Watering time programmer for an irrigation system

Abstract

The invention concerns a watering time programmer (100) for an irrigation system, wherein said irrigation system comprises at least one solenoid valve adapted to switch from an on configuration, wherein said at least one solenoid valve allows water passage, to an off configuration, wherein said at least one solenoid valve does not allow any water passage, wherein said programmer (100) comprises a processor adapted to command said at least one solenoid valve to switch between said on configuration and said off configuration, and vice versa, an electronic memory, a clock, a first calibrated knob (10) adapted to set a first daily watering time, wherein said first calibrated knob (10) comprises numerical values ranging from 00 to 23, corresponding to the 24 hours of a day; a second calibrated knob (20) adapted to set a second daily watering time, wherein said second calibrated knob (20) comprises numerical values ranging from 00 to 23, corresponding to the 24 hours of the day, and a turn-off value that indicates a deactivation of the second daily watering time; a third calibrated knob (30) adapted to set a duration for a watering time period starting from said first or second daily watering time; a fourth calibrated knob (40) adapted to set a periodicity of said first and second daily watering times; a fifth knob (50) adapted to set a current hour of the clock by means of said first calibrated knob (10) and adapted to set an automatic configuration.

Description

[0001] WATERING TIME PROGRAMMER FOR AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM

[0002] The present invention relates to a watering time programmer for an irrigation system.

[0003] In the state of the art, watering time programmers for an irrigation system are known. The irrigation system comprises solenoid valves. The solenoid valves are connected to the programmer. The programmer commands the solenoid valves by switching them from an on configuration, wherein the solenoid valves allow water passage and thus watering, to an off configuration, wherein the solenoid valves do not allow any water passage, thereby preventing watering. The programmer commands the solenoid valves by setting watering times, i.e. , by setting time periods during which to command the solenoid valves of the irrigation system to switch from the off configuration to the on configuration or vice versa.

[0004] In the state of the art, there are analog and digital watering time programmers, also referred to as timers .

[0005] Digital watering time programmers require at least one electronic screen that allows programming of watering times, but disadvantageously , the screen can get dirty and break in a garden environment, and the presence of the screen requires a more powerful power battery. Disadvantageously, a user of the digital watering time programmer, such as for example a gardener, cannot understand what the set watering times are by looking at the digital programmer but needs to turn on the screen of the digital programmer, enter the setting program, and display the set watering times on the screen .

[0006] Analog watering time programmers are more functional as they allow the gardener to immediately understand what the set watering times are since they are directly visible, as the analog programmer comprises calibrated knobs and indexes that indicate watering time values .

[0007] Disadvantageously , analog watering time programmers allow to set a smaller amount of watering time values, for example, they allow to set how often to irrigate, for example from a specific time instant, setting a time frame within which a subsequent watering will occur.

[0008] Disadvantageously, analog watering time programmers cannot set two different start times within a single day, for example, they do not allow to set a first watering at 7:00 in the morning and a second watering at 10:00 in the evening, since between 7:00 and 22:00 there is a first time period of 15 hours, while between 22:00 and 7:00 there is a second time period of 9 hours, i.e. , in two times separated by two different time periods.

[0009] An object of the present invention consists in making a watering time programmer for irrigation systems which allow to activate at least two waterings per day at two times separated by two different time periods.

[0010] In accordance with the invention, such object is achieved by a watering time programmer according to claim 1.

[0011] Another object of the present invention consists in making a process for programming watering times for irrigation systems which allows to activate at least two waterings per day at two times separated by two different time periods . In accordance with the invention, such other object is achieved by a process for programming a first and a second daily watering time for an irrigation system by means of a programmer according to claim 8.

[0012] Other features are provided in the dependent claims .

[0013] The features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following exemplary and not limiting description referred to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a plan view of a watering time programmer for an irrigation system according to the present invention, comprising a first calibrated knob to set a first daily watering time, a second calibrated knob to set a second daily watering time, a third calibrated knob to set a duration of the first and the second daily watering time, a fourth calibrated knob to set a periodicity of the two daily watering times measured in days, and a fifth knob to set a current hour by means of said first calibrated knob and to set an automatic activation of the two daily watering times;

[0015] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the first and second calibrated knobs, wherein only the first calibrated knob sets the first daily watering time, for example, 7:00 in the morning;

[0016] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the first and second calibrated knobs, wherein the first calibrated knob sets the first daily watering time, for example, 7:00, and the second calibrated knob sets the second daily watering time, for example, 22:00;

[0017] Figure 4 is a view of the first and second calibrated knobs comprising a housing, and of the fifth knob, which comprises a cam adapted to interfere with said housing of the second calibrated knob, wherein the first and second calibrated knobs are free to rotate;

[0018] Figure 5 is a view of the first and second calibrated knobs and of the fifth knob, wherein the cam of the fifth knob interferes with said housing of the second calibrated knob, preventing said second calibrated knob from rotating and allowing only the first calibrated knob to set a current hour;

[0019] Figure 6 shows a configuration of Figure 5, wherein the first knob rotates until 12: 00, fixing the current hour at which the programmer is set to 12:00.

[0020] With reference to the cited figures and particularly Figure 1, a watering time programmer 100 for an irrigation system (not shown in the figures) is shown .

[0021] The irrigation system comprises at least one solenoid valve adapted to switch from an on configuration, wherein said at least one solenoid valve allows water passage and thus watering, to an off configuration, wherein said at least one solenoid valve does not allow any water passage, thereby preventing watering .

[0022] The solenoid valves are connected to the programmer 100.

[0023] The programmer 100 commands the solenoid valves through at least one watering time setting, i.e. , by setting time periods during which to command the solenoid valves of the irrigation system to switch from the off configuration to the on configuration or vice versa.

[0024] As shown particularly in Figure 1, the programmer 100 comprises a box-shaped body 101, a first calibrated knob 10 to set a first daily watering time, a second calibrated knob 20 to set a second daily watering time, a third calibrated knob 30 to set a watering time period duration starting from the first and / or second daily watering time, a fourth calibrated knob 40 to set a periodicity of the two daily watering times measured in days, and a fifth knob 50 to set a current hour by means of said first calibrated knob 10 and to set an automatic activation of the two daily watering times.

[0025] Calibrated knob means a knob comprising a plurality of notches corresponding to a plurality of numerical values, comprising an indicator that indicates a value selected by the calibrated knob.

[0026] The first calibrated knob 10 comprises numerical values ranging from 00 to 23, corresponding to the 24 hours of the day.

[0027] The second calibrated knob 20 comprises numerical values ranging from 00 to 23, corresponding to the 24 hours of the day, and a turn-off value, indicated for example as OFF in the drawings, which indicates the deactivation of the second daily watering time. When the second calibrated knob 20 selects the OFF value, it means that only the first daily watering time can be selected.

[0028] As shown in the figures, the first calibrated knob 10 is rotatably mounted with the box-shaped body 101 of said programmer 100. Said second calibrated knob 20 is rotatably mounted with the box-shaped body 101 of the programmer 100.

[0029] Preferably, the first calibrated knob 10 and the second calibrated knob 20 are rotatably mounted with the box-shaped body 101 on a same rotation geometric axis.

[0030] The first calibrated knob 10 is rotatably movable independently from the second calibrated knob 20.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, for example, the first calibrated knob 10 sets the first daily watering time, for example, 7:00 in the morning, while the second calibrated knob 20 is set to OFF. In this example, only one daily watering will occur at 7:00.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, for example, the first calibrated knob 10 sets the first daily watering time, for example, 7:00 in the morning, while the second calibrated knob 20 is set to 22:00. In this example, two daily waterings will occur: the first at 7:00 and the second at 22:00.

[0033] Advantageously, as shown particularly in Figures 2 and 3, it is possible to set two different watering times within a single day, for example, by setting a first watering at 7:00 in the morning and a second watering at 22:00 in the evening. A first time period between 7:00 and 22:00 is 15 hours, while a second time period between 22:00 and 7:00 is 9 hours, therefore the two time periods are two different time periods.

[0034] Said programmer 100 comprises power batteries, a processor, a memory, and a clock powered by the power batteries .

[0035] The processor commands said at least one solenoid valve of the irrigation system.

[0036] The memory stores the times and the time period durations set by the knobs 10, 20, 30, and 40 of the programmer 100.

[0037] The memory further stores at least one program for driving said at least one solenoid valve of the irrigation system and instructions of the processor.

[0038] The clock can be a mechanical mechanism, or it can be implemented as software within the memory and driven by the processor of the programmer 100.

[0039] The memory also stores the current time value defined by the clock of the programmer.

[0040] The third calibrated knob 30 comprises a plurality of notches, each notch defines a value of the watering time period duration starting when the first and / or second daily watering time is triggered.

[0041] For instance, as shown in Figure 1, the watering time periods are between 30 seconds and 120 minutes, but other time durations are also possible.

[0042] Preferably, the third calibrated knob 30 also comprises two further values.

[0043] A first further value is a value which depicts a hand and corresponds to an on configuration of the programmer 100, in which the programmer 100 is in an on configuration and commands said at least one solenoid valve to switch from the off configuration to the on configuration, allowing continuous watering as long as the third calibrated knob 30 continues to select the value which depicts the hand.

[0044] A second further value is a turn-off value, represented in the figures as OFF, which corresponds to an off configuration of the programmer 100, in which the programmer 100 commands said at least one solenoid valve of the irrigation system to switch from the on configuration to the off configuration, stopping watering .

[0045] Advantageously, the third calibrated knob 30 comprises an index 31 that selects a value from said plurality of notches described above.

[0046] When the clock of the programmer arrives to the first daily watering time and / or arrives to the second daily watering time, the programmer 100 commands said at least one solenoid valve of the irrigation system to switch from the off configuration to the on configuration, so as to allow watering.

[0047] Once the clock of the programmer 100 signals that the watering time period has ended, then the programmer 100 commands said at least one solenoid valve of the irrigation system to switch from the on configuration to the off configuration, so as to stop watering.

[0048] The fourth calibrated knob 40 comprises a plurality of notches corresponding to a respective periodicity of the two daily watering times, measured in days, wherein each notch corresponds to a day, for example, from 1 day to 10 days.

[0049] The fourth knob 40 comprises an indicator 41 to select a periodicity value.

[0050] For example, by selecting 1 day with the fourth calibrated knob 40, the programmer 100 will trigger watering at the first daily watering time set by the first calibrated knob 10 and at the second daily watering time set by the second calibrated knob 20, if the second daily watering time is set.

[0051] For example, by selecting 2 days with the fourth calibrated knob 40, the programmer 100 will trigger watering at the first and second daily watering times once every 2 days .

[0052] For example, by selecting 3 days with the fourth calibrated knob 40, the programmer 100 will trigger watering at the first and second daily watering times once every 3 days, and so on.

[0053] The fifth knob 50 rotates on a rotation geometric axis relative to the box-shaped body 101 of the programmer 100 and switches from an "auto" value to a "set clock" value.

[0054] The auto value of the fifth knob 50 corresponds to an operating configuration of the programmer 100, in which, if the third knob 30 is positioned on a value other than OFF, watering starts at the first daily watering time and, if set, also at the second daily watering time.

[0055] The set clock value of the fifth knob 50 corresponds to a configuration for setting the current hour of the clock of the programmer 100.

[0056] In order to set the current hour of the clock, the fifth knob 50 is rotated to the "set clock" position, as shown in Figure 5.

[0057] The second calibrated knob 20 comprising a housing 25. The fifth knob 50 comprises a cam 52 adapted to interfere with said housing 25 of the second calibrated knob 20.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5, the cam 52 of the fifth knob 50 interferes with said housing 25 of the second calibrated knob 20, preventing said second calibrated knob 20 from rotating and allowing the first calibrated knob 10 to set the current hour for the clock.

[0059] For example, Figure 6 shows the first calibrated knob 10 rotated to 12:00, fixing the current hour at which the programmer 100 is set to 12:00.

[0060] Once the current hour is set, the fifth knob 50 is repositioned to the "auto" position, and the processor records the current hour value for the clock in the clock and / or in the memory.

[0061] Advantageously, the programmer 100 is analog, and allows users to immediately understand the two daily watering times simply by looking at the positions of the first 10 and the second knob 20.

[0062] Even more preferably, as shown in Figure 1, the programmer 100 comprises a battery charge signaller 60. Preferably, the battery charge signaller 60 is a LED light. Even more preferably, when the battery reaches a value considered as the discharged value, then the charge signaller 60 signals the low battery value, for example, by turning on the LED light or turning on and off the LED light intermittently.

[0063] More generally, the watering time programmer 100 for the irrigation system, wherein said irrigation system comprises at least one solenoid valve adapted to switch from an on configuration, wherein said at least one solenoid valve allows water passage, to an off configuration, wherein said at least one solenoid valve does not allow any water passage. Said programmer 100 comprises a processor adapted to command said at least one solenoid valve to switch between said on configuration and said off configuration, and vice versa, the electronic memory, the clock, the first calibrated knob 10 adapted to set the first daily watering time, wherein said first calibrated knob 10 comprises numerical values ranging from 00 to 23, corresponding to the 24 hours of a day. The second calibrated knob 20 is adapted to set the second daily watering time, wherein said second calibrated knob 20 comprises numerical values ranging from 00 to 23, corresponding to the 24 hours of the day, and a turn-off value that indicates the deactivation of the second daily watering time. The third calibrated knob 30 is adapted to set a duration of a watering time period starting from said first or second daily watering time. The fourth calibrated knob 40 is adapted to set a periodicity of said first and second daily watering times. The fifth knob 50 is adapted to set a current hour of the clock by means of said first calibrated knob 10 and adapted to set an automatic configuration. Said automatic configuration of the programmer 100 provides that when said clock reaches said first and / or said second daily watering time, the processor commands said at least one solenoid valve to switch from the off configuration to the on configuration for a time duration corresponding to said watering time period, and at the end of said watering time period, said processor commands said at least one solenoid valve to switch from the on configuration to the off configuration.

[0064] Alternatively, it is possible to provide that the first calibrated knob 10 is rotatably mounted with the box-shaped body 101 of the programmer on a geometric axis different from a second rotation geometric axis, around which the second calibrated knob 20 is rotatably mounted .

[0065] Regarding the operation, a process is provided for programming a first and a second daily watering time for an irrigation system by means of a programmer 100. The process comprises a step of setting the current hour of said clock, wherein said step of setting the current hour of said clock provides to rotate said first calibrated knob 10 to the current hour and setting the clock to said current hour. The process comprises a step of setting a first daily watering time by selecting said first daily watering time by means of said first calibrated knob 10.

[0066] The process comprises a step of setting a second daily watering time by selecting said second daily watering time by means of said second calibrated knob 20.

[0067] The process comprises a step of setting a duration of a watering time period by selecting said watering time period by means of said third calibrated knob 30.

[0068] The process comprises a step of setting a periodicity of said first and second daily watering times by selecting said periodicity by means of said fourth calibrated knob 40.

[0069] The process comprises an automatic configuration step of the programmer 100 providing that said clock reaches said first and / or said second daily watering times, the processor commands said at least one solenoid valve to switch from the off configuration to the on configuration for a time duration corresponding to said watering time period at the end of said watering time period, said processor commands said at least one solenoid valve to switch from the on configuration to the off configuration.

[0070] Said automatic configuration step starts once every periodicity fixed in days by said fourth calibrated knob 40.

[0071] In order to set the current hour of the clock, it is provided that the process comprises a step of rotating the fifth knob 50 to the "set clock" position, as shown in Figure 5.

[0072] The process comprises a step of setting the current hour, which provides, as shown in Figure 5, that the cam 52 of the fifth knob 50 is positioned in interference with said housing 25 of the second calibrated knob 20, preventing said second calibrated knob 20 from rotating and setting the current hour of the clock by means of the first calibrated knob 10.

[0073] The process comprises a step of saving the current hour of the clock, which provides to rotate the fifth knob 50 back to the "auto" position to allow the automatic configuration of the programmer 100.

[0074] Advantageously, the watering time programmer 100 for irrigation systems according to the present invention allows to activate at least two waterings per day at two times separated by two different time periods.

[0075] Advantageously, the process for programming watering times for irrigation systems according to the present invention allows to activate at least two waterings per day at two times separated by two different time periods .

[0076] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any depending on the technical requirements.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Watering time programmer (100) for an irrigation system, wherein said irrigation system comprises at least one solenoid valve adapted to switch from an on configuration wherein said at least one solenoid valve allows a water passage to an off configuration wherein said at least one solenoid valve does not allow any water passage, wherein said programmer (100) comprises a processor adapted to command said at least one solenoid valve to switch from said on configuration and said off configuration and vice versa, an electronic memory, a clock, a first calibrated knob (10) adapted to set a first daily watering time, wherein said first calibrated knob (10) comprises numerical values ranging from 00 to 23 corresponding to 24 hours of a day, a second calibrated knob (20) adapted to set a second daily watering time, wherein said second calibrated knob (20) comprises numerical values ranging from 00 to 23 corresponding to 24 hours of the day and a turn-off value indicating a deactivation of the second daily watering time, a third calibrated knob (30) adapted to set a watering time period duration from said first or second daily watering time, a fourth calibrated knob (40) adapted to set a periodicity of said first and second daily watering time, a fifth knob (50) adapted to set a current hour of the clock by means of said first calibrated knob (10)and adapted to set an automatic configuration, wherein said automatic configuration of the programmer (100) provides that when said clock reaches said first and / or said second daily watering time, the processor commands said at least one solenoid valve to switch from the off configuration to the on configuration for a time duration corresponding to said watering time period and at the end of said watering time period said processor commands said at least one solenoid valve to switch from the on configuration to the off configuration .

2. Programmer (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first calibrated knob (10) and said second calibrated knob (20) are rotatably mounted on a same rotation geometric axis.

3. Programmer (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said first calibrated knob (10) is rotatably movable independently from said second calibrated knob (20) .

4. Programmer (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third calibrated knob (30) comprises a first further value corresponding to an on configuration of the programmer (100) , wherein the programmer 100 is in the on configuration and commands said at least one solenoid valve to switch from the off configuration to the on configuration .

5. Programmer (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third calibrated knob (30) comprises a second further turn-off value corresponding to an off configuration of the programmer (100) , wherein the programmer (100) commandssaid at least one solenoid valve of the irrigation system to switch from the on configuration to the off configuration .

6. Programmer (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fourth calibrated knob (40) comprises a plurality of notches corresponding to a respective periodicity of said first and second daily watering time, wherein every notch corresponds to a day.

7. Programmer (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second calibrated knob (20) comprising a housing (25) and that said fifth knob (50) comprises a cam (52) adapted to interfere with said housing (25) of the second calibrated knob (20) preventing said second calibrated knob (20) from rotating and allowing said first calibrated knob (10) to set the current hour for the clock.

8. Process for programming a first and second daily watering time for an irrigation system by means of a programmer (100) according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized by comprising a step of setting the current hour of said clock, wherein said step of setting the current hour of said clock provides to rotate said first calibrated knob (10) to the current hour and to set the clock to said current hour, a step of setting a first daily watering time selecting said first daily watering time by means of said first calibrated knob (10) , a step of setting a second daily watering time selecting said second daily watering time by means of said second calibrated knob (20) ,a step of setting a duration of a watering time period selecting said watering time period by means of said third calibrated knob (30) , a step of setting a periodicity of said first and second daily watering time selecting said periodicity by means of a fourth calibrated knob (40) , an automatic configuration step of the programmer (100) providing that said clock reaches said first and / or said second daily watering time, the processor commands said at least one solenoid valve to switch from the off configuration to the on configuration for a time duration corresponding to said watering time period and at the end of said watering time period said processor commands said at least one solenoid valve to switch from the on configuration to the off configuration, wherein said automatic configuration step starts once every periodicity fixed in days by said fourth calibrated knob (40) .

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