CN116782760A

CN116782760A - Modular hydroponic system for indoor use

Info

Publication number: CN116782760A
Application number: CN202180092339.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·许尔斯科特; S·许尔斯科特
Original assignee: City Beehive Co ltd
Current assignee: City Beehive Co ltd
Priority date: 2020-12-22
Filing date: 2021-12-22
Publication date: 2023-09-19
Also published as: EP4266869A1; DE102020134776A1; DE102020134776B4; WO2022136530A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydroponic device for indoor use in houses and residential buildings, comprising a base body and at least two agronomic inserts for receiving crops, the base body comprising a receiving area with a receiving opening, the receiving area being defined by a surrounding wall and optionally by a bottom connected to the surrounding wall, the agronomic inserts each comprising a base plate, the agronomic inserts being reversibly and non-destructively detachably arranged in the receiving opening of the receiving area and each partially covering the receiving opening, the outer contour of the agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving opening being dimensioned such that the combined outer contour of all agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving opening substantially completely reflects the contour of the receiving opening, the surrounding wall being configured such that the base plates of all agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving opening each make a first angle in the range of 45 DEG to 85 DEG with at least one first section of the surrounding wall.

Description

Modular hydroponic system for indoor use

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hydroponic device for indoor use in homes and residential buildings, a modular hydroponic system comprising a corresponding hydroponic device, the use of a corresponding hydroponic device or a modular hydroponic system for cultivating commercial crops under optimized growth conditions, in particular in homes and residential buildings, and to a method for cultivating commercial crops with a corresponding modular hydroponic system. Furthermore, a seed capsule for use in a respective hydroponic apparatus and a modular hydroponic system, a kit comprising respective seed capsules and respective hydroponic apparatus components and the use of a respective hydroponic apparatus or modular hydroponic system for filtering indoor air and/or improving indoor climate in houses and residential buildings are disclosed.

The subject matter of the invention is defined in the appended claims.

Background

For centuries, the planting of commercial crops has been a central element of food supply for an ever-growing population. Here, it has been common to plant selected cash crops also in their own courts to improve their supply safety. However, the continued technological advances and the increase in urban areas have led to the fact that many people now no longer have sufficient opportunity to obtain private gardens in order to plant their own cash crops. However, in recent years, there has been an increasing awareness of healthy diets, and it is particularly desirable that the foods consumed should not contain pesticides and other plant protection agents. Thus, although private planting areas are becoming more and more intense for most people, there is generally still a need to plant own cash crops that can ensure pesticide-free cultivation despite this.

Since in modern cities the availability of land, e.g. small gardens, specifically designated for private crop planting is often limited, it is often left to plant cash within the own housing, i.e. in a house or building, in order to meet this demand.

One of the most promising techniques for achieving crop cultivation in houses and residential buildings is hydroponics, i.e. hydroponics or equipment provided for this purpose cultivates commercial crops. Hydroponics is a special form of plant cultivation in which, instead of growing the cultivated cash crop in soil in a conventional manner, it is cultivated in a container filled with water or a nutrient solution, some of the techniques also set out here to use so-called auxiliary substrates, which in turn mostly do not contribute to the nutrient supply for the cash crop.

The use of hydroponics is known, for example, from large-scale vegetable production and is carried out, for example, in greenhouses or similar cultivation equipment, generally with the use of complex planting systems and under precisely controlled conditions. In houses and residential building interiors, hydroponics has historically been used more often for individual indoor greening, where it is mostly accomplished with auxiliary substrates such as swelling clay balls. In addition to niche applications, such as growing grass plants on cotton substrates, the use of hydroponics in homes and residential buildings has been limited in many cases to isolated applications, primarily in growing ornamental plants.

Recently, however, the potential of hydroponics for growing crops in homes and residential buildings has been increasingly recognized. It has been shown here that the installations and designs known from large-scale technology are generally not adapted to the indoor demands without problems, in particular because of the lack of infrastructure required for this purpose and that large-scale hydroponic installations are generally not compatible with the desire for a pleasant space climate in living spaces. In this regard, hydroponic apparatuses that can be more effectively used in houses and indoor rooms of residential buildings have been increasingly developed in recent years.

Furthermore, exemplary devices are known from EP 327078B1, EP 329 766B1, EP 1 257 164 B1 or DE 69714601T 2. Furthermore, most of the simpler designs for implementing the more basic hydroponic apparatus as e.g. a small desktop system exist outside the patent literature.

These devices known from the prior art are generally considered disadvantageous for different reasons.

A fundamental problem seen in many systems is that these systems do not allow a sufficient volume of biomass for planting, but are at most only suitable for small-scale desktop layouts. Such systems are generally unsuitable for true cash crop plants, at least for which supply to themselves should be assisted.

Furthermore, the large number of systems known from the prior art are very simple in construction and are based on uncontrolled growth of plants in the vertical direction. As a result, the corresponding systems are generally disadvantageous in terms of space utilization, since the different plant containers must be arranged offset when stacked vertically, as is disclosed, for example, in EP 3 329 766 B1.

Another problem with the systems known from the prior art can also be seen in EP 3 329 766 B1. That is, most of the systems from the prior art are based on closed systems with a series of small planting openings, e.g. designed as tubes. This is generally considered to be particularly disadvantageous, especially in view of maintenance and servicing of the system. At this time, most are considered to be particularly disadvantageous in that these systems are thus difficult to clean and most almost inevitably emit an undesirable odor at least after a long period of use, and are easily considered as interferents in the indoor space of a residential building, unlike in large-scale facilities.

Furthermore, many of the systems known from the prior art are very demanding in terms of fluid guidance, where in many cases pumps have to be provided in order to achieve such fluid guidance, in particular in order to ensure a continuous exchange of nutrient solution. The use of such pumps not only generally results in high maintenance effort and costs and high energy requirements, but also the corresponding devices can cause noise pollution which is generally undesirable in the room.

It is generally considered to be particularly disadvantageous that most of the hydroponic apparatuses of the prior art are very inflexible in terms of the cash plants that can be planted in such apparatuses, and that most are actually suitable for use with certain types of plants due to the fixed size of the planting holes. Thus, for example, this makes it difficult for hydroponics plants to be used seasonally for different commercial crops.

Furthermore, some known hydroponic apparatuses have proven to be disadvantageous in that the quality and/or yield of the planted plants is lower compared to large apparatuses, because the growth conditions in the residential room are disadvantageous or inferior with respect to large technical apparatuses.

However, in the case of indoor use in houses and residential buildings, it is considered to be particularly disadvantageous that many devices according to the prior art do not allow easy and problem-free changing of the arrangement of the commercial crop in the hydroponic device, at least not allow this time without the risk of damaging the crop and/or its roots. This is desirable because it is to be considered that the growth conditions in the residential room, for example in terms of availability of sunlight, vary considerably locally and it is desirable to be able to exchange the plants to be cultivated alternately in order to homogenize the conditions.

Furthermore, most of the devices known from the prior art are considered to be disadvantageous in that they do not or only do not fully utilize the positive contribution of the root of the cash crop and especially also of the cash crop to the indoor climate.

Furthermore, in the systems known from the prior art, it is sometimes considered disadvantageous that the devices generally only do not fully exploit the possibilities of developing new technologies in the field of data processing and are particularly difficult to operate, in particular for users with little knowledge in the field of cash crop planting or hydroponics.

Furthermore, it is considered disadvantageous that many of the systems known from the prior art do not allow extensive automation of the cultivation process.

Furthermore, given the flexibility of such hydroponic systems and their acceptance for use in houses and indoors of residential buildings, it is considered disadvantageous in most systems of the prior art that they are in many cases limited to the cultivation of cash crops and that most cannot be at least partially converted into efficient cultivation of ornamental plants when required, where it is considered particularly disadvantageous that in conventional hydroponic plants it is difficult to combine cash crop cultivation with efficient ornamental plant cultivation and where it is particularly difficult to effectively exploit the particularly positive influence of ornamental plants on the indoor climate.

It can also be confirmed that in a large number of prior art hydroponic apparatuses, user acceptance is adversely affected by the fact that these systems are stiff and inflexible and can only be adapted with difficulty in the room to varying space utilization or seasonal designs. In this connection, it is also considered disadvantageous in many cases, for example, because of the tight connection with complex supply technologies or lack of weatherability, that a large number of designs known from the prior art are not provided for the flexible use also outdoors when required, for example in order to plant seasonal cash crops on balconies in summer.

Furthermore, the use of hydroponics in homes and residential buildings is often problematic because there is a large water surface exposed where daily undesirable residues (e.g. fallen leaves or dust) may accumulate or where the water surface may become a breeding ground for insects, and in addition many prior art hydroponics devices also contribute to a substantial increase in humidity in the room, which is undesirable in all cases.

Furthermore, it is also generally considered disadvantageous in systems from the prior art that harvesting grown cash crops in small planting ports and removing residual root residues is often difficult, especially when only parts of cash crops provided in hydroponic plants should be harvested.

Disclosure of Invention

The basic object of the present invention is to eliminate or at least reduce the drawbacks of hydroponic systems of hydroponic apparatus known from the prior art or constituted based on said horizontal apparatus.

The object of the present invention is to provide a hydroponic apparatus with which more food can be produced efficiently also in houses and indoors in residential buildings.

At the same time, an important object of the present invention is to effectively utilize the intense available space in the room and to optimize the space utilization of the corresponding hydroponic apparatus.

Furthermore, an important object of the present invention is to provide a hydroponic apparatus which has less odor generation and which can be cleaned particularly easily and effectively in order to enable a long and continuous use of the apparatus in a room without adversely affecting the smell of the occupants.

A complementary object of the present invention is to provide a hydroponic apparatus that can also operate without the use of pumps or complex diversion systems, in order thereby to minimize maintenance requirements or noise generation in the room. However, it is desirable that the hydroponic apparatus may also optionally be equipped with a corresponding system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hydroponic apparatus which can be adapted particularly quickly and particularly flexibly to the demands of different cash crops and thus makes it possible to plant different cash crop varieties optimally, in particular depending on the season.

Another object of the present invention is to present a hydroponic apparatus that enables plants grown in the hydroponic apparatus to be rearranged quickly and simply with respect to each other in order to be able to optimize the growth conditions of the individual cash crops, for example in view of the demand of sunlight, and in view of the aesthetic indoor design.

In this respect, a complementary object of the invention is to design the hydroponic device such that it has a particularly advantageous effect on the indoor climate and in particular can contribute to the filtration of harmful substances from the indoor air.

An important object of the invention is in principle also to achieve optimal growth conditions for the cash crop cultivated in the plant.

Here, a complementary setting is that the new technical possibilities should be fully utilized. In this respect, it is desirable that a large number of parameters relating to the crop growth should be able to be measured, adjusted and/or controlled in a targeted manner by the hydroponic apparatus to be presented, in order to achieve an optimized growth,

It is important here that this should ideally take place substantially automatically and that with the hydroponic apparatus a method should be implemented which enables the horticultural layman to harvest the cash crop to be cultivated also with high quality.

Since there is often a need to reconfigure the hydroponic apparatus indoors in a short time if necessary, a complementary object of the invention is to provide a hydroponic apparatus which can be adapted particularly flexibly to different space utilization schemes and which can also be used outdoors for a long time if required without reducing the functionality of the apparatus.

In this connection, an important object of the invention is, in addition, a hydroponic system comprising the hydroponic apparatus to be given, and correspondingly achieving the above object, or cooperating with the hydroponic apparatus in achieving the process of these objects.

In this respect, an additional object of the present invention is to present an application of the corresponding hydroponic apparatus or hydroponic system for growing cash crops under optimal growing conditions and for filtering indoor air and/or improving indoor climate in homes and residential buildings.

Another aspect of the invention is that a seed capsule for use in a corresponding hydroponic apparatus or in a horizontal system should be given. Finally, it is an object of the present invention to present a method for growing cash crops using a hydroponic system that enables horticultural laymen to grow cash crops with high yield and quality also in homes and residential buildings.

The foregoing objects are achieved by a hydroponic apparatus, a modular hydroponic system, a method and an application as defined in the claims. Preferred embodiments according to the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description.

The features which are referred to below as preferred features of the subject matter and method according to the invention are combined in particularly preferred embodiments with other features which are referred to as preferred features. Thus, combinations of two or more of the subject matter and methods, hereinafter referred to as being particularly preferred, are particularly preferred. Preferred features of the preferred hydroponic system, method and application according to the invention are derived from the features of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention.

The invention relates to a hydroponic apparatus, in particular for use in houses and indoors of residential buildings, comprising a base body and at least two agronomic inserts for housing cash crops,

The base body comprises a receiving area with a receiving opening, which is delimited by a surrounding wall and optionally by a bottom connected to the surrounding wall,

the agronomic inserts each comprise a base plate,

at least two agronomic inserts are reversibly and nondestructively detachably arranged in and partially cover the receiving openings of the receiving area, respectively, the outer contours of the agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving openings being dimensioned such that the combined outer contours of all agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving openings substantially completely reflect the contours of the receiving openings,

the circumferential wall is configured such that all base plates of the agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving openings each make a first angle in the range of 45 ° to 85 ° with at least one first section of the circumferential wall.

The hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is in an advantageous manner suitable for use in houses and indoors of residential buildings. This means that the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is thereby set and determined to be used in a room where humans live or live. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, large-scale agricultural equipment, such as, for example, greenhouses, are not homes and residential buildings, although such equipment may be enclosed and have indoor space accordingly.

The hydroponic apparatus according to the invention comprises a base body comprising a receiving area with a receiving opening. The receiving area is formed by a circumferential wall and may, for example, have the form of a basin. Since the lower boundary of the receiving area can be realized by a pointed converging structure of the wall portion, a separate bottom portion does not have to be present compulsorily. But in most cases the presence of a bottom is preferred. The accommodation area is provided with an accommodation opening. This means that the receiving area of the base body is not closed on all sides, but comprises at least one opening from which the receiving area is accessible from the outside. An exemplary embodiment of such a base body can be, for example, a square body which is closed on five of the six sides and whose non-closed sixth side forms a receiving opening through which a receiving area located inside the square body can be accessed.

It will be appreciated that the containment region is adapted to contain a liquid, in particular water.

As explained above, the receiving area is surrounded by a surrounding wall. The term "circumferential wall" does not here mean that the wall has to be formed from a single element, but that the wall may be composed of a plurality of discrete elements, as long as the circumferential wall is formed.

At least two agronomic inserts are provided in the hydroponic apparatus according to the present invention. The agronomic insert is adapted and defined for housing a cash crop. This means that the respective agronomic insert comprises a receptacle for the technical crop, in particular a plant container with a planting hole, into which the technical crop or its seeds can be placed. The expression "agronomic insert" here also means that the agronomic insert has means arranged for providing liquid from the accommodation area to the cash crop accommodated in the agronomic insert.

According to the invention, the at least two agronomic inserts are arranged in a receiving opening of the receiving area, the agronomic inserts being reversibly and nondestructively removable from the receiving opening. Here, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that this means that at least two agronomic inserts are provided in the same receiving opening of the receiving area.

As understood by the person skilled in the art, the provision of two or more agronomic inserts in the receiving openings of the receiving areas means that the agronomic inserts can be inserted into the receiving openings and fastened there by means of a suitable construction, for example by form-locking fastening, where the agronomic inserts in most cases protrude at least partially through the receiving openings into the receiving areas of the base body. Here, each individual agronomic insert of the at least two agronomic inserts is designed such that it covers the receiving opening at least partially, respectively, as long as the agronomic insert is reversibly and nondestructively arranged in the receiving opening of the receiving area.

The receiving opening of the receiving area and the associated agronomic insert are preferably configured such that all agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving opening of the receiving area together substantially completely cover the receiving opening. In this connection, the expression "substantially" here means more than 90%, preferably more than 95%, particularly preferably more than 99% with respect to the area of the receiving opening.

The agronomic inserts each comprise a base plate defining a basic outline, i.e. profile, of the agronomic insert. One or more recesses and holes may be provided in the substrate. These base plates are provided for the purpose of enabling the agronomic insert to be placed in the receiving opening by means of the base plates, for example, because they are attached to the surrounding wall or to the surrounding wall.

According to the invention, the agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving openings are dimensioned such that the combined outer contour of all agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving openings substantially completely reflects the contour of the receiving openings. The complete reflection exists if the lines describing the combined outer contour of all the agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving opening extend along the entire contour of the receiving opening parallel to the lines defining the contour of the receiving opening. It is known to the person skilled in the art that in this respect, always taking into account manufacturing tolerances, it is sufficient that there is a substantially complete reflection, in particular when the two lines defined above extend parallel to one another over more than 90%, preferably more than 95%, particularly preferably 99% of the contour of the receiving opening, or when the deviation in parallelism is negligible, for example, only because the design of the opposite cutting edges is irregular. This means that, in a somewhat simplified manner, when the agronomic insert is arranged in the receiving opening, the receiving opening of the receiving area is substantially completely covered by the agronomic insert, except for possible recesses in the base plate.

The outer contour is defined here at the location of the agronomic insert which, when the agronomic insert is arranged in the receiving opening, is located at the level of the receiving opening, i.e. is defined by the plane of the receiving opening through the contours of the cross sections of all agronomic inserts.

The above abstract definition may be better understood with reference to an example. If a rectangular receiving opening of width 10cm and length 30cm is considered, the outline of this receiving opening is rectangular with corresponding dimensions. If three agronomic inserts are now provided, the outer contours of which are each constituted by a square having dimensions 9.95cm x 9.95cm, these three agronomic inserts can be arranged in the respective receiving mouths such that the outer contour of the combination of these three agronomic inserts substantially corresponds to a rectangle having the dimensions described above. If the three theoretical agricultural inserts are now provided with a structure which can change the profile in top view, this has no effect on the outer profile which determines this definition, since when the three agricultural inserts are installed at the height of the receiving opening, the outer profile to be determined still consists of a rectangle of three parts with the dimensions described above, since only in this case it is possible to arrange in the receiving opening.

In other words, this means that the agronomic inserts provided in the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention (again except for possible recesses or planting openings in the agronomic inserts) collectively correspond to the shape of the receiving openings, such that these agronomic inserts approximate the formation of a cover for the receiving area, which cover is however configured as a segmented cover made up of the at least two agronomic inserts.

According to the invention, the circumferential wall is configured such that all base plates of the agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving openings each make a first angle in the range of 45 ° to 85 ° with at least one first section of the circumferential wall. This can be achieved, for example, by providing a height offset between the respective first section of the circumferential wall and the opposite section of the circumferential wall, such that the base plate of the agricultural insert forms a respective angle with the higher circumferential wall.

The respective angle is preferably formed at the contact point between the base plate and the surrounding wall or the first section thereof. However, it is also possible to provide, for example, a small gap size between the surrounding wall and the base plate, or to provide the surrounding wall with a flange directed in the direction of the receiving opening. In these cases, the angle defined here is determined in the projection of the first section of the base plate and of the surrounding wall, as understood by the person skilled in the art.

The hydroponic apparatus defined above combines in a special way a number of features which in combination contribute to achieving the above-mentioned object.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the receiving area of the substrate is configured to receive water or nutrient solution as required by the hydroponic method. The agricultural insert arranged in the receiving opening is designed such that it extends at least partially into the lower region of the receiving region in which the liquid is stored. The cash crop disposed in the respective receptacles of the agronomic insert may be supplied with moisture and nutrients by direct contact with the nutrient solution and/or by the action of capillary material.

An important feature of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is the provision in the angle between the agronomic insert and the surrounding wall. That is to say, this means that when the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is fixed to a wall with the first section of the surrounding wall portion, the agronomic insert is not oriented horizontally, but is arranged obliquely. Thus, the cash crop provided in the agronomic insert is not directed vertically upwards either, but rather protrudes away from the wall into the room space. Thereby, the space utilization may be significantly improved compared to many prior art devices, since two or more hydroponic devices may be arranged e.g. more closely to each other on the same wall, while the upper device does not adversely affect the growth of the lower plants, since the lower plants may easily grow past the upper device. It has proven particularly advantageous here that plants cultivated in the respective hydroponic apparatus automatically project into the room space as a result and form a particularly large and dense leaf coverage area, which facilitates particularly effective filtration of the room air.

The hydroponic system according to the invention is furthermore distinguished by an agronomic insert which is reversibly and nondestructively detachably arranged in the receiving opening of the receiving area and which furthermore covers the receiving opening in a very particular manner as defined above. As a result of the inventive arrangement, the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention can be maintained and cleaned particularly well. In this way, it is possible to expose the entire receiving opening of the receiving area and also the receiving area in a particularly easy manner, for example, in that all existing agronomic inserts can be removed and stored outside the hydroponic apparatus for a short time.

This makes it possible, for example, to quickly, simply and without any residues exchange the water or nutrient solution present in the hydroponic apparatus, for example, by simply pouring out the contents in the receiving area and then wiping the receiving chamber. Thanks to this simple renewal of the working fluid, the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention can be operated without a complex pump system, which is otherwise necessary to achieve a sufficient fluid exchange, which prevents unwanted stagnation of water.

As previously explained, since the agronomic insert can be easily removed and since the receiving area is exposed in connection therewith, it is particularly easy to clean the hydroponic apparatus, for example manually, with a common sponge and thereby prevent unwanted odor emission due to organic deposits.

Another advantage of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is that individual agronomic inserts can be reversibly and non-destructively removed from the substrate, thereby significantly facilitating harvesting of the cash crop contained in the agronomic inserts. In this way, for example, an agronomic insert may be removed from the substrate and placed directly on the breakfast table, for example, to pick fresh vegetable leaves.

In addition, another effect is also important in view of uneven and mostly unfavorable growth conditions in homes and residential buildings. In this way, it is particularly easy to periodically rearrange the different agronomic inserts and the cash crops contained therein within the hydroponic apparatus in order to adapt them, for example, to uneven lighting conditions, thereby ensuring that all cash crops disposed in the hydroponic apparatus are given a similar amount of solar radiation.

A particularly important point of the device according to the invention has proven to be that, unlike the rigid planting ports usually provided in the prior art, the flexibly exchangeable agronomic inserts can be implemented in different embodiments, so that even by a layperson, the corresponding hydroponic device can be retrofitted in a very short time to achieve optimal planting of other commercial crops.

In this way, for example, an agronomic insert can be provided, which is for example intended for so-called deepwater cultivation and is suitable for planting defined commercial crops. If deepwater cultivation is now no longer needed, for example when other seasonal cash crops are to be planted, the agronomic inserts may be completely or partially removed and replaced by inserts optimized for the cash crop now contemplated. It is thereby possible to achieve optimal growth conditions for a wide variety of commercial crops, especially in view of the optimal water supply and space requirements of the roots, which are often necessary in order to achieve particularly high yields. As a result, generally better yields can be achieved than in most of the prior art devices which have specifically designed receptacles for commercial crops and are therefore limited in the type of commercial crop or at least cannot be used as a means for providing optimized growth conditions for all economics. In other words, a particularly great advantage of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is that the apparatus is provided with exchangeable agronomic inserts that can be exchanged together with the exchange unit in order to maximize the achievable yield.

In the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention, it has proved to be a great advantage that the agronomic insert covers the receiving opening of the receiving area approximately in a shape precisely, since unwanted particles are thereby prevented from entering the water reservoir, which is separated from the indoor space of the house by the agronomic insert. In particular, direct sunlight irradiation of the nutrient solution is thereby prevented, whereby the reservoir can also be shielded from insects. Thereby, evaporation of the liquid is reduced, whereby the total water consumption is reduced, which may be considered advantageous, especially in view of durability. Overall, with the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention, a better controllable influence on the indoor air humidity is achieved by covering in addition.

The hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the hydroponic apparatus comprises at least three, preferably at least four, particularly preferably at least five agronomic inserts.

The inventors have found that it is advantageous to design the first angle to be relatively sharp in order to enable the plant to grow significantly into the indoor space. However, according to the inventors' estimation, the angle should not be chosen too sharp, since otherwise the volume of the underlying accommodation area would be excessively reduced, whereby the space available for root growth becomes too small for many commercial crops. Thus, a hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the surrounding wall is configured such that the base plate of all the agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving opening is at a first angle in the range of 50 ° to 80 °, preferably 55 ° to 75 °, particularly preferably 60 ° to 70 °, with at least one first section of the surrounding wall, respectively.

It has proven to be advantageous to design the wall opposite the first section or the second section of the surrounding wall section such that it forms an acute angle with the base plate of all the agricultural inserts arranged in the receiving opening. This is so that when the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is arranged on a wall, the hydroponic apparatus is also tilted on the side facing away from the wall. This makes it easier for the cash crop located in the hydroponic apparatus arranged vertically underneath to grow unhindered into the indoor space. The hydroponic device according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the circumferential wall is designed such that the base plate of all the agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving opening is at a second angle in the range of 50 ° to 90 °, preferably 60 ° to 85 °, particularly preferably 70 ° to 80 °, with respect to a second section of the circumferential wall opposite the first section, respectively, wherein the second angle is preferably greater than the first angle.

For the same reason, the hydroponic device according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the first wall section and the third wall section are angled in relation to each other directly or in projection in the range of 25 ° to 50 °, preferably 35 ° to 45 °.

This also means that the hydroponic device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the base body comprises elements for fixing the base body to the wall and/or the support on at least one section of the surrounding wall.

In view of the use of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention indoors, the inventors have determined particularly effective dimensions that achieve a good compromise between space requirements and yield. In this respect, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the receiving area is elongated, said receiving area preferably having a length in the range of 20 to 100cm, preferably 30 to 80cm, particularly preferred 40 to 60cm, when the receiving area has a height in the range of 5 to 20cm, preferably to 30cm, particularly preferred 10 to 15 cm.

In order to effectively maintain the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention, in particular in order to achieve a convenient cleaning, it has proven to be desirable that the receiving area has its largest cross section at the receiving opening. Although it is also conceivable in principle to provide a raised receiving area which is wider in some areas than the receiving opening, such hydroponic apparatus are generally considerably more difficult to clean. The following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the receiving area has its largest cross section at the receiving opening, said receiving area preferably having a width in the range of 5 to 50cm, preferably 10 to 20cm, particularly preferably 10 to 15cm at the receiving opening.

It has proven to be a great advantage of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention that it has great flexibility in terms of the materials that can be used for manufacturing the hydroponic apparatus. However, in view of processing characteristics, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the present invention is preferred, wherein the substrate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal and plastic, preferably plastic.

For the simple production of the corresponding hydroponic apparatus according to the invention, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the base body is assembled from discrete wall segments. Accordingly, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the surrounding wall portion is formed by a first, a second, a third and a fourth wall section.

As an inventive development of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention, the inventors have realized that, contrary to most of the solutions known from the prior art, it is desirable to provide a plurality of ventilation openings in the surrounding wall, which ventilation openings can be suitably arranged above the water line to be set in the hydroponic apparatus. This design is based on the recognition by the inventors that most of the positive influence of plants on the indoor climate is achieved by the root system of the plants, through which the indoor air mostly cannot flow adequately in conventional hydroponic plants. This preferred design of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention now makes it possible to achieve a more efficient air purification into which roots are also incorporated, the honeycomb design of the ventilation openings ensuring that the surrounding wall parts have a high degree of structural integrity despite the large number of recesses.

The following hydroponic device according to the invention is preferred, wherein the surrounding wall section comprises a plurality of ventilation openings at least in one, preferably at least in two wall sections, which ventilation openings are preferably arranged in the quarter of the wall section closest to the receiving opening, wherein the ventilation openings are preferably configured at least in part as honeycomb.

In order to even further improve the interchangeability and interchangeability of the agricultural insert, the inventors propose that small recesses are provided in the wall portion, which recesses facilitate the reversible and non-destructive removal of the agricultural insert, which may also be provided together with or instead of possible protrusions on the agricultural insert, if necessary, so that the user may remove the agricultural insert particularly effectively. Accordingly, the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein an engagement recess is provided in the surrounding wall portion, said engagement recess facilitating a reversible and non-destructive removal of the agronomic insert.

For certain applications, it is desirable to fix the agricultural insert which is itself reversibly and nondestructively detachably arranged in the receiving opening by means of a quick-locking element. This is important, for example, for possible applications in navigation, for example on cruise ships, in which unwanted loosening of the agronomic insert must be prevented. Furthermore, the corresponding design makes it easier to fix larger commercial crops, which in particular when they come out result in a large weight, in particular when they come out, in the hydroponic device according to the invention, which in some cases may exert an adverse leverage on the hydroponic device according to the invention due to the oblique arrangement, reliably. That is, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the base body comprises quick-lock elements for securing the agronomic insert.

It may be seen as a particular aspect of the present invention that the inventors propose three specific types of agronomic inserts which are particularly suitable for incorporation in a hydroponic apparatus according to the present invention. Precisely, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the agronomic inserts are independently selected from the group comprising a first agronomic insert, a second agronomic insert and a third agronomic insert,

the first agronomic insert has a planting opening in the base plate, preferably in the centre of the base plate, for introducing a cash crop or cash crop seed into a plant container 42 arranged below the base plate, which plant container has a plurality of net structure openings in defined walls, and which plant container has a height of more than 40%, preferably more than 45%, particularly preferably more than 50%,

the second agronomic insert has a planting hole in the base plate, preferably in the center of the base plate, for introducing a crop or crop seed into a plant container arranged below the base plate, which plant container has a plurality of net structure openings in a defined wall and which plant container has a height of less than 60%, preferably less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 40% of the height of the receiving area, at least one core element being arranged on the side of the plant container facing away from the base plate, which core element comprises or consists of capillary material and which core element is arranged for transporting liquid from the receiving area in the direction of the plant container, and

The third agronomic insert comprises a defined area with a rim on one side of the substrate for containing capillary material, the defined area preferably extending over the whole substrate, the bottom of the defined area particularly preferably having a grid-like structure with a plurality of recesses, at least one core element being provided on the other side of the substrate, the core element comprising or consisting of capillary material and being provided for transporting liquid from the containing area towards the defined area,

the hydroponic apparatus preferably comprises at least two different, particularly preferably at least three different agronomic inserts.

The first agronomic insert is a so-called deep water culture and has a plant container which is dimensioned such that, when the agronomic insert is installed in a hydroponic device according to the present invention, it protrudes very far into the receiving area, so that the roots of the respective cash crop can be brought directly into the nutrient solution. Within the scope of the present invention and as understood by the skilled person, the expression "below the substrate" in this case means that the plant container is arranged on the side opposite from the direction of introduction of the cash crop through the planting hole.

The second agronomic insert is an agronomic insert in which, at least in the early growth phase, no direct contact should occur between the root of the cash crop and the water storage in the containment area. Alternatively, at least one wick element is provided at the lower end of the plant container, said wick element comprising capillary material and being arranged for transporting liquid from the containment area towards the plant container.

Unlike the first and second agronomic inserts, the third agronomic insert does not include a plant container that protrudes into the containment area. Alternatively, the third agronomic insert is a defined area provided on the side of the substrate facing away from the receiving area, which defined area may comprise capillary material, which capillary material is then used as a substrate for growing the cash crop. Such capillary material as a matrix may be provided separately. However, a wick element is also provided on the third agricultural insert, said wick element also comprising capillary material and being adapted to transport liquid from the receiving area in the direction of the defined area, i.e. in the direction of the capillary matrix material provided in the defined area.

In the inventor's own experiments it has proved to be particularly advantageous if the planting openings in the first and/or second agronomic inserts, preferably the planting openings in the first and second agronomic inserts, are designed to be small compared to the total area of the base plate. The base plate thus advantageously serves as a spacer for the commercial crop provided in the next agronomic insert, whereby it can be ensured that all crops have sufficient growth space. Furthermore, the respective agronomic insert may be particularly easy to handle, in particular to remove and transport from the hydroponic apparatus according to the present invention, without damaging the plants arranged therein, which may still be in an early stage of growth. It is furthermore considered to be advantageous that, due to the plate-type design and the small planting openings, a particularly effective covering of the water storage located below in the receiving area is achieved, whereby contamination of the water reservoir and undesired evaporation due to direct sunlight can be prevented particularly effectively. Thus, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the planting openings in the first and/or the second agronomic insert occupy less than 66% (area of the floor) of the substrate, preferably less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 33%.

In view of the stability of the transport of the agronomic inserts, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the present invention is preferred, wherein the mesh structure openings or recesses in the first and/or second and/or third agronomic inserts are at least partly configured honeycomb.

Although a wide variety of capillary materials can be used, it has proven advantageous in experiments carried out by oneself to design the capillary material as a natural fibre material, with cellulose fibres being particularly preferred. The following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the capillary material in the second and/or the third agronomic insert is a plastic foam or a fibrous material, in particular a natural fibrous material, preferably made of cellulose fibers.

For simple manufacture of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention, it is reasonable to manufacture the agronomic insert from the same material as the substrate. Similarly, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is thereby preferred, wherein the agronomic insert is made of a material selected from the group comprising metal and plastic, preferably plastic.

In order to be able to use the advantageous effects of the modular features of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention particularly effectively, it has proven advantageous if all the agronomic inserts have the same circumference and/or the same profile. This enables essentially any agronomic insert to be removed at will and replaced with another more suitable agronomic insert, also and in particular between different hydroponic apparatus according to the present invention. In this way, for example, it is particularly easy to remove a fully mature cash crop together with an agronomic insert from a hydroponic plant, and any new agronomic insert can be installed without regard to possible geometric constraints, in which new cash crop can be cultivated. Thus, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the base plates of all the agronomic inserts have the same perimeter and preferably the same profile.

A variant which has proven to be particularly attractive and at the same time material-saving is that the agronomic inserts can be constructed such that they are aligned with one another when placed in the receiving opening. In this regard, it is preferred that the receiving opening is filled only by the agronomic insert. Accordingly, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the substrates of the agronomic inserts in the receiving openings are aligned with each other.

It has proven particularly advantageous to provide one or more LED lighting elements that help compensate for most of the poor light conditions in the interior of a residence, as compared to many prior art devices. In this case, it has proven to be particularly desirable to provide the LED lighting element on the holding device and to configure the LED lighting element to be reversibly and nondestructively movable. This makes it possible to realise that the agronomic insert can be easily replaced in a coordinated manner even if a corresponding LED holding device is provided, for example across the receiving opening of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention. Thus, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the hydroponic apparatus comprises one or more LED lighting elements, preferably configured as LED lighting strips. Furthermore, the hydroponic device according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the LED lighting element is arranged on a holding device, preferably fixed to the base body, particularly preferably reversibly and nondestructively movably fixed to the base body, preferably automatically adjustable.

It is particularly preferred that control means are provided in the device according to the invention itself or in a base unit connectable to the device, said control means being provided for controlling the LED lighting elements in dependence of the control signals. Thus, according to the invention, it is also possible to provide assistance to the layman in the field of commercial crop cultivation, so that an optimized light control is specified from the outside, which is ideally specifically coordinated with the crop installed in the hydroponic device, in order to thereby optimize the yield and cultivation results. The hydroponic device according to the invention is therefore preferred in that the LED lighting element control means are connected or connectable, said control means preferably being arranged for controlling the LED lighting elements in accordance with control signals, which control signals are particularly preferably provided by the mobile terminal device. In this respect, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the LED lighting element is arranged such that the central light path of the LED lighting element and the surface normal of the substrate of the agronomic insert are at an angle in the range of 10 ° to 100 °, preferably 30 ° to 50 °.

In order to further maximize the positive effects of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention on the purity of the room air and the above-described general indoor climate, it is advantageous to additionally provide an activated carbon nonwoven in the receiving area, which may be used as an additional filter material for the room air in addition to the plant roots. As a side effect of the synergy, when the activated carbon nonwoven covers the ventilation openings provided in the surrounding wall, the respective activated carbon nonwoven closes the ventilation openings and thereby reduces the risk of unwanted particles entering the receiving area or the reservoir from the outside. The following hydroponic device according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the base body comprises an activated carbon nonwoven as filter material in the receiving area, preferably in the area of the surrounding wall, particularly preferably in the area of the ventilation opening.

As mentioned above, a great advantage of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is its basic simplicity, which enables easy maintenance and in particular also allows operation with low energy consumption. However, it is advantageously possible and preferred that the device according to the invention can be designed with additional sensors which monitor parameters which are decisive for the optimal yield according to the inventors' evaluation during operation of the hydroponic device. In this respect, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the hydroponic apparatus comprises one or more sensors, preferably selected from the group comprising humidity sensors, temperature sensors, nutrient sensors, water level sensors and light sensors.

For certain applications, it is advantageous if the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention comprises a connection with which a fluid-conducting connection can be established with an external fluid reservoir, so that an automatic supply of fluid into the receiving area or a continuous flow can be provided if necessary with the use of a pump. However, in relation to pumps with high volume and high energy consumption, it has proven to be a particularly advantageous alternative, in particular for use in bedrooms, to provide at least one of the agronomic inserts with an additional inlet through which liquid can be fed into the receiving area from above, for example, when using a watering can or measuring cylinder. In summary, the following hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is preferred, wherein the hydroponic apparatus comprises one or more first connectors through which a fluid-conductive connection between the receiving area and the external fluid reservoir may be established, and/or wherein at least one of the agronomic inserts comprises an inlet in the base plate, which inlet is arranged for the through-put of liquid into the receiving area.

In view of the suitability of the hydroponic apparatus in a corresponding hydroponic system as defined below, it is desirable to provide contacts on the hydroponic apparatus, by means of which a signal-conducting connection can be established between electrical components provided in the hydroponic apparatus and an external control device. The hydroponic device according to the invention is particularly preferred in that it comprises one or more second connections, by means of which a signal-conducting connection can be established between one or more electrical components, in particular sensors and/or LED lamps, arranged in the hydroponic device and an external control device.

As has been derived from the above description, the invention also relates to a modular hydroponic system comprising:

a base unit having two or more accommodation sites for accommodating the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention, and

at least one hydroponic apparatus according to the invention,

wherein the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention is reversibly and non-destructively detachably arranged in said accommodation site of the base unit.

The modular hydroponic system defined above is an important aspect of the invention. The base unit comprises two or more accommodation sites for accommodating the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention. In a simplest embodiment, the base unit may be two or more suspension devices for the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention.

An important idea of the invention is, however, that core elements for controlling and/or supplying the respective hydroponic apparatus according to the invention are arranged in the base unit, which elements control and/or supply the respective hydroponic apparatus according to the invention as long as they are arranged in the base unit.

In one variant, a plurality of hydroponic units according to the invention can thus be operated, for example, in an amount exceeding the accommodation sites on the base unit, and maintenance and/or control and/or supply of the units can be carried out periodically by loading the units into the base unit. In one example, for example, five hydroponic apparatuses according to the invention may be provided, which are distributed throughout the indoor space of the home. For example, two devices are always simultaneously arranged in a base unit with two receiving locations, in which case the base unit reads, for example, sensors present in the devices and controls, for example, the temperature and/or nutrient content and/or other characteristic parameters of the solution as a function of the sensor data. The hydroponic apparatus individually provided in the base unit may be removed periodically and replaced with other hydroponic apparatus, whereby the apparatus is maintained and/or controlled and/or supplied accordingly during the stay in the base unit. However, an alternative design, which may not be optimal for the overall crop yield, is that all hydroponic units are arranged in the base unit and are thus controlled and/or fed by the base unit during the entire cultivation of the cash crop.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the base unit comprises a control device, which may furthermore be equipped with a data processing device and/or a device for wireless information transmission. The control device is preferably provided for controlling an electrical device in the hydroponic apparatus provided in the base unit. In this case, the base unit is particularly preferably provided for controlling the hydroponic device in accordance with information provided by the mobile terminal device, for example. As part of the control device or in addition thereto, the base unit may further comprise a pump arranged for supplying the hydroponic apparatus arranged in the base unit with liquid by the tubing or a separate reservoir. Even though complex shapes can in principle be used for the base unit, it has proven advantageous in view of the optimization space requirements to design the base unit in a plate-like manner, i.e. the extension in two dimensions is significantly greater than the depth of the base unit.

The following modular hydroponic system according to the invention is thus particularly preferred, wherein the base unit comprises a control device, preferably with data processing means and/or means for wireless information transmission, which is provided for controlling and/or reading one or more electrical elements, in particular sensors and/or LED lamps, in the hydroponic device, preferably in accordance with control signals, which can particularly preferably be provided by the mobile terminal device.

The following modular hydroponic system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the base unit comprises pump means arranged for supplying liquid to the hydroponic apparatus arranged in the receiving site, said pump means preferably being controlled by control means arranged in the base unit, said base unit preferably comprising a reservoir for liquid.

The following modular hydroponic system according to the invention is preferred, in particular when the hydroponic apparatus itself does not comprise its own LED lighting system, wherein the base unit comprises one or more LED lighting elements, preferably configured as LED lighting strips, at least one accommodation site, preferably at all accommodation sites. Furthermore, the following modular hydroponic system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the LED lighting element is arranged on a holding device, preferably fixed to the base unit, particularly preferably reversibly and non-destructively movably fixed to the base unit, preferably automatically adjustable.

Furthermore, the design of the base unit is advantageously very flexible. For example, the following modular hydroponic system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the base unit comprises at least three, preferably exactly three accommodation sites. The following modular hydroponic system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the base unit is made of a material selected from the group comprising metal, wood and plastic, preferably plastic and wood.

Furthermore, the following modular hydroponic system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the base unit comprises elements for fixing the base unit to a wall, the accommodation sites in the base unit being preferably arranged one above the other in a vertical direction when fixed to the wall. In order to grow the crop growing in the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention unhindered, it is particularly preferred that the surrounding wall portion of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention extending on the other side of the base unit forms an angle with the surface of the base unit in the range of 25 ° to 50 °, preferably 35 ° to 45 °, either directly or in projection, when the hydroponic apparatus is arranged in the base unit.

Furthermore, the following modular hydroponic system according to the invention is also preferred, wherein the base unit has a receiving element, in particular a recess or a hook, at the receiving location for receiving a fixing element mounted on the hydroponic apparatus.

In order to achieve an optimized space requirement and an effective handleability, a modular hydroponic system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the base unit is plate-shaped, the base area of the base unit is preferably rectangular, in which case the base unit preferably has a width in the range of 20 to 100cm, preferably 30 to 80cm, particularly preferably 40 to 60cm, in which case the base unit preferably has a height in the range of 20 to 100cm, preferably 30 to 80cm, particularly preferably 40 to 60 cm.

In the modular hydroponic system according to the invention, it has proven to be particularly advantageous that the modular construction in combination with the flexible construction of the hydroponic device according to the invention makes it possible to use hydroponic devices not currently used for cultivating commercial crops for indoor greening and for improving the air quality as well. For this purpose, it is only necessary to remove the agronomic insert from the hydroponic apparatus according to the present invention and replace it with a so-called gardening insert. Such gardening inserts consist of an open basket which is designed such that it adapts to the shape of the receiving area in such a way that it mimics the shape of the receiving area at least in the upper part. For example, the basket can be a basket that can be inserted into the receiving area in a form-fitting manner. According to the invention, the spacer is provided on the outside of the basket, precisely on the underside of the basket, i.e. on the side of the basket furthest from the receiving opening of the receiving area in the installed state. This has the background that the liquid present on the bottom of the receiving area should not completely penetrate the basket, but should be transported into the basket by means of capillary material provided on the bottom of the basket. That is, the respective basket may be filled with a conventional substrate, such as, for example, potting soil, but may also be filled with a substrate for hydroponics, and thereby enable the basket of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention to be used in the field of conventional ornamental plants.

The design of the gardening insert as a basket ensures here that the indoor air can flow particularly well through the root system and the earth, so that particularly effective air filtration is achieved. In a correspondingly preferred modular system, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention provided with gardening inserts, i.e. in almost universal use, can also be managed by control and supply means provided in the base unit, for example by reading nutrient sensors for the liquid used and by controlled control of the liquid composition or by targeted illumination with LED lighting devices provided if necessary.

The modular hydroponic system according to the invention is thus preferred, wherein the modular hydroponic system additionally comprises at least one hydroponic device according to the invention, in which hydroponic device one or more, preferably all, of the agronomic inserts are replaced with horticultural inserts, which comprise an open basket, which at least partially mimics the shape of the receiving area, on the outside of which a spacer is provided, in which spacer a capillary material is provided and which spacer is provided for, when a horticultural insert is provided in the receiving area, forming a cavity for receiving liquid between the basket and the surrounding wall or bottom and conveying liquid from the cavity towards the inside of the basket.

Furthermore, the following modular hydroponic system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the basket comprises an inlet for liquid in the receiving area, which inlet is connected to a channel guiding liquid from the receiving opening into the interior of the receiving area, whereby liquid fed in to the inlet flows out into the basket inside the receiving area.

In this respect, the following modular hydroponic system according to the invention is preferred, wherein the capillary material is a plastic foam, in particular a melamine-based plastic foam, or a fibrous material, in particular cellulose fibers.

It has proved to be a particular advantage of the respective modular base unit that the respective hydroponic apparatus according to the invention can be removed from the base unit, for example in a short time, in order to position it in a different location, for example for visually beautifying indoor spaces or outdoors in the afternoon where there is sufficient sunlight. However, for some embodiments, it is preferable that the entire modular hydroponic system can also be flexibly moved at any time without affecting the functionality of the base unit as a control device. In this case, the modular hydroponic system according to the invention is preferred in which the base unit comprises one or more energy storages, preferably accumulators, particularly preferably lithium ion batteries, which are provided for supplying electrical power to the electrical components of the hydroponic apparatus arranged in the receiving site.

The invention also relates to the use of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention or the modular hydroponic system according to the invention for cultivating commercial crops under optimized growth conditions, in particular indoors in houses and residential buildings.

Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention or the modular hydroponic system according to the invention for filtering indoor air and/or for improving indoor climate in houses and residential buildings.

In order to be combined with the hydroponic apparatus or the modular hydroponic system according to the invention, the inventors propose that a particular seed capsule is used with which particularly good results can be achieved in combination with the apparatus and the system according to the invention. That is, the seed capsule can advantageously be exactly coordinated with the shape of the receptacle of or provided in the agronomic insert by the matrix used.

It is particularly preferred here that the shape of the seed capsule and the shape of the receptacle in the agronomic insert have a low symmetry. This makes it possible to prevent a user from filling an unsuitable seed capsule into an agronomic insert which is not intended for this seed capsule, if the seed capsule and the receptacle cannot engage in a form-fitting manner with one another.

Thus, it is also possible to prevent the wrong loading of the seed capsule upside down in the following cases: for example, the seed capsule and the corresponding receptacle are designed in a downwardly tapering manner, so that the height of the seed or the distance from the water reservoir, which is to be subsequently adjusted in the hydroponic apparatus, can be accurately predefined from the manufacturer of the seed capsule by the positioning of the seed in the matrix.

Thus, a seed capsule for use in a hydroponic apparatus according to the invention or a modular hydroponic system according to the invention is disclosed, comprising as carrier material a water-insoluble, preferably capillary-type and/or porous matrix and one or more plant seeds arranged in the matrix, the seed capsule having a shape matching the shape of the receptacle of an agronomic insert, such that the seed capsule can be inserted into the agronomic insert substantially flush and/or form-fitting.

In this respect, a kit is also disclosed, comprising one or more seed capsules as disclosed above and one or more agronomic inserts for hydroponic apparatus according to the present invention, the shape of the receptacles of the agronomic inserts corresponding to the shape of the seed capsules.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the seed capsules are each assigned an identification unit, which can be read, for example, by a mobile terminal and thus provide data on the optimal cultivation conditions that must be selected for the seeds arranged in the seed capsule. These information can be transmitted from the mobile terminal device to the modular system according to the invention, which controls the respective hydroponic apparatus in which the respective seed capsule is used, based on these information. Thus, even for laymen, cash crops can be produced quickly and efficiently under optimized conditions. It is therefore preferred that the disclosed seed capsule is provided with an identification unit, preferably a bar code or an RFID chip, which identification unit is preferably arranged on the outer envelope of the seed capsule, which identification unit comprises information about the optimal growth conditions of the seeds arranged in the seed capsule, which identification unit preferably contains information for automatically controlling the hydroponic apparatus according to the invention or the modular hydroponic system according to the invention by means of the control device, which identification unit is preferably readable by the mobile terminal device.

The seed capsules disclosed below are in principle preferred, wherein the seed capsules furthermore comprise nutrients which preferably match the one or more plant seeds.

In view of the above description, one skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention also relates to a method of growing crops using a modular hydroponic system according to the invention, the method comprising the steps of:

a) There is provided a hydroponic system in accordance with the invention,

b) Seeds, preferably seed capsules as disclosed above, are fed into an agronomic insert of a hydroponic apparatus,

c) Arranging the hydroponic apparatus in a base unit of a modular hydroponic system, and switching on electrical elements comprised in the hydroponic apparatus with a control device arranged in the base unit, and

d) The hydroponic apparatus arranged in the base unit, in particular the electrical elements comprised in the hydroponic apparatus, are controlled by the control means to optimize the growing conditions of the crop.

At this time, the method according to the present invention is preferable in which the hydroponic apparatus provided in the base unit is controlled according to control information obtained by reading an identification unit assigned to the seed and containing information for automatically controlling the hydroponic apparatus according to the present invention or the modular hydroponic system according to the present invention by the control means using the reading device.

Finally, the method according to the invention is preferred in which the hydroponic apparatus arranged in the base unit is controlled in dependence on at least one measured value of a sensor arranged in the hydroponic apparatus, said control preferably being performed in such a way that said measured value is kept within a predetermined range of values.

Drawings

The invention and preferred embodiments thereof are explained and illustrated in detail below with reference to the drawings. Here, like reference numerals denote like members in different drawings.

In these figures:

fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary base body of a first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an exemplary first agronomic insert of a preferred design;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an exemplary second agronomic insert of a preferred design;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of an exemplary third agronomic insert of a preferred design;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an exemplary hydroponic apparatus according to the invention in a preferred design with four agronomic inserts according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an exemplary hydroponic apparatus according to the invention in a preferred design with four agronomic inserts according to FIG. 4;

Fig. 7 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary base body of a second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of an exemplary gardening insert of a preferred design;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a retrofitted hydroponic apparatus as in a preferred design with a gardening insert according to FIG. 8;

fig. 10 shows a schematic view of an exemplary modular hydroponic system according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary base body 10 according to a preferred embodiment. The base body 10 comprises a receiving area 12 having a receiving opening 14, said receiving area 14 being defined by a surrounding wall 16 and a bottom 18, which is connected to the surrounding wall 16. The receiving area 12 thus formed is adapted to receive a liquid, such as water.

The base body 10 shown in fig. 1 is made of plastic and has its largest cross section at the receiving opening 14, and the receiving region 12 has a cross section of 50×12cm at the receiving opening 14 ² Is a part of the area of the substrate. Accommodation region12 are elongate and have a length of 50 cm. At the highest point, i.e. at the rear wall, the receiving area has a height of 12 cm.

On the rear side of the circumferential wall 16, i.e. on the side of the circumferential wall 16 facing away from the receiving area 12, the base body 10 comprises elements 20 for fastening the base body 10 to a bracket, or precisely to a base unit 22 of a modular hydroponic system 24, which elements are configured as hooks.

In the embodiment shown, the circumferential wall 16 is formed by a first, a second, a third and a fourth wall section 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, the first wall section 26a and the third wall section 26c being angled with respect to one another in projection, i.e. in extension to the intersection point, by 40 °.

As is clear from fig. 1, the circumferential wall 16 comprises a plurality of ventilation openings 30a, 30b in the two wall sections 28a, 28b, namely the second and fourth wall sections 26b, 26d, the ventilation openings 30a, 30b being arranged in the quarter of the wall sections 28a, 28b closest to the receiving opening 14 and being in this embodiment constructed honeycomb-shaped.

Fig. 2 to 4 show schematic views of exemplary first, second and third agricultural inserts 32a, 34a, 36a, which each comprise a base plate 38a and are made of plastic, according to a preferred embodiment.

The first agronomic insert 32a in fig. 2 comprises a planting mouth 40a in the centre of the base plate 38a for introducing a cash crop or cash crop seed into a plant container 42 provided below the base plate 38a, said plant container 42 having a plurality of cellular network structure openings 44 in defined walls and the height of said plant container 42 exceeding 50% of the height of the receiving area 12 of the base body 10 shown in fig. 1.

The second agronomic insert 34a in fig. 3 comprises a planting mouth 40a in the centre of the base plate 38a for introducing a cash crop or cash crop seed into a plant container 42 provided below the base plate 38a, said plant container 42 having a plurality of cellular network structure openings 44 in defined walls and the height of said plant container 42 being less than 40% of the height of the receiving area 12 of the base body 10 shown in fig. 1. Unlike the first agronomic insert 32a, a core element 46 is provided on the side of the alternative base plate 38a of the plant container 42, said core element comprising cellulose fibres as capillary material in its interior, through which capillary material water is conveyed from the receiving area 12 in the direction of the plant container 42.

The third agricultural insert 36a in fig. 4 includes a framed defined area 48 on the upper side of the base plate 38a for receiving capillary material, such as cotton pads, that extend across the base plate 38a, the bottom of the defined area 48 having a grid-like structure with a plurality of honeycomb recesses 50. In this case, a core element 46 is also provided on the other side of the substrate 38a, which also comprises cellulose fibers as capillary material.

In fig. 2 and 3, the planting holes 40a occupy less than 33% of the bottom area of the substrate, respectively.

Fig. 5 and 6 each show a schematic illustration of an exemplary hydroponic apparatus 52 according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment with the base body 10 shown in fig. 1 and four agronomic inserts each, in which four first agronomic inserts 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d or four third agronomic inserts 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d are each inserted.

The hydroponic apparatus 52 is suitable for use in homes and residential buildings. Four of the first and fourth agricultural inserts 32a-d and 36a-d are reversibly and non-destructively removably disposed within the receiving cavity 14 of the receiving area 12 and partially cover the receiving cavity 14, respectively. The outer contours of the agronomic inserts disposed in the receiving port are sized such that the combined outer contours of all agronomic inserts disposed in the receiving port 14 substantially completely reflect the contours of the receiving port 14. In the present case, the four first and third agronomic inserts 32a-d and 36a-d have their respective outer contours predefined by the approximately square base plates 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d essentially complementary to one another to form a size of 50X 12cm ² Is defined by a rectangular shape defining a receiving opening 14.

It can be clearly seen that the surrounding wall 16 is configured such that all of the base panels 38a-d of the first or third agricultural inserts 32a-d, respectively, disposed in the receiving port 14 are at a first angle of less than 66 ° to the first wall section 26a of the rear portion of the surrounding wall 16. At a third wall section 26c, which is opposite to the first wall section 26a, the base plates 38a-d in each case have a second angle of approximately 74 °. Furthermore, engagement recesses 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d can be seen provided in the surrounding wall 16, which facilitate the reversible and non-destructive removal of the agricultural insert.

In the preferred embodiment shown, all of the base plates 38a-d of the first or third agricultural inserts 32a-d, respectively, have the same perimeter and the same exterior shape, so that these agricultural inserts can be easily interchanged. As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the substrates 38a-d of the first and third agricultural inserts 32a-d and 36a-d are aligned with one another.

In fig. 5 and 6, the LED lighting strip is omitted, which is arranged on an arcuate holder which is reversibly and nondestructively movably fastened to the second and fourth wall sections 26b, 26d on both sides of the base body 10, and at the fastening structure is provided a small motor (not shown) which enables automatic adjustment of the LED lighting strip relative to the base body 10.

A water level sensor, a nutrient sensor and a temperature sensor are respectively provided inside the receiving area 12 of the base body 10 of the hydroponic apparatus 52 shown in fig. 5 and 6. The illustrated hydroponic system 52 is designed such that the wiring of the sensor and the LED lamp leads to the element 20 for fixation arranged on the rear side of the surrounding wall 16. The wiring functions as a connector that establishes a signal-conducting connection between electrical components provided in the hydroponic apparatus 52 and an external control device 66 provided in the base unit 22, for example, when the hydroponic apparatus 52 is installed in the base unit 22 of the modular hydroponic system 24.

Furthermore, it can be seen in fig. 5 that one of the first agronomic inserts 32d has an inlet opening 56 for liquid, through which liquid can be fed into the receiving area 12.

Fig. 7 schematically shows an alternative base body 10, which comprises in particular a greater number of ventilation openings 30a, 30b and can accordingly have a lower maximum water level. However, the alternative substrate 10 has better characteristics in the field of root ventilation and air filtration and is thus suitable for use in hydroponic apparatus 52 focusing on these aspects. The alternative matrix is particularly suitable for incorporation with an activated carbon nonwoven (not shown) by which the air filtration capacity can be further improved if the ventilation openings 30a, 30b are thereby at least partially covered. The alternative substrate shown in fig. 7 is entirely particularly suited for incorporation with a horticultural insert 58 in a modular hydroponic system 24 according to the invention.

The corresponding gardening insert 58 and its use in the substrate 10 is shown in fig. 8 and 9. In the embodiment shown, the gardening insert 58, which replaces the entire agronomic insert, consists of an open basket which essentially mimics the shape of the receiving area 12 in the upper part. However, spacers 60a, 60b, 60c are provided on the underside of the basket, in which a melamine-based plastic foam is provided as the capillary material, by means of which spacers, when the gardening insert 58 is arranged in the receiving area 12, a cavity for receiving liquid is formed between the basket and the surrounding wall 16 or the bottom 18, and liquid is conveyed from the cavity in the direction of the interior of the basket. The gardening insert 58 shown in the figures comprises an inlet 62 for liquid, which inlet is connected to a channel 64 leading liquid from the inlet 62 to the basket or the interior of the receiving area 12, so that liquid fed into the inlet 62 flows out into the basket in the interior of the receiving area 12.

In fig. 10 a modular hydroponic system 24 according to the invention is schematically shown, comprising a plate-shaped base unit 22 and three receiving places arranged vertically one above the other, in which two hydroponic apparatuses 52 according to the invention are arranged, whereas the uppermost receiving point is not occupied and can receive another hydroponic apparatus 52. Here, four receptacles for receiving the fastening elements provided on the hydroponic apparatus 52 can be clearly seen. In two hydroponic apparatuses 52 otherwise corresponding to the hydroponic apparatus shown in FIG. 5, four first agronomic inserts 32a-d and four second agronomic inserts 34a-d are alternately arranged. The base body of the base unit 22 is made of wood. Furthermore, the base unit 22 comprises elements for fixing the base unit 22 to a wall.

The base unit 22 comprises control means 66 having data processing means and means for wireless information transmission. In addition to reading and controlling the sensors provided in the hydroponic apparatus 52, the LED lighting elements 68a, 68b provided in the hydroponic apparatus 52 or the base unit 22 may also be read and controlled by means of the control device 66. In order to enable the base unit 22 to operate even without connection to the power grid, the base unit 22 furthermore comprises a lithium ion battery as energy storage 70. In the modular hydroponic system 24 shown in fig. 10, both the control means 66 and the energy reservoir 70 are arranged behind the base unit 22. Accordingly, the control device 66 and the energy storage 70 are only schematically shown in fig. 10.

List of reference numerals

10. Matrix body

12. Accommodation region

14. Accommodating port

16. Surrounding wall

18. Bottom part

20. Element for fastening

22. Base unit

24. Modular hydroponic system

26a-d wall segments

28a, 28b wall regions

30a, 30b vents

32a-d first agronomic insert

34a-d second agronomic insert

36a-d third agronomic insert

38a-d substrate

40a-d planting port

42. Plant container

44. Mesh structure opening

46. Core element

48a-d define an area

50. Recess (es)

52. Water planting equipment

54a-d scarf joint notch

56. Access port

58. Gardening plug-in

60a-c spacer

62. An inlet

64. Channel

66. Control device

68a, 68b lighting element

70. An energy storage.

Claims

1. A hydroponic apparatus (52) for use in houses and in the rooms of residential buildings, the hydroponic apparatus comprising a base body (10) and at least two agronomic inserts for housing crops,

the base body (10) comprises a receiving area (12) with a receiving opening (14), the receiving area (12) is defined by a surrounding wall (16) and optionally by a base (18) connected to the surrounding wall (16),

The agronomic inserts each include a base plate (38 a-d),

at least two agronomic inserts are reversibly and nondestructively detachably arranged in the receiving opening (14) of the receiving area (12) and cover the receiving opening (14) partially respectively, the outer contours of the agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving opening (14) being dimensioned such that the combined outer contours of all agronomic inserts arranged in the receiving opening (14) substantially completely reflect the contours of the receiving opening (14),

the surrounding wall (16) is configured such that all base plates (38 a-d) of the agricultural inserts arranged in the receiving openings each make a first angle in the range of 45 DEG to 85 DEG with at least one first section of the surrounding wall (18).

2. The hydroponic apparatus (52) according to claim 1, wherein the agronomic inserts are selected independently from each other from the group comprising a first agronomic insert (32 a-d), a second agronomic insert (34 a-d) and a third agronomic insert (36 a-d),

the first agronomic insert (32 a-d) has a planting opening (40 a-d) in the base plate (38 a-d), preferably in the centre of the base plate (38 a-d), for introducing a commercial crop or a commercial crop seed into a plant container 42 arranged below the base plate (38 a-d), the plant container (42) having a plurality of net structure openings (44) in defined walls, and the height of the plant container (42) is more than 40%, preferably more than 45%, particularly preferably more than 50%,

The second agronomic insert (34 a-d) has a planting opening (40 a-d) in the base plate (38 a-d), preferably in the center of the base plate (38 a-d), for introducing a cash crop or cash crop seed into a plant container (42) arranged below the base plate (38 a-d), the plant container (42) has a plurality of net structure openings (44) in defined walls, and the plant container (42) has a height of less than 60%, preferably less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 40%, of the height of the receiving area (12), at least one core element (46) is arranged on the side of the plant container (42) facing away from the base plate (38 a-d), which comprises or consists of capillary material, and which is arranged for transporting liquid from the receiving area (12) in the direction of the plant container (42), and

the third agronomic insert (36 a-d) comprises a defined area (48 a-d) framed on one side of the base plate (38 a-d) for containing capillary material, the defined area (48 a-d) preferably extending over the whole base plate (38 a-d), the bottom of the defined area (48 a-d) particularly preferably having a grid-like structure with a plurality of recesses (50), at least one core element (46) being provided on the other side of the base plate (38 a-d), the core element comprising or consisting of capillary material and being provided for transporting liquid from the containing area (12) in the direction of the defined area (48 a-d),

The hydroponic apparatus (52) preferably comprises at least two different, particularly preferably at least three different agronomic inserts.

3. Hydroponic device (52) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the surrounding wall portion (16) comprises a plurality of ventilation openings (30 a, 30 b) at least in one, preferably at least in two wall regions (28 a, 28 b), the ventilation openings (30 a, 30 b) being preferably arranged in a quarter of the wall region (28 a, 28 b) closest to the receiving opening (14), the ventilation openings (30 a, 30 b) preferably being at least partially honeycomb-shaped.

4. A hydroponic apparatus (52) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hydroponic apparatus (52) comprises one or more LED lighting elements (68), the LED lighting elements (68) being provided on a holding means, which is reversibly and non-destructively movably fixed on the base body (10), the holding means preferably being automatically adjustable.

5. The hydroponic apparatus (52) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the hydroponic apparatus (52) comprises one or more sensors, preferably selected from the group comprising a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, a nutrient sensor, a water level sensor and a light sensor.

6. A modular hydroponic system (24), the modular hydroponic system comprising:

-a base unit (22) having two or more accommodation sites for accommodating a hydroponic apparatus (52) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and

at least one hydroponic apparatus (52) according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

wherein the hydroponic apparatus (52) is reversibly and nondestructively detachably arranged in the receiving position of the base unit (22).

7. Modular hydroponic system (24) according to claim 6, wherein the base unit (22) comprises a control device (66), preferably with data processing means and/or means for wireless information transmission, which is provided for controlling and/or reading one or more electrical elements, in particular sensors and/or LED lighting elements, in the hydroponic apparatus (52) provided in the accommodation site, preferably in dependence on control signals, which control signals can particularly preferably be provided by a mobile terminal device.

8. Use of a hydroponic apparatus (52) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or a modular hydroponic system (24) according to any one of claims 6 or 7 for growing commercial crops under optimized growth conditions, in particular indoors in homes and residential buildings.

9. Method for growing cash crops with a modular hydroponic system (24) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, the method comprising the steps of:

a) Providing a hydroponic system (52) according to any one of claims 1-5,

b) Seeds or seed capsules are placed into an agronomic insert of the hydroponic apparatus (52),

c) -arranging the hydroponic apparatus (52) in a base unit (22) of the modular hydroponic system (24), and-switching on electrical elements comprised in the hydroponic apparatus (52) with a control device (66) arranged in the base unit (22), and

d) The hydroponic apparatus (52) arranged in the base unit (22), in particular the electrical elements contained in the hydroponic apparatus (52), are controlled by the control device (66) to optimize the growth conditions of the cash crop.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the hydroponic apparatus (52) provided in the base unit (22) is controlled according to control information obtained by reading an identification unit with a reading device, the identification unit being assigned to the seed and containing information for automatically controlling the hydroponic apparatus (52) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or the modular hydroponic system (24) according to any one of claims 6 or 7 by means of a control device (66).