DE3212940A1 - Watering apparatus for plants - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a watering apparatus for tables of plants on which the watering of the potted plants is carried out by means of a watering mat or sand layer. The object of the invention presented here comprises measuring the moisture in the sand or watering mat and preventing division of the film of water by early control of the water feed. This object is achieved by means of a water-filled closable container placed on the surface to be watered, the underside of which has a porous base, and of a switching and closing device connected thereto which is dependent on the vacuum or on the water level. A low-moisture watering surface draws water from the closed container through the porous base, thus alters the liquid level in the container, and at the same time allows a vacuum to form. For a moisture-dependent control of the water feed, it is possible to use adjustable, vacuum-controlled electrical switch gear which is also responsive to changes in levels, or pneumatic closing devices. <IMAGE>

Description

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Josef ine ΰ PIX, r; eb. Osterried
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D 8921 Ingenried

"Irrigation device for plants"

This invention relates to an irrigation device for cultivation tables on which the potted plants are to be watered takes place by means of an irrigation mat or layer of sand. In practice, synthetic fleece mats are increasingly being used Used to supply water to potted plants to make work easier and to simplify cultivation.

By watering the potted plants from below, we ^{spared the need to use the drip irrigator in o e (} Aen individual pots. Experience so far has shown, that when mats are used, these are always too damp in order to ensure a reliable water supply for the potted plants.

Even only partially dried out mats result in one Re-irrigation results in an uneven distribution of water. In order to achieve optimal results with this type of irrigation, it is necessary to regulate the moisture content of the mats automatically Control devices.

Moisture sensors that measure in the plant substrate of the pot, as described in DT 24 35 179 A1 and DE 27 51 84-3 A1, are - due to the system - less suitable for this, as re-watering is due to the storage capacity of the substrate in the pot the mat is delayed too long.

The invention presented here is based on the tasks To create a moisture sensor that measures the moisture in the mat and, by controlling it at an early stage, tears it off prevents the water film in the watering underlay. This type of measurement creates a constant water supply of potted plants guaranteed. This object on which the invention is based is achieved through a water-filled, closable container placed on the fleece mat, the underside of which is porous

The bottom wall is raised, and the switching or locking device for the water supply is controlled by the negative pressure (vacuum) or the water level.

The device according to the invention works essentially as follows:

The closable container of the measuring and control device, its porous base, preferably made of clay, or something else porous material, is filled with water and placed with its porous bottom on the fleece mat. The dry fleece mat draws water from the container through the porous bottom. Since the container is hermetically sealed, a vacuum is created in it by the leakage of water. (Negative pressure) Depending on the degree of moisture in the fleece wall, the container will be Extract more or less liquid and thus change the vacuum and the height of the liquid level in the container.

It is conceivable to use both vacuum-controlled, as well as to use electrical switching devices or pneumatic locking devices that respond to changes in level.

The basic idea of the invention is not abandoned by the various use of control and locking devices. The switching device attached to the container can, for. B. actuate an electrical contact that initiates watering of the mat via a solenoid valve. The mentioned switching device can be controlled either by the vacuum or the water level in the evaporation tank. The one existing in the container When the mat starts to be watered, vacuum will suck the water back into the container in the opposite direction, and thus, when the control value is reached, turn off the watering of the mat again.

It can be seen that, through the additional use of adjustable switching devices, a fully automatic irrigation system for table cultures can be created to ensure this helps to optimally adapt the irrigation to the water requirements of the plants at all times.

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The operation of the device according to the invention is like follows:

To start, the container (5) is filled with water. The water level and the pressure in the container are in a neutral state, with no switching device being actuated. The watering mats begin to dry out due to the moisture consumption of the potted plants and due to evaporation. These now begin to withdraw water from the container (5) via the porous base (6). This causes the liquid level to drop in the container and there is a negative pressure. (Vacuum) This change in level of the liquid level, or also the The resulting negative pressure can be used to control the switching devices (8).

The resulting negative pressure can also be released via the hose connector (9) can be used for the pneumatic control of a valve, which is not shown here for reasons of clarity is.

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An example of an embodiment by KrIi Aunft soH with the help of a SchernaLische drawing is explained. without the invention being limited to the embodiment shown in the drawing.

In the drawing, (1) denotes a mat placed on a culture table, whereupon the plant pots (2) are located. With (3) the measuring and control device is referred to, which is able to control the water supply ('+) via locking devices to control.

The measuring and control device (3) consists essentially of a flat container (5), the bottom (6) of which is preferably made porous clay can exist and is let into the container (5). The container is airtight at its upper end with an closable opening (7) provided, which is used to fill up the liquid. At the same time there is an adjustable one on the container (5) Switching device (8) attached, which actuates an electrical contact on vacuum or liquid level change. The additional hose connection piece (9) can be used for the pneumatic control of a water pipe closure device will.

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Claims (4)

♦ * Aft · d 4 Josefine S ρ i χ, née Osterried Bluraenstrasse 2 L · 8921 Ingenried '"Irrigation device for plants" Patent claims: 1.) Irrigation device for plants, especially potted plants, which are grown on cultivation tables with irrigation of the plants via irrigation mats or a layer of sand. Consists of a closable container with an attached switching element, the bottom wall of which is made of porous material consists. 2.) Irrigation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom wall (2) consists of porous clay or another porous material which is hermetically sealed and has the ability to transport water through its capillaries. j>.) Irrigation device according to 1 and 2, characterized in that both vacuum-operated electrical switching devices as well as electrical switching devices which respond to the liquid level can be used to control the irrigation devices. 4.) Watering device according to 1 and 2, characterized in that they are suitable for controlling vacuum-operated locking devices of the water supply. 3.) Watering device according to Λ to 4, characterized in that the switch-on and switch-off points of the switching and locking devices to be operated are adjustable and can thus be adapted to the moisture requirements of the plants. ö.) Irrigation device according to 1 to 3, characterized in that the container and the switching devices are completely or partially transparent so that the liquid level can be visually checked at any time. -1-