Spectroscopic Crop Sensor with Optical Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural nutrient applicators face challenges in accurately assessing nutrient levels in growing crops due to issues with ambient light interference, plant damage, and the difficulty of presenting crops to spectroscopic sensors, which limits the precision of nutrient delivery.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural nutrient applicator equipped with a spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system that uses NIR or MIR technology to assess nutrient levels, featuring a presentation assembly that positions plants near an optical window to minimize light interference and prevent damage, coupled with a controller that adjusts nutrient distribution based on measured levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the optical sensor moves over the field to detect plants, then the nutrient application coverage is improved, but the measurement precision is reduced due to ambient light interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical window as an intermediary element that creates a controlled measurement environment. The optical window isolates the spectroscopic sensor from ambient light interference by providing a defined aperture through which only specific light paths are allowed, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining field application capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific localized measurement zone through the optical window and presentation assembly. This localized approach concentrates the measurement function in a controlled spatial region, improving precision by eliminating ambient light interference from the broader field environment
2Measurement precision
If the optical sensor contacts the plants directly, then the measurement precision is improved, but the plants are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The presentation assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that positions plants near the optical window for measurement without direct contact between the sensor and plant tissue. This intermediary positioning system allows the plant to be held steady in the measurement zone while preventing mechanical damage that would occur with direct sensor contact
Solution Approach 2:
The presentation assembly performs preliminary positioning of the plant into the optimal measurement location near the optical window before the actual spectroscopic measurement occurs. This preliminary action ensures the plant is correctly positioned for high-precision measurement while preventing damage by avoiding forceful contact during the measurement process
3Adaptability or versatility
If the spectroscopic sensor is exposed to ambient light, then the operational flexibility is improved, but the measurement precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical window serves as a mediating structure that allows the spectroscopic sensor to operate in the field environment while protecting it from harmful ambient light. The optical window maintains operational flexibility by allowing the sensor to be used in various field conditions while improving precision by filtering out interfering light through its controlled aperture design
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 and real-time nutrient delivery to growing crops, improving yield by accurately determining and correcting nutrient deficiencies without damaging the plants or being affected by ambient light.
Implementation Method 1
A spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system is provided that includes an optical window
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
An agricultural nutrient applicator (100) includes a container and a nutrient distribution assembly (150, 158, 164, 170, 200) operably coupled to the container to deliver a nutrient from the container. A spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system is provided that includes an optical window (118). A presentation assembly (150, 164, 170, 200) is mounted to the agricultural nutrient applicator (100) and is configured to position (476) live plants (120) in a field proximate the optical window (118) of the spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system as the agricultural nutrient applicator (100) moves. A controller (124, 402) is coupled to the spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system and the nutrient distribution assembly (150, 158, 164, 170, 200). The controller (124, 402) is configured to obtain, from the spectroscopic reflectance crop sense system, information indicative of a measured nutrient level (474) in the live plants (120) and determine a remedial nutrient amount based on the measured nutrient level (474) and a target nutrient level. The controller (124, 402) controls the nutrient distribution assembly (150, 158, 164, 170, 200) based on the remedial amount.