Sensor Module for 3D Plant Spatial Extent Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated outdoor vehicle systems lack the capability to effectively determine the spatial extent and growth state of plants for personalized care recommendations, limiting their ability to provide optimal plant maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system equipped with a sensor module that records environmental data, including spatial and volume data of plants, using imaging sensors and other sensors for temperature, humidity, and UV radiation, which processes this data to create a three-dimensional model and compares it to historical data to provide care recommendations, controlling a plant care robot for automated maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automated outdoor vehicle systems use basic sensors for navigation, then the vehicle can move autonomously, but the system cannot determine plant spatial extent and growth state for personalized care
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module is divided into multiple independent sensor units (imaging sensors, distance sensors, light sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors) that can be selectively activated based on measurement needs, allowing precise plant characterization without requiring all sensors to operate simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional navigation mapping to three-dimensional plant modeling by introducing vertical dimension measurements through distance sensors and multi-angle imaging, enabling accurate determination of plant height, volume, and spatial extent
2Measurement precision
If the system uses multiple sensors to capture plant characteristics from different perspectives, then measurement accuracy improves, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized control unit serves as an intermediary that receives, synchronizes, and pre-processes data from multiple sensors before transmitting to external computing devices, reducing the computational burden on individual components and enabling accurate 3D reconstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates multiple two-dimensional image copies of the plant from different angles and positions, then synthesizes these copies into a three-dimensional model, allowing accurate volume measurement without requiring direct 3D sensing from all perspectives simultaneously
3Measurement precision
If the vehicle continuously monitors plant growth with frequent measurements, then growth state determination becomes more accurate, but time consumption and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes baseline plant characteristics through initial comprehensive measurement, then uses this preliminary data to guide subsequent selective re-measurement, reducing the frequency of full scans while maintaining accurate growth state determination through targeted differential measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic measurement cycles with varying intensity - comprehensive 3D scanning at key growth stages supplemented by lighter monitoring between stages - optimizing the balance between measurement accuracy and time consumption through rhythmically scheduled observation
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 determination of plant growth and maintenance needs, allowing for tailored care actions such as pruning and irrigation, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of plant care operations.
Implementation Method 1
sensors (5, 7), in particular imaging sensors, with which structural data of the environment, in particular of objects such as buildings, plants, people and animals, can be captured
Implementation Method 2
distance sensors (7), with which the spatial distance to objects such as buildings, plants, people and animals can be determined
Implementation Method 3
one sensor for determining ground temperature and/or air temperature
Implementation Method 4
one sensor for determining air humidity and/or soil moisture
Implementation Method 5
one sensor for detecting UV radiation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor module that is mounted on a vehicle (1, 9) that can move across terrain or is used for positioning in the terrain. It has a sensor array comprising sensors (7) with which sensor data is acquired without contact. The sensors (7) are designed to detect the spatial extent of the plant at a specific location in the terrain. The sensor data can be used to determine whether the plant should be pruned. For this purpose, the sensor data is evaluated using a knowledge database.