Soil-Moisture Sensing for Seed-Localized Water Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural systems apply materials such as fertilizer and water uniformly across fields, leading to inefficiencies and waste, particularly in areas between seeds or plants, and do not account for varying moisture levels in the ground, resulting in insufficient or excessive application.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses moisture measurement devices to detect soil moisture levels and adjusts the dispensation of materials like fertilizer and water based on these measurements, applying them controllably at specific locations relative to seeds or plants, and varying rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If material is applied uniformly across the field, then application simplicity is maintained, but material waste increases and application precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying material application rates based on spatial location and soil moisture conditions. The system divides the field into discrete locations and applies different amounts of material to each location based on measured soil moisture levels, transitioning from uniform application to location-specific application that optimizes material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the application rate variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts material application rates in real-time based on soil moisture measurements taken at different locations, allowing the application system to adapt to varying field conditions during operation.
2Reliability
If material application rate is increased to ensure sufficient coverage, then application reliability improves, but material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the material application rate parameter based on soil moisture conditions. The system measures soil moisture at each location and adjusts the application rate parameter accordingly, applying higher rates to dry areas and lower or zero rates to already moist areas, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using soil moisture measurements to control material application rates. The system continuously monitors soil moisture conditions and uses this feedback information to adjust application rates in real-time, ensuring that material is applied only where needed based on actual field conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If soil moisture measurement is implemented to optimize application, then application precision improves, but system complexity and measurement difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing complex mechanical soil moisture measurement systems with electromagnetic sensing technology. The system uses electromagnetic waves to detect soil moisture content non-contactly or with minimal contact, eliminating the need for complex mechanical probes or manual soil sampling while achieving precise moisture measurement.
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
This system enhances productivity and efficiency by optimizing material application based on soil moisture levels, reducing waste and ensuring appropriate moisture and fertilizer distribution.
Implementation Method 1
the moisture measurement device includes an electromagnetic wave-based moisture measurement device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
An illustrative example of a planting machine (100) includes a processing system (268), a moisture measurement device (321) in communication with the processing system (268), a seed delivery system (166) in communication with the processing system (268), and a water dispersion system in communication with the processing system (268). The processing system (268) is configured to, receive one or more soil moisture measurement signals from the moisture measurement device (321), determine one or more water dispersion parameters based at least in part on a soil moisture measurement signal from the moisture measurement device (321), and transmit a control signal to one or more of the seed delivery system (166) and the water dispersion system to disburse a desired amount of water with a commodity based at least in part on the determined water dispersion parameters.