Irrigation Control System With Single Sensor Multi-Channel Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation control systems face issues with sensor disconnection or malfunction, leading to improper watering, increased cost, and complexity due to the need for separate sensors for each channel, and lack of user awareness of abnormal conditions.
Innovation Solution
A simplified irrigation control system where a single sensor can control multiple channels by using a sensor interface with detector circuits to identify resistance states indicative of soil conditions or sensor defects, allowing for flexible configuration and alerting users to abnormal conditions, and enabling control of additional channels without dedicated sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate sensors are provided for all watering channels, then each channel can be optimally controlled, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single sensor is designed to serve multiple watering channels through a shared sensor interface. The sensor can be connected to different sensor connectors (first, second, third connectors) and its output can be selectively assigned to control different channels (first, second, third channels) through configurable mappings in the controller. This multi-functional design allows one sensor to perform the control function for multiple channels, reducing the total number of sensors needed while maintaining optimal control capability.
2Reliability
If separate sensors are provided for all watering channels, then each channel can be optimally controlled, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor interface is designed with multiple sensor connectors (first, second, third connectors) that can be connected to a single sensor through configurable mappings. The controller can selectively assign the sensor output to control different channels based on which connector is physically connected. This eliminates the need to purchase and install separate sensors for each channel, directly reducing system cost while maintaining the ability to optimally control all channels.
3Reliability
If a sensor is disconnected or malfunctions, then control of the corresponding channel is lost, but the user remains unaware of the abnormal condition
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the connection status of the sensor to the sensor connectors. When a sensor is disconnected from or malfunctioning on a particular connector, the controller detects this abnormal condition and generates an alert signal. This feedback loop ensures that users are immediately informed of sensor issues through alerts, allowing them to take corrective action and maintain reliable control of the irrigation channels.
4Reliability
If sensor connectors are disconnected or sensors are defective, then control strategy cannot be executed, but the system lacks flexibility to compensate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor interface and control system are designed with dynamic configurability. The controller can dynamically reassign the sensor output to different channels based on which sensor connector is physically connected or functional. If a sensor is disconnected from or defective on one connector, the controller can adaptively switch to using the sensor with the other functional connector(s). This dynamic reconfiguration capability maintains reliable control execution while providing flexibility to compensate for sensor failures.
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
This solution reduces system complexity and cost by allowing a single sensor to control multiple channels, detects and alerts users to sensor issues, and allows for flexible configuration, ensuring optimal watering while minimizing water wastage.
Implementation Method 1
the output of a sensor comprises a resistance state. Further, according to claim 3, the resistance state corresponds to one or more soil conditions. Moreover, according to claim 4, the resistance state also corresponds to a defect of the sensor.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses an irrigation control system (100) includes a controller (202) for controlling multiple irrigation channels (C1, C2, Cn), a sensor interface (204) connected to the controller (202), multiple sensor connectors (CN1, CN2, CNn) corresponding to each of the multiple irrigation channels (C1, C2, Cn) provided on the sensor interface (204), and one or more sensors (S1, S2, Sm) connected to the sensor connectors (CN1, CN2, CNn). A single sensor is connected to a single sensor connector and configured to provide an output to the controller (202) such that the irrigation channel (C1, C4) corresponding to the sensor connector (CN1, CN4) is controlled based on the output of the sensor (S1, S2). Further, the output of a single sensor (S1, S2) connected to a sensor connector (CN1, CN4) is used to selectively control one or more irrigation channels (C2, C3, C5) corresponding to consecutive sensor connectors (CN2, CN3, CN5) immediately preceding or following the sensor connector (CN1, CN4), the consecutive sensor connectors (CN2, CN3, CN5) being disconnected from the sensors or being connected to defective sensors.