EA036252B1 - Device for cultivating plants - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of hydroponic and aeroponic automated cultivation of plants of diverse morphological structure and can be used at home and also in food industry and agricultural industry enterprises. The technical result which the invention is focused on achieving is to provide for balanced plant growth and development. The essence of the invention consists in that a device for cultivating plants comprises the following, controllable by a controller: a means for moistening air flows, a means for differentiating air flows and a means for introducing microorganisms comprising a unit for breeding microorganisms and a unit for supplying microorganisms to a plant, wherein the unit for breeding microorganisms comprises mycorhiza or trichoderma.

Description

The invention relates to the field of hydroponic and aeroponic automated cultivation of plants of various morphological structures and can be used in everyday life, as well as in food and agricultural enterprises.

A device for plant cultivation is known, comprising a housing, inside which is a lighting module, a filtration module and a plant growing module equipped with a means of hydroponic supply of substances to the root zone [US 2014259920, publication date: 09/18/2014, IPC: A01G 1/00] ...

A device for plant cultivation is known, comprising a housing inside which a controller, a lighting module, a ventilation module and a plant cultivation module are located, equipped with a means of aeroponic supply of substances to the root zone [WO 2017207508, publication date: 07.12. 2017, IPC: A01G 31/06].

As a prototype, a plant cultivation device is selected, comprising a housing, in the upper part of which there is a plant growing chamber with darkening glass, while a lighting module and an ultrasonic plant height sensor are located inside the chamber, and a controller, a ventilation module and a plant growing module are located in the housing. comprising means for aeroponic delivery of substances to the root zone [US 2018007845, publication date: 01/11/2018, IPC: A01G 31/00].

The disadvantage of the prototype and the known technical solutions is the unbalanced growth and development of plants due to insufficient care of plants at each stage of their growth, which can manifest itself in the absence of qualitative changes in the structure of plant cells, or in the slow formation of inflorescences and fruits, as a result of which to a large extent the efficiency of plant cultivation decreases.

The technical problem to be solved by the invention is to increase the efficiency of plant cultivation.

The technical result to which the invention is directed is to ensure balanced growth and development of plants.

The essence of the invention is as follows.

The plant cultivation device comprises a plant cultivation chamber, a lighting module controlled by a controller, a ventilation module, a plant cultivation module and a plant growth stage monitoring means. Unlike the prototype, the device contains a controller-controlled means for humidifying air flows, a means for differentiating air flows and a means for introducing microorganisms, while the means for introducing microorganisms contains a dosing unit that makes it possible to introduce a certain volume and / or type of microorganisms, a dilution unit and a unit for supplying microorganisms to a plant , which is represented by a pipeline connected to the node for placing the root system of plants, and the means for differentiating the air flows provides a change in the direction of the air flows and contains for this purpose the pumping and directing nodes, while the directing assembly is made in the form of an air duct equipped at the end with a deflector with a controlled damper.

The plant growing chamber is a cavity inside the device, in which the system of plant shoots is located and favorable conditions for their growth and development are created. The growing chamber can be of any shape and size, allowing the placement of plants, as well as their further growth and development.

The means for humidifying air flows makes it possible to change the humidity and temperature of the air inside the plant growing chamber by adding fine liquid particles to it. The means for humidifying air streams may comprise a supply unit and a liquid spraying unit. The liquid supply unit can be a submersible pump located in a container with a liquid, or a pipeline that is connected to a public water supply. The liquid spraying unit can be nozzles or sprayers that can be located inside the growing chamber.

The humidifier can be equipped with a heat exchange unit, which makes it possible to organize evaporative cooling and increase the efficiency of changing the humidity and temperature of the air inside the growing chamber, for example, the heat exchange unit can be a perforated plate or a heat exchanger, which are equipped with fans blowing liquid from their surface. The air flow humidifier can be integrated into the ventilation module.

The ventilation module provides the possibility of organizing the supply and exhaust ventilation of the plant growing chamber. The ventilation module may contain climate control elements that provide the ability to control the air parameters inside the plant growing chamber and outside the device. Climate control elements can be temperature, humidity or air speed sensors, as well as air content sensors, light sensors, etc. Climate control elements can be installed inside the ventilation module and / or inside the plant growing chamber and / or outside the device ...

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The ventilation module may comprise an air circulation circuit inside the plant growing chamber and an air exchange circuit with the outside environment. The air circulation circuit inside the growing chamber and the air exchange circuit with the external environment can be connected by means of air ducts, while a system of controlled valves, dampers or dampers can be used to change the amount of air entering the growing chamber. The air circulation circuit inside the growing chamber may include a circulation circuit fan, a carbon dioxide plant feeding unit and a system of air ducts connected to the growing chamber. The air exchange circuit with the external environment may contain a fan of the air exchange circuit, as well as an air purification unit, which may contain elements of ionization and air filtration, which make it possible to clean the air leaving outside.

The air flow differentiator makes it possible to simulate natural wind flows inside the growing chamber by changing the speed and direction of the air flows. The air flow differentiator can receive data from the climate control elements. The means for differentiating air flows contains a pumping and directing units. The pumping unit can be a compressor and a receiver, or a fan, or the fans of the ventilation module can be used as a pumping unit. The guide assembly is an air duct of any shape and size, connected to the plant growing chamber and equipped at the end with a deflector with a controlled damper. In this case, the controlled deflector can have a telescopic flexible structure to provide the ability to supply air flows to certain parts of the plants. Also, the air circulation circuit inside the growing chamber of the ventilation module can be used as a guiding unit.

The plant growing module provides the ability to place the root system of plants and supply nutrients to the root system. The plant growing module contains a node for placing the root system of plants, a node for preparing a nutrient solution and a node for supplying a nutrient solution to the root system of plants. The node for placing the root system of plants can be perforated cup-shaped holes of any shape and size, selected in accordance with the size of the plant roots. The unit for preparation of the nutrient solution can be one or more interconnected containers, which at the junction may contain a system of valves, gate valves, dampers or pumps. Also, the nutrient solution preparation unit may contain elements for monitoring the nutrient solution state, which can be sensors for salts, minerals, acidity, temperature, density, level, etc. The nutrient solution supply unit may contain elements of aeroponic and / or hydroponic nutrient solution supply, equipped with a pump feeding the nutrient solution.

The means for introducing microorganisms enables the maintenance and further growth and development of microorganisms necessary at each stage of plant growth and development and their delivery to the plants. The means for introducing microorganisms can be integrated into the plant growing module. The means for introducing microorganisms contains a dosing unit that allows the introduction of a certain volume and / or type of microorganisms. In this case, the dosing unit can be a gate, gate valve, valve or pump.

The means for introducing microorganisms contains a unit for breeding microorganisms and a unit for supplying microorganisms to the plant. The site for the cultivation of microorganisms can be one or more open or closed containers of any shape and size, inside which favorable conditions are created for the active life of microorganisms. The node for supplying microorganisms to the plant is a pipeline of any shape and size in cross-section, which connects the node for breeding microorganisms with the cavity in which the nutrient solution, the root system or other parts of the plant is located, for example, with the cavity of the plant growing chamber or with the node for placing the root system of plants plant growing module. As microorganisms, mycorrhiza, trichoderma, etc. can be selected.

The plant growth stage tracker provides the ability to monitor the dynamics of growth and development of plants in the growing chamber by assessing their physical condition. The means for tracking the stage of plant growth may contain elements of optical and sound monitoring. Elements of optical control can be a video camera, photosensor, ultraviolet or infrared sensors, etc. Sound control elements can be ultrasonic distance sensors of various ranges. The plant growth stage tracker can be installed anywhere in the plant growth chamber, provided that the plants are within its range.

The lighting module provides the ability to create the necessary light conditions for the growth and development of plants inside the growing chamber. The illumination module can be a panel equipped with LED lamps of various spectra, for example, ultraviolet, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, infrared and white LEDs, which provide the possibility of differentiating the spectrum and light intensity to make changes in the morphological structure of plants. The illumination module can be of any shape and size and can be installed anywhere in the device, provided that sufficient light rays are provided to the plants for the photosynthesis process. The lighting module can be movably fixed by any known means, for example by means of hinges, actuators or groove systems.

The controller provides the ability to process information from the electronic components of the device and the interaction of electronic components with each other to ensure the growth and development of plants in the growing chamber. The controller can be represented by a set of integrated circuits, chips and microprocessors.

The body can be of any shape and size, providing the ability to accommodate the growing chamber and other structural elements of the device inside it. The housing may contain upper and lower technological compartments located around the plant growing chamber. In this case, a ventilation module can be located in the upper technological compartment, and a module for growing plants in the lower one. The case from the outside may contain openings that provide the possibility of intake and exhaust of air by the ventilation module, as well as providing the ability to exit the air heated by the lighting module. The body may contain a door equipped with glass with an auto-dimming function, which provides the ability to protect the plant from exposure to direct sunlight.

The housing may contain input devices that provide the ability to change and select the programs for growing plants. In this case, input devices can be represented by keys, rheostats, potentiometers or a touch panel.

The device can be supplied with batteries that enable its autonomous operation. The batteries can be rechargeable and / or solar batteries.

Structural elements of the device can be made of any constructional materials, for example, metal, plastic or composite materials.

The invention has a previously unknown set of essential features, characterized in that the device comprises a means for differentiating air flows, which makes it possible to change the speed and direction of air flows and affect plants with different intensities and for this purpose contains a pumping and directing units, while the directing unit is made in the form an air duct equipped at the end with a deflector with a controlled damper, thereby strengthening the stem, increasing the efficiency of the supply of nutrients to the leaves, flowers and fruits of plants;

a means of humidifying air flows, which makes it possible to change the humidity and temperature of the air inside the device, thereby creating favorable climatic conditions for the active growth and development of plants;

a means for introducing microorganisms containing a breeding unit and a unit for bringing microorganisms to the plant, which provides the possibility of the development and transfer of beneficial microorganisms to the root zone of plants, thereby making it possible to increase the efficiency of plant consumption of nutrients and water, as well as to reduce the risk of pathogens at the initial stage of plant development ...

The set of essential features makes it possible to select the most effective modes of operation of the device depending on the physical state of plants at each stage of plant development, thereby ensuring the achievement of a technical result, which consists in ensuring balanced growth and development of plants, thereby increasing the efficiency of their cultivation.

The presence of new distinctive essential features indicates the compliance of the invention with the criterion of patentability, novelty.

The combination of essential features of the device leads to the achievement of an unobvious technical effect, which consists in ensuring balanced growth and development of the plant. This is due to the means of introducing microorganisms, which constantly supplies the plants (root system, stem, leaves) with beneficial microorganisms in the required volume and in the case of the device registering a lag or, on the contrary, advancing the growth and / or development of the plant, the device regulates the type and volume of microorganisms supplied to plant, respectively, accelerating or slowing down the growth and / or development of the plant. This also happens due to the means of differentiating air flows, which helps to strengthen the plant stem and stimulates the plant to absorb nutrients due to the impact on it of wind currents of different speeds and directions, which at the same time can be focused on less developed or vice versa on more developed parts of plants. ... At the same time, due to the dynamic change in temperature and humidity of wind currents, it is possible to create different climatic zones for different plants that are lagging or ahead of growth and development, restoring the balance between these indicators for simultaneous fruiting. Thus, an unexpected technical effect is achieved, which consists in ensuring a balanced growth of plants, which indicates that the invention meets the criterion of patentability. Inventive step.

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The invention can be made from known materials using known means, which indicates that the invention meets the criteria of patentability and industrial applicability.

The invention is illustrated by the following drawings.

fig. 1 is a plant cultivation device, axonometric view, FIG. 2 - a device for cultivating plants, the door is removed for clarity, axonometric view, FIG. 3 is a front view of the internal space of a plant cultivation device, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a ventilation module with integrated differentiation means and means for humidifying air flows, FIG. 5 is a plant growing module with an integrated means for introducing microorganisms, axonometric view.

The device for cultivating plants contains a housing 1, made in the form of a cabinet with a door 2, which contains a touch control panel 3, inside which the controller is located, and tinted glass 4. In this case, the housing 1 outside has an air inlet 5, an exhaust purified air outlet 6 and an outlet 7 warm air and is divided into three compartments: the upper technological compartment 8, the lower technological compartment 9 and the chamber 10 for growing plants.

Inside the plant growing chamber 10, there is an ultrasonic sensor 11, an HD camera 12, climate control sensors 13, side and ceiling lighting modules 14, an air inlet 15 and 16 in the side walls, and holes for planting plants in the bottom.

The upper technological compartment 8 contains a ventilation module 17, and the lower technological compartment 9 contains a plant growing module 18.

The ventilation module 17 contains an integrated means 19 for humidifying air flows, operating on the principle of evaporative cooling and containing a tray with liquid inside, a pump, nozzles and a heat exchanger (not shown in the drawing), means 20 for mixing carbon dioxide, a fan 21 of the circulation circuit, a fan 22 of the air exchange circuit , an ionization element 23, a temperature lowering valve 24, a temperature increasing valve 25 and a carbon filter 26. In this case, the ventilation module 17 contains an integrated means for differentiating air flows (not shown in the drawing), which functions due to fans 21 and 22, and in uses air inlet 15 and 16 as deflectors.

The plant growing module 18 contains root support bowls 27 and 28 equipped with aeroponic and hydroponic nutrient solution supply means, a valve system 29, elements 30 for monitoring the condition of the nutrient solution, including sensors for salts, nitrates, acidity and temperature of the nutrient solution, a tank 31 with nutrient solution and containers 32 with liquids. The means for introducing microorganisms consists of containers 33 and 34, inside which are placed the bacteria mycorrhiza and trichoderm, while the containers 33 and 34 are equipped with valves (not shown in the drawings).

The invention works as follows.

The door 2 of the plant cultivation device is opened, the nutrient solution is poured into the tank 31 and the containers 32 with liquids are installed. The colonies of microorganisms are placed in containers 33. Plants (not shown in the drawings) are placed inside the chamber 10 for growing plants and the roots are placed in bowls 27 and 28. The door 2 is closed, and the data on the type of planted plants is entered into the controller by means of the touch control panel 3. The controller selects the necessary program for caring for plants at all stages of their growth.

The plant growing module 18 receives a command from the controller to prepare the nutrient solution by mixing liquids from the tanks 32 into the tank 31 through a valve system 29. Elements 30 for monitoring the state of the nutrient solution register changes in the content of minerals, salts, as well as the acidity and temperature of the nutrient solution and transmit them to the controller, which, when the necessary values are reached, stops mixing liquids into the tank 31. The aeroponic and hydroponic feeding solution of the nutrient solution sprays the nutrient solution onto plant roots. In this case, the controller registers the physical state of the plants through the HD camera 12 and makes adjustments to the composition and intensity of spraying the nutrient solution on the plant roots relative to the physical state of the plants. In this case, mycorrhiza from the container 33 enters the tank 31 and, together with the nutrient solution, moves to the roots of the plants, increasing the amount of nutrients absorbed by the plants. The controller registers a sufficient level of mycorrhiza in the tank by means of the elements 30 for controlling the condition of the nutrient solution and closes the tank 33. To reduce the risk of pathogens in plants, the controller opens the tank 34 and the trichoderma enters the tank 31 and moves with the nutrient solution to the plant roots, protecting the plants. When a sufficient volume of Trichoderma is registered, the controller overlaps the container 34.

The ventilation module 17 receives a command from the controller to activate the circulation loop fan 21 and air begins to flow into the housing 1 through inlet 5 and into the growing chamber 10 through inlet 15, and due to valves 24 and 25, the temperature inside the chamber rises and falls. In this case, the controller registers the change in temperature and humidity inside the chamber 10 to 4 036252 by means of climate control sensors 13. In the event of a decrease in humidity, the controller issues a command to activate the pump of the air humidifier 19, which, by means of nozzles, sprays liquid onto the surface of the heat exchanger, from the surface of which it enters the circulation circuit, lowering the temperature and increasing the humidity inside the growing chamber 10 to create favorable conditions for growth and development cultivated plant species. If the temperature and / or humidity values are exceeded, the controller gives a command to activate the fan 22 of the air exchange circuit, as a result of which the air through the air outlet 16 from the growing chamber 10 passes through the ionization element 23, the carbon filter 26 and, cleaned of pollen and unpleasant odors, enters out through the outlet 7 in the housing 1. As a result of ventilation of the growing chamber 10, the controller, by means of climate control sensors 13, registers a drop in the level of carbon dioxide required for the effective passage of photosynthesis in plant cells, and gives a command to activate the means 20 for mixing carbon dioxide into the chamber 10 and the required level of carbon dioxide is restored.

The controller registers the height of the plants by means of an ultrasonic sensor, as a result of which it receives data on the sufficient development of the plant stem. The controller issues a command to the fans 21 and 22, and they begin to intermittently rotate at different frequencies, imitating the wind currents, as a result of which the plants begin to sway and their stems are strengthened, and the efficiency of plant absorption of nutrients is increased.

The controller receives data from the ultrasonic sensor 11 of the HD camera 12 and the climate control sensors 13, which includes the light sensor, about the current physical state of the plants and gives a command to the side and ceiling lighting modules 14 to activate the LEDs of the light spectrum required at this stage of plant growth, forming the required luminous flux and the composition of the light to accelerate the growth of vegetative mass by the plant, as well as increase the height and thickness of the stem. At the same time, in order to exclude the possibility of heating the air inside the plant growing chamber 10 and changing climatic conditions, warm air from the ceiling lighting modules 14 is discharged through the warm air outlet 7. The controller detects insufficient illumination of the plant 35 and changes the position of the lighting module, after which the required illumination level of the plant 35 is restored.

The controller registers changes in the physical state of plants by means of an ultrasonic sensor 11 and an HD camera 12 and constantly makes adjustments to the operation of the side and ceiling lighting modules 14, the ventilation module 17 and the plant growing module 18. In this case, the controller registers the lagging or advancing growth and / or development of individual plant parts and compares the dynamics of growth and development of the plants themselves. If the values of these parameters deviate from the preset values, the controller, depending on the readings of the ultrasonic sensor 11, HD camera 12, climate control sensors 13, as well as elements 30 for monitoring the state of the nutrient solution, makes adjustments to the operation of the humidifier 19, the air flow differentiator and the microorganism introduction agent ... During the formation and ripening of fruits in plants, the controller sends a signal to the touch panel 3 about the need to harvest.

Thus, a technical result is achieved, which consists in ensuring a balanced growth and development of plants, thereby increasing the efficiency of their cultivation.

Claims (6)

CLAIM 1. A plant cultivation device comprising a plant growing chamber, a lighting module controlled by a controller, a ventilation module, a plant cultivation module with a plant root system placement unit and a plant growth stage tracking device, characterized in that it further comprises a means for humidifying air flows controlled by the controller, means differentiating air flows and a means for introducing microorganisms, while the means for introducing microorganisms contains a dosing unit providing the possibility of introducing a certain volume and / or type of microorganisms, a dilution unit and a unit for supplying microorganisms to a plant, which is represented by a pipeline connected to a unit for placing the root system of plants, and the means for differentiating air flows ensures a change in the direction of air flows and contains for this purpose a pumping and directing units, while the directing unit is made in the form of an air duct provided at the end of a deflector torus with controlled damper. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the moistening means comprises a supply unit and a liquid spraying unit. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for humidifying the air flows are provided with a heat exchange unit for organizing evaporative cooling. 4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the humidifier is integrated into the ventilation module. 5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for introducing microorganisms is integrated into the plant growing module. - 5 036252 6. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the microorganism breeding unit is one and / or several containers.