Dual-Machine Irrigation Spans for Real-Time Liquid Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems lack a holistic approach for gathering real-time sensor data to optimize liquid deployment, as current methods are either subjective, outdated, or require extensive installation and maintenance, failing to provide an all-in-one solution for on-machine irrigation control.
Innovation Solution
A dual machine irrigation system comprising an irrigation span and a separate sensor span, where the sensor span gathers data using environmental sensors to optimize liquid deployment, with a central controller processing this data to control the irrigation span, allowing for both prospective and retrospective data collection to adjust irrigation plans in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual methods (mud-ball method) are used to determine irrigation needs, then simplicity and ease of operation are maintained, but measurement precision and objectivity deteriorate due to high subjectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical assessment methods (mud-ball method) with electronic sensor systems that automatically measure soil moisture, crop conditions, and environmental parameters. This substitution eliminates human subjectivity while maintaining operational simplicity through automated data collection and analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensor machines and data processing systems as intermediaries between the field conditions and the irrigation decision-making process. These intermediaries objectively measure and transmit information, bridging the gap between physical soil/crop states and irrigation control actions without human intervention.
2Measurement precision
If in-field soil sensors are installed for real-time monitoring, then measurement precision and data accuracy are improved, but device complexity and installation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring function into separate sensor machines that can be deployed independently from the irrigation system. These modular sensor units collect data that is then processed by a central controller, separating the complexity of sensing from the irrigation control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensor machine as an intermediary device that temporarily deploys sensors into the field, collects data, and then retracts. This intermediary approach provides real-time monitoring capabilities without requiring permanent sensor installation, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If remote sensing methods (drone, satellite) are used for irrigation scheduling, then ease of operation and minimal installation are maintained, but data freshness and reliability deteriorate due to outdated information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sensor machine that acts as an intermediary between remote sensing and the irrigation system. This intermediary deploys physical sensors directly in the field to capture real-time data, ensuring information freshness while maintaining the ease of operation associated with automated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor machine performs preliminary data collection before irrigation decisions are made, ensuring that the most current field conditions are captured. This preliminary action prevents reliance on outdated remote sensing data by obtaining fresh measurements immediately prior to irrigation scheduling.
4Productivity
If a holistic real-time data collection system is implemented, then irrigation optimization and crop yield are improved, but device complexity and system integration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor machine, data processing system, and irrigation control into an integrated platform. By combining data collection, analysis, and execution functions into a unified system controlled by a central controller, the patent achieves holistic optimization without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor machine is designed as a multi-functional device that can collect various types of data (soil moisture, crop health, environmental conditions) and serve multiple purposes (monitoring, analysis, irrigation scheduling). This universality reduces overall system complexity by using a single versatile platform rather than multiple specialized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The technology described herein provides a dual machine irrigation system. The first machine is primarily an irrigation machine and the second machine is primarily a sensor machine, though it may also distribute liquids. The irrigation machine includes an irrigation span and can include multiple irrigation spans. The sensor machine includes a sensor span and can include multiple sensor spans. The sensor span gathers data that is used to optimize the liquid deployment from the irrigation span. In an aspect, both the irrigation span and the sensor span follow the same path of travel through a field, but at different times. The sensor span is separate from the irrigation span and includes a plurality of environmental sensors that gather data on the field, the field environment, and any crops that may be in the field. The ability of the sensor span to provide real-time data allows for optimization of liquid deployments.