Sap Flow Sensor Substrate Segmentation for Thermal Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sap flow gauges are either invasive, causing damage to plants, or non-invasive but less accurate due to sensor noise from conductive heat transfer through substrates.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained sap flow sensor with a substrate having separate arms for the heating element and temperature sensors, positioned on a unitary printed circuit board, allowing for accurate sap flow measurement without invasive damage and minimizing sensor noise through strategic placement and separation of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive sap flow gauges are used, then plant damage is avoided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensor noise from conductive heat transfer through the common substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into separate arms instead of using a common substrate. The heating element is mounted on a first arm while temperature sensors are mounted on second and third arms, physically segmenting the thermal pathways to prevent conductive heat transfer from the heating element to the temperature sensors through the substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate arms act as thermal isolators or intermediaries that physically separate the heating element from the temperature sensors. By positioning components on different arms of the substrate, the design uses the substrate structure itself as a thermal barrier to prevent unwanted heat conduction while maintaining mechanical support.
2Measurement precision
If invasive sap flow gauges are used, then measurement precision is improved, but plant damage occurs and ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult installation and repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor components are segmented and distributed across separate substrate arms rather than being集中 on a common substrate or requiring insertion into the plant. This segmentation allows the sensor to be mounted externally on the plant surface, combining the measurement accuracy of invasive methods with the ease of operation of non-invasive methods.
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 accurate, non-invasive sap flow measurement with reduced sensor noise, allowing for easy repositioning and replacement of sensors, and providing insights into plant health and water usage.
Implementation Method 1
conductive heat transfer through the common substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary sap flow sensors are provided. A sap flow sensor includes a substrate having a main body and at least two arms spaced apart from one another. The at least two arms extend from the main body. The sap flow sensor further includes a sap flow gauge that is disposed on the substrate. The sap flow gauge is configured to monitor a flow rate of sap through a stem of a plant. The sap flow gauge includes a heating element coupled to an arm of the at least two arms. The sap flow gauge further includes a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor disposed on opposite sides of the heating element. The first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor each coupled to a neighboring arm of the at least two arms.