Soil CEC Analysis Using Electromagnetic Induction Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining cation exchange capacity (CEC) in soil fertility assessment are inaccurate and prone to interference from turbidity in the measurement medium, such as water, which affects fluorescence measurements.

Innovation Solution

A soil analyzing device and method using a sensor to apply an alternating magnetic field, process detection signals through Fourier transformation, and perform PLS regression analysis to accurately estimate CEC based on magnetic permeability and fluorescence spectrum data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fluorescence spectrum analysis is used to estimate CEC, then other soil fertility characteristics can be determined, but CEC determination accuracy is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCEC determination accuracyVSAvoidfluorescence measurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates CEC measurement from fluorescence spectrum analysis by introducing electromagnetic induction as a dedicated measurement method for CEC, while fluorescence analysis continues to determine other soil fertility characteristics. This segmentation allows each parameter to be measured by its most suitable method, resolving the accuracy issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electromagnetic induction technology as an intermediary method specifically for CEC measurement. This intermediary approach bypasses the limitations of fluorescence analysis for CEC determination while maintaining the benefits of fluorescence analysis for other parameters, thus improving overall measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If water is used as dispersing medium for fluorescence measurement, then soil samples can be analyzed, but turbidity interferes with fluorescence measurement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil sample analysis convenienceVSAvoidfluorescence measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts CEC measurement from the fluorescence analysis process and applies a separate electromagnetic induction method. This extraction eliminates the interference of turbidity from water-based dispersing media on CEC determination, while preserving the ease of using water for preparing soil samples for fluorescence analysis of other parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 device and method enable highly accurate determination of CEC and other soil fertility characteristics, including available nitrogen, phosphoric acid, total carbon, total nitrogen, and CN ratio, by refining detection signals and fluorescence spectra.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor (10) that applies an alternating magnetic field to the soil to be analyzed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a detection coil (12) that detects a signal according to a magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a method of illuminating the excitation light to the soil and analyzing the fluorescence spectrum from the soil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3474008B1Soil analyzing device and soil analyzing method
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 KOMATSU SEIKI KOSAKUSHOKK
  • EP3474008B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3474008B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP3474008B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a soil analyzing device and a soil analyzing method capable of accurately obtaining cation exchange capacity (CEC) which serves as an indicator for evaluating the fertility of the soil. [Solution] The soil analyzing device includes: a sensor 10 having an excitation coil 11 and a detection coil 12; a measurement unit 20 that generates an excitation signal, per frequency, to be input to the excitation coil 11 in order to apply an alternating magnetic field to the soil to be analyzed, and processes a detection signal output from the detection coil 12 by applying the alternating magnetic field to the soil to be analyzed; a storage unit 33 that stores data concerning the correlation between a quantitative value of the soil fertility characteristics including CEC of two or more types of the soil having different components and an estimated value of the soil fertility characteristics including CEC found from the processed detection signal measured by the sensor 10 and the measurement unit 20; and an estimation unit 34 that estimates the soil fertility characteristics including CEC of the soil to be analyzed based on the detection signal generated by allowing the sensor 10 to apply the alternating magnetic field to the soil to be analyzed and processed by the measurement unit 20, and by using the data stored in the storage unit 33.