Control methods and control systems for autonomous irrigation of nutrient solution within the medium

KR103017333B1Active Publication Date: 2026-09-09SEOUL STAGE LIGHTING
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Patent Information

Application Number
KR1020230182412
Authority / Receiving Office
KR · KR
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-12-14
Publication Date
2026-09-09
Estimated Expiration
2043-12-14

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Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and system for autonomous irrigation of a nutrient solution within a growing medium, comprising: a growing medium in which a crop is cultivated and a nutrient solution injected into or discharged from the growing medium, wherein growing medium information including the weight of the growing medium, the weight of the supplied solution, the weight of the drained solution, and the collection time is collected through a scale module, and the growing medium information is collected repeatedly according to a preset time interval; a storage step in which basic setting information including the dry weight of the growing medium, the weight of the drained solution for determining the saturated weight, the delay time for determining the saturated weight, and whether automatic control is operated for the growing medium and the nutrient solution set by a user is stored, and growing medium control information including the control time, the duration of the supplied solution, the unsaturated moisture value, the minimum waiting time, and the maximum waiting time set by a user is stored, and the growing medium information collected in the collection step is stored; a derivation step in which a command to operate the supplied solution, a command to stop the supplied solution, or a command to set the saturated weight for maintaining the moisture content of the growing medium is derived based on the basic setting information, the growing medium control information, and the growing medium information stored in the storage step; and a control step in which a nutrient solution supply device is controlled according to the control command derived in the derivation step.
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Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for autonomous irrigation of a nutrient solution within a growing medium, comprising: a collecting step in which growing medium information, including the weight of the growing medium, the weight of the supplied solution, the weight of the drained solution, and the collection time, is collected through a scale module for a growing medium in which a crop is cultivated and a nutrient solution injected into or discharged from the growing medium, and the growing medium information is collected repeatedly according to a preset time interval; a storage step in which basic setting information, including the dry weight of the growing medium, the weight of the drained solution for determining the saturated weight, the delay time for determining the saturated weight, and whether automatic control is operated for the growing medium and the nutrient solution set by a user, is stored, and growing medium control information, including the control time, the duration of the supply, the unsaturated moisture value, the minimum waiting time, and the maximum waiting time set by a user, is stored, and the growing medium information collected in the collecting step is stored; a derivation step in which a command to operate the supply of a nutrient solution, a command to stop the supply of a nutrient solution, or a command to set the saturated weight for maintaining the moisture content of the growing medium is derived based on the basic setting information, the growing medium control information, and the growing medium information stored in the storage step; and a control step in which a nutrient solution supply device is controlled according to the control command derived in the derivation step. Background Technology

[0003] Facility horticulture is the continuous production of plant fruits or flowers by systematically controlling cultivation conditions such as light, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide in a facility.

[0004] Plant cultivation methods using facilities are fundamentally designed to grow plants inside greenhouses or plant factories using glass or vinyl, enabling year-round production and being relatively less affected by external weather conditions. As such, they offer the advantage of increasing production yields compared to conventional farming methods, and are expected to facilitate the establishment of next-generation farming technologies and drive the development of related technologies.

[0005] To ensure high productivity in facility horticulture and plant factories, plant growth conditions must be properly controlled at the right time. In particular, it is required to accurately measure various factors such as light, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and the moisture content of the growing medium, and to adjust them to appropriate values ​​according to the plant's growth conditions.

[0006] The proper supply of nutrients and water significantly affects plant growth as well as the yield and condition of fruits. In greenhouse horticulture, where plants are cultivated using hydroponics, many methods are employed in which plants are planted in solid substrates such as potting soil, rockwool, peat moss, vermiculite, and coco peat, and the nutrient solution is supplied to the substrate to facilitate the transport of the nutrient solution to the plants. Therefore, the proper injection of the nutrient solution to maintain a constant moisture content in the substrate is an increasingly important factor in hydroponic plant cultivation.

[0007] If plants are watered too much, growth accelerates, resulting in thin nodes and fewer fruits; conversely, if watered too little, overall growth slows down. Additionally, plants release water absorbed through their roots into their leaves during photosynthesis; as solar radiation and leaf area increase, the amount of water released through the stomata also increases. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the water content of the root zone, or rhizosphere, by considering the amount of water that plants can absorb and release depending on the growth stage.

[0008] In hydroponic plant cultivation, the moisture content and nutrients in the plant rhizosphere are controlled by varying the composition, timing, rate, and amount of the nutrient solution. To regulate this rhizosphere environment, it is necessary to establish the optimal growth conditions required for control, and to achieve this, the precise state of the environment must be measured.

[0009] Furthermore, accurately measuring the environmental conditions and efficiently supplying nutrient solution within the growing medium based on this information to maintain an appropriate moisture level is a requirement for improving productivity in facility horticulture and plant factories.

[0010] However, in the case of facility horticulture and plant factories, since weight gain due to continuous plant growth and changes in the moisture content of the growing medium occur simultaneously, it is difficult to accurately determine the weight of the plant and the growing medium separately by simply measuring the weight of the growing medium in which the plant is planted. Consequently, there is a problem in that it is difficult to supply nutrient solution appropriate to the situation in real time or at regular intervals. The problem to be solved

[0012] The present invention was developed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a method and system for autonomous irrigation of nutrient solution within a growing medium, comprising: a collection step for collecting growing medium information regarding a growing medium in which a crop is cultivated and a nutrient solution injected into or discharged from the growing medium; a storage step of basic setting information, growing medium control information, and the growing medium information; a derivation step for deriving a nutrient solution operation command, a nutrient solution stop command, or a saturated weight setting command based on the basic setting information, the growing medium control information, and the growing medium information; and a control step for controlling a nutrient solution supply device according to the control command derived in the derivation step. means of solving the problem

[0014] For the above purpose, the method for autonomous irrigation control of a nutrient solution in a growing medium according to the present invention comprises: a collection step in which growing medium information including the weight of the growing medium, the weight of the supplied solution, the weight of the drained solution, and the collection time is collected through a scale module for a growing medium in which a crop is cultivated and a nutrient solution injected into or discharged from the growing medium, wherein the growing medium information is collected repeatedly according to a preset time interval; a storage step in which basic setting information including the dry weight of the growing medium, the weight of the drained solution for determining the saturated weight, the delay time for determining the saturated weight, and whether automatic control is operated for the growing medium and the nutrient solution set by a user is stored, and growing medium control information including the control time, the duration of the supplied solution, the value of the unsaturated moisture, the minimum waiting time, and the maximum waiting time set by a user is stored, and the growing medium information collected in the collection step is stored; a derivation step in which a supply operation command, a supply stop command, or a saturated weight setting command for maintaining the moisture content of the growing medium is derived based on the basic setting information, the growing medium control information, and the growing medium information stored in the storage step; and a control step in which a nutrient solution supply device is controlled according to the control command derived in the derivation step.

[0016] In addition, the present invention is characterized by checking whether the preset time interval has been reached while in the badge information collection waiting state, starting the collection of badge information when the arrival of the preset time interval is confirmed, and returning to the collection waiting state when the collection of badge information is terminated or when the arrival of the preset time interval is not confirmed.

[0018] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the basic setting information, the medium control information, and the medium information are sequentially verified, the medium moisture value is determined through the medium weight, the medium dry weight, and the saturated weight set by the saturated weight setting command, and when the nutrient solution supply device is not operating and the determined medium moisture value exceeds the unsaturated moisture value and the minimum waiting time and maximum waiting time from the last control time are exceeded, a liquid supply operation command is issued and the result of the liquid supply operation command is returned.

[0020] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that when the nutrient solution supply device is in operation and the duration of the supply exceeds the time at which the supply operation command is issued, a supply stop command is issued and the supply stop command is returned.

[0022] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that a saturated weight setting for the medium is confirmed, and if the drainage weight exceeds the saturated weight determination weight and the time since the drainage weight exceeded the saturated weight determination weight exceeds the saturated weight determination delay time, a saturated weight setting command is derived and the saturated weight setting command is returned.

[0024] In addition, the present invention is characterized by, when the control command derived in the derivation step is received in the control command waiting state, confirming and transmitting the control command, controlling the nutrient solution supply device according to the control command, returning the result, and then returning to the control command waiting state.

[0026] In addition, for the purpose of the above, the autonomous irrigation control system for nutrient solution in a growing medium according to the present invention comprises: a collection unit in which growing medium information including the weight of the growing medium, the weight of the supplied solution, the weight of the drained solution, and the collection time is collected through a scale module for a growing medium in which a crop is cultivated and a nutrient solution injected into or discharged from the growing medium, and the growing medium information is collected repeatedly according to a preset time interval; a storage unit in which basic setting information including the dry weight of the growing medium, the weight of the drained solution for determining the saturated weight, the delay time for determining the saturated weight, and whether automatic control is operated for the growing medium and the nutrient solution set by a user is stored, and the growing medium information collected by the collection unit is stored; a derivation unit in which a supply operation command, a supply stop command, or a saturated weight setting command to maintain the moisture content of the growing medium is derived based on the basic setting information and the growing medium information stored in the storage unit; and a control unit in which a nutrient solution supply device is controlled according to the control command derived from the derivation unit. Effects of the invention

[0028] According to the method and control system for autonomous irrigation of nutrient solution within a growing medium of the present invention as described above, accurate information regarding the growing medium in which crops are cultivated and the nutrient solution injected into or discharged from the growing medium can be collected in real time or at regular intervals. Based on this, by calculating the moisture value of the growing medium, the optimal amount of nutrient solution to be supplied to the plant can be calculated, thereby enabling efficient supply of nutrient solution and facilitating economical precision agriculture.

[0029] In particular, the present invention enhances reliability by allowing each of the collection, storage, extraction, and control stages to interact in real time, and enables autonomous irrigation control of the nutrient solution for an accurate growing medium environment according to each mechanism. Furthermore, by maintaining the optimal moisture content required for the growing medium, it can improve crop productivity and prevent unnecessary waste of water or nutrient solution required for the growing medium. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0031] FIG. 1 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method for autonomous irrigation control of nutrient solution in a culture medium according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a flowchart schematically showing the collection step of a method for autonomous irrigation control of nutrient solution in a growing medium. Figure 3 is a flowchart schematically showing the derivation of a nutrient solution supply operation command in the collection step of a method for autonomous irrigation control of a nutrient solution in a growing medium. Figure 4 is a flowchart schematically showing that a liquid supply stop command is derived during the collection stage of a method for autonomous irrigation control of nutrient solution in a growing medium. Figure 5 is a flowchart schematically showing that a saturated weight setting command is derived in the collection step of a method for autonomous irrigation control of nutrient solution in a growing medium. FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically showing the execution of a control command in the control step of a method for autonomous irrigation of nutrient solution in a growing medium. FIG. 7 is a schematic example diagram illustrating the configuration of a nutrient solution autonomous watering control system in a growing medium according to the present invention. FIGS. 8a to 8c are images capturing a nutrient solution autonomous watering control program in a culture medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0032] The embodiments described below are presented as examples to aid in understanding the invention, and it should be understood that the invention may be implemented with various modifications different from the embodiments described herein. However, in describing the invention, detailed descriptions and specific illustrations of related known functions or components are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions or specific illustrations might unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Furthermore, the attached drawings are not drawn to actual scale to aid in understanding the invention, and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

[0033] The first and second terms used in this application may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0034] Furthermore, the terms used in this application are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the rights. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms such as “comprising,” “consisting of,” or “consisting of” in this application are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method for controlling autonomous irrigation of a nutrient solution in a growing medium according to the present invention. The method for controlling autonomous irrigation of a nutrient solution in a growing medium according to the present invention is broadly composed of a collection step (100), a storage step (200), a derivation step (300), and a control step (400). More specifically, the method for autonomous irrigation control of a nutrient solution in a growing medium according to the present invention comprises: a collection step (100) in which growing medium information including the weight of the growing medium, the weight of the supplied liquid, the weight of the drained liquid, and the collection time is collected through a scale module for a growing medium in which a crop is cultivated and a nutrient solution injected into or discharged from the growing medium, and the growing medium information is collected repeatedly according to a preset time interval; a storage step (200) in which basic setting information including the dry weight of the growing medium, the weight of the drained liquid for determining the saturated weight, the delay time for determining the saturated weight, and whether automatic control is operated for the growing medium and the nutrient solution set by a user is stored, and growing medium control information including the control time, the duration of the supplied liquid, the unsaturated moisture value, the minimum waiting time, and the maximum waiting time set by a user is stored, and the growing medium information collected in the collection step (100) is stored; and a derivation step (300) in which a supply operation command, a supply stop command, or a saturated weight setting command for maintaining the moisture content of the growing medium is derived based on the basic setting information, the growing medium control information, and the growing medium information stored in the storage step (200); and the It includes a control step (400) for controlling a nutrient solution supply device (550) according to a control command derived in a derivation step (300).

[0037] That is, the autonomous irrigation control method for a nutrient solution in a growing medium according to the present invention has the characteristic of collecting and storing information regarding the condition and environment of a growing medium used for crop cultivation in a greenhouse in real time or at regular intervals, and deriving the timing and amount of nutrient solution to be supplied to the growing medium based on the stored information, and autonomously controlling a nutrient solution supply device (550) accordingly.

[0038] Furthermore, by collecting accurate medium information and calculating the moisture value of the medium based thereon to control the nutrient solution supply device (550), the optimal amount of nutrient solution to be supplied to the plant can be calculated, allowing for efficient supply of nutrient solution and enabling economical precision agriculture.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a flowchart schematically showing the collection step (100) of the method for autonomous irrigation control of nutrient solution in a growing medium.

[0040] The present invention is characterized by checking whether the preset time interval has been reached while in the badge information collection waiting state, starting the collection of badge information when the reached preset time interval is confirmed, and returning to the collection waiting state when the collection of badge information has ended or when the reached preset time interval is not confirmed.

[0041] The above scale module collects values ​​of the culture medium weight, liquid supply weight, and drainage weight according to the set collection interval, and transmits the collected culture medium weight, liquid supply weight, and drainage weight values ​​when requested in the storage step (200). Additionally, the scale module includes scale calibration, zero point setting, and unit setting as scale settings. Scale calibration calibrates the scale so that it can measure an accurate value when the scale does not respond normally to weights or known weights. Zero point setting sets the current state of the scale to 0. Unit setting sets the weight unit of the scale to g or kg.

[0042] The aforementioned substrate weight refers to the total weight of the substrate, and changes in weight due to nutrient supply, drainage, or crop growth are measured in real-time or at regular intervals. The aforementioned nutrient supply weight refers to the weight of the nutrient solution supplied to the substrate; changes in weight due to nutrient supply are measured in real-time or at regular intervals, and the amount of nutrient supplied is measured by collecting the accumulated nutrient supply for each supply cycle throughout the day. To measure the accumulated amount of nutrient supply over the day, the nutrient supply weight is reset to zero based on the current weight before the first supply of the day. The aforementioned drainage weight refers to the weight of the nutrient solution that is drained after nutrient supply and cannot be absorbed by the substrate; the drainage flowing out of the substrate is measured in real-time or at regular intervals, and the amount of drainage is measured by collecting the accumulated drainage over the day. To measure the accumulated amount of drainage over the day, the drainage weight is reset to zero based on the current weight before the first supply of the day.

[0043] In the storage step (200) above, the collection interval of badge information is set in advance, and badge information is stored according to the set collection interval. The collection interval can be set in minutes, starting from a minimum of 1 minute, and the default setting can be set to 1 minute. Referring to FIG. 2, the collection and storage of badge information is performed after confirming whether the data collection interval has been reached while in a waiting state for the collection of weight data, i.e., badge information. Through this, in the collection step (100) and the storage step (200), badge information is collected in real time or at regular time intervals, thereby enabling the collection and storage of accurate data.

[0044] The above basic setting information can be set by the user, the above dry weight of the medium is the weight of the medium in a completely dried state, the above drainage weight for determining saturation weight is a reference drainage weight for determining saturation weight, the above saturation weight determination delay time is the time from when the drainage weight exceeds the drainage weight for determining saturation weight (the time until stabilization because the medium weight is measured to be greater than or equal to the saturation weight immediately after nutrient supply), and the above automatic control operation status is whether automatic control is used in the autonomous irrigation control method of the nutrient solution in the medium according to the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing that a liquid supply operation command is derived in the collection step (100) of the method for autonomous irrigation control of a nutrient solution in a growing medium. FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing that a liquid supply stop command is derived in the collection step (100) of the method for autonomous irrigation control of a nutrient solution in a growing medium. FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing that a saturated weight setting command is derived in the collection step (100) of the method for autonomous irrigation control of a nutrient solution in a growing medium.

[0046] In the derivation step (300) of the method for autonomous irrigation control of nutrient solution in a growing medium according to the present invention, the saturated weight of the growing medium is calculated based on accurate data collected and stored in the collection step (100) and the storage step (200), and a decision is made as to whether to supply nutrient solution to the growing medium or to stop the supply of nutrient solution.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, the present invention is characterized in that the basic setting information, the medium control information, and the medium information are sequentially checked, the medium moisture value is determined through the medium weight, the medium dry weight, and the saturated weight set by the saturated weight setting command, and when the nutrient solution supply device (550) is not operating and the determined medium moisture value exceeds the unsaturated moisture value and the minimum waiting time and maximum waiting time from the last control time are exceeded, a liquid supply operation command is issued and the result of the liquid supply operation command is returned.

[0048] The moisture value of the medium above is expressed as a percentage of the moisture of the medium using the weight of the medium, the saturated weight, and the dry weight of the medium. The formula is as follows.

[0049]

[0050] The above-mentioned substrate control information includes control time, nutrient solution duration, unsaturated moisture value, minimum standby time, and maximum standby time. These values ​​are determined by the user, dividing the 24 hours of the day into hourly intervals and setting different values ​​for each interval. By controlling nutrient solution irrigation based on this, it is possible to respond quickly and flexibly to changes in the substrate condition and environment.

[0051] The control time is the time during which control information is applied, and the liquid supply duration is the time during which the liquid supply module operates from the start of the supply until it stops, thereby controlling the amount of liquid supplied. Additionally, the unsaturated moisture value is the moisture deficit allowed from the saturated state and serves as the standard value for automatic watering operation. The minimum waiting time is the minimum time required to wait between the first and second supply; by ensuring that the operation command is delayed even if the unsaturated moisture value is exceeded, it prevents the continuous supply of an amount of water exceeding the standard to the growing medium. The maximum waiting time is the maximum time required to wait between the first and second supply, during which water must be supplied even if the unsaturated moisture value is not exceeded. Finally, the control time is used to determine whether the minimum and maximum waiting times have been exceeded based on the stored results of the liquid supply module operation.

[0052] In the derivation step (300) according to the present invention, the basic setting information, the badge control information, and the badge information are sequentially checked. By prioritizing the basic setting information and the badge control information entered by the user, a more efficient and flexible control environment is provided. In the case of the badge information, the reliability of the data and control commands is improved and control malfunctions are prevented by checking whether the data is collected within 3 minutes and whether the current time is currently being collected continuously.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 4, the present invention is characterized in that the nutrient solution supply device (550) is in operation, and if the supply duration time is exceeded from the time the supply operation command is issued, a supply stop command is issued and the supply stop command is returned. That is, the present invention has the characteristic that water or nutrient solution can be saved by minimizing the nutrient solution drained from the growing medium when the nutrient solution supply device is currently in operation and the supply duration time is exceeded, by stopping the supply and saving the operation result.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 5, the present invention is characterized in that a saturated weight setting for the medium is confirmed, and when the drainage weight exceeds the saturated weight determination weight and the time since the drainage weight exceeds the saturated weight determination weight exceeds the saturated weight determination delay time, a saturated weight setting command is derived and the saturated weight setting command is returned.

[0055] The saturation weight setting verification is a value checked once daily to set the saturation weight. By setting the saturation weight daily, the system adjusts the system to minimize the error caused by the crop weight affecting the substrate weight. The substrate is determined to be saturated when drainage occurs, based on the drainage amount set by the user for determining the saturation weight. Additionally, since the substrate weight is measured to be above the saturation weight immediately after irrigation, time is required for stabilization; this is determined based on the saturation weight determination delay time set by the user. If the saturation weight has already been set, it will not be reset on that day.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically illustrating the execution of a control command in the control step (400) of a method for controlling autonomous irrigation of a nutrient solution within a growing medium. Referring to FIG. 6, the present invention is characterized in that when the control command derived in the derivation step (300) is received in the control command waiting state, the control command is confirmed and transmitted, the nutrient solution supply device (550) is controlled according to the control command, and after returning the result, the invention returns to the control command waiting state.

[0057] The above control step (400) can be subdivided into a command processing step and a command execution step. In the command processing step, a control command derived from the derivation step (300) is received and verified, and proceeds to the command execution step. In the command execution step, a nutrient solution supply device (550), such as a nutrient solution generator or a pump, is operated according to the control command.

[0058] FIG. 7 is a schematic example diagram illustrating the configuration of a nutrient solution autonomous watering control system in a growing medium according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the autonomous irrigation control system for nutrient solution in a growing medium according to the present invention is a system capable of implementing the autonomous irrigation control method for nutrient solution in a growing medium according to the present invention described above, wherein growing medium information including growing medium weight, supply weight, drainage weight, and collection time is collected through a scale module for a growing medium in which a crop is cultivated and a nutrient solution injected into or discharged from the growing medium, and the growing medium information is collected repeatedly according to a preset time interval; a storage unit (520) in which basic setting information including the growing medium dry weight, saturated weight determination drainage weight, saturated weight determination delay time, and automatic control operation status for the growing medium and the nutrient solution set by a user is stored, and the growing medium information collected by the collection unit (510) is stored; a derivation unit (530) in which a supply operation command, a supply stop command, or a saturated weight setting command to maintain the water content of the growing medium is derived based on the basic setting information and the growing medium information stored in the storage unit (520); and a nutrient solution supply device according to the control command derived from the derivation unit (530). It includes a control unit (540) that controls.

[0059] FIGS. 8a to 8c are images capturing a self-watering control program for nutrient solution in a growing medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. The self-watering control program for nutrient solution in a growing medium according to the embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment in which the self-watering control method and control system for nutrient solution in a growing medium according to the present invention are implemented, and can be installed on a user terminal capable of wireless communication.

[0060] The above user terminal is connected to the collection unit (510), the storage unit (520), the extraction unit (530), and the control unit, and is capable of accessing the basic setting information, the culture medium control information, and the culture medium information, and can generate control commands to control the nutrient solution supply device (550). In addition, various information such as the basic setting information, the culture medium control information, and the culture medium information can be collected and stored in a separately implemented management server, and the nutrient solution supply device (550) can be controlled by the management server transmitting the control commands generated by the user terminal to the control unit (540).

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 8a to 8c, information regarding the supply and drainage of nutrient solution according to the method for autonomous irrigation of nutrient solution in a growing medium according to the present invention is monitored through the autonomous irrigation control program in a growing medium according to an embodiment of the present invention, and control results according to various variables, such as nutrient solution supply according to a schedule and nutrient solution supply according to the growing medium environment, can be observed.

[0063] The present invention, as described above, enables significantly precise measurement of the weight of the growing medium in which crops are planted, the amount of nutrient solution injected into the growing medium, and the amount of nutrient solution discharged from the growing medium in real time or at regular time intervals. Furthermore, by having the respective collection stage (100), storage stage (200), derivation stage, and control stage (400) interact in real time, it increases reliability and enables autonomous control of nutrient solution irrigation for an accurate growing medium environment according to each mechanism. Additionally, by maintaining the optimal amount of moisture required for the growing medium, it improves crop productivity and prevents unnecessary waste of water or nutrient solution required for the growing medium. Those skilled in the art may sufficiently modify, convert, substitute, and replace the invention within the scope and spirit of the invention by considering the description of the invention, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Explanation of the symbols

[0065] 100: Collection stage 200: Storage stage 300: Derivation stage 400: Control stage 510 : Collection Unit 520 : Storage Unit 530 : Derivation unit 540 : Control unit 550 : Nutrient supply device

Claims

Claim 1 A method for autonomous irrigation of a nutrient solution within a growing medium, comprising: a collection step in which growing medium information including the weight of the growing medium, the weight of the supplied liquid, the weight of the drained liquid, and the collection time is collected through a scale module for a growing medium in which a crop is cultivated and a nutrient solution injected into or discharged from the growing medium, wherein the growing medium information is collected repeatedly according to a preset time interval; a storage step in which basic setting information including the dry weight of the growing medium, the weight of the drained liquid for determining the saturated weight, the delay time for determining the saturated weight, and whether automatic control is operated for the growing medium and the nutrient solution set by a user is stored, and growing medium control information including the control time, the duration of the supplied liquid, the unsaturated moisture value, the minimum waiting time, and the maximum waiting time set by a user is stored, and the growing medium information collected in the collection step is stored; a derivation step in which a supply operation command, a supply stop command, or a saturated weight setting command for maintaining the moisture content of the growing medium is derived based on the basic setting information, the growing medium control information, and the growing medium information stored in the storage step; and a control step in which a nutrient solution supply device is controlled according to the control command derived in the derivation step. Claim 2 A method for autonomous irrigation of a nutrient solution in a growing medium, characterized in that, in the collection step, whether the preset time interval is reached is confirmed in the waiting state for collecting the growing medium information, and if the reached of the preset time interval is confirmed, the collection of the growing medium information begins, and if the collection of the growing medium information is terminated or if the reached of the preset time interval is not confirmed, the process returns to the waiting state for collection. Claim 3 A method for autonomous irrigation of nutrient solution in a growing medium according to claim 1, wherein in the derivation step, the basic setting information, the growing medium control information, and the growing medium information are sequentially verified, and the growing medium moisture value is determined through the growing medium weight, the growing medium dry weight, and the saturated weight set by the saturated weight setting command, and when the nutrient solution supply device is not operating and the determined growing medium moisture value exceeds the unsaturated moisture value and the minimum waiting time and maximum waiting time from the last control time are exceeded, a nutrient solution supply operation command is derived and the result of the nutrient solution supply operation command is returned. Claim 4 A method for autonomous irrigation control of nutrient solution in a growing medium according to claim 1, wherein in the derivation step, the nutrient solution supply device is in operation, and if the duration of the supply exceeds the time from which the supply operation command was derived, a supply stop command is derived and the supply stop command is returned. Claim 5 A method for autonomous irrigation control of nutrient solution in a medium, characterized in that, in the derivation step, a saturated weight setting for the medium is confirmed, and if the drainage weight exceeds the saturated weight determination weight and the time from when the drainage weight exceeds the saturated weight determination weight exceeds the saturated weight determination delay time, a saturated weight setting command is derived and the saturated weight setting command is returned. Claim 6 A method for autonomous irrigation of a nutrient solution in a growing medium according to claim 1, wherein in the control step, when the control command derived in the derivation step is received in the control command waiting state, the control command is confirmed and transmitted, the nutrient solution supply device is controlled according to the control command, and after returning the result, the method returns to the control command waiting state. Claim 7 A system for autonomous irrigation of nutrient solution within a growing medium, comprising: a collection unit in which growing medium information including the weight of the growing medium, the weight of the supplied solution, the weight of the drained solution, and the collection time is collected through a scale module for a growing medium in which a crop is cultivated and a nutrient solution injected into or discharged from the growing medium, and the growing medium information is collected repeatedly according to a preset time interval; a storage unit in which basic setting information including the dry weight of the growing medium, the weight of the drained solution for determining the saturated weight, the delay time for determining the saturated weight, and whether automatic control is operated for the growing medium and the nutrient solution set by a user is stored, and the growing medium information collected by the collection unit is stored; a derivation unit in which a command to operate the supply of the solution, a command to stop the supply of the solution, or a command to set the saturated weight is derived based on the basic setting information and the growing medium information stored in the storage unit to maintain the moisture content of the growing medium; and a control unit in which a nutrient solution supply device is controlled according to the control command derived from the derivation unit.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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