DISCHARGE UNIT FOR DISCHARGING A FINAL LIQUID HAVING A DEFINED MIXING RATIO

Abstract

The invention relates to a discharge unit (10) for discharging a final liquid having a defined final mixing ratio, in particular for agricultural purposes, having a first pre-mixing unit (12), which is designed to mix a first liquid with a first carrier liquid, in particular water, to form a first pre-diluted liquid having a first defined pre-mixing ratio, a second pre-mixing unit (14), which is designed to mix a second liquid with a second carrier liquid, in particular water, to form a second pre-diluted liquid having a second defined pre-mixing ratio, and a final mixing unit (20), which is designed to mix the first pre-diluted liquid with the second pre-diluted liquid to form the final liquid to be discharged having a defined final mixing ratio.

Claims

1. A discharge unit (10; 10; 10; 10) for discharging a final liquid having a defined final mixing ratio, the discharge unit comprising: a first pre-mixing unit (12), which is designed to mix a first liquid with a first carrier liquid to form a first pre-diluted liquid having a first defined pre-mixing ratio, a second pre-mixing unit (14), which is designed to mix a second liquid with a second carrier liquid to form a second pre-diluted liquid having a second defined pre-mixing ratio, and a final mixing unit (20, 22), which is designed to mix the first pre-diluted liquid with the second pre-diluted liquid to form the final liquid for discharge having the defined final mixing ratio.

2. The discharge unit (10; 10; 10; 10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first pre-mixing unit (12), the second pre-mixing unit (14), or both are fluidically connected to the final mixing unit (20, 22) by means of in each case one fluidic connection line (52, 54; 60, 62).

3. The discharge unit (10; 10; 10; 10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first liquid tank (24) for the first liquid, a second liquid tank (26) for the second liquid, a first storage tank (32) for the first carrier liquid, or a second storage tank (34) for the second carrier liquid.

4. The discharge unit (10; 10; 10; 10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first pre-mixing unit (12) is connected to the first liquid tank (24) for the first liquid, to the first storage tank (32) for the first carrier liquid, or both by means of in each case one first fluidic supply line (64, 72), and the second pre-mixing unit (14) is connected to the second liquid tank (26) for the second liquid, to the second storage tank (34) for the second carrier, or both liquid by means of in each case one second fluidic supply line (66, 74).

5. The discharge unit (10; 10; 10; 10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first carrier liquid and the second carrier liquid are the same carrier liquid and the second storage tank (34) is the first storage tank (32).

6. The discharge unit (10; 10; 10; 10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one nozzle element (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) for discharging the final liquid for discharge having the defined final mixing ratio, wherein the at least one nozzle element (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) is fluidically connected to the final mixing unit (20, 22) by means of a fluidic discharge line (82, 84).

7. The discharge unit (10; 10; 10; 10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the final mixing unit (20, 22) is designed to mix the first pre-diluted liquid and the second pre-diluted liquid with a further liquid to form the final liquid for discharge having the defined final mixing ratio.

8. The discharge unit (10; 10; 10; 10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the further liquid is the first carrier liquid or the second carrier liquid and the final mixing unit (20, 22) is, by means of a third fluidic supply line (80), fluidically connected to the first storage tank (32) for the first carrier liquid or to the second storage tank (34) for the second carrier liquid.

9. The discharge unit (10; 10; 10; 10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a third pre-mixing unit (16), which is designed to mix a third liquid with a third carrier liquid to form a third pre-diluted liquid having a third defined pre-mixing ratio, wherein the final mixing unit (20, 22) is designed to mix the first pre-diluted liquid with the second pre-diluted liquid, the third pre-diluted liquid and a further carrier liquid to form the final liquid for discharge having the defined final mixing ratio.

10. A discharge system, in particular mobile discharge system having a discharge unit (10; 10; 10; 10) as claimed in claim 1.

11. A method (100) for discharging a final liquid having a defined final mixing ratio, the comprising: mixing (110), by means of a first pre-mixing unit (12), a first liquid with a first carrier liquid to form a first pre-diluted liquid having a first defined pre-mixing ratio; mixing (120), by means of a second pre-mixing unit (14), a second liquid with a second carrier liquid to form a second pre-diluted liquid having a second defined pre-mixing ratio; mixing (130), by means of a final mixing unit (20, 22), the first pre-diluted liquid with the second pre-diluted liquid to form the final liquid having the defined final mixing ratio; and discharging (140), by means of a nozzle element (42, 44, 46, 48, 50), the final liquid having the defined final mixing ratio.

12. (canceled)

13. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium containing computer-readable instruction that when executed by a computer cause the computer to control a first pre-mixing unit (12), a second pre-mixing unit (14), and a final mixing unit (20, 22) to mix (110), by means of the first pre-mixing unit (12), a first liquid with a first carrier liquid to form a first pre-diluted liquid having a first defined pre-mixing ratio; mix (120), by means of the second pre-mixing unit (14), a second liquid with a second carrier liquid to form a second pre-diluted liquid having a second defined pre-mixing ratio; and mix (130), by means of the final mixing unit (20, 22), the first pre-diluted liquid with the second pre-diluted liquid to form the final liquid having the defined final mixing ratio.

14. A control device which is configured to carry out the method as claimed in claim 11.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will be described in more detail below by way of example on the basis of the appended drawings, in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of the discharge unit;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of the discharge unit;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a third exemplary embodiment of the discharge unit;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the discharge unit;

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a method for discharging a final liquid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention, use will be made of identical or similar reference signs for the elements of similar action illustrated in the various figures, wherein a repeated description of the elements is not given.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a discharge unit for discharging a final liquid having a defined final mixing ratio. The discharge unit is denoted as a whole by the reference sign 10.

[0034] The discharge unit 10 has a first pre-mixing unit 12, a second pre-mixing unit 14 and a final mixing unit 20. The discharge unit 10 also has a first liquid tank 24 having a first liquid, a second liquid tank 26 having a second liquid, a first storage tank 32 having a first carrier liquid, a second storage tank 34 having a second carrier liquid, and a further storage tank 40 having a further liquid.

[0035] The first pre-mixing unit 12 is, by means of a fluidic supply line 64, fluidically connected to the first liquid tank 24 having the first liquid. The first pre-mixing unit 12 is, by means of a fluidic supply line 72, fluidically connected to the first storage tank 32 having the first carrier liquid. The first pre-mixing unit 12 is thus designed to mix the first liquid with the first carrier liquid to form a first pre-diluted liquid having a first defined pre-mixing ratio.

[0036] In each case one pump unit (not illustrated) is arranged at the fluidic supply lines 64, 72 so as to pump, or to pass, the first liquid from the first liquid tank 24 having the first liquid and the first carrier liquid from the first storage tank 32 having the first carrier liquid to the first pre-mixing unit 12.

[0037] In each case one dosing element (not illustrated) is arranged at the fluidic supply lines 64, 72 so as to dose, or to control, a passage of the first liquid from the first liquid tank 24 having the first liquid, and a passage of the first carrier liquid from the first storage tank 32 having the first carrier liquid, to the first pre-mixing unit 12.

[0038] The second pre-mixing unit 14 is, by means of a fluidic supply line 66, fluidically connected to the second liquid tank 26 having the second liquid. The second pre-mixing unit 14 is, by means of a fluidic supply line 74, fluidically connected to the second storage tank 34 having the second carrier liquid. The second pre-mixing unit 14 is thus designed to mix the second liquid with the second carrier liquid to form a second pre-diluted liquid having a second defined pre-mixing ratio.

[0039] In each case one pump unit (not illustrated) is arranged at the fluidic supply lines 66, 74 so as to pump, or to pass, the second liquid from the second liquid tank 26 having the second liquid and the second carrier liquid from the second storage tank 34 having the second carrier liquid to the second pre-mixing unit 14.

[0040] In each case one dosing element (not illustrated) is arranged at the fluidic supply lines 66, 74 so as to dose, or to control, a passage of the second liquid from the second liquid tank 26 having the second liquid, and a passage of the second carrier liquid from the second storage tank 34 having the second carrier liquid, to the second pre-mixing unit 14.

[0041] The first pre-mixing unit 12 is, by means of a fluidic connection line 52, fluidically connected to the final mixing unit 20. The second pre-mixing unit 14 is, by means of a fluidic connection line 54, fluidicially connected to the final mixing unit 20. The final mixing unit 20 is thus designed to mix the first pre-diluted liquid with the second pre-diluted liquid to form the final liquid for discharge having the defined final mixing ratio.

[0042] In each case one dosing element (not illustrated) is arranged at the fluidic connection lines 52, 54 so as to dose, or to control, a passage of the first pre-diluted liquid from the first pre-mixing unit 12, or a passage of the second pre-diluted liquid from the second pre-mixing unit 14, to the final mixing unit 20.

[0043] The final mixing unit 20 is, by means of a further fluidic supply line 80, fluidically connected to the further storage tank 40 having the further liquid. Through this configuration, the final mixing unit 20 is designed to mix the first pre-diluted liquid and the second pre-diluted liquid with the further liquid to form the final liquid for discharge having the defined final mixing ratio.

[0044] A pump unit (not illustrated) is arranged at the further fluidic supply line 80 so as to pump, or to pass, the further liquid from the storage tank 40 having the further liquid to the final mixing unit 20.

[0045] Furthermore, a dosing element (not illustrated) is arranged at the fluidic supply line 80. The dosing element is designed to dose, or to control, a passage of the further liquid from the storage tank 40 having the further liquid to the final mixing unit 20.

[0046] In each case one check valve is also arranged at the fluidic connection lines 52, 54 and the fluidic supply line 80 so as to prevent flowing of a liquid from the final mixing unit 20 to the pre-mixing units 12, 14 or to the further storage tank 40 having the further liquid.

[0047] The discharge unit 10 furthermore has a nozzle element 42. The nozzle element 42 is fluidically connected to the final mixing unit 20 by means of a fluidic discharge line 82. The nozzle element 42 is designed to discharge the final liquid for discharge having the defined final mixing ratio.

[0048] A shut-off valve is arranged at the fluidic discharge line 82 so as to dose, or to control, a discharge of the final liquid by means of the nozzle element 42.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of a discharge unit for discharging a final liquid having a defined final mixing ratio. The discharge unit is denoted as a whole by the reference sign 10.

[0050] The discharge unit 10 differs from the discharge unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 in that the first carrier liquid and the second carrier liquid are the same carrier liquid. Furthermore, the further liquid is the first carrier liquid. Therefore, the first pre-mixing unit 12, by means of the fluidic supply line 72, the second pre-mixing unit 14, by means of the fluidic supply line 74, and the final mixing unit 20, by means of the fluidic supply line 80, are fluidically connected to the same storage tank 32, 34, 40 having the carrier liquid.

[0051] Furthermore, the discharge unit 10 has five nozzle elements 42, 44, 46, 48, 50. The nozzle elements 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 are fluidically connected to the final mixing unit 20 by means of the same fluidic discharge line 82. The nozzle elements 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 are designed to discharge the final liquid for discharge having the defined final mixing ratio.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of a discharge unit for discharging a final liquid having a defined final mixing ratio. The discharge unit is denoted as a whole by the reference sign 10.

[0053] The discharge unit 10 differs from the discharge unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 in that the discharge unit 10 has a third pre-mixing unit 16 and a fourth pre-mixing unit 18. The discharge unit 10 also has a third liquid tank 28 having a third liquid, a fourth liquid tank 30 having a fourth liquid, a third storage tank 36 having a third carrier liquid, and a fourth storage tank 38 having a fourth carrier liquid.

[0054] The third pre-mixing unit 16 is, by means of a fluidic supply line 68, fluidically connected to the third liquid tank 28 having the third liquid. The third pre-mixing unit 16 is, by means of a fluidic supply line 76, fluidically connected to the third storage tank 36 having the third carrier liquid. The third pre-mixing unit 16 is thus designed to mix the third liquid with the third carrier liquid to form a third pre-diluted liquid having a third pre-mixing ratio.

[0055] The fourth pre-mixing unit 18 is, by means of a fluidic supply line 70, connected to the fourth liquid tank 30 having the fourth liquid. The fourth pre-mixing unit 18 is, by means of a fluidic supply line 78, fluidically connected to the fourth storage tank 38 having the fourth carrier liquid. The fourth pre-mixing unit 18 is thus designed to mix the fourth liquid with the fourth carrier liquid to form a fourth liquid having a fourth pre-mixing ratio.

[0056] The third pre-mixing unit 16 is, by means of a fluidic connection line 56, fluidically connected to the final mixing unit 20. The fourth pre-mixing unit 18 is, by means of a fluidic connection line 58, fluidically connected to the final mixing unit 20. The final mixing unit 20 is thus designed to mix the first pre-diluted liquid, the second pre-diluted liquid, the third pre-diluted liquid and the fourth pre-diluted liquid with the further liquid to form the final liquid for discharge having the defined final mixing ratio.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of a discharge unit for discharging a final liquid having a defined final mixing ratio. The discharge unit is denoted as a whole by the reference sign 10.

[0058] The discharge unit 10 differs from the discharge unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 in that the discharge unit 10 has a further final mixing unit 22.

[0059] The first pre-mixing unit 12 is, by means of the fluidic connection line 52, fluidically connected to the final mixing unit 20 and is, by means of a further fluidic connection line 60, fluidically connected to the further final mixing unit 22. The second pre-mixing unit 14 is, by means of the fluidic connection line 54, fluidically connected to the final mixing unit 20 and is, by means of a further fluidic connection line 62, fluidically connected to the further final mixing unit 22.

[0060] The final mixing units 20, 22 are, by means of the fluidic supply line 80, connected to the further storage tank 40 having the further liquid. Through this configuration, the final mixing units 20, 22 are designed to mix the first pre-diluted liquid and the second pre-diluted liquid with the further liquid to form the final liquid for discharge having the defined final mixing ratio. In this case, the defined final mixing ratio obtained by means of the final mixing unit 20 can differ from the final mixing ratio obtained by means of the further final mixing unit 22.

[0061] Furthermore, the discharge unit 10 has two nozzle elements 42, 44. The nozzle element 42 is fluidically connected to the final mixing unit 20 by means of the fluidic discharge line 82. The nozzle element 44 is fluidically connected to the further final mixing unit 22 by means of a fluidic discharge line 84. The nozzle element 42 is designed to discharge the final liquid for discharge having the defined final mixing ratio obtained by means of the final mixing unit 20. The nozzle element 44 is designed to discharge the final liquid for discharge having the final mixing ratio obtained by means of the further final mixing unit 22.

[0062] It is conceivable that the final mixing unit 20 and the first nozzle element 42 are arranged on a first partial width, and the further final mixing unit 22 and the second nozzle element 44 are arranged on a second partial width, of a spray boom of a field sprayer. It is also conceivable that the final mixing units 20, 22, as illustrated in FIG. 2, are each fluidically connected to multiple nozzle elements. In this case, the multiple nozzle elements are arranged on the respective partial width of the spray boom of the field sprayer, on which the corresponding final mixing unit 20, 22 is arranged.

[0063] It is furthermore conceivable that the first pre-mixing unit 12 is arranged on the first partial width, and the second pre-mixing unit 12 is arranged on the second partial width, of the spray boom of the field sprayer. In this case, it is possible for the liquid tank 24 having the first liquid to be arranged on the first partial width, and the liquid tank 26 having the second liquid to be arranged on the second partial width, of the spray boom of the field sprayer. It is also conceivable that the storage tank 32, 34, 40 having the carrier liquids are arranged on the spray boom. Alternatively, individual ones of the stated or all the stated tanks 24, 26, 32, 34, 40 may be arranged on the field sprayer outside the spray boom.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a method 100 for discharging a final liquid having a defined final mixing ratio.

[0065] In step 110, the first liquid is, by means of the first pre-mixing unit 12, mixed with the first carrier liquid to form the first pre-diluted liquid having the first defined final mixing ratio.

[0066] In step 120, the second liquid is, by means of the second pre-mixing unit 14, mixed with the second carrier liquid to form the second pre-diluted liquid having the second defined final mixing ratio.

[0067] In step 130, the first pre-diluted liquid is, by means of the final mixing unit 20, mixed with the second pre-diluted liquid to form the final liquid for discharge having the defined final mixing ratio.

[0068] In step 140, the final liquid having the defined final mixing ratio is discharged by means of the nozzle element 42.

[0069] If an exemplary embodiment comprises an and/or conjunction between a first feature and a second feature, this should be interpreted as meaning that the exemplary embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature according to one embodiment and has either only the first feature or only the second feature according to another embodiment.