JP6351024B2 - Irrigation controller - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an irrigation controller, and various irrigation control items for setting conditions for opening / closing an irrigation system on / off valve in a state suitable for the irrigation site, such as alteration or deletion of the irrigation site due to changes in the status of the irrigation site, etc. If it is necessary to have occurred, that is, if the operation needs to occur, in which increase the speed of work and the items to be the object to be selected.

A number of systems have been developed for irrigation control. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-281842) discloses an automatic irrigation controller in which the irrigation amount per time is reduced and the number of times is increased. Moreover, Patent Literature 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-252234) describes an automatic cultivation control device that changes the amount of fertilization and irrigation during the day and night to perform irrigation under suitable conditions.

JP 2002-281842 A JP 2007-252234 A

The automatic irrigation controller of Patent Document 1 is designed to perform a small amount of high frequency irrigation by setting the time of the parent timer, the child timer and the irrigation pause timer, and the drying limit value of the soil moisture sensor. It does not seem to be intended to set up a long-term irrigation system.

In addition, the automatic cultivation control device of Patent Document 2 is also designed to irrigate the isolated medium, container cultivation medium, bag medium, etc. under suitable irrigation conditions day and night. It has not been done.

The present invention integrates a plurality of irrigation control items set in the irrigation system into one switch, and when an operation such as modification or deletion of a certain control item becomes necessary, this control item can be selected and operated. An object is to provide an irrigation controller.

(Claim 1) The irrigation controller according to the present invention includes a switch, a display screen and an input button. The switch is single, and it is possible to select an arbitrary control item common to these on-off valves by setting the number of on- off valves provided one by one in a plurality of irrigation systems leading from the water supply source to the irrigated site. It is a model. The display screen displays a control item selected by the switch as a selection item. The input button is used for specific display operation such as a numerical value, an index, or an instruction character in the selection item.

The irrigation system generally has at least 6 control items related to irrigation, and each irrigation system has a hierarchical structure. If it is necessary to change the irrigation conditions depending on the situation of the irrigation site, etc. It is necessary to search for control items to be set for each irrigation system. Conventionally, since it is a method of going down the hierarchy sequentially from the beginning of the system, it takes time to select if the control item is located at the end of the hierarchy.

In the present invention, the switch can display the control item of each on- off valve of a plurality of irrigation systems leading from the water supply source to the irrigation site as a selection item on the display screen, and the specific display in the selection item can be operated with the input button. Can collectively set the on-off valves

The switch may be a rotary encoder.
In this way, by adopting a rotary encoder, even if there are a large number of irrigation systems, the necessary irrigation system can be freely selected, and the required control items can be immediately selected from the irrigation system. . For this reason, it has high expandability and excellent operability. In terms of the number of selection items, for example, 1 to 255 can be handled.

The rotary encoder may have a setting input person restriction function.
In this way, there are various types of limiting functions, but for example, a rotary encoder can be regarded as a safe dial, and the limiting function can be canceled by turning it left and right in the closed state. Incorrect setting by a third party can be prevented.

There are two or three input buttons, and one of them is an select button for selecting one item from a specific display such as a numerical value, an index, or an instruction character on the display screen. The other one or two may be a setting change button for changing the setting of the item selected by the selection button.
In this way, the selection item selected by the switch is displayed on the display screen, and one or more specific displays are displayed. If two or more specific displays are displayed, one of the specific displays is selected with the select button. Then, by operating the operation of this particular display in setting change button, it can be set to control items adapted to the irrigation system.

(Claim 2) The control items may include items of season division, irrigation date for each divided season, irrigation start time and duration (3 times the number of divisions + 1).
In this way, the irrigation conditions vary depending on the situation of the irrigation site, and when irrigation is controlled over a long period of one year, it is necessary to set many control items. By determining the irrigation date, irrigation start time and duration for each season, the annual timer can be set with fewer control items than the conventional control items.

(Claim 3) The irrigation time determined by the start time and the continuation time of irrigation may be variable by appropriately setting a ratio setting item for each on-off valve as one of the selection items.
In this case, the irrigation time may be changed depending on the conditions of the irrigation location, etc., but the irrigation location can be changed by appropriately setting the ratio of the continuous irrigation duration in the ratio setting item on the display screen. A suitable irrigation amount can be set for each.

(Claim 4) By making a batch input of the setting of the control item, when the irrigation duration time of one irrigation system ends in the plurality of irrigation systems, the next irrigation system is automatically activated in sequence. May be.
In this way, when there are multiple on-off valves, there is no simultaneous opening to prevent water pressure drop, and after the irrigation continuation time at the previous on-off valve ends, the subsequent on-off valve automatically opens sequentially and performs irrigation. Duplicate operation does not occur.

(Claim 5) When the irrigation controller does not have an operation mode, the selected irrigation system may be automatically activated when a certain time has elapsed.
In this case, the conventional irrigation timer has an execution key, and the controller does not operate unless this execution key is set to the operation mode. However, in this case, since the automatic operation mode is set, irrigation is automatically started. Insufficiency caused by forgetting to press the execution key can be prevented.

(Claim 6) The switch may be connected to a mode setting item, and the mode setting item may be connected to the control item.
In this way, by selecting each mode included in the mode setting item, for example, “thin grass lawn mode”, “standard grass lawn mode”, “ground cover mode”, “tree mode”, all the control items are batched. It is determined and the input can be simplified.

In the present invention, the switch is used to set the number of on / off valves provided for each of a plurality of irrigation systems from the water supply source to the irrigated site, and any common control item among the various control items for controlling these on / off valves. The control items are selected and displayed on the display screen, and the on / off valves are set collectively by operating the specific display in the selection items with the input buttons. It takes less time than the conventional method of selecting control items, and the number of times of input is small, so that it is possible to prevent occurrence of input mistakes.

According to claim 2, the irrigation conditions vary depending on the condition of the irrigation site, etc., and if this is to be controlled over a long period of one year, many control items need to be set. By setting the irrigation date, irrigation start time and duration for each divided season, the annual timer can be set with a smaller number of control items than the conventional control items.

According to claim 3, the irrigation time may be changed depending on the conditions of the irrigation location, etc., but by setting the ratio of the continuous irrigation duration in the ratio setting item on the display screen as appropriate. The irrigation amount suitable for each irrigated part can be set.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of on-off valves, there is no simultaneous opening in order to prevent a decrease in water pressure. Therefore, there will be no duplicate operation.

According to the fifth aspect, since the automatic operation mode is set, when a specific time elapses after setting or changing the specific display of the selected item to be operated, the selected item is moved to the main panel. Irrigation starts automatically, and it is possible to prevent irrigation failure due to forgetting to press the execution key.

  According to claim 6, by selecting each mode included in the mode setting item, for example, “thin lawn mode”, “standard lawn mode”, “ground cover mode”, “tree mode”, all the controls Items are determined in a lump and input can be simplified.

It is a front view which shows the outline of the Example of the irrigation controller R concerning this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the system | strain in which the irrigation controller R controls the on-off valve 7 interposed in the irrigation system | strain 6 leading from the water supply source 4 to the to-be-irrigated location 5 by the setting conditions of the control item 8. FIG. It is a block diagram of an annual timer at the time of estimating setting to the conventional irrigation apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the sequential starting state at the time of interposing an on-off valve in each of the several irrigation systems. This is the ratio setting item 93 of the selection item 9 displayed on the display screen 2. A block diagram showing the relationship between switch 1 and selected items. The main panel is a screen that displays the operating state of the controller, the clock setting is a matter of course when using this type of controller, and the manual operation is a manual operation. It is an item for. The selection item in the display mode is set, if the addition of this item, which indicates that between irrigation systems and seasonal separator. A soil moisture sensor 86 is adopted, and the irrigation situation with respect to the upper limit set value and the lower limit set value of the soil moisture value interlocked with the sensor is shown as a relationship between the irrigation date and the soil moisture value, which is normal. Similarly, it is abnormal (irrigation failure, etc.). It is also during rainfall.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a switch, 2 is a display screen, and 3 is an input button. The switch 1 or of the various control items 8 to control these off valve by setting the number of control valves 7 provided one by one to a plurality of irrigation systems 6 leading from the water supply source 4 to be watered point 5 et it is a type in which any of the common control item can be selected.
The display screen 2 displays the selection item 9 selected by the switch 1, and the input button 3 is for operating the specific display 92 in the selection item 9.

Watering system 6 Multiple _{6 1,} 6 2, in ... _{6 n,} respectively off valves _{7 1,} 7 2, ... ₇ separately of the irrigation points through _{n 5 1,} 5 2, leads to ... _{5 n} .
Switch 1 is a common control items can select among or RaTsutomu meaning various control items for controlling the valves to individually. By appropriately operating the specific display 92 in the selection item 9 displayed on the display screen 2 with the input button 3, a plurality of systems can be set for each item at once.

One or more control items 8 related to irrigation are arranged in the irrigation system 6. Since this control item 8 has a hierarchical structure, when it is desired to change the irrigation conditions depending on the situation of the irrigated location 5, it is necessary to search for a control item whose contents are to be manipulated from among these control items 8. The conventional method goes down the hierarchy from the beginning of the first system, so it is sufficient to find the selection item at the initial stage of the selection order. However, it is troublesome if it is located at the end.

In the present invention, a common control item including a control item that needs to be corrected or changed can be displayed on the display screen 2 by the switch 1 as a selection item 9, and a specific display in the selection item 9 can be displayed by operating the input button 3. 92 can be processed quickly and accurately.

FIG. 2 shows a system in which the irrigation controller R controls the on-off valve 7 interposed in the irrigation system 6 that communicates from the water supply source 4 to the irrigated point 5 with the control item 8 set by itself. The on-off valve 7 operates according to the conditions set in the control item 8, irrigates the irrigated part 5, and stops irrigation.

  As shown in FIG. 3, assuming that a conventional irrigation system is used, six items related to irrigation are arranged. If this irrigation system has four systems, the total number of items is 24. When changing or deleting the contents of a specific item from all of these items, to select that specific item, it is necessary to enter each irrigation system sequentially from the beginning of each series. It takes time and effort.

On the present invention with a reduced number of setting items, selects a common control necessary items from the Ri control item 8 by the switch 1, it can be displayed on the display screen 2 as a selection item 9, the input buttons 3, selected Item 9 can be quickly processed.

The switch 1 is a rotary encoder 1a.
In this case, by adopting the rotary encoder 1a, even if there are a large number of irrigation systems 6, it is possible to freely select a necessary irrigation system and select a necessary control item from the irrigation system. Yes, you can make a selection instantly. For this reason, it has high expandability and excellent operability. In terms of the number of items, for example, it can correspond to 1 to 255.

The rotary encoder 1a has a setting input person restriction function.
In this case, there are various types of limiting functions. For example, it is also possible to adopt a method in which the rotary encoder 1a is regarded as a safe dial and the limiting function is canceled by turning it left and right in the closed state. This prevents incorrect settings by a third party.

There are three input buttons 3, one of which is an select button 31 for selecting one specific display 92 from among a plurality of specific displays 92 displayed on the display screen 2, and the other two are This is a setting change button 32 for changing the setting of the numerical value, index, instruction character, etc. in the specific display 92 selected by the selection button 31.
In this case, selection items 9 which is selected by the switch 1 is displayed on the display screen 2, but specific display 92 is displayed one or more of the specific display 92 in択出button 31 when it is displayed two or more Select one. Then, if there is a need to operate the specific display 92, for example, change the numerical value, move the index, or change the instruction character, it can be set to an item suitable for the irrigation system 6 by operating the setting change button 32. .

(Claim 2) The control item 8 includes a season break 81, a weekly setting for each separated season (spring, summer, autumn, winter) 82, irrigation start time 83, and duration 84 (number of season breaks) 3 times + 1)).
In this case, the irrigation conditions vary depending on the conditions of the irrigation points 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ ,... 5 _n , and if the irrigation is controlled over a long period of one year, many control items need to be set. Therefore, it is possible to set an annual timer with a small number of items by dividing the year into four seasons by the season break 81 and determining the week setting 82, the irrigation start time 83 and the duration 84 for each divided season. It became.

The control item 8 is adapted to correct the control contents in consideration of information from the rain sensor 85 and / or the soil moisture sensor 86.
In this case, when there is rainfall at the irrigation start time, it is useful for saving water by stopping the irrigation in consideration of information from the rainfall sensor 85. In addition, when the soil moisture sensor 86 gives information that the soil is sufficiently wet at the time of irrigation, the water is saved without irrigation in consideration of the information, and the soil is extremely dry outside the irrigation time. When information indicating that the plant is in operation is given, watering is performed even before the irrigation start time, and even if the irrigation time is shortened as much as possible to save water, the plant can be prevented from dying.

FIGS. 7 to 9 employ a soil moisture sensor 86, and show the irrigation status with respect to the upper limit set value and the lower limit set value associated with the sensor in relation to the irrigation date and the soil moisture value. FIG. 7 shows a normal time when timer irrigation is performed, and the waveform indicating the moisture value has a substantially constant cycle. In the abnormal state of FIG. 8 (irrigation failure, etc.), water shortage was detected by the sensor on the third day of normal timer irrigation, and temporary irrigation was performed, and normal timer irrigation is continued. In addition, FIG. 9 shows the case where there was rain on the second day. Since the water content of the soil exceeded the upper limit value, the timer irrigation was stopped, and the timer value was transferred to the timer irrigation from the fourth day when the moisture value returned to the set range. .

In addition, among the settings of the control item 8, the irrigation date 82, the start time 83, and the duration 84 of 6 ₁ , 6 ₂ ,... 6 _n of the irrigation system 6 are input in a lump.
In this case, irrigation system every _{6 1, 6 2, ... 6} n each watering day 82, there is no need to enter the start time 83 and duration 84 of irrigation, by inputting only a single irrigation system, successively similarly As the number of systems increases, the input operation is shortened.

(Claim 3) start time 83 and irrigation time determined by the duration 84 of the irrigation opening and closing valve _71, 7 2, appropriately setting the item 93 ratio set for each _... 7 _n as one of the selected item 9 Is variable.
In this case, the irrigation time may be changed depending on the conditions of the irrigation locations 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ ,... 5 _n , etc., but the ratio of the continuous irrigation duration is set as a ratio setting item 93 on the display screen. By appropriately setting the irrigation amount, it is possible to set an irrigation amount suitable for each irrigation site.

(Claim 4) By linking the end time of the irrigation duration of control item 8 with the start time of irrigation of other irrigation systems, automatically when the irrigation duration of one irrigation system is completed in a plurality of irrigation systems 6 The next irrigation system is activated sequentially.
In this case, when there are a plurality of on-off valves 7, there is no simultaneous opening to prevent a decrease in water pressure, and after the irrigation continuation time at the preceding on-off valve ends, the subsequent on-off valve automatically opens sequentially to perform irrigation. Prevents duplicate operation.

(Claim 5) The irrigation controller R does not have an operation mode, and the irrigation system 6 to which the selection item 9 belongs is automatically activated when a certain time elapses after the setting or changing of the specific display 92. .
The conventional irrigation timer has an execution key. The controller does not operate unless this execution key is set to the operation mode. However, in this case, since the automatic operation mode is selected, the selection item 9 to be operated is selected. Even if the setting or change of the specific display 92 is completed and the subsequent activation is forgotten, the irrigation system to which the selection item 9 belongs is automatically activated after a certain period of time, and irrigation failure can be prevented.

(Claim 6) The switch 1 is connected to the mode setting item 87, and the mode setting item 87 is connected to the control item 8.
In this case, by selecting each mode included in the mode setting item 87, for example, “thin layer lawn mode”, “standard lawn mode”, “ground cover mode”, “tree mode”, all the control items are collectively displayed. This makes it possible to simplify input. When this mode setting is added to the block diagram showing the relationship between the switch 1 and the selection items in FIG. 6, it indicates that the interval is between the irrigation system and the season.

In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a manual operation button. This is a button for executing or stopping the manual operation after setting in the manual operation item of FIG.

1 Switch 1a Rotary encoder 2 Display screen 3 Input button 31 Select button
32 Setting change button 4 Water source 5 Irrigation point 6 Irrigation system 7 On-off valve 8 Control item 81 Seasonal break 82 Weekly setting 83 Start time 84 Duration 85 Rain sensor 86 Soil moisture sensor 87 Mode setting item 9 Selection item 92 Specific display 93 Ratio setting item 101 Manual operation button

Claims (6)

Includes switches, display screens and input buttons,
The switch is a single switch, and the number of on / off valves provided for each of a plurality of irrigation systems leading from the water supply source to the irrigated site is set , and any one of various control items for controlling these on / off valves can be selected. A model that allows selection of common control items .
The display screen displays a control item selected by the switch as a selection item.
The irrigation controller, wherein the input button is used for specific display operation such as a numerical value, an index, or an instruction character in a selection item displayed on the display screen.
2. The irrigation according to claim 1, wherein the control items include items of a season break, a weekly setting for determining a irrigation date for each divided season, a start time of irrigation, and a duration (3 times the number of breaks + 1). Controller.
The irrigation time determined by the start time and duration of the irrigation is variable by appropriately setting the ratio of the irrigation time for each on-off valve to the preset irrigation time in the ratio setting item. The irrigation controller according to claim 2.
4. A plurality of irrigation systems are automatically and sequentially started by linking the end time of the irrigation duration of the control item with the irrigation start time of another irrigation system. Irrigation controller.
The control item has no operation mode, and the irrigation system under the control of the selected selection item is automatically activated when a certain time elapses after setting or changing the specific display. The irrigation controller according to 3 or 4.
The irrigation controller according to claim 1, wherein the switch is capable of selecting the control item via a mode setting item.

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