Agricultural Additive Rate Control Using Real-Time Weather Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural methods fail to adequately consider local weather and environmental conditions when determining the application rate of agricultural additives, leading to potential damage to applied materials and plants.
Innovation Solution
Adjust the application rate of agricultural additives in real-time based on immediately available weather and environmental data, including forecasts and historical records, to ensure optimal supply and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the application rate of agricultural additives is increased to meet soil and plant nutrient requirements, then the nutritional supply to crops is improved, but the risk of damage to applied materials and plants increases due to water competition and burn
Solution Approach 1:
The application rate is made dynamic by continuously adjusting it based on real-time weather and environmental data. The system transitions from static predefined application rates to dynamic rates that respond to changing conditions such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation forecasts, allowing optimization of nutrient supply while preventing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using weather and environmental data (both current and forecasted) to continuously monitor and adjust the application rate. This feedback loop ensures that the additive application responds to actual environmental conditions, preventing both under-application and over-application that could cause damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the application rate is adjusted frequently based on real-time weather data, then the prevention of damage to applied materials and plants is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses forecasted weather and environmental data to make preliminary adjustments to the application rate before actual damage can occur. By anticipating future conditions based on forecasts, the system can proactively adjust application rates to prevent damage rather than reacting after damage has occurred, simplifying the control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages complexity by focusing on key weather and environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, precipitation) rather than monitoring all possible conditions. By changing the application rate based on these critical parameters, the system achieves effective damage prevention without requiring complex monitoring of every possible environmental variable.
3Quantity of substance
If weather and environmental data are considered when determining application rates, then the optimization of additive supply to soil and plants is improved, but the time lag in weather effects must be accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The system addresses time lags by using forecasted weather data to make preliminary adjustments to the application rate. By anticipating future weather conditions and adjusting application rates in advance, the system compensates for the time lag between weather events and their effects on soil and plant properties, ensuring optimal additive supply timing.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A method for operating an agricultural implement (10) in which at least one additive (22), intended for chemical reaction with the soil and/or plants (23) on an agricultural area, is applied, and in which at least one predefined application rate for the additive (22) is retrieved and/or specified. To further improve the supply and/or treatment of an agricultural area with additives (22), the method provides that the application rate for the additive (22) is adjusted immediately before and/or during application based on obtainable and/or retrievable weather and/or environmental data.