Relay-Switched Two-Wire Irrigation Control for Decoder Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current decoder-based irrigation controllers face limitations in expandability and troubleshooting, as the number of decoder-based irrigation control units connected via a two-wire path is restricted, leading to the need for additional controllers and time-consuming, costly troubleshooting processes.
Innovation Solution
An irrigation control system with a microcontroller and modulator that manages multiple two-wire paths through switches, allowing for automatic isolation of short conditions, fault-finding, and mapping of decoder-based irrigation control units, enabling increased expandability and efficient troubleshooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple decoder-based irrigation control units are connected via a single two-wire path, then the number of supported control units increases, but the system becomes more prone to short conditions and troubleshooting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single two-wire path into multiple separate two-wire paths, each with its own relay switch. This segmentation allows the system to support more decoder-based irrigation control units while enabling isolation of short conditions to specific paths, thereby maintaining reliability as the system expands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces relay switches as intermediary components between the controller and decoder-based irrigation control units. These relays act as mediators that can open or close circuit paths, enabling automatic isolation of short conditions and simplifying troubleshooting without limiting system expandability.
2Device complexity
If a single two-wire connection is used to control decoder-based irrigation control units, then the system structure remains simple, but the coverage area expansion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional two-wire path system where each path can independently control different decoder-based irrigation control units. The relay switches enable each path to be selectively activated, allowing a single controller to manage multiple zones and expand coverage area while maintaining relatively simple system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the two-wire path configuration dynamic through relay switches that can selectively connect or disconnect paths based on operational needs. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to adapt to different coverage requirements without requiring permanent complex wiring configurations.
3Device complexity
If decoder-based irrigation control units are connected through a single two-wire path, then the wiring remains simple, but troubleshooting becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wiring into multiple isolated two-wire paths with individual relay switches. This segmentation maintains relatively simple wiring within each path while enabling rapid troubleshooting by isolating short conditions to specific segments, dramatically reducing troubleshooting time and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automatic short condition isolation through the controller's ability to detect and respond to shorts on individual two-wire paths. The system performs self-diagnosis and automatically isolates problematic paths without requiring extensive manual troubleshooting, thereby reducing time and expense.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, systems and methods provide an irrigation control system, comprising: an irrigation controller comprising an irrigation control unit; a power source; a microcontroller; and a modulator, wherein the modulator is configured to output modulated power signals; a plurality of switches coupled to an output of the modulator and independently controlled by the microcontroller; and a plurality of two-wire path output connectors each coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of switches, wherein each of the plurality of two-wire path output connectors is configured to be connected to a corresponding two-wire path of a plurality of two-wire paths to which multiple decoder-based irrigation control units can be connected and controlled, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to operate the plurality of switches to couple and decouple the modulated power signals from the output of the modulator to one or more of the plurality of two-wire path output connectors.