Irrigation Efficiency Modeling for Zone-Based Water Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current irrigation systems face challenges in uniformly watering lawns due to varying soil moisture retention and sunlight exposure across different areas, leading to over or under watering, and lack user-friendly monitoring and scheduling tools to optimize water usage.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based system that uses moisture sensors to collect data, generates an efficiency model of the lawn, and schedules water application based on soil response to water, weather forecasts, and cumulative usage, integrating with water distribution devices for automated control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If uniform watering is applied across the entire lawn, then all areas receive the same amount of water, but some areas become overwatered while others become underwatered due to varying soil moisture retention and sunlight exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The lawn is divided into multiple zones based on soil moisture retention characteristics, sunlight exposure, and drainage properties. Each zone is equipped with its own moisture sensors and controlled by individual valves, allowing differentiated water application strategies for each segment rather than uniform treatment across the entire lawn.
Solution Approach 2:
Different water application rates and schedules are applied to different zones based on their specific characteristics. Areas with poor moisture retention receive more frequent or heavier watering, while areas with good retention receive less. This local customization resolves the contradiction between ease of uniform operation and precision of water distribution.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual sprinkler placement and operation is used to account for moisture level differences in different areas, then water distribution accuracy improves, but significant user attention and presence are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automated moisture sensors embedded in the soil to continuously monitor moisture levels and trigger water application automatically. The controllers receive data from sensors and autonomously activate valves and sprinklers when moisture thresholds are met, eliminating the need for continuous manual monitoring and intervention while maintaining high water distribution accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Moisture sensors provide continuous feedback on soil moisture conditions to the controllers. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust water application based on real-time conditions, replacing manual decision-making with automated control that maintains precision without requiring user presence.
3Ease of operation
If automatic sprinkler systems are used to water the lawn based on moisture levels, then user attention is reduced, but water may be applied unnecessarily when precipitation is forecasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system checks weather forecasts in advance before triggering automatic water application. If precipitation is predicted within a certain time window, the system preemptively cancels or delays scheduled watering events, preventing unnecessary water application while maintaining automatic operation. This preliminary check resolves the contradiction between automation convenience and water usage efficiency.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple moisture sensors are deployed across different areas to monitor moisture levels, then water distribution precision improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture sensors are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as monitoring devices for research data collection and as control triggers for the irrigation system. The same sensor network that gathers scientific data about soil moisture dynamics also automatically controls water application, eliminating the need for separate monitoring and control systems and reducing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies disclosed herein are provided for irrigation monitoring and controlling based on water usage monitoring and control using an efficiency model for a defined geographic region. The technology includes receiving a first and a second set of moisture sensor measurements from a set of moisture sensors located in a defined geographic region, and determining an amount of water that is applied to the defined geographic region at a time period between the first and the second set of moisture measurements. An efficiency model representing efficiencies of locations in the defined geographic region is obtained based on the first and second set of moisture measurements and the amount of water applied. Schedule information is generated based on the efficiency model that indicates time periods at which areas in the defined geographic region are to be watered.