Search

KR-102962453-B1 - Control of nutrient input based on wireless sensor specialized for field crops Possible Government Security System and the method using it

KR102962453B1KR 102962453 B1KR102962453 B1KR 102962453B1KR-102962453-B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fertigation system capable of controlling the amount of nutrients input based on wireless sensors specialized for open-field crops. More specifically, it relates to a fertigation system capable of controlling the amount of nutrients input based on wireless sensors specialized for open-field crops that calculates the minimum necessary components by fused and analyzing soil, environmental, and image data, and automatically calculates and controls the input amounts of fertilizer concentrate and raw water for irrigation according to the content, solubility, and target concentration of each fertilizer type. The system comprises: an environment and condition sensing unit including a plurality of soil moisture sensors for measuring soil moisture content, an EC sensor for measuring soil electrical conductivity, an EC sensor for measuring the concentration of a mixed solution, a pH sensor for measuring acidity, a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of a supply line, a flow sensor for measuring the supply flow rate, a water level sensor for detecting the water level of a storage container, and an external weather station for collecting external weather information; and an image analysis unit including a CCTV for capturing images of farmland and a smart image device for analyzing captured images to convert crop growth status into data. A nutrient solution manufacturing unit comprising a plurality of concentrate storage containers for storing concentrates of different components of fertilizer concentrates, a raw water storage container for storing raw water for irrigation, and a mixing tank for mixing and diluting the raw water and the concentrates of fertilizer, wherein an agitator, an EC sensor, and a pH sensor are installed inside the mixing tank to maintain the concentration and acidity within a set target range through closed-loop control; a fluid transfer unit comprising a plurality of solenoid valves installed in the piping between the concentrate storage container and the mixing tank, and between the raw water storage container and the mixing tank to control opening and closing, a flow control valve for regulating the flow rate, and a pump for pressurizing the fluid; and a supply unit comprising zone-specific solenoid valves for distributing the manufactured nutrient solution to a plurality of independent irrigation zones, drip hoses or sprinklers for performing final supply, and filters, pressure control valves, valve sockets, and barbs on the supply line. It includes a control module that executes an algorithm to determine the minimum required components based on crop type, target component amounts for each growth stage, target EC and pH, cumulative solar radiation, and weather, image, and soil data, calculate the order and amount of input for each fertilizer concentrate according to the content, solubility, and target concentration of the main component for each fertilizer type, and adjust the timing and amount of supply in real time according to sensor feedback; and an integrated controller comprising a sensing data collection module that links data with the control module, and a communication module that communicates bidirectionally with an external control area server and an application or operating system on a PC/mobile.

Inventors

  • 노기수

Assignees

  • 주식회사 다온정보기술

Dates

Publication Date
20260508
Application Date
20250903

Claims (7)

  1. An environment and state sensing unit comprising a plurality of soil moisture sensors (20′) for measuring the moisture content of the soil, an EC sensor (50) for measuring the electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil, an EC sensor (46) for measuring the concentration of the mixed liquid, a pH sensor (47) for measuring the acidity (pH), a pressure sensor (84) for measuring the pressure of the supply line, a flow sensor (30, 30′, 30″) for measuring the supply flow rate, a water level sensor (441) for detecting the water level of a storage container, and an external weather station (101) for collecting external weather information; A video analysis unit comprising a CCTV (103) for capturing images of farmland and a smart video device (109) for analyzing captured images and converting crop growth status into data; A nutrient solution manufacturing unit comprising a plurality of concentrate storage containers for storing concentrates of different components of fertilizer concentrates, a raw water storage container for storing raw water for irrigation, and a mixing tank (48) for mixing and diluting the raw water and fertilizer concentrates, wherein an agitator (45), an EC sensor (46), and a pH sensor (47) are installed inside the mixing tank, and the concentration and acidity are maintained within a set target range according to the control of a control module (11); A fluid transfer unit comprising a plurality of electronic valves (40, 41-1, 42-1, 43-1) installed in the piping between the raw liquid storage container and the mixing container (48) and between the raw water storage container and the mixing container (48) to control opening and closing, a flow control valve (40′) to control the flow rate, and a pump (80) to pressurize the fluid; A supply unit comprising zone-specific electronic valves (41, 42, 43, 44) for distributing the manufactured nutrient solution to a plurality of independent irrigation zones, a drip hose (70) or sprinkler (102) for performing the final supply, and a filter (60), a pressure regulating valve (62, 62′), a valve socket (82), and a barb (421) on the supply line; A control module (11) that executes an algorithm to determine the minimum necessary components based on crop type, target component amount for growth stage, target EC·pH, cumulative solar radiation, and weather, image, and soil data, retrieves information on the content of the corresponding nutrients included in the selected fertilizer from a database to check the solubility information when the fertilizer is dissolved in water, calculates the order and amount of each fertilizer concentrate according to the main component content, solubility, and target concentration for each fertilizer type to prevent precipitation and manage concentration when manufacturing the fertilizer concentrate, and adjusts the supply timing and amount in real time according to sensor feedback; The integrated controller (10′) includes a sensing data collection module (12) that links data with the control module (11), and a communication module (13) that communicates bidirectionally with an external control area (105) server and an application (106) or operating system (107) of a PC/mobile (10″). The above supply unit removes foreign matter with a filter (60), stabilizes the supply pressure with a pressure (regulating) valve (62, 62′), and connects a drip hose (70) to a distribution pipe through a barbed saddle (421). When the above control module (11) determines that there is a lack of nitrogen components based on the analysis of soil data, it opens the valve of the fertilizer tank (A) where the nitrogen concentrate is stored to provide a set supply amount. A fertigation system based on wireless sensors specialized for open-field crops capable of controlling nutrient input, characterized by independently controlling the valves of each tank to generate a customized nutrient solution combined in appropriate ratios when it is determined that a fertilizer tank (B) storing phosphorus and a fertilizer tank (C) storing potassium are simultaneously needed, thereby selectively and precisely supplying only the necessary components according to the growth stage and soil condition.
  2. In claim 1, The above control module (11) cross-analyzes data collected from a soil moisture sensor (20′), an EC sensor (50), a flow meter/flow sensor (30, 30′, 30″), and a pressure sensor (84), and determines that the electronic valve (40) is not operating or there is a pipe malfunction when there is no change in flow rate or when the flow rate falls below a standard value, and stops supplying and transmits an alarm when there is a malfunction, thereby forming a fertigation system based on wireless sensors specialized for open-field crops capable of controlling the amount of nutrients input.
  3. In claim 1, The above integrated controller (10′) is a fertigation system based on a wireless sensor capable of controlling the amount of nutrient input specialized for open-field crops, characterized by reflecting the growth status analysis results of the smart imaging device (109) together with soil and weather data to correct the amount of undiluted fertilizer input.
  4. delete
  5. (a) A step of collecting soil, environment, and image data from a soil moisture sensor (20′), an EC sensor (50), an external weather station (101), a CCTV (103), and a smart video device (109), and transmitting the data to a sensing data collection module (12); (b) In the control module (11) (i) Target nutrient amounts for crop type and growth stage, (ii) Target value of standard growth database (15″), (iii) Collected soil EC and moisture data, (iv) Information on main component content and solubility by type A step of synthesizing the above to determine the component with the maximum deficiency in the soil as the minimum required component, and calculating the order and amount of input for each fertilizer concentrate; (c) A step of controlling the electronic valves (40, 41-1, 42-1, 43-1), pump (80), and water supply motor (93) according to the calculation result to transfer and mix raw water and fertilizer concentrate into a mixing tank (48); (d) A closed-loop control step in which the solution is mixed with a stirrer (45) during the mixing process, and when the values measured by the EC sensor (46) and pH sensor (47) fall outside the set target range, the solenoid valve opening amount or pump drive is adjusted; (e) After mixing is complete, open the zone-specific electronic valves (41, 42, 43, 44) of the corresponding zone to supply nutrient solution through the drip hose (70) or sprinkler (102); (f) a step of monitoring measurement data in real time from flow sensors (30, 30′, 30″), pressure sensors (84), and soil moisture sensors (20′) during supply, stopping supply if it deviates from a set standard, and transmitting status data to a control area (105) and a PC/mobile (10″) via a communication module (13); (b) In step (b), if the control module (11) determines that there is a lack of nitrogen components based on the analysis of soil data, it opens the valve of the fertilizer tank (A) where the nitrogen concentrate is stored to provide a set supply amount. When it is determined that a fertilizer tank (B) containing phosphorus and a fertilizer tank (C) containing potassium are needed simultaneously, the valves of each tank are independently controlled to generate a customized nutrient solution combined in appropriate ratios, thereby selectively and precisely supplying only the necessary components according to the crop growth stage and soil condition. A method using a wireless sensor-based fertigation system specialized for open-field crops capable of controlling nutrient input, which analyzes flow rate, pressure, and soil moisture data in a time series at step (f) to diagnose pipe blockage, leakage, and sensor failure, and transmits an alarm in case of abnormality.
  6. In claim 5, A method using a wireless sensor-based fertigation system capable of controlling nutrient input specialized for open-field crops, which includes dynamic supply control in step (b) that reduces the supply amount when rainfall occurs and adjusts the timing of irrigation when soil moisture drops sharply below a standard.
  7. delete

Description

Control of nutrient input based on wireless sensor specialized for field crops and the method using the same The present invention relates to a fertigation system based on wireless sensors capable of controlling nutrient input amounts specialized for open-field crops. More specifically, it relates to a fertigation system based on wireless sensors capable of controlling nutrient input amounts specialized for open-field crops that calculates the minimum necessary components by fused and analyzing soil, environmental, and image data, and automatically calculates and controls the input amounts of fertilizer concentrate and raw water for irrigation according to the content, solubility, and target concentration of each fertilizer type. Generally, even if a farmer confirms in real-time via a smartphone application that the soil moisture in their field is sufficient at 40%, the established irrigation schedule does not reflect this data and supplies water at the scheduled time without fail. The opposite is also true. Even though a sensor sends a warning that the soil is very dry (e.g., moisture 15%), the control system takes no action until the next scheduled time. This discrepancy between data and control completely undermines the fundamental purpose of sensor implementation: 'data-driven precision automation.' This structural disconnect gives rise to the following problems. First, it is fundamentally impossible to respond to rapidly changing microenvironmental changes. Localized rainfall such as showers, sudden temperature fluctuations, and moisture movement within the soil occur on a minute-by-minute basis; however, since data is not immediately reflected in the control logic, the system fails to respond optimally even when it recognizes these changes. Second, resource waste and crop stress persist. Unnecessary irrigation in conditions of sufficient moisture wastes water and energy, while delayed irrigation in dry conditions causes irreversible damage to crops. Ultimately, expensive sensor equipment becomes nothing more than another information channel that farmers must manually judge and operate, rather than an automated decision-making tool, resulting in the loss of the core value of smart farm technology. Consequently, the uniform supply method causes extreme variations in crop growth, where crops grow vigorously in some areas of the same field while others suffer from poor growth or die from disease. This hinders the uniformity of harvest timing and quality, making mechanized harvesting difficult, and acts as a decisive factor in reducing farmers' real income by significantly lowering the marketability rate—that is, the proportion of standard-compliant products among the total harvest. The key to an effective automatic control system lies in closed-loop control, which continuously compares the target value (setpoint) with the actual measured value (process variable) and corrects the difference. However, most conventional fertigation systems operate with an open-loop structure that merely mixes and supplies fertilizer according to initial setpoints, lacking a feedback mechanism to measure and correct the EC and pH of the nutrient solution generated in real time during the supply process. Such open-loop control has the following inherent instability. Modern agricultural technology is evolving beyond simple soil sensors to utilize diverse data sources, such as weather observation equipment (AWS), CCTV cameras, and drone footage. However, the limitation of conventional technology lies in the fact that it merely collects this high-dimensional data without organically integrating it into irrigation and fertilization control algorithms to enable predictive and comprehensive decision-making. In the case of weather data, even if weather stations installed on-site collect rainfall, wind speed, and humidity information in real time, this information is not converted into direct commands for the control system. For example, even if the system receives data stating, "10mm of rainfall per hour has been detected," conventional timer-based fertigation schedules ignore this information and operate as scheduled, resulting in a repeated situation where massive amounts of water and fertilizer are wasted. Furthermore, predictive control—such as preemptively utilizing weather forecast data to say, "A heatwave is expected tomorrow, so increase the watering amount this evening by 20%, and postpone the watering plan because rain is forecast for the day after tomorrow"—is difficult to imagine within the scope of conventional technology. The utilization of video data is even more limited. Images of crops captured by CCTV or drones contain potentially vast amounts of information. Changes in leaf color can be used to diagnose nitrogen deficiency or diseases, the degree of wilting can be used to assess water stress, and weed density can be analyzed. However, conventional systems require humans to manually visualize this video data and sub