DE102020101392B4 - Nozzle arrangement and agricultural field sprayer - Google Patents

Abstract

Nozzle arrangement (10) for an agricultural field sprayer comprising at least one nozzle body (11) which has at least one spray medium channel (12a, 12b) can be conveyed via which spray medium (14), at least one metering and / or shut-off valve (20), preferably designed as a pulse width modulation valve ) which is assigned to the at least one nozzle body (11), the metering and / or shut-off valve (20) having at least one piston element (22) which is set up to control the flow of the spray agent (14) through the spray agent channel (12a, 12b) to at least partially block and / or release depending on a distance (23) that can be covered by the piston element (22), and in particular an electrical current that can be fed to the metering and / or shut-off valve (20). In order to design a nozzle arrangement (10) so that the application rate, in particular a range between a minimum and maximum application rate, and / or the switching time of the metering and / or shut-off valve (20) can be adapted particularly easily and inexpensively, it is provided that in the area of the metering and / or shut-off valve (20) and / or the nozzle body (11) at least one, preferably exchangeable, adapter element (30) can be introduced so that the adapter element (30) is set up to cover the distance (23) that can be covered, in particular to at least partially influence the stroke of the piston element (22) and / or the flow rate of the spray agent (14).

Description

The invention relates to a nozzle arrangement for an agricultural field sprayer according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and an agricultural field sprayer according to the preamble of patent claim 10.

In a large number of applications, in particular in agriculture, field sprayers are used to apply spraying agents, in particular pesticides and / or fertilizers, on an agricultural area. Generic field sprayers here comprise at least one storage container from which the spraying agent can be applied to the agricultural area via at least one supply line and nozzle arrangements, in particular nozzles, arranged downstream thereof. The nozzle arrangements are known to be arranged in a large number on a distributor rod that can be folded out transversely to a direction of travel. During the application of the spray agent on the agricultural area, the application rate of the spray agent from the respective nozzle arrangements is extremely important, on the one hand for good application results and on the other hand for good increases in yield.

Typically, such nozzle arrangements have at least one nozzle body with at least one metering and / or shut-off valve assigned to it, which is preferably designed as a pulse width modulation valve and / or pulse frequency modulation valve and is set up to adjust the flow rate, in particular the application rate, of the spray agent through the at least one nozzle arrangement . A metering and / or shut-off valve designed as a pulse width and / or pulse frequency modulation valve can be switched as a function of a pulse width, in particular a pulse duration, and / or a pulse frequency. Metering and / or shut-off valves designed in this way are thus set up to at least partially block and / or release a flow of the spray medium, in particular the flow through the at least one nozzle arrangement. The spray amount can be set in a certain range between a minimum and a maximum spray amount, which is dependent, among other things, on the pulse width and / or the pulse frequency of the metering and / or shut-off valve and / or at least one flow cross-section within the nozzle arrangement.

Generic metering and / or shut-off valves here comprise at least one piston element which is at least partially enclosed by at least one coil. The coil is set up by means of an electrical current applied to it and / or flowing through it to move the piston element at least partially over a distance that can be covered, in particular a stroke.

Such a nozzle arrangement is in DE 10 2018 106 334 A1 described. The nozzle arrangement comprises at least one nozzle body which has at least one spray medium channel via which, in particular, at least one spray medium can be conveyed. At least one metering and / or shut-off valve, in particular designed as a pulse width modulation valve, is assigned to the at least one nozzle body. The metering and / or shut-off valve has at least one piston element which is set up to control the flow of the spray agent through the spray agent channel as a function of a distance that can be covered, in particular a stroke, of the piston element and in particular a flow that can be fed to the metering and / or shut-off valve, to block and / or release at least partially.

A disadvantage of this structure is, among other things, that the application rate can be adjusted at least almost exclusively via the pulse width, in particular pulse duration, and / or pulse frequency of the at least one metering and / or shut-off valve. This is problematic in particular when an agricultural field sprayer is used in different areas. A single plant application, in which the spray can be applied at least almost to at least one plant, requires relatively low application rates, in particular flow rates, which, however, can be switched on and off particularly quickly by means of the metering and / or shut-off valve. In contrast, when the spray agent is applied to entire partial areas and / or rows, large application quantities, in particular flow rates, are required with metering and / or shut-off valves that can be switched on and off relatively slowly.

From the US 2012/0025115 A1 Nozzle arrangements are known in which at least one adapter element can be introduced in the area of the metering and / or shut-off valve and / or the nozzle body. By means of such an adapter element, the flow of the spray agent through the spray agent channel can be at least partially influenced. In particular, a flow cross section of the spray medium channel can be reduced by means of the adapter element. However, the disadvantage of such embodiments is that, on the one hand, the flow rates can be influenced by means of such adapter elements, but not the response and / or reaction times for blocking and / or releasing the flow.

This fact has hitherto required at least a partial exchange and / or conversion of various metering and / or shut-off valves within a nozzle arrangement in order to at least partially do justice to the areas of application described above, in particular the requirements resulting therefrom. At least partial replacement and / or retrofitting of metering and / or shut-off valves, in particular with different ranges of the achievable application rates, are particularly time-consuming and / or costly, since different versions of metering and / or shut-off valves have been kept for different areas of application have to.

The object on which the invention is based is thus to design a nozzle arrangement in such a way that the application rate, in particular a range between a minimum and maximum application rate, and the switching time of the metering and / or shut-off valve can be adapted particularly easily and inexpensively.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

As a result of this measure it is achieved that the spray medium that can be conveyed through the spray medium channel can be influenced at least partially by the adapter element. The adapter element can be introduced in the flow direction, preferably behind the supply line, an adapter element arranged within and / or between the spray agent channel being particularly preferred. Alternatively or additionally, at least one adapter element is conceivable that is arranged within the metering and / or shut-off valve, in particular in the area of the piston element.

According to the invention, at least one adapter element is provided for at least one nozzle arrangement. Depending on its embodiment, an adapter element can be assigned to at least one respective area of application of the nozzle arrangement and / or the agricultural field sprayer.

In an alternative embodiment, the nozzle arrangement is designed in such a way that the nozzle arrangement can be used and / or operated either with at least one or without an adapter element for applying the spray agent. When using several, preferably different, adapter elements, the individual fluidic influences of the adapter elements on the spray agent can be used in combination. In addition, the nozzle arrangement, in particular the metering and / or shut-off valve, can alternatively or additionally be operated without an adapter element, for example in a standard and / or basic configuration of the nozzle arrangement. Thus, a further increased variability and thus a larger achievable range of a minimum and maximum application rate is achieved with the at least one nozzle arrangement, in particular the at least one metering and / or shut-off valve.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one adapter element can be arranged between a nozzle that can be attached to the nozzle body and the metering and / or shut-off valve.

In a preferred embodiment of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, the adapter element can be introduced at least partially between the metering and / or shut-off valve and the spray agent channel. The spray medium channel formed within the nozzle body can be at least partially interrupted by the adapter element and / or the metering and / or shut-off valve. The spray agent can be conveyed via a first area of the spray agent channel facing the supply line and via the adapter element at least partially to a second area of the spray agent channel arranged downstream of the adapter element and / or the first area. The spray agent can preferably be applied to the agricultural area via at least one nozzle which is assigned to the at least one second region of the spray agent channel. In addition, the adapter element is preferably arranged between the metering and / or shut-off valve and the spray medium channel, in particular the nozzle body, in such a way that the adapter element is at least partially accessible and / or demountable and / or mountable when the metering and / or shut-off valve is dismantled. An adapter element arranged on the metering and / or shut-off valve is particularly preferred. The assembly and / or handling of the adapter element can thus be implemented in a particularly simple manner.

In a further development of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, the at least one adapter element can be connected positively and / or non-positively, in particular by means of a screw connection, to the metering and / or shut-off valve and / or the nozzle body. Particularly preferred is a connection between the adapter element and the metering and / or shut-off valve and / or the nozzle body which is designed to be detachable, preferably without tools and without destruction. In addition, an embodiment is advantageous in which the adapter element is arranged in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner on the metering and / or shut-off valve and is connected to the nozzle body by means of a screw connection. The fastening of the metering and / or shut-off valve and the adapter element can therefore preferably be carried out by at least one common connection on the nozzle body. Thus, the assembly and / or disassembly of the adapter element is further simplified and the adaptation of the achievable The application rate can be adapted particularly quickly with the at least one nozzle arrangement.

Alternatively or additionally, the adapter element can be attached to the nozzle body via a form-fitting and / or force-fitting connection. The at least one metering and / or shut-off valve can be attached to the adapter element and / or to the metering and / or shut-off valve via a positive and / or non-positive connection, preferably by means of a screw connection.

In another preferred embodiment of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, the adapter element is at least partially disk-shaped. The adapter element is here preferably at least partially in the form of a circular ring. The thickness of the adapter element is preferably smaller than the diameter, in particular the height and width, of the adapter element. A disk-shaped adapter element which has at least one cutout is particularly preferred. An adapter element designed as a disk-shaped has the decisive advantage that it can be attached in a particularly space-saving manner in the area of the nozzle arrangement.

In another development of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, the spray agent can at least partially flow around and / or through the adapter element. Advantageously, there is at least one first cutout within the adapter element via which the spray agent can be introduced into the adapter element and at least one second cutout via which the spray agent can at least partially be conveyed to the nozzle body, in particular the spray agent channel, and the adapter element can thus at least partially be flowed through. In the case of an at least partially flow-around adapter element, the at least one adapter element is designed to protrude at least partially into the spray agent channel, in particular into the flow cross-section of the spray agent channel. By means of this embodiment, the spray agent, in particular the flow, can be influenced and / or adapted by the adapter element.

In a further preferred embodiment of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, the piston element can be placed at least partially on the adapter element. The adapter element is arranged between the nozzle body and the metering and / or shut-off valve in such a way that the at least one piston element of the metering and / or shut-off valve can at least partially rest against the geometry of the adapter element. The metering and / or shut-off valve is thus set up to at least partially block the flow of the spray agent through the nozzle arrangement, in particular the nozzle body, when the piston element is placed on the adapter element. In addition, the metering and / or adapter element is set up to at least partially release the flow of the spray through the nozzle arrangement, in particular the nozzle body, by releasing the piston element from the adapter element. Because the piston element can be placed, in particular directly, on the adapter element, a particularly reliable blocking of the flow within the metering arrangement can be achieved.

The metering and / or shut-off valve, in particular the coil, is preferably set up by means of a control and / or regulating system assigned to the field sprayer, the at least one piston element for releasing and / or blocking the flow, preferably in a translational direction, within a distance that can be covered , especially a hub to move.

A piston element which is at least partially displaceable within the metering and / or shut-off valve is particularly preferred. The distance that can be covered, in particular the stroke, of the piston element is at least partially through the adapter element on at least one side and at least partially through the metering and / or shut-off valve, in particular an inner wall of the metering and / or shut-off valve and on at least one other side or a spring element. The distance that can be covered, in particular the stroke, can be adapted here by means of the exchangeable adapter elements. Here, the distance that can be covered, in particular the stroke, of the piston element can be changed depending on the geometry of the adapter element, in particular a region of the geometry that can be expanded in the direction of the piston element. With an adapter element that has a geometry designed at least partially in the direction of the metering and / or shut-off valve, in particular the piston element, the distance that can be covered, in particular the stroke, of the piston element can be at least partially limited and thus the switching time of the metering and / or or shut-off element for releasing and / or blocking the flow at least partially reducible. On the other hand, the distance that can be covered, in particular the stroke, of the piston element can be adapted with an adapter element that has little or no expansion in the area that can be applied by the piston element, up to a maximum switching time, in particular the basic switching time and / or an initial stroke. An at least almost flat, in particular outwardly planar, side surface, which faces in particular the piston element, thus represents a basic configuration of the metering and / or shut-off valve in which the switching time is not influenced. This switching time is thus at least almost exclusively dependent on the metering and / or shut-off element and / or the current that can be applied to the metering and / or shut-off element.

According to the invention, the switching time represents the time that the metering and / or shut-off valve needs to release and / or block the flow within the nozzle arrangement. Thus, this is in particular the time that the piston element needs to move within the distance that can be covered, in particular the stroke.

An embodiment of the adapter element in which the side facing the metering and / or shut-off valve is not planar, in particular flat, is particularly preferred. In this embodiment, an inner region of the adapter element, which in particular has the at least one second cutout and / or which is assigned to the center of the circular ring, is at least partially protruding. Thus, when the flow is at least partially blocked, the protruding area of the adapter element is at least partially in contact with the piston element and thus at least partially limits it in a direction of movement of the piston element.

In a further development of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, a switching time of the metering and / or shut-off valve, in particular for blocking and / or releasing the flow, can be influenced by means of the adapter element. The switching and / or reaction time for releasing and / or blocking the flow can thus be influenced by means of the respective geometry of the adapter element and the associated distance that the piston element can cover. The adapter element here has at least one area, in particular which can be touched by the piston element, and which is particularly pronounced in the direction of the piston element. The displacement of the piston element, in particular in the direction of the adapter element, can thus be limited. This consequently results in a particularly small distance that can be covered, in particular a stroke, for the piston element and therefore particularly short switching and / or reaction times for releasing and / or blocking the flow can be achieved.

In addition, a nozzle arrangement according to the invention is preferred in which at least one flow cross section of the adapter element deviates at least partially from at least one flow cross section of the spray agent channel. The flow of the spray agent through the nozzle arrangement is primarily dependent on at least one flow cross section within the nozzle arrangement, in particular the spray agent channel, and / or the delivery rate, in particular the delivery pressure, of the spray agent. At least one flow cross-section within the nozzle arrangement, in particular the spray medium channel, can be influenced by means of the adapter element. For a large flow rate, this is equal to or at least partially larger than at least one flow cross section of the spray medium channel of the nozzle body. For small flows, the flow cross section of the adapter element is at least partially smaller than at least one flow cross section of the spray medium channel. A particularly simple and particularly flexible adaptation of at least one flow cross section within the nozzle arrangement is thus achieved.

In another preferred embodiment of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, an, in particular maximum, flow rate of the spray medium within the nozzle body, in particular the spray medium channel, can be influenced by means of the adapter element. In this embodiment, the adapter element is set up to at least partially influence the maximum flow rate of the spray agent through the nozzle arrangement. Depending on the embodiment, in particular the geometry and / or the dimensions, of the adapter element, the maximum flow rate can be reduced or up to a maximum flow rate, which in particular depends on the set parameters of the metering and / or shut-off element and / or the delivery rate and / or the delivery pressure of the spray agent can be increased. The bandwidth of the flow rate and / or the application rate of the spray agent that can be achieved by means of a nozzle arrangement is thus designed to be particularly variable and / or easily adaptable.

The object on which the invention is based is also achieved within an agricultural field sprayer of the type mentioned at the outset, the nozzle arrangement for applying the spray agent being designed according to at least one of the embodiments described above. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the agricultural field sprayer according to the invention, reference is first made to the advantages and modifications of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention.

• 1 ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Düsenanordnung mit einem Adapterelement in einer Schnittansicht von der Seite;
• 2 eine erste Ausführungsvariante des Adapterelementes aus 1 in einer geschnittenen Detailansicht von der Seite; und
• 3 eine zweite Ausführungsvariante des Adapterelementes aus 1 in einer geschnittenen Detailansicht von der Seite.

Further details of the invention can be found in the description of the example and the drawings. The drawings show

• 1 an embodiment of a nozzle arrangement according to the invention with an adapter element in a sectional view from the side;
• 2 a first variant of the adapter element 1 in a cut detailed view from the side; and
• 3 a second variant of the adapter element 1 in a cut detailed view from the side.

A nozzle arrangement 10 on a supply line V an agricultural field sprayer, not shown, for applying spray 14th , especially pesticides and / or fertilizers, on an agricultural area is in the 1 shown. The nozzle arrangement 10 thus comprises one within a nozzle body 11 trained spray agent channel 12a , 12b about which the spray 14th is fundable.

A flow of the spray 14th through the nozzle arrangement 10 , especially the nozzle body 11 , can at least partially over a the nozzle body 11 assigned metering and / or shut-off valve 20th , in particular pulse width modulation valve, are locked and / or released. This includes the metering and / or shut-off valve 20th a coil 21 by means of the one at least partially within the metering and / or shut-off valve 20th arranged piston element 22nd depending on one by the coil 21 flowing stream along a traversable distance 23 , in particular a hub, is displaceable. The electrical current is from a control and / or regulating system assigned to the field sprayer S. via an electrical signal line L. the metering and / or shut-off valve 20th can be supplied as required.

One with the field sprayer, in particular the nozzle arrangement 10 The achievable application rate, in particular a range of an achievable application rate, depends, among other things, on the, in particular fluidic, specification of the nozzle arrangement 10 and / or the metering and / or shut-off valve 20th addicted. Depending on the field of application of the field sprayer, either a particularly fast or slow blocking and / or release of the spraying agent can take place 14th and / or a particularly large or small application rate can be useful.

In order to do justice to this, according to the invention is within the metering arrangement 10 an adapter element, in particular a replaceable one 30th collectable. The adapter element 30th is in the area of the metering and / or shut-off valve 20th and / or the nozzle body 11 arranged and set up for this purpose, the distance that can be traveled 23 , in particular the stroke, of the piston element 22nd and / or the flow rate of the spray agent 14th to influence at least partially.

As in 2 shown is the adapter element 30th between the metering and / or shut-off valve 20th and the spray agent channel 12a , 12b collectable. The adapter element is here 30th positively and / or non-positively, in particular by means of a screw connection, with the metering and / or shut-off valve 20th and / or the nozzle body 11 connectable. The nozzle arrangement 10 includes at least one union nut 13th by means of the adapter element 30th together with the metering and / or shut-off valve 20th on the nozzle body 11 connected is. By means of the adapter element 30th is the flow rate of the spray 14th from one of the supply ducts V facing first area of the spray agent channel 12a to one of the nozzle 40 facing second area of the spray agent channel 12b at least partially interruptible. The adapter element 30th is here at least partially disc-shaped and has at least one of the first area of the spray agent channel 12a subsequent first excerpt 31 and at least one to the second area of the spray agent channel 12b subsequent second section 32 on.

Like in the 2 can be seen are the metering and / or shut-off valves 20th and the adapter element 30th so arranged next to each other that the piston element 22nd at least partially on the adapter element 30th can be applied. For an at least partially blocked flow of the spray agent 14th inside the nozzle arrangement 10 is the piston element 22nd to the adapter element 30th slidable towards. For an at least partially released flow of the spray agent 14th through the nozzle arrangement 10 is the piston element 22nd , especially within a distance that can be traveled 23 and / or a hub, in one of the adapter element 30th moved away from the direction. The adapter element is during a released flow 30th from the spray 14th at least partially around and / or through flow. In this case, at least one flow cross section of the adapter element gives way 30th , in particular the at least one first and / or second cutout 31 , 32 , at least partially from the flow cross-section of the spray agent channel 12a , 12b , away. Thus, there is an, in particular a maximum, flow rate of the spray agent 14th inside the nozzle body 11 , especially the spray channel 12a , 12b , by means of the adapter element 30th influenceable. The flow cross section of the adapter element 30th depends on the required area of application and the required application rate of the spray 14th interpretable.

In addition, the adapter element 30th depending on requirements, in particular the field of application, at least partially in the direction of the piston element 22nd formed extensively, so that the distance that can be traveled 23 , in particular the stroke, of the piston element 22nd is customizable. Thus there is also a switching time of the metering and / or shut-off valve 20th , in particular for blocking and / or releasing the flow, by means of the adapter element 30th influenceable.

the 2 shows a nozzle arrangement 10 for a field of application of the field sprayer, in particular the nozzle arrangement 10 , in which a particularly large application rate of the spray agent 14th can be spread over a portion of an agricultural area. The at least one flow cross section, in particular the second cutout 32 , the adapter element 30th is made particularly large here. This achieves a particularly high flow rate, in particular the application rate, of the spray agent 14th the nozzle arrangement 10 can happen.

The one in the 3 nozzle arrangement shown 10 , for a field of application of the field sprayer, in particular the nozzle arrangement 10 where the spray 14th For example, it can be applied to at least one individual plant of the agricultural area, in addition to a particularly small application rate of the spraying agent 14th also particularly short switching times of the metering and / or shut-off valve 20th . This is the extent of the at least one area of the adapter element 30th to which the piston element 22nd can be applied and / or in the direction of the piston element 22nd is trained, particularly pronounced. Thus, in this variant of the adapter element 30th the distance that can be covered 23 , in particular the stroke, of the piston element 22nd especially short.

List of reference symbols

10

Nozzle arrangement

11

Nozzle body

12a

first area of the spray channel

12b

second area of the spray channel

13th

Union nut

14th

spray

20th

Dosing and / or shut-off valve, pulse width modulation valve

21

Kitchen sink

22nd

Piston element

23

distance covered, stroke

30th

Adapter element

31

first section

32

second section

40

jet

L.

electrical signal line

S.

Control and / or regulation system

V

supply line

Claims (10)

Nozzle arrangement (10) for an agricultural field sprayer, in particular for applying a spray medium (14) on an agricultural area, comprising at least one nozzle body (11) which has at least one spray medium channel (12a, 12b) via which the spray medium (14) can be conveyed, at least one Dosing and / or shut-off valve (20) designed as a pulse width modulation valve which is assigned to the at least one nozzle body (11), the dosing and / or shut-off valve (20) having at least one piston element (22) which is set up to control the flow of the spray agent (14) through the spray medium channel (12a, 12b) as a function of a stroke of the piston element (22) and an electrical current that can be fed to the metering and / or shut-off valve (20), at least partially to be blocked and / or released, characterized in that Bringb at least one exchangeable adapter element (30) in the area of the metering and / or shut-off valve (20) and / or the nozzle body (11) ar is that the adapter element (30) is set up to at least partially influence the stroke of the piston element (22) and the flow of the spray agent (14), the stroke being adaptable by the adapter element (30). Nozzle arrangement (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the adapter element (30) can be introduced at least partially between the metering and / or shut-off valve (20) and the spray medium channel (12a, 12b). Nozzle arrangement (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one adapter element (30) positively and / or non-positively, in particular by means of a screw connection, with the metering and / or shut-off valve (20) and / or the nozzle body (11) is connectable. Nozzle arrangement (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter element (30) is at least partially disk-shaped. Nozzle arrangement (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter element (30) can at least partially flow around and / or through the spray medium (14). Nozzle arrangement (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston element (22) can be placed at least partially on the adapter element (30). Nozzle arrangement (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a switching time of the metering and / or shut-off valve (20), in particular for blocking and / or releasing the flow, can be influenced by means of the adapter element (30). Nozzle arrangement (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one flow cross-section of the adapter element (30) deviates at least partially from at least one flow cross section of the spray medium channel (12a, 12b). Nozzle arrangement (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an, in particular maximum, flow rate of the spray medium (14) within the nozzle body (11), in particular the spray medium channel (12a, 12b), can be influenced by means of the adapter element (30) . Agricultural field sprayer for applying a spray (14), in particular pesticides and / or fertilizer, on an agricultural area, with at least one nozzle arrangement (10), characterized in that the nozzle arrangement (10) is designed according to at least one of the preceding claims.

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