Abstract
A device for damaging weeds, having a movably arranged plunger, which has a plunger end for applying pressure to a weed to damage the weed mechanically, and to an active-substance dispensing unit, which is configured to dispense an active substance onto the plunger end of the plunger to damage chemically the mechanically damaged weed.
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A device for damaging weeds, comprising: a movably arranged plunger having a plunger end to apply pressure to a weed to damage mechanically the weed; and an active-substance dispensing unit to dispense an active substance onto the plunger end of the plunger to damage chemically the mechanically pre-damaged weed.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the active-substance dispensing unit is configured to at least one of convey, guide, spray, and/or squirt the active substance onto the plunger end of the plunger and/or to transfer it to the plunger end by a brushing contact.
18. The device of claim 16, wherein the active-substance dispensing unit has at least one feed line having an opening, and wherein the opening is connected fluidically to the plunger end and/or is arranged in the region of the plunger end in a retracted position of the plunger.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein the feed line is connected and/or is connected fluidically to an active-substance chamber.
20. The device of claim 18, wherein the feed line is situated at least partially within the plunger and the opening of the feed line is connected fluidically to the plunger end of the plunger.
21. The device of claim 18, wherein the feed line is situated at least partially outside the plunger and the opening of the feed line is situated in the region of the plunger end of the plunger.
22. The device of claim 21, wherein the opening of the feed line is situated in the region of the plunger end of the plunger so that, when the plunger moves from the retracted position into a pressure application position, brushing contact occurs between the plunger end and the opening of the feed line.
23. The device of claim 22, further comprising: a multiplicity of feed lines having openings, which are arranged around the plunger end of the plunger.
24. The device of claim 16, wherein the active-substance dispensing unit has an activation unit to dispense the active substance onto the plunger end of the plunger as a function of a travel distance or a position of the plunger and/or a pressure force acting on the plunger end of the plunger.
25. The device of claim 16, wherein the plunger has a depression at the plunger end to receive the active substance.
26. The device of claim 25, wherein the depression includes a conical or a frustoconical depression.
27. The device of claim 16, wherein the plunger has a sharp-edge at the plunger end.
28. The device of claim 16, wherein the plunger is mounted so that it is translatorily moveable.
29. A system for damaging weeds, comprising: a device for damaging weeds, including: a movably arranged plunger having a plunger end to apply pressure to a weed to damage mechanically the weed; and an active-substance dispensing unit to dispense an active substance onto the plunger end of the plunger to damage chemically the mechanically pre-damaged weed; and one of a vehicle, an autonomous vehicle, or a handheld device.
30. A method for damaging weeds, the method comprising: providing a device, including: a movably arranged plunger having a plunger end to apply pressure to a weed to damage mechanically the weed; and an active-substance dispensing unit to dispense an active substance onto the plunger end of the plunger to damage chemically the mechanically pre-damaged weed; dispensing an active substance onto the plunger end of the plunger using the active-substance dispensing unit; applying pressure to the weed by the plunger end of the plunger to damage the weed mechanically; and dispensing the active substance from the plunger end of the plunger onto the weed by contact transfer to damage chemically the mechanically pre-damaged weed.
31. The device of claim 22, further comprising: a multiplicity of feed lines having openings, which are arranged in a ring shape around the plunger end of the plunger.
32. The device of claim 16, wherein the plunger has a sharp-edge at the plunger end, and wherein the sharp edge includes an annular cutting edge.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIGS. 1a and 1b show a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a weed damaging device according to the invention having a wiper ring.
[0034] FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c show a schematic illustration of a second embodiment according to the invention of the weed damaging device with a feed line extending within the plunger.
[0035] FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d show a schematic illustration of a third embodiment according to the invention of the weed damaging device having a feed line extending within the plunger.
[0036] FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c show a schematic illustration of a second embodiment according to the invention of the weed damaging device having a feed line extending outside of the plunger.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a plunger end with an active substance pin.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a method for damaging weeds.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] In FIGS. 1a-b, a weed damaging device or device for damaging weeds according to the present invention is provided overall with reference numeral 10.
[0040] Device 10 has a plunger 12 and an active-substance dispensing unit 14.
[0041] Plunger 12 is of an elongate configuration. Plunger 12 is of a circular cylindrical configuration. Plunger 12 has a plunger end 16. Plunger end 16 is used to apply pressure to a weed 18 in order to damage it mechanically. Plunger 12 has a depression 20 at its plunger end 16. Depression 20 is of a conical or frustoconical configuration. Depression 20 is used to receive an active substance 22. Active substance 22 is used to additionally chemically damage the mechanically pre-damaged weed 18. By virtue of the configuration of depression 20, plunger end 12 is of a sharp-edged configuration in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, plunger end 16 is configured as an annular cutting edge 16 in order to mechanically damage the weed 18 more effectively.
[0042] Plunger 12 is mounted on a bearing element 24 to allow translational movement. In this case, plunger 12 is mounted in such a way that it is able to be extended in arrow direction 26 from a retracted position shown in FIG. 1a to a pressure application position shown in FIG. 1b.
[0043] Active-substance dispensing unit 14 is of an annular configuration. Active-substance dispensing unit 14 is arranged around the plunger 12 in the circumferential direction. Active-substance dispensing unit 14 has an active-substance chamber 28 which contains the active substance 22.
[0044] Active-substance dispensing unit 14 is used to dispense the active substance 22 onto the plunger end 16 of plunger 12. During this process, the active substance 22 may be conveyed, guided, squirted, or sprayed onto the plunger end 16, or transferred to said plunger end via brushing contact or dispensed to it in any way known to a person skilled in the art.
[0045] In the weed damaging device 10 shown in FIGS. 1a-b, the active substance 22 is dispensed onto the plunger end 16 by brushing contact. For this purpose, active-substance dispensing unit 14 has a multiplicity of feed lines 30. Feed lines 30 are connected fluidically to active-substance chamber 28. Feed lines 30 are arranged outside plunger 12. Feed lines 30 each have an opening 32. Openings 32 of the feed lines 30 are arranged in a ring shape around the plunger end 16 of the plunger 12.
[0046] As can be seen from FIG. 1a, plunger end 16 is arranged ahead of the openings 32 in the retracted position or in the retracted state, in direction 26 of the extending movement. In this case, openings 32 of feed lines 30 are arranged in such a way in the region of the plunger end 16 of plunger 12 that, during an extending movement of the plunger 12 from the retracted position into the pressure application position shown in FIG. 1b, brushing contact arises between the plunger end 16 and the openings 32 of the feed lines 30. This enables the plunger end 16 or the depression 20 to take along or pick up a predefined or small quantity of active substance 22 during the extending movement of the plunger 12. That is to say, in other words, that feed lines 30 of active-substance dispensing unit 14 form an activation unit 34 which brings about the dispensing of the active substance 22 onto the plunger end 16 of plunger 12. In this case, the dispensing of active substance 22 is brought about upon brushing contact between the plunger end 16 and the feed lines 30 and thus in accordance with the position of plunger 12 relative to active-substance dispensing unit 14. Accordingly, activation unit 34 is configured as a wiper or wiper ring, which is wetted with the active substance 22. By virtue of the fluidic connection of the feed lines 30 to the active-substance chamber 28, additional active substance 22 for the subsequent punching operation is fed in after dispensing.
[0047] As can furthermore be seen from FIG. 1b, pressure is applied to the weed 18 by the plunger end 16 after the dispensing of active substance 22 onto plunger end 16 or depression 20 of plunger 12, as a result of which weed 18 is mechanically damaged. Since the plunger end 12 also has active substance 22, active substance 22 is furthermore dispensed from the plunger end 12 onto weed 18 by contact transfer during or after the mechanical damaging of weed 18. Accordingly, the mechanically pre-damaged weed 18 is additionally chemically damaged.
[0048] Consequently, by virtue of the fact that mechanical damaging of weed 18 is carried out simultaneously with or directly before the transfer of active substance 22 to the weed 18, the chemical damaging or killing of the weed 18 can be achieved with a considerably lower quantity of active substance 22.
[0049] Another specific embodiment of a device 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2a-c. In comparison with device 10 from FIGS. 1a-b, the active-substance dispensing unit 14 has just one feed line 30, which is arranged within the plunger 12. In this case, the opening 32 of the feed line 30 is connected fluidically to plunger end 16 or depression 20. Furthermore, feed line 30 is connected or may be connected fluidically to active-substance chamber 28. In this case, the active-substance chamber 28 has an annular channel 36. Accordingly, the plunger end 16 may be connected fluidically by way of feed line 30 to annular channel 36 and hence to active-substance chamber 28. In this case, the fluidic connection is configured to be interrupted as a function of a travel of plunger 12.
[0050] As can be seen from FIG. 2a, feed line 30 is separated from active-substance chamber 28 in the retracted position of plunger 12. Accordingly, feed line 30 and hence also the plunger end 16 or the depression 20 do not have any active substance 22. In this case, plunger 12 closes the annular channel 36 of active-substance chamber 28 somewhat like a valve spool.
[0051] At a predefined travel of the plunger 12, which is illustrated in FIG. 2b, there is a fluidic connection between feed line 30 and hence plunger end 16 and active-substance chamber 28. Active substance 22, which may be under pressure, is accordingly able to pass out of active-substance chamber 28, through feed line 30, to plunger end 16 or depression 20. More specifically, plunger 12 brushes past annular channel 36 during the extending movement. One or more bore holes that extend radially outward and which form part of feed line 30 and form activation unit 34 in interaction with annular channel 36 are arranged in plunger 12 itself. Accordingly, a small quantity of active substance is forced into plunger 12 during the extending movement as plunger 12 brushes past annular channel 36 and is conveyed downward to plunger end 16 or to depression 20 by way of feed line 30. Instead of annular channel 36, one or more bore holes is/are also conceivable. If plunger 12 is mounted in bearing element 24 in a manner secured against rotation, the bore hole or bore holes of plunger 12 may then come into overlap with the bore hole or bore holes of active-substance chamber 28 and thereby establish a fluidic connection. If there is no safeguard against rotation, in the case of a simple circular plunger 12 for example, the one or more bore holes of the plunger 12 may overlap with the annular channel 36 and thereby establish a fluidic connection. The position of the bore holes or bore hole/annular channel combination with respect to one another determines the time of active substance transfer, while the size of the bore holes/of the annular channel or the pressure to which active substance 22 is subject and the speed at which the plunger is extended determine the active-substance or application rate. The active substance or application rate may likewise be varied by varying the bore hole cross section and by rotating plunger 12.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 2c, the fluidic connection of feed line 30 to active-substance chamber 28 is interrupted again after a continuation of the extending movement of plunger 12. When the pressure application position is reached, weed 18 is mechanically damaged by plunger end 16 of plunger 12. During this process, contact transfer of active substance 22 situated on plunger end 16 or in depression 20 to pre-damaged weed 18 takes place simultaneously or directly after the mechanical damage, thereby ensuring that the weed is additionally chemically damaged.
[0053] Another specific embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 3a-d. In comparison with the device 10 from FIGS. 2a-c, active-substance dispensing unit 14 additionally has a pressure reservoir 38. Pressure reservoir 38 is here developed as a rubber bladder. However, it is also conceivable for the pressure reservoir 38 to be configured as a gas bladder or as a resilient membrane. Pressure reservoir 38 is arranged within plunger 12. Pressure reservoir 38 is furthermore connected to feed line 30. Pressure reservoir 38 is configured to apply pressure to an active substance 22 situated in feed line 30. Feed line 30 is likewise of a different configuration, as described in greater detail below.
[0054] Another difference from device 10 is that the activation unit 34 has a valve 40. Valve 40 is here configured as a return valve 40. Valve 40 is situated at opening 32 of feed line 30. Accordingly, valve 40 is arranged between feed line 30 and plunger end 16 or depression 20. Valve 40 is configured to open at a predefined pressure force counter to a flow direction 42 of the active substance 22 in order to bring about dispensing of the active substance 22 onto the plunger end 16.
[0055] As in the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a-c, the plunger end 32 in device 10 is connected or may be connected fluidically to annular channel 36 and thus to active-substance chamber 28 by way of feed line 30. In this case, the fluidic connection is likewise configured to be interrupted as a function of a travel of plunger 12.
[0056] As can be seen from FIG. 3a, feed line 30 is connected fluidically to active-substance chamber 28 or annular channel 36 in the retracted position of plunger 12. Accordingly, feed line 30 contains active substance 22. Since no pressure force is acting on valve 40, valve 40 is closed so that active substance 22 cannot escape from the feed line 30 to the plunger end 16 or depression 20.
[0057] Starting at a predefined travel of plunger 12, which is illustrated in FIG. 3b, feed line 30 is fluidically separated from active-substance chamber 28. In this case, plunger 12 closes the annular channel 36 of active-substance chamber 28 somewhat like a valve spool. Accordingly, there is a defined volume of active substance 22 in feed line 30, which is pressurized on account of pressure reservoir 38.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 3c, weed 18 is mechanically damaged by plunger end 16 of plunger 12 when the pressure application position is reached. In this process, weed 18, to which pressure is applied or which is compressedas illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3dexerts a pressure on the valve 40 in the direction of arrow 44 simultaneously with or directly after the mechanical damage. During this process, the valve ball of valve 40 is pushed upward by the plant mass, with the result that the closed valve 40 opens due to the pressure force. Accordingly, activation unit 34 of active-substance dispensing unit 14 is configured to bring about dispensing of active substance 22 onto plunger end 16 of the plunger 12 as a function of a pressure force acting on plunger end 16 or valve 40. The active substance 22 situated in the feed line 30 is thereby dispensed to depression 20 and hence, by contact transfer, to pre-damaged weed 18, thereby ensuring that the weed is additionally chemically damaged.
[0059] The active substance quantity to be applied may be adjusted by varying the pressure in feed line 30 or the pressure acting on the active substance 22.
[0060] Another specific embodiment of a device 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4a-c. In contrast to the embodiments described above, the active-substance dispensing unit 14 is here configured to spray or squirt active substance 22 onto plunger end 16 or depression 20 from outside plunger 12. For this purpose, the active-substance dispensing unit 14 has a pumping unit (not shown), and the activation unit 34 has a stop 46.
[0061] Moreover, feed line 30 of active-substance dispensing unit 14 is situated outside plunger 12, the opening 32 of feed line 30 being situated in the region of plunger end 16 in a retracted position of plunger 12, as shown in FIG. 4c. Feed line 30 is connected fluidically to pumping unit. Feed line 30 is furthermore connected to stop 46 or coupled mechanically thereto.
[0062] FIGS. 4a-b show how plunger 12 returns to the retracted position from the pressure application position after the application of pressure to weed 18 and the dispensing of the active substance 22 to pre-damaged weed 18.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 4c, the return or upward movement of plunger 12 is used to activate the pumping unit and thereby to initiate a pumping process which sprays or squirts a small or predefined quantity of active substance 22 from active-substance chamber 28 into depression 20.
[0064] Here, activation unit 34 or stop 46 is configured in such a way that plunger 12 or a lever 47 of plunger 12 strikes stop 46 upon reaching the retracted position and brings about a pumping process in order to dispense a defined quantity of active substance 22 onto plunger end 16. The pumping process may be accomplished by squeezing feed line 30, the pumping unit in this case having a return valve. The pumping process may also be accomplished by a diaphragm or piston pump, which is actuated by way of lever 47 and is part of the pumping unit. Moreover, the exhaust air of the punching stroke or of the return stroke may be used to transfer active substance 22 directly, i.e. by pressure, or indirectly, i.e. by way of the diaphragm or piston pump.
[0065] Another specific embodiment of a plunger 12 is shown in FIG. 5. In this case, active substance 22 is configured as a solid, i.e. in the form of a solid. Active substance 22 has a pin shape. Active substance 22 or active substance pin 22 is situated in feed line 30. Active substance pin 22 is situated at the opening 32 of feed line 30, adjoining plunger end 16 or depression 20. Active substance pin 22 thus partially forms the base of the depression 20.
[0066] Here, feed line 30 is configured as a pocket hole. Active-substance dispensing unit 14 comprises a compression spring 48. Compression spring 48 pushes active substance pin 22 in the direction of opening 32. In this case, opening 32 is configured in such a way that active substance pin 22 may be contacted at the plunger end while nevertheless remaining in the feed line 30 despite the spring loading.
[0067] During operation, the plunger-end surface of active substance pin 22 is wetted by the escaping plant fluids of weed 18 during or after each pressure application or plunger movement. During the waiting time until the next pressure application or plunger movement, very small quantities of active substance 22 are thereby dissolved, and these are transferred to the punched or damaged weed 18 when pressure is subsequently applied. When the device is not in use, active substance pin 22 automatically dries out, thereby stopping the dissolution of active substance on active substance pin 22.
[0068] In all embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, it is also conceivable, alternatively or in addition, for activation unit 34 to have a pressure sensor (not shown), which is situated on plunger end 16 of plunger 12. The pressure sensor may be connected to the above-mentioned diaphragm or piston pump and/or to valve 40 so that the dispensing of active substance 22 onto plunger end 16 or depression 20 is effected by a signal of the pressure sensor as a function of a predefined pressure acting on plunger end 16 or the pressure sensor.
[0069] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment as method 100 for damaging weeds 18. Method 100 comprises a step 102 of supplying a movably arranged plunger 12 having a plunger end 16. In particular, step 102 comprises supplying a device 10, 10, 10, 10 in accordance with FIGS. 1 through 5. Method 100 furthermore comprises a step 104 of dispensing an active substance 22 onto plunger end 16 of plunger 12 by way of an active-substance dispensing unit 14. Method 100 furthermore comprises a step 106 of applying pressure to weed 18 via plunger end 16 of plunger 12 in order to damage weed 18 mechanically. Finally, method 100 comprises a step 108 of dispensing active substance 22 from plunger end 16 of plunger 12 onto weed 18 by contact transfer in order additionally to damage chemically the mechanically pre-damaged weed 18.
[0070] If an exemplary embodiment includes an and/or linkage between a first feature and a second feature, this is to be understood to mean that the exemplary embodiment according to one specific embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature, and according to another specific embodiment, either has only the first feature or only the second feature.
