INSECTICIDE SPRAYER Russian patent published in 2023 - IPC A01M7/00 

FIELD: insecticidal spraying.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a method, apparatus and sensor for insecticidal spraying. An insect sensor for detecting airborne insects moving above the ground surface contains a lighting module configured to illuminate the detection volume, while the detection volume is raised above the soil surface by a minimum vertical distance, and one or more detectors configured to detect light from the detection volume. The lighting module is configured to emit a divergent beam of light, in particular with a divergence angle in at least one direction of 2° up to 45°, for example from 10° up to 30°. A unit for distributing insecticide over a piece of land, wherein the piece of land forms the surface of the ground, the unit includes: an insecticide distribution device configured to distribute the insecticide along said travel path while the vehicle is moving along the travel path; a distribution control system configured to control the amount of the insecticide to be distributed while the vehicle is traveling along the travel path; an insect sensor configured to detect airborne insects in the detection volume while the detection volume is moving relative to the ground surface; moreover, the detection volume is located in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel and is raised above the ground surface by a minimum vertical distance. The distribution control system is configured to receive sensor data from the insect sensor, wherein the sensor data indicates an insect detection result in the detection volume, with the possibility to control the amount of insecticide to be distributed depending on the received sensor data. The method includes the steps of detecting, by means of an insect sensor, insects in the air moving in the detection volume, while the detection volume is located in front of the moving vehicle, and the detection volume is raised above the ground surface by a minimum vertical distance; controlling the distribution of insecticides from said moving vehicle depending on the detection result of airborne insects. The insecticidal spraying control unit comprises an insect sensor and a control system capable of issuing a control signal for controlling the insecticide dispenser depending on the detection signal from the insect sensor.

EFFECT: increased efficiency of spraying and increased detection and identification of insects.

26 cl, 9 dwg