Application of force sensors in the field of agriculture
In today’s booming smart agriculture, sensors act as "new farming tools," permeating every production link. But have you ever thought: the shapes of these sensors aren’t random—they’re "custom-made" for the unique needs of agricultural scenarios? From wheel (wheel load) to parallel beam, from columnar to S-type, how do different-shaped sensors play their unique roles in farmland? Let’s explore today!
Shaped like the spokes of a wheel (with a central hub and radial support beams around it), this structure gives the wheel load sensor strong anti-offset load capability and high overload performance. It can measure precisely even when force is uneven or it encounters instantaneous impact.
In agriculture, it’s the "heavy-load powerhouse":
- Grain silo and hopper monitoring: Installed under the pillars of large silos (storing thousands of tons of grain), it real-time tracks the weight of piled grain. Even if grain dumping creates lateral force, measurement errors stay minimal—ensuring accurate inventory data.
- Agricultural machinery load: When the buckets of tractors or harvesters transport goods (which may shift due to jolting), wheel load sensors at the bucket bottom measure the load accurately. This prevents overload damage to machinery and supports transport scheduling.
- Livestock group weighing: In large-scale farms, when multiple livestock move on the weighing platform, the sensor handles offset loads easily, quickly calculating total group weight to help breeders track growth status.
Long-shaped, simple-structured, and compact (like a "slimmed-down" bridge), this sensor offers high precision and sensitivity—ideal for small-range dynamic weighing in agriculture:
- Precision feeding systems: Installed under troughs in smart sow feeding stations, it measures each feed portion with ≤50g error. The system dispenses feed based on sows’ weight and gestation stage, reducing waste while ensuring balanced nutrition.
- Dynamic fruit/vegetable sorting: On fruit sorting lines, it’s fitted to conveyor belt weighing platforms. It instantly measures passing apples/oranges, then links with visual recognition to grade produce by weight—boosting sorting efficiency and quality.
- Small greenhouse monitoring: Used to track weight changes of potted plants/seedling trays. Combined with soil moisture data, the system auto-judges water needs for precision irrigation, supporting crop health.
Curved into an "S" shape with lifting loops at both ends, this compact, easy-to-install sensor is designed for tension measurement (resists lateral force interference):
- Greenhouse equipment lifting: Fitted to ropes in shade net/insulation blanket lifting systems, it monitors tension in real time. If tension exceeds safety limits, the system alarms and stops operation—preventing equipment damage.
- Aquaculture cage weighing: Used to hoist and weigh net cages in marine/freshwater farms. By tracking cage weight changes, breeders estimate fish growth and adjust feeding strategies to boost aquaculture benefits.
Typically cylindrical or prismatic, this sensor features a robust structure and wide range, withstanding long-term heavy loads and harsh environments. Its agricultural applications include:
- Truck scale weighing: As a core component under truck scales at grain depots or farm entrances, it stably outputs weight data (with controlled errors) when grain trucks pass—supporting reliable grain trade and transport management.
- Large storage tank monitoring: Installed at the bottom of manure treatment pits or liquid fertilizer tanks in farms, it real-time tracks liquid weight. By monitoring data changes, managers can track inventory, arrange timely disposal or allocation, and avoid leakage risks.
Agriculture’s complexity and diversity drive the "variety" of sensor shapes. From heavy to light loads, static to dynamic scenarios, each sensor shape plays an irreplaceable role in its respective position.
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