Plant irrigation system

Abstract

A plant irrigation system (10) comprising: a number of containers (12) for containing a plant growth medium and a plant (20); a conduit (16) with an outlet (18) for conveying water along the conduit and discharging water through the conduit outlet in use; a regulator (22) for regulating the flow of water along the conduit; a weighing device (14) associated with one of the containers for determining the weight of the associated container; a controller (24) that controls the regulator so as to vary the flow of water along the conduit as a function of the weight of the container measured by the weighing means; and means for moving the conduit outlet between the plurality of containers, which, in use, can supply water to the plurality of containers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant watering system, and more particularly to a system for supplying water to plants based on the weight of a planting container. Background Art

[0002] Various systems for monitoring the weight of potted plants have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, US2002 / 0024445, "A Flower Pot with a Moisture Sensor and an Information Playing Device," and US6,295,865, "Moisture Level Indicator," describe a potted plant, a weighing device for monitoring the weight of the potted plant, and a speaker / display for issuing an alarm signal indicating under-watering or over-watering of the potted plant.

[0003] In addition, the prior art also discloses various watering systems that use weighing devices to control water on / off. For example, US2015 / 0289460, "Automatic Plant Irrigation Method and System Using Weight and Leakage Sensors," US2,198,309, "Automatic Container Filling Device," US2,828,935, "Automatic Container Filler," US3,293,799, "Automatic Irrigation of Potted Plants in Plant Growth Chambers and Greenhouses," and US4,760,666, "Plant Watering Device," describe: a potted plant / container; a pipe for supplying water to the potted plant / container; a valve for switching the water flow along the pipe between an "open" position (allowing water to flow along the pipe) and a "closed" position (not allowing water to flow along the pipe); and a weighing device associated with the potted plant / container, which switches the valve between the open and closed positions based on the weight of the potted plant / container.

[0004] US8,584,397 "Automatic Plant Watering System" describes: a series of potted plants; a branched pipe that supplies water to each potted plant; a valve associated with each branch, which switches the water flow between an "open" position (allowing water to flow along the relevant branch) and a "closed" position (not allowing water to flow along the relevant branch); and a weighing device associated with each potted plant, which switches the valve between the open and closed positions according to the weight of the relevant potted plant, controlling the flow of water through the pipe branch to the corresponding potted plant.

[0005] US6,161,329 "Automatic watering device for potted plants" describes: a series of potted plants; a main pipe that supplies water to each potted plant through branches; a valve that switches the water flow between an "open" position (allowing water to flow along the main pipe) and a "closed" position (not allowing water to flow along the main pipe); and a weighing device associated with one of the potted plants, which switches the valve between the open and closed positions according to the weight of the potted plant.

[0006] A drawback of the systems described in patents US2015 / 0289460, US2,198,309, US2,828,935, US3,293,799, US4,760,666 and US8,584,397 is that each potted plant needs to be equipped with a weighing device, while a drawback of the system described in patent US6,161,329 is that a delivery branch pipe must be extended for each potted plant.

[0007] Another drawback of the systems described in US2015 / 0289460, US2,198,309, US2,828,935, US3,293,799, US4,760,666, US8,584,397, and US6,161,329 is that the weighing device can only switch the valve between open and closed positions. The weighing device cannot regulate the flow of water through the pipes and branches between minimum and maximum flow rates.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a plant watering system, wherein:

[0009] Use one weighing device to control the water supply of multiple containers (including plants);

[0010] using a pipe that can be moved over or between multiple containers (containing plants) to supply water to the containers / plants; and

[0011] The weight of a container monitored by a weighing device can be used to determine:

[0012] the state of water flow in the pipe between the following positions: an "open" position (allowing water to flow through the pipe), a "closed" position (not allowing water to flow through the main pipe), and at least one intermediate position between the open and closed positions; and the speed at which the pipe moves over / between multiple containers (including plants). Summary of the Invention

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a plant watering system comprising:

[0014] several containers for holding growing medium and plants;

[0015] a pipe having an outlet for conveying water along the pipe and discharging it through the pipe outlet when in use;

[0016] a regulator for regulating the flow of water along the pipe;

[0017] a weighing device associated with one of the containers for determining the weight of the associated container;

[0018] a controller for controlling the regulator to vary the flow of water along the conduit based on the weight of the container as measured by the weighing device; and

[0019] A device that enables the pipe outlet to move between several containers and supply water to several containers when in use.

[0020] Typically, the plant watering system also includes a database for storing:

[0021] a first predetermined weight of the monitored container associated with zero flow in the pipeline;

[0022] a second preset weight of the monitored container associated with 100% flow in the pipeline;

[0023] At least one intermediate weight of the monitored container associated with the pipeline flow rate between a minimum (0%) and a maximum (100%) value.

[0024] Generally speaking, a controller consists of a processor that controls the regulator based on the following parameters:

[0025] The weight measured by a weighing device;

[0026] and the data in the database.

[0027] Preferably, the device for moving the pipeline is composed of any of the following solutions:

[0028] an articulated bracket to which the conduit is mounted; and an actuator or motor for angularly displacing the conduit about the articulated bracket; or

[0029] A slider on which the pipe is mounted; a guide rail along which the slider is movable; and an actuator or motor for moving the slider along the guide rail.

[0030] Typically, the database also includes:

[0031] a zero actuator or motor speed associated with a first preset weight of the monitored container;

[0032] a first actuator or motor speed associated with a second predetermined weight of the container being monitored; and

[0033] A second actuator or motor speed is related to at least one intermediate weight of the container being monitored.

[0034] Generally speaking, the speed of the actuator or motor is also controlled by the controller based on the following parameters:

[0035] The weight measured by a weighing device;

[0036] and the data in the database.

[0037] Preferably, the weighing device is substantially dome-shaped to facilitate the flow of water away from it during use.

[0038] Typically, the regulator is a valve or pump controller. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following examples and accompanying drawings:

[0040] Figure 1 : is a schematic diagram of a plant watering system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 :for Figure 1 A perspective view of a weighing device as part of a plant watering system;

[0042] Figure 3 :For use Figure 1 Graph of example data obtained for the irrigation system shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plant watering system 10 includes: a plurality of containers 12; a weighing device 14; a pipe 16 defining an outlet 18; and a device (not shown) for moving the outlet 18 of the pipe 16 between / above the plurality of containers 12.

[0044] Each container 12 is in the shape of a tray having a series of slots therein for receiving a plant growing medium (eg, soil) and a plant seedling 20 .

[0045] Figure 2 The scale 14 shown is sized to be positioned beneath the container 12. The scale 14 is generally dome-shaped to promote water flow away from the upper operating surface of the scale 14. At the same time, the upper operating surface of the scale 14 is configured to support the container 12 thereon. Importantly, the plant watering system 10 includes fewer scales 14 than containers 12. Preferably, the plant watering system 10 includes several containers 12 and only one scale 14. When in use, the scale 14 measures / monitors the weight of the container 12 (together with the plant growth medium and plants / seedlings 20 contained therein) supported thereon.

[0046] The pipe 16 is tubular and has at least one outlet 18. The outlet 18 of the pipe 16 is movable above or between the plurality of containers 12. In use, the pipe 16 conveys water along the pipe 16 and supplies water to the plurality of containers by passing the outlet 18 of the pipe 16 above the container 12. Typically, a spray head is connected to the outlet 18 of the pipe 16 to spray the water flowing out of the outlet 18 of the pipe 16.

[0047] The means for moving the outlet 18 of the duct 16 between the containers 12 comprises an articulated bracket (not shown) on which the duct 16 is mounted and an actuator or motor (not shown) for angularly displacing the duct 16 about the articulated bracket.

[0048] According to another embodiment (not shown) of the device for moving the outlet 18 of the pipe 16 between several containers 12, the device may include: a slider on which the pipe is mounted; a guide rail along which the slider can move; and an actuator or motor for moving the slider along the guide rail.

[0049] By moving the pipe 16 outlet 18 between / over several containers 12, a single pipe 18 can be used to supply water to all of the containers 12. This is in contrast to the watering systems described in prior art patents, which require a separate pipe or pipe branch to supply water to each container, or in other words, a pipe outlet for each container.

[0050] Back to Figure 1 In the preferred embodiment of the plant watering system 10 shown, the regulator 22 takes the form of either: a valve associated with the pipe 16; or a pump controller associated with a pump that provides pressurized water to the pipe 16. The regulator 22 regulates the flow of water along the pipe 16 between the following states:

[0051] Zero flow along pipe 16;

[0052] 100% flow along pipeline 16; and

[0053] At least one intermediate flow rate along the conduit 16 , the intermediate flow rate being greater than zero flow rate and less than 100% flow rate along the conduit 16 .

[0054] The controller 24 controls the regulator 22 to control / variate the flow of water along the conduit 16 based on the weight of the container 12 as measured by the weighing device 14 .

[0055] The controller 24 includes a processor (not shown) and a database (not shown) that stores / includes the following data:

[0056] a first predetermined weight of the monitored container 12 associated with zero flow in the pipeline 16;

[0057] a second predetermined weight of the monitored container 12 associated with 100% flow in the conduit 16;

[0058] at least one intermediate weight of the monitored container 12 associated with a flow rate in the pipeline 16 between a minimum (0%) and a maximum (100%) value;

[0059] a zero actuator or motor speed associated with a first predetermined weight of the monitored container 12;

[0060] a first actuator or motor speed associated with a second predetermined weight of the monitored container 12; and

[0061] A second actuator or motor speed is related to at least one intermediate weight of the container 12 being monitored.

[0062] Figure 3 is an example graph detailing database data and data generated by the watering system 10 when in use. The graph shows the weight of the monitored container 12, the flow percentage along the pipe 16, and the moisture percentage. In addition, the database may also include a column for actuator / motor speed data, such as:

[0063] The weight of the monitored container 12 Flow rate along pipeline 16 (L / min) Actuator / motor speed (m / s) More than 200 grams 0 0 180g-199g 5 0.1 160g-179g 6 0.13 140g-159g 7 0.15 120g-139g 8 0.15

[0064] processor:

[0065] monitoring the weight of the container 12 associated with the weighing device 14 using feedback from the weighing device 14;

[0066] querying a database to determine: a required flow rate associated with the monitored weight; and a required actuator or motor speed; and

[0067] Control: Regulator 22: regulates the flow through the conduit 16 to a desired flow (extracted from a database); and Actuator or motor speed: regulates the actuator or motor speed to a desired speed (extracted from a database).

[0068] By varying the flow of water through the conduit 16 and the speed at which the outlet 18 of the conduit 16 moves between / over the containers 12 during the watering process, the plant watering system 10 is able to:

[0069] Increase the ratio of container 12 to pipe 16 outlet 18; and

[0070] Optimize plant watering (e.g., slow down / reduce water flow as the growing medium becomes saturated).

[0071] This solution reduces the length and complexity of the required piping 16 and conserves water by reducing the amount of excess water drained from the container 12.

Claims

1. A plant watering system (10), comprising: a plurality of containers (12) for containing plant growing medium and plants (20); a pipe (16) having an outlet (18) for conveying water along the pipe and draining water through the pipe outlet when in use; a regulator (22) for regulating the flow of water along the pipeline; a weighing device (14) associated with one of the containers for determining the weight of the associated container; a controller (24) for controlling the regulator to vary the flow of water along the conduit in accordance with the weight of the container as determined by the weighing device; A device for moving the pipe outlet between a plurality of containers to supply water to the plurality of containers when in use; as well as A database to store: a first preset weight associated with zero flow in the pipeline; a second preset weight associated with 100% flow in the pipeline; at least one intermediate weight associated with a pipe flow rate between 0% and a maximum value; The invention is characterized in that the controller comprises a processor for controlling the regulator according to the weight determined by the weighing device and the data in the database.

2. The plant watering system according to claim 1, wherein: The pipeline moving device includes any of the following methods: an articulated bracket to which the pipe is mounted; and an actuator or motor for angularly displacing the pipe about the articulated bracket; or A slider on which the pipe is mounted; a guide rail along which the slider is movable; and an actuator or motor for moving the slider along the guide rail.

3. The plant watering system according to claim 2, wherein: The database further includes: a zero actuator or motor speed associated with a first preset weight; a first actuator or motor speed associated with a second predetermined weight; and A second actuator or motor speed associated with the at least one intermediate weight.

4. The plant watering system according to claim 3, wherein: The speed of the actuator or motor is also controlled by the controller, based on the weight determined by the scale and the data in the database.

5. The plant watering system according to claim 4, wherein: The weighing device is approximately dome-shaped to promote the flow of water away from the weighing device when in use.

6. The plant watering system according to claim 5, wherein: A regulator is a valve or pump controller.

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