Irrigation Sensor Interface With Adjustable Rainfall Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rain sensors for irrigation controllers often require mechanical adjustments that are difficult to access and adjust, especially when located in tamper-proof environments like rooftops, and they only interrupt irrigation based on fixed thresholds without considering varying weather conditions like rainfall rate and temperature.
Innovation Solution
A rain sensor system with a user interface unit that allows adjustable rainfall thresholds, integrates a sensor unit to measure rainfall and temperature, and determines whether to interrupt irrigation based on user-set parameters and real-time weather data, including rainfall accumulation and rate of change, displayed pictorially to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rain sensor uses a fixed threshold to interrupt irrigation, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying weather conditions like rainfall rate and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment by incorporating multiple sensors (rainfall, temperature, humidity) and a microcontroller that continuously monitors weather conditions and adjusts the irrigation interruption threshold in real-time. This allows the system to adapt to varying weather conditions rather than using a fixed threshold, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of the rainfall threshold dynamically based on measured weather conditions. The microcontroller adjusts the threshold parameter according to temperature, humidity, and rainfall rate data, enabling the system to adapt to different weather scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through software-based parameter adjustment.
2Reliability
If the rain sensor is located in tamper-proof environments like rooftops, then the sensor is protected from damage, but mechanical adjustments become difficult to access and adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronic controls. The microcontroller and user interface allow threshold and parameter adjustments to be made remotely or without physical access to the sensor location. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical adjustments at the rooftop sensor location while maintaining protection, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary control unit (microcontroller with user interface) that mediates between the user and the sensor. This intermediary allows adjustments to be made without direct physical access to the protected sensor location, enabling easy operation while maintaining sensor protection in tamper-proof environments.
3Extent of automation
If the sensor measures multiple weather factors like rainfall rate and temperature, then irrigation control becomes more intelligent, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller serves as a universal component that handles multiple functions: processing data from various sensors (rainfall, temperature, humidity), making irrigation decisions, controlling output signals, and managing the user interface. This multi-functionality allows the system to measure multiple weather factors and provide intelligent irrigation control while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple through centralized control.
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
Enables easy adjustment of rainfall thresholds and intelligent irrigation control based on multiple weather factors, ensuring efficient water conservation and optimal irrigation timing.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless rain sensor that uses a hygroscopic material that expands when exposed to water
Implementation Method 2
integrates a sensor unit to measure rainfall and temperature
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide an interface unit interfacing with an irrigation controller, comprising: a housing; a controller configured to instruct an interruption of a watering schedule executed by the irrigation controller, the interruption based on one or both of sensed temperature and sensed rainfall amount, and based on one or both of user entered temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; a switching device coupled with the controller, and configured to cause the interruption in response to signaling from the controller; and a user interface comprising: a plurality of user input devices configured to provide signaling to the controller based upon user's engagement, and configured to allow the user to define the temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; and a user display comprising a display screen; wherein the controller is configured to cause the display screen to display a plurality of pictorial representations that in combination convey whether irrigation is being interrupted.