invention for dispensing at least one liquid medium with the aid of a spray nozzle unit, having the features of the present invention, may have an advantage that it allows optimized metering of the at least one medium with regard to the species of the biomass. According to the present invention, in order to achieve an effect that is optimized for the biomass, the target area or the area onto which the at least one medium must be dispensed is not necessarily limited to the spatial extent of the biomass that is detected by the at least one sensor device. In particular, the propagation mechanism of the biological species of a weed determines how the area to be treated must be optimally selected in order to not only effectuate elimination of the recognized weed, but also to prevent or minimize its further propagation. In particular, two propagation mechanisms exist for weeds: propagation or proliferation based on seeds, and based on the roots of the weed or of the biomass. 
     Against the background of the above discussion, the teaching according to the present invention for metering the at least one liquid medium with the aid of a spray nozzle unit therefore provides that, in addition to the location of the biomass, the biological species of the biomass is also recognized with the aid of an evaluation device that includes an algorithm and is connected to the at least one sensor device, and that the shape of a target area, in the region of which the at least one medium is dispensed or metered, is adapted to the recognized biological species of the biomass as a function of the propagation mechanism. Within the scope of the present invention, the term “shape” encompasses the general configuration, i.e., the external form, as well as the extent, i.e., size, of the target area. 
     Advantageous refinements of the method according to the present invention for dispensing at least one liquid medium with the aid of a spray nozzle unit are disclosed herein. 
     With regard to the above statements concerning the different propagation mechanisms of biomass, in particular weeds, in one preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention provides that the target area surrounds the biomass at a distance from same, and in particular has a rectangular design. In other words, this means that the at least one medium is additionally dispensed outside the recognized spatial extent of the biomass. The area onto which the at least one medium is dispensed or metered depends not only on the recognized species of the biomass, but of course also on the recognized size of the area on which the biomass is situated. Thus, for example, for a relatively small area of the recognized biomass, typically a relatively small overall surface area onto which the at least one medium must be dispensed is likewise necessary. For a spatially extended or larger area on which the biomass has been located, typically a larger area outside the recognized biomass, in whose region the at least one medium must be dispensed, also results. 
     A further preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention provides that the type of medium is selected as a function of the recognized biological species of the biomass. Such a variation in the method on the one hand includes the option to use different weed killers, depending on the different types of weeds, for example, or on the other hand, with knowledge of the propagation area to carry out additional measures, for example the application of a broadly effective herbicide or soil herbicide. By use of the latter measure, it is also possible to effectively treat weeds that have not yet germinated. 
     In one refinement of the method, it is also provided that the target areas for the at least two different media are different. However, “different target areas” also includes the case that the two target areas for the different media at least partially overlap or cover one another. 
     A further optimized effect of the method according to the present invention is achieved when weather effects, in particular also at least the wind direction and wind intensity, at the time of dispensing the at least one medium are taken into account in computing the target area. Such weather or wind effects may be ascertained, for example, in real time using appropriate sensor means at the vehicle dispensing the at least one medium, or based on empirical values from the past. 
     In addition, the present invention includes an evaluation device that is configured to recognize a location of a biomass, in particular weeds, and a biological species of the biomass, the biomass being recognized with the aid of at least one sensor device of a spray nozzle unit that includes at least one spray nozzle for dispensing a liquid medium, in particular for agricultural purposes, and to activate the spray nozzle unit in such a way that a shape of a target area, in whose region the at least one medium is or is to be dispensed, is adapted to the recognized biological species of the biomass as a function of the propagation mechanism. 
     Moreover, the present invention also includes a device for dispensing at least one liquid medium with the aid of a spray nozzle unit, in particular for agricultural purposes, the spray nozzle unit including at least one spray nozzle and an evaluation device that includes an algorithm for at least indirectly activating the spray nozzle, and at least one sensor device for recognizing the biological species of a biomass, the algorithm being designed to carry out the described method according to the present invention. 
     In one preferred embodiment or refinement of such a device according to the present invention, it is provided that the sensor device is designed as an optical device, in particular as a camera device. 
     Furthermore, one preferred example embodiment of the device according to the present invention provides that the spray nozzle unit is coupled to different storage containers in which different media are storable. 
     The present invention also includes a computer program product, in particular in the form of a data medium, that is designed to carry out the method according to the present invention or that is used as an integral part of a device according to the present invention. 
     Further advantages, features, and particulars of the present invention result from the following description of preferred specific embodiments of the present invention, and based on the figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    shows a simplified illustration of an agricultural vehicle that is provided with a spray nozzle unit, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  2  through  6    each show simplified top views onto different application areas of media when carrying out example methods according to the present invention for dispensing at least one medium onto an agriculturally usable area. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Identical elements or elements having an identical function are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an agricultural vehicle in the form of a tractor  10  by way of example, at whose rear end a spray nozzle unit  12  is situated. Spray nozzle unit  12  includes a support frame  14 , extending transversely with respect to longitudinal axis  13  of tractor  10 , at which a plurality of spray nozzles  16  are situated spaced apart from one another. The arrangement or design of spray nozzles  16  is such that when an area is traveled across by tractor  10 , a medium  1 ,  2  that is dispensed via spray nozzles  16  may completely treat the area that is traveled across by support frame  14 . As an example but not limited thereto, medium  1 ,  2  involves different weed killers, growth promoters, herbicides, or the like. 
     It may also be provided that not just one row, but multiple rows (not illustrated) of spaced-apart spray nozzles  16  are provided in such a way that separate spray nozzles  16  are associated with each of the different media  1 ,  2 . These different spray nozzles  16  may differ, for example, with regard to spray patterns, spray angles, etc., as is known from the related art, to optimize the dispensing of particular medium  1 ,  2 . 
     For stocking media  1 ,  2 , tractor  10  also includes at least one storage container  18 ,  20  at its rear area for storing particular medium  1 ,  2 . The activation of spray nozzles  16  takes place with the aid of an activation unit  22 , only schematically illustrated, which is designed in particular to activate or open and close valves associated with particular spray nozzles  16 . Activation unit  22  is in turn connected to an evaluation device  25  that includes an algorithm  26  in the form of a computer program product. 
     In addition, tractor  10  includes at least one sensor device  28 , preferably in the form of a camera or image recording device  30 . Image recording device  30  is situated in the front area of tractor  10 , and allows the ground surface situated ahead of tractor  10  to be recorded or detected during travel of tractor  10 . In particular, detection range  31  of image recording device  30  is such that it corresponds at least to width b of spray nozzle unit  12  or of support frame  14 . As an example, the detected data or images detected by image recording device  30  are supplied to evaluation device  25  as an input variable. 
     Evaluation device  25  or its algorithm  26  allows the data detected by image recording device  30  to be evaluated as to whether a biomass BM is situated in detection range  31  of image recording device  30 . This involves in particular not only a location of biomass BM in detection range  31  of image recording device  30 , i.e., for example at which transverse offset and distance from longitudinal axis  13  of tractor  10  biomass BM is situated, but also the option to determine biological species BA of biomass BM. In particular, algorithm  26  allows biological species BA of biomass BM to be analyzed with regard to its proliferation possibilities or propagation paths. This applies in particular to different species of weeds as biological species BA. 
     It is illustrated in  FIG.  2    that tractor  10  is traveling across an agricultural cultivated area in the direction of arrow  32 . Image recording device  30  (not illustrated) detects four positions containing a biomass BM, which is identified by algorithm  26  as biological species BA 1 . In addition, based on the propagation mechanism of biological species BA 1 , algorithm  26  generates by way of example four rectangular target areas  35   a  through  35   d  that are adapted to the propagation of biomass BM and that surround biomass BM at a relatively small distance, for treating with medium  1  or  2  to allow elimination of biological species BA 1 . 
     It is illustrated in  FIG.  3    that image recording device  30  or algorithm  26 , not illustrated, detects a second biological species BA 2  or a second type of weed in addition to first biological species BA 1 . Second biological species BA 2  is characterized by a propagation mechanism that is different from first biological species BA 1 . In particular, due to its propagation mechanism, in addition to target areas  35   a  through  35   c , biological species BA 2  requires generation of a target area  35   e , which in the region of biological species BA 2  is larger than target area  35   d  corresponding to  FIG.  2   , and which surrounds biological species BA 2  at a greater distance than is the case for biological species BA 1 . 
     It is illustrated in  FIG.  4    that due to recognized biological species BA 2 , it is additionally provided to generate a target area  35   f , illustrated with a border, having a larger extension than target area  35   e . A different medium  1 ,  2  is used within target area  35   f  than within target area  35   e . As an example, different medium  1 ,  2  is a second herbicide that requires a spatially adapted application window due to biological species BA 2 . 
     Lastly, a variant of  FIG.  3    is illustrated in  FIG.  5   . It is apparent that a target area  35   g  has been generated that is larger than target area  35   e  according to  FIG.  3   . This follows from biological species BA 2  and the wind direction illustrated by arrow  37 , which results in an enlarged propagation area of biological species BA 2 . The wind direction is ascertained either with the aid of a sensor system situated at tractor  10 , or based on existing data from the past or preferred wind directions. In addition to the wind direction, the wind intensity is also taken into account, in particular during an instantaneous measurement by a sensor device. 
     The described method for dispensing at least one liquid medium  1 ,  2  with the aid of a spray nozzle unit  12  may be varied or modified in many ways without departing from the concept according to the present invention.