Flowerpot heater

Abstract

To provide a heater for a flowerpot which has good heating efficiency and enables easy and accurate temperature control. [Solution] The flowerpot heater 1 comprises a heating sheet 2 which is wrapped around the entire outer surface 10a of a flowerpot 10 and has a planar heating element which generates heat when electricity is passed through it, and a controller 3 which controls the planar heating element. The controller 3 has an actual temperature display unit 31 which displays the actual surface temperature of the heating sheet 2, a set temperature display unit 32 which displays the target set temperature of the heating sheet 2, and a plus switch SW2 and a minus switch SW3 which are set temperature change switches which can vary the set temperature.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heater for a flower pot. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various heaters for flowerpots have been proposed to protect plants from the cold and promote germination and seedling growth at low temperatures. Patent Document 1 discloses a heater in the shape of a long, thin belt-like heating sheet wound in a spiral shape around the outer periphery of a flowerpot.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a flowerpot having circular heating elements attached at multiple points on the outer periphery thereof.

[0004] Patent document 3 discloses a heating sheet in which heat generating sections that generate heat when electricity is passed through them and stretchable sections are alternately connected, and fasteners (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners) are provided on both ends of the heating sheet; the heating sheet is wrapped around the outer periphery of a flower pot and secured in place by the fasteners.

[0005] Patent document 4 discloses a device that includes a heat generating sheet that generates heat when electricity is passed through it, and fasteners (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners) on both ends of the heat generating sheet, and that wraps the heat generating sheet around the outer periphery of a flower pot and fastens it with the fasteners.

[0006] The flowerpot heaters of Patent Documents 1 and 2 have poor heating efficiency because they only heat the outer periphery of the flowerpot partially. In contrast, the flowerpot heaters of Patent Documents 3 and 4 have good heating efficiency because they cover the outer periphery of the flowerpot with a heat generating sheet, which heats the entire outer periphery of the flowerpot and also suppresses heat dissipation from the hot flowerpot by the heat generating sheet. Moreover, Patent Documents 3 and 4 also disclose the provision of a controller that can adjust the target set temperature of the heat generating sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. 2-70646 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-33443 [Patent Document 3] Publication No. 62-69387 [Patent Document 4] Publication No. 62-74778 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the flowerpot heaters in Patent Documents 3 and 4 only allow the controller to set a target temperature, and the temperature is set without knowing the current temperature situation, meaning that accurate temperature control is not possible easily.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a flowerpot heater that has good heating efficiency and allows for easy and accurate temperature control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and comprises a heating sheet that is wrapped around the entire outer surface of a flower pot and has a sheet-shaped heating element that generates heat when electricity is passed through it, and a controller that controls the sheet-shaped heating element, and is characterized in that the controller has an actual temperature display unit that displays the actual surface temperature of the heating sheet, a set temperature display unit that displays the target set temperature of the heating sheet, and a set temperature change switch that can vary the set temperature. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, the entire circumference of the flowerpot is covered with a heating sheet, so the entire circumference of the flowerpot is heated, and the heat radiation from the hot flowerpot is also suppressed by the heating sheet, so heating efficiency is good. Furthermore, the user can set the target temperature after checking the actual temperature of the heating sheet on the actual temperature display, so temperature control can be easily and accurately. As a result, a flowerpot heater with good heating efficiency and easy and accurate temperature control can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] The drawings show specific embodiments of the invention according to the present disclosure, including essential features of the invention as well as alternative and preferred embodiments.

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flowerpot and a heater for a flowerpot according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the present embodiment, illustrating a state in which the heating sheet of the flowerpot heater is wrapped around the outer periphery of the flowerpot. [Diagram 3] 1A is a plan view of the heat generating sheet laid out in a straight line, and FIG. 1B is a front view of the heat generating sheet laid out in a straight line. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of the controller according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit block diagram of the flowerpot heater according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Each embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the description of already known technologies will be omitted. In addition, the following is an example of an apparatus for embodying the technical idea of ​​the invention, and the technical idea of ​​the invention is not limited to the following. The technical idea of ​​the invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the matters described in the utility model registration claims. In particular, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product.

[0015] Figures 1 to 5 show one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the flowerpot heater 1 is composed of a heat generating sheet 2, a controller 3, a power plug 4, a first electric wire 5 connecting the heat generating sheet 2 and the controller 3, and a second electric wire 6 connecting the controller 3 and the power plug 4. The heat generating sheet 2, the controller 3, and the power plug 4 are connected via the first electric wire 5 and the second electric wire 6. In other words, the flowerpot heater 1 is an integrated unit in which the parts are connected to each other.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the heat generating sheet 2 is a long, flexible sheet having a size that allows it to be wrapped around the entire outer periphery of the flowerpot 10 in a tightly contacting state. The heat generating sheet 2 is integrally composed of a sheet heating element 21 (shown in Figs. 3 and 5) which is a heating element that generates heat when electricity is applied, and an insulating coating layer 22 which covers the entire outer periphery of the sheet heating element 21. The sheet heating element 21 is formed, for example, from one end to the other end of a continuous pattern of conductors with fine gaps, and in this embodiment, the conductors are formed of carbon film. The sheet heating element 21 is arranged over almost the entire area of ​​the heat generating sheet 2. Note that Fig. 3(b) shows the arrangement area of ​​the sheet heating element 21, and the specific continuous pattern is omitted.

[0017] The insulating coating layer 22 is made of a waterproof material and has a waterproof structure that prevents moisture from penetrating from the outside into the inner sheet heating element 21. In terms of IP rating based on the standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), it satisfies the waterproof standard of IP67.

[0018] A hook-and-loop fastener 23 is provided on each end of the heat generating sheet 2. Both hook-and-loop fasteners 23 are provided on different surfaces of the heat generating sheet 2. One side of both hook-and-loop fasteners 23 is raised in a hook-like shape, and the other side is raised in a loop-like shape, and when the two surfaces are pressed together, the hook-like nap engages with the loop-like nap, thereby bonding them together. The hook-and-loop fasteners 23 are provided with a width dimension that allows the bonding position to be changed. This is because the bonding positions of both hook-and-loop fasteners 23 can be changed to accommodate flowerpots 10 with different circumferential dimensions of the outer peripheral surface 10a. The hook-and-loop fasteners 23 are Velcro (registered trademark of Belc), Magic Tape (registered trademark of Kuraray), etc.

[0019] The heat generating sheet 2 is provided with a temperature sensor S1 that detects the actual surface temperature of the heat generating sheet 2. Detection information from the temperature sensor S1 is output to the controller 3.

[0020] The heat generating sheet 2 is provided with a digital thermostat 7. In this embodiment, the digital thermostat 7 has a thermostat temperature sensor S2 that detects the actual surface temperature of the heat generating sheet 2, an on-off switch SW7 interposed in the current-carrying circuit of the planar heating element 21, and a built-in processor (not shown) that turns the on-off switch SW7 on when the temperature detected by the thermostat temperature sensor S2 is below a target set temperature, and turns the on-off switch SW7 off when the temperature detected by the thermostat temperature sensor S2 reaches the target set temperature.

[0021] 4, the controller 3 has an actual temperature display unit 31 that displays the actual surface temperature of the heat generating sheet 2, a set temperature display unit 32 that displays the target set temperature of the heat generating sheet 2, a power switch SW1 that turns the power on and off, and a plus switch SW2 and a minus switch SW3 that are set temperature change switches that can vary the set temperature. The actual temperature display unit 31 and the set temperature display unit 32 are LED displays. Each of the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 is a push-down switch that automatically returns to its original position when pressure is released.

[0022] The letters "REAL TEMP" and "°C" are displayed on the left and right of the actual temperature display section 31. The letters "SET TEMP" and "°C" are displayed on the left and right of the set temperature display section 32. The power switch SW1 can be switched between on and off state each time it is pressed. The plus switch SW2 advances the set temperature by 1°C each time it is pressed. The minus switch SW3 decreases the set temperature by 1°C each time it is pressed. A power switch mark is displayed on the surface of the power switch SW1, a plus mark is displayed on the surface of the plus switch SW2, and a minus mark is displayed on the surface of the minus switch SW3.

[0023] Next, the control system of the controller 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is an example of a schematic block diagram of the flowerpot heater 1. The controller 3 has a control unit 33. The control unit 33 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0024] Power supplied from the power plug 4 is converted from AC to DC by an AC / DC converter 34 and then supplied to the control unit 33 .

[0025] As described above, information detected by the temperature sensor S1 is input to the control unit 33 along with operation information for the power switch SW1, plus switch SW2, and minus switch SW3. Based on this input information, the control unit 33 displays the actual surface temperature of the heating sheet 2 on the actual temperature display unit 31, and displays the target set temperature of the heating sheet 2 on the set temperature display unit 32.

[0026] The control unit 33 outputs target set temperature information to the digital thermostat 7.

[0027] The controller 3 has a set temperature memory 35 that stores a temperature set as a target. When the power switch SW1 is switched from an off state to an on state, the controller 3 reads out the set temperature stored in the set temperature memory 35 and controls the set temperature display unit 32 to display the set temperature.

[0028] The controller 3 has a power switch on / off memory 36 that stores the on / off state of the power switch SW1. When the power supply is restarted after the power switch SW1 is on and the power supply is cut off, the controller 3 controls the power switch SW1 to be on based on the on information stored in the power on / off memory 36.

[0029] Next, the operation of the flowerpot heater 1 will be described. First, the flowerpot heater 1 is set in the flowerpot 10. Specifically, the heat generating sheet 2 is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface 10a of the flowerpot 10 without any gaps. Because the heat generating sheet 2 is flexible, it can be easily wrapped around the outer peripheral surface 10a without any gaps. After wrapping the heat generating sheet 2, the hook-and-loop fasteners 23 on both ends of the heat generating sheet 2 are pressed together. Then, the hook-and-loop fasteners 23 on both ends are stuck together, and the heat generating sheet 2 is attached to the outer peripheral surface 10a of the flowerpot 10 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0030] Next, insert the power plug 4 into a commercial power outlet (not shown). Then, press the power switch SW1 to turn it on. The actual surface temperature of the heating sheet 2 at this time is displayed on the actual temperature display section 31, and the previously set temperature is displayed on the set temperature display section 32. If the user wishes to reset the set temperature to a temperature other than the previously set temperature, the user can reset the target temperature of the heating sheet 2 to the desired set temperature by pressing the plus switch SW2 and the minus switch SW3. This operation is not necessary if there is no need to reset the set temperature. This completes all operations.

[0031] Normally, the set temperature is higher than the actual temperature of the heating sheet 2, so electricity is passed through the planar heating element 21 of the heating sheet 2 to heat the heating sheet 2. When the temperature of the heating sheet 2 rises to the target set temperature due to heating, the on / off switch (not shown) of the digital thermostat 7 switches from on to off, and when the temperature of the heating sheet 2 drops below the target set temperature, the on / off switch (not shown) of the digital thermostat 7 switches from off to on, and this process is repeated. Through this control, the temperature of the heating sheet 2 is maintained at the target set temperature, and the flowerpot 10 is heated to the desired temperature by the heat transferred from the heating sheet 2.

[0032] As described above, the flowerpot heater 1 comprises a heating sheet 2 which is wrapped around the entire outer surface 10a of the flowerpot 10 and has a sheet-shaped heating element 21 which generates heat when electricity is passed through it, and a controller 3 which controls the sheet-shaped heating element 21. The controller 3 has an actual temperature display unit 31 which displays the actual surface temperature of the heating sheet 2, a set temperature display unit 32 which displays the target set temperature of the heating sheet 2, and a plus switch SW2 and a minus switch SW3 which are set temperature change switches which can vary the set temperature.

[0033] Therefore, since the entire outer peripheral surface 10a of the flowerpot 10 is covered with the heat generating sheet 2, the outer peripheral surface 10a of the flowerpot 10 is heated as a whole, and the heat radiation from the hot flowerpot 10 is also suppressed by the heat generating sheet 2, resulting in good heating efficiency. The user can set a target temperature after checking the actual temperature of the heat generating sheet 2 on the actual temperature display unit 31, allowing for easy and accurate temperature control. As described above, a flowerpot heater 1 can be provided that has good heating efficiency and allows for easy and accurate temperature control.

[0034] The controller 3 has a power switch SW1 for turning the power on and off, and a set temperature memory 35 for storing a temperature set as a target, and when the power switch SW1 is switched from an off state to an on state, the controller 3 reads out the set temperature stored in the set temperature memory 35 and controls the set temperature to be displayed on the set temperature display unit 32.

[0035] Therefore, when the power supply is resumed after being cut off (such as when a temporary power outage occurs or when the power plug 4 is unplugged from the outlet and then plugged back in), the set temperature stored in the set temperature memory 35 is maintained, so there is no need to set the temperature again, which is convenient for the user.

[0036] The controller 3 has a power switch SW1 which turns the power supply on and off, and a power switch on / off memory 36 which stores the on / off state of the power switch SW1. If the power supply is cut off while the power switch SW1 is on, and the power supply is subsequently resumed, the controller 3 controls the power switch SW1 to be turned on based on the on information stored in the power on / off memory 36.

[0037] Therefore, for example, if a smart plug is interposed between the outlet and the power plug 4 of the flowerpot heater 1, the controller 3 can be controlled from a smartphone, a smart speaker, or the like.

[0038] The controller 3 controls the temperature information of the digital thermostat 7 arranged in the current-carrying circuit of the planar heating element 21 based on the target set temperature information of the heat generating sheet 2. The use of the digital thermostat 7 allows for fine temperature adjustment (for example, in 1°C increments between 0°C and 50°C).

[0039] A hook-and-loop fastener 23 having a width dimension that allows the adhesive position to be changed is provided on both ends of the heat generating sheet 2. Therefore, even if the flowerpot 10 has a different circumferential dimension of the outer circumferential surface 10a, the heat generating sheet 2 can be wrapped around it in a tight fit with a single touch.

[0040] A heat generating sheet 2, a controller 3, and a power plug 4 that can supply power by being inserted into a commercial power outlet are connected by a first electric wire 5 and a second electric wire 6.

[0041] When setting the flowerpot heater 1 in the flowerpot 10, it is necessary to wrap the heating sheet 2 around the flowerpot 10, insert the power plug 4 into a commercial power outlet, and set the specified temperature with the controller 3. However, since the heating sheet 2, controller 3, and power plug 4 required for these setting operations are connected, there is no risk of losing or forgetting to prepare some parts, and the flowerpot heater 1 can be set in the flowerpot 10 easily and quickly.

[0042] The sheet heating element 21 is made of a carbon film. Carbon film has excellent thermal conductivity, so it can efficiently transfer heat from the sheet heating element 21 to the flowerpot 10, resulting in power saving. In addition, carbon film has excellent durability, so it can be used for a long period of time.

[0043] In this embodiment, the flowerpot 10 has an outer peripheral surface 10a that is a conical surface, but the shape of the outer peripheral surface 10a is not limited. The outer peripheral surface 10a may be a circumferential surface, an ellipsoidal surface, or a polygonal surface (a surface having a triangle or more). Here, the flowerpot 10 in this specification means a container for planting plants, and the name does not matter. In other words, the flowerpot 10 includes a cultivation container, a tray, a pot, a planter, etc. Furthermore, the material of the flowerpot 10 (ceramic, plastic, FRP, wood, tin, etc.) is not limited.

[0044] In this embodiment, the heating element is a sheet heating element 21, but a heating element other than a sheet heating element may be used as long as it can heat the outer peripheral surface 10a of the flowerpot 10 approximately evenly.

[0045] In this embodiment, the set temperature change switch is made up of two switches, a plus switch SW2 and a minus switch SW3, but it may also be made up of a seesaw switch that can be pushed left and right with the center as a fulcrum.

[0046] In this embodiment, the digital thermostat 7 is an on-off control type, but it may be a PID control type (comparative control plus differential control and integral control) or the like, and the control content is not important.

[0047] In this embodiment, the temperature sensors include a thermostat temperature sensor S2 for the digital thermostat 7 and a temperature sensor S1 for detecting the temperature to be displayed on the actual temperature display unit 31, but a single sensor may be configured to serve these functions.

[0048] In this embodiment, the digital thermostat 7 is disposed on the heat generating sheet 2, but the function of the built-in processor of the digital thermostat 7 may be performed by the control unit 33.

[0049] In this embodiment, the sheet heating element 21 is formed of a carbon film, but it may be formed of a material other than a carbon film.

[0050] Although each embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims of the utility model registration.

[0051] In addition, the present invention may include at least the following embodiments, which may be adopted separately or in combination with each other. (1) The controller has a power switch for turning the power on and off and a set temperature memory for storing a target temperature, and when the power switch is switched from an off state to an on state, the controller reads out the set temperature stored in the set temperature memory and controls the set temperature to be displayed on the set temperature display unit. (2) The controller has a power switch for turning the power on and off, and a power switch on / off memory for storing the on / off state of the power switch, and when the power supply is cut off while the power switch is on, if there is an instruction to resume the power supply thereafter, the controller controls the power switch to the on state based on the on information stored in the power on / off memory. (3) The controller controls temperature information of a digital thermostat arranged in a power supply circuit of the planar heating element based on target set temperature information of the heating sheet. (4) The heat generating sheet is characterized in that both ends are provided with hook-and-loop fasteners of a width that allow the adhesive position to be changed. (5) The heating sheet, the controller, and a power plug that can supply power by being inserted into a commercial power outlet are connected by electric wires. (6) The heating element is characterized in that it is made of a carbon film. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Flowerpot heater 2 Heating Sheet 3. Controller 4 Power plug 5. First Wire 6. Second Wire 7. Digital Thermostat 10. Flower Pot 10a Outer surface 21 Planar heating element 23 Hook and Loop Fastener 31 Actual temperature display unit 32 Set temperature display section 33 Control Unit 35 Temperature setting memory 36 Power On / Off Memory S1 Temperature Sensor SW1 Power switch SW2 Plus switch (set temperature change switch) SW3 Minus switch (temperature setting change switch) SW7 On / Off Switch

Claims

1. A heating sheet is wrapped around the entire outer periphery of the flowerpot and has a sheet heating element that generates heat when electricity is applied, and a controller controls the sheet heating element; A flowerpot heater characterized in that the controller has an actual temperature display unit that displays the actual surface temperature of the heating sheet, a set temperature display unit that displays the target set temperature of the heating sheet, and a set temperature change switch that can vary the set temperature.

2. The flowerpot heater of claim 1, wherein the controller has a power switch for turning the power on and off and a set temperature memory for storing a target temperature, and when the power switch is switched from an off state to an on state, the controller reads out the set temperature stored in the set temperature memory and controls the set temperature to be displayed on the set temperature display unit.

3. 2. The flowerpot heater according to claim 1, wherein the controller has a power switch for turning the power source on and off, and a power switch on / off memory for storing the on / off state of the power switch, and when the power supply is cut off while the power switch is on and there is an instruction to resume the power supply thereafter, the controller controls the power switch to the on state based on the on information stored in the power switch on / off memory.

4. 2. The flowerpot heater according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls temperature information of a digital thermostat arranged in the electrical circuit of the sheet heating element based on target set temperature information of the heating sheet.

5. 2. The flowerpot heater according to claim 1, wherein a hook-and-loop fastener having a width that allows the adhesive position to be changed is provided on both ends of the heat generating sheet.

6. 2. The flowerpot heater according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating sheet, the controller, and a power plug that can be plugged into a commercial power outlet to supply power are connected by electric wires.

7. 2. The flowerpot heater according to claim 1, wherein the sheet heating element is made of a carbon film.

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