MISTING SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a misting device (1) comprising a rotating disc (2), the disc (2) having an upper face (201) and a lower face (202), and a conduit (3) supplied with liquid (203) and configured to convey the liquid (203) to the disc (2), along a supply axis orthogonal to the disc (2), the liquid (203) being supplied, when the device (1) is arranged upright in a vertical direction, from bottom to top, the conduit (3) having an end (302) opening onto the lower face (202) of the disc (2) so as to allow the liquid (203) to come into contact with the lower face (202) of the rotating disc (2), so as to burst the liquid (203) into droplets when the liquid (203) comes into contact with said lower surface (202) of the disc (2), under the effect of the centrifugal force. Figure from the summary: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: MISTING DEVICE technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a misting device and more particularly to a misting watering device allowing plants and other vegetation to be supplied with water by means of fine droplets. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Water jet irrigation devices are known. Such devices can cause the water jet to run off and not penetrate the soil, in the case of irrigating cultivated land. Furthermore, the water jet can damage the plants or other vegetation being irrigated.

[0003] Devices comprising a rotating driven disc allowing watering by drops of water or droplets are also known, in particular from patent FR 2 615 355.

[0004] As shown in [Fig. 1], these devices comprise a disk A having an upper and a lower face and being driven in rotation by drive means B, a hollow shaft C, and a cup D. The disk A is mounted on the shaft C, and the cup D is positioned opposite the shaft. The shaft C is configured to convey water from a reservoir to the cup D, against which the water comes into contact and is then redirected onto the upper face of the disk A. The successive contacts of the water with the cup D, and then with the disk A, create water droplets, which are projected by the disk onto the crops to be irrigated.

[0005] However, the cup D redirects the water onto the disk A, at a certain distance from its axis of rotation, which has the effect of reducing the projection distance of the droplets.

[0006] The present invention therefore aims to solve the aforementioned problems by providing a misting device that allows for droplet watering of plants and other vegetation, while offering a greater projection distance and avoiding damage to said plants and other vegetation. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] To achieve this result, the present invention relates to a misting device comprising a rotating disc, the disc having an upper face and a lower face, and a liquid-supplied conduit configured to convey the liquid to the disc along a supply axis orthogonal to the disc, the liquid being conveyed, when the device is arranged upright in a vertical direction, from bottom to top, the conduit having one end opening onto the the lower face of the disc so as to allow the liquid to come into contact with the lower face of the rotating disc, so as to burst the liquid into droplets when the liquid comes into contact with said lower surface of the disc, under the effect of centrifugal force.

[0008] In particular, when the device is directed in a vertical direction and when it is observed from the outside from bottom to top, the centrifugal disk then extends in a horizontal direction compared to the vertical direction of the device.

[0009] Such an arrangement of the disc and the conduit allows the liquid to be projected directly onto the disc, particularly onto its underside, near its axis of rotation. This creates liquid droplets and allows these droplets to be projected onto the plants and other vegetation to be watered, maximizing the projection distance of the droplets. Thus, the misting system allows a large area of ​​plants and other vegetation to be watered without damaging them.

[0010] Advantageously, the conduit forms a chamber and in that said device includes a supply system, the supply system being housed in said chamber, and being configured to bring the liquid to the end of the conduit.

[0011] The delivery system conveys the liquid from the liquid reservoir to the end of the conduit, through the conduit chamber. The device thus has a height, along the axis of the disk, configured to accommodate the liquid delivery system within said chamber. In particular, when the device is oriented vertically and viewed from the outside from bottom to top, the liquid delivery system conveys the liquid from bottom to top, towards the underside of the centrifugal disk.

[0012] Advantageously, the supply system comprises at least one worm screw, said worm screw being driven in rotation and configured to bring the liquid to the end of the conduit, the worm screw having an axis coinciding with the supply axis.

[0013] The worm screw, by rotation, brings the liquid from the liquid reservoir to the end of the conduit. Positioned within the chamber, the worm screw is driven in rotation and brings the liquid to the end of the conduit. Specifically, by means of its threads, the rotational speed of the worm screw propels the liquid, by centrifugal force, against the underside of the disc. The contact of the liquid with the rotating disc creates droplets.

[0014] Even more advantageously, the disc and the worm gear are joined together.

[0015] The disc and the worm gear can also be one piece.

[0016] Preferably, the device further comprises a modular cover, said modular cover extending at least partially opposite the underside of the disk, so as to close off all or part of an angular section of the disk, said modular cover being configured to control the volume of liquid droplets projected outwards from the device.

[0017] The modular cover positioned opposite the underside of the disc allows for the collection of projected liquid droplets, at least over a portion of the disc's angular cross-section. Collecting these droplets makes it possible to control the volume of liquid projected onto plants and / or other vegetation. Thus, liquid can be prevented from being projected onto an unwanted area.

[0018] Preferably, said modular cover is located at a distance from the disk along the feed axis, in particular at a distance measured along a horizontal direction, when the device is directed along a vertical direction and when it is observed from the outside from bottom to top, which is between 1mm and 300mm.

[0019] Advantageously, the modular cover includes at least one receptacle disposed opposite the underside of the disk and configured to store the liquid droplets collected by said modular cover and not projected outwards.

[0020] The receptacle allows for the storage of liquid droplets collected by the modular cover. This storage prevents the liquid from spilling onto the plants and other vegetation to be watered.

[0021] Advantageously, said device includes a supply system, the supply system being housed in said chamber, and said modular cover includes at least a first channel connecting said receptacle to the conduit of the device, the first channel being configured to reintroduce the liquid recovered in the receptacle into the liquid supply system housed in the chamber, the supply system being configured to bring the liquid from a liquid reservoir to the end of the conduit as well as to bring the liquid from the receptacle to said end of the conduit.

[0022] Preferably, the modular cover and the receptacle for recovery form a single mechanical subassembly.

[0023] Preferably, the device further comprises a drive device configured to rotate the disc, said drive device being disposed in line with the conduit, along the feed axis. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and on which:

[0025] Fig. 1, already described, schematically represents a watering device, in cross-section, according to the prior art;

[0026] Figure 2 schematically represents a misting device according to the invention, seen in cross-section, the device comprising a disc, a conduit, a feed system, a modular cover and a drive device;

[0027] Fig. 3 represents schematically the device of Fig. 2, seen in cross-section, with the liquid circulating in said device;

[0028] Fig. 4a represents, schematically, an enlargement of one end of the conduit opening onto the lower face of the disk of the device in Fig. 2;

[0029] Fig. 4b represents, schematically, an enlargement of the drive device of the device in Fig. 2;

[0030] Fig. 5a represents schematically the device of Fig. 2, seen in perspective;

[0031] Fig. 5b represents the device of the invention in a similar manner to Fig. 5a, but from a different angle;

[0032] Fig. 6a is a perspective view of a misting device according to an embodiment of the invention, taken from the front;

[0033] Figure 6b is a perspective view of the device in Figure 6a, taken from the left; and

[0034] Fig. 6c is a rear perspective view of the device in Fig. 6a.

[0035] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to allow to implement the invention; although not limiting, said figures serve in particular to better define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The invention relates to a misting device 1, as shown in [Fig.2], comprising a disc 2 and a conduit 3.

[0037] The disk 2 has an upper face 201 and a lower face 202. The upper face 201 is opposite the lower face 202.

[0038] The conduit 3 is configured to convey a liquid 203 from a liquid reservoir to the disk 2, along a supply axis orthogonal to the disk 2. The conduit 3 extends longitudinally between a base 301 and an end 302.

[0039] The end 302 of the conduit 3 is configured to allow the liquid 203 to exit from the conduit 3.

[0040] In particular, the conduit 3 forms a chamber 6 configured to receive said liquid 203. Indeed, the conduit 3 is formed by a hollow tube delimiting said chamber 6.

[0041] The lower face 202 of the disc 2 is positioned opposite the end 302 of the conduit 3. The end 302 opens onto the lower face 202 of the disc 2 in such a way as to allow the liquid to come into contact with the lower face 202 of the rotating disc 2, so as to burst the liquid into droplets when the liquid enters contact of said lower surface 202 of disk 2, under the effect of centrifugal force.

[0042] The misting device 1 further comprises a supply system 5. The supply system 5 extends substantially longitudinally and is housed in the chamber 6 of the conduit 3. The supply system 5 is configured to bring the liquid 203 from the liquid reservoir to the end 302 of the conduit 3.

[0043] The feed system 5 includes at least one screw 7 extending along the conduit 3, in the chamber 6. The screw 7 has an axis coinciding with the feed axis to the disc 2. The screw 7 is configured to bring the liquid 203 from the liquid reservoir to the end 302 of the conduit 3.

[0044] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the disc 2 and the worm gear 7 are fixed together. Indeed, the worm gear 7 can be housed in the conduit 3, in particular in the chamber 6 of the conduit 3, between the base 301 and up to the end 302 and can be fixed to the lower face 202 of the disc 2.

[0045] According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the disc 2 and the worm gear 7 are monobloc, i.e., they form a single piece. In this embodiment shown in the figures, the worm gear 7 is housed in the conduit 3, in particular in the chamber 6 and protrudes from the end 302 of the conduit 3. The disc 2 then extends from the protruding end of the worm gear 7. This simplifies the structure of the device 1 of the invention and enhances its feasibility. This is particularly evident in [Fig. 4a].

[0046] As can be seen in [Fig.4a], the disc 2 extends at a distance from the end 302 of the conduit, so as to leave a space between the conduit 3 and the disc 2, with the chamber 6 of the conduit 3 opening to the outside.

[0047] Advantageously, the end 302 is at a distance from the disc 2 of between 1 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 50 mm, and even more preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm. Such distances allow the liquid to be efficiently guided towards the disc 2, preventing liquid from flowing out of the end 302.

[0048] In addition, a coupling cavity 11 is provided in the second end of the worm screw 7; that is to say the end opposite to that fixed to the disc 2.

[0049] In addition, the misting device 1 includes a drive device 4, configured to rotate the disc 2.

[0050] The drive device 4 comprises an electric motor 9 from which a drive shaft 10 protrudes.

[0051] The shaft 10 of the motor 9 is configured to cooperate with the coupling cavity 11 of the worm gear 7. The coupling of the shaft 10 and the cavity 11 ensures the coupling of the motor 9 with the worm gear 7 and therefore with the disc 2. The rotational drive of the shaft 10 thus enables the rotational drive of the worm gear 7 as well as the disc 2. Such a shaft 10 and cavity 11 coupling makes it possible to limit the use of transmission elements intermediaries.

[0052] In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 4b], the motor 9 is mounted in a frame 30 such that the drive shaft 10 passes through an opening 12 formed in a wall forming the bottom 13 of the chamber 6, and a projection extends from the bottom 13 of the chamber 6. The worm gear 7 further comprises a centering portion 16 around the cavity 11. The centering portion 16 has a substantially frustoconical shape and a substantially frustoconical recess 17, configured to accommodate at least part of the bottom wall 13 when the motor 9 is coupled to the worm gear 7. This structure creates a baffle between the chamber 6 and the opening 12, thereby limiting the risk of leakage of the liquid contained in the chamber 6 towards the motor 9.

[0053] According to an alternative not shown, a sealing device, for example a gasket, can be mounted at the opening 12 to limit the risk of fluid leaking into the engine 9.

[0054] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, notably illustrated in [Fig.4a], the screw 7 has a transition section 18 configured to guide the liquid exiting the chamber 6.

[0055] In addition, the misting device 1 includes a channel 23 connecting the liquid reservoir 203 to the conduit 3. In particular, the channel 23 connects said reservoir to the chamber 6. This channel 23 is configured to convey the liquid 203 to the conduit 3, in the chamber 6.

[0056] As shown in [Fig. 3], the channel 23 carries liquid from a liquid reservoir (not shown) to the chamber 6 of the conduit 3. Once introduced into the chamber 6, the liquid comes into contact with the worm gear 7, which is driven in rotation by the drive shaft 10 of the motor 9. The thread of the screw 7 allows the liquid 203 to be conveyed to the end 302 of the conduit, and then, by centrifugal force, the liquid is projected against the underside 202 of the disk 2, which is itself driven in rotation by the worm gear 7. The liquid is projected close to the axis of rotation of the disk 2.

[0057] The contact between the liquid 203 and the rotating disc 2 will then allow the creation of liquid droplets and will spray them onto the plants and / or other vegetation to be watered.

[0058] Such an arrangement of the disc and the conduit maximizes the spray distance of said droplets. Thus, the misting device allows the watering of a large area of ​​plants and other vegetation without damaging them.

[0059] In addition, the misting device 1 includes at least one modular cover 20. The modular cover 20 extends at least partially opposite the lower face 202 of disc 2, so as to block all or part of an angular section of disc 2. The modular cover 20 is configured to control the volume of liquid droplets projected outwards, as well as the misting direction.

[0060] In particular, the modular cover 20 allows for the collection, at least on an angular section of the disc 2, of the projected liquid droplets. The collection of these droplets makes it possible to regulate and / or control the volume of liquid projected onto the plants and / or other vegetation.

[0061] The modular cover 20 is located at a distance from the disk along the feed axis, in particular at a distance measured along a horizontal direction, when the device is directed along a vertical direction and when it is observed from the outside from bottom to top, which is between 1mm and 300mm.

[0062] In addition, the modular cover 20 includes a receptacle 21. The receptacle 21 is arranged opposite the lower face 202 of the disk 2 and is configured to store the liquid droplets collected by the modular cover 20 and not projected outwards.

[0063] In particular, the receptacle 21 extends at a distance from the disc 2, with respect to its lower face 202. Said distance corresponds mainly to the depth of the receptacle plus the distance between the end 302 of the conduit and the disc 2.

[0064] In addition, the modular cache 20 may include a recovery wall 200 extending from the receptacle 21 to the upper face 201 of the disk 2.

[0065] As shown in the figures and in particular in [Fig.3], advantageously, the recovery wall 200 extends orthogonally to the receptacle 21 of the modular cover 20.

[0066] The modular cover 20 may also include a first channel 22, connecting the receptacle 21 to the conduit 3 and, in particular, to the chamber 6.

[0067] The channel 22 allows the liquid recovered in the receptacle 21 to be reintroduced into the liquid supply system 5 housed in the chamber 6.

[0068] According to an embodiment not shown, the device 1 may comprise a plurality of modular covers 20, each comprising a receptacle and a channel allowing the reintroduction of the liquid into the conduit 3.

[0069] Here, the modular cover 20 and the receptacle 21 can form the same mechanical sub-assembly, i.e. either be joined together or be one piece.

[0070] According to another embodiment not shown, the modular cover 20 can be removable, i.e., retractable or extendable, so as to cover respectively a smaller angular area of ​​the disk or a larger angular area of ​​the disk as required. In this embodiment, the receptacle 20 retracts and extends in a similar manner to the cover 20.

[0071] Figures 6a, 6b and 6c represent a particular embodiment of the invention. The misting device 1 is mounted in a misting unit 25, comprising a base 26, a mast 27 and a reservoir 28.

[0072] The mast 27 is, on the one hand, connected to the base 26, and on the other hand to the misting device 1. Said mast 27 can be telescopic, so as to allow adjustment of the height of the misting device 1 during its use.

[0073] The reservoir 28 is advantageously removable and forms the liquid reserve.

[0074] Advantageously, the misting device 25 includes transmission and reception means, as well as control means configured to allow remote control of said device 25.

[0075] Advantageously, the mast 27 is deformable, allowing its shape to be changed while also allowing for the housing of a fluid supply for the misting device 1 and energy for the drive element.

[0076] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to any embodiment consistent with its spirit.

Claims

Demands

1. Misting device (1) comprising a rotating disc (2), the disc (2) having an upper face (201) and a lower face (202), and a conduit (3) supplied with liquid (203) and configured to convey the liquid (203) to the disc (2), along a supply axis orthogonal to the disc (2), the liquid (203) being supplied, when the device (1) is arranged upright in a vertical direction, from bottom to top, the conduit (3) having an end (302) opening onto the lower face (202) of the disc (2) so as to allow the liquid (203) to come into contact with the lower face (202) of the rotating disc (2), so as to burst the liquid (203) into droplets when the liquid (203) comes into contact with said lower surface (202) of the disc (2), under the effect of centrifugal force;said device (1) further comprising a modular cover (20), said modular cover (20) extending at least partially opposite the underside (202) of the disk (2), so as to close all or part of an angular section of the disk (2), said modular cover (20) being configured to control the volume of liquid droplets (203) projected outwards from the device (1).

2. Misting device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the conduit (3) forms a chamber (6) and in that said device (1) comprises a supply system (5), the supply system (5) being housed in said chamber (6), and being configured to bring the liquid (203) to the end (302) of the conduit (3).

3. Misting device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the supply system (5) comprises at least one auger (7), said auger (7) being driven in rotation and configured to bring the liquid (302) to the end (302) of the conduit (3), the auger (7) having an axis coinciding with the supply axis.

4. Misting device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the disc (2) and the worm gear (7) are joined.

5. Misting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said modular cover (20) is located at a distance from the disc (2) along the feed axis, in particular at a distance measured in a horizontal direction, when the device (1) is directed vertically and when viewed from the outside from bottom to top, which is between 1mm and 300mm.

6. Misting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modular cover (20) has at least one receptacle (21) disposed opposite the underside (202) of the disc (2) and configured to store the liquid droplets (203) collected by said modular cover (20) and not projected outwards.

7. Misting device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said device (1) comprises a supply system (5), the supply system (5) being housed in said chamber (6), and in that said modular cover (20) comprises at least a first channel (22) connecting said receptacle (21) to the conduit (3) of the device (1), the first channel (22) being configured to reintroduce the liquid (203) recovered in the receptacle (21) into the liquid supply system (5) housed in the chamber (6), the supply system (5) being configured to bring the liquid (203) from a liquid reservoir to the end (302) of the conduit (3) as well as to bring the liquid (203) from the receptacle (21) to said end (302) of the conduit (3).

8. Misting device (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the modular cover (20) and the recovery receptacle (21) form a single mechanical subassembly.

9. Misting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a drive device (4), configured to drive the disc (2) in rotation, said drive device (4) being disposed in the extension of the conduit (3), along the supply axis.

Images