Modular hydroponic plant cultivation device

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular hydroponic plant cultivation device (1), which has a nutrient liquid container (2) and a plant tower (3) which is fastened to a lid (4) on the container (2) and has receiving elements (5) for plants on its outside. A line (6) extends in the interior of the plant tower (3), by means of which line nutrient liquid can be supplied to the plants from the container (2) by means of a pump (7). To the side of the plant tower (3), light swords (8) are formed which have lights (9) by means of which the plant can be irradiated at different distances. The light swords (8) can be pivoted with respect to the upper container contour and in the pivoted-in form are congruent in shape with the container shape. The light swords (8) can be pivoted by means of respective pivot levers (12) from the pivoted-in state to the maximum pivoting-out at the top side of the container (2), which forms a stop.

Description

[0001] MODULAR HYDROPONIC PLANT CULTURE DEVICE

[0002] The invention relates to a hydroponic plant cultivation device with which plants can be cultivated in a tower-like technical device without the use of soil.

[0003] Such devices have been available for some time and are designed to make the cultivation of plants, especially vegetables, not only healthier but also more economical, independent of inflation, availability, or deteriorating climatic conditions.

[0004] In keeping with this importance, numerous such devices have become known in the prior art. Particular attention has been paid to the functional optimization of a mandatory nutrient liquid container, on which a planting tower for accommodating plant receiving elements is arranged, in such a way that a uniform nutrient liquid distribution in terms of concentration and temperature is always ensured in the container, preventing the occurrence of so-called cold spots. The container has a lid that is curved upwards, on which the planting tower sits. This basic structure is described in numerous prior art documents, such as US 2021 227763 A1 and

[0005] US 11076542 B1 , in which the pump and the line for conveying the nutrient liquid to the top of the planting tower, from where the nutrient liquid is supplied to the roots of the plants, are arranged outside the container. This basic structure can also be found in US 10888055 B2, US 2020 375126 A1 and US 10588277 B2. All of these known devices have in common that small optimizations and improvements have been made to details. However, they are not equipped with special lights to support plant growth in the sense of cultivating healthy and evenly growing vegetables. For example, CA 3115676 A1 describes light rods which carry lights which are arranged opposite several planting towers arranged on a container and are fixed to the top of the tower and the container lid without the possibility of adjustment or adaptation.In other known systems, the idea was realized that several hydroponic plant culture devices were combined into larger units and lighting was provided from above via suspended ceiling lights, which are decoupled from the actual individual plant culture devices.

[0006] The object of the present invention, compared to known plant cultivation devices, is to further improve the usability of such plant cultivation devices, to overcome the disadvantages of these plant cultivation devices according to the prior art, and to equip the plant cultivation devices with improved properties regarding growth and health aspects for consumption. The problem to be solved also includes aspects such as the use of the nutrient liquid over the lifespan of the plants, monitoring the conditions inside the plant cultivation device to prevent the formation of germs and separation, and concentration differences of the nutrient liquid.

[0007] This object is achieved with a hydroponic plant culture device having the features according to claim 1. Expedient further developments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] A significant advantage is that the device according to the invention enables optimal plant nutrient preparation for the best and healthy growth of the plants, whereby water consumption can be reduced by up to 95% compared to conventional systems during sowing, planting and harvesting by reusing, recycling the nutrient liquid and adding nutrients to keep the concentration of the nutrient liquid constant.

[0009] The hydroponic plant cultivation device according to the invention comprises a nutrient liquid container, which accommodates a plant tower on its lid, which closes the nutrient liquid container. The plant tower has receiving elements for plants on its outer circumference, which are arranged with their respective openings facing upwards so that, on the one hand, the plants contained therein are reliably held and can grow, but, on the other hand, the nutrient liquid supplied to them in the root area cannot flow outwards, but instead constantly flows back into the interior of the plant tower so that the liquid can be fed back into the container. The nutrient liquid is pumped from the container back into the upper area of ​​the plant tower via a pipe.For this purpose, a line is provided inside the planting tower, through which the nutrient liquid is supplied to the plants by means of a pump preferably arranged inside the container. According to the invention, lights designed as lightsabers are provided, remote from the planting tower and integrally connected to the container. These lightsabers are designed such that they extend from the area of ​​the lid of the container over the length or height of the planting tower. The planting tower itself is preferably composed of several stacking modules so that its height can be designed flexibly. The individual stacking modules are designed internally such that the line provided inside can be plugged together such that, regardless of the height of the planting tower, the line sections in the individual stacking modules are reliably connected to one another, preferably plugged in.

[0010] According to the invention, the respective lightsabers each have a pivoting lever at the lower end. The lightsabers can be pivoted around a pivot pin in the area of ​​the top of the container by means of a pivoting lever. This pivoting ability varies the respective distance of the lightsaber to the outside of the plant tower and thus to the plants. On the one hand, this is important for the different growth cycles, for sustainability and efficiency, and is advantageous because the irradiation of the cultivated plants can be optimally varied and adjusted in terms of size and effectiveness of the irradiation by changing the distance of the lightsaber's lamps to the respective plants. The respective pivoting levers are now designed such that, in their container stop position, they are congruent with and abut against the top of the container.When the pivot levers are in their container stop position, the lights of the lightsabers are at the shortest distance to the plants, i.e. to the outside of the plant tower.

[0011] According to a preferred development, the hydroponic plant culture device has a liquid distributor in the upper region of the plant tower, which is designed such that the nutrient liquid conveyed by means of the pump, which is preferably located inside the container, through the line to the upper region of the plant tower inside the plant tower and is distributed via the liquid distributor in such a way that an optimal amount of nutrient liquid is always supplied in a uniform distribution to the root areas of the plants arranged in the plant receiving elements.

[0012] Further preferably, the nutrient liquid pumped through the line by the pump is adjustable and dispersible in terms of quantity, temperature and concentration.

[0013] Furthermore, the lightsabers are preferably pivotable from the container stop position into a pivoted-out position. In the pivoted-out position, the lightsabers are pivoted outwards relative to the container stop position to such an extent that the maximum radial distance of the lightsabers from the outer top side of the container is reached when the pivoting lever is aligned with the side surface of the container from the pivot pin. This respective side surface then forms an imaginary plane with the longitudinal extension of the respective pivot pin. The distance of the lights of the lightsaber from the outside of the planting tower therefore results from the perpendicular dropped from the respective lightsaber onto the outer surface of the planting tower. It is understood that if the pivoting lever is not pivoted to the maximum pivoted-out position, i.e.In all intermediate positions between the container position and the swivel position, different distances to the outside of the plant tower and thus to the illuminated plants can be specifically adjusted.

[0014] The outer shape of the container is preferably polygonal, with the outer shape being square, hexagonal, octagonal, or polygonal, as well as having an odd number of corners. It is understood that the higher the number of side surfaces and thus corners, the more the container appears to be round.

[0015] Preferably, the number of lightsabers is so high that it corresponds to half the side surfaces of the container formed between the corner edges. Since the lightsabers can be pivoted from the contour of the container at its top using the pivoting lever, the defined distance between the lightsabers' lights and the plants, i.e., the outer sides of the plant tower, is smaller the larger the number of corners of the outer shape. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the pivoting lever to be offset, thus adapting to the outer shape on the top of the container.

[0016] Preferably, it is further provided that on the top side of the container between the respective pivot levers of the lightsabers and the actual lightsabers, a frame adapted to the top side of the container is provided, in which the pivot pins for pivoting the pivot levers of the lightsabers are accommodated.

[0017] Furthermore, drawers are preferably integrated into the frame, into which, for example, nutrient granules can be filled so that any decreasing nutrient concentration in the plant cultivation device during the course of plant growth can be compensated for. Furthermore, the lid of the container is attached to the frame fastened to the top of the container, with the lid supporting the plant tower in its central region. The lid is inclined downwards from the top of the container to the inner region, so that a receiving recess for the plant tower is created, which forms a water or liquid collector. In contrast, in the devices according to the prior art, an optimization has been favored in which the lid is designed to be convex with an upward curvature, which precisely rules out liquid collection.

[0018] To allow the plant cultivation device to easily change position as needed, at least three spaced-apart rollers are provided on the underside of the container, i.e., on the side facing the ground. This is particularly advantageous in that even when the plant cultivation device is completely filled and planted, the device can still be moved relatively easily to other locations due to the weight of the filled container alone, which is in the range of 80 to 100 kg.

[0019] In order for the pump to be able to convey the nutrient liquid through the line inside the planting tower upwards to the liquid distribution device, it is preferably necessary for the plant culture device according to the invention to have a power supply unit.

[0020] The plant cultivation device preferably further comprises plant receiving elements which have replaceable baskets inside. The receiving size of the baskets has different dimensions depending on the size of the plants to be planted, without the basket-receiving plant receiving elements having to be changed in their basic configuration and size. The baskets serve to receive the respective plants in the plant receiving elements and, in particular, to hold them by their roots and to reach far enough into the interior of the plant tower that the roots can absorb nutrient fluid flowing downwards from the fluid distributor in the plant tower. In order to achieve a high degree of flexibility of the individual plant cultivation devices for requirements and plants and to achieve other functionalities, the plant tower is preferably constructed from stacked and interconnected modules. This allows the height of the plant tower to be adapted to the intended use.Preferably, the container has a hexagonal or octagonal outer shape on its top. Other numbers of corners and thus side surfaces are possible.

[0021] Preferably, however, it is also possible for the container, including its top, to have a round outer shape, and for the pivoting levers to have a crescent-shaped configuration adapted to the round outer shape. Ultimately, a round outer shape is a polygonal shape in which the number of edges approaches infinity.

[0022] Preferably, at least one intermediate floor is arranged in the planting tower. This intermediate floor is designed such that the nutrient fluid flowing from the upper area of ​​the planting tower to its lower area is directed radially outward from the inside of the planting tower to the roots of the plants. The intermediate floors thus essentially function as a nutrient fluid distributor, because the targeted routing of the nutrient fluid repeatedly directs it directly to the area of ​​the plant roots. This ensures that all roots are evenly, sufficiently, and accurately exposed to the nutrient fluid.

[0023] Further preferably, the stacking modules are designed such that they each have such an intermediate floor in their upper region. This means that the stacking modules each utilize such an intermediate floor to directly supply all plants arranged in the planting modules in the respective stacking module with nutrient fluid.

[0024] The intermediate floors are designed in such a way that, even in the event of blockages, multiple overflows are provided at different locations within the intermediate floor, ensuring that nutrient fluid can still be supplied evenly and in a controlled manner to the root areas of the plants. The preferred provision of intermediate floors in each stacking module has the further advantage that, for each level at which the plants are arranged within a stacking module, the nutrient fluid supply to the root areas of the plants is evenly and continuously controlled.

[0025] Preferably, the plant modules are detachably attached to the side surfaces of the stacking modules, with the plant modules comprising plant support elements with baskets. The plant modules are oval in shape with a larger central support, into which a basket is inserted for supporting the plants and securing the roots. The underside forms a circumferential edge that allows the plant module, after being removed from the stacking module, to be placed directly on a dining table for consumption, for example, or as a decoration. After such use, the plant module can easily be reattached to the stacking module, thus providing the plant with further nutrient fluid.To reliably attach the planting modules to the side wall of a stacking module, the stacking module features a slide-in guide into which the planting module can be inserted using appropriate guide elements and locked or clamped into place, creating a seal between the lower section of the planting module and the side wall of the stacking module. A special seal can also be provided to prevent fluid from easily penetrating the interior of the planting tower.

[0026] Further advantages, possible applications, and details of the invention will now be explained in detail using an exemplary embodiment. The drawing shows:

[0027] Figure 1 shows the basic representation of the hydroponic plant culture device according to the invention in three-dimensional view (Figure 1a), in side view (Figure 1b)) and in plan view (Figure 1c));

[0028] Figure 2 shows the device according to Figure 1 in an exploded view with the planting tower omitted;

[0029] Figure 3 shows the attachment of pivoting lightsabers to a frame mounted on the top of the field in a three-dimensional representation in the pivoted state of the lightsabers (Figure 3a)) and in a top view (Figure 3b));

[0030] Figure 4 shows a frame for attachment to a top side of the container, over which the lightsabers can be pivotally mounted;

[0031] Figure 5 shows an insert basket for the plant support elements in the plant tower with a grid-like structure;

[0032] Figure 6 shows an intermediate floor arranged on top of a stacking module and above a planting module in the planting tower;

[0033] Figure 7 shows a schematic arrangement of three stacked modules stacked to form a planting tower, each with an intermediate floor in the upper area of ​​the planting modules, and a representation of a central line for conveying the nutrient fluid to the upper area of ​​the planting tower, as well as the flow path of the nutrient fluid to the roots of the plants; Figure 7.1 shows a schematic representation of a first overflow in the intermediate floor, which arises due to a blockage of the central area in the upper collection area;

[0034] Figure 7.2 A second overflow, which provides drainage in the event of complete blockage of the inner area of ​​the intermediate floor;

[0035] Figure 7.3 an additional third overflow, which realises a reintroduction of liquid from the outside of the planting tower into its interior, which is used, for example, when the intermediate floor is completely blocked;

[0036] Figure 7.4 a reliable supply of liquid to the root areas of the plants when the inner area of ​​the intermediate floor is blocked on one side;

[0037] Figure 8 shows a stacking module with a planting module removed;

[0038] Figure 9 shows a planting module consisting of a basket and a plant receiving element for attaching to or detaching from a stacking module;

[0039] Figure 10 shows a three-dimensional view of a plant receiving element in plan view and in bottom view; and

[0040] Figure 11 shows the base part of a stacking module with corresponding receptacles for the plant support elements attached to the side surfaces of the stacking module.

[0041] In Figure 1, the hydroponic plant cultivation device 1 is shown in three-dimensional form in Figure 1a), in a side view in Figure 1b), and in a top view in Figure 1c. The hydroponic plant cultivation device 1 has a nutrient liquid container 2, hereinafter also referred to as container 2, with a lid 4 that covers the otherwise open top of the container. On the lid 4, in its central region, sits a plant tower 3, which consists of six stacked and interconnected stacking modules 23 and which has a liquid distributor 15 on its top side in the form of a cover for the plant tower 3. In cross-section, the plant tower 3 is hexagonal, so that all stacking modules 23 have six outer surfaces, in each of which a plant receiving element 5 is arranged.The lid 4 is slightly lowered towards the center, in which the planting tower 3 rests, thereby ensuring that nutrient liquid dripping down the planting tower 3 does not run next to the actual plant cultivation device. The individual stacking modules 23 are now connected to one another in such a way that, on the one hand, they are connected to one another in a liquid-tight manner at the abutting edges and that they each have sections of the line 6 inside, which are joined together or inserted into one another when the stacking modules 23 are joined together, so that, by means of a pump (not shown), nutrient liquid can be pumped through the line to the liquid distributor 15, from where the nutrient liquid can reach the root area of ​​the plants to be cultivated evenly inside each plant receiving element 5.

[0042] Extending upwards from three edges of the container 2 up to the height of the liquid distributor 15 are light swords 8 which have lights 9 arranged on the inside, i.e. the side facing the plant tower 3. The lower end of the respective light swords 8 is connected to a pivoting lever 12 which, in the position shown, rests on the upper edge of the container 2 in a container stop position 13. In this position, the light swords 8 or the lights 9 located therein are pivoted in, so to speak, up to the outer contour of the container 2 and have thus assumed the minimum distance to the plant tower 3 and thus to the plants located in the plant receiving elements 5. This means that in the pivoted-in state shown, the pivoting levers 12 are arranged in a plane lying in the side surface of the container 2.

[0043] Figure 1 b) shows the three-dimensional view according to Figure 1 a) in side view, which clearly shows that the hydroponic plant cultivation device has a very tidy and cleanly structured exterior, with the stacking modules 23 with the plant support elements 5 arranged thereon somewhat reminiscent of the appearance of bats stacked on top of each other. This, of course, only applies as long as no plants are arranged in the plant support elements 5. In any case, baskets 22 inserted into the plant support elements 5 are indicated (see Figure 5), which are intended to hold the respective plants particularly well.The meshed baskets allow the roots of the plants to penetrate and entwine themselves in the respective openings, so that the plants themselves ensure a secure hold in the respective plant support element 5, which becomes increasingly better, firmer, and more reliable the longer the plant is in the plant support element 5 during the growth phase. The underside of the container 2 is designed as a flat base 19, on which rollers can preferably be arranged (not shown in detail here) so that the plant cultivation devices can be easily moved. After all, such a plant cultivation device, with a container volume of 80 to 100 liters and a height of up to 2 m, has a considerable weight.

[0044] Figure 1c) shows a top view of the plant cultivation device 1, demonstrating the uniformity and good structuring of the device. It is clear that the lid 4, in terms of its shape and edge formation, is reminiscent of the hexagonal cross-section of the container 2 or is adapted to it, so that a uniform structuring of the entire device is evident. This is also evident because the liquid distributor 15 is located in the upper cover for the planting tower 3. The top view clearly shows that a plant receiving element 5 is arranged on each side surface of each stacking module 23. Also indicated in Figure 1c) are the light swords 8 present at three of the six corners.

[0045] Figure 2 shows the basic structure of the plant cultivation device 1, with the planting tower 3 omitted for the sake of clarity. The three-dimensional representation is shown as an assembly drawing so that the interaction and the manner in which the lightsabers 8 are attached to the upper, open part of the container 2 can be clarified. The container 2 has a hexagonal outer shape with six side surfaces 16 and, in the lower part, forms a transition section from a hexagonal cross-section to a circular cross-section towards and up to the base 19. A frame 17 is screwed onto the upper edge of the container 2. This frame 17, on the one hand, gives the container 2 additional stability at the upper edge and, on the other hand, serves as a mount for the pivoting mechanism of the lightsabers 8 with pivot lever 12 and pivot pin 11 (not shown here).

[0046] Integrated into the frame 17 are smaller drawers 18 adapted to the structural restrictions, into which, for example, nutrient granules can be filled, so that, if the concentration of the nutrient liquid in the container 2 decreases, granules can be added to the container if necessary. Corresponding to the hexagonal basic shape of the container, at least in its upper area, the frame 17 is also hexagonal in its basic shape. The lightsabers 8 have a pivoting lever 12 attached to their lower end 10, which, at its end remote from the actual lightsaber 8, serves as a receiving ring for receiving a pivot pin 11 (not shown).This pivot pin 11 is inserted and guided in the circular recesses in the frame 17, so that the lightsaber 8, with the pivot lever 12, can pivot about the rotation axis with the pivot pin 11 from a container stop position 13 (not shown, but essentially corresponding to the position of the right lightsaber 8 in Figure 2) to a pivoted-out position 14 (also not shown). In the container stop position 13, the lightsabers 8 are at the smallest distance from the outside of the plant tower 3 and thus from the plants located in the plant receiving elements 5.

[0047] Furthermore, the illustration in Figure 2 shows the lid 4 for the container. The lid is lowered inwards towards its center and has an opening there. With the planting tower 3 in place, the lid 4 is designed as a water collecting device or as a collecting device for nutrient liquid, which can flow back into the container 2 through the opening in the center part of the lid 4, on which the planting tower 3 rests, without liquid flowing or dripping over the edge of the container onto its installation site. The lid itself has a maintenance flap 26 which can be removed and through which an inspection of the interior of the container is possible, for example.

[0048] Furthermore, the container 2 is shown with a water connection 24, through which water can be introduced into the device when the nutrient solution has been consumed or when, for example, the nutrient concentration in the nutrient liquid is higher than required after the addition of nutrient granules. The required concentration can be adjusted by adding fresh water. Furthermore, a power connection 25 is provided, which is integrated into the frame 17.

[0049] In Figure 3, Figure 3a) shows a three-dimensional representation of the pivoted-out position 14 of the lightsabers 8 and thus the position of the maximum distance of the lightsabers 8 from the outer surface of the planting tower 3 or the plants in the plant receiving elements 5, as well as a top view of this state of the plant cultivation device (see Figure 3b). For the sake of simplicity, all other parts such as the lid 4 and the planting tower 3 are omitted. Only the frame 17, which is mounted on the top side of the container 2, and the sliding rings present on the opposite sides of the pivot levers 12 from the lightsabers 8 are shown assembled. These sliding rings comprise a pivot pin 11 (not shown separately), around which the lightsabers 8, together with the pivot lever 12, pivot from the container stop position 13 into the pivoted-out position 14, as shown here in Figure 3.It is clear that in this maximum pivoting position 14, the respective pivoting levers 12 of the respective lightsabers 8 are aligned with their outer edge of the pivoting lever 12 together with the side surface 16. This results in a very tidy structural unit of the device despite the pivoting. Pivoting the lightsabers 8 from the minimum distance position to the plants to the maximum distance position enables the light intensity for the plants, i.e. for the growth of the plants, to be adjusted depending on the size of the plants and depending on the intensity required for a certain growth and for a certain quality of the plants. This makes it possible to adjust the light intensity in response to plant growth on the planting tower 3.

[0050] Figure 3b) shows a top view of this pivoted-out position 14 of the lightsabers 8, a three-pronged construction, so to speak. For a clear understanding and recognition of the clear structure of the frame 17 with its drawers 18, the frame itself is shown in three-dimensional form in Figure 4. The flat sections running in the radial direction of the device, together with the hexagonal shape, ensure a significant increase in the stability of the container. Such a construction allows the container walls to be made thinner to save weight, while still ensuring that the entire structure of the plant cultivation device is stable enough that no deformation of the walls occurs even when the container is fully filled.

[0051] Figure 5 shows the basic structure of a basket 22, which is intended to be inserted into the opening of a respective plant receiving element 5, which is attached to the side surfaces 16 of the respective stacking modules 23 of the plant tower 3. The lattice structure enables the roots to grow through the openings and thus securely hold the respective plants in the plant receiving elements 5. The baskets 22 can be designed in different sizes and, depending on the size of the plant, can be inserted into corresponding plant receiving elements 5, which, thanks to a conical structure, reliably hold different sizes of the baskets 22.

[0052] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of an intermediate floor 27, which is arranged for installation on the upper part of each stacking module 27 forming the planting tower 3. The essential function of the intermediate floor 27 is to pump nutrient liquid, which has previously been pumped into the upper part of the planting tower 3 via line 6 (see Figure 7). The planting module 32 consists of the plant receiving element 5 and the basket 22. An upper collecting area 28 and a lower collecting area 29 are provided in the intermediate floor 27. The nutrient liquid, which collects in the upper collecting area 28 until an overflow 30 is reached, then flows down a slope towards the middle area of ​​the intermediate floor 27 and is fed to the lower collecting area 29.From the lower collection area 29, the nutrient fluid is fed to a drain 31 via a downwardly inclined, plate-like crown area, so that the flow path 33 is fed directly to the root areas of the plants in the planting modules. The intermediate floor 27 is thus designed so that the nutrient fluid, regardless of the source from above, collects in the lower collection area, from where it can flow evenly from all sides to the roots of the plants.

[0053] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a section of a planting tower 3, which consists of three stacked or interconnected stacking modules 23. It is shown that an intermediate floor 27 is arranged in the upper area of ​​each stacking module 23. The line 6, by means of which nutrient liquid is conveyed from the container 2 (not shown here) into the upper part of the planting tower 3, runs through the middle of the intermediate floor 27. In the planting tower 3, the nutrient liquid is distributed outwards at the top. The liquid distributor 15 (not shown) in the uppermost stacking module 23 essentially corresponds to an intermediate floor, which also ensures an even distribution of the nutrient liquid towards the roots of the plants in the planting modules 32.Figure 7 shows the basic path the liquid takes on its flow path 33, namely through the root area of ​​the plants in the planting module 32, from where it then reaches the intermediate floor 27. Due to the inclined arrangement of the side surfaces of the intermediate floor 27, the nutrient liquid reaches the central area of ​​the intermediate floor and from there into the lower collecting container 29, from where it is again directed radially outwards in the planting tower 3 on an inclined, plate-like surface. After leaving the inclined, plate-like part of the intermediate floor 27, it flows directly to the underlying roots of the plants in the basket 22.In this way, the planting tower 3, unlike the known planting towers, is provided with an intermediate floor 27 in the function of a liquid distributor, so that it is ensured that all roots of the plants in the respective planting modules 32 are supplied with nutrient liquid evenly and reliably depending on the dosage.

[0054] Figure 7.1 shows how the functioning of the intermediate floor is ensured even though a blocked area 35 prevents reliable drainage from the upper collection area 28. For this purpose, a first overflow 30.1 is structurally provided in the central area, via which the accumulated nutrient solution in the central area of ​​the intermediate floor 27 is directed downwards from the upper collection area to the outwardly inclined, plate-like slope, from which the flow path 33 of the nutrient liquid is led directly to the root areas of the plants in the baskets 22 in the plant receiving elements 5 of the planting module 32. This makes it clear that the intermediate floor 27 not only distributes the liquid, but also continues to ensure functionality via an overflow even if an outflow area from the intermediate floor becomes blocked.This is particularly useful because with such plant towers, it's unavoidable that roots or other small parts of the plants get into the nutrient solution, which can clog the sieves and cause certain blockages. In this respect, it's particularly advantageous that the intermediate floor still functions well and reliably, and the nutrient solution flows evenly and precisely to the root areas of the plants.

[0055] Figure 7.2 shows another example of an even more severe blockage in the interior of the intermediate floor 27. There, the areas of the first overflow shown in Figure 7.1 are also blocked, so that no nutrient liquid collecting in the upper collection area 28 can drain away via the blocked overflows 35. Therefore, a second overflow 30.2 is provided in the intermediate floor, through which liquid can drain away along the circumferential outer surfaces of the intermediate floor 27, between these outer surfaces and the inner surfaces of the stacking modules 23. From there, the liquid can reach the root areas of the plants directly without being guided over the plate-like slopes.

[0056] Figure 7.3 shows a further overflow, overflow 30.3, which is independent of whether overflows 30.1 or 30.2 are blocked or not. The third overflow 30.3 is an overflow provided in case nutrient liquid drains downwards from the areas with the plant receiving elements in the stacking modules 23. At the third overflows 30.3, this nutrient liquid can be led from the outside back into the interior of the plant tower 3. This prevents liquid that escapes to the outside from flowing downwards on the plant tower 3 and, if drainage is not possible in the lid of the hydroponic plant cultivation device according to the invention, collecting there and possibly flowing via the container onto the outside floor area, which should generally be avoided.

[0057] Figure 7.4 illustrates another type of blockage, which also requires ensuring that the nutrient fluid reaches all root areas located on a stacking module 23 evenly. Figure 7.4 shows that the central region of the intermediate floor 27 is blocked on one side, meaning that water collecting in the upper collection area 28 due to the blockage 35 can no longer drain through the central area on this blocked side. However, if the entire central interior area is not blocked 35, i.e., if the case shown in Figure 7.4 applies, the flow path 33 can flow in the usual way through the central region of the intermediate floor to the entire area of ​​the plate-like, downwardly inclined circumferential slopes.From there, the flow path 33 leads over the outer edges of these plate-like slopes directly downwards to the underlying root areas of the plants located there in the plant receiving elements, so that even with the indicated blockage 35, a reliable, uniform supply of nutrient liquid to each of the plants in the plant tower 3 is still ensured.

[0058] Figure 8 shows a stacking module 23, specifically the lowest stacking module 23 of the planting tower 3, from which a planting module 32 has been removed. In the upper area of ​​the oval cutout for the basket 22 carrying a plant, two insertion guides 34 are indicated, into which corresponding guide elements are inserted. The planting module 32, which consists of the plant receiving element 5 and the basket 22, can be guided in the insertion guides 34 and reliably fastened to the outside of the planting module 32. The planting module 32 is now designed such that it can be easily removed from the planting tower 3 and, for example, even placed directly for consumption of the plants or even as decoration on a dining table.After removing leaves from the plant, for example for salad, the plant can then be locked again together with the planting module 32 in the corresponding opening and reattached to the planting tower 3, so that the plant can then continue to grow without any problems with the appropriate supply of nutrients.

[0059] Finally, Figure 9 shows how the planting module 32 with the plant receiving element 5 and the basket 22 can be removed from the stacking module 23 or reattached to it.

[0060] Figure 10 shows a three-dimensional representation of the plant receiving element 5 in a front view and a bottom view. The bottom view shows two insertion guides 34 of this planting module 32, which are provided with corresponding guide openings or receiving insertion guides 34 in the housing of the stacking module 23. Figure 11 shows such a base part of the stacking module 23 with the openings in the side walls. In this embodiment, the stacking module 23 and thus the planting tower 3 are hexagonal in shape.

[0061] In principle, the planting module 32 has a modular design so that it can be inserted into and removed from any of the hexagonal stacking modules 23. In a standard tower, six stacking modules 23 are generally arranged one above the other, with six planting modules 32 attached to each stacking module 23, i.e., to each of its surfaces. The planting module 5 is inserted into the opening in the stacking module 23 from above at an angle of approximately 60°. Due to the angle and the fit with two receiving insertion guides on the top, the planting module 5 is securely fixed in the stacking module 23 and its surfaces on the underside are sealed against the outer surfaces of the stacking module 23. At an angle of approximately 60°, the planting module 5, together with the plant and the basket 22, can be pulled out of the locking mechanism again.The fact that the planting module 32 is removable also makes it possible to reach through the opening in the side walls of the stacking module 23, allowing access to the interior of the planting tower 3 through this opening and, if necessary, to perform additional cleaning by removing any plant material that could cause a blockage. Therefore, the planting modules or plant receiving elements 5 are provided with openings that allow the human hand to reach through them.

[0062] The intermediate floor 27, located on the upper sides of each stacking module 23, is designed so that its primary function is to act as a root stop via sieve grids. This means that the roots that have detached from the plants can be collected in each intermediate floor. This is important to prevent detached roots and plant parts from reaching the other plants on the levels below and causing blockages there. As a second function, each intermediate floor 27 is intended to evenly distribute the nutrient liquid to each plant on every level below, so that all plants are evenly supplied with nutrient liquid.The intermediate floor 27 consists of three main parts: the intermediate floor main module, the lid located at the top, and the actual nutrient liquid distributor located at the bottom, with the radially outward and slightly downward-sloping drainage surfaces. This distributor is screwed into the intermediate floor main module from below. To prevent clogging caused by roots and other plant debris collecting on the intermediate floor 27, three overflows that operate independently of one another are provided. If, for example, the main water overflow (first overflow 30.1) in the middle of the intermediate floor becomes clogged, the water can still flow via the second and third overflows 30.2 and 30.3 to the actual nutrient liquid distributor, where the nutrient liquid then collects and is evenly distributed to all six plants of a respective stacking module 23 on the next level.

[0063] List of reference symbols

[0064] 1 hydroponic plant culture device

[0065] 2 nutrient liquid containers / containers

[0066] 3 Planting tower

[0067] 4 lids

[0068] 5 Plant receiving element

[0069] 6 Line

[0070] 7 Pump

[0071] 8 Lightsaber

[0072] 9 lights

[0073] 10 lower end lightsaber

[0074] 11 pivot pins

[0075] 12 swivel levers

[0076] 13 Container stop position

[0077] 14 Swing-out position

[0078] 15 liquid distributors

[0079] 16 Side surface container

[0080] 17 frames

[0081] 18 drawers

[0082] 19 Floor

[0083] 20 rolls

[0084] 21 Power supply unit

[0085] 22 baskets

[0086] 23 Stacking module

[0087] 24 water connection

[0088] 25 Power connection

[0089] 26 Maintenance hatch

[0090] 27 intermediate floor

[0091] 28 upper collection area

[0092] 29 lower collection area

[0093] 30 Overflow

[0094] 30.1 first overflow

[0095] 30.2 second overflow

[0096] 30.3 third overflow

[0097] 31 Drain planting module flow path nutrient liquid insertion guide planting module blocked overflows

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Modular hydroponic plant cultivation device (1), comprising: a nutrient liquid container (2) which can be closed with a lid (4) supporting a plant tower (3), wherein the plant tower (3) has receiving elements (5) for plants; and a line (6) extending inside the plant tower (3), via which the nutrient liquid can be supplied to the plants by means of a pump (7); characterized in that - lights (9) designed as lightsabers (8) are arranged to the side of the planting tower (3), which are integrally connected to the container (2); - by means of a pivoting lever (12) arranged at the lower end (10) of a respective lightsaber (8) with respect to the container (2) so as to be pivotable about a pivot pin (11), its respective distance from the outside of the planting tower (3) can be varied; and - the respective pivoting levers (12) in their container stop position (13) are designed to be congruent in shape with and to abut against the top of the container (2).

2. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the upper region of the plant tower (3) a liquid distributor (15) is arranged, which is designed such that the nutrient liquid conveyed by means of the pump (7) through the line (6) to the upper region of the plant tower (3) can be distributed in the interior of the plant tower (3).

3. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the nutrient liquid conveyed through the line (6) by means of the pump (7) can be adjusted to be distributed.

4. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light swords (8) are pivotable from the container stop position (13) into a pivoting position (14) in which the maximum radial distance of the light swords (8) from the outside in the region of the top side of the container (2) is reached when the pivoting lever (12) with the side surface of the container (2) illuminates from the pivot pin (11).

5. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the container (2) has a polygonal outer shape.

6. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the number of lightsabers (8) corresponds to half of the side surfaces (16) formed between the corner edges with corresponding top sides of the container (2).

7. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that on the top side of the container (2) between the respective pivot levers (12) of the lightsabers (8) and the actual lightsabers (8) a frame adapted to the top of the shape of the container (2) is provided.

8. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that drawers are integrated into the frame.

9. Hydroponic plant cultivation device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the lid (4) of the container (2) is fastened on the frame (17), which lid carries the planting tower (3) in its inner region and is inclined downwards from the top of the container (2) to the inner region.

10. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the container (2) has at least three spaced-apart rollers (20) on its side facing the bottom (19).

11. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a power supply unit (21) is provided.

12. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the plant receiving elements (5) have interchangeable baskets (22) in which the plants are received and whose roots extend far enough into the interior of the plant tower (3) that they absorb the nutrient liquid flowing downwards from the liquid distributor (15) in the plant tower (3).

13. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the plant tower (3) has 4 to 8, in particular 6, stacking modules (23).

14. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the container (2) including its top has a hexagonal or octagonal outer shape.

15. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the container (2) including its top side has a round outer shape and the pivot levers (12) have a sickle-shaped design adapted to the round outer shape.

16. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that at least one intermediate floor (27) is arranged in the plant tower (3), which is designed such that nutrient liquid flowing from the upper region of the plant tower (3) to its lower region is guided radially outwards in the plant tower in the direction of its inner side to the roots of the plants.

17. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the stacking modules (23) have an intermediate floor (27) in their respective upper region.

18. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that plant modules (32) having plant receiving elements (5) with baskets (22) can be detachably fastened to the side surfaces of the stacking modules (23).

19. Hydroponic plant culture device (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that the plant modules (32) are fastened to the respective stacking module (32) in a sealing manner, in particular by means of a seal, by means of an insertion guide (34).

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