Irrigation Controller Scheduling Around Permissible Watering Windows

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Solution Overview

Problem

The growing global population has increased the strain on water supply systems, leading to higher water costs and a need for improved irrigation management to conserve water effectively.

Innovation Solution

An irrigation controller system that includes a processor to generate electric signals for controlling irrigation valves, calculates in-soil water capacity and levels, and formulates a watering schedule based on forecast evapotranspiration data and weather conditions, adjusting for permissible watering periods and using catch cup measurements to optimize water usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional irrigation controllers are used, then irrigation can be performed, but water is wasted due to lack of optimization based on soil water capacity and weather conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater wasteVSAvoidcontroller system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs preliminary calculations of in-soil water capacity and water levels before irrigation events, and pre-determines optimal watering schedules based on forecasted weather data and evapotranspiration rates, allowing the system to proactively optimize water usage rather than reacting to current conditions alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors actual soil water levels and compares them against calculated capacity thresholds, using this feedback to dynamically adjust watering schedules and prevent both over-watering and under-watering, thereby reducing water waste while maintaining plant health

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If watering schedules are optimized based on soil water capacity and forecast data, then water conservation is improved, but the complexity of calculating and managing watering schedules increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater conservation efficiencyVSAvoidscheduling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller transforms complex weather forecasts and evapotranspiration data into simplified parameters such as forecasted water loss rates and recommended watering durations, making the optimization process manageable while maintaining high water conservation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The watering schedule is divided into discrete time periods with specific watering zones activated in each period, allowing the complex optimization problem to be broken down into manageable segments that can be calculated and executed sequentially

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If irrigation valves are controlled based on impermissible watering periods, then water conservation is improved by avoiding unnecessary watering, but the flexibility of the irrigation system is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater conservationVSAvoidirrigation scheduling flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The controller dynamically adjusts watering schedules around impermissible periods by calculating optimal start and end times that maximize water conservation while respecting constraints, allowing flexible adaptation to changing conditions within permitted time windows rather than using fixed rigid schedules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11579634B1Irrigation controller and associated methods

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 HUSQVARNA AB

AI summary

An irrigation controller is disclosed together with associated methods and computer program products. User input specifying a requested start time may be received. A total desired watering time may be calculated. A total permissible watering time may be calculated. The start time may be moved back relative to the requested start time in response to determining that the total permissible watering time is less than the total desired watering time.