Multifaceted Soil Probe Wheel for Automated Sample Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soil sampling devices are labor-intensive, require costly hydraulic or electrical equipment, and lack effective sample separation mechanisms, making them inefficient for large-scale soil testing.
Innovation Solution
A soil probe assembly with a rotatable wheel and planar edges that eject soil samples into a funnel, coupled to a carousel system for selective collection and separation, and can be towed by a vehicle or housed in a trailer, eliminating the need for costly equipment and enabling efficient sample collection and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydraulic or electrical equipment is used to drive soil probes into the ground, then the sampling capability is improved, but the equipment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is segmented into multiple discrete probe positions around its circumference, with each position capable of independently sampling soil. This segmentation allows the system to collect multiple samples in a single pass without requiring complex hydraulic or electrical mechanisms at each probe point, thereby maintaining high productivity while reducing overall system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The soil probe assembly utilizes the vehicle's own motion and weight to drive the probes into the ground and extract samples. The kinetic energy from vehicle movement and gravitational force automatically perform the sampling function without requiring additional hydraulic pumps, motors, or control systems, eliminating costly equipment while maintaining effective sampling capability
2Device complexity
If manual soil sample separation is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collection system is segmented into multiple discrete collection bins positioned around the wheel, with each bin corresponding to a specific probe position. This segmentation enables automatic separation of soil samples as the wheel rotates, with each sample being deposited into its designated bin without requiring manual intervention. The system thus eliminates time-consuming manual separation while keeping the device complexity manageable through modular bin design
Solution Approach 2:
The collection bins are pre-positioned and pre-labeled to correspond with specific probe positions before sampling begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that as the wheel rotates and samples are ejected, they automatically fall into the correct collection bin without requiring real-time decision-making or manual sorting, thereby eliminating time loss while maintaining simple device architecture
3Device complexity
If a single collection bin is used, then the device complexity is minimized, but the ability to separate and store multiple samples is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single collection bin is replaced with multiple discrete collection bins arranged around the wheel, with each bin dedicated to a specific probe position. This segmentation enables the system to collect and separate multiple soil samples simultaneously from different locations, significantly enhancing sample separation capability while keeping each individual bin simple in design and easy to manage
Solution Approach 2:
Each collection bin serves multiple functions: it collects samples from a specific probe position, stores the sample for later analysis, and can be individually removed or accessed. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle multiple samples simultaneously while maintaining a simple, modular collection system that does not require complex mechanical mechanisms
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
The assembly allows for efficient, cost-effective soil sampling across multiple locations without manual separation, using a vehicle-towable design and carousel system for automated sample collection and storage, reducing labor and equipment costs.
Implementation Method 1
the weight of the soil probe assembly drives the soil probes into the earth
Implementation Method 2
a 'slamming' effect occurs due to the planar edge of the wheel impacting against the ground, thus causing a soil sample to eject
Data Source
AI summary
A soil probe assembly includes a frame member and a wheel rotatably coupled to the frame member. The wheel includes one or more soil probes that, as the wheel rotates against the earth, the weight of the soil probe assembly drives the soil probes into the earth. The wheel is configured to have at least two planar edges such that, as the wheel rolls onto one of the at least two planar edges, a slamming effect occurs due to the planar edge impacting against the ground, thus causing a soil sample to eject from a soil probe located across the wheel from the ground. The ejected soil sample is collected by a collection hamper. The assembly includes a funnel and a carousel such that the funnel is configured to receive and direct the ejected soil sample to the collection hamper, wherein the collection hamper is coupled to the carousel.