Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wireless sensors, in particular for sensor networks, for monitoring fruit production, in particular vineyards.

Background Art

[0002] Document CN202735831 discloses an intelligent monitoring device aimed at monitoring environment, and temperature and humidity information of soil, in real time in an existing vineyard. The device comprises a plurality of sensors, acquiring and controlling devices, wireless communication for communicating with similar devices. Each sensor is connected with a wireless data acquisition unit which is provided with a wireless communication chip. The system is provided with the wireless communication which communicates with the wireless data acquisition units.

[0003] Document CN202735831 does not disclose arrangements for the sensor or sensor acquisition units.

[0004] These facts are disclosed in order to illustrate the technical problem addressed by the present disclosure.

General Description

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a modular ground and air pole sensor for monitoring fruit production or a vineyard comprising a plurality of sensor modules coupled to form a pole divided into a below-ground part and an above-ground part, each said sensor module comprising a tubular body; a male coupling for coupling to another of said sensor modules; and a female coupling for receiving a male coupling from another of said sensor modules. It has been found that measuring critical fruit or vine parameters, at both below and above ground, at easily configurable depths and heights, by simply adding or removing pole modules, is highly advantageous to fruit farmers and wine makers.

[0006] The pole can be divided into the below-ground and above-ground parts at the coupling between two pole sensor modules.

[0007] Alternatively, the pole can be divided into the below-ground and above-ground parts by a 'blind' pole sensor module (i.e. a sensor pole module without any sensor). This is advantageous for the robustness and water-tightness it provides at the above/below ground interface.

[0008] Furthermore, the pole can have a first sensor module, of the below-ground part, comprising a sensor for sensing ground humidity; and a second sensor module, of the above-ground part, comprising a sensor for sensing air humidity.

[0009] It has been found that determining humidity, simultaneously below and above ground, at easily configurable depth and height, is a critical advantage for this type of fruit and vine growing.

[0010] Advantageously, said first sensor module may comprise a lateral window for the sensor sensing the ground humidity through said window.

[0011] Furthermore, an additional below-ground sensor module may be provided for sensing ground humidity at a different ground depth than the first sensor module.

[0012] Other sensors may be advantageously combined making use of the above and below ground structure of the sensor pole.

[0013] In an embodiment, a sensor module, of the above-ground part, comprises a sensor for sensing leaf humidity.

[0014] In an embodiment, a sensor module, of the above-ground part, comprises a sensor for sensing rainfall precipitation.

[0015] In an embodiment, a sensor module, of the above-ground part, comprises a sensor for sensing air temperature. [0016] In an embodiment, a sensor module, of the above-ground part, comprises a sensor for sensing air pressure.

[0017] In an embodiment, a sensor module, of the above-ground part, comprises a sensor for sensing wind speed or for sensing wind speed and direction.

[0018] In an embodiment, a sensor module, of the above-ground part, comprises a sensor for sensing visible-light solar radiation and UV solar radiation.

[0019] In an embodiment, the tubular bodies of the sensor modules may have the same length.

[0020] In an embodiment, the male coupling may be bonded to the tubular body, in particular the male coupling is glued to the tubular body.

[0021] In an embodiment, one or more of the sensor modules may comprise:

a first electric connector at the male coupling for connecting with another sensor module;

a second electric connector at the female coupling for connecting with another sensor module; and

a set of electric conductors connecting said first and said second connectors.

[0022] In an embodiment, the first electric connector, the second electric connector and the set of electric conductors may comprise a ground connection, a supply voltage connection and at least one data connection.

[0023] In an embodiment, the male and female couplings may be tubular.

[0024] In an embodiment, the male or the female coupling may comprise one or more o-rings and one or more grooves for receiving said o-rings for sealing the male-female coupling, in particular the grooves may be transversal to the tubular coupling.

[0025] In an embodiment, the male or female coupling may comprise a groove for receiving an electric cable for connecting between inside and outside of the sensor module, in particular the grooves may be longitudinal to the tubular coupling.

[0026] In an embodiment, the male and female couplings may be tubular and the male coupling may be a tube with a smaller diameter. [0027] In an embodiment, one or more of the sensor modules may comprise a cylindrical ring coupled to the male coupling with an opening for passage of an electrical cable.

[0028] In an embodiment, one or more of the sensor modules may comprise a protruding support for holding a sensor or photovoltaic panel.

[0029] In an embodiment, the protruding support may comprise a support rail, in particular for receiving sensor PCBs.

[0030] In an embodiment, the protruding support, previously described, may be attached to and protruding from the cylindrical ring.

[0031] In an embodiment, the tubular body of the sensor module and the tubular male and female couplings may have a round or square cross-section.

[0032] In an embodiment, the sensor module of the modular pole sensor may comprise two or more layers of padding inside the sensor module for receiving an electronic circuit between two of said layers, in particular for affixing the electronic circuit between said layers, further in particular the padding being polyurethane foam or expanded polypropylene.

[0033] In an embodiment, the modular pole sensor may further comprise a terminal sensor module having a conical termination for insertion into the ground.

[0034] An embodiment comprises wireless communications.

[0035] In an embodiment, the modular pole sensor may further comprise a terminal sensor module having a wireless communication antenna and a cap for capping the tubular body, in particular the cap may be bonded to the tubular body.

[0036] In an embodiment, the modular pole sensor may have a sensor and a lateral window for sensing ground humidity.

[0037] The present disclosure also relates to a modular pole sensor kit for monitoring fruit production or a vineyard comprising a plurality of sensor modules, each said sensor module comprising:

a tubular body; a male coupling for coupling to another of said sensor modules;

a female coupling for receiving a male coupling from another of said sensor modules; said plurality of sensor modules being suitable for forming a pole when coupled as an assembly divided into a below-ground part and an above-ground part;

wherein a first sensor module, of the below-ground part, comprises a sensor for sensing ground humidity; and

wherein a second sensor module, of the above-ground part, comprises a sensor for sensing air humidity.

[0038] The present disclosure further relates to a sensor module for a modular pole sensor for monitoring fruit production or a vineyard, said sensor module being suitable for forming a pole divided into a below-ground part and an above-ground part, when coupled to another sensor module or modules, said sensor module comprising a tubular body;

a male coupling for coupling to another sensor module;

a female coupling for receiving a male coupling from another said sensor module.

[0039] Throughout the description and claims the word "comprise" and variations of the word, are not intended to exclude other technical features, additives, components, or steps. Additional objectives, advantages and features of the solution will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the description or may be learned by practice of the solution.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040] The following figures provide preferred embodiments for the present disclosure and should not be seen as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[0041] Figure 1: Simple tubular module machined in order to allow the modularity of the present disclosure, wherein 1 represents surface; 2 represents a female connection interface; 3 represents a male connection interface; 4 represents a carving to the interface cable; 5 represents a carving for the o-ring of tightness. [0042] Figure 2: Male/male connection that also support the electronic components, wherein 6 represents a groove for the interface cable; 7 represents a groove for the o- rings of fluid-tightness.

[0043] Figure 3: Male/male connection with installed pipe section, wherein 8 represents a section of connection pipe between modules; 9 represents a male connections for interface with the pipes.

[0044] Figure 4: Interface ring between the inside and outside of the modules, wherein 10 represents stretch marks to facilitate the installation of the ring in connections; 11 represents an opening to allow performing the passage of a cable.

[0045] Figure 5: Interface ring between the inside and the outside of the modules with the holder for the sensors and solar panel, wherein 12 represents a holder for fixation of the sensors and the solar panel; 13 represents a flat surface for fixation of the sensors; 14 represents cavities for fixing screws; 15 represents a fixation surface of the sensors at 45°; 16 represents as rail for sensors installed on PCB.

[0046] Figure 6: Support structure to the PCB "sandwich" type in EPP (expanded polypropylene) composed by two halves, wherein 17 represents cavities for the electronic components; 18 represents a carving corresponding to the module of male/male connection; 19 represents EPP halves to involve the electronic components.

[0047] Figure 7: Holder in EPP for the ground sensors with conical ending, wherein 20 represents a male connection to link to pipe; 21 represents a ground sensor installed; 22 represents a conical ending.

[0048] Figure 8: Holder in EPP for the ground sensors with interface for pipe at both ends, wherein 23 represents an upper male connection to link to pipe; 24 represents a lower male connection to link to pipe.

[0049] Figure 9: Several representations of possible embodiments of the disclosure. [0050] Figure 10: Representation of an embodiment of the disclosure. Detailed Description

[0051] In an embodiment, the present disclosure may comprise underground modularity, meaning that the possibility of modularity is not only above the ground but as well as below.

[0052] In an embodiment, this disclosure comprises the possibility of measuring several sensory parameters at variable depths according to the application, in other words, according to the necessity it is possible to change the monitoring depth just by changing the dimension of the support pipe.

[0053] In an embodiment, the disclosure may either be installed with no sensor, with one sensor, or more than one sensor, depending of the intended application.

[0054] In an embodiment wherein no sensor is installed the bottom of the device, the conic ending, is used as a holder.

[0055] In an embodiment, the installation of the solar panels may be performed laterally or on a support. The disclosure is completely autonomous regarding the energy level, for that it makes use of solar panels that recharge the batteries which power the entire system.

[0056] In an embodiment, the possibility of installing solar panels in the devices may be performed in two distinct forms, namely, through fixing in holder designed for the purpose, represented in Figure 5, or by fixing it directly in the tubular body of the encapsulation using for that flexible solar panels.

[0057] The construction variables may be described as follows. For the assembly of the device the following possibilities are considered according to the application and respective product.

[0058] In an embodiment, the modular structure developed from a sectioned common pipe and which is machined forming male and female connections that interlock (Figure 1), presenting a conical termination on the lower module and a lid as termination of the upper module. It is further referred, the three carvings that the male union contemplates, where the two transversal allow installing two o-rings which ensure tightness and fixation, while the third longitudinal allows the passage of the interface cable with the outside without compromising that same tightness of the system.

[0059] In an embodiment, the male/male connection which also serves as holder for the electronics, as well as can support the interface ring between the interior and exterior of each of the modules (Figure 2). In this structure the pipe is used in its simple form (without any kind of machining, being just cut perpendicularly according to the application) and allows defining the distance in height between modules/connections (Figure 3). Thus, it is possible to effect the customization of the system according to the needs of each application. It is further noted that this structure comprises five carvings, being four transverse and allow the installation of four o-rings respectively, ensuring the tightness and fixation, while the fifth carving is longitudinal and allows the passage of the interface cable with the outside without compromising the tightness of the system.

[0060] In an embodiment, the interface ring has two possible shapes, a simpler which serves only to allow performing the interface with the exterior of cables for connection of sensors or actuators (Figure 4), and other more complex that, in addition to the cables interface, also allows to perform the support of several sensors and of the solar panel (Figure 5). Also note that these structures can either be installed on the male/male connection (Figure 2), as well as on the male interface structure machined (Figure 1).

[0061] In an embodiment, the support structure and filling of the modules of EPP, composed by two halves which involve the PCBs of the several modules in the form of "sandwich" type (Figure 6). After the association of this structure to the PCBs, the same is introduced under pressure in the tubular modules whether in male/male connection (Figure 2) or in the machined structure (Figure 1).

[0062] In an embodiment, the ground monitoring sensors still have a supporting structure in EPP, also composed by two halves that comprise two possible configurations, namely the support structure and conical bottom termination (Figure 7) and the support and connection structure to the next sensor (Figure 8), with interface for pipe on both ends. Thus, it is possible to make also at the ground level the customization of the system according to the needs.

[0063] The present disclosure should not be seen in any way restricted to the embodiments described and a person with ordinary skill in the art will foresee many possibilities to modifications thereof.

[0064] The above described embodiments are combinable. The following claims further set out particular embodiments of the disclosure.