Application of Cantilever Beam Weighing Sensor in Vertical Agriculture
Application of Cantilever Beam Weighing Sensor in Vertical Agriculture
With the characteristics of high precision, anti-unbalanced load, compact structure and easy installation, cantilever weighing sensor has become the core sensing component of vertical agriculture to realize accurate water and fertilizer, growth monitoring and intelligent control, and is widely used in planting tank weighing, water and fertilizer ratio, yield monitoring and environmental adaptive control.
First, the core principles and adaptation advantages
The cantilever beam sensor is fixed at one end and loaded at the other end, and the gravity is converted into an electrical signal through the strain gauge, which is suitable for the key advantages of vertical agriculture:
1. High accuracy: the static error is ≤±0.1% FS, and the change of gram weight can be sensed.
2. Strong eccentric load resistance: multi-layer frame, stable data under uneven stress.
3. Good protection: high protection level, resistance to high humidity, water mist and nutrient solution corrosion.
4. Easy integration: horizontal organization is suitable for lightweight installation of planting tanks, supports and tanks.
5. Fast dynamic response: capturing weight fluctuation in real time and supporting closed-loop control.
Second, the core application scenarios of vertical agriculture
1. Precision irrigation and closed loop of water and fertilizer (the core) Integral weighing of planting tank/coconut chaff strips Cantilever beam modules are installed at the bottom of each layer/tank to monitor the total weight of substrate+plant+water+nutrient solution in real time. Water control logic: weight reduction → water shortage → start irrigation; Weight rises to threshold → stop. Fertilizer control logic: combined with EC/PH, weight+conductivity double closed loop to avoid fertilizer deficiency/salinization. Benefits: Compared with regular irrigation, it can save water by 10%-20%, save fertilizer by 15%-25% and reduce drainage by 15%-20%. Single plant/hanging vine weighing (vine crops such as tomatoes/cucumbers) The hook is connected with the cantilever beam sensor to monitor the growth and weight gain of a single plant and judge the health and fertilizer requirement.
2. Automatic proportioning and replenishment of nutrient solution/mother liquor barrel Mother liquor barrel/fertilizer mixing tank weighing A sensor is installed at the bottom of the barrel to monitor the residual liquid in real time, and automatically trigger feeding and accurate proportioning. Dynamic fertilizer distribution: calculate the addition amount according to the weight difference, EC/PH+weight double check, and the concentration error is < 2%.
3. Matrix/rock wool condition monitoring Monitor the change of water absorption/drainage weight of the substrate, judge water retention, air permeability, blockage and leakage, and warn the root system of hypoxia.
4. Real-time output monitoring and harvesting decision-making. Real-time statistics of single tank/whole layer weight increment, conversion of biomass and estimated yield. Slow weight growth → maturity/aging → automatic reminder of harvesting, improving turnover rate.
5. Structural safety and overload protection Multi-layer three-dimensional frame: monitor the load of each layer to prevent overload, tilt and bracket deformation. Mobile cultivation vehicle/AGV: weighing+anti-unbalanced load, stable operation.
6. Environmental adaptive control Weight+temperature and humidity+illumination+CO₂ fusion: strong light and high temperature → rapid evaporation → automatic increase of irrigation frequency. Linkage skylight/fan: high humidity+weight stagflation → enhanced ventilation and humidity reduction.
Third, the typical installation method
1. The bottom of the planting trough is supported Cantilever beam modules are installed at the four corners/two sides of the tank body, and the whole tank body is weighed, which is suitable for NFT/DFT hydroponics and substrate cultivation.
2. Hanging (creeping crops) The hanging vine hook is connected with the sensor, and the individual plant is monitored.
3. Tank leg type Install at the foot of liquid fertilizer bucket/liquid storage tank to monitor the liquid level and surplus.
Four, the role of using cantilever beam weighing sensor in vertical agriculture:
Saving water and fertilizer: closed-loop control reduces waste by 20%+ Improve quality and increase production: accurate water and fertilizer, even growth, and increase production by 10%-15%.
Intelligent manpower reduction: fully automatic operation, manual reduction of 50%+ Data-driven: full-cycle weight data, supporting growth model and AI decision-making.
Cantilever beam weighing sensor is the key hardware of vertical agriculture from traditional timing to precise intelligent control, and it is the core foundation to achieve high yield, high efficiency and low carbon.
