GB2249247A

GB2249247A - Automatic watering device for plant cultivation.

Info

Publication number: GB2249247A
Application number: GB9121593A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chiaki Miyazawa; Tetsuo Morita; Akiro Nishio; Akihiko Onishi; Yuji Hayakawa; Kunikazu Shibata
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 1990-10-11
Filing date: 1991-10-11
Publication date: 1992-05-06
Also published as: DE4133771A1; GB9121593D0

Description

2249247 1 1 AUTOMATIC WATERING DEVICE FOR PLANT CULTIVATION The present

invention relates to an automatic watering or water supplying device or douche for automatically supplying water to a plant cultivating flowerpot.

Conventionally, in supplying water to a plant cu(4-1vating flowerpot etc., a watering pot has been generally used which applies water from an upward location with respect to the flowerpot, or a water receiving dish is placed below the flowerpot so as to accumulate a small volume of water in the dish. According to the' general method, water supplying work may be overlooked, or excessive watering may be erroneously performed. Further, the water supply may be inadvertently performed under unsuitable climate, such as during the hottest time of the day.

In order to supply water at the most suitable time every day or on several alternate days, a person must have access to the flowerpot location, and in case of the water supply every other day the person must memorize and confirm the watering day, otherwise a plant may be sphacelated.

Further, in a conventional watering method, it MQ t4 1 - 1 - 2 be difficult to apply sufficient water to the soil in the flowerpot. That is, there may be coarse particles (conglomeratic sands) as well as fine particles in the soil in the flowerpot. There fore, water cannot be uniformly distributed into the soil only by watering from above but the water may pass through a given water passage such as a boundary portion between the soils and the flowerpot. The water does not reach roots of the plant, but flows out of the waterpot. This tendency becomes particularly marked if the minute soil particles become a rigid mass in use over a long period of time.

However, in order to obtain sufficient water absorp tion in the solidified soil mass, excessively large amounts of water are required in such a manner that the poured water is spilt out of the flowerpot. Alternatively, a hole in the flowerpot must be plugged for temporarily storing water within the flowerpot.

According to the present invention,there is provided an automatic watering device for automatically supplying water to a plant comprising; pot portion; water tank portion positioned below the pot portion for accumulating water to be supplied to the pot portion; a water supplying means for supplying water in the water tank portion to the pot portion; a water drainage means for returning the water supplied to the pot portion by the water supply means into the water tank portion; timer means; switch means connected to the timer means for setting a watering interval into the timer means; and, control means for controlling the water supplying means according to the watering interval set in the timer means, the water supplying means and the timer means being connected to the control means.

With the automatic watering device thus constructed, watering time is set by the switch means. When the preset watering time is counted by the timer means, the control means controls the water supplying means to supply the water accumulated in the water tank portion to the pot portion. Accordingly, automatic and periodic watering is achievable.

With the invention an automatic watering device may be produced which is capable of automatically and periodically supplying water with a simple arrangement. Further, an automatic watering pot may be produced in which water supplied into a pot portion can be temporarily accumulated therein, the water then being discharged from the pot portion after water has been sufficiently distributed into the soils in the flowerpot.

The invention will further be understood from the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example only and in which:- Fig. Lis a cross-sectional view showing an automati watering device according to the present Invention; Fig. 2 is a block-diagram showing an electrical ar rangement in the automatic watering device of Fig.1; and Fig. 3 is a flowchart for description of a watering operation sequence.

An automatic watering device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

in Fig. 1, a case 1 formed of a resin material has a double wall arrangement including an inner recessed pot portion 2a and an outer wall portion 2b substantially concentrically therewith. The inner recessed portion 2a and the outer wall 2b are integral with each other and contiguous with each other at a top end portion of the case 1. An annular cylindrical space S is defined between the inner A, 1 recessed pot portion 2a and the outer wall 2b. Ribs 4 project upwardly from a bottom of the pot portion 2 for mounting on the ribs 4 a separate flowerpot 5 in which a potted plant is planted. Alternatively, the ribs can be dispensed with, so that the pot portion 2a directly serves as a flowerpot.

At a position below the pot portion 2a, a water tank portion 3 is provided. The water tank portion 3 is defined by the outer wall 2b, a bottom wall of the recessed pot portion 2a and a partitioning plate 8 extending between the inner and outer walls 2a and 2b. The partitioning plate 8 is provided within the case 1 and at a position approximately equal to the position of the bottom wall of the pot portion 2a so as to divide an internal space S of the case 1 into upper and lower sections. Thus, the lower section serves as the tank portion 3. Further, a water conduit pipe 6 extends from the bottom wall of the pot portion 2a for communicating the pot portion 2a with an internal space of the water tank portion 3. A lower end of the conduit pipe 6 extends to a position adjacent to a bottom wall of the water tank portion 3.

In the space S and the upper internal section within the case 1 and above the partitioning plate 'S, there are provided a pneumatic pump 15, a drive motor 28 (Fig. 2), a solenoid valve 12, and a driving solenoid 27(Fig. 2). The pneumatic pump 15 has one end connected to a first communication pipe 13 and another end connected to a second communication pipe 14 for providing selective fluid communication between an exterior and the water supply tank portion 3 through the communication pipes 13 and 14. The pneumatic pump 15 is of diaphragm type, and is provided with a checkvalve arrangement in which upon actuation of the pump, the atmosphere is positively introduced into the water tank portion 3 through the communication pipes 13 and 14, whereas in case of non operative state of the pump 15 the air within the water tank portion 3 is confined therein. The drive motor 28 is connected to the pneumatic pump 15 for driving the same 15 (see Fig. 2).

The solenoid valve 12 is adapted to provide fluid communication between the exterior and the water supply tank portion 3 through communication pipes 10 an 11, and the driving solenoid 27 is connected to the solenoid valve 12 for opening and closing the solenoid valve 12 (see Fig. 2). Upon actuation of the driving solenoid 27, the solenoid valve 12 has a shutoff position for prov iding hermetic state in the water tank portion 3. The solenoid valve 12 also has a second position for providing fluid communication between the exterior and the interior of the tank portion 3 in order to discharge compressed air in the tank 3 toward the atmosphere.

One ends of the communication pipes 13 and 10 are positioned on an outer wall portion 2b of the case 1, and another ends thereof are connected to the pneumatic pump 15 and the solenoid valve 12, respectively. Further one ends of the commgnication pipes 14 and 11 are connected to the pneumatic pump 15 and the solenoid valve 12, respectively, and another ends thereof are open to the water tank portion 3 through the partitioning plate 8.

Within the upper internal section of the case 1 and at a position above the pneumatic Pump 15 and the solenoid valve 12, a control circuit 29 desctibed later is accommodated. Further, a power source 9 such as a battery is positioned within the upper internal space S of the case 1.

Within the water tank portion 3, there are provided, in order from the upper position, a full water level sensor 16 which detects a state of full of water in the tank 3, a suitable water level sensor 17 which detects a state of suitable water level, a water supply sensor 18 which detects a water level state necessary for water filling into the tank portion 3, and a lower level sensor 19 which detects a lower water level state in the tank portion. The lower water level sensor 19 is adapted for stopping actua- tion of the pneumatic pump 15 when the water only reaches the sensor 19 during actuation of the pneumatic pump 15. Further, at a side wall portion of the pot portion 2, an upper water level sensor 24 is provided. The upper water level sensor 24 is so positioned that it is positioned lower than an upper edge of the flowerpot 5 when the latter is installed on the ribs 4 in the pot portion 2a.

At the upper end face of the case 1, a display portion 22 and a manipulating portion 23 are provided. The display portion 22 is adapted for displaying amount of the water in the water tank portion 3, such as one of "full water level, "suitable level" and "water replenishment" states. Further, the manipulating portion 23 is provided with a watering switch 31 for actuating the pneumatic pump 15 etc., a display switch 33 for displaying the water amount state on the display portion 22, and a setter switch 32 for setting watering timing.

As shown in Fig. 2, the control circuit 29 includes a conventional microcomputer in which a timer means 30 is accommodated. To the control circuit 29, connected are the water level sensors 16 through 19, the upper water level sensor 24, the solenoid 27 of the solenoid valve 12, the motor 28 for driving the pneumatic pump 15 and the display portion 22. Further, the manipulating portion 23 is con nected to the control circuit 29, and the watering switch 31 and the setter switch 32 of the manipulating portion 23 are connected to the timer means 30. The upper water level sensor 24 is also connected to the timer means 30. An output signal from the timer means 30 is transmitted to the solenoid valve 12 and the pneumatic pump 15 so as to start and stop operation of these at optimum timing. Incidentally, the control circuit 29, the solenoid 27, the motor 28 and the display portion 22 are respectively connected to the power source 9 for receiving an electric power therefrom.

Operation of the thus constructed automatic watering device will next be described with reference to a flowchart shown in Fig. 3. Steps Sl through S4 are initial setting so as to input, through the display switch 33, the watering switch 31 and the setter switch, the present time (Sl), watering time (S2), watering interval period (S3), and water returning time (S4). In Step S5, if watering timing is counted up by the timer means 30, the routine goes into Steps S6 and S7. In the Step S6 the control circuit 29 controls the solenoid that the internal against atmosphere. drive motor 28 is 15, so that air is 27 to close the solenoid valve 12, so space of the tank portion 3 is sealed At the same time, in the Step S7, the energized to actuate the pneumatic pump fed into the interior of the water supply k 4 tank portion 3. Therefore, in Step S8 water in the tank portion 3 is urged to be depressed downwardly because of the pneumatic pressure. Thus pressure-applied water is introduced into the pot portion 2 through the conduit 6 until the water reachep the upper level water sensor 24.

In Step S9, determination is made as to whether the water level reaches the upper water level sensor 24. if the determination falls Yes Cif the upper level water sensor 24 detects the water elevation), the control circuit 29 rapidly deenergizes the motor 28 so as to stop pneumatic pressure application to the water surface in the tank portion 3 in Step S10 in order to prevent water from further feeding to the pot portion 2a. At the same time, in Step S11 the upper water level detection signal is also transmitted to the timer means 30, so that time measuring operation is started in the timer means 30. During the preset time period, water in the pot can be sufficiently retained therein, whereby water can be sufficiently distributed within the soils. Upon completion of the time measurement, the routine goes into Step S12, where the solenoid valve 12 is opened for discharging compressed air in the tank 3 toward the atmosphere. Thus, in Step S13, water retained in the pot portion 2a is returned into the tank portion 3 through the conduit 6. Thereafter, the routine goes into Step S14 so as to start next watering operation at a desired timing preset in the timer means 30 through the watering switch 31 and the setter switch 32.

The pneumatic pump 15 serves as the water supplying means, and the solenoid valve 12 serves as the water drain- : L age means. Because of the consequential operation, a plant potted in the flowerpot(not shown) mounted in the pot portion 2a can undergo periodical watering in accordance with the preset timing. Further, during the watering operation, the water can be sufficiently retained and distributed in the flowerpot because of the intended water discharge or drainage timing preset in the timer means 30.

Incidentally, during the watering operation, if the water level in the tank only reaches the lower level sensor 19 during the actuation of the pneumatic pump 15, the control circuit 29 receives a signal indicative of the lower water level from the sensor 19, and the motor 28 is promptly deenergized for stopping operation of the pneumatic pump 15.

The watering operation is carried out in accordance with a command signal from the timer means 30 accommodated in the control circuit 29. When the watering switch 31 is depressed, watering operation can be initiated, and a counting on watering timing can be started after the reset of the timer means 30. In this instance, if 'every day" watering is "I selected by the setter switch 32, automatic watering operation is performed every day at an exact time of depression of the water supply switch 31. on the other hand, if "two days" watering is selected, automatic watering operation is performed every other day at an exact time of the depression of the water supply switch.

If amount of water in the water tank 3 is reduced, an operator can supply water into the pot portion 2a from a position thereabove. The supplied water can be accumulated in the water tank portion 3 through the conduit 6. In this case, air in the water tank portion 3 can be discharged outside through the solenoid valve 12. Further, the user can acknowledge water amount in the water tank 3 by depressing the display switch 33 in the manipulating portion 23. That is, if the user depresses the display switch 33, water amount in the tank portion 3 can be acknowledged during the switch depression. If the water reaches the sensor 16, full. tank state is acknowledged, if the water reaches the sensor 17, proper water amount is acknowledged, and if the water only reaches the sensor 18, a necessity for supplementing water is notified on the display port-ion 22.

In the above described embodiment, the timer means 30 is subjected to resetting and starting by the watering switch 31. However, a manual timer means is also available -1 c k for manually setting watering timing. In this case, twice and third time watering per a day is achievable. Further, if the water is intended to be temporarily supplied to the flowerpot, the above described water supply/discharge operation is achieved by the manipulation to the switches on the manipulating portion 23.

As descr.ibed above, according to the present invention, the automatic watering device is capable of automatically and periodically performing watering with a simple arrangement. Further, after the detection of the elevation of the water level by the upper water level sensor, the motor is deenergized, while the solenoid valve 12 is still closed for staying water in the pot portion for a predeterinined period of time. Therefore, even if rigid soils mass exists in the pot, the water can be sufficiently distributed within the soils, to thereby uniformly supply water to all root portions of the plant.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiment thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionj as defined in the appended claims.

W

Claims

- 14 CLAIMS

1. An automatic watering device for automatically supplying water to a plant comprising; pot portion; water tank portion positioned below the pot portion for accumulating water to be supplied to the pot portion; plied water a water supplying means for supplying water in the water tank portion to the pot portion; a water drainage means for returning the water supto the pot portion by the water supply means into the tank portion; a timer means; a switch means connected to the timer means for setting a watering interval into the timer means; and, a control means for controlling the water supplying means according to the watering interval set in the timer means, the water supplying means and the timer means being connected to the control mears.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the pot portion comprises an inner recessed portion, and the water tank portion comprises an outer wall portion integral with the inner recessed portion, the inner recessed portion and an upper portion of the outer wall portion providing a concentric double walled arrange- 1 A.

1 ment in which an annular cylindrical space is defined therebetween, a partitioning means being positioned between the inner recessed portion and the outer wall portion to define the water tank portion.

3. A device according to claim 2, whereir the water supplying means, the water drainage means and the 'control means are positioned in the annular cylindrical space, and above the partitioning means.

4. A device according to claim 1. 2 or 3, further comprising a fluid conduit means extending from the pot portion toward the water tank portion for providing a fluid communication therebetween.

5. A device according to claim 1, 21 3 or 4, wherein the water supplying means comprises a drive motor connected to the control means, a pneumatic pump connected to and adapted to be driven by the drive motor for applying pneumatic pressure to the upper surface of water in the tank portion.

6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the drainage means comprises a solenoid connected to the control means, and a solenoid valve connect-ed to the solenoidi the solenoid valve having a closed position for substantially sealing the water tank portion and - 16 an open position for providing air communication between the water tank portion and the exterior thereby discharging air in the tank portion toward the atmosphere.

7. A device according to any preceding.clain wherein the water drainage means is connected to the control means, and wherein the switch means determines the watering interval for periodically operating the water supplying means and drainage means.

A device according to any preceding claim further comprising an upper water level sensor connected the control means for detecting an upper water level in the pot portion, and wherein the timer means comprise time counting means for determining a time period for maintaining the upper water level for a preset interval set by the switch means.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the water supplying means and the drainage means are connected to the timer means, operation of the water supplying means being stopped upon detection of the upper water level, and operation of the drainage means being started after elapse of the preset interval.

10. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the pot portion comprises an array of plant containers.

11. An automatic watering device constructed and arranged to generate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the attached drawings.

11