VTOL Drone Wide Area Crop Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wide area sensor systems are limited in detecting the growth state of crops over large agricultural fields, as they require tractors to move alongside the crops, restricting the area that can be detected.
Innovation Solution
A wide area sensor system utilizing an unmanned airplane switchable between airplane mode for high-speed flight and VTOL mode for low-speed flight, equipped with a state detection sensor and an external control apparatus for controlling flight and sensor operation, enabling high-speed sensing over large areas and low-speed, precise sensing at specific points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a tractor-mounted sensor system is used to detect crop growth state, then the detection can be performed along the crop rows, but the detectable area is limited to both sides of the tractor's path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-based detection (2D plane movement) to aerial detection (3D space utilization). The drone flies above the crops at variable altitudes, enabling detection of large areas without being constrained to ground-level path following. This dimensional change allows the sensor to cover extensive fields while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable flight paths.
2Productivity
If the unmanned airplane flies at high speed, then the sensing coverage area increases, but the detection precision at specific points decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drone's flight system dynamically adjusts between high-speed transit mode and low-speed detection mode. During high-speed flight, the sensor captures data for broad area coverage. When approaching specific inspection points, the system automatically reduces speed to enhance detection precision. This dynamic speed adjustment resolves the contradiction between coverage efficiency and detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection process employs periodic alternation between high-speed scanning phases and low-speed detailed inspection phases. The system periodically switches flight speeds based on detection requirements, performing rapid area surveys followed by focused high-precision measurements at identified points of interest, thereby achieving both broad coverage and accurate detection.
3Measurement precision
If the unmanned airplane hovers at low speed in VTOL mode, then the detection precision at specific points improves, but the sensing coverage area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection task is segmented into two distinct phases: broad area scanning performed during high-speed flight for efficiency, and focused detailed inspection performed during low-speed hovering for precision. This segmentation allows the system to allocate resources appropriately - using rapid transit for coverage and controlled hovering only when and where detailed detection is required, thus resolving the trade-off between coverage and precision.
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 efficient detection of crop growth states over extensive areas with high-speed sensing and accurate detection at necessary inspection points, improving crop management by identifying nutrient deficiencies and growth anomalies.
Implementation Method 1
the reflected light of measurement light from crops (plants (the growth state measurement target)) is received to obtain the reflectivity of the measurement light by the crops
Data Source
AI summary
A wide area sensor system includes an unmanned airplane being switchable between an airplane mode for high speed flight and a VTOL mode for low speed flight, a state detection sensor provided in the unmanned airplane, the state detection sensor being driven to detect a state of a detection target, and an external control apparatus that controls flight of the unmanned airplane and driving of the state detection sensor. The external control apparatus performs high speed sensing by driving the state detection sensor while performing the high speed flight of the unmanned airplane in the airplane mode. The control apparatus performs low speed sensing by driving the state detection sensor while performing the low speed flight of the unmanned airplane in the VTOL mode.