Autonomous Soil Moisture Control for Uniform Construction Watering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water trucks lack the ability to achieve uniform and accurate soil moisture levels across construction sites, relying heavily on operator skill, which affects soil compaction and dust control.
Innovation Solution
An electronic soil moisture control system installed on water trucks that analyzes data from various modules to calculate and apply the correct water volume and rate, guiding the truck autonomously or manually to achieve uniform moisture levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual water dispensing by operator is used, then operation simplicity is maintained, but moisture uniformity and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs moisture sensors to continuously measure soil moisture levels and feeds this information back to the control module. The control module adjusts water dispensing in real-time based on the feedback, ensuring uniform and accurate moisture distribution across the construction site while maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs water dispensing operations autonomously without requiring manual intervention. The control module independently processes sensor data, calculates required water volumes, and activates dispensers, enabling the system to service itself and eliminate dependence on operator skill.
2Measurement precision
If operator skill-dependent water dispensing is used, then device complexity is low, but moisture accuracy and uniformity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Moisture sensors provide continuous feedback on actual soil moisture conditions, which the control module uses to adjust water dispensing rates and volumes. This closed-loop control ensures high measurement precision and accuracy in achieving target moisture levels, compensating for the added electronic system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical water dispensing operations with an automated electronic control system. Sensors, processors, and automated dispensers substitute for human operators, enabling precise moisture control through electronic measurement and actuation rather than manual judgment and action.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If water dispensing is performed before construction activity, then dust control is improved, but water volume requirements increase due to evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies water to the soil in advance of construction activities that generate dust. By pre-moistening the ground, the system prevents dust formation before it occurs, addressing the harmful effect proactively rather than reactively.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module adjusts water application parameters (volume, rate, timing) based on real-time sensor feedback and environmental conditions. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes water usage by applying only the necessary amount to achieve dust suppression, reducing waste from evaporation while maintaining effective dust control.
4Stability of the object's composition
If uniform water application is used, then moisture consistency is improved, but adaptability to varying soil conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies water at different rates and volumes to different locations based on local soil moisture conditions measured by sensors. Rather than uniform application, each area receives customized water dosing appropriate to its specific conditions, achieving both local adaptability and overall moisture consistency across the construction site.
Solution Approach 2:
The water dispensing system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time sensor feedback. The control module continuously modifies dispensing rates and patterns to adapt to varying soil conditions while maintaining target moisture levels, transforming a static uniform application system into a dynamic adaptive system.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments describe a method for moisturizing soil at an open construction site. The method includes determining a target soil moisture level for the soil at the open construction site; measuring a current soil moisture level of a location within the open construction site with a moisture sensor while the moisture control system is moving along a predetermined path across the site; storing the current soil moisture level of the location in memory; determining a target volume of water for achieving the target soil moisture level at the location based on the current soil moisture level at the location; calculating a target application rate to achieve the target soil moisture level at the location based on the target volume of water; and applying the target volume of water at the target application rate to the location when the system is positioned to dispense water at the location of the site.