Rain Sensor Irrigation Interruption With Adjustable Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation control systems lack efficient mechanisms to interrupt and resume watering schedules based on rainfall, with traditional rain sensors relying on mechanical adjustments that are difficult to set and only interrupt watering when a fixed rain threshold is exceeded, failing to account for varying rainfall conditions and user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an interface unit with a control unit that communicates with a rain sensor using hygroscopic material to detect rainfall expansion and contraction, allowing for adjustable thresholds and intelligent interruption and resumption of watering schedules based on sensed rainfall accumulation and user-defined parameters, integrated with a user interface for setting and displaying thresholds and operational modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rain sensors use fixed mechanical adjustment mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to varying rainfall conditions and user preferences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable rainfall thresholds that can be dynamically modified by users, allowing the irrigation controller to adapt to varying rainfall conditions and user preferences. The system transitions from fixed mechanical adjustment to programmable, flexible threshold settings that can be changed without physical modifications to the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to change the rainfall accumulation threshold parameter through software configuration rather than mechanical adjustment. This enables flexible adaptation to different rainfall conditions by modifying the threshold value at which irrigation is interrupted, without changing the physical structure of the sensor.
2Ease of operation
If rain sensors require mechanical adjustment of thresholds, then ease of operation is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements are lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electronic/software-based threshold setting system. Users can configure rainfall thresholds through a user interface without physical manipulation of mechanical components, significantly improving ease of operation while reducing the need for precise mechanical manufacturing.
3Loss of energy
If irrigation systems interrupt watering immediately when rain threshold is exceeded, then water conservation is improved, but reliability of irrigation scheduling deteriorates due to premature interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of rainfall accumulation and compares it against user-defined thresholds before interrupting irrigation. This preliminary action allows the system to anticipate when irrigation should be interrupted based on accumulated rainfall data, ensuring reliable scheduling decisions are made based on predetermined criteria rather than immediate reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors rainfall accumulation and provides feedback to the irrigation controller to determine whether to interrupt or resume watering schedules. This feedback mechanism ensures that irrigation decisions are based on actual rainfall conditions compared against user-defined thresholds, improving both water conservation and scheduling reliability.
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 precise control of irrigation systems by interrupting watering when rainfall exceeds a set threshold and resuming after a predetermined interval, conserving water and adapting to changing rainfall conditions, while allowing user-adjustable settings for optimal irrigation management.
Implementation Method 1
a rain sensor including hygroscopic material, when a sensed expansion of the hygroscopic material is above a set rainfall accumulation threshold parameter, the rain sensor being separate from the interface unit and the hygroscopic material being configured to expand in response to being contacted by the rainfall and to contract in response to an absence of the rainfall
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a system and method for interfacing with an irrigation controller based on rainfall, the system comprising: an interface unit including a housing and a control unit within the housing and configured to: cause an interruption of one or more watering schedules executed by the irrigation controller, which is separate from the interface unit, based on signaling received from a rain sensor including hygroscopic material, when a sensed expansion of the hygroscopic material is above a set rainfall accumulation threshold parameter, the rain sensor being separate from the interface unit and the hygroscopic material being configured to expand in response to being contacted by the rainfall and to contract in response to an absence of the rainfall; and remove the interruption after a completion of a predetermined interval of time after a sensed contraction of the hygroscopic material indicative of a rainfall stop.