Pressure-Dependent Shut-Off Element for Automatic Plant Watering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic watering devices for plants face issues with excessive moisture when the water storage tank is positioned above the liquid distributor, leading to constant water flow into the soil, which can be detrimental to the plants, and reducing porosity to prevent this results in insufficient water supply.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-dependent shut-off element is introduced between the tubular line and the liquid distributor, utilizing self-sealing membrane openings that open at specific pressure differences to regulate water flow, ensuring equilibrium between water intake and release, allowing the device to function effectively regardless of the storage tank's position relative to the liquid distributor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the storage container is positioned above the liquid distributor, then easier handling and positioning is achieved, but excessive moisture and overwatering occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A shut-off element is introduced as an intermediary component between the storage container and the liquid distributor. This shut-off element selectively prevents water from flowing into the liquid distributor when the storage container is positioned above it, thereby eliminating the harmful overwatering effect while preserving the positioning freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of gravity-driven continuous water flow is extracted and isolated by the shut-off element. The shut-off element removes the unwanted water flow while allowing the storage container to remain in the convenient elevated position for handling and positioning.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If porosity of the liquid distributor is reduced to prevent overwatering, then moisture control improves, but water supply becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two independent control mechanisms: the porosity of the liquid distributor controls the maximum water release rate to the soil, while the shut-off element controls the water intake from the storage container. This segmentation allows each parameter to be optimized independently without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The shut-off element acts as an intermediary that regulates water intake separately from the porosity-based water release control. This dual-control approach allows the liquid distributor to maintain its porosity for adequate water supply while the shut-off element prevents excessive water intake when the storage container is elevated.
3Quantity of substance
If constant water inflow is provided to the liquid distributor, then water availability is ensured, but moisture balance control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The water flow system is transformed from a static constant inflow to a dynamic flow that automatically adjusts based on the relative position of the storage container and liquid distributor. The shut-off element enables the system to adapt between two states: blocked when the container is above (preventing overwatering) and open when the container is at or below (ensuring water availability).
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements passive feedback through gravity and the shut-off element mechanism. When water is released to the soil, the liquid level in the distributor drops, automatically allowing more water to flow in from the storage container. This creates a self-regulating moisture balance without requiring active control.
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
This solution maintains optimal moisture levels by controlling water intake and release, preventing overwatering while ensuring sufficient hydration, even when the storage container is positioned above the liquid distributor, and allows for easier handling and positioning of the device.
Implementation Method 1
the shut-off element comprises a membrane which has at least one self-sealing through-opening... Due to the material properties of the rubber or plastic, such through openings introduced by perforation close automatically and form a watertight wall up to a certain pressure. These self-sealing through-openings open above a certain pressure difference between the two sides before and after the through-opening and allow liquid (or gas) to pass through.
Implementation Method 2
by using capillary forces to strike a balance between the amount of water that is released into the soil and the amount of water that comes out flows from the reservoir into the liquid distributor
Implementation Method 3
the wall of the liquid distributor having porous openings only in its part surrounded by the soil
Data Source
AI summary
The device has a fluid distributor that is inserted into ground (8) that surrounds the cultivated plants, where the distributor is designed in a transparent manner. A reservoir is connected with the distributor by a tube or hose shaped conductor (4), where the wall of the distributor has porous openings only in a part surrounded by the ground. A pressure-dependent shutoff valve is inserted between the conductor and the distributor, where the valve has a separating diaphragm (6) with pressure-tight passage openings.