Field Sensor Position Control for Accurate Subsurface Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-contact sensors for monitoring field characteristics below the surface of a field require manual adjustment and fail to account for terrain variations, leading to inaccurate data collection due to changes in orientation relative to the field surface.

Innovation Solution

An agricultural system with field characteristics sensors and distance sensors that automatically adjust their orientation relative to the field surface using a computing system, ensuring accurate data collection by maintaining a consistent distance and angle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual adjustment of non-contact sensors is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to account for terrain variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield characteristic data accuracyVSAvoidsensor adjustment system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system automatically adjusts its own position and orientation using actuators controlled by a computing system that processes distance sensor data, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining measurement precision across varying terrain conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Distance sensors continuously measure the gap between the non-contact sensors and field surface, providing feedback to the computing system which then actuates sensors to maintain optimal positioning, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures accurate measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If non-contact sensors are spaced apart from the field surface, then reliability of data collection improves, but loss of time increases due to manual repositioning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection consistencyVSAvoidsensor repositioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated sensor adjustment system continuously maintains optimal sensor positioning without human intervention, eliminating time loss associated with manual repositioning while preserving the reliability benefits of maintaining consistent sensor-to-surface distance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor adjustment system operates continuously throughout field monitoring operations, ensuring that sensors maintain proper orientation and spacing at all times, thereby eliminating interruptions and time losses that would occur with periodic manual adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If automated sensor adjustment is implemented, then productivity increases through reduced manual intervention, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield monitoring efficiencyVSAvoidsensor actuation system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment using integrated actuators and control systems, automating the entire sensor positioning process to eliminate manual intervention and significantly improve field monitoring productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The computing system serves multiple functions including processing distance sensor data, controlling sensor actuators, and coordinating field monitoring operations, thereby managing the increased device complexity through centralized multi-functional control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances data accuracy and reduces the time required to maintain the correct sensor orientation, improving the efficiency and precision of field characteristic monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

at least one distance sensor supported on the vehicle, with the at least one distance sensor being configured to generate distance data indicative of a distance between the field characteristics sensor and the surface of the field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

field characteristics sensor being configured to generate field characteristics data indicative of at least one characteristic of the field below the surface of the field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGround Penetrating Radar: Radar

Data Source

PatentUS12593741B2Agricultural system and method for monitoring field characteristics of a field

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC

AI summary

An agricultural system includes a vehicle configured to perform one or more passes across a field, and a field characteristics sensor supported on the vehicle, spaced apart from a surface of the field during the one or more passes, with the field characteristics sensor being configured to generate data indicative of at least one characteristic of the field below the surface of the field. Further, the agricultural system includes an actuator selectively controllable to move the field characteristics sensor relative to the vehicle. Moreover, the agricultural system includes at least one distance sensor supported on the vehicle and configured to generate distance data indicative of a distance between the field characteristics sensor and the surface of the field. Additionally, the agricultural system includes a computing system configured to receive the distance data and initiate a control action based at least in part on the distance data.