Tree irrigation pipe and tree irrigation system

Abstract

To provide: a tree irrigation pipe which hardly causes any clogging and is easy to maintain; and a general-purpose tree irrigation system employing the irrigation pipe.SOLUTION: A tree irrigation system 1 comprises: a composite pipeline 110; and a water passing device 150 for passing water through the composite pipeline 110. The composite pipeline 110 is a pipeline in which a tree irrigation pipe 2 and a connection pipe 30 are alternately connected in series. Joining of the tree irrigation pipe 2 and the connection pipe 30 is detachably performed through connection portions 12 provided at both ends of the tree irrigation pipe 2. One end of the composite pipeline 110 is connected to a supply tank 151 through a valve 155, and the other end is connected to a storage tank 152. The water passing device 150 includes: the supply tank 151 that supplies water to the composite pipeline 110; a control unit 130 that controls water passing to the composite pipeline 110; and the like. The supply tank 151 pumps up groundwater with a pump 155A and stores the groundwater.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tree irrigation pipe which is a pipe for irrigating trees, and a tree irrigation system using this tree irrigation pipe.

Background Art

[0002] For tree seedlings, it is important to irrigate so that the soil does not dry out immediately after planting or during the hot and dry period in summer. Generally, it is considered that the roots of plants spread in the soil to the same extent as the spread of branches and leaves. In order to absorb more water from the tips of the roots, water needs to be supplied not only at the base of the plant but also abundantly under the spread of branches and leaves. At this time, attention must be paid to the method of irrigation. If irrigation is only to the extent that the surface of the soil gets wet, the soil near the surface will absorb the water and the water will not reach the roots. Therefore, it is required to irrigate abundantly over time so that the water reaches the roots sufficiently.

[0003] Irrigation is not simply for the purpose of making the soil contain water and supplying water to the roots of plants. By irrigating, it also plays the role of pushing out old water and air and supplying new water and new air into the soil. When irrigating seedlings, attention must also be paid to the above points. Focusing on such points, various tree irrigation devices have been proposed.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, an irrigation container buried around a tree has been proposed. This irrigation container has a water supply opening that can be opened and closed at the upper end, and a plurality of small holes (5) are formed in the peripheral wall in the vertical direction.

[0005] In Patent Document 2, a waterway is formed in a curb adjacent to a planting area on a road or the like, and an irrigation method for irrigating the planting area from a water permeable part formed so as to communicate with the waterway on the side of the curb facing the planting area, and a space is formed in a single or a plurality of units of a block-shaped curb of a predetermined length, and this space is formed as a waterway. A curb with an irrigation function is proposed in which a water supply port leading to the waterway and a water permeable part communicating with the waterway on the side facing the planting area are provided on the curb.

[0006] In Patent Document 3, there is proposed an irrigation device including an irrigation unit for irrigating grapevines, a control unit, and solar radiation amount detection means for detecting the amount of solar radiation on the grapevines. The control unit controls the amount of irrigation water supplied to the grapevines based on the detected amount of solar radiation. This irrigation device is provided with water content detection means for detecting the water content in the trunk of the grapevine, and the control unit controls the amount of irrigation water according to the amount of solar radiation and the water content.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, since the irrigation structural members proposed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are premised on being buried in the ground, there is a problem that the part for supplying water to the ground, specifically, the holes or the water permeable part becomes clogged, and the irrigation function deteriorates. Furthermore, replacing the clogged part requires a great deal of labor.

[0009] The irrigation device proposed in Patent Document 3 has a problem in that, since it measures the water content of the tree by damaging a part of the grapevine, it may have some influence on the growth of the tree. Also, the application is limited to grapevines.

[0010] The present invention has been made paying attention to these problems, and provides a tree irrigation pipe that is less likely to become clogged and is easy to maintain. Furthermore, it provides a general-purpose tree irrigation system using this irrigation pipe.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0011] The invention for solving the above problems is a tree irrigation pipe installed on the ground, comprising a water pipe provided with a connection part for connecting connection pipes at both ends, and an irrigation part with one end located inside the water pipe and the other end protruding from the water pipe toward the external space. The irrigation part is characterized in that it can discharge the water existing in the water pipe to the external space by the action of capillary action and the principle of siphon.

[0012] According to this configuration, since the water passing part is provided with connection parts for connecting connection pipes at both ends, even if the irrigation function is impaired for some reason, in the tree irrigation system, only the tree irrigation pipe with the impaired irrigation function can be easily and quickly replaced, and the replacement work can be labor-saving. Also, since it is installed on the ground, no work of excavating the ground is required during replacement. Further, since the irrigation part discharges the water existing in the water pipe to the external space by the action of capillary action and the principle of siphon, a certain amount of water can be continuously supplied to the ground. Thereby, water can be supplied to deep parts on the ground and the outflow of topsoil can be prevented.

[0013] Preferably, the irrigation part is an irrigation sheet having a first surface and a second surface provided opposite to each other. The first surface has a plurality of recesses arranged in a row connecting both one end and the other end of this sheet. The recesses are characterized in that they can discharge the water existing in the water pipe to the outside.

[0014] According to this configuration, since the irrigation part is an irrigation sheet having a planar spread with a first surface and a second surface provided opposite to each other, irrigation over a wide range is possible. Also, on the first surface, a plurality of recesses connecting both one end and the other end of this sheet are arranged in a row, and since the recesses can discharge the water existing in the water pipe to the outside, it is possible to perform uniform irrigation across the front surface of the sheet.

[0015] Preferably, the concave portion has an opening that opens in the direction from the second surface to the first surface, and a flowing water portion that communicates with the opening. The water existing in the water pipe is taken into the flowing water portion through the opening by the action of capillary phenomenon, and flows out to the external space through the flowing water portion by the action of the siphon principle, and is characterized in that it can be discharged to the ground at the portion where the opening contacts the ground.

[0016] According to this configuration, the irrigation flow rate can be adjusted by appropriately selecting the shape of the opening, the shape of the flowing water portion, the area of the portion where the opening contacts the ground, and the like.

[0017] Preferably, the second surface is a flat surface that covers the first surface.

[0018] According to this configuration, since the second surface is a flat surface that covers the first surface, evaporation of water from the second surface can be suppressed. Thereby, efficient irrigation becomes possible.

[0019] Another aspect of the invention for solving the above problems is a tree irrigation system, comprising a composite pipeline having a plurality of the above-described tree irrigation pipes and connection pipes connecting the tree irrigation pipes to each other, and a water passing device connected to the composite pipeline and capable of passing water through the composite pipeline.

[0020] According to this configuration, since the tree irrigation system includes a composite pipeline having a plurality of the above-described tree irrigation pipes and connection pipes connecting the tree irrigation pipes to each other, for example, by making the connection pipe a flexible pipe, the shape of the composite pipeline can be freely set. Thereby, appropriate piping can be performed according to the type and size of the trees to be irrigated.

[0021] Preferably, the water supply device includes a supply tank for supplying water to the composite pipeline, and a control unit for controlling the water supplied from the supply tank. The control unit includes a sensor for measuring the water content in the ground and a controller. The controller commands water supply to the composite pipeline when the measured value measured by the sensor is below a first threshold value, and commands stopping the water supply to the composite pipeline when the measured value measured by the sensor is above a second threshold value.

[0022] According to this configuration, the water supply device includes a supply tank for supplying water to the composite pipeline, and a control unit for controlling the water supplied from the supply tank. The control unit includes a sensor for measuring the water content in the ground and a controller. The controller commands water supply to the composite pipeline when the measured value measured by the sensor is below a first threshold value, and commands stopping the water supply to the composite pipeline when the measured value measured by the sensor is above a second threshold value. Therefore, the water content in the ground can be maintained within a certain range.

[0023] Preferably, the water supply device is characterized by having a storage tank for storing the water passed through the composite pipeline.

[0024] According to this configuration, since it has a storage tank for storing the water passed through the composite pipeline, smooth water supply to the composite pipeline becomes possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, embodiments of the tree watering pipe 2 of the present invention and the tree watering system 1 using the tree watering pipe 2 will be described in detail.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the tree watering system 1 includes a composite pipeline 110 and a water passing device 150 for passing water through the composite pipeline 110. The composite pipeline 110 is a pipeline in which the tree watering pipes 2 and the connecting pipes 30 are alternately connected in series. The connection between the tree watering pipe 2 and the connecting pipe 30 is detachably connected via a connection portion 12 provided at both ends of the tree watering pipe 2. For example, even when one of the plurality of tree watering pipes 2 becomes clogged and cannot be watered, it is not necessary to replace the entire composite pipeline 110, and only the clogged tree watering pipe 2 can be replaced. Also, one end of the composite pipeline 110 is connected to the supply tank 151 via a valve 155, and the other end is connected to the storage tank 152.

[0028] The composite pipeline 110 is arranged in a U-shape so as to surround the tree 100. Specifically, for the tree watering pipes 2, they are arranged on both sides of the tree 100, and for the connecting pipes 30, they connect the tree watering pipes 2 arranged on both sides of the tree 100.

[0029] In this embodiment, as the tree 100 to be watered, seedlings of sakaki or blueberry are exemplified, but it is not limited thereto. Since the seedlings of sakaki can be grown even in the shade, they may be planted directly under the solar power generation panel. Thereby, effective use of land can be achieved.

[0030] The water supply device 150 includes a supply tank 151 that supplies water to the composite pipeline 110, a control unit 130 that controls the water flow through the composite pipeline 110, etc. The supply tank 151 pumps up and stores groundwater with a pump 155A. Also, the water level in the supply tank 151 is maintained at a predetermined height by a float 156 shown in Fig. 1(b).

[0031] The water stored in the supply tank 151 is controlled to be supplied to the composite pipeline 110 by opening and closing a valve 155. When the valve 155 is opened, the water stored in the supply tank 151 spreads throughout the composite pipeline 110 and is stored in the storage tank 152. Due to the energy loss occurring in the composite pipeline 110, the water level in the storage tank 152 is slightly lower than the water level in the supply tank 151. However, by maintaining the water level in the supply tank 151 within a predetermined range, the water pressure in the composite pipeline 110 can be maintained within a certain range.

[0032] In addition, in order to reduce the water pressure difference of the water filled in the composite pipeline 110, it is preferable to make the water level in the storage tank 152 the same as the water level in the supply tank 151. In this case, it can be solved by introducing a device for supplying water to the storage tank 152. That is, a pump and a float for pumping up groundwater may be attached to the storage tank 152. In this case, the pressure head at the central part of the composite pipeline 110 becomes the lowest compared to other parts.

[0033] The opening and closing of the valve 155 are controlled by the control unit 130. The control unit 130 has a sensor 131 and a controller 132. The sensor 131 is a soil moisture meter that measures the water content WC in the ground. The depth at which the sensor 131 is installed in the ground is preferably the depth at which the seedlings of the tree 100 take root. For example, in the case of a sakaki seedling, it is preferably installed at a depth of 40 cm to 50 cm from the ground surface 101. In addition, in this embodiment, the number of sensors 131 installed is one, but it is not limited to this, and a plurality of sensors may be installed.

[0034] The controller 132 is for instructing the opening and closing of the valve 155 based on the value of the water content WC (see Fig. 5) of the subsurface 102 measured by the sensor 131.

[0035] As shown in Figs. 2(a) and 2(b), the tree irrigation pipe 2 is composed of a water pipe 11 and an irrigation sheet 20 (irrigation part). When the composite pipeline 110 is passing water, the water pipe 11 is in a full water state (see Fig. 2(a)). Also, the water pipe 11 is placed on the support base 15 to increase the height from the ground 101. The water pipe 11 placed on the support base 15 has its outer periphery surrounded by fixing bands 17 arranged at predetermined intervals, and both ends of the fixing bands 17 are integrated with the support base 15 by fixing piles 16 driven into the subsurface 102. Thereby, the movement of the water pipe 11 is suppressed, and the position of the water pipe 11 will not move even when the water pipe 11 is unexpectedly subjected to an external force or the like due to water passing. Regarding the height of the support base 15 and the interval for attaching the fixing bands 17, they may be appropriately set in consideration of the irrigation speed, the water level of the water stored in the supply tank 151, and the like.

[0036] Regarding the connecting pipe 30, since it has substantially the same structure as the water pipe 11 and is supported by the ground 101 via a support base 15 similar to the water pipe 11, the description thereof is omitted.

[0037] One end of the irrigation sheet 20 is located at the bottom surface inside the water pipe 11, protrudes into the external space 105 via a slit 13 provided in the water pipe 11, and the other end is in contact with the ground 101. The surface in contact with the ground 101 is the first surface 21 provided with a recess 25. The position of the slit 13 is preferably higher than the center of the water pipe 11. Thereby, the contact area between the irrigation sheet 20 and the water W existing in the water pipe 11 can be increased. Furthermore, since the water pressure at the position of the slit 13 can be relatively reduced, the influence of water leakage from the gap between the slit 13 and the irrigation sheet 20 can be suppressed.

[0038] Although the irrigation sheet 20 is provided symmetrically left and right, it is not limited to this. It may be configured to be provided on either the left or the right side. Also, although two irrigation sheets 20, for a total of four, are provided on one side of the water pipe 11 (see Fig. 1(a)), it is not limited to this. One irrigation sheet 20 may be provided on one side, or three or more may be provided.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 3, the irrigation sheet 20 has a first surface 21 and a second surface 22 that are provided opposite each other. On the first surface 21, a plurality of recesses 25 are arranged in a row and in parallel in an adjacent state with the intervals in the illustrated left - right directions L1 and R1 made dense. The recesses 25 extend over the entire length Lx from one end to the other end of the irrigation sheet 20.

[0040] The recess 25 is composed of an opening 24 at the lower part shown in the figure and a water - flowing part 23 at the upper part shown in the figure. The opening 24 defines a space that opens from the second surface 22 toward the first surface 21. The water - flowing part 23 communicates with the opening 24 and defines a space wider than the opening 24. The shape of the water - flowing part 23 is circular in cross - section view, but it is not limited to this. For example, it can be variously changed to an elliptical shape or an inverted triangular shape with an open loop in cross - section view. Also, the shape of the opening 24 is a narrow gap shape in cross - section view, but it is not limited to this.

[0041] The water in the water pipe 11 is sucked up to the opening 24 by the action of capillary action and accumulated in the water - flowing part 23. The water accumulated in the water - flowing part 23 flows out to the external space 105 by the action of the siphon principle using the water - flowing part 23 as a water channel.

[0042] Therefore, the shapes of the opening 24 and the water - flowing part 23 may be appropriately determined within the range where the actions of capillary action and siphon action function.

[0043] The second surface 22 is a flat surface and is attached to the water pipe 11 in a state where it faces the same direction as the ground 101. That is, the other end of the recess 25 is in contact with the ground 101 while being covered by the second surface 22 (see Fig. 2(a)). Thereby, evaporation of water in the process of the water sucked up from the irrigation sheet 20 flowing out to the external space 105 can be suppressed.

[0044] In this embodiment, as the material of the irrigation sheet 20, a flexible sheet having flexibility is exemplified, but it is not limited thereto. A rigid sheet may be used, or a composite sheet in which a flexible sheet and a rigid sheet are laminated may be used. When using a composite sheet in which a flexible sheet and a rigid sheet are laminated, it is preferable that the first surface 21 is a flexible sheet and the second surface 22 is a rigid sheet. Also, it is preferably made of a material having weather resistance.

[0045] The processing operation of the tree irrigation system 1 will be described.

[0046] The opening and closing operation of the valve 155 is controlled by the control unit 130. The control unit 130 has a sensor 131 and a controller 132. The sensor 131 measures the water content WC in the ground 102. The controller 132 determines whether to operate the valve 155 based on the measured value measured by the sensor 131 and issues a command to the valve 155.

[0047] Fig. 4 shows the configuration of the control unit 130. The controller 132 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and an I / O interface (all not shown). The sensor 131 is connected to the controller 132, and their measurement signals are sequentially input. The valve 155 is connected to the output side of the controller 132.

[0048] Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the control in this embodiment. This process is continuously and repeatedly executed in the controller 132.

[0049] In this process, in step 1 (illustrated as "S1". The same applies hereinafter), the water content WC in the ground 102 is measured by the sensor 131. It is determined whether the measured water content WC is lower than the first threshold value TR1.

[0050] When the controller 132 determines that the measured value of the water content WC in the ground 102 measured by the sensor 131 is lower than the first threshold value TR1, the process proceeds to step 2. When the determination result is NO, the measurement is continued.

[0051] In step 2, the valve 155 is in an open state, and water is supplied from the supply tank 151 to the composite pipeline 110. Further, the water sent to the composite pipeline 110 is sent to the storage tank 152 while discharging the air existing in the composite pipeline 110.

[0052] On the other hand, the water level of the supply tank 151 decreases. Since the water level of the supply tank 151 is configured to be confirmed by the float 156, when the float 156 drops below a certain height, the pump 155A operates to supply water to the supply tank 151. Also, when the height of the float 156 exceeds a predetermined height, the operation of the pump 155A stops. Thereby, the height of the supply tank 151 can be controlled within a predetermined range.

[0053] By continuously supplying water to the ground 101 through the irrigation sheet 20, the water content WC in the ground 102 increases.

[0054] The water level of the supply tank 151 and the water level of the storage tank 152 become almost the same height. Strictly speaking, the water level of the storage tank 152 is lower than the water level of the supply tank 151 in a range corresponding to the head loss of the composite pipeline 110 portion. In order to eliminate this height difference, it is preferable to introduce equipment such as a float and a pump similar to those of the supply tank 151 into the second tank 152. In this case, the pressure head at the center of the composite pipeline 110 becomes the lowest compared to other parts, but the difference in pressure head is approximately halved compared to the configuration of the present embodiment.

[0055] In step 3, the water content WC of the ground 102 is measured by the sensor 131. It is determined whether the measured water content WC exceeds the second threshold value TR2.

[0056] When it is determined by the controller 132 that the measured value of the water content WC of the ground 102 measured by the sensor 131 exceeds the second threshold value TR2, the process proceeds to step 4. When the determination result is NO, the measurement is continued. Note that the second threshold value TR2 is set to a value larger than the first threshold value TR1.

[0057] In step 4, the valve 155 is in a closed state, and water is no longer supplied from the supply tank 151 to the composite pipeline 110. When this state continues for a certain period of time, the water levels in the composite pipeline 110 and the storage tank 152 gradually decrease, and as shown in FIG. 4, there is almost no water in the composite pipeline 110 and the storage tank 152. In this state, the supply of water from the composite pipeline 110 to the external space 105 is stopped. By continuing this state, the water content WC of the ground 102 gradually decreases.

[0058] This embodiment is an example, and it goes without saying that it can be modified without departing from the technical idea of the present invention. For example, as shown in the modified example of FIG. 6, as the configuration of the composite pipeline 110, a water pipe 11 may be bridged between the connection pipes 30. Further, a plurality of composite pipelines, a plurality of supply tanks 151, and a plurality of storage tanks 152 may be combined to network the composite pipelines.

Industrial Applicability

[0059] The tree irrigation system 1 according to the present invention has great industrial applicability because it can easily perform irrigation of seedlings grown directly under a solar panel and can also achieve labor saving in irrigation.

Explanation of Signs

[0060] 1: Tree irrigation system 2: Tree irrigation pipe 11: Water pipe 12: Connection part 20: Watering sheet (watering section) 21: First surface 22: Second surface 23: Water flow section 24: Opening 25: Concave part 30: Connecting pipe 101: Ground 102: Underground 105: External space 130: Control section 131: Sensor 132: Controller 150: Water supply device 151: Supply tank 152: Storage tank TR1: First threshold value TR2: Second threshold value W: Water WC: Water content

Claims

1. A tree irrigation pipe for installation on the ground, comprising: A water pipe provided with connection parts for connecting connection pipes at both ends; An irrigation part having one end located inside the water pipe and the other end protruding from the water pipe toward the external space; The tree irrigation pipe is characterized in that the irrigation part can discharge the water existing in the water pipe to the external space by the action of capillary action and the principle of siphon.

2. The irrigation part is a sheet having a first surface and a second surface provided opposite to each other, The first surface is provided with a plurality of recesses connected to both the one end and the other end arranged in a row, and the recesses can discharge the water existing in the water pipe to the outside. The tree irrigation pipe according to claim 1.

3. The recess has an opening opening from the second surface toward the first surface and a flowing water part communicating with the opening, The water existing in the water pipe is taken into the flowing water part through the opening by the action of capillary action, and flows out to the external space through the flowing water part by the action of the principle of siphon, and can be discharged to the ground at the part where the opening contacts the ground. The tree irrigation pipe according to claim 2.

4. The tree irrigation pipe according to claim 2, wherein the second surface is a flat surface covering the first surface.

5. A composite pipeline having a plurality of the tree irrigation pipes according to claims 1 to 4 and a connection pipe connecting the tree irrigation pipes to each other; A tree irrigation system, comprising a water passing device connected to the composite pipeline and capable of passing water through the composite pipeline.

6. The water passing device has a supply tank for supplying water to the composite pipeline and a control part for controlling the water supplied from the supply tank, The control part has a sensor for measuring the water content in the ground and a controller, The tree irrigation system according to claim 5, wherein the controller commands water passing to the composite pipeline when the measured value measured by the sensor is lower than a first threshold value, and commands stopping of water passing to the composite pipeline when the measured value measured by the sensor is higher than a second threshold value.

7. The tree irrigation system according to claim 6, wherein the water passing device has a storage tank for storing the water passed through the composite pipeline.

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