Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a rhizome plantation assistive device that is capable of providing ease and convenience to a user in planting rhizome, by digging and filling the pits in an automated manner for planting rhizome and also requiring less effort to operate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Rhizomes are crucial for the reproduction and spread of many perennial plants. They store nutrients and have nodes from which roots and shoots emerge. Rhizome cultivation involves planting these underground stems in a manner that ensures optimal growth and development. Rhizome plantation tools are specialized agricultural implements designed to facilitate the planting of rhizomes, which are horizontal underground plant stems capable of producing new shoots and roots. Rhizomes are integral to the propagation of various crops such as ginger, turmeric, bamboo, asparagus, and some types of grasses. The development and use of rhizome plantation tools have evolved to address the specific needs of farmers engaged in cultivating these crops, aiming to improve efficiency, reduce labor, and enhance crop yield. Traditionally, rhizome planting has been a labor-intensive process involving several steps. The soil is tilled and prepared to create a suitable environment for the rhizomes. Like farmers manually place rhizomes into the soil at the correct depth and spacing. And the rhizomes are then covered with soil, often requiring additional manual labor to ensure they are properly buried.

[0003] Although the traditional method of manually planting rhizome has proven effective to some extent, but it comes with inherent limitations. Requires significant manual effort and time, especially for large-scale plantations. And manual planting can lead to variations in planting depth, affecting germination and growth. And the process can be slow and physically demanding, limiting the area that can be planted in a given time.Thus, there is a need to develop an innovative tool that provide a consistent way of providing ease and convenience to a user in planting rhizome where traditional methods may fall short and to meet the evolving demands of modern requirements.

[0004] CN1141116A aims to effectively and economically plant rhizomes of summer grass in a lawn in winter and ensures a good survive rate and a good growth state after planting. The invention includes the following steps: develop a narrow longitudinal strip gouge m on the ground surface and supply the longitudinal strip gouge with a rhizome net belt k which is formed by spreading rhizomes w between an upper and a lower strip nets k<1>,k<2>; press the central part of the net belt k onto the bottom of the gouge, make the net belt double up and bury the net belt in the longitudinal gouge, then immerge the net belt in a health preserving liquor according to needs before the rhizome net belt is put onto the longitudinal strip gouge.

[0005] CN101940133A discloses about a planting method of a rhizome plant and a planting box. A principle thereof is as follows: the pressure of soil on rhizomes of plants is reduced, and the rhizomes of plants grow without outer soil pressure. The method comprises the following steps: the planting box is imbedded in ground surface; the side wall of the planting box is evenly distributed with pores; the rhizome plants are planted at the side of the planting box; the root of the rhizome plant passes through the pores and pierces into the planting box and grows in the planting box; the planting box is provided with a box cover which can be opened to observe the growth condition inside the planting box; and management, fertilization and pick are carried out. The lowest height of the pores on the side wall of the planting box is higher than the box bottom; the box bottom is hermetic and can store a certain water and fertile to reduce the number of times for watering and fertilizing; and the soil is added at the height, and the upper part of the soil is empty or is used for placing light foam materials. When the root of plant passes through the pores to penetrate into the box, the rhizome left in the box can grow at the state of no soil pressure, and under the condition, the root of plant can grow larger.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices exist that are capable of providing ease and convenience to a user in planting rhizome, however these devices fail in adjusting itself in accordance to the dimension of the rhizome that are to be planted for appropriately planting the rhizome in a secured manner.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of providing ease and convenience to a user in planting rhizome, by digging and filling the pits. Additionally, the device is to be potent enough of adjusting itself in accordance to the dimension of the rhizome that are to be planted for properly planting the rhizome.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of providing ease and convenience to a user in planting rhizome, by digging and filling the pits in an automated manner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of adjusting itself in accordance to the dimension of the rhizome that are to be planted for appropriately planting the rhizome.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable in nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a rhizome plantation assistive device that has capability to make the plantation of rhizomes easier and more convenient for a user by automatically excavating and filling the pits and needing less effort to operate.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a rhizome plantation assistive device, comprising, an rectangular frame configured with plurality of extendable plates, a pair of handles attached with the frame that is gripped by a user to position the plates over surface of an agricultural field that is to be planted with a rhizome accommodated within the frame, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the platform and integrated with a ultrasonic sensor for capturing and processing images of the rhizome, a microcontroller linked with the imaging unit, determines dimensions of the rhizome based on which the microcontroller actuates a motorized drawer arrangement installed in each of the plate to provide appropriate extension/retraction to the plates in view of appropriately accommodating the rhizome, a pair of hydraulic links installed between each of the handle and plate that are actuated by the microcontroller to extend and apply force over the surface by means of a triangular sharp flap configured beneath each of the plate, wherein extension of the hydraulic links results in insertion of the flaps within the surface.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a motorized hinge joint installed between each of the plate and flaps that are actuated by the microcontroller to provide rotation to the flaps in view of creating an cavity within the surface, the cavity receives the rhizome via the frame followed by actuation of a robotic link installed over the frame to acquire soil from the field and pour over the rhizome in view of planting the rhizome within the field, a tactile sensor and moisture sensor are installed with the flaps to monitor hardness and moisture level of the surface based on which the microcontroller evaluates an appropriate force to be applied over the surface to insert the flaps and accordingly directs the hydraulic links to apply the evaluated force, a force sensor is installed over each of the flaps to monitor force applied by the flaps over the surface and in case the monitored force recedes a threshold value, the microcontroller directs the hydraulic links to regulate the force, a proximity sensor is installed over the frame to monitor distance of the surface from the frame and as soon as the monitored distance recedes a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates the hinge joints to create the cavity, a chamber connected with the frame and stored with plurality of rhizomes, an iris aperture is installed with the chamber to release one of the rhizome at a time within the frame, wherein based on the detected dimensions, the microcontroller evaluates appropriate depth for plantation of the rhizome and accordingly direct the hydraulic links to create a cavity of the evaluated depth as monitored via a depth sensor integrated in the frame, a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view a rhizome plantation assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a rhizome plantation assistive device that is capable of automatically digging the pits and filling soils in pits after planting the rhizome, thereby making rhizome planting simpler and easier for the user.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view a rhizome plantation assistive device is illustrated, comprising a rectangular frame 101 configured with plurality of extendable plates 102, a pair of handles 103 attached with the frame 101, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 installed over the platform, a pair of hydraulic links 105 installed between each of the handle 103 and plate 102, a triangular sharp flap 106 configured beneath each of the plate 102, a motorized hinge joint 107 installed between each of the plate 102 and flap 106, a robotic link 108 installed over the frame 101, and a chamber 109 connected with the frame 101.

[0023] The proposed device comprises of a rectangular frame 101 which is a structural support to various components associated with the device, wherein the frame 101 is made up of material that includes but not limited to stainless steel, which in turn ensures that the device is of generous size and is light in weight. The frame 101 is configured with plurality of extendable plates 102 and also configured with a pair of handles 103 that is gripped by a user to position the plates 102 at a required place on an agricultural field over which the user is desiring to plant a rhizome that is accommodated by the user within the frame 101.

[0024] In order to start the device, the user is needed to access a push button that linked with a microcontroller, wherein the push button consists of a spring attached with a sensing module. When the user presses the button then the microcontroller actuates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 installed over the platform and works in sync with an ultrasonic sensor for determining dimensions of the rhizome. The imaging unit 104 comprises of a processor and a camera which on actuation capture the multiple image of the rhizome. The camera is comprised of a lens and a digital camera sensor, wherein the camera lens takes all the light rays rebounding around the rhizome and utilizes the lenses to transmit them to a single point for creating a sharp image. When all of those light rays rebound back and meet together on a digital camera sensor, create a digital image of the rhizome by performing various operations like pre-processing, feature extraction and classification which is transmitted to the processor. The processor further extracts all the required information from the digital images and transmit to microcontroller.

[0025] Synchronously, the ultrasonic sensor emits high-frequency waves in vicinity of the frame 101 and measures the time it takes for the waves to bounce back after hitting the rhizome. The sensor is typically oriented in a way that it measures the dimension of the rhizome present in the frame 101. The ultrasonic sensor collects a significant amount of data by scanning the entire surface in vicinity of the frame 101 and forms a 3D point cloud. The ultrasonic sensor sends the data to a microcontroller and further the microcontroller processes the acquired data from the imaging unit 104 and ultrasonic sensor and detects the dimension of the rhizome.

[0026] Based on detected dimension of the rhizome, the microcontroller actuates a motorized drawer arrangement installed in each of the plate 102 to provide appropriate extension/retraction to the plates 102. The drawer arrangement consist of a motor, hollow compartment and multiple compartments that are connected with sliders. After actuating by the microcontroller, an electric current passes through the motor of the drawer mechanism and energized the motor. The energized motor further actuates the compartments which are initially at the stowed condition to move in a successive manner within the hollow compartment and extends length of the compartments. Simultaneously, each of the compartments having a fixed groove track, wherein upon actuation of the slider, the motor of the slider gets energized and provides a movement to the compartment to move in a linear direction on the groove track of the successive compartment as directed by the microcontroller and extends length of the plates 102 in view of appropriately accommodating the rhizome.

[0027] Further, the microcontroller actuates a pair of hydraulic links 105 installed between each of the handle 103 and plate 102 to extend and apply force over the surface by means of a triangular sharp flap 106 configured beneath each of the plate 102. The extension of the hydraulic links 105 are powered by a hydraulic unit associated with the device and includes a hydraulic pump, solenoid valve and hydraulic piston-cylinder. The hydraulic pump used herein extract the hydraulic oil from a reservoir and pressurized the fluid mechanically. The hydraulic pump is consist of two main parts including a motor and a propeller.

[0028] The motor rotates the propeller which uses the energy from the motor drive to draw in hydraulic oil from the reservoir and compress to elevated pressure. The compressed hydraulic oil is then sent through a discharge tube into the cylinder across the solenoid valve. As per the signal from the microcontroller, the solenoid valve opens and allows the entering of the pressurized oil in the cylinder. The solenoid valve comprise of a gate and a magnetic coil, which on energizing generates the magnetic force which tries to push the gate to open and allow the flow of oil in the jack The pressurized oil within the cylinder tend to pushes out the piston out from the cylinder which results in extension of hydraulic links 105 to apply force over the surface by means of the triangular sharp flap 106, in a manner that the flap 106 gets inserted in the surface. A tactile sensor and moisture sensors are installed with the flap 106 to monitor hardness and moisture level of the surface.

[0029] The tactile sensor employed herein is composed of an elastic body, ferrous probe, TMR (tunnel magneto resistive) element, and a permanent magnet. When the elastic body embedded with ferrous probe touches the object under the certain size of force, deformation is produced in elastic body. Correspondingly, the ferrous probe is forced forward to be displaced and as a result the background magnetic field is distorted. The distorted magnetic field was detected by TMR elements and transmitted to the microcontroller in form of electrical signal. After processing the received signal, the microcontroller determine the hardness of the ground surface.

[0030] While the moisture sensor employed herein measures water content by utilizing capacitance measurement principles. The moisture sensor has an electrode that is inserted first into the soil, forming a capacitor with the surrounding soil as a dielectric material. An alternative current or voltage is applied to the electrodes, generating an electric field. The capacitance of the oil plate 102 capacitor varies with the soil’s dielectric constant, which changes as water content fluctuates. By measuring the capacitance or impedance, the moisture sensor determines the soil water content and fetched data is sent to the microcontroller.

[0031] Based on detected moisture and hardness, the microcontroller evaluates an appropriate force to be applied over the surface to insert the flap 106 and accordingly directs the hydraulic links 105 to apply the evaluated force. The applied force is also monitored by a force sensor installed over each of the flap 106. The force sensor used herein is preferably a capacitive force sensor which measures pressure by detecting changes in electrical capacitance caused by the movement of a diaphragm. The capacitive force sensor consists of a silicon diaphragm. Whenever force is applied there occurs certain movement in the diaphragm, that movement cause the change in electrical capacitance of the sensor. The change in capacitance is detected by the microcontroller in form of electrical signals and after processing the signal, applied force is determined and in case the monitored force recedes/exceeds evaluated value, the microcontroller directs the hydraulic links 105 to regulate the force.

[0032] Also based on the determined dimension of the rhizome, the microcontroller evaluates an optimum depth at which the rhizome that is to be planted and post evaluation directs the hydraulic links 105 to create a cavity of the evaluated depth as monitored via a depth sensor integrated in the frame 101.

[0033] As the flap 106 gets inserted in the surface, the microcontroller directs a proximity sensor installed over the frame 101 to monitor distance of the surface from the frame 101 and as soon as the monitored distance recedes a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates a motorized hinge joint 107 installed between each of the plate 102 and flap 106 to provide rotation to the flap 106 in view of creating an cavity within the surface and as soon as the cavity gets created in the surface the rhizome via the frame 101 gets accommodated in the cavity that is monitored by the imaging unit 104. Thereafter, the microcontroller actuates a robotic link 108 installed over the frame 101 to acquire soil from the field and pour over the rhizome in view of planting the rhizome within the field.

[0034] After plantation of one rhizome as detected by the imaging unit 104, the microcontroller actuates an iris aperture integrated in a chamber 109 attached with the frame 101 to open and allow another rhizome to release and get accommodated in in the frame 101 to initiate the plantation of other rhizomes. The iris aperture consists of a ring in bottom configured with multiple slots along periphery, multiple number of blades and blade actuating ring on the top. The blades are pivotally jointed with blade actuating ring and the base plate 102 are hooked over the blade. The blade actuating ring is rotated clock and antilock wise by a DC motor embedded in ball actuating ring which results in opening of the lid to release the rhizome to initiate the plantation of other rhizomes.

[0035] A battery is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrode named as a cathode and an anode. The battery use a chemical reaction of oxidation/reduction to do work on charge and produce a voltage between their anode and cathode and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do work in the device.

[0036] The present invention works well in the following manner where a rectangular frame 101 configured with plurality of extendable plates 102 and a pair of handles 103 attached with the frame 101 that is gripped by a user to position the plates 102 over surface of an agricultural field that is to be planted with a rhizome accommodated within the frame 101. The microcontroller initially actuates artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 to work in sync with the ultrasonic sensor to determine dimensions of the rhizome based on which the microcontroller actuates the motorized drawer arrangement installed in each of the plate 102 to provide appropriate extension/retraction to the plates 102 in view of appropriately accommodating the rhizome. Further the microcontroller actuates a pair of hydraulic links 105 to extend and apply force over the surface by means of a triangular sharp flap 106 configured beneath each of the plate 102, wherein extension of the hydraulic links 105 results in insertion of the flap 106 within the surface. a motorized hinge joint 107 installed between each of the plate 102 and flap 106 that are actuated by the microcontroller to provide rotation to the flap 106 in view of creating an cavity within the surface, wherein the cavity receives the rhizome via the frame 101 followed by actuation of a robotic link 108 installed over the frame 101 to acquire soil from the field and pour over the rhizome in view of planting the rhizome within the field.

[0037] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , C , C , Claims:1) A rhizome plantation assistive device, comprising:

i) a rectangular frame 101 configured with plurality of extendable plates 102, wherein a pair of handles 103 attached with said frame 101 that is gripped by a user to position said plates 102 over surface of an agricultural field that is to be planted with a rhizome accommodated within said frame 101;

ii) an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 installed over said platform and integrated with a ultrasonic sensor for capturing and processing images of said rhizome, wherein based on said captured images, a microcontroller linked with said imaging unit 104, determines dimensions of said rhizome based on which said microcontroller actuates a motorized drawer arrangement installed in each of said plate 102 to provide appropriate extension/retraction to said plates 102 in view of appropriately accommodating said rhizome;

iii) a pair of hydraulic links 105 installed between each of said handle 103 and plate 102 that are actuated by said microcontroller to extend and apply force over said surface by means of a triangular sharp flap 106 configured beneath each of said plate 102, wherein extension of said hydraulic links 105 results in insertion of said flap 106 within said surface; and

iv) a motorized hinge joint 107 installed between each of said plate 102 and flaps 106 that are actuated by said microcontroller to provide rotation to said flap 106 in view of creating an cavity within said surface, wherein said cavity receives said rhizome via said frame 101 followed by actuation of a robotic link 108 installed over said frame 101 to acquire soil from said field and pour over said rhizome by means of a bucket attached with said link, in view of planting said rhizome within said field.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tactile sensor and moisture sensor are installed with said flap 106 to monitor hardness and moisture level of said surface based on which said microcontroller evaluates an appropriate force to be applied over said surface to insert said flap 106 and accordingly directs said hydraulic links 105 to apply said evaluated force.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a force sensor is installed over each of said flaps 106 to monitor force applied by said flaps 106 over said surface and in case said monitored force recedes a threshold value, said microcontroller directs said hydraulic links 105 to regulate said force.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a proximity sensor is installed over said frame 101 to monitor distance of said surface from said frame 101 and as soon as said monitored distance recedes a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates said hinge joint 107s to create said cavity.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a chamber 109 connected with said frame 101 and stored with plurality of rhizomes.

6) The device as claimed in claim 1 and 5, wherein an iris aperture is installed with said chamber 109 to release one of said rhizome at a time within said frame 101.

7) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein based on said detected dimensions, said microcontroller evaluates appropriate depth for plantation of said rhizome and accordingly direct said hydraulic links 105 to create a cavity of said evaluated depth as monitored via a depth sensor integrated in said frame 101.

8) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.