Telescoping Sensor Mount for Crop Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop monitoring systems face issues with unreliable data transmission, inaccurate measurements, and delayed data availability, which hinder real-time decision-making for growers regarding irrigation, fertilization, and other practices.
Innovation Solution
A platform that enables continuous real-time monitoring of crop growth using field units with extendable sensor mounts to transmit reliable data on soil and air conditions, including soil moisture, temperature, and nitrogen mineralization, allowing for immediate data analysis and informed decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stationary sensors are positioned in the field to monitor crop growth, then crop monitoring is enabled, but data transmission reliability deteriorates due to power instability and transmission errors
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mount is designed to be movable rather than stationary, capable of extending and retracting along the crop row. This dynamic positioning allows the sensor to maintain optimal location relative to the crop canopy throughout the growing season, avoiding data loss from canopy interference while ensuring reliable transmission by staying in open sky positions when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the extendable sensor mount with positioning system) between the sensor and the crop canopy. This intermediary allows the sensor to be positioned above the canopy for reliable data collection when needed, while avoiding direct contact with the crop that would cause measurement interference or data loss.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned below the crop canopy to measure microclimate conditions, then accurate crop environment data is obtained, but data transmission is interfered with by the crop canopy
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor position is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to move between positions below the canopy (for microclimate measurement) and above the canopy (for reliable transmission). The sensor can be extended to positions above the canopy when transmission issues arise, while still accessing microclimate data when positioned below.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the vertical dimension to sensor positioning, allowing movement not just horizontally along the crop row but vertically above and below the canopy. This dimensional freedom enables the sensor to access microclimate conditions below the canopy while maintaining transmission capability by moving above the canopy when needed.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor mount is fixed at a low position to access soil conditions, then soil parameter measurement is enabled, but the sensor data becomes inaccurate when crop canopy grows tall
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mount incorporates a drive mechanism that allows it to dynamically adjust its position along the crop row and vertically above/below the canopy. This enables the sensor to maintain accurate soil measurements by positioning itself appropriately relative to the crop growth stage, avoiding data loss from canopy interference while preserving soil measurement capability.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple sensors are deployed throughout the field for comprehensive monitoring, then monitoring coverage is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal sensor platform that can be deployed along entire crop rows rather than requiring individual sensors at multiple discrete locations. This multi-functional platform handles both microclimate sensing and soil parameter measurement, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive field coverage through strategic placement along crop rows.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for continuous real time monitoring of a crop growth including the use of a telescoping sensor mount capable of systematically extending a sensor above a crop growth canopy. The method includes determining a value associated with soil saturation, soil nitrogen mineralization, and growing degree units. These values are made available to the user real time. The telescoping sensor mount of the invention includes a foldaway tripod support system and is further capable of being powered with solar energy.