Irrigation Controller Scheduling Around Watering Time Restrictions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing strain on water supply systems due to growing populations necessitates more efficient irrigation management to conserve water, as existing irrigation controllers lack advanced features for optimizing water usage based on real-time weather data and soil conditions.
Innovation Solution
An irrigation controller that includes components for calculating in-soil water capacity and level, forecasting evapotranspiration, and adjusting watering schedules to ensure efficient water distribution, incorporating features like catch cup measurements for real-time adjustments and compliance with permissible watering periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional irrigation controllers are used, then irrigation operations can be performed, but water usage efficiency is poor and overwatering occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation controller incorporates soil moisture sensors that continuously monitor soil water content and provide feedback to the control system. The controller compares measured soil moisture levels against target ranges and automatically adjusts irrigation valve operation accordingly, preventing overwatering when soil moisture is sufficient and enabling watering when soil moisture is low, thus significantly improving water usage efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically comparing sensor readings with predetermined soil moisture thresholds and autonomously controlling valve operation without requiring manual intervention. The controller self-regulates irrigation based on real-time soil conditions, eliminating the need for user monitoring and adjustment while optimizing water application
2Reliability
If irrigation valves are operated frequently to maintain optimal soil moisture, then plant water needs are met, but water waste occurs due to overwatering
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses soil moisture sensors to continuously monitor actual soil water content and provides real-time feedback to the controller. The controller compares measured values with target moisture ranges and only activates irrigation valves when soil moisture falls below the threshold, ensuring plants receive water when needed while preventing application when soil moisture is already sufficient, thereby eliminating water waste
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous or fixed-schedule irrigation, the system applies partial irrigation action only when and where needed based on actual soil moisture conditions. The controller provides irrigation in controlled amounts sufficient to restore soil moisture to optimal levels without excessive application, achieving reliable plant water supply while minimizing water waste
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual irrigation scheduling is used, then operation is simple, but adaptability to weather changes and soil conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation controller automatically monitors soil moisture levels through integrated sensors and independently adjusts valve operation based on measured conditions without requiring user intervention. The system self-adapts to changing soil moisture status and weather conditions by continuously reading sensor data and autonomously making irrigation decisions, maintaining high adaptability while keeping operation simple for the user
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts irrigation scheduling in real-time based on changing soil moisture conditions and weather patterns. Rather than following fixed manual schedules, the controller continuously adapts its operation to current environmental conditions, enabling high adaptability to weather and soil variations while requiring minimal user input
4Productivity
If irrigation watering time is extended to cover all zones, then complete irrigation is achieved, but permissible watering time constraints are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system divides the property into multiple independently controllable zones with separate valves. The controller activates valves sequentially for different zones rather than attempting to water all zones simultaneously or using a single extended cycle. This segmentation enables complete irrigation coverage across all zones while keeping the duration of water application in each zone within permissible time limits, avoiding constraint violations
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation controller is disclosed together with associated methods and computer program products. The irrigation controller may calculate a first estimated in-soil water level at a first point in time and a second estimated in-soil water level at a second point in time with the second point in time comprising a beginning of an impermissible watering period for one watering zone. The irrigation controller may set a watering schedule, based on an estimated irrigation rate and the difference between the second estimated in-soil water level and an in-soil water capacity, for the one watering zone of a property such that the second estimated in-soil water level is elevated to the estimated in-soil water capacity based on the estimated irrigation rate for the one watering zone during a permissible watering period immediately before the impermissible watering period.