Spring-Mounted Antenna Mast for Crop Canopy Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna systems in agricultural fields, mounted lower than the crop height to avoid damage, suffer from unreliable wireless signal propagation due to terrain and vegetation attenuation.

Innovation Solution

An antenna system with a base, stake, spring-mounted mast, and lateral dielectric guard that allows the antenna to be positioned above the crop canopy, resiliently deflecting under external forces and maintaining signal integrity through adjustable spring constants and protective dielectric guards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the antenna is mounted lower than the average crop height or crop canopy, then the antenna avoids damage from sprayers or other agricultural equipment, but the propagation of wireless signals becomes unreliable due to attenuation from terrain, crops, and vegetation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage from sprayers or agricultural equipmentVSAvoidwireless signal propagation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system employs a resilient mast that can dynamically adjust its height and position. The mast is mounted on a base with a spring mechanism that allows it to flex and move in response to external forces such as wind or equipment contact, while maintaining the antenna above the crop canopy for reliable signal propagation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameter of antenna height by using an adjustable mast length or extendable mast structure. This allows the antenna to be positioned at different heights above the crop canopy, optimizing signal propagation while remaining clear of agricultural equipment operation zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the antenna is positioned above the crop canopy to ensure reliable signal propagation, then wireless communication reliability improves, but the antenna becomes susceptible to damage from sprayers or other agricultural equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless signal propagation reliabilityVSAvoiddamage from sprayers or agricultural equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a resilient mast with spring mounting and energy-absorbing elements that provide beforehand cushioning against potential impacts from agricultural equipment. These elements are designed to absorb impact energy and protect the antenna and transmission line from damage while allowing the mast to remain positioned above the crop canopy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The mast is constructed with flexible materials or hollow tube structures that can bend and flex under external forces. This flexibility allows the mast to withstand impact from equipment without breaking, while maintaining its elevated position for reliable wireless signal propagation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If a resilient mast with spring mounting is used to allow the antenna to deflect under external forces, then the antenna can withstand environmental and equipment impacts, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to environmental and equipment impactsVSAvoidantenna system structural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple functions into the mast structure: it serves as the support element, the resilient mounting mechanism, and the energy-absorbing component. By combining these functions into a single integrated mast assembly with spring mounting, the system reduces overall complexity compared to having separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Ensures reliable wireless signal propagation by positioning the antenna above the crop canopy, avoiding attenuation and withstanding environmental and equipment impacts, facilitating communication between field stations and remote locations.

Implementation Method 1

A spring extends from an upper side of the base. A mast above the base is resiliently, movably mounted to the base by the spring.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A spring extends from an upper side of the base. A mast above the base is resiliently, movably mounted to the base by the spring.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

A lateral dielectric guard is mounted at or the near a top of the mast.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS8698695B2Antenna system for use in agricultural fields or other work areas

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 DEERE & CO

AI summary

An antenna system for use in an agricultural field or work area comprises a base having an upper side and a lower side opposite the upper side. A stake extends from the lower side. The stake is capable of mounting into the ground. A spring extends from the upper side of the base. A mast above the base is movably, resiliently mounted to the base by the spring. A lateral dielectric guard is mounted at or the near a top of the mast. An antenna is associated with the top of the mast, the antenna coupled to a transmission line that is secured to or by the mast.