Agricultural Soil Sensor With Parallel Electrode Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional soil sensing devices face limitations such as poor resolution, inadequate downforce, and high costs, making it difficult to accurately measure soil properties at various depths and maintain optimal soil conditions for crop yields.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with a wedge-shaped configuration and multiple electrode sensing units arranged in parallel, capable of applying a large downforce and measuring soil properties at various depths, using a switching circuit and measurement unit to detect changes in electric fields indicative of soil moisture and temperature, integrated into agricultural implements for real-time data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If portable sensing devices are manually inserted into the ground to measure soil properties, then measurement capability is provided, but sensor resolution is poor and downforce is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple electrode sensing units (first, second, third, and fourth units) arranged in parallel between the ground engaging surfaces. Each electrode unit independently measures soil properties at different depths, enabling high-resolution multi-depth measurement while the distributed configuration provides adequate downforce across the sensing area.
2Measurement precision
If sensing devices measure soil moisture at various soil locations, then measurement capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode sensing units are designed to measure multiple soil properties including moisture content, temperature, and electrical conductivity simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows a single sensor design to replace multiple specialized sensors, reducing overall system cost while maintaining comprehensive measurement capabilities across various soil locations.
3Measurement precision
If multiple electrode sensing units are arranged in parallel to measure soil properties at various depths, then measurement resolution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrode sensing units measuring different soil properties (moisture, temperature, electrical conductivity) at various depths are merged into a single integrated sensor assembly. The electrode units are arranged in parallel between the ground engaging surfaces, sharing common structural elements and wiring, which reduces overall device complexity compared to separate sensors while maintaining high measurement resolution.
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 system provides high-resolution, cost-effective measurement of soil properties at different depths, ensuring optimal seed placement and soil conditions, enhancing crop yields by accurately determining moisture, temperature, and fertility levels in real-time.
Implementation Method 1
capable of applying a large downforce and measuring soil properties at various depths, using a switching circuit and measurement unit to detect changes in electric fields indicative of soil moisture and temperature
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
A sensor for determining soil properties is disclosed herein. The sensor includes a ground engaging structure adapted for coupling to an agricultural implement and to penetrate soil at a predetermined depth. An electrode assembly is disposed on a sensing surface of the ground engaging structure that includes a plurality of electrode sensing units. The plurality of electrode sensing units are configured to selectively, being separately activated by a switching circuit, generate a series of electric fields that project outwardly into the surrounding soil in response to receipt of an excitation signal and sense changes in the electric field corresponding to a change in a measured electrical output signal that is used to determine one or more soil properties during movement of the agricultural implement in a field.