RU2723702C1 - Automatic water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: irrigation systems.SUBSTANCE: device comprises actuator of water supply, control unit with microcontroller, connected to control unit independent input for connection of external sensors, drive for control of actuating mechanism of water supply, non-volatile memory, radio transceiver made in form of microchip with possibility to transmit and receive information via wireless networks, and power supply element made in the form of accumulator battery and connected to solar battery. Water feed actuator comprises hydraulic generator to which power supply element is connected with possibility to receive power at actuator open state. Actuator control actuator is composed of servo drive with gearing.EFFECT: higher reliability.3 cl, 1 dwg

Description

The technical solution relates to irrigation systems and is intended for the organization of automatic irrigation.

The prior art knows the solution, which is an automatic irrigation device connected to a water supply device through a valve controlled by a computer with a processor, which in turn is connected to a software storage memory. Soil moisture sensors, water pressure sensors, valve control unit, pump control unit are connected to the input device of the computer. The operation of the device is provided by the controller based on data received from sensors and weather forecasts on the Internet. RF patent for utility model No. 180092, IPC A01G 25/16, publ. 06/04/2018.

Common features of the proposed solution and the known analogue are:

- executive mechanism of water supply;

- control unit with microcontroller;

- independent input for connecting external sensors;

- a drive for controlling the actuator of the water supply;

- non-volatile memory;

- radio transceiver;

- power element made in the form of a battery.

Distinctive features of the proposed solutions are:

- the radio transceiver is made in the form of a microchip with the ability to transmit and receive information over wireless networks;

- the power element is connected to the solar battery;

- the power supply element is connected to the hydrogenerator of the actuator of the water supply with the ability to receive power when the actuator of the water supply is open;

- the actuator water supply is made in the form of a ball motorized crane.

The disadvantage of this technical solution is the low reliability of the device associated with the instability of energy supply. In the event of a power outage in the external electrical network or a malfunction of the power supply through which the current is transmitted, the device will stop working. In addition, the operation of such a device is possible only at high pressure, which is supported by a pump. In the event of a pump malfunction, water will not be supplied and the device will not work.

A technical solution is known, chosen as the closest analogue, which is a smart watering system containing a central control system configured to receive information about the external environment, having a user interface and a task scheduler in the form of a processor. The task scheduler contains a receiver configured to receive an irrigation schedule, a processor for converting the irrigation schedule into a series of control signals that the irrigation controller recognizes, and a signal interface for connecting to the controller. The smart irrigation system is powered by an external network or by a battery connected to the solar panel. The actuator of the water supply is a valve system. US patent for the invention No. 9414552, IPC A01G25 / 16; G05B15 / 02, published 05.11.2015.

Common features of the proposed solution and the known analogue are:

- executive mechanism of water supply;

- control unit with microcontroller;

- independent input for connecting external sensors;

- a drive for controlling the actuator of the water supply;

- non-volatile memory;

- radio transceiver;

- the radio transceiver is made in the form of a microchip with the ability to transmit and receive information over wireless networks;

- power element made in the form of a battery;

- The power element is connected to the solar battery.

Distinctive features of the proposed solutions are:

- the power supply element is connected to the hydrogenerator of the actuator of the water supply with the ability to receive power when the actuator of the water supply is open;

- the actuator water supply is made in the form of a ball motorized crane.

In a known technical solution, the device receives power by connecting to an external power supply network, or through a battery and solar panel. Such a device is partially autonomous and unstable, since the main power supply is provided by an external electrical network. In the event of a power outage, the power of the device will depend only on the solar panel, which is not a reliable source. In addition, the valves used in such a device do not ensure the operation of the device at zero pressure in the pipeline.

The technical result of the claimed technical solution is manifested in increasing the reliability of the device. The device’s power from the solar panel and the hydro generator makes it completely autonomous, since even in the absence of solar panel lighting, the battery is charged when the actuator of the water supply is operated, which ensures stable power supply to the device. In addition, the actuator water supply, made in the form of a ball motorized valve, allows the use of the device at zero pressure in the water supply.

The technical result is achieved in that in an automatic water supply device containing an actuator for supplying water, a control unit with a microcontroller, an independent input for connecting external sensors connected to the control unit, a drive for controlling the actuator for supplying water, a non-volatile memory, a radio transceiver in the form of a microchip with the ability to transmit and receive information over wireless networks, and the power element made in the form of a rechargeable battery and connected to the solar battery, according to the claimed solution, the actuating water supply mechanism contains a hydrogenerator to which the power element is connected with the ability to receive power when open water supply actuator. The actuator water supply can be made in the form of a ball motorized valve, in the particular case of the implementation, having a normally closed state.

The actuator water supply, in particular, made in the form of a ball motorized crane, is one of the main components of the device, ensuring its operation. When executing the actuator of the water supply in the form of a ball-type motorized valve, the reliability of the device increases, making it possible to use it at zero pressure in the water supply, as well as automated and / or remote control of the water flow. The actuator water supply can be performed in such a way that it has a normally closed state, which eliminates uncontrolled flow of fluid in the event of a malfunction of the device. However, the execution of the actuator of the water supply is not limited to this embodiment. It can have both a normally closed and a normally open state, and it may also not have a fixed normal state, that is, it always remains in an open / closed state until a command to close / open is received.

The control unit with a microcontroller is a functional unit of the device, with the help of which the algorithm of the actuator of the water supply is executed, which ensures reliable operation of the device.

An independent input for connecting external sensors connected to the control unit allows you to create and / or adjust the algorithm of the actuator for water supply based on the data recorded by the sensors. Using sensors, registration and processing of data on the state of the environment, as well as their transmission to a user device or server, is carried out. Thus, the actuator will not start, for example, in the rain. Or it will start earlier than some standard time, when the moisture level in the soil drops below the set threshold.

Non-volatile memory is a means of storing algorithms in the form of programs necessary to perform the work of the actuator of the water supply. In particular, the opening and closing times of the crane, depending on the indicators of external conditions recorded by the sensors, or other embedded parameters.

A radio transceiver, made in the form of a microchip, serves to receive and transmit information to an external server or to communicate with a user’s device directly over wireless networks.

The power element, made in the form of a battery connected to a solar battery and a hydrogenerator of the actuating mechanism of water supply, ensures the reliability of the device due to its autonomous power supply.

The hydrogenerator of the actuator of the water supply charges the battery during operation, which makes it possible to stabilize the parameters of power supply, improve the significance of the output voltage, and, as a result, ensure the reliability of the device.

The inventive device for automatic water supply is further explained using a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the device shown in the figure.

Figure 1 shows a device (1) for automatic water supply, which includes a control unit (2) with a microcontroller (3) connected to a control unit (2) an independent input (4) for connecting external sensors, a drive (5) for controlling the actuator water supply mechanism (6), non-volatile memory (7), radio transceiver (8), power supply element (9) connected to the solar battery (10) and to the hydrogenerator (11) of the water supply actuator (6).

Next, with reference to the figure, the design of an automatic water supply device is described.

The device (1) contains a control unit (2) with a microcontroller (3), which are the functional unit of the device (1), ensuring the execution of the algorithms for its operation. The device (1) contains an independent input (4) for connecting external sensors, such as: soil moisture sensors, air humidity sensors, atmospheric pressure sensors, air temperature sensors, soil temperature sensors. The device (1) includes an actuator (6) for supplying water, equipped with a drive (5), providing its opening or closing. The actuator (6) for supplying water can be a motorized ball hydraulic valve, and a servo-drive with gear transmission is made as a drive (5). The drive (5) of the actuator (6) for supplying water is controlled by the electronics of the control unit (2) with a microcontroller (3), when voltage is applied to the drive, the tap changes its state closed / open.

The device (1) includes non-volatile memory (7), which stores the algorithms of the actuator (6) for supplying water in the form of programs for execution by the control unit (2) with a microcontroller (3).

The control unit (1) with a microcontroller (2) is connected to a radio transceiver (8), made in the form of a microchip for receiving and transmitting information over wireless networks to an external server, or for communicating directly with a mobile device. In particular, a GSM / GPRS module can be used as a radio transceiver (8).

The source of stable energy supply in the device is an electric power element (9), made in the form of a battery, receiving energy from the hydrogenerator (11) and the solar panel (10), while the power element (9) is connected to the hydrogenerator (11) of the actuator (6) water supply with the ability to receive power when the actuator (6) water supply is open.

The microcontroller (3) of the control unit (2) can be executed with a programmed unique number, encrypted in a QR code, for recognition through a mobile device application or a user's personal computer.

The device can be made in a sealed enclosure, with a high degree of protection, for example, IP65, and connected to the water supply through connecting elements, mainly fittings.

One of the preferred uses of the claimed device (1) is shown below by way of example.

The device’s QR code is identified (1) through the application of a mobile device or PC, mainly based on the Android or iOS operating systems, and the device is further configured, in particular, the operation algorithms of the actuator (6) for water supply are configured.

For example, the user can configure the actuator (6) to open the water when the soil moisture drops below a predetermined value. The amount of water supplied to the site can be determined by the opening time of the actuator (6) of the water supply, or by reaching the required soil moisture value. All of the above values of time, humidity, etc. can also be set by the user. Device (1) is an independent unit, with the possibility of combining into a group of devices operating according to one algorithm. The user can in the application open / close the actuator (6) for supplying water to an individual device or group thereof.

The device (1) is installed on the water pipe laid to the target object, for example, to the greenhouse.

Sensors connected to an independent input (4) connected to the device (1) record the indicators, and the radio receiver (8) sends them in the form of data (temperature, pressure, humidity) to the user's device, for example, a mobile phone or PC, or to the server. The same data goes to the control unit (2) of the device (1) and is used by the microcontroller (3) to execute the algorithm of the actuator (6) for supplying water stored in non-volatile memory. The data received on the server are processed, stored and further transferred to the user's device, for example, via the Internet.

Direct control of the actuator (6) for water supply can be carried out using the control unit (2), through the drive (5) connected to it, according to the embedded algorithm or by commands from the user device. Upon the occurrence of an event requiring water supply to the target object, for example, the soil moisture sensor recorded a value below the threshold or a command was received from the user's mobile device, this event is processed by the microcontroller (3), which generates a voltage supply signal to the drive (5) to open the actuator (6) water supply. Upon receipt of this signal, a voltage is applied from the power element (9) to the drive (5). Torque is transmitted from the actuator (5) through the gear transmission to the locking ball mechanism of the valve (the valve in the valve is moved to an open position) and water is supplied to the target object. The flow of water can also be carried out at zero pressure in the pipeline.

The flow of water puts the hydrogenerator (11) into operation, which in turn begins to generate and supply energy to the power supply element (9). The energy storage of the power element (9) is also facilitated by the solar panel (10). Thus, the charge of the power element (9) and, as a consequence, the stability of the power supply of the device (1) are ensured.

When an event occurs that requires to stop the water supply to the target object, for example, after a certain time or by command from the user's mobile device, this event is processed by the microcontroller (3), which generates a signal to relieve voltage from the drive (5). The tap of the actuator (6) for supplying water is closed (the valve of the tap is moved to a closed position) and the water flow is interrupted.

Monitoring the status of the device (1) or their group can also be carried out by the user through a mobile application.

The presented figures, a description of the design and use of the device do not exhaust the possible options for implementation and do not in any way limit the scope of the claimed technical solution. Other options for execution and use in the scope of the claimed formula are possible. Depending on the purpose, the automatic water supply device can be made in different sizes, colors and configurations.

The automatic water supply device is characterized by high reliability due to the unlikely risk of failure, independent of the external electrical network, hydro generator and solar panel, charging the battery, which is a source of stable power supply to the device; the possibility of using the device at zero pressure in the water supply when performing the actuator water supply in the form of a ball motorized valve.

Using the inventive device, drip and jet irrigation systems in indoor greenhouses and greenhouses and for irrigation work in open space can be organized. In addition to use in small private farms, the device can also be used to organize automatic systems for supplying fresh clean water to drinking bowls at livestock farms of different directions and sizes. Also, with its help, you can configure the system for irrigation of fields of various crops, including the most effective method of drip irrigation.

Claims (3)

1. An automatic water supply device comprising an actuator for water supply, a control unit with a microcontroller, an independent input for connecting external sensors connected to the control unit, a drive for controlling the actuator for water supply, non-volatile memory, a radio transceiver made in the form of a microchip with the possibility of transmit and receive information over wireless networks, and a power element made in the form of a battery and connected to a solar battery, characterized in that the actuator for supplying water contains a hydrogenerator, to which is connected an element of power supply with the ability to receive power when the actuator of the water supply is open while the drive for controlling the actuator of the water supply is made in the form of a servo with a gear transmission. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating mechanism for supplying water is made in the form of a ball motorized crane. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator water supply has a normally closed state.

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