Fertigation Device with Canopy Sensors for Real-Time Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems lack the capability to automatically determine optimal fertigation timing and amount in real-time based on plant canopy measurements, leading to inefficient water and fertilizer application.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a fertigation device with integrated sensors and control circuitry that measures plant canopy conditions, calculates evapotranspiration rates, and adjusts the flow rate of water and agro-chemicals in real-time to optimize fertigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional irrigation systems are used to apply water and fertilizer, then irrigation coverage is achieved, but fertigation timing and amount cannot be optimized in real-time based on plant canopy conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors to continuously monitor plant canopy conditions (temperature, humidity, health indicators) and feeds this information back to the control circuitry. The control system then automatically adjusts fertigation timing and amount based on this real-time feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes water and fertilizer application according to actual plant needs
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation system becomes self-regulating by using onboard sensors to autonomously determine when and how much water and fertilizer to apply. The control circuitry processes sensor data and automatically activates the fertigation device without external intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in optimizing fertigation parameters
2Productivity
If fertigation is applied without real-time plant canopy measurement, then application simplicity is maintained, but water and fertilizer application efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single unified platform: sensors monitor plant canopy conditions, control circuitry processes data and makes decisions, and the fertigation device applies water and fertilizer. This multi-functional integration enables efficient fertigation application while consolidating system components rather than adding separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual or mechanically-timed fertigation control with electronic sensing and digital control circuitry. Sensors electronically detect plant canopy conditions, and the control system uses digital processing to determine optimal fertigation timing and amount, substituting mechanical timing mechanisms with intelligent electronic control
3Loss of time
If manual monitoring of plant conditions is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but real-time fertigation adjustment capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors serve as intermediaries between the plant canopy and the control system, automatically measuring and transmitting plant condition data (temperature, humidity, health indicators) to the control circuitry. This intermediary measurement system eliminates the need for manual monitoring while enabling real-time detection and response to plant needs
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
The system enables precise and timely application of water and fertilizers, improving crop health and reducing resource wastage by aligning irrigation and fertigation with the actual needs of the plant canopy.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor coupled to the fertigation device is configured to measure a condition of the plant canopy
Implementation Method 2
The processor is configured to calculate a latent heat flux of the plant canopy based on the net radiation, the sensible heat flux, and the soil heat flux
Data Source
AI summary
A system for automatically determining a fertigation timing or amount in real time based on a plant canopy measurement is provided. The system includes a fertigation device for applying fluid to the plant canopy. A sensor is coupled to the fertigation device and configured to measure a condition of the plant canopy. Control circuitry is configured to control the system.