KR101136073B1 - Rotating plant growth measurement device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a "rotary plant growth measuring apparatus and method" which can measure the hypertrophy growth of plants, such as crops, trees, in a non-contact and rotational manner. In the related art, since the researcher has to grasp by hand in the place where the measurement object is located, the accuracy of the measurement data is lowered according to the researcher's skill and there is a problem in the management of the measurement data. In order to solve the problems of the prior art, the present invention is to provide a rotational plant growth measuring apparatus and method for mechanically measuring the growth of the plant to increase the accuracy. Specifically, the rotary plant growth measuring apparatus has a plurality of supporting parts, and includes a circular fixed plate, a rotating plate rotatably provided on the outside of the fixed plate, a driving unit for driving the rotating plate, and a sensor unit for measuring the rotating plate while rotating the fixed plate. Include. According to the present invention can reduce the measurement time and manpower, and by measuring in a mechanical manner can improve the accuracy and objectivity of the measurement data. In addition, the data measured by the researcher can be processed in various ways to improve the research efficiency.

Description

Rotating plant growth measurement device and method

The present invention relates to a rotary plant growth measuring apparatus and method, and more particularly to a rotary plant growth measuring apparatus and method capable of periodically measuring the growth of plants.

To predict the yield of crops or forests, the growth of trees or plants must be constantly monitored and recorded as data. Similarly, in order to understand the effects of climate change on the growth of various plants, a representative observation group should be established and the growth status of the plant periodically checked over a period of time.

In the past, many observations and data recordings were performed by hand. In other words, if the object to be measured is a tree, the worker must move to the location, and when it arrives, the data that can be recorded such as measuring the circumference of the tree or visually observing it were limited. In addition, the data may vary depending on the skill of the operator.

However, since the plant growth measurement method in the prior art, the operator must manually grasp the degree of plant growth by hand at the place where the measurement target is located, the accuracy of the measurement data is lowered according to the skill of the researcher and there is a problem in the management of the measurement data. There is this. In addition, the conventional manual measurement method has a problem that the research efficiency is lowered because the time required for processing the measured data is long because the researcher must go through the steps of writing the measured data in a document and storing it in a computer.

The above problems are summarized as follows.

First, the researcher must move to the location of the measurement object.

Second, in the case of the conventional manual measurement method, the measurement tool is limited, and since the measurement data may vary according to the researcher's proficiency, the accuracy and objectivity of the data are poor.

Third, in the case of the conventional manual measurement method, the research efficiency is low because the time required for processing the data measured by the researcher is long.

The present invention has been invented to solve the problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention to provide a rotational plant growth measuring apparatus and method for mechanically measuring the growth of the plant to increase the accuracy.

Specifically, the present invention can reduce the measurement time and manpower by using a wired and wireless communication method, it is possible to increase the accuracy and objectivity of the measurement data by measuring the plant growth measurement data by a mechanical measurement method. In addition, the data measured by the researcher can be processed in various ways to improve the research efficiency.

The objects of the above invention are summarized as follows.

A first object of the present invention is to reduce measurement time and manpower by using a wired and wireless communication method.

A second object of the present invention is to improve the accuracy and objectivity of the measurement data by using a mechanical measurement method.

The third object of the present invention is to increase the research efficiency by allowing various data processing by the researcher to be processed.

Rotating plant growth measuring apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has a plurality of supporting parts and a circular fixed plate for enclosing the object, a rotating plate rotatably provided on the fixed plate, and a drive unit for driving the rotating plate; It includes a sensor unit for measuring the distance to the outer periphery of the measurement object while rotating the fixed plate, such as a rotating plate.

In addition, the support portion of the rotary plant growth measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes a structure capable of height adjustment for leveling on the slope.

In addition, the fixed plate of the rotary plant growth measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes a compass for maintaining a constant measurement direction at all times.

In addition, the fixed plate and the rotating plate of the rotary plant growth measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes a folding part that can be opened and closed to put the object inside.

In addition, the drive unit of the rotary plant growth measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes a belt for rotating the rotating plate by connecting the roller and the rotating plate and the roller provided on the rotating shaft of the drive motor and the drive motor.

In addition, the sensor unit of the rotary plant growth measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes a wired and wireless communication unit for transmitting interval data with the outer periphery of the measurement object stored in the memory.

In addition, the sensor unit of the rotary plant growth measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic sensor (ultrasonic sensor) or an infrared sensor (infrared sensor) for measuring the distance to the outer periphery of the measurement object.

In addition, the power supply unit of the rotary plant growth measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes a rechargeable battery system or a solar power generation system for supplying power to the rotary plant growth measuring apparatus.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the rotary plant growth measuring apparatus is configured to be non-contact using a distance measuring sensor, the accuracy and objectivity of the measurement data can be improved and the efficiency of the plant growth research can be improved.

The effect of the present invention is summarized as follows.

First, the present invention transmits the measurement data by wire or wireless communication method, the researcher can check the measurement data on the monitor screen without moving to the measurement object can reduce the measurement time and manpower.

Second, the present invention can measure the plant growth data in a mechanical manner using a distance sensor that can be accurate measurement, the researcher can improve the accuracy and objectivity of the measurement data.

Third, the present invention can process a variety of data measured by the researcher can increase the research efficiency.

While the above has been shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments and applications of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments and applications described above, the invention without departing from the gist of the invention claimed in the claims Various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view showing a rotary plant growth measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a sensor unit of the rotary plant growth measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the rotary plant growth measurement method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment according to the spirit of the rotary plant growth measuring apparatus and method according to the present invention will be described in detail.

1 is a perspective view showing a rotational plant growth measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an internal block diagram of the rotational plant growth measuring apparatus, Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a rotational plant growth measuring method. .

Referring to FIG. 1, the rotary plant growth measuring apparatus of the present embodiment includes a pedestal 11 provided to adjust height, and includes a fixed plate 10 for enclosing a measurement object and a rotatable outer side of the fixed plate 10. A sensor for measuring the distance to the outer periphery of the object to be measured while rotating the fixed plate such as the rotating plate 20 and the driving unit 30 provided on the fixed plate to drive the rotating plate 20 and the rotating plate provided on the rotating plate 20. Unit 40.

The fixing plate 10 is provided with at least three pedestals 11 and the pedestal 11 is adjustable in height can stably fix the position when measuring the measurement object on the slope. If the horizontal position of the measuring device cannot be fixed stably, the measuring distance will be different and the accuracy of the measured data will not be obtained. Therefore, in the present invention, the height of each pedestal 11 can be adjusted so that the measurement object located on the incline can be easily leveled, so that accurate measurement can be performed.

On the other hand, the compass plate 12 is provided on the fixed plate 10 can keep the measurement direction constant. Plants to be measured of the present invention is different in the extent of plant growth according to various external factors. Specifically, plants bend toward the direction of strong light when they do not receive light evenly from the surroundings, which is called phototropism. In addition, when the plant is placed horizontally, the ground portion rises and grows in the opposite direction to gravity, while the roots extend downward while bending toward the direction to which gravity is applied. This phenomenon is called geotropism. The characteristics of these plants act as obstacles in measuring the extent of plant growth. Therefore, the present invention can accurately measure the degree of plant growth by providing a compass plate 12 on the fixed plate 10 to keep the measurement direction constant.

In addition, the rotating plate 20 is provided on the outside of the fixed plate 10 to rotate relative to the fixed plate 10. Guides 22 for supporting the rotating plate 20 are disposed at predetermined intervals between the fixed plate 10 and the rotating plate 20, and the guide 22 is interposed with a bearing (not shown) to rotate the rotating plate 20. To facilitate this.

In addition, the stationary plate 10 and the rotating plate 20 includes a fold (14, 24). A fold is also called a hinge, and is a piece of hardware used to squeeze a window, door or piece of furniture, like a doorknob. In the present invention, the folding portions 14 and 24 may fix one end of the cut fixing plate 10 and the rotating plate 20 and rotate the cut fixing plate 10 and the rotating plate 20. Therefore, in order to put the measuring object, one end of the fixed plate 10 and the rotating plate 20 should be opened, and the fixed plate 10 and the rotating plate 20 cut using the folding parts 14 and 24 can be rotated. It can be easily put into an open space. After inserting the measurement object, the open fixed plate 10 and the rotating plate 20 should be returned to their original state. To this end, a stable coupling structure of the fixed plate 10 and the rotating plate 20 is required. This can be solved by stably coupling the cut plate 10 and the rotating plate 20 by attaching a magnet to the cut section 10 of the fixed plate 10 and the rotating plate 20 having no folding portions 14 and 24.

The rotating plate 20 is rotated by the drive unit 30. The drive unit 30 is installed on any one of the three pedestals 11. The drive unit 30 includes a drive motor 32, a roller 34 provided on a rotation shaft of the drive motor 32, and a belt 36 connecting the rotating plate 20 and the roller 34. The rotating plate 20 operates by rotating the belt 36 as the driving motor 32 rotates and rotating the rotating plate 20 connected to the belt 36.

The rotating plate 20 has a sensor unit 40. The sensor unit 40 is for measuring the distance between the non-contact sensor 41 and the measurement object, and a distance measuring sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor and an infrared sensor can be generally employed. Ultrasonic sensor is a sensor that detects the position or distance of object by using high frequency sound of 20,000Hz ~ 300MHz that can't be heard by human ear using 2 ~ 3μm thick vibration membrane. When a voltage is applied to the vibration membrane with a thickness of 2 to 3 μm, ultrasonic waves are generated, and the ultrasonic waves that are reflected back from the object are detected by the vibrator again. The longer the distance to the object is, the longer it takes to reflect and return, so the distance to the object can be known. In addition, an infrared sensor is a device that detects a physical quantity or a chemical quantity such as temperature, pressure, radiation intensity, etc. using infrared rays and converts it into an electrical quantity capable of signal processing. There is a sense that the machine emits infrared rays and blocks them and detects the surrounding infrared rays. In this embodiment, the sensor unit 40 rotates together with the rotating plate 20 to measure the distance between the measurement object and the non-contact sensor 41 outer periphery.

2 is an internal block diagram of a rotary plant growth measuring apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor unit 40 includes a non-contact sensor 41, a timer 42, a memory 43, a sensor driver 44, a wired / wireless communication unit 45, and a power supply 46. And a control unit 47. Here, the non-contact sensor 41 measures the distance to the outer periphery of the measurement object, and the controller 47 periodically checks the plant growth measurement cycle. In addition, the memory 43 is a place where data measured through the non-contact sensor 41 is stored, and the power supply unit 46 may employ both a rechargeable battery method and a solar power generation method. A rechargeable battery is a device that can be recharged several times. It is a device that converts external electrical energy into chemical energy and stores it and generates electricity when needed. Common rechargeable batteries include lead batteries, nickel cadmium batteries (NiCd), nickel hydrogen batteries (NiMH), lithium ion batteries (Li-ion), and lithium ion polymer batteries (Li-ion polymer). In addition, solar thermal power generation is a solar energy photothermal application using wave characteristics of solar rays, and is a method of making electricity through absorption, storage, and heat conversion of solar heat. The present invention can supply power to the rotational plant growth measuring apparatus without an electrical installation for power supply in a measurement location that is difficult to supply power using a rechargeable battery method or solar power generation method.

On the other hand, the sensor unit 40 includes a wired and wireless communication unit 45 for transmitting interval data with the outer periphery of the measurement object stored in the memory 43. In order for researchers to analyze the measured data in various ways, rapid interval data from the outer periphery of the measured object is required. Therefore, the present invention quickly transmits the interval data with the outer periphery of the measurement object stored in the memory 43 through the wired or wireless communication unit 45 by wire or wirelessly.

Referring to Figure 3 describes the operating state of the present invention.

Prior to the measurement, the user opens the folding parts 14 and 24 of the measuring device so that the tree is located at the center, and then seals the folding parts 14 and 24 to complete the installation. In the sensor unit 40 of the measuring device, settings for measuring period and data transmission are stored in advance.

Step 1: Determine the Plant Growth Measurement Cycle

The controller 47 examines the timer 42 (S100) and determines whether the plant growth measurement cycle (S200). If not, the timer 42 is continuously checked.

Step 2: Measure the distance from the outer periphery of the object

In the case of the measurement cycle, the non-contact sensor 41 is driven and measures the distance from the outer periphery of the measurement object while rotating the fixed plate 10 together with the rotating plate 20. (S300)

Step 3: save the measured data to the data memory

Data measured through the non-contact sensor 41 is stored in the memory 43. (S400)

Step 4: transfer data stored in memory

The measured data is stored in the memory 43 (S400), and the measured data is transmitted at the set transmission time (S500). Data transmission is made through a wired or wireless communication unit 45 in a wired or wireless manner.

Step 5: determine measurement completion and return to the initial measurement state

The control unit 47 determines whether the plant growth measurement is completed (S600), and if not completed, returns to step S100 to repeat the above-described process, and when it is completed, the measurement ends.

10: fixing plate 11: stand
12: compass 14, 24: folds
20: rotating plate 30: drive unit
32: drive motor 34: roller
36: belt 40: sensor unit
41: non-contact sensor 42: timer
43: memory 44: sensor drive unit
45: wired and wireless communication unit 46: power supply unit
47: control unit

Claims (10)

In the rotary plant growth measuring device configured to variously process the plant growth measurement data obtained by the mechanical measuring method,
A circular fixed plate having a plurality of support parts and surrounding the measurement object;
A rotating plate rotatably provided on an outer side of the fixed plate;
A driving unit provided on the fixed plate to drive the rotating plate;
A sensor unit provided on the rotating plate to measure a distance from the outer circumference of the measurement object while rotating the fixed plate like the rotating plate;
Rotary plant growth measuring apparatus comprising a. The method of claim 1,
The support portion is a rotary plant growth measuring device, characterized in that it comprises a device capable of height adjustment for leveling on the slope. The method of claim 1,
The stationary plate is a rotary plant growth measuring device, characterized in that it comprises a compass for maintaining a constant measuring direction at all times. The method of claim 1,
Rotating plant growth measuring device, characterized in that it comprises a folding portion that can be opened and closed between the fixed plate and the rotating plate to put the measurement object inside. The method of claim 1,
The drive unit includes a drive motor;
A roller provided on the rotation shaft of the drive motor;
A belt connecting the roller and the rotating plate to rotate the rotating plate;
Rotary plant growth measuring apparatus comprising a. The method of claim 1,
The sensor unit is a rotational plant growth measuring device, characterized in that it comprises a wired and wireless communication unit for transmitting interval data with the outer periphery of the measurement object stored in the memory. The method of claim 1,
The sensor unit is a rotary plant growth measuring device, characterized in that it comprises an ultrasonic sensor or an infrared sensor for measuring the distance to the outer periphery of the measurement object. The method of claim 1,
The sensor unit is a rotary plant growth measuring device, characterized in that it comprises a rechargeable battery type or a solar power generation power supply for supplying power to the rotary plant growth measuring device. A control unit for determining a plant growth measurement cycle and measurement completion, a timer for periodically inspecting a plant growth measurement cycle, a rotation plate provided to rotate around the measurement object, and a distance from the outer circumference of the measurement object attached to the rotation plate to rotate together with the rotation plate. As a rotary plant growth measuring method executable by a rotary plant growth measuring apparatus including a non-contact sensor for measuring a temperature and a memory storing measured data,
After the control unit periodically checks the timer, determining a rotational plant growth measurement cycle;
Measuring a distance from an outer circumference of a measurement object by a non-contact sensor attached to the rotating plate; And
Storing, by the controller, the interval data with the measured outer periphery of the measured object in a memory;
The control unit completes the measurement of the rotary plant growth measuring device and determines the return to the initial measurement state for the next measurement;
Rotary plant growth measurement method comprising a. The method of claim 9,
The rotary plant growth measuring apparatus comprises a wired or wireless communication method for transmitting the interval data with the outer periphery of the measurement object stored in the memory.

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