KR102614683B1 - Monitoring apparatus for environment of soil - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a soil environment monitoring device, and more specifically, to a soil environment monitoring device that not only enables 360-degree omnidirectional measurement using an imaging module, but also allows precise monitoring of the internal soil environment through multispectral image measurement.
In addition, the present invention relates to a soil environment monitoring device in which the height of the imaging module is adjustable, allowing the soil environment to be photographed at a desired location by varying the height with a single insertion of the device.

Description

SOIL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING APPARATUS {MONITORING APPARATUS FOR ENVIRONMENT OF SOIL}

The present invention relates to a soil environment monitoring device. More specifically, it is capable of measuring the soil environment around the device in 360 degrees using an imaging module, as well as precise monitoring of the soil internal environment and root growth through multispectral image measurement. This concerns a possible soil environment monitoring device.

In addition, the present invention relates to a soil environment monitoring device in which the height of the imaging module is adjustable, allowing the soil environment to be photographed at a desired location by varying the height with a single insertion of the device.

In general, in order to manage plant growth, it is necessary to understand not only the external environment of the soil but also the internal environment of the soil. In other words, in order to manage plant growth, it is necessary to understand the soil information necessary for plant growth, specifically, the nutritional conditions necessary for plant growth, such as soil and soil to determine the physical conditions necessary for plant germination and root development.

To this end, Korean Patent No. 10-1402001 discloses a 'soil monitoring device for plant growth management', but the prior art had the problem of making it difficult to precisely observe the internal environment of the soil.

In addition, in order to manage the growth state of plants, precise observation of the root growth state of the plant is necessary. In particular, precise observation of the state of root tissue (e.g., identification of living root tissue, dead root tissue, etc.) Image analysis through spectroscopic imaging is necessary, but there is a problem in that it is difficult to precisely observe the state of root tissue using conventional technology.

Therefore, there is a need to develop technology for a monitoring device capable of precisely analyzing the state of the internal soil environment and plant root tissue through multispectral imaging.

Korean Patent No. 10-1402001 (2014.05.26)

Accordingly, the technical problem of the present invention was conceived in this respect, and not only can 360-degree omnidirectional measurements of the soil environment around the device using an imaging module, but also precise monitoring of the soil internal environment and root growth through multispectral image measurement. Provide a possible soil environment monitoring device.

In addition, by providing an adjustable height of the imaging module, a soil environment monitoring device is provided that allows imaging of the internal soil environment at a desired location by varying the height even with a single insertion of the device.

A soil environment monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing made of a transparent material in which an internal space of a certain length is formed; A moving unit provided in the interior space of the housing to be movable along the longitudinal direction; and a photographing module fixed to the mobile unit to photograph the soil environment outside the housing.

At this time, the photographing module includes: a light emitting unit that emits light in the outer circumferential direction of the housing and irradiates light into a scanning area of the soil environment outside the housing; and a photographing unit that photographs a scanning area of the external soil environment of the housing using light emitted from the light emitting unit.

At this time, the light emitting unit includes: a light source unit that irradiates light in a first direction of the internal space of the housing; and a first mirror unit located in a first direction, reflecting light emitted from the light source unit toward the outer circumference of the housing and irradiating the light to a scanning area of the external environment. In this embodiment, the second direction is a direction opposite to the first direction and may be the same direction as the direction in which the soil environment monitoring device 10 is inserted.

At this time, the photographing unit includes a second mirror unit located in a second direction of the internal space of the housing to reflect back the light irradiated to the scanning area by the first mirror unit; and a reflection from the second mirror unit. It may include a photographing unit that receives the light and converts it into an electrical image signal.

At this time, it may further include a wireless communication module for transmitting the electrical signal generated by the photographing unit to the server.

Meanwhile, the first mirror unit is positioned to face the light source unit in a first direction, has a circular cross-section, and can be formed to have a curved outer surface with a cross-sectional area that gradually widens in the first direction.

Additionally, the second mirror unit may be positioned to face the imaging unit in a second direction, and may be formed in an arch shape with a central portion protruding in the direction of the imaging unit.

At this time, it may further include a case made of a transparent material provided inside the housing, and the light emitting unit and the photographing unit may be provided inside the case.

At this time, a protrusion may be formed in the center of the second mirror unit that protrudes and extends in the longitudinal direction toward the photographing unit.

Meanwhile, the moving unit includes: a moving plate provided in the inner space of the housing; A screw coupled to one end of the moving plate and rotating to move the moving plate along the longitudinal direction of the housing; and a motor that provides power to the screw to rotate the screw.

At this time, it may further include a guide rail provided in the inner space of the housing and connected to the moving plate to guide the movement of the moving plate in the longitudinal direction.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, not only can the soil environment around the device be measured in 360 degrees using an imaging module, but it is also possible to precisely monitor the soil internal environment and root growth through multispectral image measurement.

In addition, by providing an adjustable height of the photographing module, it is possible to photograph the internal environment of the soil at a desired location by varying the height with a single insertion of the device.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

The above-described summary as well as the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present application described below may be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings for the purpose of illustrating the invention. However, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the exact arrangement and means shown.
1 is a schematic diagram of a soil environment monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a soil environment monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a front view and a partially enlarged view of a soil environment monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 and 5 are reference diagrams for explaining the components of a soil monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a reference diagram for explaining a soil environment monitoring device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the attached drawings are merely explained to more easily disclose the content of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the attached drawings. Those skilled in the art will easily understand this. You will find out.

In addition, in describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is clear in advance that the same names and the same symbols are used for components having the same function, but that they are not substantially the same as the components of the prior art.

Additionally, the terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features. It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of elements, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, the soil environment monitoring device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the description with reference to the attached drawings, identical or corresponding components are assigned the same drawing numbers and overlapping The explanation will be omitted.

1 is a schematic diagram of a soil environment monitoring device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the soil environment monitoring device 10 according to the present invention is inserted into the soil and penetrates the roots of plants or inside the soil. Observe the environment. Specifically, in order to manage the growth of plants, information on the soil necessary for the plants to grow is required, and also precise observation of the growth state of the roots of the plants is required. The soil environment monitoring device 10 according to the present invention is installed at a constant inclination to the soil. The internal environment of the soil and the growth state of plant roots around the soil environment monitoring device 10 are observed through the imaging module 300, which is inserted and will be described later.

Figure 2 is a perspective view for explaining the soil environment monitoring device 10 according to the present invention, and Figure 3 is a front view and a partial enlarged view of the soil environment monitoring device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 And referring to FIG. 3 , the soil environment monitoring device 10 according to the present invention may include a housing 100, a mobile unit 200, and an imaging module 300.

The housing 100 has an internal space of a certain length and may be made of a transparent material. Specifically, the housing 100 may be formed in the shape of a cylindrical pipe with a hollow internal space, and is made of a transparent synthetic resin material for observation of soil or plant roots around the housing 100. It can be.

The moving unit 200 may be provided to be movable in the internal space of the housing 100 along the longitudinal direction. Specifically, referring to FIG. 3 , the moving unit 200 may include a moving plate 210, a screw 230, and a motor 250.

The moving plate 210 is formed in a circular shape to correspond to the cross-section of the housing 100, is provided in the inner space of the housing 100, and moves in the longitudinal direction along the inner space of the housing 100.

The screw 230 is provided along the longitudinal direction in the internal space of the housing 100, and is coupled to one end of the moving plate 210 and rotates to move the moving plate 210 along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. I order it. At this time, a bearing is provided at one end of the moving plate 210 coupled with the screw 230, so that when the screw 230 rotates, the moving plate 210 does not rotate with the screw 230 but moves in a straight line. .

The motor 250 is provided outside the housing 100 and is connected to the screw 230 to provide power to the screw 230 to rotate the screw 230.

That is, when the motor 250 is operated by electrical control, the motor 250 provides power to the screw 230 to rotate the screw 230, and as the screw 230 rotates, the motor 250 connected to the screw 230 The moving plate 210 moves up and down along the internal space of the housing 100.

According to this embodiment, the height of the imaging module 300 connected to the mobile unit 200 can be adjusted using the mobile unit 200, so that the height can be changed even with a single insertion of the soil environment monitoring device 10. This has the effect of enabling photography of the internal soil environment at a desired location.

At this time, the soil environment monitoring device 10 according to this embodiment may further include a guide rail 270. The guide rail 270 is formed in a bar shape with a constant length and is provided along the longitudinal direction in the internal space of the housing 100. The guide rail 270 is inserted through the moving plate 210 and connected to the moving plate 210, and guides the movement of the moving plate 210 in the longitudinal direction of the internal space of the housing 100. The guide rail 270 minimizes the vibration of the moving plate 210 when the moving plate 210 is moved, thereby reducing the vibration of parts such as the imaging module 300 and the communication module 500 connected to the moving plate 210. This has the effect of minimizing the vibration of the imaging module 300 and allowing it to move, thereby enabling continuous imaging of the soil environment or plant roots while the imaging module 300 moves up and down.

At this time, the photographing module 300 may include a light emitting unit 310 and a photographing unit 330.

The light emitting unit 310 emits light in the outer circumferential direction of the housing 100 and radiates light to the scanning area of the soil environment outside the housing 100, and the imaging unit 330 uses the light emitted from the light emitting unit 310 to emit light. The scanning area of the external soil environment of the housing 100 is photographed.

That is, when the light emitting unit 310 irradiates light to the outside of the housing 100 through the housing 100 made of a transparent material, the light is reflected by the soil or roots outside the housing 100, and the reflected light is returned to the transparent material. When the light flows inside through the housing 100, the photographing unit 330 receives and analyzes the reflected light to observe the soil environment outside the housing 100. In this embodiment, the peripheral area outside the housing 100, where light is irradiated by the light emitting unit 310 and observed by the photographing unit 330, is referred to as a scanning area.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the light emitting unit 310 may include a light source unit 311 and a first mirror unit 313. The light source unit 311 is located in the internal space of the housing 100 and irradiates light in a first direction of the internal space. At this time, the first direction may be opposite to the direction in which the soil environment monitoring device 10 is inserted, and the light source unit 311 is composed of a plurality of LEDs that irradiate wavelengths in different regions, and selectively emits light of multiple wavelengths. It can emit light.

Meanwhile, according to this embodiment, the photographing module 300 may be coupled to the moving plate 210 of the moving unit 200. Specifically, the light emitting unit 310 is coupled to the first support plate 321 fixed at a constant distance from the movable plate 210, and the second support plate is fixed at a constant distance from the first support plate 321. By coupling the light emitting unit 310 to 325, the photographing module 300 is coupled to the moving plate 210, and the photographing module 300 also moves along with the linear movement of the moving plate 210. At this time, an intermediate plate 323 may be interposed between the first support plate 321 and the second support plate 325, and the first mirror portion 313 is coupled to the first support plate 321, and the intermediate plate 323 The light source unit 311 opposing the first mirror unit 313 is coupled to one side of the plate 323, the imaging unit 331 is coupled to the other side of the intermediate plate 323, and the second support plate 325 The second mirror unit 333 facing the imaging unit 331 may be coupled to the.

The first support plate 321, the intermediate plate 323, and the second support plate 325 may be formed in a circular plate shape corresponding to the movable plate 210, and the first supports are spaced apart from each other. The plate 321, the intermediate plate 323, and the second support plate 325 may be fixed to each other through a rod-shaped support bar 327.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first mirror unit 313 is positioned spaced apart from the light source unit 311 in the first direction and reflects the light emitted from the light source unit 311 toward the outer circumference of the housing 100. ) Light is irradiated into the scanning area of the external environment. That is, the first mirror unit 313 positioned to face the light source unit 311 in the first direction functions as a concave mirror to reflect the light emitted from the light source unit 311 and radiate it toward the outer wall of the housing 100. ) irradiates light in the direction.

At this time, the first mirror unit 313 has a circular cross-section and can be formed so that the cross-sectional area gradually widens and the outer surface is curved as it moves in the first direction. Due to this shape, the light emitted from the light source unit 311 is evenly distributed over 360 degrees. It can also be reflected in all directions.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5 , the photographing unit 330 may include a second mirror unit 333 and a photographing unit 331.

The second mirror unit 333 is located in the second direction of the internal space of the housing 100 and reflects the light irradiated to the scanning area by the first mirror unit 313 back. In this embodiment, the second direction is a direction opposite to the first direction and may be the same direction as the direction in which the soil environment monitoring device 10 is inserted.

The imaging unit 331 may receive light reflected from the second mirror unit 333 and convert it into an electrical image signal to obtain a multispectral image. At this time, the imaging unit 331 may be a silicon-based mono/color image sensor capable of measuring images of multiple wavelengths.

Specifically, the second mirror unit 333 is positioned spaced apart from the photographing unit 331 so as to face the photographing unit 331 in the second direction, and has an arch shape whose central portion protrudes in the direction of the photographing unit 331. can be formed. That is, when the light reflected from the scanning area outside the housing 100 passes through the outer wall of the housing 100 and flows into the inside of the housing 100, the second mirror unit 333 functions as a convex mirror and reflects the light that has entered. It is reflected and irradiated to the photographing unit 331, and the photographing unit 331 receives the reflected light and converts it into an electrical signal to perform image processing.

Through this process, it is possible to capture images of the scanning area outside the soil environment monitoring device 10. That is, the light emitting unit 310 irradiates multi-wavelength light in a 360-degree omnidirectional direction to the scanning area along the outer periphery of the housing 100, and the imaging unit 330 photographs the scanning area to obtain a multi-spectral image. , it is possible to precisely monitor the internal environment of the soil and root growth around the housing 100.

At this time, a wireless communication module 500 for transmitting the electrical signal generated by the imaging unit 331 to an external server may be further included. Referring to FIG. 3, the wireless communication module 500 is provided between the moving plate 210 and the first support plate 321, with one end fixed to the moving plate 210 and the other end being fixed to the first support plate 321. ), so that the moving plate 210 and the first support plate 321 can be connected. At this time, the wireless communication module 500 may be a small computer capable of wireless communication.

Figure 6 is a reference diagram for explaining a soil environment monitoring device 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 6, the soil environment monitoring device 10 according to this embodiment has a case 340. More may be included.

Specifically, the case 340 has a cylindrical pipe shape corresponding to the housing 100 and is located in the internal space of the housing 100, and a light emitting unit 310 and a photographing unit 330 are provided inside the case 340. It can be.

At this time, covers 341 may be provided at both ends of the case 340 to seal the case 340, and if the light emitting unit 310 and the photographing unit 330 are provided inside the case 340, the case 340 can be sealed. In this environment, the environment outside the housing 100 can be observed more precisely. At this time, a lens 335 may be provided at the front end of the photographing unit 331 of the photographing unit 330.

Meanwhile, a protrusion 334 may be formed at the center of the second mirror unit 333 and extends in the longitudinal direction toward the photographing unit 331. Specifically, the protrusion 334 protrudes from the center of the second mirror portion 333 of the photographing unit 330 and is formed in a long cone shape, and the protrusion 334 is formed of the same material as the second mirror portion 333. One end is connected to the central part of the second mirror part 333, and the other end has a tip, so that the cross-sectional area becomes narrower in the longitudinal direction. At this time, the center of the tip of the other end of the protrusion 334 may be located on the same line as the center of the imaging unit 331 and the center of the second mirror unit 333.

The protrusion 334 prevents the light reflected by the second mirror unit 333 from being dispersed and guides the reflected light so that the light reflected by the second mirror unit 333 is completely directed to the photographing unit 331. By allowing it to flow in, the image quality of the captured image can be improved by removing the afterimage of the image captured through the photographing unit 331.

According to the present invention, not only can the soil environment around the housing 100 be measured in 360 degrees using the imaging module 300, but it is also possible to precisely monitor the soil internal environment and root growth through multispectral image measurement. It works.

In addition, by providing the height of the imaging module 300 to be adjustable, it is possible to photograph the internal environment of the soil at a desired location by varying the height even with a single device insertion.

As described above, preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been looked at, and the fact that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms in addition to the embodiments described above without departing from the spirit or scope thereof is recognized by those skilled in the art. It is self-evident to them. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive, and thus the present invention is not limited to the above description but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

10: Soil environment monitoring device 100: Housing
200: moving unit 210: moving plate
230: screw 250: motor
270: Guide rail 300: Shooting module
310: light emitting unit 311: light source unit
313: first mirror unit 321: first support plate
323: intermediate plate 325: second support plate
327: support bar 330: shooting unit
331: Photographing unit 333: Second mirror unit
334: protrusion 335: lens
340: Case 341: Cover
500: Communication module

Claims (6)

A housing made of transparent material in which an internal space of a certain length is formed;
A moving unit provided in the interior space of the housing to be movable along the longitudinal direction; and
It includes a photographing module fixed to the mobile unit to photograph the soil environment outside the housing,
The shooting module is,
a light emitting unit that emits light toward the outer circumference of the housing and irradiates light into a scanning area of the soil environment outside the housing; and
It includes a photographing unit that photographs a scanning area of the external soil environment of the housing using light emitted from the light emitting unit,
The light emitting unit is,
a light source unit that irradiates light in a first direction of the internal space of the housing; and
A first mirror unit located in a first direction and reflecting light emitted from the light source unit toward the outer circumference of the housing to irradiate the light to a scanning area of the external environment,
The shooting unit is,
A second mirror unit located in the second direction of the internal space of the housing to reflect back the light irradiated to the scanning area by the first mirror unit; And
It includes a photographing unit that receives the light reflected from the second mirror unit and converts it into an electrical image signal,
The second mirror unit,
Positioned to face the imaging unit in a second direction,
The central portion is formed in an arch shape that protrudes in the direction of the imaging unit,
A soil environment monitoring device, characterized in that a protrusion is formed at the center of the second mirror unit and extends longitudinally toward the photographing unit.
According to paragraph 1,
A soil environment monitoring device, characterized in that it further comprises a wireless communication module for transmitting the electrical signal generated by the imaging unit to the server.
According to paragraph 1,
The first mirror unit,
Located to face the light source in a first direction,
A soil environment monitoring device, characterized in that the cross-section is circular, and the cross-sectional area gradually widens in the first direction so that the outer surface is curved.
According to paragraph 1,
It further includes a case made of transparent material provided inside the housing,
A soil environment monitoring device, characterized in that the light emitting unit and the photographing unit are provided inside the case.
According to paragraph 1,
The mobile unit is,
A moving plate provided in the inner space of the housing;
A screw coupled to one end of the moving plate and rotating to move the moving plate along the longitudinal direction of the housing; and
A soil environment monitoring device comprising a motor that provides power to the screw to rotate the screw.
According to clause 5,
The soil environment monitoring device is provided in the inner space of the housing and is connected to the moving plate, further comprising a guide rail that guides movement of the moving plate in the longitudinal direction.