Mobile Irrigation Robot Using Weather-Adaptive Water Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underground sprinkler systems for landscape irrigation are labor-intensive to install and maintain, suffer from water delivery inefficiencies due to misadjustment or undetected repairs, and are negatively affected by ambient weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
An above-ground, self-propelled, autonomous irrigation apparatus that uses environmental data to optimize water delivery, equipped with sensors, adjustable nozzles, and a rechargeable battery, allowing for efficient and adaptive watering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If underground sprinkler systems are installed, then automated irrigation is achieved, but installation becomes labor-intensive and requires specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the irrigation function from the traditional underground fixed system and relocates it to a mobile above-ground platform. This removes the need for complex underground pipe installation while maintaining automated irrigation capability through a self-contained mobile unit that can be deployed and relocated as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile irrigation platform is designed to be self-propelled and self-managing, reducing the need for specialized installation equipment and labor. The system includes integrated water storage, pump, control systems, and propulsion mechanisms that work together autonomously, allowing deployment without extensive professional installation.
2Extent of automation
If underground sprinkler systems are used, then automated watering is provided, but maintenance and troubleshooting become difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system is extracted from the buried underground infrastructure and placed on an above-ground mobile platform. This makes all system components including pumps, valves, sensors, and control systems readily accessible for maintenance and troubleshooting, eliminating the need to dig or disassemble fixed installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static underground installation to a dynamic mobile platform that can be moved and repositioned. This dynamic nature allows maintenance personnel to easily access any part of the system by simply moving the platform, and enables flexible adaptation to different irrigation zones without permanent installation constraints.
3Productivity
If traditional underground sprinklers are deployed, then water delivery is provided, but water delivery efficiency decreases when sprinklers are out of adjustment or repairs go undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile irrigation platform incorporates sensors and monitoring systems that provide real-time feedback on system performance, water flow, and spray pattern effectiveness. This allows the control system to detect and correct adjustments issues promptly, maintaining optimal water delivery efficiency and preventing undetected performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs adjustable and reconfigurable irrigation components on the mobile platform that can be dynamically modified based on real-time performance data and changing landscape needs. This enables continuous optimization of water delivery efficiency and allows quick response to any performance issues without permanent installation constraints.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If ambient weather conditions are present, then environmental variability occurs, but water delivery efficiency of underground sprinklers is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile irrigation platform incorporates adjustable spray patterns, variable flow rates, and reconfigurable nozzle arrangements that can be dynamically modified in response to environmental conditions such as wind speed and direction, temperature, and humidity. This allows the system to compensate for weather variability and maintain effective water delivery efficiency under different environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including water pressure, spray angle, flow rate, and nozzle selection based on real-time environmental sensor data. These parameter adjustments optimize water delivery efficiency by adapting the irrigation pattern to match current weather conditions, preventing water waste from wind drift or evaporation.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous irrigation apparatus that employs various data from the ambient environment to inform water dispensing functionality to optimize water use has an above-ground, mobile, self-propelled, autonomous water delivery platform (e.g., a water delivery robot) that is connected to a water source from which it is able to draw a continuous supply of water for irrigating residential or commercial landscapes, lawns and/or gardens. The irrigation apparatus has a drive sub-system, an onboard hose and reel system, a water dispenser system, a sensor system, a control system, a user interface system and a power and charging system.