Field Application Scheduling to Prevent Irrigation Equipment Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile irrigation and chemical application systems lack efficient scheduling and coordination, often leading to suboptimal crop yield, increased costs, and environmental contamination due to manual or outdated automated methods, and face challenges with equipment interference in fields.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a mobile irrigation system, fertilizer applicator, and pesticide applicator, coordinated by a processing system that determines ideal application times and amounts based on real-time field conditions, eliminating the need for sophisticated central monitoring and collision avoidance hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sophisticated central monitoring and control systems are used to precisely schedule irrigation and chemical applications, then scheduling precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables equipment to self-coordinate through automated location tracking and schedule adherence. Each piece of equipment reports its location and operational status, and the system automatically determines whether entry is permitted based on pre-established irrigation schedules and real-time equipment positions, eliminating the need for complex centralized control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex hardware-based collision avoidance systems (cameras, LIDAR, RADAR) with a software-based scheduling system that uses GPS location tracking and temporal coordination. The coordination logic is implemented through software algorithms that process location data and schedule information rather than through complex mechanical or optical sensing systems
2Reliability
If collision detection and avoidance systems with cameras, LIDAR, and RADAR are deployed to prevent equipment interference, then equipment safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines in advance whether equipment may enter a field by checking the irrigation schedule and current equipment locations before entry is permitted. This preliminary coordination prevents potential conflicts before they occur, eliminating the need for reactive collision detection hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coordination system that acts as an intermediary between irrigation equipment and chemical application equipment. This intermediary processes location data and schedule information to determine entry permission, coordinating equipment operations without requiring direct communication or complex sensing between the equipment themselves
3Ease of operation
If manual scheduling methods are used to coordinate water and chemical applications, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity and precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically coordinates equipment operations by processing location data and schedule information without requiring manual intervention. The automated coordination determines optimal entry times and monitors equipment positions, significantly improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through simple equipment deployment
4Productivity
If multiple pieces of equipment operate simultaneously in the same field, then productivity is improved, but equipment interference and collision risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines in advance whether equipment may enter the field by checking the irrigation schedule and current equipment locations. This preliminary coordination allows multiple pieces of equipment to operate in the field simultaneously while preventing interference through advance planning and real-time monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors equipment locations and operational status, using this feedback to make real-time coordination decisions. The system adjusts equipment entry permissions based on current field conditions and equipment positions, enabling safe simultaneous operation of multiple pieces of equipment
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for scheduling and coordinating applications of fertilizers, pesticides, and water to fields while avoiding interferences between vehicles and other equipment may be implemented with a mobile irrigation system, a fertilizer applicator, a pesticide applicator, and a processing system. The processing system schedules and coordinates applications of fertilizers, pesticides, and water and prevents interferences between the machines primarily with data received from an irrigation schedule implemented by the irrigation system and data received from the fertilizer and pesticide applicators.