REMOTE CONTROL KIT FOR AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A control kit (50) adapted for remotely controlling an irrigation system (100), comprising a central control unit (20) without an antenna adapted for connecting to a wireless network and comprising at least one logic gate (21) pre-configured for connecting to a rain sensor, wherein said logic gate (21) transitions from a connected configuration to an interrupted configuration, wherein said connected configuration of the logic gate (21) provides that said central control unit (20) controls said irrigation system (100) to execute a programmed irrigation cycle, wherein said interrupted configuration of the logic gate (21) provides that said central control unit (20) is prevented from controlling said irrigation system (100), wherein said control kit (50) includes an electronic interrupt device (10) comprising at least one processor,at least one memory and a communication antenna adapted for connecting to a wireless network, wherein said electronic interrupt device (10) is electrically connected to the logic gate (21), wherein said electronic interrupt device (10) is adapted to transition from a connected to an interrupted configuration, wherein the connected configuration of the electronic interrupt device (10) is designed to transition said logic gate (21) into the connected configuration, and wherein the interrupted configuration of the electronic interrupt device (10) is designed to transition said logic gate (21) into the interrupted configuration. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1,

Description

Title of the invention: REMOTE CONTROL KIT FOR AN IRRIGATION INSTALLATION Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of remote controls for an irrigation installation. Technical background

[0002] In the state of the art, control kits adapted to control an irrigation installation comprising at least one irrigator connected to a water network are known. The control kit comprises a central control unit adapted to control at least one switching on and off of said at least one irrigator. The central control unit comprises at least one logic gate predisposed to connect to a rain sensor and at least one electrical load gate. When the rain sensor signals rain, then the logic gate remains closed, not allowing the central unit to control the switching on of the at least one irrigator. If the rain sensor signals dry, then the logic gate opens and allows the central unit to control the switching on of the at least one irrigator.

[0003] Disadvantageously, when rain is forecast but it has not yet rained, the dry signal rain sensor and the central control unit allow the land to be irrigated while unnecessarily wasting water and the electrical energy needed to operate the irrigation system.

[0004] To overcome this disadvantage, there are central control units connected to the Internet network which allow an on and off signal to be received based on a weather forecast service.

[0005] Disadvantageously, old-style central control units are not connected to the Internet and therefore cannot benefit from this service. To be able to access the Internet, it would be necessary to change the central control unit to a new model connected to the Internet. Statement of the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a control kit for an irrigation installation which can remotely control the irrigation installation so that, for example, the irrigation installation does not operate when rain is forecast, avoiding unnecessary consumption of electrical current and water.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved with a control kit for an irrigation installation according to claim 1.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a remote irrigation system so that, for example, the irrigation system does not operate when rain is forecast, avoiding unnecessary consumption of electricity and water.

[0009] According to the invention, this other object is achieved with a method for remotely controlling an irrigation installation according to claim 4.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for transforming an irrigation installation without connection to a wireless network into a remotely controlled irrigation installation so that, for example, the irrigation installation does not operate when rain is forecast, avoiding unnecessary consumption of electrical current and water.

[0011] According to the invention, this further aim is achieved with a method for transforming an irrigation installation disconnected from a wireless network into a remotely controlled irrigation installation according to claim 8.

[0012] Other features are presented in the dependent claims. Brief description of the drawings

[0013] The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following description, by way of example and without limitation, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which: - [Fig.l] is a schematic view of a remote control kit for an irrigation installation according to the present invention, comprising a control server connected to a wireless network, a central control unit not connected to a wireless network, an electronic interruption device connected to the central control unit and connected to the wireless network, in which the irrigation installation comprises at least one irrigator connected to a water network. Detailed description

[0014] With reference to [Fig.l], there is shown a control kit 50 adapted to control an irrigation installation 100.

[0015] The irrigation installation 100 comprises at least one irrigator 120 connected to a water network 200.

[0016] The control kit 50 comprises a central control unit 20 adapted to control at least one switching on and off of said at least one irrigator 120 of the irrigation installation 100.

[0017] The central control unit 20 does not have an antenna suitable for connecting to a wireless network.

[0018] The control kit 50 comprises an electronic interruption device 10 comprising at least one processor, at least one memory and a communication antenna. nication suitable for connecting to a wireless network.

[0019] The antenna of the electronic interruption device 10 is adapted to receive at least one instruction to control the electronic interruption device 10 to switch from an interrupted configuration to a connected configuration.

[0020] By wireless network, we mean for example an Internet network or an Intranet, LoRa or Wifi network or more generally a radio network.

[0021] The central control unit 20 comprises at least one logic gate 21 predisposed to connect to a rain sensor and at least one electrical load gate 22.

[0022] Logic gate 21 of central control unit 20 is an analog input predisposed for the rain sensor. Logic gate 21 is a clean contact.

[0023] If the logic gate 21 is in the connected configuration, then the central control unit 20 controls the irrigation installation 100 to execute a programmed irrigation cycle.

[0024] By programmed irrigation cycle is meant an irrigation cycle programmed in advance by a user.

[0025] If the logic gate 21 is in the interrupted configuration, then the central control unit 20 is prevented from controlling the irrigation installation 100 by preventing the irrigation installation 100 from executing the intended irrigation cycle.

[0026] To interrupt the irrigation cycle, for example, the logic gate 21 is in the interrupt configuration and is adapted to cut off the power output of the central control unit 20, or the logic gate 21 cuts off the power supply to the central control unit 20.

[0027] The logic gate 21 of the central control unit 20 is predisposed to be connected with the rain sensor. In this way, when the logic gate 21 is connected to the rain sensor, if the rain sensor signals the presence of rain, then the logic gate 21 switches from the connected configuration to the interrupted configuration so as to be able to block the irrigation programming of the central control unit 20.

[0028] In [Fig.l], the electronic interruption device 10 is electrically connected to the logic gate 21 in place of the rain sensor.

[0029] The electronic interruption device 10 is electrically connected to the logic gate 21 and is powered by the electrical load gate 22 of the central control unit 20.

[0030] The electronic interruption device 10 passes from an interrupted configuration in which it switches the logic gate 21 to the interrupted configuration to a connected configuration in which it switches the logic gate 21 to the connected configuration.

[0031] The electronic interruption device 10 connects at least periodically via an antenna to the wireless network.

[0032] The control kit 50 comprises a control server 30 connected to the wireless network to which the electronic interruption device 10 connects.

[0033] The control server 30, via the wireless network, controls the electronic interruption device 10 to be in the connected configuration or to be in the interrupted configuration.

[0034] Preferably, the electronic interruption device 10 connects periodically to the wireless network so as to advantageously save electrical power supplying the central control unit 20. When the electronic interruption device 10 connects to the wireless network, it receives from the control server 30 through the wireless network the command to be in the connected configuration or to be in the interrupted configuration.

[0035] More preferably, the electronic interruption device 10 comprises a PCBA for opening / closing a contact.

[0036] More preferably, it is possible to provide that the electronic interruption device 10 comprises a status indicator light 11 which visually indicates whether it is in the interrupted configuration or in the connected configuration.

[0037] Advantageously, the control server 30 controls the irrigation installation 100 remotely simply by using an electronic interruption device 10 without having to change the central control unit 20.

[0038] Advantageously, the electronic interruption device 10 does not need batteries because it is powered by the central control unit 20.

[0039] Advantageously, the electronic interruption device 10 connects the central control unit 20 without an antenna to the wireless network to be controlled remotely.

[0040] Advantageously, remotely, it is possible to control the irrigation installation 100 by means of the control kit 50 on the basis, for example, of weather forecasts, so that the irrigation installation does not turn on if rain is forecast, or alternatively on the basis of evapotranspiration calculations which take into account the humidity of the soil or the plant typologies served by the irrigation installation 100.

[0041] Advantageously, the wireless network may be an Internet network in which the control server 30 is a centralized platform which remotely controls the electronic interruption device 10 on the basis of weather forecasts or evapotranspiration calculations.

[0042] Advantageously, the wireless network may be an Intranet network in which the control server 30 is a home platform or managed by a service local garden maintenance.

[0043] Advantageously, the wireless network may be a GSM or loT network, generally a radio network which allows the command server 30 to communicate the command to the electronic interruption device 10 through the wireless network to which the antenna of the electronic interruption device 10 is connected.

[0044] Advantageously, the control kit 50 also allows the central control units 20 without connection to the Internet or to the wireless network to be controlled remotely on the basis of the weather forecast without having to change anything in the existing installation 100.

[0045] Advantageously, the control kit 50 can pause or turn off the installation 100 remotely simply by ordering the electronic interruption device 10 to put itself in interrupted configuration.

[0046] Advantageously, the 24 Volt power supply of the electronic interruption device 10 is taken by the central control unit 20 by means of two cables which are connected to the power input 22 in the central control unit 20.

[0047] Advantageously, the data exchanged with the control server 30 are extremely limited, lasting a short time and periodically during the day; they can, for example, be received even once a day, for example in conjunction with the transmission of weather forecasts.

[0048] As a variant, the electronic interruption device 10 is powered by a battery, for example in the case where the central control unit 20 does not include any electrical load door 22, or for example when this electrical load door 22 of the central control unit 20 is already occupied by another load powered by said electrical load door 22.

[0049] Alternatively, the electronic interruption device 10 is electrically connected to the logic gate 21 together with the rain sensor, so that the logic gate 21 is controlled both by the rain sensor and by the electronic interruption device 10.

[0050] As regards the operation of the control kit 50, a method is provided for remotely controlling the irrigation installation 100.

[0051] The method for remotely controlling the irrigation installation 100 by means of the control kit 50 comprises a step of communicating a command from the control server 30 through the wireless network to the electronic interruption device 10, in which said command orders the electronic interruption device 10 to be in the interrupted configuration or in the connected configuration.

[0052] The method comprises a reception step in which said electronic interruption device 10 connects by means of the antenna to the wireless network for receive said command from the command server 30.

[0053] The method comprises a command transmission step in which the interrupt device 10 commands the logic gate 21 of the central control unit 20 to be in the interrupted configuration or to be in the connected configuration.

[0054] Preferably, the steps of the control method described above are intended to be in temporal succession.

[0055] Preferably, said receiving step takes place periodically during a day, so as to advantageously consume less electrical energy.

[0056] Even more preferably, said reception step takes place once a day.

[0057] Preferably, said method comprises a signaling step which provides that the electronic interruption device 10 signals that it is in the interrupted configuration or that it is in the connected configuration, for example by signaling its state via a status indicator light 11.

[0058] Advantageously, the method for controlling the irrigation installation 100 remotely allows, for example, that the irrigation installation does not operate when rain is forecast, avoiding unnecessary consumption of electrical current and water or, alternatively, on the basis of evapotranspiration calculations which take into account the humidity of the soil or the plant typologies served by the irrigation installation 100.

[0059] Advantageously, the control kit 50 transforms the irrigation installation 100 controlled by the central control unit 50 without an antenna into the irrigation installation 100 capable of being controlled remotely by means of a method for transforming the irrigation installation 100 disconnected from the wireless network into the irrigation installation 100 controlled remotely by means of a control kit 50.

[0060] The transformation method comprises a step of connection to a wireless network which provides that said electronic interruption device 10 is connected to said logic gate 21 of said central control unit 50 without an antenna adapted to be connected to a wireless network.

[0061] Once the transformation process is completed, the control kit 50 operates according to the method for remotely controlling an irrigation installation 100 described above.

[0062] Advantageously, the method for transforming the irrigation installation 100 without connection to the wireless network into the remotely controlled irrigation installation 100 allows, for example, the irrigation installation 100 not to operate when rain is forecast, avoiding unnecessary consumption of electricity and water. or, alternatively, on the basis of evapotranspiration calculations which take into account soil moisture or plant typologies served by the irrigation installation 100.

[0063] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any depending on the technical requirements.

Claims

Claims

1. Control kit (50) suitable for controlling an irrigation installation (100) remotely, wherein said irrigation installation (100) comprises at least one irrigator (120) connected to a water network (200), wherein said control kit (50) comprises a central control unit (20) without an antenna suitable for connecting to a wireless network, wherein said central control unit (20) is suitable for controlling at least one switching on and off of said at least one irrigator (120) of the irrigation installation (100), wherein said central control unit (20) comprises at least one logic gate (21) predisposed to connect to a rain sensor, wherein said logic gate (21) switches from a connected configuration to an interrupted configuration,wherein said connected configuration of the logic gate (21) provides that said central control unit (20) controls said irrigation installation (100) to execute a programmed irrigation cycle, wherein said interrupted configuration of the logic gate (21) provides that said central control unit (20) is prevented from controlling said irrigation installation (100), said control kit (50) comprises an electronic interrupt device (10) comprising at least one processor, at least one memory and a communication antenna adapted to connect to a wireless network, wherein said electronic interrupt device (10) is electrically connected to the logic gate (21), wherein said electronic interrupt device (10) is adapted to switch from a connected configuration to an interrupted configuration,wherein said connected configuration of the electronic interrupt device (10) provides for switching said logic gate (21) into the connected configuration, wherein said interrupted configuration of the electronic interrupt device (10) provides for switching said logic gate (21) into the interrupted configuration, wherein said control kit (50) comprises a control server (30) connected to the wireless network to which the electronic interrupt device (10) connects, wherein said control server (30), through the wireless network, controls the electronic interrupt device (10) to be in the connected configuration or to be in the interrupted configuration, said control kit (50), remotely controls said irrigation installation (100) on the basis of weather forecasts, so that the irrigation installation does not turn on if rain is forecast, or alternatively on the basis of evapotranspiration calculations which take into account the humidity of the soil or the plant typologies served by the irrigation installation (100).

2. Control kit (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that said central control unit (20) comprises at least one electrical load gate (22), wherein said electronic interruption device (10) is powered by the electrical load gate (22) of the central control unit (20).

3. Control kit (50) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said electronic interruption device (10) comprises a status indicator light (11) which indicates whether the electronic interruption device (10) is in interrupted configuration or in connected configuration.

4. Method for remotely controlling an irrigation installation (100) by means of a control kit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said method comprises: - a step of communicating a command from the control server (30) through the wireless network to the electronic interruption device (10), in which said command orders the electronic interruption device (10) to be in interrupted configuration or in connected configuration, - a reception step in which said electronic interruption device (10) connects by means of the antenna to the wireless network to receive said command from the control server (30),- a command transmission step in which the electronic interruption device (10) commands the logic gate (21) of the central control unit (20) to be in the interrupted configuration or to be in the connected configuration.,

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that said receiving step takes place periodically during a day.

6. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that said step of reception takes place once a day.

7. Method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said method comprises a signaling step which provides that the electronic interruption device (10) signals that it is in the interrupted configuration or that it is in the connected configuration.

8. Method for transforming an irrigation installation (100) disconnected from a wireless network into an irrigation installation (100) controlled remotely by means of a control kit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a step of connection to a wireless network which provides that said electronic interruption device (10) is connected to said logic gate (21) of said central control unit (20) devoid of an antenna adapted to be connected to a wireless network.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that said control kit (50) operates according to a method for remotely controlling an irrigation installation (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 7.

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