Sensor-Guided Plant Irrigation Tank for Adaptive Pot Watering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building infrastructure is not designed to support sustainable plant growth, leading to issues such as overwatering, over or under illumination, pest infestation, and limited plant species selection, which can weaken plants and reduce their resistance to bacteria and viruses.
Innovation Solution
A plant irrigation apparatus that monitors ambient factors and adapts irrigation needs, includes a fluid tank with a passthrough gap for the plant stem, an electrical pump, and a control unit with sensors and AI algorithms to automate fluid delivery and health monitoring, capable of communicating with remote devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated irrigation systems are implemented, then plant health monitoring and adaptation to individual needs is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: a fluid reservoir for water storage, a pump system for fluid delivery, sensors for monitoring plant and soil conditions, and a control unit for processing data and actuating irrigation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving reliability while keeping the overall system manageable in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect soil moisture levels, plant health indicators, and environmental conditions. The control unit processes this data and triggers irrigation only when needed, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This self-service capability improves plant health monitoring reliability while the automation reduces operational complexity for the user.
2Adaptability or versatility
If AI algorithms and multiple sensors are integrated, then adaptation to individual plant needs is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus incorporates sensors that continuously monitor soil moisture, plant health parameters, and environmental conditions. This data is fed back to the control unit, which uses AI algorithms to analyze the information and adjust irrigation parameters accordingly. The feedback loop enables the system to adapt to individual plant needs dynamically, improving versatility while the structured feedback mechanism keeps the control system organized and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system adjusts multiple parameters including irrigation timing, duration, flow rate, and water volume based on sensor inputs and AI algorithm analysis. By changing these parameters dynamically according to plant-specific needs and environmental conditions, the system achieves high adaptability. The parameter-based control approach provides flexibility without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration.
3Productivity
If automated control systems are used, then irrigation optimization is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors plant and soil conditions, processes data through AI algorithms, and executes irrigation decisions without user intervention. This self-service operation maximizes irrigation efficiency by delivering water precisely when and where needed based on real-time conditions. The complete automation eliminates operational burden for users while maintaining high productivity through intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus pre-configures irrigation parameters and AI algorithms during setup, enabling the system to autonomously optimize irrigation schedules and delivery parameters. This preliminary configuration allows the system to immediately begin efficient operation without requiring users to manually adjust settings or monitor conditions, thereby improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through simple initial setup.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus sustains and grows plants over an extended period with minimal maintenance by adapting to individual plant needs, detecting health issues, and preventing pest infestation, thus broadening the range of plant species suitable for indoor planting.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical pump having a fluid intake pipe disposed inside the fluid tank, and said pump being connected to the at least one fluid irrigation pipe, thereby conveying fluid from the fluid tank to the plant bedding material via the at least one fluid irrigation pipe
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2f
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A plant irrigation apparatus configured to be disposed on top of plant bedding material in a vessel. The apparatus comprises a fluid tank defining at least one central through opening which is configured to enable a plant stem to grow through. A least one fluid irrigation pipe is disposed along at least one wall portion of the fluid tank. An electrical pump having a fluid intake pipe is disposed inside the fluid tank. The pump is connected to the fluid irrigation pipe, thereby conveying fluid from the fluid tank to the plant bedding material via the fluid irrigation pipe A control unit comprising at least one sensor, a processor and a memory with code is coupled to at least on of: a sensor, a transceiver, and output and an input device. The control unit is configured to control the electrical pump and thereby the flow of fluid from the fluid tank to the plant bedding material based on at least one of: plant specie type, plant growth stage, sensed bedding material moisture level, sensed external ambient temperature, sensed external humidity level, other device/s sensed input, code embedded program parameters coupled to artificial intelligence algorithms, and remote instruction/s. The application also refers to the use of such plant irrigation apparatus in a pot or planter and a method of optimizing a plant irrigation.