EP3706567A1

EP3706567A1 - Method for monitoring and/or controlling a supplying process for a spray liquid at a spray nozzle unit

Info

Publication number: EP3706567A1
Application number: EP18803328.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jochen Glasbrenner; Olaf Ohlhafer; Hans-Arndt Freudigmann
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2017-11-10
Filing date: 2018-10-26
Publication date: 2020-09-16
Also published as: DE102017220024A1; RU2020118306A; WO2019091796A1; US20210176976A1; RU2020118306A3; BR112020009130A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for monitoring and/or controlling a supplying process for a spray liquid with a defined active component concentration at at least one spray nozzle unit of a spraying device for discharging a spray liquid, in particular for agricultural purposes, having the steps of: - receiving at least one property signal (60) having spray liquid property information (62) acquired by means of a sensor unit (54) of the spraying device in a through-flow region of the spray nozzle unit, wherein, using the property information (62), an active component concentration in the spray liquid can be determined; and - outputting an information signal (64) to a display unit (66) and/or a control signal (68) to the spray nozzle unit depending on the received spray liquid property information (62) and/or an active component concentration in the spray liquid determined using the property information (62) in order to monitor and/or control the supplying process.

Description

Description title

Method for monitoring and / or controlling a provision process of a spray liquid on a spray nozzle unit

State of the art

The invention relates to a method for monitoring and / or controlling a provision process of a spray liquid with a defined

Agent concentration on at least one spray nozzle unit a

Spray device for discharging the spray liquid, in particular for agricultural purposes, and such a spray device according to the preamble of the independent claims. The subject of the present invention is also a control device and a computer program.

In today's known systems for direct injection of

Crop protection products on a sprayer cause those in the carrier stream through the central feed point of the pesticides

Line lengths long delay times until the pesticide is present at the nozzle. Thus delay times of more than 20 seconds between the central metering and the discharge of the spray liquid at the nozzle can occur. But even with field sprayers without direct injection it comes to delay times at the beginning of the application when the field sprayer has been previously rinsed with water. This water must first be removed from the system, or for

Spray liquid tank to be pumped.

Is the entry point of the plant protection product in the carrier stream

(Water flow) in direct-feeding systems far away from the nozzles on a field sprayer, so it comes to long delay times. by virtue of

Different line lengths result in the middle of the spray bar shorter and longer outside delay times, so that the crop protection agent is discharged indoors rather than outside in a two-dimensional application. Will while The ride on the field started with the application, it comes to the so-called butterfly effect. This butterfly effect also occurs at the beginning of an application in conventional premixing systems in which the spray liquid is manually metered by the user and mixed in a central spray liquid tank.

In order to avoid the butterfly effect, the spray liquid can be pumped by means of circular loops in a circle. This "precharge" at the nozzles minimizes delay times, but the volume pumped during precharge, if present, must be added to a spray fluid tank

be returned or stored in a collection tank. If the spray liquid is returned to a spray liquid tank, care must be taken to ensure that the concentration of the plant protection product in the spray liquid in the tank is not changed by the additional amount of water. This system is therefore not immediately suitable for a direct feed system with no or a small mixing tank. In any case, additional return lines are needed for the loop.

DE 10 2004 030 240 AI discloses a device for distributing spreading material, wherein at the start of work, the metering for the scattering lines for the

Partial widths are switched from outside to inside, so that the

Distribution at the beginning of the field over the entire working width

starts evenly. DE 10 2009 026 234 AI discloses a field sprayer with sensors for

Determination and adjustment of an active ingredient concentration in a spray liquid.

The present invention is a method for monitoring and / or controlling a provision process of a spray liquid with a defined active agent concentration on at least one spray nozzle unit of a spray device for dispensing the spray liquid, in particular for agricultural purposes, with the steps:

Receiving at least one property signal with one by means of a

Sensor unit of the spray device in a flow range of Spray nozzle unit - during the deployment process - detected

Property information of the spray liquid, wherein using the property information, an agent concentration in the spray liquid can be determined; and

Outputting an information signal to a display unit and / or a control signal to the spray nozzle unit as a function of the received property information of the spray liquid and / or an active agent concentration determined using the property information in the spray unit

Spray fluid to monitor and / or control the provisioning process.

The subject matter of the present invention is furthermore a control device which is set up to carry out all the steps of a method described above.

The subject of the present invention is also a spray device with at least one spray nozzle unit for dispensing a spray liquid, in particular for agricultural purposes, with:

a sensor unit for acquiring property information of

Spray liquid in a flow area of the spray nozzle unit - during the provisioning process - using the

Property information an agent concentration in the spray liquid can be determined; and

- A previously described control device to a

Provision process of a spray liquid with a defined

Monitor and / or control agent concentration at the spray nozzle unit.

Finally, the subject matter of the present invention is a computer program which is set up to carry out all the steps of a previously described method as well as a machine-readable storage medium with the computer program stored thereon.

In the context of the present invention, provision of a spraying liquid having a defined one can take place under a provisioning process

Agent concentration on at least one, in particular each Spray nozzle unit of the spray device are understood to be the

Here, the provision is made such that - before the actual treatment of the agricultural area - a part of the spray liquid with a smaller than the desired

Agent concentration is applied (eg., Water without active agent or with a low concentration of active ingredient), so that the spray liquid with the desired active agent concentration at the beginning of the treatment is present at the spray nozzle units. The provisioning process may be feasible for a defined duration, i. stop automatically after a defined or predetermined duration. The provisioning operation can be stopped by the control signal. The provisioning operation is carried out by means of the spray nozzle unit or spray nozzle units. The provisioning operation on a spray nozzle unit is completed when the spray nozzle units are deactivated or closed. The whole

Provisioning operation is completed when each of the spray nozzle units is deactivated or closed.

An agricultural purpose in the context of the present invention may be understood as a purpose directed to an economical cultivating of crops.

In particular, the spray device may be part of an agricultural

Field sprayer or a crop protection device or as a

be formed agricultural field sprayer or a crop protection device. The spraying device can be arranged and / or arranged on or on a mobile unit. The mobile unit may be designed as a land vehicle and / or aircraft and / or trailers. The mobile unit may in particular be an agricultural work machine, for example a

Tractor, a tractor or a (self-propelled or autonomous)

Be field sprayer. The spray device can also be connected to a hydraulic

Device of agricultural machine to be grown. It is also conceivable that the spraying device is constructed on a loading surface of the agricultural machine. Alternatively, the spray device may be attached to the agricultural machine. The spreading of the spray liquid is preferably carried out in a field. In the present case, a field may be understood to mean an agricultural area or an area used for agriculture, a cultivated area for plants or even a plot of such area or cultivated area. The field can thus be arable land, a grassland or a pasture. The plants may include, for example, crops whose fruit is used for agriculture (for example as food, feed or as an energy crop) as well as weeds, weeds and grass weeds. The plants can be part of the agricultural area.

The term "spray liquid" in the context of the present invention comprises in addition to the auszubringende for agricultural treatment and the desired active agent concentration having liquid also

Liquid, which is applied as part of the provisioning process to provide the spray liquid with the desired active agent concentration at the spray nozzle unit (for example, water without active agent or with a low active agent concentration). In the context of the invention, the term "spray liquid" also encompasses both the entire spray liquid and only a portion or proportion, in particular a spatially limited portion or proportion of the spray liquid in the spray device. the part of the spray fluid contained in a spray nozzle unit.

The auszubringende spray liquid has at least one active agent. The active agent may be a spraying agent, i. have a preparation or pesticide, in particular a pesticide concentrate. Accordingly, the active agent may, for example, comprise a herbicide, fungicide or an insecticide (pesticide). The spray liquid can be a spray mixture. However, the active agent may also comprise a fertilizer, in particular a fertilizer concentrate. The agent can therefore a liquid fertilizer and / or a

Have growth regulator. The active agent can be formed as a liquid or as a solid, for example in the form of granules or as a pre-dissolved solid, for example in the form of pre-dissolved granules.

The auszubringende spray liquid preferably further comprises a liquid, in particular a carrier liquid for diluting the active agent. Under a carrier liquid may in the context of the present invention a

Liquid to be understood, which is designed to be mixed with the active agent to a dispensing or dispensing of the active agent, eg. The

Plant protection product or fertilizer

improve. It is also conceivable that a present as a solid or granules

Active agent is suspended in the carrier liquid. It is also conceivable that a non-soluble in the carrier liquid active agent is emulsified in the carrier liquid. The carrier liquid is preferably water. The spray liquid can therefore be formed as: liquid, suspension,

Emulsion, solution or a combination thereof. The spray liquid is preferably formed as a water-diluted plant protection or water-diluted fertilizer. The spraying device preferably has a spraying liquid tank for receiving the spraying liquid and at least one spraying nozzle unit for discharging the spraying liquid. The spray liquid can be guided or guided by the spray liquid tank by means of a spray liquid line or several spray liquid lines to the spray nozzle unit. Under a line or spray liquid line can in the present invention, a

Be understood section of the corresponding line or the spray liquid line. The line may be formed as a fluidic connection line, for example. In the form of a tube, tube, channel or a tube. The spray liquid can be mixed ready in the spray liquid tank

Sprayer be filled. However, the spray liquid can also be mixed only in the spray device. For mixing the spraying liquid, the spraying device (in the flow direction of the spraying liquid) upstream of the spraying liquid tank may have a mixing unit into which the liquid is guided or passed out of a liquid tank of the spraying device and the active agent is conveyed from an active agent tank of the spraying device. Here, a liquid delivery unit may be provided, which is designed to selectively convey or convey the liquid out of the liquid tank via a liquid line to the mixing unit. Furthermore, an active agent delivery unit can be provided, which is designed to target the active agent from the active agent tank via an active agent line to the mixing unit to guide or promote defined or metered. The conveyor units can have one or more metering units or metering components. The metering units or metering components may comprise one or more pumps or metering pumps and valves. At least one of the conveying units can be designed to generate the injection pressure at the injection nozzle unit, ie the pressure with which the spraying liquid is discharged.

In the context of the present invention, a mixing unit can be understood to be a unit which is designed to mix or mix at least the liquid and the active agent with one another to form the spray liquid, preferably as homogeneously as possible. The mixing unit can have a mixing and / or stirring element in order to actively mix the liquid and the active agent. The stirring element can be designed as a stirring blade or propeller. The mixing unit may have a mixing tank with at least one inlet each for the liquid and the active agent. That is to say, in other words, that the liquid and agent are separate, i. can be performed by means of separate lines directly into the mixing unit or the mixing tank. Alternatively, a common inlet may be provided on the mixing unit in the form of a T-piece, wherein the active agent is first supplied to the liquid or fed into this and then passed together with the liquid in the mixing unit. The mixing unit or the mixing tank can have at least one outlet for the mixed or mixed spray liquid, for example in a lower area. It is also conceivable that the mixing unit is designed as a static mixing unit or static mixer. However, the mixing unit can also be designed only as a T-piece, so that a passive mixing takes place in it.

The mixing unit can also be integrated in the spray liquid tank.

Accordingly, the spray liquid tank may be formed as a mixing tank of the mixing unit. Here, the mixing and / or stirring element can be arranged on or in the spray liquid tank to mix or mix the spray liquid.

However, the spray liquid tank can also be arranged in the spray liquid line downstream of the mixing unit. In other words, that the spray liquid tank in the flow direction of the spray liquid of the Mixing unit is arranged to the spray nozzle unit behind or after the mixing unit. The spray liquid tank can thus be spatially in the

Be arranged spray liquid line between the mixing unit and the spray nozzle unit. The spray liquid tank may be formed as a buffer tank, so that the spray liquid from the mixing unit first feasible or fillable in the buffer tank and from the buffer tank according to need to

Spray nozzle unit guidable or conveyed or is conductive.

Furthermore, the spraying device can have a spraying liquid conveying unit which is located in the spraying liquid line downstream of the spraying liquid line

Spray liquid tanks or buffer tanks arranged and / or integrated in this. The spray liquid delivery unit may then be formed, the

To direct spray liquid from the spray liquid tank or buffer tank under pressure or under a defined pressure to the spray nozzles or spray nozzle units. The spray liquid delivery unit may in particular be designed to generate a constant pressure, i. be formed as a constant pressure system to produce a constant or uniform injection pressure at the spray nozzles or spray nozzle units. Since the defined injection pressure is generated by the spray liquid delivery unit, the delivery units upstream of the buffer tank, i. the liquid delivery unit and the

Wirkmittelfördereinheit be very simple, since they only have to take over the task of supplying the liquid or the active agent in the buffer tank. Is the spray liquid delivery unit integrated in the buffer tank, the

Buffer tank as pressure accumulator, eg. With media separation (spray liquid - air) may be formed. The pressure control in the buffer tank can then be done via a pneumatic pressure control valve, so that possible pressure fluctuations in the system can be reduced. Preferably, the

However, spray liquid delivery unit arranged downstream of the spray liquid tank, whereby the buffer tank can be formed without pressure. In this case, the buffer tank may, for example, be formed without pressure by means of a vent hole. The vent hole may have a vent valve. That is, in other words, that the buffer tank is fluidly connected to the environment or connectable at a defined internal pressure, so that it is formed without pressure. By this measure, the liquid delivery unit and the drug delivery unit advantageously no longer against the high

System pressure but only against the ambient pressure (and adjusting itself due to flow losses back pressure) work, so that the pressure requirements are further reduced to the respective pumps or metering pumps. For example, the liquid delivery unit may have a simple flow pump or delivery pump which has a pure on / off functionality. In conjunction with a volume flow meter can then via the flow signal and the previously set

Mixing ratio of the required metering volume of the active ingredient determined and the Wirkstoffdosierpumpe be controlled. Alternatively, the

Liquid delivery unit have a metering pump with a fixed delivery ratio (without measuring the delivery volume). In addition, it is conceivable that the liquid delivery unit a simple valve or proportional valve in

Having connection with a flow meter and a constant pressure source in the liquid line. It is also conceivable that the liquid delivery unit has a constant pressure source and a metering orifice. The

Active substance delivery unit can be a simple alternative to the metering pump

Feed pump in conjunction with a flow meter (control) have. The active substance delivery unit can additionally have at least one metering orifice in this case. In addition, the cache can be very simple and easy

Essentially designed without static requirements, whereby the total cost can be further reduced.

The spray nozzle unit has in each case at least one spray nozzle for dispensing the spray liquid and at least one valve for controlling or regulating the discharged spray liquid quantity. Thus, the spray nozzle unit is controllable, i. openable and lockable. Preferably, each of the spray nozzle units, in particular in dependence on the

Property information in the associated flow area can be controlled separately. The valve can be arranged or integrated in the spray nozzle.

However, the valve may also be connected upstream of the spray nozzle, i. (in

Flow direction of the spray liquid) upstream of the spray nozzle

be arranged. However, the spray nozzle unit may also have a plurality of spray nozzles, each with an upstream valve. The spray nozzle unit may also include a plurality of spray nozzles with only one of the spray nozzles upstream

Have valve, so that upon actuation of the valve, the spray liquid by means of all spray nozzles of the spray nozzle unit is discharged. Accordingly, the spray nozzle unit may be formed as a partial width of a nozzle system. The spray nozzle unit can also have a final mixing unit, which is designed to mix the spray liquid with the liquid and / or the active agent and / or another active agent - which can be conducted or guided by means of corresponding lines to the final mixing unit. In this case, it is advantageous to provide a combination of the final mixing unit with the mixing unit described above, which in this case would be designed as a premixing unit, in order to obtain a two-stage mixing system.

The flow area of the spray nozzle unit in which the

Characteristic information of the spray liquid is detected is a with

Spray liquid flowable area. This is therefore an area which comes into contact or in particular during the provisioning process with the spray liquid. The flow area is preferably arranged in at least one component which is selected from the group consisting of: spray nozzle, valve, spray liquid line of the spray liquid unit. The flow area may include a portion of an interior or the entire interior of the corresponding component. The flow area is preferably arranged in or directly in front of the spray nozzle (s).

The sensor unit may have a sensor element or a sensor or else a plurality of sensor elements or sensors. The sensor unit can be arranged in the flow area. In this case, the sensor unit may be in direct contact with the spray liquid in order to detect the property information of the spray liquid. However, the sensor unit can also be arranged outside the flow range. In this case, the sensor unit can be designed to contactlessly record the property information of the spray liquid. The sensor unit may be formed in addition to the

Property information a temperature of the spray liquid in the

Flow range to capture. The sensor unit may have a transmission unit. The transmission unit can be designed, the

Property signal with recorded values or measured values of the

Property information wirelessly, eg. Via radio, WLAN, Bluetooth, etc., and / or wired to transmit or send. The property signal has a detected property information or a detected advertising / measured value of the property information. The

Property information is captured during the deployment process. Using the detected property information or the detected value of the

Property information is an agent concentration determined in the spray liquid. In other words, from the property information, an active agent concentration in the spraying liquid can be derived (directly or indirectly). In particular, the property information of the spray liquid and the active agent concentration in the spray liquid are essentially clearly interdependent. The property information of the spray liquid and the active agent concentration in the spray liquid can be linearly dependent on each other. Accordingly, by means of the detected property information or the detected value of the property information on the

Agent concentration are closed in the spray liquid. The

Property information may include a physical and / or chemical and / or physical and / or material property of the spray liquid. The acquired property information is preferably selected from the group consisting of: electrical property, in particular electrical conductivity or permittivity, optical property, in particular absorption property,

Emission property, fluorescence, sonic velocity, or combinations thereof. This can be very easily known by the skilled person

Calculating an agent concentration in the spray liquid can be determined. The detected property information is preferably an electrical conductivity.

For example, the electrical conductivity of a solution is a universal physical quantity and indicates the ability of a substance to conduct electrical current. This conductivity depends strongly on the amount of dissolved salts, which are either already found in the active ingredients or spraying agents, or could be added to the active ingredients specifically by the manufacturers or the farmers. In addition to the conductivity, other physically measurable substances can be used to determine the concentration of the active ingredient. Thus, with the concentration of active ingredients in the water due to the proportion of undissolved particles in the solution also the turbidity of the solution (and thus the

Absorption coefficient for light) or the speed of sound (especially depending on the density and compressibility of the medium). It is also possible, for example, to conclude the concentration of the active agent via fluorescence measurements. Here also a kind of tracer (eg dye) could be added to the active agents.

The steps of receiving the feature signal and outputting the information signal and / or the control signal may be performed by means of a

Control device to be performed. The determination or calculation of the active agent concentration in the spray liquid can also by means of

Control device and the skilled person known computing methods are performed. In the present case, a control device can be understood as meaning an electrical device which processes sensor signals and outputs control signals and / or information / data signals as a function thereof. For this purpose, the control device can at least one arithmetic unit for processing the

Have property signals or property information. The

Arithmetic unit may be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller or the like. The control device may further comprise at least one

Storage unit for storing the property signals or

Have property information or for this purpose with a

Be connected storage unit. The storage unit may comprise a cloud server, a flash memory, an EPROM or a magnetic storage unit. The control device can also at least one

Communication interface for reading the property signals and

Issuing the information signals and / or control signals. The communication interface can be designed to read in or output the signals wirelessly, for example via radio, WLAN, Bluetooth etc., and / or by line. The communication interface may be designed in hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware-based embodiment, the interface can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which comprises a wide variety of functions of the control device. However, it is also possible that the interface has its own, integrated circuits or at least partially consists of discrete components. At a

In terms of software training, the interface can be a software module that is present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules. The step of outputting takes place as a function of the property signal or the received property information of the spray liquid and / or of a value determined using the property information

Agent concentration in the spray fluid. In other words, it is decided in dependence on the property information or the detected value of the property information and / or the active agent concentration or the determined value of the active agent concentration, whether a signal and / or what kind of signal, possibly also with which Content is output.

Here, a step of comparing at least one value of the property information and / or the active agent concentration in the

Spray liquid with at least one predetermined reference value and / or a predetermined reference value range of the property information and / or the active agent concentration carried out in order depending on the

Output information signal and / or the control signal. In the context of this invention, the term "specifiable" also includes the term "predetermined". Furthermore, in the context of this invention, the step of comparing values also includes a comparison of a progression of values. In turn, depending on the comparison, it can then be decided whether a signal is output and, if so, what kind of signal, i. E. with what content. This is preferred

Information signal to the display unit and / or the control signal output to the injection unit when the value of the property information and / or the active agent concentration in the spray liquid has reached the reference value and / or the reference value range and / or at a defined deviation thereof. In particular, the reference value or the reference values can be input, calculated and / or read from a table manually. The reference value and / or the reference value range and / or the

Reference gradient value depends in particular on the active agent. For example. For example, the information signal and / or control signal could be output at a deviation of 1% from the mean of the values of the property information. The step of comparing can be done by means of the arithmetic unit of

Control device to be performed.

The control signal may be configured to disable the spray nozzle unit to complete the provisioning operation. In this case, the reference value may be an upper limit value or the reference value range may be an upper limit value Limit range, terminating the provisioning process when the value has reached the upper limit or threshold range. However, the control signal may also be configured to activate the spray nozzle unit to restart the provisioning process. In this case, the reference value may be a lower limit value or the reference value range may be a lower limit value

Limit range, wherein the injection process is restarted when the value deviates from the lower limit or threshold range.

The information signal can be configured to control the display unit such that a "simple" alarm signal, for example in the form of an optical and / or acoustic and / or haptic signal, is output by the display unit However, the information signal can also be the value of the property information and / or the

Have agent concentration of the spray liquid, and be designed to be displayed on the display unit. The information signal may further include a value of the required duration of the provisioning operation. The display unit may in this case be a display, a smartphone or any other terminal, such as a tablet or a PC. The information signal may, for example, be selected from the list consisting of: SMS, e-mail, push

Notification, telephone call.

Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the information signal with the value of the property information and / or the active agent concentration of the spray liquid "flat rate" at and / or after completion of the

Provisioning operation, in particular only or exclusively or exclusively at and / or after completion of the provisioning process, and / or during the provisioning process, in particular during the entire duration of the provisioning process to the display unit are issued. The

Termination of the provisioning process can be targeted and / or automatic and / or premature.

The method for monitoring and / or controlling can be started automatically or manually. The method may vary depending on the

Provisioning process to be started. Here, the

Provisioning process also started automatically or manually his. The method may be started at the beginning or after a defined period after the start of the provisioning process. The process may be performed throughout the duration of the provisioning process or at defined times after the start of the provisioning process. The method may also be at and / or after completion of the

Provisioning process, in particular only or only or exclusively be carried out at and / or after completion of the provisioning process.

The method for monitoring and / or controlling a

Provisioning process of a spray liquid with a defined

Agent concentration on at least one spray nozzle unit a

Spraying device for discharging the spraying liquid, in particular for agricultural purposes, can accordingly have the following steps:

Activating at least one spray nozzle unit of the spray device in order to start the provisioning process;

- Detecting a property information of the spray liquid in one

Flow area of the spray nozzle unit by means of a sensor unit of the spray device, wherein an agent concentration in the spray liquid can be determined using the property information; and

Outputting an information signal to a display unit and / or a

Control signal to the spray nozzle unit in response to the received property information of the spray liquid and / or a determined using the property information agent concentration in the

Spray fluid to monitor and / or control the provisioning process.

By the method according to the invention and the inventive

Spray device, it is now possible to monitor and optimize the delivery process to the spray nozzle units in a simple and cost-effective manner. By detecting the property information of the spray liquid in a flow area of the spray nozzle unit, the monitored provision process can then be selectively stopped or ended when the desired defined active agent concentration is present at the corresponding spray nozzle unit, or the active agent concentration has reached a reference value. As a result, on the one hand only as much spray liquid as necessary is applied during the provisioning process, and on the other hand it ensures the desired active agent concentration is present at each of the spray nozzle units, so that the butterfly effect explained in the introduction can be prevented. If, at the beginning of application or application, the spraying device is still filled with pure water from the last spraying process, then this can be applied by spreading it out of the spraying nozzle units in the field without any concern. This deployment process will work for each

Spray nozzle unit stopped exactly when one defines

Agent concentration is present on or in the spray nozzle unit. The

Sprayer is preloaded with it. The spreading of the water in the field has the advantage that the water still present in the spraying device does not have to be pumped back into a spraying liquid tank and possibly there the concentration of the active agent in the

Spray liquid tank reduced, or a collecting tank is needed. On the other hand eliminates the entire pipe system for the return. On the other hand, the farmer can be informed via a display unit that the

Provisioning process was not sufficient or successful, if after completion of the deployment process too low a concentration of active agent in at least one of the spray nozzle units is measured. Consequently, he can take appropriate action, such as. Another

Start deployment process.

It is also advantageous if a further step of receiving at least one further property signal with one another by means of a further sensor unit of the injection device in a flow area of another

Spraying nozzle unit detected property information of the spray liquid is provided to output the information signal to the display unit and / or the control signal to the further spray nozzle unit in response to property information. In particular, it is advantageous if in each case in a flow area of each spray nozzle units the

Property information of the spray liquid detected and a corresponding

Property signal is received in response to it

Property information to output the information signal to the display unit and / or a corresponding control signal to the respective spray nozzle unit. For example. can each have a control signal to the respective

Spray nozzle unit are issued and the provisioning process thus terminated when in all spray nozzle units in which the Property information is detected, the defined active agent concentration is detected or the active agent concentration has reached a reference value. By this measure, an optimal and complete "pre-charging" of the spray device can be achieved.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the value and / or the reference value and / or the reference value range of the property information and / or the active agent concentration are determined by means of another

Sensor unit detected property information of a carrier liquid of the spray liquid is determined. By virtue of this measure, the method can be carried out even more precisely, since the actual property information of the carrier liquid without active agent is recorded as "basic value" and taken into account or eliminated in the determination of the above-mentioned values.

It is also advantageous if the value and / or the reference value and / or the reference value range of the property information and / or the

Agent concentration is determined using a detected by means of the sensor unit and / or the further sensor unit temperature of the spray liquid and / or the carrier liquid. In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the temperature is detected at the point at which the corresponding property information is also detected. Since the temperature usually has an influence on the property information (conductivity, density, etc.), by taking this factor into account in the acquisition or

Determining the property information and / or the concentration of active agent, the method can be performed even more precisely.

For the detection of the property information by means of absorption, the pressure can also be measured analogously to the temperature, so that the sensor unit can alternatively or additionally have a pressure sensor for this purpose.

drawings

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it: a schematic representation of an embodiment of the spray device;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the control device; and

3 is a flowchart of a method for monitoring and / or

Control a deployment process.

In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention are for the in the various figures

represented and similar elements acting the same or similar

Reference numeral used, wherein a repeated description of the elements is omitted.

In Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a spraying device is shown, which is provided in its entirety by the reference numeral 10.

The spray device 10 has a liquid tank 12 with a liquid 14 and an active agent tank 16 with an active agent 18. The liquid 14 is a carrier liquid 14 or water 14.

The spray device 10 also has a static mixing unit 20. The static mixing unit 20 is fluidly connected to the liquid tank 12 via a liquid line 22. In the liquid line 22 is a

Liquid delivery unit 24 arranged to the liquid 22 of the static

To be able to feed or direct mixing unit 20. The

Liquid delivery unit 24 in this case has a feed pump 26 and a flow meter 28. Similarly, the static mixing unit 20 is further connected via an active agent line 30 with the active agent tank 16. In the active agent line 30, in turn, an active agent conveying unit 32 is arranged in order to be able to supply the active agent 18 to the static mixing unit 20 or to be able to conduct it into this. The active agent delivery unit 32 in this case has a metering pump 34. Accordingly, by means of the static mixing unit 20, a mixing of the active agent 18 with the carrier liquid 14 to form a spray liquid 36. In order to achieve a larger Dosierbandbreite with a high dosing accuracy, downstream of the static mixing unit 20 in a

Spray liquid line 38 a spray liquid tank 40 is arranged The spray liquid tank 40 is formed here as a buffer tank 40. The

Spray liquid tank 40 or buffer tank 40 is arranged and formed such that the spray liquid 36 is filled from the static mixing unit 20 in this, to then from the spray liquid tank 40 to a

Nozzle system 42 to be directed with spray nozzle units 44. Each of the spray nozzle units 44 has a spray nozzle 46 for discharging the

Spray liquid 36 and a valve 48 for controlling the

discharged spray liquid quantity on.

The spraying device 10 furthermore has, for setting the injection pressure at the spray nozzle units 44, a spraying liquid conveying unit 50, which is designed to expose the spraying liquid 36 from the spraying liquid tank 40

To supply pressure or under a defined pressure to the nozzle system 42 or the spray nozzle units 44. The spray liquid delivery unit 50 in this case has a constant pressure source with a pump 52. To now the deployment process of the spray liquid 36 with a defined

To monitor active agent concentration at the spray nozzle units 44 and to be able to carry out in an optimized manner, the spraying device 10 further comprises

Sensor units 54 on the spray nozzles 46 of the spray nozzle units 44 and a control device 56 for controlling the spray nozzle units 44. The

Sensor units 54 are each formed - during the

Provisioning operation - in a flow area 58 of the

Spray nozzle units 44 and the spray nozzles 46 of the spray nozzle units 44 to capture a property information of the spray liquid 36, wherein using the property information, an agent concentration in the spray liquid 36 can be determined. In Fig. 2 will be explained below how the

Monitoring and controlling the deployment process using the

Control device 56 takes place. The deployment process is started manually. As can be seen in more detail from FIG. 2, the control device 56 is set up

Property signal 60 with a means of a sensor unit 54 of the Sprayer 10 in the corresponding flow area 58 of the

Spray nozzle unit 44 detected property information 62 of the spray liquid 36 to receive. The property information 62 in this case comprises an electrical conductivity of the spray liquid 36. Accordingly, the

Sensor unit 54, a sensor for detecting the electrical conductivity and a sensor for detecting the temperature. The control device 56 is also set up to output an information signal 64 to a display unit 66 and / or a control signal 68 to the spray nozzle unit 44 as a function of the property information 62 of the spray liquid 36 and / or an active agent concentration in the spray liquid 36 determined using the feature information 62, to monitor and / or control the provisioning process. Here, the control device 56

set up by means of a computing unit 70 at least one value of

Property information 62 of the spray liquid 54 with at least one predetermined reference value and / or a predetermined reference value range of the property information 62 to compare depending on the information signal 64 to the display unit 66 and / or the control signal 68 to the spray nozzle unit 44 output. The arithmetic unit 70 is further configured to use the property information 62

Determine agent concentration in the spray liquid 36. The control signal

68 is output, in particular, when the property information 62 has reached the reference value and / or reference value range. Here, the control signal is designed to deactivate the spray nozzle unit 44 in order to end the provisioning process. The control device 56 further has a memory unit 72 for storing the property information 62, the determined values and the reference values.

3 shows a flow chart of a method 100 for monitoring and / or controlling a provision process of a spray liquid 36 having a defined active agent concentration on at least one spray nozzle unit

44 of a spray device 10 for discharging the spray liquid 36, in particular for agricultural purposes. The method 100 comprises a step 102 of receiving at least one property signal 60 with one by means of a sensor unit 54 of the spray device 10 in one

Flow area 58 of at least one spray nozzle unit 44 detected

Property information 62 of the spray liquid 36, wherein using the Property information 62 an agent concentration in the spray liquid 36 can be determined. The method 100 finally comprises a step 106 of outputting an information signal 64 to a display unit 66 and / or a control signal 68 to the spray nozzle unit 44 as a function of the received property information 62 of the spray liquid 36 and / or one determined using the property information 62

Agent concentration in the spray liquid 36 to the

Monitor and / or control the provisioning process. The method 100 optionally additionally comprises a step 104 of comparing at least one value of the characteristic information 62 and / or the active agent concentration of the spraying liquid 36 with at least one predefinable reference value and / or a predefinable reference value range of the characteristic information 62 and / or the active agent concentration, in dependence thereon

Output information signal 64 and / or the control signal 68.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises an "and / or" link between a first feature and a second feature, then this is to be read so that the embodiment according to one embodiment, both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment either only first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

Method (100) for monitoring and / or controlling a

Provision process of a spray liquid (36) having a defined active agent concentration on at least one spray nozzle unit (44) of a spray device (10) for dispensing the spray liquid (36), in particular for agricultural purposes, with the steps:

- Receiving (102) at least one property signal (60) with a means of a sensor unit (54) of the spray device (10) in a flow area (58) of the at least one spray nozzle unit (44) detected property information (62) of the spray liquid (36), wherein Use Property Information (62)

Agent concentration in the spray liquid (36) can be determined; and

- Output (106) of an information signal (64) to a display unit (66) and / or a control signal (68) to the spray nozzle unit (44) in response to the received property information (62) of the spray liquid (36) and / or one using the

Property information (62) determined agent concentration in the spray liquid (36) to monitor the provisioning process and / or to control.

Method (100) according to claim 1, characterized by the further step:

Receiving (102 ') at least one further characteristic signal (60) with a characteristic information (62) of the spray liquid (36) detected by means of a further sensor unit (54) of the spray device (10) in a flow area (58) of a further spray nozzle unit (44); to output the information signal (64) to the display unit (66) and / or the control signal (68) to the further spray nozzle unit (44) as a function of this.

Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the further step:

- Comparing (104) at least one value of the property information (62) and / or the active agent concentration of the spray liquid (36) with at least one predetermined reference value and / or a predefinable reference value range of the property information (62) and / or the active agent concentration in order to output the information signal (64) and / or the control signal (68) in dependence thereon.

Method (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the value and / or the reference value and / or the reference value range of

Property information (62) and / or the active agent concentration using the means of a further sensor unit (54) detect

Property information (62) of a carrier liquid (14) of the spray liquid (36) is determined.

Method (100) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the value and / or the reference value and / or the reference value range of the characteristic information (62) and / or the active agent concentration are determined by using a temperature of the spraying liquid (54) detected by the sensor unit (54). 36) and / or the carrier liquid (14) is determined.

Method (100) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized

in that the information signal (64) is output to the display unit (66) and / or the control signal (68) to the spray nozzle unit (44) when the value of the characteristic information (62) and / or the active agent concentration in the spray liquid (36) Reference value and / or has reached the reference value range and / or a defined deviation thereof.

Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information signal (64) at and / or after completion of the provisioning process and / or during the

Provisioning operation, in particular during the entire duration of the deployment process is issued.

Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information signal (64) has a value of

Property information (62) and / or the active agent concentration in the spray liquid (36) to be displayed on the display unit (66).

A method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control signal (68) is arranged to close the respective spray nozzle unit (44) in order to terminate the provisioning operation on said spray nozzle unit (44).

10. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the detected property information (62) is selected from the group consisting of: electrical property, in particular electrical conductivity or permittivity, optical

Property, in particular absorption property, emission property, fluorescence, speed of sound, or combinations thereof.

11. Control device (56) which is adapted to all steps of a

Method according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Spray device (10) with at least one spray nozzle unit (44) for

Application of a spraying liquid (36), in particular for agricultural purposes, with:

- A sensor unit (54) for detecting a property information (62) of the spray liquid (36) in a flow area (58) of the at least one spray nozzle unit (44), wherein using the

Property information (62) an agent concentration in the

Spray liquid (36) can be determined; and

- A control device (56) according to claim 11, to a

Provisioning process of a spray liquid (36) with a defined concentration of active agent at the spray nozzle unit (44) to monitor and / or control. A computer program adapted to perform all the steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

14. Machine-readable storage medium with a stored on it

Computer program according to claim 13.