Narrow Profile Sensor for Multi-Depth Soil Property Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring soil properties such as texture, organic matter, moisture, and pH are inefficient due to bulky equipment, high costs, and the inability to capture spatial variability, limiting their effectiveness in optimizing crop productivity.
Innovation Solution
A narrow profile sensor configuration that includes a front disk or coulter to open a slot in the soil, a runner for sliding contact, and a rotating disk or spoked wheel to close the slot, allowing for simultaneous measurement of soil electrical conductivity, moisture, and pH using a compact, on-the-go system that can be mounted on existing agricultural implements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bulky prior art devices are used to measure soil properties, then measurement capability is provided, but device size and draft requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into separate functional modules: a front disk or coulter for opening the slot, a runner with sensors for measurement, and a rotating disk or spoked wheel for closing the slot. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The narrow profile sensor configuration serves multiple functions: the front disk both opens the soil slot and acts as an electrode for conductivity measurement, the runner both follows the slot and contains multiple sensors for simultaneous measurement of multiple soil properties, and the rotating disk both closes the slot and serves as an electrode. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Measurement precision
If separate pass through field is made for data collection, then soil property measurements are obtained, but time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines soil property measurement functions with existing field operations such as planting or fertilizing. The sensor configuration is mounted on implements that already traverse the field during normal farming activities, allowing simultaneous data collection without requiring separate field passes. This merging of measurement and operational functions eliminates additional time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for measurement by opening a narrow slot in the soil profile beforehand using the front disk or coulter, allowing sensors to make contact with soil at multiple depths simultaneously as the implement moves forward. This preliminary preparation of the measurement path enables continuous on-the-go measurement during regular field operations.
3Measurement precision
If fixed moisture sensors are deployed to monitor soil moisture, then moisture measurement is provided, but spatial variability capture is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed moisture sensors to a dynamic measurement platform that moves through the field. The sensor configuration is mounted on implements that traverse the entire field area, continuously collecting moisture data at multiple locations. This dynamic approach captures spatial variability across the field while maintaining measurement precision through consistent sensor-soil contact via the narrow slot mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying numerous fixed sensors throughout the field, the system uses a single mobile sensor configuration that copies the measurement function across multiple locations by moving through the field. The narrow profile design allows the same sensor assembly to be positioned at different spatial locations during field traversal, efficiently capturing spatial variability without requiring proportional deployment of fixed sensors at each location.
4Measurement precision
If conventional lab sampling or Veris system is used for pH mapping, then soil pH measurement is provided, but cost or measurement density is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses inexpensive pH sensors mounted on the runner that can be easily replaced or recalibrated. Rather than investing in expensive conventional pH mapping systems like Veris, the invention employs simpler, lower-cost sensor technology that achieves sufficient measurement precision for agricultural applications. The narrow slot design protects the sensors while allowing continuous contact with soil for pH measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds the spatial dimension to pH measurement by mounting sensors on a mobile platform that traverses the field. Instead of static point measurements from lab samples or expensive fixed systems, the narrow profile configuration enables continuous pH measurement along the path of travel, creating a spatial map of pH variability across the field at high density without conventional system costs.
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 dense, cost-effective mapping of multiple soil properties with reduced draft requirements and investment, improving the accuracy and efficiency of data collection while integrating with existing farming practices.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor configuration includes an electrode array, with the front disk or coulter serving as a first electrode, second and third electrodes embedded in a bottom surface of the runner, and the rotating disk or spoked wheel following behind the runner serving as a fourth electrode. The electrode array can be used to measure soil electrical conductivity at multiple depths
Implementation Method 2
An optical window and pH sensor can also be incorporated into the runner to measure soil reflectance and soil pH
Data Source
AI summary
A system for measuring soil properties on-the-go using a narrow profile sensor unit is provided on an implement for traversing a field. The sensor unit includes a front disk/coulter arranged to open a slot in the soil, a runner assembly arranged to follow behind the front disk/coulter for sliding contact with the soil in the slot, and a rotating disk/spoked wheel arranged to follow behind the runner assembly to close the slot. The front disk or coulter serves as a first electrode of an electrode array, the runner assembly has second and third electrodes attached thereto, and the rotating disk/spoked wheel serves as a fourth electrode. The electrode array can be used to measure soil electrical conductivity at multiple depths and to measure soil moisture. An optical window and pH sensor can also be incorporated into the runner assembly to measure soil reflectance and soil pH.