DE7624499U1 - WATER LEVEL INDICATOR FOR HYDROCULTURE - Google Patents

Description

A 2598 ■ July 30, 1976

vo / poe

TWL Hydrokultur GmbH Hans-Sachs-Strasse 36

6090 Ruesselsheim

Water level indicator for hydroponics

The invention relates to a water level indicator for hydroponic with festlegbarem in this pipe socket for filling and drawing off the nutrient liquid, the adjustable from a tubular in a float tank and is mi ⁴ float provided a pointer. There are known water level indicators that are used separately from the pipe socket in hydroponics. This has the advantage that when the nutrient liquid is being filled in and sucked off, the level of the nutrient liquid can always be displayed and observed on the water level indicator. Since the filling material covers the pipe socket, it does not protrude beyond the plant container and is therefore not easy to find.

Attempts have therefore already been made to eliminate this disadvantage by inserting the water level indicator coaxially into the Pipe socket for filling in and sucking off the nutrient liquid

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is set. This is the outer cross-section of the float tank designed for the inner cross-section of the pipe socket. This has the advantage that the water level indicator also indicates the position of the ear socket. When filling or sucking up nutrient fluid, the water level indicator but can be removed from the pipe socket. Therefore, during these processes, the level of the nutrient fluid cannot be displayed and observed. Since the level of the nutrient fluid is very important in hydroponics, This combination of water level indicator and pipe socket is capable of filling in and sucking off the nutrient liquid unsatisfactory. When filling nutrient liquid, the level of the same must therefore be repeated Insertion of the water level indicator can be checked. This is cumbersome and time consuming.

It is the object of the invention to improve a water level indicator of the type mentioned in such a way that it does not only the position of the pipe socket for filling and suction: egg nutrient fluid indicates, but also for these processes always takes over the display of the level of the nutrient fluid, without affecting these processes themselves.

This is achieved according to the invention in that the float tank with a small cross-section inside the Pipe socket arranged and with this to a fixed Unit is connected. The water level indicator and the pipe socket for filling and aspirating the nutrient liquid form an inseparable unit, whereby the cross-sectional dimensioning ensures that over the Pipe socket without affecting the nutrient fluid can be filled in or sucked off, whereby the water

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r.errtandsanzeiger always shows their level. The water level indicator marks the position of the Rohrstut- ζνΐΐΰ in hydroponics. This optimally fulfills all conditions for the water level indicator and the pipe socket for filling and sucking off the nutrient liquid for hydroponics. In addition, there is the important space saving for small planters thanks to this new combination of water level indicator and pipe socket.

The manufacture of the new water level indicator is simplified by attaching the float tank as a sleeve the inner wall of the pipe socket is integrally formed. Eeide parts can then e.g. in the plastic injection molding process as a molded part. An accumulation of material at the junction between the float tank and the pipe socket, it is possible to avoid that the Schwiinmer tank over a narrow radial web is formed on the inner wall of the pipe socket. This is important so that the unit manufactured as a molded part in the Area of the connection point has no sink marks.

A sufficient connection for those introduced into hydroponics or nutrient fluid to be introduced to the pipe socket and to the float tank is achieved in that the pipe socket in the bottom area is provided with open longitudinal slots directed towards the end face, of which at least one is arranged in the area in which the float tank is directly in the wall area of the Pipe socket passes. It is also provided that the longitudinal slot, the pipe socket and the float tank penetrates, is divided by several longitudinal webs. The inlet opening in the float tank is therefore Covered like a sieve, so that even small foreign bodies do not get into the float tank and the adjustment of the swimmer.

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According to a further embodiment it is provided that the pipe socket on the lower end face with an annular disc is provided, which has a raised edge on the inner diameter with a recessed support for the pipe socket and radially Has extending slots, which are matched in their distribution to the distribution of the slots on the pipe socket are. A flange-like stop on the pipe socket is formed via this ring disc, which is the same in hydroponics, e.g. in the expanded clay ball filling of the plant container.

So that the lower end face of the pipe socket is also exposed, it is provided that the washer is also on its underside Spacer webs are provided, which are preferably arranged radially. The pipe socket is therefore over a large one Cross-section in connection with the hydroponics, which facilitates the filling and suction of the nutrient fluid.

A further development of the new water level indicator is thereby characterized in that a collecting cup can be used in the open top of the pipe socket, which has a Support edge can be placed on the face of the pipe socket and has a lateral indentation for receiving the float tank, which is located in the area of the cup opening is closed by an insertion ring, and that the collecting cup that can be inserted into the top of the pipe socket can be covered by means of a cap, which is in its cover plate with a on the introduction ring of the collecting cup and so that the open end face of the float tank is provided with a designed and orientable insertion hole. This Collecting cup prevents foreign bodies from accidentally getting into the pipe socket when the

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Nutrient liquid can then be sucked in by the suction pump and can lead to their destruction or damage. The collecting cup remains removable, by competent and competent persons of the filling and the suction process can be carried out properly.

The structure of the float is solved in such a way that it consists of a bell-like upper part and a plate-like closure part is composed, the closure part protruding beyond the upper part all around and the upper part a sleeve-shaped Has approach that receives the rod-shaped pointer.

The free end of the pointer is designed as a display ball.

The water level indicator is completed by the pointer can be covered by a tubular cap part which has a widened closure edge with locking lugs and stop edge through the insertion hole of the cover cap and the insertion ring of the collecting cup into the open Front side of the float tank can be inserted and locked into an inner ring groove of the same. With this configuration the float can be taken out without removing the cap and the collecting cup from the pipe socket removed. Conversely, the cover cap and the collecting cup can be removed without removing the cap part of the water level indicator must be removed.

The adjustment of the pointer in the water level indicator, which is composed of the float tank and cap part, is improved in that the cap part in the connection

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to the closure part a reduced diameter Drilling part forms as a guide for the indicator ball of the pointer and a ventilation opening in its cover plate having.

The indication of the level of the nutrient fluid is improved in that the ear part of the cap part has a radial direction protruding and extending over the entire length web, which is approximately flush with the larger closure part completes and that the ear part and the web in the adjustment range of the display ball is fully transparent, while both parts are roughened in the other areas in the surface.

The invention is illustrated by means of one in the drawings Embodiment explained in more detail. Show it:

Pig. 1 the Eohrstutzen with the integrally molded float tank and the single pane in the floor area,

2 shows the collecting cup that can be inserted into the open top of the ear socket,

Fig. 3 shows the collecting cup and the drill socket sealing cap,

4 shows the float with pointer and which can be inserted into the float tank

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5 shows the one closing the float tank and the cap part guiding the pointer.

As FIG. 1 shows, the pipe socket 10 ic cross section is round and accommodates the round float tank 12 inside. The open top side 11 of the pipe socket 10 closes approximately flush with the open end face of the Schwiinmerbehälters 12, which is integrally formed via the Rsdialsteg 41 on the inner wall of the pipe socket 10. This radial web 41 decreases towards the lower end face of the pipe socket 10, so that d <= r float tank 12 merges with its wall directly into the wall d <ε pipe socket 10. The bottom of the float tank 12 is closed. In the bottom area of the pipe socket 10 are above the. Longitudinal slots "V-" distributed evenly around the circumference, which are open to the lower end face. In the area in which the float tank 12 merges into the pipe socket 10, there is also a longitudinal slot 14, which, however, is subdivided by longitudinal webs 15. This inlet opening over the pipe socket 10 in the float tank 12 is therefore designed like a sieve.

The lower end face of the pipe socket 10 is connected to an annular disk 16 which has a flange-like stop forms, which defines the pipe socket 10 in hydroponics. This annular disk 16 has a raised inside diameter Edge 17 with a recessed support, the one Plug-in receptacle for the pipe socket 10 forms. From the inside diameter the annular disk 16 go from radial slots 18, which in their distribution on the distribution of the longitudinal slots 14 of the pipe socket 10 are matched. The washer 16

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is firmly connected to the pipe socket 10, e.g. glued or welded, if both parts are plastic injection molded parts are made.

Radially directed support webs 1S are formed on the underside of the annular disk 16, so that the annular disk 16 and so that the lower end face of the pipe socket 10 does not stand up fully on the standing surface. The transition cross-section between hydroponics and pipe socket 10 is therefore sufficiently large, which makes for quick and easy filling or suctioning off the nutrient fluid is advantageous.

In the upper open end face 11 of the pipe socket 10 is a collecting cup 20 according to FIG. 2 can be used. This collecting cup 20 can be placed on the end face of the pipe socket 10 via a support edge 21 and closes the Pipe socket 10 in the area between the outer wall of the float tank 12 and its inner wall. The collecting cup 20 therefore also has a lateral indentation 23 which is adapted to the cross section of the float tank 12 is. This indentation is in the area of the edge 21

23 completed by an introduction ring 22 which, when the collecting cup 20 is inserted into the pipe socket 10, provides access to the float tank 12 allows. The collecting cup 20 inserted into the pipe socket 10 is passed through the cover cap

24 covered according to FIG. 3, which can be slipped onto the pipe socket 10 is. The cover plate of the cover cap has an insertion hole 25, which on the insertion ring 22 of the collecting cup 20 and thus the open end face of the float tank 12 is coordinated and alignable.

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In the float tank 12, which is connected to the pipe socket 10 forms an inseparable unit, the float according to FIG. 4 can be used. The hollow float is made from the bell-like upper part 26 and the plate-like lower part 27 - the lower part 27 protrudes all around the upper part 26 and thus forms a guide collar for the swimmer.

On the upper part 26, a sleeve-shaped extension 28 is formed, which the rod-shaped pointer 29 with a display ball 30 εη its free end receives. This bullet 30 is guided in the cap part 40 according to FIG. 5. This cap part 40 ends in a cylindrical closure part 31 with locking lugs 32. The closure part 31 is limited by the stop collar 33 and can through the insertion opening 25 of the cap 24 and the Introducing ring 22 of the collecting cup 20 is introduced into the open end face of the float tank 12 and into its Inner ring groove 13 are engaged. The cap part 40 is thus connected to the float tank 12, but remains rotatable with respect to this.

It remains to be mentioned that conversely, however, the cover cap 24 and the collecting beaker 20 of the pipe socket 10 can be removed without the cap part 40 being detached from the float tank 12 beforehand. the The water level indicator can therefore always show the level of the nutrient liquid when filling and sucking up the nutrient liquid show, so that during these processes there is a possibility of checking the level of the nutrient fluid consists.

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The closure part 31 of the cap part 4-0 closes a smaller diameter ear part. This pipe part has a fully transparent area 38, which the Adjustment range of the display ball 30 of the pointer 29 corresponds. Outside this area 38 is the surface of the pipe part roughened, as indicated at 34. The indicator ball 30 is at the lower limit of the area 38, then the nutrient liquid is in the plant container used up and nutrient liquid must be refilled. The pointer rises in the Pipe part high .. When the indicator ball 30 reaches the upper one Border of the area 38, then the prescribed amount of nutrient fluid has been introduced. The pipe part is provided with a ventilation opening 36 at the top. Also is a radially protruding web is formed on this tubular part, which, as the reference numerals 35 and 39 show, corresponds! d the pipe part is fully transparent or the surface is roughened. This laterally molded web makes it easier Reading the water level indicator increases the stability of the pipe part and can be provided with markings if necessary will. The short web 37 also reinforces the tubular part in the area of the closure part 31 at the transition to the locking part 31

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Claims (1)

A 2598 Expectations 1. Water level indicator for hydroponics with a pipe socket that can be fixed in this, for filling and aspirating the nutrient fluid, which consists of a float adjustable in a tubular float tank and provided with a pointer, characterized in that the float tank (12) has a small cross-section inside the pipe socket (10) is arranged with a much larger cross-section and connected to this to form a fixed unit. 2. Water level indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the float container (12) is integrally formed as a sleeve on the inner wall of the pipe socket (10). 3- Water level indicator according to claim 2, characterized in that the float tank (12) is molded onto the inner wall of the pipe socket (10) via a narrow radial web (41). 4. Water level indicator according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pipe socket (10) in the bottom area is provided with longitudinal slots (14) directed towards the end face and open, at least one of which is arranged in the area in which the float tank (12) merges directly into the wall area of the pipe socket (10). 7624499 02.12.76 A 2598 5 x water level indicator according to claim 4, characterized g e indicates that the longitudinal slot is divided (1 ^{Z is} O, which penetrates the pipe socket (10) and the float holder (12) by a plurality of longitudinal webs (15). 6. Water level indicator according to one of claims 1 to 55, characterized in that the pipe socket (10) is provided on the lower end face with an annular disc (16) which has a raised edge (17) ¹ ^ it recessed support for the pipe socket ( 10) and radially extending slots (18), the distribution of which is matched to the distribution of the slots (14) on the pipe socket (10). 7- water level indicator according to claim 6, characterized in that the annular disc (16) is provided on its underside with spacer webs (' ^η 9), which are preferably arranged radially. 8. Water level indicator according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a collecting cup (20) can be inserted into the open top of the pipe socket (10) which can be placed on the end face of the pipe socket (10) via a support edge (21) and has a lateral indentation (2J) for receiving the float container (12), which is closed in the region of the cup opening by an insertion ring (22). 7624499 02.12.76 A 2598 9 · Water level indicator according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the collecting cup (20) which can be inserted into the top of the pipe socket (10) can be covered by means of a cover cap (24) which is attached to the insert ring (22) in its cover plate. of the collecting cup (20) and thus the open face of the float tank-s (12) is provided with a designed and alignable insertion hole (25). 10. Water level indicator according to one of claims 1 to j 9, characterized in that the float is made a bell-like upper part (26) and a plate-like The closure part (27) is assembled, wherein the closure part (27) the upper part (26) rings-UiTi protrudes and the upper part (26) has a sleeve-shaped Approach (28) to «- · st, which the rod-shaped pointer (29) ; η. takes. - '■'. Water level indicator according to Claim 10, characterized in that the free end of the pointer (29) is designed as an angular ball (30). ¹ I !. Water level indicator according to one of Claims 1 to ^: 11, characterized in that the pointer (29) through a tubular cap part (40) can be covered, which with an enlarged closure edge (31) with locking lugs (31) and Arischlagrand (33) through the insertion hole (25) of the cap (24) and the insertion ring (22) of the collecting cup (20) can be inserted into the open end face of the float tank (12) and into a Inner ring groove (13) of the same can be locked. 7624499 02.12.76 A 2598 13- water level indicator according to claim 12, characterized in that the cap part (4-0) forms a tube part with a reduced diameter as a guide for the indicator ball (30) of the pointer (29) and a cover plate in its cover plate Has ventilation opening (36). 14. Water level indicator according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the tubular part (34-, 38) of the cap part (40) has a radially protruding and over the entire length extending web (35,39) which is approximately flush with the larger Closing part (3.1) closes. 15 · Water level indicator according to one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the ear part (38) and the web (39) are fully transparent in the adjustment area of the indicator ball (30), while both parts are fully transparent in the other areas (34-, 35 ) i- ⁿ are roughened on the surface. 7624499 OZ. 12.76