JPH0463524A - Water supply control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry out water supply necessary for rearing of a plant by comparing measured amount of rainfall with a set value when water content in soil is lower than the set value and operating a timer means and supplying water when the measured amount of rainfall is smaller than the set value. CONSTITUTION:When water content in soil 5 detected is lower than set value, measured value of rainfall is compared with a set value and when the measured amount of rainfall is smaller than the set value, a timer means is operated and an electromagnetic valve 4 of water supply tube 3 is opened for a prescribed time and water is supplied to the soil 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a water supply control device for automatically supplying water to soil such as fields, gardens, paddy fields, and lawns.

[Conventional technology] When the moisture in the soil is depleted, plants suffer from poor growth, and conversely, when the soil has too much moisture, it becomes oxygen-deficient and causes growth disorders such as root rot. It is important to supply the appropriate amount of water at the right time. Water supply for growing plants is generally automatically managed, for example, water supply equipment for soil
It is proposed in the Publication No. This consists of a pair of electrodes inserted into the soil at a distance, a first variable resistor connecting the electrodes to the base and between the base and the emitter, a switch opened when the valve mechanism is opened, and a second variable resistor connected to the base. A detection circuit has a transistor connected in parallel with a series circuit of variable resistance, and detects the current flowing between the electrodes according to the water content in the soil, and is activated by the output signal of this detection circuit to open and close the water supply channel. The system is equipped with a control circuit that controls a valve mechanism that detects soil humidity using a pair of electrodes, and automatically turns on and off the water supply depending on the water content in the soil.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the water supply device described above, the water content in the soil is determined based on the value of the current flowing between a pair of electrodes, and when the soil is dry, water is supplied to the soil to determine the water content in the soil. Since the water supply is stopped when the amount of water reaches a high level, once the water supply has started, the electrodes detect when the supplied water has penetrated into the soil and the water content in the soil has increased sufficiently. Since the system continues to supply water until the soil reaches a certain point, it is easy to become overhydrated, and since rainfall is not taken into account at all, even during rain, the rain permeates into the soil and the water content in the soil becomes sufficiently high. If the water is not detected by the pair of electrodes, water may be supplied.
This also has the problem of excessive moisture, which tends to cause growth problems in plants, and requires a large amount of unnecessary water supply, which is uneconomical.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a water supply control device that can economically supply water appropriate for growing plants.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve this object, the water supply control device of the present invention includes a moisture detecting means for detecting the amount of moisture in the soil, a rainfall measuring means, and a moisture detecting means for detecting the amount of moisture in the soil. a moisture amount comparing means for comparing the detected moisture amount with a set value; and a rain amount comparing means for comparing the measured rainfall of the rainfall amount measuring means with the set value when the detected moisture amount is determined to be less than the set value by the comparing means. and a timer means that operates when the measured rainfall is determined to be less than a set value by the rainfall comparison means, and a water supply means that supplies water to the soil for a predetermined period of time by the operation of the timer means.

The present invention also provides a moisture amount detection means for detecting moisture a@nucleus in the soil, a rainfall detection means, a moisture amount comparison means for comparing the moisture amount detected by the moisture amount detection means with a set value, and a moisture amount detection means for detecting moisture in the soil. Rainfall determination means that determines the presence or absence of seasonal rain based on the output of the rain detection means when the moisture content is determined to be less than a set value, and a timer means that is activated when the second rain determination means determines that there is no countermeasure. and a water supply means for supplying water to the soil for a predetermined period of time in accordance with the operation of the timer means.

[Function] In the water supply control device of the present invention, when the detected amount of moisture in the soil becomes less than a set value, the measured amount of rainfall or the presence or absence of rain is determined, and based on this result, it is determined whether the soil is dry or not. Water supply is started by the operation of the timer means when it is determined that the timer is present, and water supply is stopped when the set time of the timer means has elapsed.

[Example 1] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 2, a control unit 1 opens and closes a solenoid valve 4, which is a water supply means, of a water supply branch pipe 3 branched from a main water supply pipe 2. The control unit 1 includes a moisture detecting means 6 for detecting the amount of moisture in the soil 5 and a rainfall amount measuring means 7 for measuring the amount of rainfall.
The signal from is being input.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 1 compares the detected moisture port of the moisture content detection means 6 with the set value from the moisture content setting unit 8, and when the detected moisture content is less than the set value, the output is set to H level. When this H level signal is input to the moisture content comparing means 9, the measured rainfall amount of the rainfall amount measuring means 7 is compared with the set value from the rain m setting section 10, and when the measured rainfall amount is less than the set value. It has a double-layer comparison means 11 whose output becomes H level, and a timer means 12 which is activated by this H level signal to open the solenoid valve 4 and close the solenoid valve 4 after the timer setting time has elapsed. It consists of a processor or a separate electronic circuit.

In addition, the moisture content setting section 8 and the rain amount setting section 10 can vary the setting values using variable resistors, etc., and can also vary the timer setting time. In addition, the moisture amount detection means 6 can use various types such as a pair of @ electrodes, and for example, as shown in FIG. A water absorbing and swelling polymer material 15 such as a polyacrylic super absorbent polymer that expands and contracts is encapsulated, and its expansion and contraction directions are regulated in the vertical direction,
A rod 16 is provided in the direction of movement, and the amount of movement of this rod 16 is converted into a change in current value by a detection unit 17 such as a variable resistor. Then, when enough moisture is distributed in the soil 5, the polymer material 15 is impregnated with moisture and expands, causing the rod 16 to rise and the amount of movement is sent from the detection section 17 to the control section 1 as a detection signal. On the other hand, when the water in the soil 5 becomes dry, the water impregnated in the polymeric material 15 moves into the surrounding soil 5, so the polymeric material 15 contracts and the rod 16 descends, which is sent as a detection signal to the controller 1. sent to. Furthermore, various types of rainfall measuring means 7 can be used. For example, rainwater received at a water receiving port is guided into a packet, and when a certain volume is reached, the packet is overturned and the water inside the packet is drained. A so-called chipping packet method that detects overturning of packets with a detection switch, or a load converter that measures the layers of a water tank that collects rain and outputs it as an electrical signal is used, and a processing circuit calculates the amount of rain based on this data. Or, as proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-305393, a method is used that detects the amount attenuated by rain during the spatial transmission of electromagnetic waves, and uses a processing circuit to calculate the rain outlet based on this data. .

Next, the operation of the above structure will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, it is determined whether the detected moisture content from the moisture content detection means 6 is less than a set value (step 1). When the detected moisture content is less than the set value, it is assumed that the soil 5 is in a dry state, and the routine proceeds to rYEsJ, and it is determined whether the measured rainfall is less than the set value (step 2).
), and if it is rNOJ, it is determined that the amount of moisture in the soil 5 is sufficient due to rainfall, but the detection of the amount of moisture is delayed, and the process moves to step 1 without water supply, and selects [YES].
If it is J, it is determined that the inside of the soil 5 is definitely dry, and the process moves to step 3, where the timer means 12 is activated and the solenoid valve 4 is opened to start water supply. Next step 4
At step 5, it is determined whether or not the timer setting time has elapsed since the start of water supply, and if the time has elapsed, the water supply is stopped (step 5).

Thereafter, the process moves to step 1, where it is determined whether or not the inside of the soil 5 has become dry, and the same operation is performed.

In this way, in the above embodiment, the soil 5
Even if there is sufficient moisture inside, this detection is likely to be delayed;
Alternatively, considering the variation in the characteristics of the moisture content detection means 6, instead of immediately supplying water when the detected moisture content becomes less than the set value, the amount of rainfall is further determined.
Since water is supplied for a predetermined period of time set by the timer means 12 when the soil 5 is definitely in a dry state based on the amount of rainfall, it is possible to supply water to plants in an appropriate amount at an appropriate time, and to maintain moisture. It is possible to prevent plant growth problems due to excessive water supply and to provide economical water supply.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same parts as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and explanations of the same parts will be omitted. In this example, a rain detection means 7A is used in place of the rainfall amount measuring means 7, and the presence or absence of rain is determined by the rain determination means 11A based on a signal from the rain detection means 7A. Then, in step 2 of FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not there is scattered rain, and when there is no rain, the process moves to step 3, and when there is rain, the process moves to step 1, similar to the first embodiment. It is possible to perform control that takes rainfall into account.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the control unit opens and closes the electromagnetic valve, but it may also operate and stop the pump.

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention provides a moisture content detection means for detecting the moisture content in soil;
a rainfall measuring means; a moisture comparison means for comparing the moisture content detected by the moisture detection means with a set value; and when the comparison means determines that the detected moisture content is less than the set value;
Rain amount comparing means for comparing the measured rainfall amount of the rainfall amount measuring means with a set value; and a timer means that is activated when the measured rainfall amount is determined to be less than the set value in the rain amount comparing means;
Since the apparatus includes a water supply means for supplying water to the soil for a predetermined period of time by the operation of the timer means, it is possible to provide a water supply control device that can economically supply water appropriate for growing plants.

The present invention also provides a moisture amount detection means for detecting the amount of moisture in the soil, a rainfall detection means, a moisture amount comparison means for comparing the moisture amount detected by the moisture amount detection means with a set value, and a moisture amount detected in the comparison means. rain determining means for determining whether or not there is rain based on the output of the rainfall detecting means when the amount is determined to be less than a set value; a timer means that is activated when the rain determining means determines that there is no rain; Since the present invention includes a water supply means for supplying water to the soil for a predetermined period of time by the operation of a timer means, it is possible to provide a water supply control device that can economically supply water appropriate for growing plants.

11A -- Rainfall determination means 12...Timer means Patent applicant Mitsubishi Metals Corporation 4,

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram, FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram, FIG. 3 is a flowchart, and FIG. 4 is a cross section showing the moisture content detection means. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. Agent: Patent Attorney Morito Ushiki

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A moisture amount detection means for detecting the amount of moisture in the soil, a rainfall measurement means, a moisture comparison means for comparing the moisture amount detected by the moisture amount detection means with a set value, and a moisture amount detected by the comparison means. a rainfall comparing means for comparing the measured rainfall of the rainfall amount measuring means with a set value when the rainfall is determined to be less than the set value; and a rainfall comparing means that operates when the measured rainfall is determined to be less than the set value. 1. A water supply control device comprising: a timer means; and a water supply means for supplying water to soil for a predetermined period of time by the operation of the timer means. (2) a moisture amount detection means for detecting the amount of moisture in the soil; a rainfall detection means; a moisture comparison means for comparing the moisture amount detected by the moisture amount detection means with a set value; and a moisture amount detected by the comparison means. rain determining means for determining the presence or absence of rain based on the output of the rainfall detecting means when it is determined that the rain is less than a set value; a timer means that is activated when the rain determining means determines that there is no rain; 1. A water supply control device comprising a water supply means for supplying water to soil for a predetermined period of time by operating the means.