Flower pot with integrated or retrofittable modular plant care system

Abstract

Flowerpot with integrated or retrofittable modular plant care system, comprising a control unit connected to a soil moisture sensor, a temperature sensor located in the root zone, a capillary or valve-controlled irrigation module with external water reservoir, a low-voltage PTC or heating cable module for root temperature control, an energy-saving LED light source for photosynthesis support, a solar, WLAN, Bluetooth or other radio communication module powered by an energy storage device, and optional signaling or communication modules, and controlling the aforementioned components in such a way that irrigation is autonomously regulated depending on the measured soil moisture, root temperature control depending on the measured temperature, and light supply depending on the ambient brightness or a time parameter.

Description

1. Purpose of the invention

[0001] The purpose of the invention is to provide an autonomous, modular system for the care of potted plants that combines irrigation, root temperature control, lighting, and energy self-sufficiency. The system should be retrofittable to existing flowerpots and also offered as a fully integrated unit. The aim is the long-term, independent care of plants without manual intervention, particularly during extended absences of the user. 2. Technical problem

[0002] Current technology offers either simple irrigation systems, isolated sensors, or manual heating and lighting solutions, but no integrated system that: • actively measures soil moisture and doses water as needed, • the root zone maintains a stable temperature, • automatically activates plant lighting in case of insufficient light • can be operated completely solar-autonomously, • is available both as a retrofit module and as an integrated flower pot.

[0003] What is lacking is a system that combines and autonomously regulates all relevant parameters of plant care. 3. Technical field

[0004] The invention relates to the field of plant care, in particular: • automatic irrigation systems, • Sensor technology for soil moisture and temperature, • Heating systems for plant containers, • LED plant lighting, • solar-powered small appliances, • Modular systems for household and indoor greenery. 4. Object of the invention

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a system that: 1. Plants are automatically watered according to their needs, 2. stabilizes the root temperature, 3. provides artificial lighting in case of insufficient natural light, 4. is operated energy-autonomously via solar energy, 5. It is modular in design and can be integrated into existing flower pots, 6. is available as a complete flower pot with an integrated system. 5. Solution to the task

[0006] The task is solved by a modular plant care system that includes the following components: • a moisture sensor to measure soil moisture, • a temperature sensor in the root zone, • a capillary- or valve-controlled irrigation module with an external water reservoir, • a self-limiting low-voltage PTC or heating cable module for stabilizing the root zone temperature • an energy-saving LED light source to support photosynthesis, • a solar module with energy storage for autonomous power supply, • a control unit that evaluates all sensor values ​​and activates the modules as needed.

[0007] The system can either be inserted into an existing flower pot or supplied as a fully integrated flower pot. 6. Solution approach of the invention

[0008] The solution is based on combining several previously separate technologies into a single, modular system: • Control based on measured values ​​instead of time intervals (irrigation only occurs when a certain moisture level is undershot). • Temperature stabilization of the root zone (heating only activates when a limit value is undershot). • Light supply in darkness (LED activates when a brightness level is undershot or according to a time logic). • Solar-autonomous operation (energy supply without an external power source). • Modular design (can be retrofitted into any flower pot). 7. Components 7.1 Mechanical Module • Flower pot or insert module • Holder for water bottle or reservoir • Capillary or drip tube • Valve housing • Double floor structure for heating module • Mounting elements for LED arcs • Housing for control unit and battery 7.2 Electrical Module • Humidity sensor • Temperature sensor • LED plant light • PTC heating element or heating cable • Solar panel • Energy storage device (battery or supercapacitor) • Microcontroller control unit • Low-voltage valve or micropump • WLAN / Bluetooth or radio communication module for wireless transmission of sensor and system data (optional) 8. Functionality and advantages • Autonomous irrigation based on actual soil moisture • Stable root temperature regardless of ambient temperature • Light supply in insufficient brightness • Solar-powered operation without an external power source • Modularity: Retrofitting into existing pots • Energy efficiency through demand-based activation • Protection against overwatering through sensor logic • Protection against frost damage through root heating • Increased survival rate when the user is absent 9. Compatibility with standard products

[0009] The system is compatible with: • standard flower pots of various sizes, • Standard PET bottles as water reservoirs, • universal LED modules, • standard solar panels in the low-voltage range, • common substrates (soil, coconut, substrates). 10. State of the art and comparison

[0010] The state of the art includes: • Simple irrigation systems without sensors, • Bluetooth humidity sensors without actuators, • Heating mats for professional greenhouses, • LED grow lights without automatic control, • Solar-powered garden pumps without humidity control.

[0011] None of these systems combines all functions in a single autonomous module. 11. Comparison to the state of the art / today

[0012] The invention differs in that: • Combination of all relevant plant care functions, • complete autonomy, • Solar powered, • modular design, • Retrofitting capability, • Integrated sensors and control system, • Root temperature control, which does not exist in the household sector. 12. Degree of innovation

[0013] The invention exhibits a high degree of innovation because: • several previously separate systems are integrated for the first time, • a fully autonomous plant care system is created, • root temperature control is transferred to the household sector, • a modular approach enables broad application, • Energy self-sufficiency is achieved through solar energy. 13. Ergonomic and sustainable features • low energy consumption, • Use of renewable energy sources, • Reusability through modular design, • Compatible with existing flower pots, • Easy operation without specialist knowledge, • Reduced water and energy waste.

Claims

Flowerpot with integrated or retrofittable modular plant care system, comprising a control unit connected to a soil moisture sensor, a temperature sensor located in the root zone, a capillary or valve-controlled irrigation module with external water reservoir, a low-voltage PTC or heating cable module for root temperature control, an energy-saving LED light source for photosynthesis support, a solar, WLAN, Bluetooth or other radio communication module powered by an energy storage device, and optional signaling or communication modules, and controlling the aforementioned components in such a way that irrigation is autonomously regulated depending on the measured soil moisture, root temperature control depending on the measured temperature, and light supply depending on the ambient brightness or a time parameter. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the irrigation module comprises an interchangeable external water reservoir in the form of a commercially available bottle. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the irrigation module has an electrically controlled low-voltage valve or a micropump. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the soil moisture sensor operates capacitively and is permanently arranged in the root zone. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature sensor is positioned directly in the lower substrate area to detect the actual root temperature. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the low-voltage PTC or heating cable module is self-limiting and prevents overheating of the substrate. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the LED light source is designed as an energy-saving full-spectrum or white light source to support photosynthesis. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the solar module is coupled with an energy storage device in the form of a battery or supercapacitor. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit comprises a priority logic which regulates the energy distribution between irrigation, root temperature control and light supply. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication module is designed as a WLAN, Bluetooth or other radio communication module for transmitting sensor and system data. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the system can be used as a retrofittable insert module in commercially available flower pots. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the system is fully integrated into a flower pot and forms a closed overall system. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit stores and autonomously adjusts limit values ​​for humidity, temperature and brightness. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the system includes an overflow or safety shut-off which prevents over-watering. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the system includes an optical or wireless status indicator for operating states and error messages. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit additionally comprises an acoustic signaling element and an optical flashing or illuminating element, which are activated to indicate operating states, warning messages or malfunctions. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit comprises an acoustic signaling element, an optical flashing or illuminating element and a wireless transmission function via the WLAN or radio communication module, whereby operating states, warning messages or malfunctions are simultaneously indicated acoustically, optically and via a network notification.

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