A mobile drip irrigation device and method

Abstract

This invention discloses a mobile drip irrigation device and method, relating to the field of irrigation technology. It includes: a support pipe horizontally positioned at the top of a triangular bracket; a thermal infrared camera and temperature sensor assembly and a central controller fixedly mounted on the support pipe; a drive wheel connected to the end of the support pipe furthest from the submersible pump; and a mobile drip irrigation main pipe positioned below the support pipe, one end of which is connected to the submersible pump. Multiple patch-type drip irrigation tapes are connected to the side wall of the mobile drip irrigation main pipe. This invention has a relatively small overall size and strong adaptability, suitable for situations where single-well water output is low in northern regions, and can provide precise irrigation for crops based on drought conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of irrigation technology, and in particular to a mobile drip irrigation device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Alfalfa, renowned for its high yield, high quality, and strong adaptability, has become an important feed source for livestock, especially in northern regions where its cultivation area is vast. Irrigation is a key factor affecting alfalfa yield. In northern regions, where rainfall is scarce and water resources are limited, implementing water-saving irrigation techniques is an important strategy to ensure the sustainable development of alfalfa. Alfalfa yield is closely linked to irrigation water volume; insufficient or untimely irrigation will severely inhibit alfalfa yield growth.

[0003] In the existing technology, the center-pivot sprinkler irrigation machine has been widely promoted in the field of alfalfa irrigation. Its main advantage is that the equipment investment is one-time and fast, and it can directly irrigate alfalfa during irrigation.

[0004] However, the aforementioned technology cannot determine the water shortage status of the crops to be irrigated, making it impossible to control the irrigation device to accurately irrigate the crops based on their water shortage status. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a mobile drip irrigation device and method, which can solve the problem in the prior art that the irrigation device cannot be controlled to accurately irrigate crops according to their water shortage.

[0006] This invention provides a mobile drip irrigation device, comprising: a triangular support frame, a support pipe horizontally mounted on the top of the triangular support frame, the triangular support frame and the support pipe being rotatably connected, a thermal infrared camera and temperature sensor assembly and a central controller fixedly mounted on the support pipe; a drive wheel connected to the end of the support pipe away from the triangular support frame; a mobile drip irrigation main pipe located below the support pipe, one end of the mobile drip irrigation main pipe being connected to a submersible pump, and multiple patch-type drip irrigation tapes connected to the side wall of the mobile drip irrigation main pipe; the central controller, used to receive temperature data of leaves and air temperature detected by the thermal infrared camera and temperature sensor assembly, and input the pre-processed leaf and air temperature data into a drought stress index model to obtain a drought stress index; compare the drought stress index with a database storing drought stress indices of different varieties of crops in different regions to determine whether the crops are experiencing water shortage; when the crops are water shortage, input the drought stress index into an irrigation volume model and a drive wheel movement speed model respectively to obtain the irrigation volume of the crops using multiple patch-type drip irrigation tapes and the movement speed of the drive wheel on the ground.

[0007] Furthermore, the irrigation volume model is defined by the following formula:

[0008]

[0009] in, Q To control the water demand of crops over an irrigated area using a single device, CWSI The crop drought stress index; ET p Potential evaporation; A The area irrigated by a single unit of equipment; t is the designed daily irrigation time; η p This is the field irrigation water utilization coefficient.

[0010] Furthermore, the driving wheel speed model is defined by the following formula:

[0011]

[0012] in, V , m is the speed of movement of the drive wheel during operation, m is the design irrigation quota, and b is the length of the support pipe.

[0013] Furthermore, the mobile drip irrigation device also includes: a triangular bracket detachably mounted above the wellhead, with the top of the triangular bracket connected to the end of the support pipe furthest from the drive wheel.

[0014] Furthermore, the mobile drip irrigation device also includes a differential pressure fertilizer tank, which is detachably mounted above the support pipe.

[0015] Furthermore, multiple of the patch-type drip irrigation tapes are arranged on the side wall of the mobile drip irrigation main pipe at intervals of 0.5 meters.

[0016] Furthermore, the detected temperature data of the blades and the air temperature are transmitted to the central controller via a wireless gateway.

[0017] Furthermore, the support pipe is fixed to the mobile drip irrigation main pipe by a connecting device, which is a binding fixing strap.

[0018] This invention provides a mobile drip irrigation method, comprising the following steps:

[0019] Temperature data of leaves and air temperature detected by a combination of thermal infrared camera and temperature sensor are collected; the pre-processed temperature data of leaves and air temperature are input into the drought stress index model to obtain the drought stress index and determine the crop water shortage status; when the crop is water shortage, the drought stress index is input into the irrigation volume model and the drive wheel movement speed model respectively to obtain the irrigation volume of the crop when drip irrigation is carried out using multiple patch drip irrigation tapes and the movement speed that can drive the drive wheel to move on the ground.

[0020] This invention provides a mobile drip irrigation device and method, which has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0021] The central controller receives temperature data from the leaves and air temperature detected by a combination of thermal infrared cameras and temperature sensors. It inputs this pre-processed data into a drought stress index model to obtain the drought stress index and determine the crop's water shortage status. When the crop is water-scarce, the drought stress index is input into both an irrigation volume model and a drive wheel speed model to obtain the irrigation volume and drive wheel speed required for drip irrigation using multiple patch drip tapes. By determining the crop's water shortage status based on the drought stress index and determining the irrigation volume and drive wheel speed accordingly, the controller can precisely irrigate the crop based on the drought conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 A technical flowchart provided for embodiments of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 A database application diagram provided for embodiments of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of a mobile drip irrigation device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a front view of a mobile drip irrigation device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a partial detail view of a mobile drip irrigation device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure label:

[0028] 1-Triangular bracket, 2-Submersible pump, 3-Central controller, 4-Support pipe, 5-Connecting device, 6-Mobile drip irrigation main pipe, 7-Pattern drip irrigation tape, 8-Differential pressure fertilizer tank, 9-Combination of thermal infrared camera and temperature sensor, 10-Drive wheel. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0030] See Figures 3-5 This invention provides a mobile drip irrigation device, comprising:

[0031] A support tube 4 is horizontally mounted on the top of the triangular bracket 1. The triangular bracket 1 and the support tube 4 are rotatably connected. A thermal infrared camera and temperature sensor assembly 9 and a central controller 3 are fixedly mounted on the support tube 4. The end of the support tube 4 away from the triangular bracket 1 is connected to the drive wheel 10. A mobile drip irrigation main tube 6 is located below the support tube 4. One end of the mobile drip irrigation main tube 6 is connected to the submersible pump 2. Multiple patch-type drip irrigation tapes 7 are connected to the side wall of the mobile drip irrigation main tube 6.

[0032] The central controller 3 receives temperature data of leaves and air temperature detected by the thermal infrared camera and temperature sensor assembly 9, and preprocesses the temperature data of leaves and air temperature through the crop growth database and soil property database. The preprocessed temperature data of leaves and air temperature is input into the drought stress index model to obtain the drought stress index and determine the crop water shortage status. When the crop is water shortage, the drought stress index is input into the irrigation volume model and the driving wheel 10 moving speed model to obtain the irrigation volume of the crop drip irrigation using multiple patch drip irrigation tapes 7 and the moving speed of the driving wheel 10 on the ground.

[0033] 1. Alfalfa planting requirements.

[0034] Planting should be done in a circular pattern, covering an area of ​​30-40 mu. Every 50 cm along the radius, leave a 2-3 cm space for the movement of the patch-type drip irrigation tape 7.

[0035] 2. Water source and head.

[0036] Select a water output of 20-30m³. 3 / h water well; adopt submersible pump 2, install iron triangular bracket 1 at the wellhead, 1.5m above the ground, which is detachable; add fertilization equipment such as differential pressure fertilization tank 8 according to fertilization situation; select different filtration combination modes according to the silt content in the water. When the silt content in the water is low, a combination of screen filter and disc filter can be selected.

[0037] 3. Mobile drip irrigation section.

[0038] (1) Support pipe 4: A steel pipe with a diameter of 20cm and a length of 80-100m is connected to the triangular bracket 1 on one side and to the drive wheel 10 on the other side as a support horizontal pipe. The wires connecting the drive wheel 10 pass through the horizontal pipe.

[0039] (2) Mobile drip irrigation main pipe 6: A main pipe with a diameter of 0.3m is suspended 0.1m below the steel pipe, with one side connected to the water pump outlet and the other side blocked. The support pipe 4 is fixed to the mobile drip irrigation main pipe 6 by the connecting device 5.

[0040] (3) Patch-type drip irrigation tape 7: With the water source as the center, patch-type drip irrigation tape 7 is attached to the mobile drip irrigation main pipe 6. The length starts from 0.5m, and a patch-type drip irrigation tape 7 is attached every 50cm. As the distance increases, the length of each patch-type drip irrigation tape 7 also increases by 0.5m, for a total of 40-100 patch-type drip irrigation tapes 7. The longest patch-type drip irrigation tape 7 is about 15m. The spacing between irrigation heads on the drip irrigation tape is 0.3m.

[0041] (4) Drive wheel 10: height 0.5m, equipped with speed adjustable device, which can adjust the walking speed.

[0042] This invention targets groundwater with an output of 20m³. 3 / h-30m 3 In an area of ​​ / h, a small, self-rotating irrigation system is installed (within 100 mu of controlled area). Drip irrigation tapes are connected sequentially from the center of the system outwards, gradually increasing in length from 0.5m to 15m. Furthermore, alfalfa should be planted in a circular pattern, with a 2cm-3cm margin left every 50cm in the radial direction to allow the drip irrigation tape to move within the circle and prevent misalignment.

[0043] 4. Precision irrigation control system.

[0044] (1) A thermal infrared camera and temperature sensor assembly 9 is installed in the middle of the support pipe 4 to collect alfalfa canopy temperature information in real time and transmit it to the central controller 3 through a wireless gateway. The differential pressure fertilizer tank 8 is detachably installed above the support pipe 4.

[0045] (2) The central controller 3 calculates the crop water stress index (CWSI) in real time and establishes a function of the CWSI index with irrigation volume and drip irrigation speed.

[0046] (3) The central controller 3 controls the solenoid valve and speed adjustment switch to carry out irrigation and drip irrigation movement. The technical process of this system is as follows: Figure 1 As shown.

[0047] 5. Irrigation control methods.

[0048] (1) Data collection.

[0049] 1) Crop canopy temperature and local air temperature. A thermal infrared camera and temperature sensor assembly 9, installed in the middle of support pipe 4, collects real-time data on alfalfa canopy temperature and local air temperature. The collected data is then converted from analog to digital and transmitted to the data management module. The temperature acquisition system consists of a thermal infrared camera and temperature sensor assembly 9, a data transmission and management module.

[0050] 2) Meteorological Data. A fully automated meteorological monitoring system is installed in an open area within 500 meters of the farmland to collect meteorological data. This system, through its built-in wireless module, can transmit the monitored data in real time, which is then processed and organized by a data processing terminal. The fully automated meteorological monitoring system mainly consists of several key components, including meteorological parameter sensors, a wireless transmission module, a data acquisition and processing module, and a solar-powered battery.

[0051] (2) Establish a database.

[0052] 1) Crop Parameter Database. The established crop growth parameter database comprehensively records the growth characteristics of various crops, containing diverse information. This information covers plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, and the performance of crop growth and root development under optimal and extreme temperature conditions for major crops in different climatic regions. In addition, the database also includes data on maximum and minimum crop yields, as well as key agricultural parameters such as optimal irrigation amounts. Parameters are sourced from statistical yearbooks, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), and Web of Science, among others.

[0053] 2) Meteorological Parameter Database. The meteorological dataset mainly covers multiple parameters such as maximum and minimum temperatures, total rainfall, solar irradiance, wind speed, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure. This data is primarily sourced from a fully automated meteorological monitoring system located within a 500-meter radius of farmland and the China Meteorological Data Sharing Service Platform. The database is used as follows... Figure 2 As shown.

[0054] (3) Calculation of irrigation volume and drive wheel speed.

[0055] 1) Aerodynamic drag.

[0056] (1)

[0057] In the formula: r a Aerodynamic drag, measured in s / m; γ This is the hygrometer constant; T c T represents the temperature of the alfalfa canopy, in °C. a The local temperature is expressed in °C. R n Net surface radiation, measured in W / m² 2 ; ρ Air density, unit: kg / m³ 3 ; C p This is the specific heat of air at constant pressure, expressed in J / (kg·℃).

[0058] 2) Alfalfa canopy resistance.

[0059] (2)

[0060] In the formula: r c Crop canopy resistance, expressed in s / m; R n Net surface radiation, measured in W / m² 2 ; ρ This refers to air density, expressed in kg / m³. C p It is the specific heat of air at constant pressure, and the unit is J / (kg·℃), which is generally 1013 J / (kg·℃); γ This is the hygrometer constant; r a Aerodynamic drag, measured in s / m; Δ The slope of the saturated water vapor pressure-temperature curve; T c This represents the temperature of the alfalfa canopy, in °C. T a The local temperature is expressed in °C. VPD The difference in saturated air is expressed in kPa.

[0061] 3) Hygrometer constant.

[0062] (3)

[0063] In the formula: γ This is the hygrometer constant; r cp The crop layer resistance under conditions of sufficient water supply during potential evaporation and transpiration is expressed in s / m, and is generally taken as 50-70 s / m. r a This represents aerodynamic drag, measured in s / m.

[0064] 4) Crop drought stress index.

[0065] (4)

[0066] In the formula: CWSI The crop drought stress index; γ This is the hygrometer constant; r a Aerodynamic drag, measured in s / m; r c Crop canopy resistance, measured in s / m; Δ This represents the slope of the saturated water vapor pressure-temperature curve.

[0067] 5) Potential evaporation.

[0068] (5)

[0069] In the formula: ET p This refers to the amount of electricity generated, in mm / day. -1 ; R n It is the net radiation on the crop surface, measured in MJ / m². - 2 day -1 ; G Soil heat flux, in MJ / m³ -2 day -1 ; T It is the air temperature at a height of 2m, in °C; U 2 represents the wind speed at a height of 2 meters, measured in milliseconds (ms). -1 ; e s It is the saturated vapor pressure, measured in kPa. e a This is the actual water vapor pressure, expressed in kPa. e s - e a Δ is the saturated water vapor pressure difference, in kPa; Δ is the slope of the water vapor pressure curve, in kPa·℃. -1 ; γ It is the hygrometer constant.

[0070] 6) Irrigation volume.

[0071] (6)

[0072] In the formula: Q This refers to the water flow rate of crops over a single irrigated area, measured in meters (m³). 3 / h; CWSI The crop drought stress index; ET p Potential evapotranspiration, in mm; A The irrigation area controlled by a single device is expressed in hectares (hm²). 2 t represents the designed daily irrigation time, in hours, and is selected as 20-22 hours. η p This is the field irrigation water utilization coefficient.

[0073] 7) Equipment moving speed.

[0074] (7)

[0075] In the formula: V b is the moving speed of drive wheel 10 during operation, in m / h; m is the design irrigation quota, in mm; b is the truss length, in m. CWSI The crop drought stress index; ET p Potential evapotranspiration, in mm; A The irrigation area controlled by a single device is expressed in hectares (hm²). 2 .

[0076] (4) Description of irrigation decisions for mobile drip irrigation.

[0077] To monitor alfalfa canopy temperature and atmospheric temperature in real time, a thermal infrared camera and temperature sensor assembly 9 is installed on a steel pipe. These devices acquire crucial temperature data in real time. This data undergoes analog-to-digital conversion, and the converted data is transmitted to the data management module via a wireless transmission module. The data management module performs in-depth processing on the incoming data using a pre-built crop growth database and soil property database. The processed data is then transmitted to the data processing module. In this module, the system calculates the current crop drought stress index (CWSI) based on the processed data. The CWSI value is a crucial indicator of crop water shortage. The CWSI value is then transmitted to the decision-making module. In this module, the system assesses the crop's water shortage based on the CWSI value and determines whether irrigation is necessary. If so, it also determines the irrigation amount and the speed of the drive wheel 10. These decisions are finally transmitted to the control module, which performs analog-to-digital conversion and then controls the submersible pump 2 and the drive wheel 10 based on this data. This entire process ensures that accurate irrigation decisions can be made based on real-time data, guaranteeing that alfalfa receives continuous water replenishment throughout its entire growth cycle.

[0078] This study aims to target the northern region, especially areas with single-well water yields of 20-30 m³ / h. 3 In areas suitable for alfalfa cultivation, this study proposes a low-cost and high-efficiency irrigation and planting technology. The main technical challenges include the low water use efficiency and high energy consumption of sprinkler irrigation systems, and the susceptibility to clogging, damage, and high cost of drip irrigation systems. This research combines the advantages of sprinkler and drip irrigation, implementing a mobile drip irrigation strategy. By relying on canopy-based mobile infrared telemetry to estimate water shortage indicators, a functional relationship between water shortage indicators, irrigation volume, and sprinkler machine movement speed is established, thereby achieving precise irrigation control.

[0079] This invention provides a mobile drip irrigation method, comprising the following steps: collecting temperature data of leaves and air temperature detected by a combination of a thermal infrared camera and a temperature sensor; inputting the pre-processed temperature data of leaves and air temperature into a drought stress index model to obtain a drought stress index and determine the crop water shortage status; when the crop is water shortage, inputting the drought stress index into an irrigation volume model and a drive wheel movement speed model respectively to obtain the irrigation volume for drip irrigation of the crop using multiple patch drip irrigation tapes and the movement speed that can drive the drive wheel to move on the ground.

[0080] A specific example is as follows:

[0081] In 2022 and 2023, continuous field experiments were conducted in a science and technology park of a university in a certain city. The experimental site has a typical mid-latitude continental monsoon climate, with an annual average temperature of 6.6℃, precipitation of 379 mm, evaporation of 439 mm, and sunshine duration of 1688 h. The soil texture is clayey, with an average soil bulk density of 1.60 g·cm³ within 0-100 cm. −3 The field water holding capacity is 20.23% (volume water content).

[0082] Large-scale pointer-type sprinkler irrigation systems simulate artificial rainfall, requiring approximately 25 cubic meters of water per acre. However, they are energy-intensive and have low water use efficiency. Furthermore, this method results in significant water drift loss and inconsistent irrigation uniformity. On the other hand, while drip irrigation offers higher efficiency, the equipment is prone to damage, and the cost of repeated pipeline installations is high. The initial investment per acre in the first year alone is as high as 1500-2200 yuan, and in subsequent years, approximately 100 yuan per acre is needed to replace the drip irrigation tape. Mobile drip irrigation technology significantly avoids these problems. Combined with infrared thermal imaging technology, it assesses the alfalfa's water shortage status in real time and automatically replenishes water accordingly. This method is expected to control water consumption per acre to around 18 cubic meters and increase yield by approximately 10%. In addition, this technology helps reduce the annual investment in drip irrigation pipelines, with an estimated lifespan exceeding 30 years. Subsequent maintenance mainly focuses on replacing easily damaged parts, thus requiring very limited costs.

[0083] Table 1 Comparison of crop yield, irrigation volume and investment per mu under different irrigation methods.

[0084]

[0085] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mobile drip irrigation device, characterized in that, The utility model relates to a kind of mobile drip irrigation device, including: Triangular support (1), support pipe (4) is equipped with on the top transverse of the triangular support (1), the triangular support (1) is rotatably connected with the support pipe (4), hot infrared camera and temperature sensor assembly (9) and central controller (3) are fixedly arranged on the support pipe (4);The end of the support pipe (4) away from the triangular support (1) is connected with driving wheel (10); Mobile drip irrigation main pipe (6) is equipped with below the support pipe (4), one end of the mobile drip irrigation main pipe (6) is communicated with submersible pump (2), and multiple patch type drip irrigation belts (7) are communicated on the lateral wall of the mobile drip irrigation main pipe (6); The central controller (3) is used to receive the temperature data of leaf and air temperature detected by the hot infrared camera and temperature sensor assembly (9), and input the preprocessed temperature data of leaf and air temperature into drought stress index model to obtain drought stress index;Drought stress index is compared with the database of drought stress index of different varieties of crops stored in different regions, and whether the crops are in water shortage is judged;When the crops are in water shortage, drought stress index is input into irrigation amount model and driving wheel moving speed model respectively, to obtain irrigation amount and moving speed of driving the driving wheel (10) on the ground using multiple patch type drip irrigation belts (7) for drip irrigation of crops; The irrigation amount model is formula: wherein, Q is the crop water requirement flow per unit area of irrigation controlled by a single device, CWSI is the crop drought stress index; ET p is the potential evapotranspiration; A is the area of irrigation controlled by a single device; t is the irrigation time for a design day; η p is the field irrigation water use efficiency; The driving wheel moving speed model is formula: wherein, V is the moving speed of the drive wheel (10) during operation, m is the designed irrigation quota, and b is the length of the support pipe (4).

2. A mobile drip irrigation device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The mobile drip irrigation device further includes that triangular support (1) is detachably arranged above the wellhead, and the top of the triangular support (1) is connected with the end of the support pipe (4) away from the driving wheel (10).

3. A mobile drip irrigation device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The mobile drip irrigation device further includes that differential pressure fertilizer tank (8) is detachably arranged above support pipe (4).

4. A mobile drip irrigation device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that Multiple patch type drip irrigation belts (7) are arranged on the lateral wall of the mobile drip irrigation main pipe (6) with a distance of 0.5 meters.

5. A mobile drip irrigation device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The detected temperature data of leaf and air temperature is transmitted to the central controller through wireless gateway.

6. A mobile drip irrigation device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The support pipe (4) and the mobile drip irrigation main pipe (6) are fixed by connecting device (5), and the connecting device (5) is a binding type fixing belt.

7. A method of mobile drip irrigation based on the mobile drip irrigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Including the following steps: Collect the temperature data of leaf and air temperature detected by hot infrared camera and temperature sensor assembly; Input the preprocessed temperature data of leaf and air temperature into drought stress index model to obtain drought stress index and judge whether the crops are in water shortage; When the crops are in water shortage, drought stress index is input into irrigation amount model and driving wheel moving speed model respectively, to obtain irrigation amount and moving speed of driving the driving wheel on the ground using multiple patch type drip irrigation belts for drip irrigation of crops.

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