Agricultural Cover Film Sensor Device for Automated Color Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the presence and surface color of cover films in agricultural applications are inefficient, requiring manual effort and time, and struggle to differentiate between different surface colors and transparent films.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device equipped with a light source and photodiode, paired with an evaluation device that uses non-volatile memory to categorize light intensities into specific ranges for black, white, and transparent surfaces, and includes a radio module for wireless data transmission, allowing for automated detection and remote monitoring of cover film status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual methods are used to determine cover film presence and surface color, then the process is simple to implement, but it requires significant manual effort and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical methods with an automated optical sensing system. A light source illuminates the cover film surface, and a sensor detects reflected light intensity to automatically determine surface color (black, white, or transparent) and presence, eliminating the need for manual effort while achieving rapid automated determination.
2Measurement precision
If simple light intensity detection is used, then the device is simple and low-cost, but it cannot differentiate between transparent cover films and other surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a light source with specific wavelength characteristics (e.g., infrared or UV) that interact differently with transparent versus opaque materials. The sensor detects reflected light intensity at these specific wavelengths, allowing differentiation of transparent cover films from black or white surfaces based on their unique optical properties at the selected wavelength.
3Loss of time
If automated sensor detection is implemented, then manual effort and time are reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into distinct operational modes corresponding to different light intensity ranges. The evaluation unit compares sensor output against predefined thresholds to determine whether the cover film is black, white, transparent, or absent. This segmentation simplifies the evaluation logic and reduces computational complexity while achieving rapid automated determination.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, automated determination of cover film presence and surface color, reducing manual effort and time, while ensuring reliable cultivation area control through wireless data transmission and integration with temperature and soil moisture sensors for improved agricultural yield regulation.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor and light source are aligned such that the sensor detects light reflected from a surface by the light source
Implementation Method 2
The sensor and light source are aligned such that the sensor detects light reflected from a surface by the light source
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cover film sensor device (1) for agricultural applications, comprising a sensor (4) for detecting light intensity, a light source (5) for generating a light beam, wherein the sensor (4) and the light source (5) are aligned such that the sensor (4) detects light from the light source (5) reflected from a surface (6), and an evaluation device (7) which determines the presence and surface color of a cover film (2) depending on the detected light intensity.