Drip irrigation system having radio-controlled automatic flushing

Abstract

The irrigation of agricultural and horticultural crops is a very important component of modern agriculture for reliably ensuring high yields. In this context, drip irrigation, and in particular underground drip irrigation, is a very economical approach in terms of water consumption. However, in the case of drip irrigation systems having branch lines, the flushing operation is a very complex undertaking, since all the lines have to be opened and closed manually and individually. A drip irrigation system, having radio-controlled, automatic flushing, for irrigating and / or fertigating areas of agricultural, forestry or horticultural land is described below. The system provides very cost-effective automation for opening and closing the drip hoses during the flushing process by using actuator units which comprise valves that have in each case cost-effective radio modules intended for close range with a short transmission range of, for example, 10 m, and which actuator units use the other actuator units inside the as repeaters for the radio communication with the central control unit radio modules which are further away.

Description

[0001] Drip irrigation system with radio-controlled, automatic flushing.

[0002] The present invention relates to a drip irrigation system for the irrigation and / or fertigation of agricultural, forestry or horticultural areas with radio-controlled, automatic flushing.

[0003] Irrigation of agricultural and horticultural crops is a crucial component of modern agriculture, ensuring consistently high yields. This is especially true given the increasingly frequent and prolonged periods of drought resulting from climate change. On the other hand, irrigation is already one of the largest consumers of freshwater, a very limited resource in many regions.

[0004] In this context, drip irrigation, and in particular subsurface drip irrigation, is a very water-saving approach. Unlike irrigation with linearly pulled sprinkler carts or rotary sprinklers, which distribute water under relatively high pressure and deliver a large amount of water to a single point in the field in a short period, drip irrigation delivers water directly to the plants in small, measured amounts at relatively low pressure over a longer period. For this purpose, drip lines are laid across the field at regular intervals, for example, one line per 0.5 to 2 meters of field width or one line per row of plants. These lines contain drip emitters at regular intervals (for example, every 0.2 to 1.5 meters). At low pressure, water emerges from the drip emitters in a continuous, measured flow close to the plants, at rates of, for example, 1.5 liters per square meter per day.

[0005] Drip irrigation can be implemented above ground (meaning the drip lines are installed above the soil) or underground (meaning the drip lines are installed below the soil). The former has the advantage of lower installation costs, while the latter offers the advantage of further improved water efficiency, as surface evaporation is completely avoided and the water is applied directly to the plant roots. Underground drip irrigation is particularly economically attractive when the drip lines can remain in the ground for several years. This spreads the initially high installation costs over multiple growing seasons. Annual installation and collection of the lines after each growing season is only economically viable for specialty crops with high yields per hectare.For widely cultivated crops with average turnover per hectare, underground drip irrigation is only feasible if the drip lines can remain in the ground for several years.

[0006] There are also approaches to laying the drip lines below the soil horizon where tillage is typically carried out. For example, if tillage is performed to a depth of 30 cm, the drip lines are then laid at a depth of 35 to 45 cm. This creates a safety distance between the drip lines and the tillage horizon.

[0007] A disadvantage of drip irrigation compared to other irrigation methods is its comparatively high investment costs. These are due, firstly, to the cost of the components (e.g., drip hoses, supply lines, pump and control technology). Secondly, the installation costs must be considered, as even with the use of previously known installation machines, a significant amount of manual labor is required. For example, CN218897804U and NP1 disclose previously known installation machines for the simultaneous installation of several individual drip hose rows. These machines have one unwinding device for each hose guide and outlet. One hose reel per row is inserted into each unwinding device. Insertion is done manually, and then the hose end must be manually inserted into the hose guide and pulled through to the outlet.Furthermore, the beginning of the hose must be manually fixed to or in the ground at the start of the laying process for a multi-row path traversed by the laying machine. Finally, after the drip irrigation lines have been laid, each row of drip irrigation hoses must be individually connected to the supply lines in the field. Therefore, it must be concluded that the laying and installation of drip irrigation hoses in the field, even when using laying machines as disclosed in CN218897804U and NP1, requires a considerable amount of manual labor in the field.

[0008] Another problem with drip irrigation using drip hoses is the handling of rodents, such as field mice, which regularly clog the drip hose lines.

[0009] To prevent damage caused by rodents or insects, solutions already exist which aim to introduce chemicals or reinforcements into the plastic mixture from which the dripper tubing is made (see CN107629302A and US2020305364A1).

[0010] Even after commissioning, drip irrigation systems require a certain amount of maintenance and monitoring. This includes regularly flushing the lines, for example, two to three times a year. It also involves monitoring the installation for leaks and observing the soil and plant condition to determine the optimal irrigation intensity.

[0011] Finally, site-specific irrigation or the application of liquid fertilizers using drip irrigation systems proves to be quite complex. While this is readily possible along various branches of the distribution lines, and individual drip line segments can be switched separately with more sophisticated valve technology, the field zones requiring different treatments are usually not aligned with the direction in which the drip lines are laid. This means that several field zones are typically found along a single drip line. NP2 proposes dividing the drip line into several drip sections, each fed separately by a supply hose. NP2 designs a valve system that can be switched according to specific pressure ranges, thus controlling the targeted water flow in each individual section within that pressure range.

[0012] Drip sections are permitted (Fig. 4, NP2). However, it should be noted that this setup does not allow for site-specific irrigation along a continuous drip line, but merely represents a division of a drip line into several shorter, individually subdivided drip lines, each of which is individually connected to supply lines (synonymous terms: distribution lines, supply lines) using the described valve technology. Therefore, in order to be able to switch each drip section of each drip line in a field separately, it would be necessary to lay significantly more distribution lines than is usually required when these are simply laid as end pieces perpendicular to the direction of the drip lines. To fully implement the NP2 approach, the length of the laid drip lines would have to be almost completely doubled by supply lines.

[0013] The present invention, in order to solve or mitigate one or more problems of the prior art, relies on a generic drip irrigation system for the irrigation and / or fertigation of agricultural, forestry or horticultural areas, comprising at least one central irrigation unit, several dripper hoses, at least one distribution line by means of which the dripper hoses are connected to the central irrigation unit, optionally using further connecting elements, several actuator units, each comprising at least one controllable valve and each comprising at least one communication module for short-range wireless radio transmission, and at least one central control unit.comprising at least one communication module for short-range wireless radio transmission and configured to read measurement signals from the actuator units and / or to send control signals to the actuator units, wherein the actuator units are mechanically connected to the dripper hoses and are designed in such a way that they can be laid together with the dripper hoses using a dripper hose laying machine, wherein the control unit as well as at least one first actuator unit and at least one second actuator unit are configured in such a way that communication signals exchanged between the first actuator unit and the control unit,The data is first transmitted by radio from the respective sending unit to a second actuator unit and then transmitted by radio from this second actuator unit either directly or after further intermediate transmission by one or more further actuator units to the receiving unit, so that no wired data connection to the actuator units is required and the distance between the control center unit and at least the actuator unit furthest from it of the drip irrigation system is greater than the range of the communication modules for short-range wireless radio transmission included by the actuator unit, wherein the dripper hoses are at least partially designed as spur lines.which are connected to supply lines or supply line segments on only one side and at least a subset of the actuator units are arranged at the ends of dripper hoses encompassed by the drip irrigation system opposite the supply line or supply line segment and are designed to be opened there for an automatic flushing process by the control unit.

[0014] The drip irrigation system according to the invention drastically reduces the workload of flushing the drip irrigation system with branch lines, since otherwise all branch lines would have to be manually opened and closed individually at their end opposite the distribution line for flushing. The cost-effective design of the actuator units, with communication modules for short-range radio communication, in combination with distributed communication topologies, allows all drip lines to be equipped cost-effectively with correspondingly switchable valves that can be operated by the control unit. In particular, if the control unit is networked in such a way that it can also perform control functions relating to the irrigation control unit, a fully automated flushing process is possible with this design.Furthermore, this setup allows for higher flushing performance through the sequential opening of individual valves or groups of valves, as the water flow can be automatically concentrated on individual drip lines or groups of drip lines, with the individual lines / groups then being switched through one after the other, for example. This is hardly feasible with manual flushing, systematically applying this to all drip lines. Overall, this setup with switchable valves as part of the actuator units at the end of the branch lines opposite the distribution line enables particularly efficient and effective flushing, which is also very labor-saving. This allows the flushing to be performed more frequently or regularly, which benefits the overall performance of the drip irrigation system.Furthermore, with the optional addition of a soil moisture sensor to the actuator unit, the flushing process can also be automatically monitored. This allows for the detection of a sudden increase in soil moisture in the vicinity of the actuator unit at the end of the branch line, which is expected during the flushing process. This serves to verify the success of the flushing. In this way, blockages can be reliably detected.

[0015] This design eliminates the need for connecting the actuator units via data cables and the associated, costly cabling along the drip lines. Furthermore, particularly cost-effective and energy-efficient short-range wireless communication modules can be used.

[0016] For communication, each actuator unit includes at least one communication module for short-range wireless radio transmission. This communication module is used for short-range radio communication, typically less than 200 meters, preferably less than 100 meters, and particularly preferably 10 to 20 meters. It includes receivers and / or transmitters for radio signals. Suitable transmission systems include, for example, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, Z-Wave, Zigbee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Sigfox. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is particularly preferred. This radio transmission is therefore not used for directly connecting the actuator units to mobile phone masts or mobile internet. Likewise, it is typically not possible to directly reach a receiver in the field where the drip irrigation system is installed, which is part of the control unit, via this radio connection between the actuator units.For actuator units located far away within the field, the distance to the receiver encompassed by the control unit is already too great to reach it directly. Only through the configuration according to the invention of further actuator units as repeaters, positioned between the communication module encompassed by the control unit and the actuator unit with which the logical communication is to be established, is it achieved that all actuator units across the entire field are communicatively reachable.

[0017] The particular advantage of this communication setup is that such communication modules for short-range radio connections, such as Bluetooth Low Energy, are significantly more cost-effective and energy-efficient than communication modules for radio connections using mobile internet, such as GSM, UMTS, 4G, or 5G. Therefore, within a given budget for actuator units, a significantly larger number of actuator units can be distributed across the field, thus achieving a higher density than would be commercially feasible if each module were equipped with a mobile internet connection module.

[0018] Various topologies are possible for radio transmission in such a network from actuator units to at least one receiver encompassed by a control center unit. These include, among others, mesh connections, point-to-point connections, star topologies, pico-net topologies, or scatter-net topologies, with individual local masters. For the integration according to the invention into a drip irrigation system, main communication lines perpendicular to the laying direction of the dripper hoses are of particular interest for reasons that will be explained later in this text.

[0019] The wireless connection of valve circuits for drip irrigation is also discussed in NP2. However, it is explicitly rejected there for cost reasons. It should be noted, however, that NP2 uses the 868 MHz band with a theoretical range of 20 km for wireless communication. Such radio modules are significantly more expensive and energy-intensive than radio modules with a range of a few meters, such as the Bluetooth Low Energy modules preferred here. Therefore, this cost consideration must be re-evaluated in combination with the use of intermediate actuator units as repeaters and for the significantly different hose topology and circuitry considered here. The optional, inventive use of intermediate actuator units as repeaters thus also solves the cost problem described in NP2 for controlling valve circuits for drip irrigation via radio.

[0020] Further advantages of the drip irrigation system according to the invention arise in special embodiments.

[0021] In one embodiment of the drip irrigation system according to the invention, at least one actuator unit is positioned at a point along the length of a dripper hose such that dripper elements are located both upstream and downstream of the actuator unit along the direction of liquid flow through the dripper hose. The dripper elements positioned upstream and downstream of this actuator unit, in the direction of liquid flow through the dripper hose, are at least partially technically different with respect to at least one of the features: flow rate per unit of time, opening cross-section, opening pressure, or number per unit length of the dripper hose. In this embodiment, the drip irrigation system additionally allows for site-specific irrigation along the dripper hoses, which are not divided into individual segments with separate, possibly interconnected, actuators.The supply lines are not divided into parallel lines, but rather run continuously as a single hose, carrying liquid in at least one switching position of the actuator valves. Due to the different technical properties of the dripper elements upstream and downstream of the actuator units, site-specific irrigation can nevertheless be achieved with suitable control. The drip irrigation system according to the invention thus allows for granular, site-specific irrigation even along the dripper hoses, without requiring a greater length or number of supply lines or dripper hoses than a conventional installation that does not provide site-specific irrigation.

[0022] Variants of suitable methods for controlling site-specific irrigation are explained below using examples.

[0023] In one embodiment of the drip irrigation system according to the invention, the dripper hoses are designed as branch lines which are connected to distribution lines only on one side, wherein a subset of dripper elements which is further away from the connection point of dripper hose and distribution line than the position of the at least one actuator unit, have a higher flow rate per unit of time, opening cross-section or number per unit of length than a subset of dripper elements which is less far from the connection point of dripper hose and distribution line than the position of the at least one actuator unit.Because some of the dripper elements have a higher flow rate per unit of time and / or a larger opening cross-section and / or more dripper elements per unit length of dripper tubing, a higher discharge rate of liquid per unit of time and per unit length of dripper tubing is achieved when subjected to the same pressure. In this configuration, when the entire dripper tubing is subjected to constant pressure over the same period, the area supplied by the section of the dripper tubing furthest from the connection point with the distribution line receives a greater application rate of water, fertilizer, or similar material. This can be achieved if the valve of the actuator unit remains open throughout the entire application period.In this configuration, if the section of the drip line upstream of the actuator unit is pressurized for a longer period than the section downstream of the actuator unit, with the pressurization time being reduced proportionally to the increase in the discharge rate per unit length of the drip line, then all areas supplied by this drip line will receive the same application rate of water, fertilizer, or similar substances. This can be achieved by temporarily closing the actuator unit's valve.For example, if the liquid discharge rate per unit of time and per unit length of the dripper hose is twice as high in the section located downstream of the actuator unit as in the section located upstream of the actuator unit, then a uniform application rate for both sections can be achieved by pressurizing the downstream section for half the time that the upstream section is pressurized. If the pressurization time of the downstream section is reduced beyond the ratio of the different discharge rates, then the section supplied by the dripper hose section closer to the connection point with the distribution line will receive a larger application rate of water, fertilizer, or similar material. This can be achieved by closing the actuator unit's valve for an even longer period.In the extreme case of complete sealing, liquid is applied only to this immediate section. It becomes clear that, through the valve control, both sections can be supplied with more, less, or the same amount of liquid as the other section. Thus, automatic, site-specific irrigation and / or fertigation is possible with this embodiment of the drip irrigation system according to the invention, thanks to the described control method.

[0024] The principle described in the preceding paragraph of using dripper elements with different flow rates per unit of time and / or different opening cross-sections and / or different numbers per unit length of dripper tubing—that is, dripper tubing sections with different discharge rates of liquid per unit of time and per unit length of dripper tubing—upstream and downstream of the actuator unit, is described there for two tubing sections. However, it is not limited to two tubing sections but can also be used for 3, 4, 5, or N sections, each subdivided by actuator units. In this case, the discharge rate must increase the further the respective section is from the distribution line, particularly the more actuator units must be open in series to allow liquid to flow from the dripper tubing along the corresponding section.Preferably, the outflow rate increases exponentially with the number of actuator units through which the flow passes. That is, for example, if four hose sections are provided, subdivided by three actuator units positioned along the length of the dripper hose, and the outflow rate of the second section, located downstream of an actuator unit, is twice as high as the outflow rate of the first section, which is directly connected to the distribution line, then preferably the outflow rate of the third section, which follows downstream of a second actuator unit, is four times as high as that of the first section, and preferably the outflow rate of the fourth section, downstream of the third actuator unit, is eight times as high.

[0025] In one embodiment of the drip irrigation system according to the invention, the dripper hoses are designed as branch lines connected to distribution lines at only one end. A subset of dripper elements located further from the connection point between the dripper hose and distribution line than the position of the at least one actuator unit has a lower opening pressure than a subset of dripper elements located closer to the connection point. The dripper elements are designed such that no liquid is released from any single element unless the opening pressure is exceeded. This embodiment has the advantage that the application of the liquids along the different sections of the dripper hose can be controlled completely independently.When the actuator valve is open and the water pressure is lower than the opening pressure of the drippers located closer to the connection point between the dripper hose and the distribution line, but higher than the opening pressure of the drippers located downstream of the actuator, then fluid is released only downstream of the actuator. When the actuator valve is closed and the water pressure is higher than the opening pressure of the drippers located closer to the connection point between the dripper hose and the distribution line, then fluid is released only in the section of the line upstream of the actuator. Thus, both sections of the line can be controlled independently. Therefore, with this design of the drip irrigation system, site-specific irrigation can also be achieved using the described control method.

[0026] The principle described in the previous paragraph of using dripper elements with different opening pressures upstream and downstream of the actuator unit is described there for two hose section lengths. However, it is not limited to two hose section lengths, but can also be used for 3, 4, 5, or N sections, each subdivided by actuator units. In this case, the opening pressure must decrease the further the respective section is from the distribution line, particularly the more actuator units must be open in series to apply pressure to the corresponding section. Preferably, the opening pressure decreases linearly with the number of actuator units through which the flow passes.This means, for example, if 4 hose sections are provided, which are subdivided by 3 actuator units positioned along the length of the dripper hose, and the opening pressure of the dripper elements on the 1st section, which is directly connected to the distribution line, is 4 bar and the opening pressure of the dripper elements on the 2nd section, which is positioned downstream of a 1st actuator unit, is 3.5 bar, then the opening pressure of the dripper elements of the 3rd section downstream of the 2nd actuator unit is preferably 3.0 bar and the opening pressure of the dripper elements of the 4th section downstream of the 3rd actuator unit is preferably 2.5 bar.

[0027] The following section provides a more detailed description of some terms used in the preceding paragraphs:

[0028] Dripping hoses according to the invention are characterized by the fact that they can be laid underground or above ground on agricultural, forestry, or horticultural land and typically comprise dripper elements distributed regularly along their length. These dripper elements, operating at typically relatively low pressures of less than 10 bar, allow precisely metered quantities of liquid to escape in a typically continuous flow over extended periods. An exemplary flow rate would be 1.5 liters per square meter per day. Dripping hoses can be laid both underground and above ground on the area in question.

[0029] The irrigation control unit according to the invention connects the field, several fields, or a partial area to the liquid source, such as wells, pumps, pumping stations from bodies of water or retention basins, tanks, or similar devices. The irrigation control unit can, for example, include elements such as switchable distributors or valves, pressure control devices, filtration devices, or dosing or injection systems for additives. In addition to applying water for irrigation, the drip irrigation system can also be used to apply liquid fertilizers, pesticides, or other additives to influence plant growth. The application of liquid fertilizers using drip irrigation systems is also known as fertigation. This can occur simultaneously with or in conjunction with irrigation, or independently of combined irrigation.To control and monitor the aforementioned system components, the irrigation control unit can additionally include a computing module and / or sensors, which typically comprises components such as one or more processors, volatile and non-volatile memory, interfaces, etc. The dripper hoses are connected directly or indirectly to one or more irrigation control units via one or more distribution lines, also referred to as supply lines, feed lines, or fittings. These distribution lines can also be divided into segments, and additional components, such as connectors, fittings, or extensions, can be used for connection. Generally, the terms distribution lines, supply lines, feed lines, and fittings are used synonymously for lines between the irrigation control unit and the dripper hoses.In this system, the distribution lines can not only distribute to various dripper tubes but also have internal distribution points where the fluid flow splits into further sub-distributions. The distribution lines, or supply lines, can be directly connected to the dripper tubes. Alternatively, the supply lines can be divided into segments, to which the dripper tubes are first connected and which are then joined together to form a continuous supply line. The latter is particularly preferred when using pre-assembled units for the dripper tube installation.

[0030] The actuator units preferably each comprise at least one valve and, optionally, fittings for coupling to the dripping tubing, at least one computing module, and at least one communication module for short-range wireless radio transmission. The at least one computing module, preferably implemented as a microcontroller, is preferably configured, among other things, to control the valves and / or sensors as well as the communication module. The at least one computing module includes typical components such as one or more processors (CPUs), volatile and non-volatile memory, further interfaces, etc.

[0031] Various commercially available valve designs are suitable as switchable valves encompassed by the actuators. Microvalves are particularly suitable, as they can be very cost-effective and small, for example, as micro solenoid valves, jet valves, or pinch valves. Actuation is possible, for example, by an electromagnet or piezoelectrically. Preferably, the valves are operated with on / off actuation, meaning they are either fully open or fully closed. This design is more cost-effective than the alternative proportional valve design and is also more energy-efficient. A bistable valve design is particularly advantageous, as it can be actuated to change its state from closed to open or vice versa, but remains in its respective state when de-energized.By using bistable valves in the actuator units, the power consumption within the actuator units is significantly reduced, since the valves only need to be powered during the switching process, but not continuously in one or more specific states.

[0032] The actuator units are mechanically connected to dripper hoses in such a way that the fluid flow through the dripper hose can be switched on, off or reduced by the switchable valve of the actuator unit at the point where it is connected to the actuator unit.

[0033] The actuator units and dripper hoses are preferably laid together in the area. The mechanical connection can be, for example, an adhesive bond, screw connection, rivet connection, press connection, or similar joining method. Furthermore, the actuator units are preferably designed such that they can be laid together with conventional dripper hose laying machines. This preferably means that the actuator units do not significantly increase the diameter of the dripper hoses, and thus the longest cross-section of the dripper hose with actuator units at the points where they are connected is no more than three times the longest cross-section of the dripper hose at points without actuator units. Preferably, this ratio is no more than twice as large, and particularly preferably it remains below 1.2 times.This allows the points where the actuator units are connected to the drip irrigation hoses to be easily routed through the hose guides of common drip irrigation hose laying machines without jamming. If necessary, this requires the actuator units to be elongated along the length of the drip irrigation hoses to keep the cross-sectional dimensions as small as possible. The preferred mechanical connection of drip irrigation hoses and actuator units, combined with their preferably joint installation, is particularly advantageous. Firstly, this reduces installation costs. Secondly, it makes it possible to equip the actuator units with additional sensors that directly monitor the drip irrigation system and can detect parameters that are direct state variables of the system, such as pressure or flow rates in the hoses.Regarding sensors that monitor the environment of the drip irrigation system, such as the soil or plants, connecting and laying them together is also advantageous compared to using sensors located separately, as this significantly reduces installation costs. This also applies to the cost of obtaining the sensors, which can also be done together with the drip lines. Furthermore, existing communication channels in the field, which are used to control the valves, can be used cost-effectively for the sensors as well.Overall, the cost-effective design of the sensors and their cost-effective installation as part of the laying of the drip irrigation hoses allows for a particularly high number to be placed in the field, thus creating a very dense measurement network and enabling a particularly good response to local differences in the field, as well as influencing state variables of the drip irrigation system, especially preferably all of its drip irrigation hoses.

[0034] Communication with the actuator units is carried out via at least one central control unit. Preferably, the control routines for several actuator units are bundled in a single central control unit. Communication between the actuator units and the central control unit is wireless. The central control unit typically includes a processing module that can retrieve, process, and / or store relevant measured values ​​from any sensors. Alternatively or additionally, the processing module can send control commands to the actuator units to influence the drip irrigation system, in particular to fully or partially open or close their valves. The processing module typically includes components such as one or more processors (CPUs), volatile and non-volatile memory, and other interfaces.It can also include a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows a user to view any measured values ​​or their evaluations, or to specify targets for the condition of the drip irrigation system.

[0035] The control unit can be a single unit or a multi-part unit. In a single-unit design, all components encompassed by the control unit are located in the field or in the immediate vicinity of the field where the drip irrigation system is installed. In this case, the control unit and the irrigation control unit may be located together.

[0036] Alternatively, in a multi-part system, the control unit's computing module can be configured as a cloud-based server running the control routines for the actuator units. In such a configuration, the control unit in the field or in its immediate vicinity comprises only a converter, which includes at least one communication module for short-range radio or wired communication with the actuator units and a connection module for mobile or wired internet access. This module converts the communication signals from the actuator units into an internet connection with the irrigation control unit's computing module.

[0037] Preferably, the control unit's computing module can also handle control functions for the irrigation control unit itself, in addition to controlling the actuator units. This includes, for example, controlling valves, distributors, pumps, filtering or dosing units, as well as reading data from sensors in or on the irrigation control unit. This architecture allows for comprehensive control and monitoring of the drip irrigation system at the irrigation control unit on the one hand, and at the actuator units of the distributed drip lines on the other.

[0038] To minimize labor and monitoring effort during the installation of the drip irrigation system, it is particularly advantageous if the drip lines and actuator units are pre-assembled and laid. Preferably, in such a method, the actuator units are mechanically connected to the drip lines in a factory where, for example, the drip lines are manufactured or assembled. They can then be wound together onto a drum, transported to the field where they are to be laid, and installed there using a drip line laying machine. It is especially preferred that the field geometry of the field where the drip lines are to be laid is known during the assembly process.The drip irrigation tubing can then be cut to the appropriate length for a field run at the factory. Actuators can then be attached and mechanically connected to the corresponding target positions for the installation of actuator units in the field. In this process, each roll of drip irrigation tubing is individually and optimally prepared for a specific location within the known field geometry.

[0039] In the optional method of laying pre-assembled dripper hoses with actuator units already connected at an optimal predetermined position, it is particularly advantageous if preferably pre-assembled units are laid for several adjacent rows. In this case, dripper hoses can be cut to length at the factory, connected to actuator units, with dripper elements having different technical properties corresponding to the previous sections being attached to the correct partial lengths, and several adjacent dripper hoses being connected to sections of distribution lines.

[0040] For example, for a six-row drip irrigation tubing machine, six adjacent drip irrigation tubing sections are combined into a pre-assembled unit at the factory. This unit can then be mechanically inserted into the machine in the field as a single piece, drastically reducing manual labor.

[0041] During assembly, it may be necessary to partially or completely cut the dripper hose for the mechanical connection and then reseal it at that point, ensuring it is fluid-conducting and leak-proof. The dripper hose can also be assembled from individual dripper hose segments during assembly, laying, or installation. However, even in this configuration, it is still topologically considered a single hose, since even when actuator units are installed along its length, no branches or junctions are provided at the connection points. Therefore, when the valve is open, the fluid simply flows in a straight line. Further advantages of the drip irrigation system according to the invention arise in specific embodiments.

[0042] In one embodiment of the drip irrigation system according to the invention, actuator units are additionally arranged, at least partially, at the connection between the distribution line and the dripper hoses. This allows individual dripper hoses to be quickly and easily disconnected from the system, for example in the event of leaks, without having to deactivate the entire drip irrigation system. Likewise, this allows the field areas irrigated by the individual dripper hoses to be irrigated to varying degrees or to be treated with additionally distributed nutrients or additives. The actuator units arranged there thus contribute to site-specific irrigation and / or fertigation between the sub-areas supplied by individual dripper hoses.Finally, this also allows for optimization of the automatic flushing process. By closing a subset of dripper hoses at the distribution line, the flushing power of the irrigation control unit can be focused on the remaining dripper hose(s) still open at the distribution line, thus achieving a higher flushing rate. Subsequently, the other hoses are flushed individually or in groups in the same manner, with the actuators of other dripper hoses at the connection point to the distribution line again being closed to focus the flushing power.

[0043] In one embodiment of the drip irrigation system according to the invention, the actuator units at least partially comprise additional measuring elements, which include one or more sensors for measuring, for example, pressure, flow rate, temperature, soil moisture, and electrical conductivity of the soil or the fluid being conveyed, either individually or in combination. In one embodiment, these sensors can be configured to detect state variables of the drip lines, such as pressure, flow rate, temperature, electrical conductivity, and the ion composition of the fluid being conveyed. In another embodiment, these sensors can describe the state of the surrounding soil, for example, by sensorily detecting the soil temperature, moisture, or conductivity. The use of sensors integrated into the drip lines for detecting leaks is particularly advantageous.This can be achieved, for example, by detecting pressure or flow rate drops in the line, or by detecting localized increases in humidity in the vicinity of the drip irrigation tubing. Similarly, a flushing process can be monitored using sensors located at the end of a branch line opposite the distribution line. Here, too, monitoring of pressure or flow rate in the tubing, or even the sudden increase in soil moisture in the area surrounding the tubing that occurs during proper flushing, is possible. For above-ground drip irrigation lines, configurations are also possible where the sensors record data from the air (air temperature, pressure, or humidity), solar radiation, or plant data, for example, using optical sensors.

[0044] In one embodiment of the drip irrigation system according to the invention, the actuator units are equipped with energy storage devices, such as batteries, which supply them with energy. For optional battery operation, the actuator units are preferably equipped with a battery capacity sufficient for one or more years, particularly 3, 5, or 10 years, when installed in the ground. With the use of lithium-based batteries for microsensors, for example, such operating times are now technically feasible, and suitable batteries are readily available on the market at low cost. These operating times are particularly advantageous when adapted to the planned dwell time of the drip lines in the ground. This is especially relevant for one-year installations, particularly near-surface or shallow installations, for example in specialty crops, and preferably for multi-year underground installations.

[0045] As an alternative to battery operation of the actuator units, a wired power supply for the actuator units is a possible option. Even in this case, wireless communication between the actuator units can still be more cost-effective than a fully wired operation, as no data cable needs to be laid along the drip lines. In one embodiment of the drip irrigation system according to the invention, the actuator units are powered via a wired connection. A single, single-core supply cable is laid along the drip lines and actuator units, and this cable carries one pole of the supply voltage, while the second pole is grounded. Furthermore, the supply cable is reduced to a single conductor, in contrast to the two or more conductors usually required.This is highly advantageous because, due to the large total length of drip irrigation tubing required when laying a field, every minimal cost saving per meter of tubing translates into a significant saving in terms of overall investment costs. Thus, while the cost of a single meter of the otherwise necessary additional supply cable might only amount to a few cents, it is still considerable when considering the overall cost of the drip irrigation system across a field of several hectares.

[0046] In one embodiment of the drip irrigation system according to the invention, the actuator units are powered by energy harvesting. This technique eliminates the need for larger battery capacities for extended periods and also avoids the need to lay any supply cables, not even single wires. Energy could, for example, be harvested from the flow energy of the water or the applied solution. Similarly, it would be possible to utilize temperature differences in the flowing liquid by means of a Peltier element.

[0047] In one embodiment of the drip irrigation system according to the invention, the actuator units are configured to temporarily deactivate their radio modules completely and automatically reactivate them after a defined period. The periods during which the radio modules are deactivated or activated are synchronized across at least several actuator units of a drip irrigation system, preferably for all actuator units of a drip irrigation system. This approach has the advantage of a further, significant reduction in the energy consumption of the actuator units. This approach utilizes the advantage that, when used within a drip irrigation system, the actuator units can be regularly and predictably deactivated for specific periods, since continuous measured values ​​are not required, and the actuators can remain in a specific state for a predetermined time.These time periods can be several minutes or hours, for example, during irrigation operation. It's also possible to read the sensors only within a specific time window each day / week and have the actuators, including measuring elements, log data locally during the interim, without communication. Finally, it's also possible to put the actuators into sleep mode for several months outside the irrigation season. In all cases, however, it's crucial that they are synchronized and available again after their deactivation period expires, as individual actuators would be unreachable if the surrounding actuators weren't also active. Because the deactivation period for all actuators can be planned, no "Wake-on-WLAN" or similar technology is required.The actuator units can completely de-energize their communication modules and only resume responding to communication requests after a set period of time. This significantly reduces the energy consumption of the actuator units.

[0048] In one embodiment of the drip irrigation system according to the invention, in which the actuator units communicate wirelessly with the control unit, signal transmission between the control unit and individual actuator units occurs along a chain of actuator units perpendicular to the laying direction of the drip lines. This has the advantage that, in a multitude of application scenarios, the distance between the actuator units along the length of the drip lines is greater than the distance between the drip lines themselves. It may also be possible to use only one actuator unit per drip line. Therefore, with regard to the wireless distance to be bridged between the actuator units, it is advantageous to send the signals to actuator units connected to a drip line laid laterally next to the transmitting actuator unit.The actuator unit can be the target directly on the adjacent dripper tube. Alternatively, transmission can be carried out to actuator units connected to the next-but-one, next-but-one, or fourth, fifth, sixth, etc., dripper tube. This can potentially reduce the total number of required transmissions by a factor of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. Furthermore, it is also advantageous if several actuator units are within radio range and can be switched between them. This allows the failure of a single actuator unit to be bypassed in terms of radio communication, thus preventing all actuator units located downstream of the defective unit from the control center's perspective from automatically failing as well.In one embodiment of the drip irrigation system according to the invention, the actuator units have one or more bending points along their main direction of extension, which corresponds to the laying direction of the dripper hose and the flow direction of the liquid through the dripper hose. At these points, they can be flexibly bent or flexed with the hose to allow them to be wound onto drums or to conform to the typical curve radii of a laying machine. This has the advantage of reducing the potential for damage to the actuator units during passage through the laying machine.

[0049] The features of the drip irrigation system described above, as well as methods for its operation and control, or computer program products for its manufacture or operation, can be combined with each other in any way with the features of the independent claims. The same applies to the features introduced in the element-by-element description and the drawings.

[0050] Further modifications and embodiments of the drip irrigation system according to the invention can be found in the following element-by-element description and the drawings. A more detailed description will now follow with reference to some exemplary embodiments. The drawings show:

[0051] Fig. 1: An exemplary embodiment of a drip irrigation system according to the invention on a field after completion of the installation, in a top view.

[0052] Fig. 2: An exemplary possible configuration of the communication paths between actuator units and the control center unit of a drip irrigation system according to the invention installed in the field, in a top view.

[0053] Fig. 3: An exemplary possible embodiment of a pre-assembled unit in side view and top view; Fig. 4: An exemplary possible embodiment of a laying machine designed as a tractor attachment with an inserted, possible embodiment of a pre-assembled unit of several adjacent dripper hoses in top view.

[0054] Fig. 5: an exemplary possible design of the beginning of the laying of a single prefabricated unit in underground installation in side view,

[0055] Fig. 6: An exemplary possible design of the termination of the installation of a single prefabricated unit during underground installation in side view,

[0056] Fig. 7: An exemplary embodiment of a dripper hose comprising a drip irrigation system according to the invention, with connections and actuator units in side view and

[0057] Fig. 8: an exemplary possible embodiment of an actuator unit connected to a dripper hose in a top view.

[0058] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a drip irrigation system according to the invention on a field after completion of the installation, in a top view. The field is delimited by the field geometry 30 and is equipped here with installed drip lines 6 across its entire area, with the exception of the headland. Alternatively, installation on only one or more sub-areas is also possible. The irrigation control unit 33 is located outside the field geometry. It is also possible to place the irrigation control unit 33 within the field geometry. Furthermore, it is possible to use one irrigation control unit 33 for several fields or several irrigation control units 33 for one field. A trench 22, for example, running transversely to the installation direction of the drip lines 6, for supply lines or supply line segments 7, is shown hatched at an angle of -45°.In this configuration, trench 22 is closed again after installation, and the supply lines and segments 7 are thus covered with soil. Dripper hoses 6 were laid in both directions from trench 22, which is located in the center of the area. The supply line segments 7 of the pre-assembled units lie in trench 22. These have already been connected to each other and to the irrigation control unit 33. It may be necessary to install additional connectors 31 between the supply line segments. Likewise, it may be necessary to install one or more connector and / or distribution lines 32 between the supply line segments 7 and the irrigation control unit 33. The two field areas marked with the reference number 34 indicate exemplary areas of the field, each of which is covered and irrigated by a pre-assembled unit.It is evident that the lengths of the dripper tubes 6 differ both within the field sections of individual pre-assembled units and between the field sections. This is preferably achieved through appropriate planning of the cutting of the dripper tubes 6 to length and the fitting of the pre-assembled units with dripper tubes 6 during assembly in a factory, before the pre-assembled units are transported to the field for installation. Furthermore, the dripper tubes 6 are equipped with actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c. The actuator units 100a, symbolized here by squares, are located at the ends of the dripper tubes 6, which are designed as branch lines, opposite the supply line or supply line segment 7. These actuator units 100a serve in particular for the automatic flushing of the dripper tubes 6.The actuator units 100b, symbolized here by circles, are positioned along the length of the dripper hoses 6. Dripper elements (not shown here) with different technical properties or in varying numbers per unit length of dripper hose 6 are located both upstream and downstream of these actuator units 100b. These actuator units 100b are primarily used to control site-specific irrigation. The actuator units 100c, symbolized here by triangles, are located at or near the connection point between the supply line segment 7 and the dripper hose 6, specifically upstream of the first dripper element in the direction of liquid flow. These actuator units 100c support automatic flushing and site-specific irrigation.These actuator units 100c are also suitable for quickly and easily disconnecting individual dripper hoses 6 from the supply in the event of a fault and deactivating them individually, without having to shut down the entire drip irrigation system. The positions of the actuator units 100b for controlling the site-specific irrigation along the length of the dripper hoses 6 can be determined in various ways. For example, it is possible to position these actuator units 100b at constant intervals or to divide the lengths of the dripper hoses 6 into fixed ratios. Furthermore, it is preferably possible to determine the positions based on the characteristics of different zones of the field 30. These could be, for example, zones with similar soil properties (e.g., soil type), consistent usable field capacity, specific supply conditions, differing land use between the zones, or similar factors.Field 30 is preferably divided into different yield zones 150 / 151 / 152 to determine the positions of the dripper elements 100b. Each zone has a similar yield potential within its area, but this potential varies between zones. This is illustrated here. Zone 150, shown here with hatching at a 45° angle, has a low yield potential. Zone 151, shown here without hatching, has a medium yield potential. Zone 152, shown here with crossed hatching rotated by 60°, has a high yield potential. In this case, the dripper elements 100b are preferably positioned at the boundaries of the different yield zones 150 / 151 / 152, as can be seen in the figure. The planning of the assembly of the dripper hoses 6 with the actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c and...

[0059] Supply line segments 7 are preferably carried out with knowledge of the field geometry 30 and the yield zones 1501151 / 152 using suitable algorithms with a computer program product.

[0060] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary configuration of the communication paths between actuator units and the control unit of a drip irrigation system according to the invention installed in the field, in a top view. Here, two pre-assembled units, each comprising six adjacent dripper hoses 6 with actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c and a supply line element 7, are installed in the field. Area 34 indicates the part of the field that is irrigated and / or finished by a single pre-assembled unit. In the embodiment shown here, the dripper hoses 6 are of equal length. The dripper hoses 6 are equipped with actuator units 100c near the distribution line or the distribution line segment 7, actuator units 100b along the length of the dripper hoses 6 for site-specific irrigation, and actuator units 100a at the end of the dripper hoses 6 opposite the supply line 7.The actuator units 100a are preferably used, among other things, for automatic flushing. In the embodiment shown here, the positioning of the actuator units is defined such that the lengths of the dripper tubes are divided into fixed ratios. The supply line segments 7 are connected by the connector 31. The actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c include communication modules 116 for short-range wireless radio transmission. Also shown here is an embodiment of a control unit 101, comprising a computer module 115 and communication modules 113 connected to it by cable 114 for short-range wireless radio transmission. The radio communication paths are indicated by double arrows. The dashed double arrows HO show the communication between actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c on adjacent dripper tubes 6.In the communication described here, messages are always sent to the next-but-one actuator unit 100a / 100b / 100c. This has the advantage over sending to the directly adjacent actuator unit 100a / 100b / 100c that the total number of required communication processes can be significantly reduced, by approximately a factor of 3, while the radio range of the communication modules 116 still does not need to be very large. Preferably, the radio range of the communication modules 116 is greater than the distance to the directly adjacent actuator unit 100a / 100b / 100c, but still significantly smaller than the size of the array.Besides the potential savings in communication processes, this also has the advantage that individual actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c can potentially be skipped. Therefore, if individual actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c fail, entire field sections of downstream actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c do not also fail. This requires that the actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c are configured to change their communication paths as needed and then, for example, no longer communicate with the next-but-one actuator unit 100a / 100b / 100c (as shown here), but with the next or the next-but-one actuator unit 100a / 100b / 100c. This change in the communication path of the other actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c in the event of failure of individual actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c can be carried out automatically if they are appropriately configured.The main communication lines 117 are used here for radio communication between actuator units perpendicular to the laying direction of the drip lines 6. Various topologies are also possible for radio communication with the control unit. If the distances between the actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c along the length of the drip lines 6 are greater than the radio range of the radio communication modules 116, it may be necessary to equip the control unit with several radio modules 113. In this configuration, these can, for example, be installed on the side of the field and receive the radio signals from the last actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c along the communication paths indicated by the dotted double arrows 112.Alternatively, if the distances between the actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c along the length of the dripper tubes 6 are smaller than the radio range of the radio communication modules 116, radio communication can also take place along the laying direction of the dripper tubes 6 between actuator units 100a / 100b / 100c on the same dripper tube 6. This radio communication path is symbolized by the double arrows with dotted lines Hl. If this radio communication path Hl is used, the radio communication with the control unit 101 can also be combined at a single point, and, for example, the two radio modules H3 shown at the top of the image can be omitted, and communication with the control unit can only take place via radio along one side, along the dotted double arrows H2a.

[0061] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary possible configuration of a pre-assembled unit in side and top view. The upper part of the figure shows the pre-assembled unit 9 in side view. The dripper tube 6 is wound onto the transport drum 5 in winding 4. The supply line segment 7 is connected to the dripper tube 6 via the liquid-conducting, end-fixed connection 8. The lower part of the figure shows the pre-assembled unit 9 in top view. Here, several dripper tubes 6 from adjacent dripper tube rows are visible, wound onto the transport drum 5 in windings 4. The first supply line segment 7 is connected to the dripper tubes 6 via the liquid-conducting, end-fixed connections 8.

[0062] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary possible configuration of a laying machine designed as a tractor-mounted implement, with a possible pre-assembled unit of several adjacent drip irrigation hoses inserted, in a top view. The laying machine is designed here as a mounted implement for a manned agricultural tractor 1. As a dedicated laying machine 3, it is not combined with equipment for other agricultural work processes, and during underground laying, soil movement occurs to the extent necessary for the laying step. Reference numeral 2 indicates the direction of travel of the laying machine during the laying process. The laying machine includes at least one or more holders for transport drums 13 and soil opening tools 12. A pre-assembled unit 9 is already inserted into the laying machine.In this embodiment, the supply line segments 7, which are connected to the end of the dripper hoses 6 in a fluid-conducting and end-fixed manner, are laid down behind the laying machine 3 in the direction of travel 2 at the beginning of the laying process.

[0063] Fig. 5 shows an exemplary configuration of the initial installation of a single pre-assembled unit during underground installation in a side view. Before the installation process begins, a trench 22 running transversely to the installation direction is excavated into the ground 21. The supply line segments 7 are placed in this trench 22. This can be done without driving over the trench 21 by having the tractor 1 travel on the ground surface 20, approach the trench 22 in reverse with the raised laying machine 3, including the inserted pre-assembled unit 9, and lower the laying machine after the ground opening tools 12 have reached a position above the trench 22. The upper part of the figure shows the state after this lowering has taken place.The supply line segment 7 is now in its final position, to which it was moved by the laying machine 3 in the manner described. The forward movement now begins with the laying machine lowered in the direction of travel 2. The lower part of the illustration shows an example of a possible further course of the laying process. The ground 21a has been opened by the soil opening tool 12, for example, by cutting a slit. The drip line 6 is laid at the bottom of the opened ground 21a, starting from the supply line segment 7 located in the trench 22, after it has been unwound from the drum of the pre-assembled unit 9 and guided into the ground by the hose guide 11, for example, guide rollers, of the laying machine 3.

[0064] Fig. 6 shows an exemplary possible configuration of the termination of the installation of a single pre-assembled unit during underground installation in a side view. In the upper part of the figure, it can be seen how the tractor 1 with the laying machine 3 has now advanced a further distance in the direction of travel 2 on the ground surface 20. The trench is no longer visible. Furthermore, the ground 21 is opened by the ground opening tool 12, and the drip line 6 is laid at the bottom of the opened ground 21a. Reference numeral 11 shows the hose guides, for example, designed as guide rollers, guide rails, or guide tubes. The pre-assembled unit 9 is now completely unwound. At this moment, the winding end 57 automatically detaches from the transport drum 5.The lower part of the illustration then shows, by way of example, how, as tractor 1 and laying machine 3 continue their forward movement in direction 2, the remaining end of the drip line 6 is also pulled out of the hose guide and the laying outlets of the laying machine. Again, no action is required from the driver or operator. Once the drip line 6 has completely left the laying machine and is fully positioned at the bottom of the open floor 21a, the laying machine 3 can be lifted out. The empty transport drum can be removed from the laying machine and reused or recycled. After inserting another pre-assembled unit, the laying process can start again for the next unit.

[0065] Fig. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a drip irrigation system according to the invention, including connections and actuator units, in a side view. The drip irrigation system 6 is connected to a supply line 7 via a fixed, fluid-conducting connection 8. Dripper elements 15 are distributed along the length of the drip irrigation system 6. The drip irrigation system can be enclosed by a covering 16, for example, made of (metallic) wire mesh or other fabric. The purpose of the covering 16 can be to protect against rodents. The actuator unit 100c is positioned at or near the connection point between the drip irrigation system 6 and the supply line or supply line segment 7, in particular upstream of the first dripper element 15a. The direction of fluid flow through the drip irrigation system 6 is indicated by the arrow 107.The actuator unit 100b is arranged along the length of the dripper hose 6 such that dripper elements 15 are located both upstream and downstream of it. To enable site-specific application, the number of dripper elements 15 per unit length of the dripper hose differs upstream and downstream of the actuator unit 100b in the flow direction 107. Specifically, downstream of the actuator unit 100b, there are twice as many dripper elements 15 as upstream. This is achieved by placing one dripper element 15 upstream of the actuator unit 100b and two dripper elements downstream of it at mounting points equidistant from each other.Another possibility would be to install a dripper element 15 at each position downstream of the actuator unit 100b, but to halve the distance between these positions in the rear section compared to the front section. Furthermore, an actuator unit 100a is located at the end of the dripper hose, which is designed as a branch line, opposite the supply line or supply line segment 7. This unit serves for the automatic flushing of the drip irrigation system. This actuator unit 100a is preferably equipped with additional moisture sensors. For example, a measuring sensor 102 of a soil moisture sensor is shown here, which is enclosed by the actuator unit 100a.This allows the end of the hose not only to be opened automatically by the actuator unit 100a for the purpose of automatic flushing, but also to automatically monitor the success of the flushing, for example by sensorily detecting the sudden increase in soil moisture in the vicinity of the actuator unit 100a at the end of the dripper hose 6 when the flushing fluid is released.

[0066] Fig. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of an actuator unit connected to a drip tube in a top view. The actuator unit 100 is integrated into the drip tube 6. In the embodiment shown here, the actuator unit 100 comprises, in particular, the following components: a communication module 116 for short-range wireless radio transmission, a computing module 118, one or more energy storage devices 104, for example, batteries, and a switchable, controllable valve 103, which can block or reduce the flow of liquid through the drip tube 6. Preferably, the individual components of the actuator unit 100 are flexibly connected to one another, for example, by each being individually connected to the drip tube 6 for mechanical fixation and to each other by flexible, wired connections 114.This allows the dripper hose 6 to be flexibly curved, bent, or kinked 105 even in the area of ​​the installed actuator unit 100, without damaging the actuator unit 100 or its components. This also makes it possible to lay the hose in bends. Furthermore, this design of the actuator units 100 allows the dripper hose 6 and actuator units 100 to be assembled in a factory, rather than only after the dripper hoses 6 have been installed in the field (which remains an alternative option). Factory-supported assembly is particularly advantageous because it offers significantly greater automation potential than manual, subsequent assembly in the field.Factory-supported assembly is made possible by this design of the actuator units 100, in particular because it allows the dripper hoses 6 with installed actuator units 100 to be wound onto drums and guided through the hose guides of conventional laying machines. It is especially advantageous if the cross-section 106 of the dripper hose 6 in the area of ​​the installed actuator unit 100 is not significantly larger than at other positions of the dripper hose 6. The arrow 107 indicates the direction of liquid flow through the dripper hose 6.

[0067] The accompanying figures, illustrations, descriptions, and exemplary embodiments serve only to explain the invention. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. It will be easy for a person skilled in the art to modify the exemplary embodiments in a manner deemed suitable to adapt them to a specific application.

[0068] Reference symbol list

[0069] 1 towing vehicle.

[0070] 2. Priority direction.

[0071] 3 laying machines.

[0072] 4 windings.

[0073] 5 transport drums.

[0074] 6 dripper tubes.

[0075] 7 Supply line segment.

[0076] 8. Liquid-conducting, end-fixed connection.

[0077] 9 Pre-assembled units.

[0078] 11 Hose guide, for example designed as or comprising a guide roller.

[0079] 12 floor opening tools.

[0080] 13 holders for transport drum.

[0081] 15 dripper elements.

[0082] 15a First dripper element on a dripper tube in the direction of flow.

[0083] 16. Wrapping the dripper tube.

[0084] 20 Soil surface.

[0085] 21 floor.

[0086] 21a Floor, open here.

[0087] 22 trenches.

[0088] 30 Field geometry.

[0089] 31 connectors between supply line segments.

[0090] 32 Connector and / or distributor line between supply line segment and irrigation central unit.

[0091] 33 Irrigation Central Unit.

[0092] 34 Field area covered by a single pre-assembled unit.

[0093] 57 Detachable winding end.

[0094] 100 Actuator unit. 100a Actuator unit with position at the end of a dripper hose opposite the supply line or supply line segment, designed as a branch line.

[0095] 100b Actuator unit with position on the length of a dripper hose, wherein the dripper elements located in the direction of flow of the liquid in front of and behind the actuator unit are technically different.

[0096] 100c Actuator unit at a position on or near the connection point between dripper hose and supply line or supply line segment.

[0097] 101 Control center unit.

[0098] 102 sensors.

[0099] 103 controllable valves.

[0100] 104 Energy storage devices, for example batteries.

[0101] 105 Non-straight, here radially curved course of the dripper hose in the area where the actuator unit is positioned.

[0102] 106 Cross-section of the dripper hose.

[0103] 107 Direction of liquid flow through the dripper tube.

[0104] HO radio communication between actuator units of adjacent dripper hoses, represented here by double arrows with dashed lines.

[0105] 1H Radio communication between actuator units on the same dripper tube, shown here by double arrows with dash-dot lines.

[0106] 112 Radio communication between and communication module for wireless radio transmission in the vicinity of the control center unit, represented here by double arrows with dotted lines.

[0107] H2a radio communication between and communication module for wireless radio transmission in the vicinity of the control center unit, represented here by double arrows with dotted lines, here collectable at one point.

[0108] 113 Communication module of the control center unit for short-range wireless radio transmission.

[0109] 114 Wired connection.

[0110] 115 Computing module of the control center unit.

[0111] 116 Communication module of an actuator unit for short-range wireless radio transmission. 117 Main communication lines of the radio signals between actuator units perpendicular to the laying direction of the drip lines.

[0112] 118 Calculation module of the actuator unit.

[0113] 150 Low yield zone within the field, shown here by 45° rising hatching.

[0114] 151 Yield zone with medium yield potential within the field, shown here without hatching.

[0115] 152 High yield zone within the field, shown here by 60° angled, crossed hatching.

[0116] Non-patented literature

[0117] [NP1] Model 6818 Subsurface Drip Applicator, htps: / / www.rainfloirrigation.com / eauipment / drip-applicators / model-6818-subsurface [accessed February 29, 2024]

[0118] [NP2] Klaus Spohrer, Christof Hübner, Kai Joter, Tino Wagenknecht, Fridon Gaprindashvili, Constanze Müller and Karlheinz Köller: “Site-specific drip irrigation with wireless sensor networks in viticulture”, Landtechnik 66 (2011), no. 1, pp. 22-25, 4 figures.

Claims

Claims 1. Drip irrigation system for the irrigation and / or fertigation of agricultural, forestry or horticultural areas, comprising at least one central irrigation unit (33), several dripper hoses (6), at least one distribution line (32) by means of which the dripper hoses (6) are connected to the central irrigation unit (33), optionally using further connecting elements (31, 7), several actuator units (100), each comprising at least one controllable valve (103) and each comprising at least one communication module (116) for short-range wireless radio transmission, and at least one control unit (101), comprising at least one communication module (113) for short-range wireless radio transmission and configured to read measurement signals from the actuator units (100) and / or to send control signals to the actuator units (100).wherein the actuator units (100) are mechanically connected to the dripper tubes (6) and are shaped in such a way that they can be laid together with the dripper tubes (6) by means of a dripper tube laying machine (3), characterized in that the control center unit (101) as well as at least one first actuator unit (100) and at least one second actuator unit (100) are arranged such that communication signals which are exchanged between the first actuator unit (100) and the control center unit (101) are first transmitted by radio from the respective sending unit to a second actuator unit (100) and then by this second actuator unit (100) are transmitted either directly or after further intermediate transmission by one or more further actuator units (100) to the receiving unit by radio,so that no wired data connection to the actuator units (100) is required and the distance between the control center unit (101) and at least the actuator unit (100) furthest from it of the drip irrigation system is greater than the range of the communication modules (116) included by the actuator unit (100) for short-range wireless radio transmission, wherein the dripper hoses (6) are at least partially designed as branch lines which are connected only on one side to supply lines or supply line segments (7) and at least a subset of the actuator units (100a) are arranged at the ends of dripper hoses (6) encompassed by the drip irrigation system opposite the supply line or supply line segment (7) and are designed to be opened there for an automatic flushing process by the control unit (101).

2. Drip irrigation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several actuator units (100c) are further arranged at or near the connection (8) between supply line or supply line segment (7) and dripper hoses, in particular in the direction of flow (107) upstream of the first dripper element (15a).

3. Drip irrigation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator units (100) additionally comprise at least partially measuring elements, which include one or more sensors for measuring, for example, pressure, flow rate, temperature, soil moisture, electrical conductivity of soil or fluid passed through, each individually or in combination.

4. Drip irrigation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator units (100) are equipped with energy storage devices (104), for example batteries, for their autonomous energy supply, the storage capacity of the energy storage devices (104) is sufficient for one or more, in particular 3, 5 or 10 years and the energy storage devices (104) are charged or filled when laid in the ground.

5. Drip irrigation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator units (100) are supplied with energy via cable, wherein a single supply cable is laid along the dripper hoses (6) and actuator units (100) in the area and This cable forms one pole of the supply voltage, while the second pole is closed via the earth.

6. Drip irrigation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator units (100) are configured to temporarily deactivate their radio modules (116) completely and to automatically reactivate them after a defined period of time, wherein the periods in which the radio modules (116) are deactivated or activated are synchronized across at least several actuator units (100) of a drip irrigation system, preferably for all actuator units (100) of a drip irrigation system.

7. Drip irrigation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main communication line (117) of the signal transmission in the communication between control center unit (101) and individual actuator units (100) takes place along a chain of actuator units (100) transverse to the laying direction, which corresponds in particular to the length of the dripper hoses (6) as well as the flow direction (107) through them, of the dripper hoses (6).

8. Drip irrigation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating units (100) have one or more bending points along their main extension direction, which corresponds to the laying direction of the dripper hose (6) or the flow direction (107) through the dripper hose (6), at which they can be flexibly bent or flexed (105) with the dripper hose (6) in order to be wound onto drums (5) or to be able to replicate typical curve radii of hose guides (11) of conventional laying machines (3).

Images