KR20220113903A - Smart plant cultivating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smart plant cultivation device, which includes: a cultivation unit which automatically adjusts the temperature, humidity and amount of light for plant culture, and in order to cultivate plants upside down on the ceiling, in which a plant is placed and light is supplied; and a supply unit which supplies a nutrient solution to the plant. As a detailed configuration, a unit module is composed of a housing, a chamber, a nutrient solution container, a fog generating unit, an airflow generating fan and a control measuring means. A main tank includes a tank body, a transfer pump, and a control and measuring means. A transfer pipe includes a transfer tube body and one end and the other end of the transfer tube. The nutrient solution container is provided with an air flow concentration unit and an air flow pipe.

Description

Smart plant cultivation device including a fog generator {SMART PLANT CULTIVATING APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a smart plant cultivation system in which a plant is placed in a cultivation unit and light is supplied, a nutrient solution is supplied to the plant through the supply unit, and the plant is managed by a smart device. In other words, it relates to a smart plant cultivation system that can grow plants indoors while managing plants with smart devices.

First, Patent Publication No. 76500 related to an automatic culturing system for LED lighting capable of wireless control is exemplified in FIG. 1 , which will be described. a housing provided therein with a shelf on which a tray for plant culture is placed in order to cultivate plants by automatically adjusting temperature, humidity, and light quantity for plant culture; an LED lamp for irradiating light downward from the upper part of the tray placed on the shelf; a nozzle for spraying moisture into the upper space of the tray; a pump for pumping the water contained in the water tank to the nozzle; an exhaust fan for discharging air inside the housing to the outside; a humidity sensor for sensing the humidity inside the housing; a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature inside the housing; A lighting control unit for controlling the light emission of the LED lamp, a humidity control unit for controlling the operation of the pump according to the humidity detected by the humidity sensor, and a temperature control unit for controlling the operation of the exhaust fan according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor a control unit provided with a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication; It receives and monitors the light emitting state of the LED lamp and the humidity and temperature state inside the housing through wireless communication with the control means, and generates a culture control signal that can control the lighting control unit, humidity control unit and temperature control unit by user input. a mobile terminal for wirelessly transmitting as a control means; It is provided to enable wireless control, including.

Next, Public Utility Model No. 7404 for a planting method for ceiling-mounted plants is exemplified in FIGS. 2 and 3, which will be described. As water falls on the top of the ceiling attachment block from the top of the water line (8) using the sprinkler of the upper part, the falling water passes through the gravel (5) through the soil (4) of FIG. 4 through the drain hole (2) It collects in the lower part of the block through it, falls to one line (3), and then is drained through the gutter line (9) and the drain line (10). In addition, silicone (6) is used to prevent falling water falling from the planting hole (1), and a lamp (7) is used to transmit light from the bottom up.

Next, look at Registration Patent No. 1433598 (2014.08.29.) with respect to a furniture-embedded plant cultivation device. It is installed in the space formed at the bottom of the furniture, the water supply tank; water pump; a first water supply pipe; flower pot stand; stopper; a second water supply pipe; a control unit that operates the feed water pump for a preset time; and a blower. The blower is provided with a suction blower for purifying pollutants in the air by sucking them into the accommodating part, and an exhaust blower for discharging the purified air into a room. An LED light equipped with a plurality of RGB LED elements that are fastened to one side of the support piece of the flowerpot holder and receive power applied through the control unit to control the brightness of the indoor periphery may be configured.

And in the example of Figure 4, there is shown Patent No. 2104459 related to the inverted plant cultivation system installed on the ceiling. Using a smart terminal, IOT, etc., remote monitoring is possible, remote control or automatic plant cultivation is possible, and it is configured so that the plant (pl) is provided in an upside-down state. It relates to a system provided in an indoor ceiling-mounted type that can comprehensively include lighting necessary for daily life in facilities and performance facilities.

In the configuration, such as a control circuit required for the present invention, the necessary matters can be referred to the above prior art.

The present invention automatically supplies moisture, nutrients, and light, allows for easy attachment and replacement for each unit, and suppresses the use of general soil so that it is light, clean, and easy to manage. We want to provide facilities and systems that utilize space to secure it.

Let's find out the means of the system related to the plant with the smart device of the present invention.

Plants are placed in the cultivation unit 100 and light is supplied, and a nutrient solution is supplied to the plants through the supply unit 200,

The cultivation unit 100 includes a unit module 110 and a light source facility 120 , and the supply unit 200 includes a main tank 210 and a transfer pipe 220 ,

The unit module 110 includes a housing 111 that seals the inside, a chamber 112 disposed on the bottom surface of the housing 111 and opened in the vertical direction to fix the plant, and the unit module 110 is provided inside. The nutrient solution container 113 for receiving and temporarily storing the nutrient solution stored in the main tank 210 through the transfer pipe 220, the fog generating unit 114 which is a device for making the nutrient solution into a nutrient solution fog (wa3) form, and airflow It contributes to the formation of the nutrient solution fog (wa3) and at the same time moves the nutrient solution fog (wa3) to the plant root (pl1) and the airflow generating fan 115, which detects, monitors, and controls the temperature and humidity required for plant cultivation. including a cultivation unit-side control and measurement means 116,

The light source equipment 120 includes a light source frame 121 fixed to the ceiling and an LED light lamp installed to supply light to plants, and the unit module 110 is fixed to the light source frame 121,

The main tank 210 includes a tank body 211 that seals the inside and stores the nutrient solution, and a transport pump that is provided at one end of the transport pipe 222 and sends the nutrient solution stored in the tank body 211 to the transport pipe 220 ( 212) and a supply unit-side control measuring means 213 for sensing and controlling the state of the main tank 210,

The transfer pipe 220 includes a transfer tube body 221 for transferring the nutrient solution to the nutrient solution container 113 by the operation of the transfer pump 212 , and one end of the transfer tube located in the main tank 210 and into which the stored nutrient solution is introduced. 222 and the other end 223 of the transfer pipe located in the unit module 110 and from which the transferred nutrient solution is discharged, and is provided by being fixed to the building wall with a fixing bracket,

The nutrient solution container 113 is provided with an airflow concentration part 113f that is formed deeper in the bottom center of the bottom to take a triangular shape,

An airflow pipe (115e) extending vertically downward by taking the form of a tube from the top where the airflow generating fan (115) is installed is provided, and the bottom is disposed close to the deepest center of the airflow concentrating part (113f),

The fog generating unit 114 is installed in the airflow concentration unit 113f, and is disposed to surround the nozzle at the lower end of the airflow pipe 115e,

A mixing fan 115f for applying a collision to the airflows f2 and f3 is provided, and the mixing fan 115f is located in the deepest part of the airflow concentration part 113f under the nozzle at the bottom of the airflow pipe 115e, toward the top. is installed

According to the provision of the present invention, the space required for plant cultivation indoors is secured by utilizing the empty space of the ceiling. It automatically supplies moisture, nutrients and light. Each unit can be easily detached and exchanged. It is light, clean and easy to manage by suppressing the use of general soil. It can be used for indoor lighting by effectively utilizing the lighting used for plant cultivation. In terms of interior decoration, it provides an environment related to nature-friendly plants.

1 to 4 are views showing various examples according to the prior art.
5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the present invention.

The example of FIG. 4 will be looked at in more detail in relation to the prior art cited in the configuration of the present invention. a cultivation unit 100 in which a plant pl is disposed; and a supply unit 200 for supplying a nutrient solution wa (water and nutrient solution) to the plant pl. The cultivation unit 100 is configured to include a plurality of unit modules 110 and a light source facility 120 .

The unit module 110 is provided in a modularized cell (Cell) unit so that the plant (pl) is hung from the ceiling and the root is up and the leaf is grown so that it can be grown, and installation and exchange are possible, When an abnormality occurs in a specific necessary part in plant cultivation or there is a need to replace it, only the unit module 110 part is separated and replaced, or repair work can be performed quickly and at low cost.

The light source facility 120 is provided to promote plant cultivation by irradiating light to the plants pl, and to provide lighting necessary for daily life at the same time, so that a separate lighting device can be omitted, and necessary for daily life Light energy required for plant cultivation can be supplied while using lighting.

The supply unit 200 includes a main tank 210 for storing (accommodating) the nutrient solution wa for plant cultivation and a transfer pipe 220 for sending and delivering the stored nutrient solution wa (wa1) to the plant pl. is done by The main tank 210 can be mainly installed in a low area where maintenance is easy, so a large amount of nutrient solution wa is easily stored in the main tank 210, and the nutrient solution wa needed at that time. ) can be supplied through the transfer pipe 220 according to the demand.

The unit module 110 includes a housing 111; chamber (112); Nutrient container (113); fog generation unit 114; Airflow generating fan 115; and a cultivation unit-side control and measurement means 116 . The housing 111 seals the inside, and has a reflector 111a on the bottom to reflect the light downward. In addition, the housing 111 is configured with a chamber 112 for confining the plant root pl1 to supply the nutrient solution wa converted to the nutrient solution fog wa3 to the plant pl. The nutrient solution fog (wa3) can pass through relatively unconstrained by the shape of the space and can be quickly supplied to the required place, and can be evenly distributed over the whole or local parts in the part where the nutrient solution (wa) supply is required. In particular, when plant cultivation is performed upside down, there is a high possibility that the nutrient solution falls into the room in a liquid state, and this can be fundamentally prevented.

The chamber 112 is disposed on the bottom surface of the housing 111, is vertically opened so that the body of the plant pl can be disposed in the vertical direction, and the nutrient solution fog (wa3) is opened in the body of the chamber 12. It is provided to pass through and be supplied to the plant root pl1. Under the chamber 112, the plant stem pl2 passes through the opening under the plant pl in a vertically inverted state and is seated. In this case, a detachable slot is interposed in the lower opening to block the lower opening of the chamber 112 to prevent the contents of the housing 111 from falling. The side where the plant root pl1 is built in the chamber 112 may be filled with known members such as moss, soil processed to prevent powder from flying, sawdust, and the like.

The nutrient solution container 113 is provided inside the unit module 110, and after receiving the nutrient solution wa (wa1) stored in the main tank 210 through the transfer pipe 220, it is converted into a nutrient solution fog (wa3) form. Temporarily save for Therefore, by providing a container for generating a separate nutrient solution fog (wa3) and a facility capable of maintaining the nutrient solution (wa) (wa1) stored in the main tank 210 well, plant cultivation of the unit module 110 is performed. Supply only the required amount of nutrient solution (wa) that is in demand.

The fog generating unit 114 uses the ultrasonic vibration of an ultrasonic pendulum to supply the nutrient solution wa necessary for the growth of the plant pl disposed in the unit module 110, the nutrient solution wa temporarily stored in the nutrient solution container 113. ) (wa2) in the form of a nutrient solution fog (wa3) (in the form of water droplets, water vapor, mist, etc. of the nutrient solution). For matters related to the ultrasonic pendulum and its power supply, a known technology for generating fog in an ultrasonic humidifier may be cited. The fog generating unit 114 is configured at the bottom of the nutrient solution container 113 so that it can be operated to make the nutrient solution fog wa3 until the level of the stored nutrient solution wa (wa2) is lowered to the lowest. And when the fog generating unit 114 and the unit module 110 are configured to be apart, a transfer pipe dedicated to the nutrient solution fog wa3 for transferring the nutrient solution wa converted to the nutrient solution fog wa3 form is added. can

The airflow generating fan 115 is provided as a motor fan, etc., and blows external air into the nutrient solution container 113 to generate an airflow (movement of air, movement), and the generated nutrient solution fog wa3 moves along the airflow Thus, it operates to supply the nutrient solution (wa) to the roots (pl1) of the plants planted upside down. The amount of supply of the nutrient solution fog wa3 can be adjusted by adjusting the strength of the airflow generating fan 115 together with the fog generating unit 114 . Those related to the power supply of the airflow generating fan 115 may be cited.

The cultivation unit-side control and measurement means 116 is provided to monitor temperature and humidity through a wireless network and perform necessary function control by sensing temperature and humidity so that plant cultivation arranged in the unit module 110 is continuously and easily performed.

The light source device 120 includes a light source frame 121 and a light source 122 . The light source frame 121 is fixed to be spaced apart from the bottom surface of the unit module 110 by taking a grid shape.

The light source 122 is an LED light lamp that helps the plant pl to grow and at the same time serves as an indoor lighting device.

The main tank 210 includes a tank body 211; transfer pump 212; and a supply unit-side control and measurement means 213 . The tank body 211 seals the inside and stores the nutrient solution (wa). The transfer pump 212 is a power source for sending the nutrient solution wa (wa1) stored in the tank body 211 to the transfer pipe 220 . The supply unit-side control and measuring means 213 controls the functional state of the main tank 210 .

The transfer pipe 220 includes a transfer tube body 221 taking the shape of a pipe to transfer the nutrient solution wa to the nutrient solution container 113 by the operation of the transfer pump 212 ; One end of the transfer pipe 222 that is located in the main tank 210 as one end in the form of a pipe and serves as an inlet through which the stored nutrient solution (wa) (wa1) is introduced when the transfer pump 212 operates; and the other end of the transfer pipe 223 positioned in the unit module 110 as the other end of the pipe shape to discharge the nutrient solution. The transfer pipe 220 may be fixed to a building wall by installing a separate fixing frame or by using a fixing bracket.

With respect to the cultivation unit-side control and measurement means 116 and the supply unit-side control and measurement means 213, a temperature and humidity sensor installed in each plant cultivation unit 100, and a client transmitter for transmitting the detected temperature and humidity information to a wireless network; A server for exchanging temperature and humidity information for each unit transferred from the transmitter and a device for monitoring temperature and humidity for each cultivation unit 100 may be included. That is, a monitoring device through a wireless network by sensing temperature and humidity, a temperature and humidity sensor installed in the plant cultivation unit 100, a client transmitter that transmits the detected temperature and humidity information to the wireless network, and temperature and humidity information for each unit transferred from the transmitter It includes an exchange server and a device for monitoring temperature and humidity for each unit.

A sensor that senses the temperature and humidity of the chamber 112, a part of the wireless communication module that is connected to the sensor and transfers the temperature and humidity value to the wireless network server, a valve that can block or open the nutrient solution fog (wa3) and a valve depending on the sensor value You can configure the processor that controls the device, the sensors and modules, the microprocessor, and the device that supplies power to the valve. The valve may be provided as an electric valve including a valve such as a solenoid capable of opening and closing a pipe supplying the nutrient solution fog (wa3). And when the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank is insufficient, it may include a configuration for transferring an alarm signal to the monitoring terminal by a device such as a nutrient solution level sensor, a microprocessor, and a wireless module. Wireless communication is provided by known WiFi, Bluetooth, MQQT, Lora, etc., and the client and server can be connected through a wireless network.

The server may have the same configuration as a known web server or web application server or WAP server in terms of hardware. In addition, in terms of software, it is implemented in several known languages such as C, C++, Java, JavaScript, PHP, .Net, Python, and Ruby, and may include program modules that perform various functions, temperature and humidity of each unit, valve opening and closing It may include a device for receiving and recording status values.

The monitoring terminal may include a device for checking a system abnormality or a current state through a web or an application program, such as a PC or a mobile phone that is connected to a server through a network.

The microprocessor is a device responsible for transferring the sensor value to the wireless network server and opening/closing the valve according to the received value, and may include a microcontroller such as Arduino, ESP8266, and Atmel AVR.

However, in the case of the technology having the above configuration, it is necessary to improve the generation and supply of the nutrient solution fog wa3 or to operate it more efficiently. Therefore, it is intended to provide a method to improve the shape of the nutrient solution container 113 and increase the device operating efficiency of the fog generating unit 114 . Reference is made to the following drawings in FIG. 5 .

Nutrient container 113 can be made in the shape of a cone having an inclination angle (a0) in the center by taking a (reverse) triangular shape at the bottom of the bottom. More specifically, the airflow concentrating portion (113f) that extends further down than the other parts in the middle of the lower end of the nutrient solution container 113, which is reached by the airflow f1 generated by the airflow generating fan 115 descending downwards. is provided, and the airflow f2 that has descended here is collected in the airflow concentration part 113f, and the nutrient solution wa2 supplied from the transfer pipe 220 is collected (concentrated) in the airflow concentration part 113f in the middle here. It is placed in a good position to be converted to the fog (wa3), collides with the descending airflow (f2) and mixes with the airflow (f3) that spreads in the left and right directions by the pressure (force) of the operation of the fog generating unit 114 and Together, they more effectively contribute to the conversion of the nutrient solution (wa2) into the nutrient solution fog (wa3). The fog generating unit 114 is installed in the air flow concentrating unit 113f. In particular, it may be located near the bottom outlet (nozzle) of the airflow pipe 115e and fixed to the airflow concentrating portion 113f.

At this time, the airflow pipe 115e is provided so that the airflows f1 and f2 can be concentrated directly toward the airflow concentration part 113f without leaking elsewhere. The airflow generating fan 115 is installed at the upper end of the airflow pipe 115e, and the lowest nozzle (outlet) of the airflow pipe 115e is located at the deepest part 113f1 of the airflow concentrating part 113f.

In addition, the air bubbles caused by the descending airflow f2 are very finely crushed to make fine droplets, and the airflow f2 is actively stirred with the nutrient solution wa2 to make better mixing with the nutrient solution wa2, which is very efficient. A mixing fan 115f may be provided in the air flow concentration unit 113f to increase the temperature. The mixing fan (115f) is composed of an underwater motor fan, etc., is disposed in the deepest part of the air flow concentration part (113f) and is installed toward the nozzle of the lower end of the air flow pipe (115e). The mixing fan (115f) is installed to face upward, and the submersible motor fan of the mixing fan (115f) operates to apply a direct impact to the airflow (f2) escaping from the bottom of the airflow concentration part (113f). Thereafter, the nutrient solution fog (wa3) is generated more easily and quickly by the plurality of fog generating units 114 installed around the mixing pan (115f). Installation (configuration, power, control, etc.) of the mixing fan 115f may be provided as a commercial product such as the airflow generating fan 115 .

The action according to the above configuration is that the airflow f1 generated by the airflow generating fan 115 descends along the airflow pipe 115e, and the airflow f2 reaching the lower end of the airflow pipe 115e is blown through the nozzle. As it comes out, it is recruited to the airflow concentration unit 113f, and is crushed while collided with the mixing pan 115f, and some airflow f3 is mixed with the nutrient solution wa2 to form a part of the nutrient solution fog wa3 in the form of a bubble. In addition, the nutrient solution fog wa3 is completely formed by the fog generator 114, and the nutrient solution fog wa3 is planted in the chamber 112 of the unit module 110 along the continuously moving airflow f5 ( pl) is supplied.

mixing pan (115f); cultivation unit 100; unit module 110;
Transfer pipe 220; Airflow pipe (115e); main tank 210;
supply unit 200; air flow concentration unit (113f); Airflow generating fan 115;

Claims (1)

As a smart plant cultivation device including a fog generator,
It includes a cultivation unit 100 in which a plant is disposed and a supply unit 200 for supplying a nutrient solution to the plant,
The cultivation unit 100 includes a unit module 110 , and the supply unit 200 includes a main tank 210 and a transfer pipe 220 ,
The unit module 110 includes a housing 111 that seals the inside, a chamber 112 that is opened at the bottom of the housing 111 to fix a plant, and a main tank 210 provided inside the unit module 110 . ), a nutrient solution container 113 for receiving and temporarily storing the nutrient solution stored in the nutrient solution through the transfer pipe 220, a fog generating unit 114 for making the nutrient solution in the form of a nutrient solution fog (wa3), and generating an airflow to generate a nutrient solution fog (wa3) ) contributes to the formation of an airflow generating fan 115 that moves the nutrient solution fog wa3 to the plant root pl1, and a cultivation unit-side control measuring means for detecting, monitoring, and controlling the temperature and humidity necessary for plant cultivation. (116);
The main tank 210 includes a tank body 211 that seals the inside and stores the nutrient solution, and a transport pump that is provided at one end of the transport pipe 222 and sends the nutrient solution stored in the tank body 211 to the transport pipe 220 ( 212) and the supply unit side control measuring means 213 for sensing and controlling the state of the main tank 210, but the main tank 210 is installed in a low area where maintenance is easy, so that a large amount of nutrient solution We stockpile and supply the necessary nutrient solution through the transfer pipe according to the demand.
The transfer pipe 220 includes a transfer tube body 221 that transfers the nutrient solution to the nutrient solution container 113 by the operation of the transfer pump 212, and one end of the transfer tube located in the main tank 210 and into which the stored nutrient solution is introduced. 222 and the other end 223 of the transfer pipe located in the unit module 110 and from which the transferred nutrient solution is discharged, and is fixed to the building wall,
The nutrient solution container 113 is provided with an airflow concentrating portion 113f provided with a deeper bottom center at the bottom,
An airflow pipe (115e) extending vertically down from the top where the airflow generating fan 115 is installed is provided, and the bottom is disposed close to the deepest of the airflow concentrating part (113f),
The fog generating unit 114 is installed in the airflow concentration unit 113f, and is disposed to surround the nozzle at the lower end of the airflow pipe 115e,
The unit module 110 is provided in a modularized cell unit so that installation and exchange are possible, so that only the unit module 110 part is separately separated and exchangeable when an abnormality occurs or it is necessary to exchange,
A mixing fan (115f) is provided, and the mixing fan (115f) is installed in the deepest part of the airflow concentration part (113f) under the nozzle at the bottom of the airflow pipe (115e),
A smart plant cultivation device including a fog generator.

Images