DE20011147U1 - Flower pot with automatic water supply and low water indicator - Google Patents

Description

Norbert Berg Neudöberner Strasse 1 03229 Altdöbern

Flowerpot with automatic water supply and water shortage indicator

The invention relates to a flowerpot with automatic water supply and water shortage indicator.

The design according to the invention allows for an attractive shape.

In order to supply houseplants with water as needed, various systems are available on the market, such as plant pots with soil or clay granules and watering indicators or hydro pots.

Since with all these systems the water has to be poured directly into the flower pot, a continuous, even supply of water to the green plant is not always guaranteed, as the humidity inside the pot fluctuates. The watering intervals are relatively short, because only enough water can be put into the pot to saturate the clay granules or the soil with moisture. Too much watering results in water stagnation in the pot. The plant receives too much water. If the water in the plant pot is used up, the plant receives too little or no moisture. To ensure that the plant receives an even supply, the watering indicator must be constantly monitored.

The invention is based on the object of creating a device that constantly supplies the roots of the plants with the same amount of moisture, namely exactly as much as the plant needs to thrive optimally. Furthermore, constant refilling of water and checking of the watering indicator should be eliminated.

This object is achieved according to the invention by creating a vessel which is double-walled and the resulting space between the walls serves as a water storage tank. The vessel wall, which represents the interior of the pot, is interrupted at its upper edge by an opening. A flow is led through this opening, which reaches down to the bottom of the water storage tank and the inside of the pot. The inside of the pot can be filled with granulate or soil, which serves as a plant substrate.

Using a small funnel that is inserted into a filling opening in the upper edge of the container, the entire storage space is filled with water. Through diffusion or capillary action, the moisture from the water tank is drawn through the flow into the interior of the flowerpot. Exactly as much moisture as the plant "draws" ends up there. Overwatering or moisture build-up in the plant pot is thus prevented.

In the double-walled bottom of the vessel, which is also used as a water tank, a trough-shaped, predominantly rectangular depression is made on the underside and on the outer edge, through the upper side of which two non-corrosive contact pins are led. These two pins, between which there is a certain distance, protrude into the water tank and serve as measuring points for a threshold circuit for moisture or an electronic moisture sensor, which is located in the depression in the bottom. This threshold circuit is designed in such a way that one or more LEDs, which are located on the lower edge of the flowerpot, light up when there is no more water between the two measuring points. When the signal lamp lights up,

γ there is always a water reserve, as the measuring points are mounted higher than the bottom of the water tank. Another LED, which is preferably a different color, is used for voltage monitoring, i.e. it lights up when the battery voltage of the system falls below a certain value, thus ensuring that the system always works properly. The batteries (rechargeable batteries) are also in

The trough is housed in the ground.

An embodiment of the invention, from which further inventive features emerge, is shown in the drawing.

Show it:

Fig. 1 a schematic cross-sectional view from the front Fig. 2 a schematic view from below

The double-walled base body 1 with its inner wall opening 2, the upper refill opening 3 and the water tank 4 has on its underside on the outer edge a trough-shaped, predominantly rectangular recess 6 in which the electronic components and the voltage source (batteries) 9 are housed (electronics compartment) 6. Two contact pins 7 protrude through the top of the electronics compartment 6 into the water tank 4 and serve as measuring points for the threshold circuit 8. The voltage source for the electronic moisture measurement 8 is batteries 9, which are also located in the electronics compartment 6.

A flow 5 in the form of a band is passed through the interior opening 2 of the tank and extends with one end to the bottom of the tank 10 and with the other end to the bottom of the flowerpot interior 11 and thus creates the moisture connection between the water tank 4 and the roots of the plant.

If the water level in the water tank 4 falls below the level of the measuring points 7 and the conductive connection between the two measuring points 7 is interrupted by the lack of moisture, the threshold circuit 8 becomes active. The signal is provided by a light-emitting diode 12 which is mounted within the electronics in such a way that it protrudes from the edge of the flowerpot and is thus visible. When the light-emitting diode 12 lights up, this means for the user that there is only a small amount of liquid left in the water tank 4 and that the water tank 4 must be refilled in the next few days using the funnel 15 which is inserted into the refill opening 3.

A second, differently colored LED 13, next to the LED 12 for the water shortage indicator, is installed in the electrical circuit so that it lights up when the battery voltage is too low. In this case, the user knows that the batteries 9 need to be replaced with new ones. This combination of moisture sensing and voltage drop monitoring ensures that the system works properly. The electronics compartment 6 is closed from below with a cover 14, thus protecting the electrical components from dust and moisture.

Reference symbols:

1. Double-walled base body

2. Interior opening

3. Refill opening

4. Water tank

5. Flow

6. Electronics compartment

7. Measuring contacts

8. Electronic humidity sensor (threshold circuit)

9. Batteries lO.Bottom of vessel ll.Interior floor 12.LED for lack of water 13.LED for voltage drop H.Cover 15.Funnel

Claims (4)

1. Flowerpot with automatic water supply and water shortage indicator, characterized in that a double-walled base body 1 with an inner wall opening 2 , a refill opening 3 and the water tank 4 created by the space between the base body 1 has a trough-shaped depression (electronics compartment) 6 on its lower outer edge, through the top of which two contact pins 7 protrude into the water tank 4 and these are coupled to an electronic moisture sensor (threshold circuit) 8 and a light-emitting diode 12 as a display in order to indicate a water shortage, furthermore an absorbent fleece 5 which is led through the interior opening 2 , with one end reaching to the base 10 of the water tank 4 and with the other end being placed on the bottom in the vessel interior 11 , so that this fleece 5 serves as a moisture bridge between the water tank 4 and the roots of the plant. 2. Flowerpot with automatic water supply and water shortage indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that 6 batteries 9 for the voltage supply of the electrical circuit are accommodated in the electronics compartment and these are installed via a suitable circuit with a light-emitting diode 13 so that when the voltage in the batteries 9 drops to a certain level, this corresponding light-emitting diode 13 lights up and thus indicates that the batteries 9 must be changed. 3. Flowerpot with automatic water supply and water shortage indicator according to preceding claims, characterized in that the electronics compartment 6 is closed from below with a lid 14 . 4. Flowerpot with automatic water supply and water shortage indicator according to preceding claims, characterized in that the water tank 4 is filled with the aid of a funnel 15 via the refill opening 3 at the upper edge of the base body 1 .