KR20200054506A - Water feeding apparatus of flower pot - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic watering device for a flowerpot. According to an embodiment, the automatic watering device for a flowerpot comprises: a main body unit which has a space for accommodating condensed water therein and has a flow path pipe on one lower side thereof; a cooling/warming unit which is situated in an upper part of the main body unit, to absorb or release heat; an air intake/exhaust unit which draws in or out air; and a control unit which cools the cooling/warming unit to a predetermined temperature and supplies the condensed water, which is provided by operating the air intake/exhaust unit to induce condensation on the surface of the cooling/warming unit, to soil in the flowerpot by capillary action through the flow path pipe. Accordingly, by using a thermally conductive element, it is possible to condense air to generate condensed water, and to supply the same to the soil in the flowerpot.

Description

Automatic water supply device for flowerpots {WATER FEEDING APPARATUS OF FLOWER POT}

The present invention relates to an automatic water supply device for a potted plant, and more particularly, a technique for automatically supplying water to a potted plant by condensing moisture in the air.

Recently, depending on the importance of the indoor environment, pots are often placed indoors. However, it is difficult to properly manage the pots because the state of trees or flowers planted in the pots is not properly understood, and mosquitoes and pests are caused by moisture around the pots. Placement of pots indoors is intended to improve the environment indoors, but it often happens that plants cannot be managed on time.

Among the prior art, Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1071314 (announced on October 7, 2011) relates to a potted plant having a tree nameplate device having a lighting function and a tree nameplate device having a lighting function, and the planted plant information. Disclosed is a technology for a pot having a tree name plate device having a lighting function and a tree name plate device having a lighting function configured to perform a lighting function at night as well as a display box.

The above-described conventional technology was merely a degree of displaying a marker of a pot on a display. It provides unilateral data regardless of the state of the pollen or the surrounding environment, and there is a limit to providing bidirectional data. Many of these signs were insufficient to be used as an IoT concept to indicate the state of a pot or to sense the surrounding environment.

The technical problem to be solved of the present invention is to provide an automatic water supply device for a flowerpot that condenses air by using a heat conducting element to generate condensate and supplies it to the soil of a flowerpot.

In addition, it is to provide an automatic water supply device for a potted plant that can manage the plant growth by outputting light to a potted plant to reach a standard sunshine amount.

In addition, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic water supply device for a flowerpot by acquiring an image of a plant of the flowerpot and determining and managing the moisture supply or nutritional status of the soil of the flowerpot.

The present invention relates to an automatic water supply device for a potted plant, the automatic water supply device for a potted plant according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed with a space for receiving condensed water therein, and a main body part having a flow path pipe formed at a lower side, and the main body Located in the upper portion of the cold and hot parts to absorb or heat, the intake and exhaust parts to suck or discharge air, cool the cold parts to a predetermined temperature, and drive the intake and exhaust parts to generate condensation on the surface of the cold and warm parts. It includes a control unit to supply the condensed water to the soil of the pot through the capillary phenomenon through the flow path.

In addition, it further includes a temperature and humidity detection unit for detecting the temperature or humidity around the pot, the control unit may adjust the heat absorption or heat of the cold and hot unit according to the temperature or humidity around the pot.

In addition, it is formed on the upper portion of the main body further comprises an illumination unit for outputting a light of a predetermined wavelength, and an illumination detection unit for detecting the ambient light, the control unit calculates the amount of sunlight by sensing the illumination around the pot, The output of the lighting unit may be adjusted to fill a reference sunshine amount according to the type of plant planted in the pot.

In addition, further comprising an image acquisition unit for photographing the planted plant of the pot, the control unit may analyze the plant image for the plant to open and close the flow path according to whether or not in a dangerous state.

In addition, further comprising a communication unit for communicating with an external user terminal, the control unit outputs a preset light through the lighting unit when the user terminal is close to a predetermined distance, but obtains the user's sunshine amount information from the user terminal By adjusting the output of the lighting unit so as to fill the reference sunshine amount.

Accordingly, condensed water can be generated by condensing air using a heat conduction element and supplied to soil of a pot.

In addition, it is possible to manage plant growth by outputting light to a plant in a pot to reach a standard sunshine amount.

In addition, by obtaining an image of a potted plant, it is possible to determine and manage moisture supply or nutritional status of the potted soil.

1 is a block diagram of an automatic water supply device for a pot according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the automatic water supply device for pots according to Figure 1;
3 is an exemplary view for explaining the principle of generating condensate in the automatic water supply device for pots according to FIG. 1.
4 is an exemplary view for explaining a technique for managing the amount of sunshine of the automatic watering device for pots according to FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is an exemplary view for explaining generation of oxygen through electrolysis through the automatic water supply device for a pot according to FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms used are terms selected in consideration of functions in an embodiment, and the meaning of the terms may be changed according to a user's or operator's intention or precedent. Therefore, the meaning of the terms used in the embodiments described below, if specifically defined in this specification, will follow the definition, and if there is no specific definition, it should be interpreted as a meaning generally recognized by those skilled in the art.

1 is a block diagram of an automatic watering device for pots according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an automatic watering device for pots according to FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is condensed water of an automatic watering device for pots according to FIG. It is an example for explaining the creation principle.

1 to 3, the automatic water supply device 100 for a pot according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body portion 110, a cold / heating portion 120, an intake / exhaust portion 130 and a control unit 140.

The body portion 110 is formed with a space for receiving the condensate 20 therein. The bottom surface of the inner space of the body portion 110 may be formed to be inclined. The inner space of the body portion 110 is connected to the flow path pipe 111. In this case, the flow path pipe 111 is inserted into the soil of a pot planted with plants to support the body portion 110. The flow path 111 may be formed of a metal material such as stainless steel, but is not limited thereto. The inner diameter of the flow path 111 may be changed by a user's design. The flow path pipe 111 may be formed in at least one lower portion of the main body portion 110. Accordingly, the condensed water 20 accommodated in the body portion 110 moves to the soil in the pot along the flow path pipe 111.

In addition, an intake port 113 may be formed on one side of the main body 110. The intake port 113 is for sucking air into the main body 110 by the intake and exhaust unit 130 described later. As the outside air flows through the intake port 113, the condensed water 20 is generated inside the main body 110. The size and number of the intake ports 113 may be changed by user selection. For example, when the amount of the condensate 20 supplied to the flowerpot increases, the intake port 113 is opened larger to allow a larger amount of air to be sucked.

In addition, the body portion 110 may be formed with a cover 112 is detachable structure on the top. For example, the cover portion 112 may be formed in the form of a triangular roof, but is not limited thereto. A heat sink 121 or an intake / exhaust part 130 may be accommodated inside the cover part 112. This allows heat to be discharged to the outside in a heat conduction manner when the inside of the main body 110 is overheated. The cover portion 112 is used as a kind of heat sink. The cover 112 may be formed with an outlet opening to the upper side. The discharge port allows the air sucked into the body portion 110 to be discharged.

In addition, a power source 115 is formed on one side of the main body 110. The power supply unit 115 receives external power through a connector terminal or supplies power through an internal power source in the form of a primary battery or a secondary battery. The power source 115 may also be wirelessly supplied with power. The power supply unit 115 may be wirelessly supplied with power from a wireless pad (not shown) formed on an indoor wall or a pot holder. In this case, the main body portion 110 is preferably formed close to a predetermined distance, such as a wall or pot supporter formed with a wireless pad. The power supply unit 115 is supplied with power using a magnetic resonance principle.

The cold / heating part 120 is located at the upper portion of the main body part 110 and absorbs or generates heat. For example, the cold / heating unit 120 may be implemented as a Peltier device. The cold / heating unit 120 may control the flow of electric current to absorb heat or generate heat. The cold / heating part 120 may be formed in a rectangular plate shape to have a constant sized surface area. The air cooled below the dew point is converted to condensed water 20 by condensation on the surface of the cold / heating part 120. The condensed water 20 generated in the cold / heated part 120 flows into the main body part 110, and then flows back into the soil in the pot through the flow path pipe 111. In this case, the condensate 20 is evenly distributed into the flowerpot by the osmotic pressure phenomenon in the flowerpot.

In addition, the cold / heating unit 120 may cool one side and heat the other side. In other words, the condensed water 20 is generated through the cooling surface 120-1 of the cold / heating part 120, and some cooled air rises through the heating surface 120-2 of the cold / heating part 120 to the outside. Is discharged. For example, a surface facing the bottom surface of the body part 110 among the cold and warm parts 120 may be cooled, and the upper surface may be heated. Accordingly, the air condensed through the cold / heated part 120 is collected at the bottom surface of the body part 110, and the non-condensed air rises by the heating part and is discharged to the outside.

In addition, it is possible that the inclination of the cold / hot part 120 is adjusted. The condensed water 20 condensed is generated on the surface of the cold and warm part 120, and the plane angle of the cold and warm part 120 is adjusted to increase the production rate or storage speed of the condensed water 20. For example, in order to increase the production rate of the condensate 20, the inclination of the cold / heating part 120 is rotated to a predetermined angle or more, and in order to decrease the production rate of the condensate 20, the inclination of the cold / cooling part 120 is in a flat state. It can be placed close to delay the drop of the condensate 20. In this case, the angle may be adjusted by being connected to an electric motor and the like on both sides of the cold / heating unit 120.

In addition, the cold / hot part 120 may be further formed on the bottom surface of the body part 110. The cold / heating part 120 may also heat or cool the condensate 20 collected in the body part 110. This is to control the temperature of the condensate 20 when the condensate 20 is supplied to the soil of the pot through the flow path pipe 111. The cold / heating unit 120 maintains an optimal water temperature of the condensed water 20 supplied according to the type of plant. For example, in the case of a tropical plant, the temperature of the condensate 20 supplied may be increased, and in the case of a single plant, the temperature of the condensate 20 supplied may be lowered.

The intake / exhaust unit 130 sucks or exhausts air using a fan. More specifically, the intake / exhaust unit 130 may drive the fan in the forward or reverse direction. The intake / exhaust unit 130 is located inside the main body 110 to drive a fan to suck outside air through the intake port 113 formed in the main body 110. The intake / exhaust unit 130 is positioned above the cold / heating unit 120 so that air sucked through the intake port 113 passes through the cold / heating unit 120. The intake / exhaust unit 130 may discharge air passing through the cold / heated unit 120 to the outside through the exhaust port 114. The fan driving speed and driving direction of the intake / exhaust section 130 may be changed by user settings.

In addition, a heat sink 121 or a filter may be formed on one side of the intake / exhaust section 130. The heat sink 121 is a heat-conductive metal member, and one side contacts the cold / hot part 120, and the other side faces the intake / exhaust part 130. The heat sink 121 heats the cooled air to be discharged to the outside. Accordingly, uncondensed air is heated inside the body portion 110 and discharged to the outside. The filter prevents foreign substances from entering the intake and exhaust parts 130. The filter serves to prevent foreign substances such as dust formed of a fine mesh structure from degrading the performance of the intake / exhaust unit 130.

The control unit 140 is a microcontroller unit (MCU) that controls the overall operation of the cold / heating unit 120 and the intake / exhaust unit 130. The control unit 140 cools the cold / heating unit 120 to a predetermined temperature, and drives the intake / exhaust unit 130 to induce condensation on the surface of the cold / heating unit 120. The condensate 20 generated through this is supplied to the soil of the pot through a capillary phenomenon through the flow path pipe 111. The control unit 140 may control the cooling temperature of the cold / heating unit 120 and the fan driving speed of the intake / exhaust unit 130 to control the amount of condensate 20 generated. The control unit 140 may heat one side of the cold / heating unit 120 to heat the air introduced into the main unit 110 to be discharged to the outside.

In addition, the control unit 140 may adjust the plane angle of the cold / heating unit 120. This is to increase the collection speed of the condensate 20 by adjusting the slope when the condensate 20 occurs on the surface of the cold / hot part 120. For example, the control unit 140 increases the inclination of the plane of the cold / heating unit 120 when increasing the capture amount of the condensate 20, and increases the inclination of the plane of the cold / heating unit 120 when reducing the capture amount. Reduces it. The control unit 140 may maintain the constant temperature by heating the condensate 20 when the cold / heating unit 120 is formed on the bottom surface of the main unit 110. This is to change the temperature of the condensate 20 supplied when the condensate 20 is supplied to a plant in a pot according to the type of plant. For example, the temperature of the condensate 20 may be varied depending on whether it is a tropical plant or a large plant.

Meanwhile, the automatic water supply device 100 for a pot according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a temperature and humidity detection unit 150. The temperature and humidity detection unit 150 detects the temperature or humidity around the pot. The temperature and humidity detection unit 150 uses temperature information and humidity information to generate information necessary to supply the condensed water 20 under optimal conditions for growing a pot. The temperature / humidity detection unit 150 may acquire temperature or humidity around the pot, and temperature or humidity of the soil in the pot, respectively. The temperature and humidity detection unit 150 allows the dew point to be varied according to the temperature and humidity of the room to control the generation time of the condensate 20. For example, the temperature and humidity detection unit 150 determines the temperature and the amount of supply of the condensed water 20 according to the temperature or humidity of the soil of the pot.

The control unit 140 uses the temperature / humidity detection unit 150 to drive the cold / heating unit 120 or the intake / exhaust unit 130 using the temperature or humidity of the room, and the temperature and humidity of the soil in the pot, so that the condensate 20 The amount of production can be adjusted. For example, the control unit 140 may increase the amount of supply by increasing the amount of condensate 20 by detecting the lack of moisture when the humidity of the soil in the pot is below a preset humidity. If the temperature of the soil in the pot is low, the control unit 140 may heat the condensate 20 and supply it to the soil in the pot. The control unit 140 may adjust the temperature and the supply amount of the condensed water 20 supplied using temperature and humidity information from the temperature and humidity sensing unit 150 according to the type of plant.

4 is an exemplary view for explaining a technique for managing the amount of sunshine of the automatic watering device for pots according to FIG. 1.

2 and 4, the automatic water supply device 100 for a pot according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include at least one of the lighting unit 160, the illumination detection unit 170 and the communication unit 180 have. The illumination unit 160 is formed on one side of the main body 110 to output illumination of a predetermined wavelength. The lighting unit 160 may be implemented using a plurality of LEDs. The lighting unit 160 outputs lighting to a plant or a user in a pot to satisfy a predetermined amount of sunlight. The intensity and wavelength of the lighting unit 160 may be varied. This is to minimize the occurrence of obstacles in the growth due to insufficient sunshine when the pot is indoors. The lighting unit 160 may be configured to achieve optimal photosynthesis by varying the intensity of light supplied according to the type of plant.

The illuminance detecting unit 170 detects the illuminance around the pot. It is also possible to distinguish whether the pot is around the night or day, or to determine whether it is indoor or outdoor. When the person approaches, the illuminance detecting unit 170 may detect it through a change in illuminance. The illuminance detecting unit 170 is connected to the lighting unit 160 and serves to control the blinking of the lighting unit 160. The illuminance detection unit 170 may detect whether or not the plant is illuminated with a predetermined amount of sunlight or more. The illuminance detection unit 170 accumulates the time or number of times when a predetermined brightness or more is detected, and outputs it to the control unit 140.

The communication unit 180 communicates with an external user terminal. The communication unit 180 receives information from the user terminal through the network, and transmits information about the state of the pollen to the user terminal. For example, the communication unit 180 may be NFC communication with a user terminal, WIFI communication, LTE communication, Bluetooth communication, or the like. The communication unit 180 receives a control signal from the user terminal and outputs it to the control unit 140. Accordingly, the user can grasp the temperature, humidity, and the temperature and humidity of the soil around the pot through the user terminal. In addition, the lighting unit 160 may be controlled on / off through a user terminal.

The control unit 140 controls the lighting unit 160 in a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) method. The control unit 140 may control the blinking of the lighting unit 160 to adjust brightness and color. The control unit 140 outputs lighting to a plant in a pot or indoor lighting. The control unit 140 may also determine the amount of sunlight of the user using the user terminal and output the lighting. In this case, an identification code is formed in the pot, and it is also possible to adjust the amount of sunlight according to the type of plant based on the identification code. An identification code may be formed on a flowerpot by a printing method, or an identification code may be displayed through an electronic display. In the identification code, plant information and user information are encrypted.

In addition, the control unit 140 detects the illuminance around the pot, calculates the amount of sunlight, and adjusts the output of the lighting unit 160 to fill the reference amount of sunlight according to the type of plant planted in the pot. The control unit 140 may set a reference solar power amount for the plant and a reference solar power amount for the user, and supplement the solar power amount based on this. The control unit 140 determines the reference sunshine amount for maintaining photosynthesis of the plant, and outputs lighting so that the reference sunshine amount is insufficient when the sunshine amount is insufficient.

In addition, when the user is in close proximity, the control unit 140 may detect the amount of sunshine supplied to the user from the user terminal and output additional lighting. In this case, the controller 140 may grasp the user's face information and output light that can stimulate skin cells. When the user terminal acquires the identification code, the control unit 140 may determine whether the user terminal is in proximity based on the identification code. The controller 140 may adjust the output of the lighting unit 160 according to the amount of sunlight of the user when the user is close. In addition, it is also possible for the user to determine whether the user is in proximity through a change in illuminance in the proximity.

Meanwhile, the automatic watering device 100 for a pot according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an image acquisition unit 190 or an audio unit 200.

The image acquisition unit 190 photographs a potted plant. The image acquisition unit 190 may take a plant image of a pollen using a general camera or an infrared camera. The image acquisition unit 190 acquires an image of a plant planted in a pot at a predetermined time period. The image acquisition unit 190 acquires a plant image to grasp the state of a plant planted in a pot. For example, when a certain amount of water is supplied to or insufficient from the soil of the pot, it is possible to adjust the supply amount of the condensed water 20 by observing the color of the leaves of the plant. The image acquisition unit 190 may acquire the infrared image and grasp the temperature of the plant or the temperature of the soil. The image acquisition unit 190 may also allow a user to photograph and discriminate an infrared image when in close proximity.

The sound unit 200 outputs a preset sound. The sound unit 200 operates as a kind of speaker. The acoustic unit 200 may output a warning sound or a warning sound when the temperature or humidity of the soil in the pot is less than a reference value. Accordingly, the user can immediately check this through a warning sound when the humidity or temperature of the current pot is below a preset value. The acoustic unit 200 may output a preset frequency and output ultrasonic waves. Ultrasound is outside the user's audible frequency, and is used for the purpose of removing pests and the like, which the actual user cannot hear.

The control unit 140 analyzes the plant image of the plant to open and close the flow path pipe 111 according to whether it is in a dangerous state. This is for early identification and management of phenomena such as the yellowing of leaves when a certain amount of condensate 20 is supplied to a plant. The control unit 140 may detect a change in the state of the plant through vision inspection or color inspection of the plant image. The control unit 140 may control the supply amount of the condensed water 20 by opening and closing the flow path pipe 111 when the plant condition is deteriorated through the plant image. In this case, in addition to the condensate 20, it is also possible to supply nutrients to the soil of the pot. The nutrient is formed of a partition formed inside the main body 110 to be stored separately from the condensate 20, and to mix the nutrient with the condensate 20 if necessary.

In addition, when an image of a pest or the like in a flowerpot is obtained, the controller 140 may drive the acoustic unit 200 to output ultrasonic waves for removing pests. The control unit 140 may receive a music playlist from a user terminal and play music. The controller 140 may automatically play music when the user is in proximity, and may adjust the type or intensity of sound differently according to time. The control unit 140 may output an additional warning sound for pot management through the sound unit 200. For example, a guide voice such as "Insufficient water supply" or "Please check the condition of the flower pot" may be output.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view for explaining generation of oxygen through electrolysis through the automatic water supply device for a pot according to FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 5, the automatic watering device 100 for a pot according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a scent part 210.

The scent diffusing part 210 is located at the top or bottom of the intake / exhaust part 130 to discharge various fragrances such as phyton cheat, mint, and herbs. The issuing portion can be formed in a solid or liquid state. The scent diffusing unit 210 discharges scent to make indoor air comfortable. The delivery speed of the fragrance varies according to the driving speed of the intake / exhaust section 130. The scent diffusing unit 210 may adjust the fragrance spray according to the user's mood. In this case, the control unit 140 may obtain the question and answer information or the biometric information through communication with the user terminal to grasp the user's state. The control unit 140 may also adjust the output of the intake and exhaust unit 130 to control the amount of scent.

In addition, the scent diffusing portion 210 can also supply oxygen by electrolyzing the condensate 20 using a plurality of electrodes 211 in the body portion 110. The plurality of electrodes 211 is formed of a cathode and an anode to electrolyze the condensate 20 by electrolysis. In this case, oxygen is discharged from the condensed water 20 so that the plant supplies oxygen necessary for breathing. This is to eliminate the lack of oxygen required for breathing plants in an enclosed space. The electrode 211 of the diffusion part 210 is connected to the lighting unit 160 so that it is possible to output the light together with electrolysis.

In the above, the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments described with reference to the drawings, but is not limited thereto. Therefore, the present invention should be interpreted by the description of the claims intended to cover the obvious variations that can be derived from the described examples.

10: flower pot
11: Plant
12: Identification code
20: condensate
100: automatic water supply device
110: main body
111: Euro tube
112: cover
113: intake vent
114: exhaust port
115: power supply
120: cold and hot part
120-1: Cooling surface
120-2: Heating surface
121: heat sink
130: intake and exhaust
140: control unit
150: temperature and humidity detection unit
160: lighting unit
170: Illumination detection unit
180: communication unit
190: image acquisition department
200: sound unit
210: scented part
211: electrode

Claims (5)

The main body portion is formed with a space for receiving condensed water therein, a flow path pipe is formed on one side of the lower portion;
Located on the upper portion of the body portion, a cold / heating portion that absorbs or generates heat;
An intake / exhaust unit for sucking or discharging air; And
Cooling the cold and warm parts to a predetermined temperature, and driving the intake and exhaust parts to induce condensation on the surface of the cold and warm parts to supply the condensed water to the soil of pots through capillary phenomenon through the flow path tube Automatic water supply device. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a temperature and humidity detection unit for detecting the temperature or humidity around the pot,
The control unit,
Automatic water supply device for pots that adjusts the heat absorption or heat generation of the cold and hot parts according to the temperature or humidity around the pots. According to claim 1,
An illumination unit formed on an upper portion of the main body to output illumination of a predetermined wavelength; And
Further comprising an illuminance detection unit for detecting the ambient illuminance,
The control unit,
An automatic water supply device for a potted plant that detects the illuminance around the potted plant, calculates the amount of sunlight, and adjusts the output of the lighting unit so as to fill a standard amount of sunlight according to the type of plants planted in the potted plant. According to claim 1,
Further comprising an image acquisition unit for photographing the planted plants of the pot,
The control unit,
An automatic water supply device for pots that opens and closes the flow path pipe according to whether it is in a dangerous state by analyzing a plant image of the plant. According to claim 3,
Further comprising a communication unit for communicating with an external user terminal,
The control unit,
When the user terminal approaches a predetermined distance, it outputs a preset light through the lighting unit, but obtains the user's sunshine information from the user terminal and adjusts the output of the lighting unit to fill the reference sunshine amount. Device.

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