KR20170077437A - Soil measuring device having a plurality of sensing modules with depth - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a soil measuring instrument comprising: a rod-shaped probe having a tapered one end and a hollow space formed therein; And a handle disposed at the other end of the probe and capable of being gripped by the user or coupled to another device, wherein the probe includes a plurality of sensing modules spaced apart from the probe by a predetermined distance And the plurality of sensing modules are located at different depths of the soil when the probe part is inserted into the soil, thereby measuring soil physical properties at different depths in the soil, respectively.

Description

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a soil measuring device having a plurality of depth sensing modules,

The present invention relates to a soil measuring device, and more particularly, to a portable soil measuring device capable of measuring soil characteristics such as moisture and electric conductivity of soil for each soil depth.

It is necessary to investigate the physical properties of soils for crop cultivation and geological studies. The physical properties of the soil may include, for example, soil moisture, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, hydraulic conductivity, air diffusivity, permeability, water holding capacity,

In order to quickly measure soil physical properties, a measuring device for measuring electric conductivity, pressure and the like by inserting the soil into the soil as described in Patent Document 1 has been disclosed. However, this measuring device has a disadvantage in that it can be measured at only one depth in the soil, and the measurement item is limited to pressure or electric conductivity.

Patent Document 1: Korean Published Patent Application No. 2012-0036552 (published on April 18, 2012)

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of sensors are provided at a predetermined interval in a probe unit to measure the physical properties such as moisture, conductivity, water pressure, Provide a meter.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a soil measuring instrument comprising a probe unit including probe units of various lengths, thereby enabling a user to construct a probe unit suitable for a soil type, a measurement purpose, and the like.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a soil measuring instrument comprising: a rod-shaped probe having a tapered one end and a hollow space formed therein; And a handle disposed at the other end of the probe and capable of being gripped by the user or coupled to another device, wherein the probe includes a plurality of sensing modules spaced apart from the probe by a predetermined distance And the plurality of sensing modules are located at different depths of the soil when the probe part is inserted into the soil, thereby measuring soil physical properties at different depths in the soil, respectively.

At this time, in one embodiment, the plurality of sensing modules are arranged such that a distance between adjacent sensing modules of the plurality of sensing modules is all the same, or a distance between the sensing modules gradually decreases in a direction away from the handle portion .

At this time, in one embodiment, each sensing module of the plurality of sensing modules includes at least two sensors among a moisture sensor, an electric conductivity sensor, a pore pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a tilt sensor, and an impact sensor .

In this case, in one embodiment, the soil measuring device includes: a control unit that transmits a control signal to each of the plurality of sensing modules and receives a data signal from each sensing module; And a power supply for supplying power to each of the control unit and the plurality of sensing modules.

In one embodiment, the control unit comprises: (i) a first identification signal identifying a first one of the plurality of sensing modules; And (ii) a request signal for requesting sensing data from the identified sensing module to the plurality of sensing modules, the first sensing module may transmit the sensing data to the controller .

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a soil measuring instrument, comprising: a probe having a tapered tip portion and a plurality of rod-shaped probe units coupled together in a row; And a handle portion disposed at an opposite end of the tip portion of the probe portion and capable of being gripped by a user or coupled to another device, wherein each of the plurality of probe units includes a sensing module including a plurality of types of sensors And wherein each sensing module is positioned at different depths of the soil when the probe is inserted into the soil, thereby measuring soil physical properties at different depths in the soil, respectively.

At this time, in one embodiment, the plurality of probe units may be combined such that the length of each probe unit gradually decreases in a direction in which the lengths of the plurality of probe units are all the same or gradually away from the handle portion.

In one embodiment, the soil measuring device includes: a control unit for transmitting a control signal to each sensing module of the plurality of probe units and receiving a data signal from each sensing module; And a power supply for supplying power to the control unit and each sensing module.

At this time, in one embodiment, each of the sensing modules may include at least two sensors among a moisture sensor, an electric conductivity sensor, a pore pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a tilt sensor, and an impact sensor.

In one embodiment, each of the probe units includes a first connection terminal formed at a first end and a second connection terminal formed at a second end opposite to the first end and electrically coupled to the first connection terminal, And the sensing module disposed in the probe unit may be electrically connected to the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, respectively.

In one embodiment, each of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal includes a power supply terminal and a signal terminal, power is supplied from the power supply to the respective sensing modules via the power supply terminal, and the signal And a control signal and a data signal between the control unit and each sensing module are transmitted and received through a terminal.

At this time, in one embodiment, each of the probe units is separable into a case and a cap, the case having a cylindrical shape with the first end formed with the first connection terminal and the open third end opposed thereto, The cap is in the shape of a cylinder having the second end formed with the second connection terminal and the open fourth end opposed thereto and the third end and the fourth end can be detachably coupled, And the sensing unit is separated from the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal in a state where the third end and the fourth end are separated from each other, .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of sensors are provided at a predetermined interval in a probe unit to measure the physical properties such as moisture, conductivity, water pressure, .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a probe unit having probe units of various lengths is provided, so that a user can configure a probe unit suitable for a type of soil or a measurement purpose.

1 is a perspective view of a soil measuring instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
2 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary configuration of a sensor arrangement by depth,
3 is a block diagram of a soil meter according to an embodiment,
4 is a perspective view of a soil measuring instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the soil measuring device according to the second embodiment,
6 is a perspective view of the probe unit of the soil measuring instrument according to the second embodiment,
7 is a view for explaining an exemplary configuration of both ends of the probe unit,
8 is a view for explaining an exemplary configuration of the internal configuration of the probe unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein but may be embodied in other forms. Rather, the embodiments disclosed herein are provided so that the disclosure can be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In this specification, when an element is referred to as being on another element, it may be directly formed on another element, or a third element may be interposed therebetween. Further, in the drawings, the thickness of the components is exaggerated for an effective description of the technical content.

Where the terms first, second, etc. are used herein to describe components, these components should not be limited by such terms. These terms have only been used to distinguish one component from another. The embodiments described and exemplified herein also include their complementary embodiments.

The terms 'upper', 'lower', 'left', 'right', etc. used to describe the positional relationship between components in the present specification do not mean directions as absolute references, Can be defined as the relative position of the object. It will therefore be appreciated that the expressions representing the positional relationships referred to below may represent relative positional relationships in the respective drawings when described with reference to the respective drawings.

In the present specification, the singular form includes plural forms unless otherwise specified in the specification. The terms "comprise" and / or "comprising" used in the specification do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Various specific details are set forth in the following description of specific embodiments in order to provide a more detailed description of the invention and to aid in understanding the invention. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be understood by those skilled in the art without departing from such specific details. In some cases, it should be mentioned in advance that it is common knowledge in describing an invention that parts not significantly related to the invention are not described in order to avoid confusion in explaining the present invention.

1 is a perspective view of a soil measuring instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, a soil measuring instrument according to an embodiment includes a probe unit P and a handle unit H. The probe P includes a tip portion 21 having a tapered shape and a rod-shaped probe main body 20 having a hollow space formed therein.

The probe P is a portion to be vertically inserted into the ground when the soil measuring instrument is used. In one embodiment, the body 20 of the probe P is a steel or other cylindrical metal having rigidity, A plurality of sensing modules 10 are disposed in the probe P at regular intervals. The tapered distal end portion 21 is coupled to one end of the probe unit main body 20 so that the probing portion P can be easily inserted into the soil without piercing the soil. Although the distal end portion 21 is shown in a substantially conical shape in the illustrated embodiment, the shape of the distal end portion 21 is not limited thereto, and any shape may be used as long as the diameter is reduced toward the bottom. Also, the tip portion 21 and the probe unit main body 20 may be separately manufactured and joined together, or they may be integrally formed from the beginning.

The handle portion H is connected to the opposite end of the tip portion 21 of the probe P and has a surface structure capable of gripping by the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle portion H has a tubular handle body 30 having a diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of the probe body 20, And may include a pair of grips 31 extending therefrom. According to this configuration, when the soil is measured, the user can hold the pair of handles 31 and insert the probe P into the soil by sticking the probe P perpendicularly to the soil.

In an alternative embodiment, the handle portion H may be connected to other equipment, such as a fork-lift or perforator, and inserted into the soil by mechanical forces. For example, when the length of the probe P is several meters, it may be difficult to insert the probe into the soil by the force of a person. In this case, the probe P may be used in combination with the perforator. To this end, the handle portion H of the alternative embodiment may have a coupling structure, for example, coupled to a perforation device.

When the probes P are inserted into the soil by gravity or mechanical force, the plurality of sensing modules 10 are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, so that the sensing modules 10 are located at different depths of the soil So that the physical properties of the soil can be measured at different depths in the soil, respectively.

In one embodiment, each sensing module 10 includes a plurality of sensors for measuring a plurality of soil physical properties. For example, the sensing module 10 may include at least two sensors such as a soil moisture sensor, an electric conductivity sensor, a pore pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a tilt sensor, and an impact sensor.

Sensors to be included in the sensing module 10 may vary depending on the purpose or situation the user intends to measure. For example, in order to measure the degree of drought of the soil, the sensing module 10 preferably includes at least a soil moisture sensor and an electric conductivity sensor. In another example, when a geological investigation is performed, A sensing module 10 equipped with a tilt sensor, an impact sensor, or the like may be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the number and spacing of the sensing modules 10 installed on the probe P may be variously combined. In this regard, FIG. 2 shows an example of an appropriate arrangement of the sensing module 10 according to the type of soil to be measured.

FIG. 2 (a) illustrates a soil measuring instrument that can be used to measure the degree of drought of soil composed of small particles such as clay. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of sensing modules 10 arranged at equal intervals of 0.3 m The probe P may be used. At this time, each sensing module 10 preferably includes at least a soil moisture sensor and an electrical conductivity sensor. Although four sensing modules 10 are illustrated in the figure, it is of course possible to include three or more sensing modules 10, for example, where the probes P are arranged at regular intervals.

FIG. 2 (b) illustrates a soil measuring instrument which can be used to measure the degree of drought of a soil composed of coarse particles such as Masato. As shown in the figure, three sensing modules The probe unit P having the probe 10 disposed thereon can be used. However, these intervals are illustrative, and in an alternative embodiment, probes P may be used in which four sensing modules 10 are arranged at intervals of 1m, 0.5m, 0.3m, and 0.2m, for example in the above order.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the distances between adjacent sensing modules of the plurality of sensing modules 10 are all the same or the distance between the sensing modules 10 gradually decreases in the direction of gradually moving away from the handle portion H Or a plurality of sensing modules 10 may be arranged to increase gradually. Therefore, for example, various soil measuring instruments having different distances and numbers of the sensing modules 10 may be prepared in advance, and the user may select and use an appropriate soil measuring instrument according to the type and characteristics of the soil to be measured among the soil measuring instruments .

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram of a soil measuring instrument according to an embodiment, assuming that the probe P includes three sensing modules 10 as an example.

Referring to the drawings, a main body 30 of a handle portion H of a soil measuring instrument may include a control portion 310, a power source 320, a communication portion 330, and a user interface 340. The control unit 310 transmits a control signal to each of the plurality of sensing modules 10 and receives data from each sensing module 10. The power supply 320 supplies power to the control unit 310, the communication unit 330, the user interface 340, and the plurality of sensing modules 10, respectively.

The communication unit 330 transmits data received from the sensing module 10 to an external device. For example, when the soil measuring device according to the present invention is connected to an external device such as an external gateway, a portable computer, a desktop computer, a server, etc. through a wired / wireless communication network such as a WiFi, a WSN, a LAN, a Bluetooth, 330 may transmit data measured by the sensing module 10 to the external device.

The user interface 340 may include a display, a touch screen, various operation buttons, a switch, or the like, for receiving a user command regarding soil measurement and displaying various information such as soil measurement data to the user.

Although the communication unit 330 and the user interface 340 are shown in the illustrated embodiment, the communication unit 330 and the interface 340 may not be provided according to a specific embodiment. And components such as processors, memories, and storage devices may be required for the soil meter of the present invention, but will be understood to be omitted for the convenience of description of the present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 30 of the handle H is provided with components such as the control unit 310, but the physical positions of the components may be different. For example, a component such as the control unit 310 may be disposed inside the main body 20 of the probe unit P or may be disposed within the handle 31 of the handle unit H as another example.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of sensing modules 10 are electrically connected to the control unit 310 and the power source 320 by a plurality of wires. In one embodiment, the power source 320 may supply power to each sensing module 10 through the wires connected to the (+) and (-) terminals of each sensing module 10. The control unit 310 transmits a control signal to each sensing module 10 through a wire connected to the A terminal and the B terminal of each sensing module 10 and each sensing module 10 transmits data through the wire to the controller 310 ).

The communication between the control unit 310 and each sensing module 10 can be implemented using any one of various known communication methods. For example, in one embodiment, an RS-485 communication scheme may be used. In the case of using the RS-485 method, the control unit firstly transmits a control signal including a request signal for requesting measurement data of the identified sensing module and any one of identification numbers assigned in advance for each sensing module 10 To the entire sensing module 10. For example, the control unit 310 transmits a control signal including an identification number of the first sensing module among the three sensing modules and a request signal requesting data of the first sensing module to the first through the 3 sensing module.

The sensing module (i.e., the first sensing module in this example) to which the corresponding identification number is allocated among the first to third sensing modules transmits the sensed data measured by itself to the communication line of the A terminal Communication line may also be used). In this case, since the identification numbers received from the control unit 310 are not their identification numbers, the second and third sensing modules do not have to perform a special operation.

After receiving the data and the identification number from the first sensing module, the controller 310 determines whether the received identification number is the identification number of the first sensing module. If the received identification number is correct, May be stored as measurement data in a storage device (not shown), and then transmitted to an external device through the communication unit 330 or may be displayed to a user through an interface 340 such as a user monitor or a display. The control unit 310 repeats the above operation for the remaining second and third sensing modules, sequentially receives data from all the sensing modules, and stores or transmits data to the outside.

3, the communication method between the controller 310 and the sensing module 10 in the RS-485 system has been described. Alternatively, the controller 310 may be connected to the controller 310 through another wired or wireless communication method such as RS- And the sensing module 10 can be implemented.

Meanwhile, the sensing module 10 connected to the controller 310 and the power source 320 may be a sensing module known in the art. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the sensing module 10 may include a plurality of sensors (11) and a circuit board (12) electrically coupled with the sensor. The sensing module 10 of FIG. 8 will be described later.

Now, a soil measuring instrument according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 8. Fig.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a soil measuring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the soil measuring device in units of probe units.

Referring to the drawings, the soil measuring apparatus according to the second embodiment includes a probe unit P and a handle unit H, wherein the probe unit P includes a plurality of probe units 40 connected in series This is different from the first embodiment.

In one embodiment, the probe P includes a tapered tip 41 and a plurality of rod-shaped probe units 40. The tip 41 is coupled to one end of a series of connected probe units 40 and is tapered to facilitate insertion of the probe P into the soil without piercing the soil. Each of the probe units 40 may have a cylindrical shape of steel having a predetermined length or any metal having rigidity, and each of the probe units 40 includes a sensing module 10 in the hollow. At both ends of the probe unit 40, a coupling structure such as a screw thread is formed so as to be able to engage with another probe unit 40. Thus, when the user inserts the distal end portion 41, (40), and the handle portion (H) are assembled in a line so as to complete the soil measuring instrument as shown in FIG.

The sensing module 10 has the same or similar structure and function as the sensing module of the first embodiment described above with reference to Figs. For example, the sensing module 10 may include a soil moisture sensor, an electric conductivity sensor, a pore pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a tilt sensor, A sensor, and an impact sensor.

The handle portion H is connected to the other end of the series of connected probe units 40, that is, the opposite end of the distal end portion 41, and has a surface structure that can be grasped by the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle portion H has a cylindrical handle main body 50 having a diameter equal to or larger than the diameter of the probe unit 40, and a handle portion 50 projecting laterally from the side of the main body 50 And may include a pair of handles 51. As described in the first embodiment, in an alternative embodiment, the handle portion H may have a coupling structure that can be coupled to external equipment, such as a perforation device, so that the probe P Can be inserted into the soil.

According to this configuration, the sensing module 10, which is placed one by one in each probe unit 40 when the probe H is inserted into the soil, is located at different depths of the soil, Respectively.

In a preferred embodiment, the probe unit 40 installed in the probe P can be manufactured to include various lengths and / or various kinds of sensors. For example, probe unit 40 may be fabricated as a probe unit having lengths of 1 m, 0.5 m, 0.3 m, and 0.2 m, respectively. As another example, the probe unit 40 may include a sensing module 10 composed of a combination of at least two of a soil moisture sensor, an electric conductivity sensor, a pore pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a tilt sensor, Can be provided one by one.

According to such a configuration, the user can arbitrarily configure a soil measuring instrument suitable for his or her use by combining probe units 40 of various lengths and / or various types of sensors according to soil type, measurement purpose, and the like. For example, referring again to Fig. 2, the user can make a soil measuring instrument as shown in Fig. 2 (a) by joining the front end portion 41, four probe units 40 having a length of 0.3 m, . As another example, when the user joins the front end portion 41, the 0.2 m length probe unit 40, the 0.3 m length probe unit 40, the 1 m length probe unit 40, and the handle portion H in a line 2 (b).

6 to 8 show an exemplary configuration of the probe unit 40 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the probe unit 40, and Figs. 7 (a) and 7 (b) show end portions of the probe unit 40 of Fig. 6 viewed from directions A and B, respectively. And Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the probe unit 40. Fig.

6 through 8, the probe unit 40 according to an embodiment may include a detachable cap 410 and a case 420. The case 420 includes a cylindrical main body 421 and a connecting portion 422 formed at one end thereof. One end of the case 420 is closed by the connecting portion 422 and the other end is opened. A screw thread 424 is formed on the inner side of the open end and can be engaged with the cap 410.

The cap 410 includes a cap body 411 having a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the case 420 and a rotation nut 412 rotatably coupled to the outer peripheral surface of one end of the cap body 411, And a threaded connection 414 configured to engage threads 424 of the case 420. The end of the cap 410 on which the rotation nut 412 is provided is closed by the connection terminal structure and the end on the side of the screw connection 414 is open. According to the configuration of the cap 410 and the case 420, the threaded connection portion 414 of the cap 410 and the internal thread 424 of the case 420 are engaged with each other so that the cap 410 and the case 420 are engaged It becomes a probe unit 40 having an enclosed inner space as shown in Fig. The overall length of the probe unit 40 in which the cap 410 and the case 420 are coupled may be one of various lengths, such as 1m, 0.5m, 0.3m, and 0.2m, as described above.

6 (a) shows the end on the side of Fig. 6, and as shown in Fig. 6, two types of terminals (not shown) surrounded by a rotation nut 412 of the cap 410 415 and 417 are formed. A thread 413 is formed inside the rotation nut 412 and the thread 413 is engaged with the thread of the connection part 422 of the case 420.

In one embodiment, the pin-shaped terminal 415 of the two types of terminals 415 and 417 is a power supply terminal and corresponds to a line connecting, for example, the power supply 320 and the sensing module 10 in Fig. The socket-shaped terminal 417 of the terminals 415 and 417 is a communication terminal, and corresponds to a line connecting the control unit 310 and the sensing module 10, for example, in Fig.

Fig. 7 (b) shows the B-side end portion of Fig. 6, and this end portion has a structure of engaging with the end portion of Fig. 7 (a). 7 (b), the end of the case 420 on the side of the connecting portion 422 includes two types of terminals 425 and 427 surrounded by the connecting portion 422, and the terminal structure of FIG. 7 (a) Conversely, the terminal 427 in the form of a pin is a communication terminal and the terminal 425 in the form of a socket is a power supply terminal. Thus, for example, when two probe units (the 'first probe unit' and the 'second probe unit') are coupled in series, the pin-shaped power supply terminal 415 on the cap 410 side of the first probe unit, Shaped communication terminal 417 on the cap 410 side of the first probe unit and a pin-type communication terminal 417 on the side of the case 420 of the second probe unit are connected to the socket- Terminals 427 are respectively connected. At this time, as the rotation nut 412 of the first probe unit is rotated, the threads of the thread 413 inside the rotation nut 412 and the connection portion 422 of the second probe unit are engaged with each other, 2 Probe units are physically and electrically coupled.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the sensing module 10 disposed in the probe unit 40 may be replaceable. 8, the cap 410 of the probe unit 40 includes an internal connector 419 electrically connected to the external terminals 415 and 417, and the case 420 is electrically connected to the external terminals 425 and 427 And an internal connector 429.

The connector 419 is a socket type connector into which 4 pins are inserted, and the connector 429 is a 4-pin type connector. The reason why there are four pins in this embodiment is that two terminals for power supply and two terminals for communication are used as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 7, so that in an alternative embodiment, It goes without saying that the configuration may be changed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sensing module 10 may comprise a connector 13, 14 comprised of a sensor 11 and a circuit board 12 and projecting at both ends. The sensor 11 may include at least two sensors such as a moisture sensor, an electric conductivity sensor, a pore pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a tilt sensor, and an impact sensor. Although the sensor 11 is shown in a substantially columnar shape in the illustrated embodiment, it is needless to say that the shape of the sensor 11 may vary depending on the type of the sensor.

The circuit board 12 is mounted with circuit elements interposed between the control unit 310 and the power source 320 and the sensor 11 to perform necessary functions. For example, a memory and / or a storage unit for receiving and temporarily storing sensing data from the sensor 11, a control circuit for analyzing the control signal received from the control unit 310 and transmitting the sensing data to the control unit 310, A power supply related circuit for supplying a part of voltage or current supplied from the power supply 320 to the sensor 11, and the like.

The connector 13 coupled to one end of the circuit board 12 is a socket-type connector into which four pins are inserted, for example, and can be connected to the internal connector 429 of the case 420. The connector 14 on the side of the sensor 11 is connected to the sensor 11 through four wires (that is, two wires for power and two wires for communication) derived from the circuit board 12, And can be connected to the internal connector 419 of the cap 410. The four-

According to this configuration, the sensing module 10 can be easily replaced by connecting / disconnecting the connectors 13 and 14 of the sensing module 10 and the internal connectors 429 and 419 of the probe unit 40, respectively, It is possible to continuously reuse the case of the probe unit 40 while variously changing the sensor according to the type of the soil or the purpose of measurement. Therefore, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the soil measuring device can be constructed by combining various types of sensing modules 10 with the outer case of the probe unit 40 having various lengths, The user can customize the soil meter to suit the conditions such as type, measurement purpose, and items.

6 to 8 illustrate connection structures and terminal structures of specific shapes and illustrate embodiments of the present invention based thereon. However, in order to physically and electrically couple the probe units 40 to one another, Combination mode, communication mode, and terminal type can be used in combination. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, therefore, that the configuration shown in the figures is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and that the probe unit 40 of the present invention is not limited to any particular coupling scheme or terminal structure.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. And should be determined by equivalents to the scope of the appended claims.

10: Sensing module
11: Sensor
12: Circuit board
13, 14: Connector
20: probe main body
30, 50: handle body
40: probe unit
310:
320: Power supply
330:
340: User interface
410: cap
420: Case

Claims (12)

In a soil meter,
A rod-shaped probe having a tapered one end and an empty space formed therein; And
And a handle portion disposed at the other end of the probe portion and capable of being held by a user or coupled to another device,
Wherein the probe unit includes a plurality of sensing modules disposed at predetermined intervals in the probe unit,
Wherein the plurality of sensing modules are located at different depths of the soil when the probe part is inserted into the soil, so that soil physical properties can be measured at different depths in the soil, respectively. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the plurality of sensing modules are disposed such that distances between adjacent sensing modules of the plurality of sensing modules are all the same or a distance between the sensing modules gradually decreases in a direction that is gradually distant from the handle portion. Measuring instrument. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein each sensing module of the plurality of sensing modules includes at least two sensors among a moisture sensor, an electric conductivity sensor, a pore pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a tilt sensor, and an impact sensor. The method of claim 3,
A control unit for transmitting a control signal to each of the plurality of sensing modules and receiving a data signal from each sensing module; And
And a power supply for supplying power to the control unit and the plurality of sensing modules, respectively. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the control unit comprises: (i) a first identification signal identifying a first one of the plurality of sensing modules; And (ii) a request signal for requesting sensing data from the identified sensing module to the plurality of sensing modules, the first sensing module transmits the sensing data to the control unit Soil Meter. In a soil meter,
A probe unit having a tapered tip portion and a plurality of rod-shaped probe units coupled together in a row; And
And a handle portion disposed at an opposite end of the tip portion of the probe portion, the handle portion being capable of being held by a user or coupled to another device, wherein each of the plurality of probe units includes a sensing module including a plurality of types of sensors Including,
Wherein each sensing module is positioned at different depths of the soil when the probe is inserted into the soil, whereby soil physical properties can be measured at different depths in the soil, respectively. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the plurality of probe units are coupled such that the length of each probe unit gradually decreases in the direction in which the plurality of probe units are all the same length or are gradually moved away from the handle portion. The method according to claim 6,
A control unit for transmitting a control signal to each sensing module of the plurality of probe units and receiving a data signal from each sensing module; And
And a power supply for supplying power to the control unit and each of the sensing modules. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein each of the sensing modules includes at least two sensors among a moisture sensor, an electric conductivity sensor, a pore pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a tilt sensor, and an impact sensor. 10. The method of claim 9,
Each of said probe units includes a first connection terminal formed at a first end and a second connection terminal formed at a second end opposite to said first end and electrically engaged with said first connection terminal,
And the sensing module disposed in the probe unit is electrically connected to the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, respectively. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein each of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal includes a power supply terminal and a signal terminal,
Power is supplied from the power source to each of the sensing modules via the power terminal,
And a control signal and a data signal are transmitted and received between the control unit and each sensing module through the signal terminal. 11. The method of claim 10,
Each of said probe units being separable into a case 420 and a cap 410,
The case 420 is in the shape of a cylinder having the first end formed with the first connection terminal and the open third end opposed thereto,
The cap 410 is in the shape of a cylinder having the second end formed with the second connection terminal and the open fourth end opposite thereto,
The third end and the fourth end may be releasably engaged,
When the third end portion and the fourth end portion are coupled to each other, the probe unit is hermetically sealed, and the sensing module is connected to the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal The soil measuring device is characterized in that it can be separated and replaced.

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