Handheld VPD Measurement With Laser-Guided Leaf Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residential indoor growers lack the necessary tools to maintain an optimal plant cultivation environment using vapor pressure deficit (VPD) without relying on expensive equipment like heaters, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held VPD measuring and controlling device that calculates and adjusts VPD by measuring leaf and environmental temperatures and humidity, allowing remote control of heaters, dehumidifiers, and humidifiers to maintain optimal growing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive equipment like heaters, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners are used to maintain optimal cultivation environment, then the plant growth conditions are improved, but the cost of equipment and operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables growers to self-monitor and self-adjust VPD parameters using the handheld device and smartphone application, eliminating the need for expensive automated environmental control equipment. The device provides real-time feedback that allows growers to manually optimize conditions without costly machinery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical environmental control systems (heaters, dehumidifiers, air conditioners) with a simplified measurement and control system consisting of a handheld VPD device and smartphone application. This substitution maintains control capability while dramatically reducing equipment costs.
2Reliability
If multiple environmental control devices are used to maintain optimal temperature and humidity, then the cultivation environment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handheld VPD measurement device serves multiple functions: it measures environmental parameters, calculates VPD, provides real-time feedback, and guides control decisions. This single multi-functional device replaces the need for multiple separate control systems, simplifying the overall setup while maintaining environmental optimization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The smartphone application acts as an intermediary between the VPD measurement device and the environmental control decisions. It processes data, provides visual feedback, and guides growers on adjustments needed, simplifying the control process without requiring complex automated systems.
3Productivity
If traditional temperature and humidity control methods are used, then the cultivation environment can be maintained, but the precision and efficiency of plant growth optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system shifts from traditional control of separate temperature and humidity parameters to direct control of VPD (vapor pressure deficit), which is a more direct measure of plant water stress and transpiration rate. This parameter change enables more precise optimization of plant growth conditions and improves productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device provides real-time VPD measurement and feedback to growers, enabling continuous monitoring and adjustment of environmental conditions. This immediate feedback loop allows for precise maintenance of optimal VPD levels, directly improving plant growth efficiency and yield.
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 efficient control of the cultivation environment using VPD, reducing the need for expensive equipment while maintaining optimal conditions, thereby improving plant growth and yield.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared temperature sensor for measuring a temperature value at a location pointed by the laser beam
Implementation Method 2
a laser beam transmitter emitting a laser beam located inside the device body
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held VPD measuring and controlling device for plant cultivation is disclosed. The hand-held VPD measuring and controlling device includes: a device body with a barrel, a handle, and a trigger; a screen for displaying information on one end of the barrel of the device body; a control module with a processing unit located inside the device body; a laser beam transmitter emitting a laser beam located inside the device body, the direction of the laser beam emitted by the laser transmitter is parallel to the direction of the barrel of the device body; an infrared temperature sensor for measuring a temperature value at a location pointed by the laser beam. When the trigger is pulled, the temperature value TLEAF at the location pointed by the laser beam is measured by the infrared temperature sensor and the temperature value TLEAF is transmitted to the control module in real time.