Passive Drip Irrigation Valve Adjustment Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation, lack the ability to distribute water precisely to individual plants, leading to wastage and potential water stress due to the need to irrigate entire blocks of emitters at once, which is inefficient and costly, especially in high-value crops like almonds and grapes.
Innovation Solution
A precision irrigation system that includes a device for adjusting passive drip irrigation valves, allowing for precise control of water flow through a manipulator assembly and processor-driven adjustments based on irrigation data, enabling each plant to receive the optimal amount of water without overwatering or underwatering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If block-level irrigation is used to simplify system operation, then ease of operation is improved, but water waste increases and precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system is segmented into individually controllable blocks or zones, each with its own passive valve that can be adjusted independently. This allows water distribution to be divided into manageable segments rather than treating the entire field as one unit, enabling precise control while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each irrigation block is equipped with passive valves that can be locally adjusted to match the specific water needs of different plant groups. This local customization allows water distribution to be tailored to local conditions without requiring complex active control systems for each individual emitter.
2Device complexity
If passive valves are used to reduce system complexity and cost, then device complexity is reduced, but adjustment precision is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The passive valves are designed to be self-adjusting through simple mechanical operations. The valve mechanism allows for easy manual or automated adjustment without requiring complex electronics, motors, or power sources at each valve location, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining adequate precision for block-level irrigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive valves are designed as low-cost components that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. Their simplicity allows for cost-effective production while providing sufficient functionality for precision irrigation applications, trading long-term durability for initial cost savings and ease of replacement.
3Measurement precision
If individual plant irrigation is implemented to increase precision, then irrigation precision is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the irrigation field into manageable blocks or zones, each containing multiple emitters controlled by a single passive valve. This segmentation allows precision irrigation to be implemented at a practical scale without requiring individual control of every single emitter, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining adequate precision for agricultural applications.
Solution Approach 2:
Different blocks or zones are assigned different water flow rates based on local plant needs, soil conditions, or crop types. This local differentiation achieves precision irrigation by tailoring water distribution to local requirements without requiring complex individual control for each plant, balancing precision with system simplicity.
4Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of each valve is performed to achieve precision irrigation, then irrigation precision is improved, but labor costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The passive valves are designed to require adjustment only periodically rather than continuously. Once adjusted, each valve maintains its setting for extended periods, reducing the frequency of manual interventions. This periodic adjustment approach achieves precision irrigation while minimizing labor time and operational disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The valves are pre-adjusted to appropriate settings during system installation or maintenance periods, allowing them to operate autonomously between adjustments. This preliminary action reduces the need for frequent manual interventions during normal operation, thereby achieving precision irrigation while minimizing time loss and labor requirements.
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 system significantly reduces water consumption and increases precision in irrigation, allowing for tailored water distribution to meet the specific needs of each plant, thereby enhancing crop yield and reducing costs associated with labor and equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a fine actuator configured to rotate the passive drip irrigation valve by a specified angle
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments of the invention, an adjusting device for adjusting a passive drip irrigation valve to enable precision irrigation includes a device body configured to be at least one of hand-held or attachable to a robot, the device body having a manipulator end, and a manipulator assembly contained within and extending from the manipulator end of the device body. The manipulator assembly includes a coarse alignment adjustment assembly constructed and arranged to align the adjusting device with the passive drip irrigation valve. The manipulator assembly also includes a fine actuator configured to rotate the passive drip irrigation valve by a specified angle.