Irrigation Controller Drought Adjustment Using Evapotranspiration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing strain on water supply systems due to growing populations and the need to conserve water, particularly during drought conditions, is not adequately addressed by existing irrigation controllers.

Innovation Solution

An irrigation controller that adjusts watering schedules based on drought conditions by determining a drought category and calculating an adjusted landscape evapotranspiration rate, using processors to formulate and adjust watering schedules to reduce water usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional irrigation controllers use fixed watering schedules, then plants receive consistent water supply, but water waste increases during drought conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant hydration consistencyVSAvoidwater waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The irrigation controller dynamically adjusts watering schedules based on real-time drought conditions and evapotranspiration rates. The system transitions from fixed, static schedules to dynamic, adaptive schedules that respond to environmental changes, thereby reducing water waste while maintaining plant hydration needs during drought periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes key operational parameters including evapotranspiration rate calculations, drought factor adjustments, and watering duration modifications. By continuously monitoring and adjusting these parameters based on current conditions, the controller optimizes water application to match actual plant needs rather than following rigid predetermined schedules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of substance

If irrigation controllers reduce watering during drought conditions, then water conservation improves, but plant hydration may become insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater conservationVSAvoidplant hydration adequacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The irrigation controller incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor evapotranspiration rates, drought conditions, and plant water needs. This feedback loop allows the system to make informed adjustments to watering schedules, ensuring that water reduction during droughts is precisely calibrated to maintain adequate plant hydration rather than arbitrary reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculations of evapotranspiration rates and drought factors before adjusting watering schedules. By proactively determining the appropriate water reduction level based on forecasted and current conditions, the controller prevents both overwatering and underwatering, maintaining optimal hydration levels throughout drought periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If irrigation controllers implement dynamic drought adjustment, then water usage efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater usage efficiencyVSAvoidcontroller system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The irrigation controller integrates multiple functions including evapotranspiration rate calculation, drought condition assessment, scheduling optimization, and automated adjustment all within a single device. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into one unified controller, improving water usage efficiency without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If traditional irrigation systems use fixed schedules, then system simplicity is maintained, but water conservation during drought is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidwater conservation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The irrigation controller performs self-adjustment based on automated monitoring of evapotranspiration rates and drought conditions. The system calculates its own watering requirements and modifies schedules without external intervention, enabling water conservation improvements while maintaining operational simplicity for the end user who does not need to manually program complex adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260016802A1Drought adjustment techniques and apparatuses for irrigation controllers

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 HUSQVARNA AB

AI summary

Irrigation controllers, methods, and computer readable media for altering a watering schedule for an irrigation controller in accordance with determined drought conditions are disclosed. An adjusted landscape evapotranspiration rate may be calculated based on a determined drought category. The watering schedule for the watering zone may be altered in accordance with the adjusted landscape evapotranspiration rate.