WO2003084311A1

WO2003084311A1 - Programmable electromechanical irrigation device for household use

Info

Publication number: WO2003084311A1
Application number: PCT/TR2002/000050
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mehmet KARAKILIÇ
Original assignee: Karakilic Mehmet
Priority date: 2002-04-05
Filing date: 2002-09-03
Publication date: 2003-10-16
Also published as: AU2002337632A1

Abstract

An electromechanical irrigation device for household use, comprising: a main body (1), at least one liquid inlet channel (2), at least one liquid outlet channel (3) embodied on said main body (1); a programmable electronic control unit (5); a user panel to control and program said electronic control unit (5); solenoid valves (19) embodied at the inlet parts of said liquid outlet channels (3) and controlled by said electronic control unit (5) and at least one outer channel (4) to transfer the water coming from said main body (1) to plants (21).

Description

PROGRAMMABLE ELECTROMECHANICAL IRRIGATION DEVICE

FOR HOUSEHOLD USE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to an electromechanical device, which once programmed is capable to automatically meet the water and/or vitamin necessity of household plants in accordance with their specific needs.

One of the most significant problems while particularly going to long lasting vacations is to meet the water and/or vitamin necessities of household plants to enable their survival. In order to overcome this handicap, assistance is generally requested from other persons to take care of the house. When, however, these persons are not experts in this care, there is a high-risk probability to occur with damages originating from such persons. Even if the household is at home, plants' care can be neglected or be forgotten, while this can cause in some cases to wither such plants.

Regarding the present art and the aforementioned problems, electronically controlled comprehensive irrigation systems are present for especially greenhouses and similar places or for gardens, fields, or botany gardens with special purposes. However, utilization of these systems in house and similar places does not seem possible once both their costs and their special-purpose-designed structures are considered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention is related to a irrigation system that is designed for household use and that is capable to overcome the aforementioned disadvantage.

The main objective of the invention is to provide an electromechanical irrigation system that is capable to automatically meet the water or vitamin necessities of plants at houses, offices, and at similar places without requiring any persons and that has a low cost and is easily applied.

In order to realize said objective; the device according to the invention comprises a main body, at least one liquid inlet channel, at least one liquid outlet channel realized on said main body; a programmable electronic control unit; a user panel to control and program said control unit; solenoid valves embodied at the inlet parts of said liquid channel/channels and controlled by said electronic control unit; and at least one outer channel to transfer the water coming from said main body to plants.

In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, one liquid inlet channel and preferably 16 liquid outlet channels are realized on said main body. Accordingly, in the main body, the liquid inlet channel is divided into 16 branches each directed to a separate liquid outlet channel.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a water pressure fixing apparatus located in the liquid inlet channel in order to determine the water amount flowing from liquid outlet channels accurately and thus to optimally meet the water necessity of plants.

Solenoid valves are present in the inlet of each of said liquid outlet channels, where their opening/closing are controlled by electronic control units; the outlets of these channels are connected to outer liquid channels.

Said electronic control unit asynchronously or synchronously controls, i.e. opens and closes the solenoid valves realized at the inlets of the liquid outlet channels according to the programmed periods in order to flawlessly meet the water necessity of the plants each of which has a separate outer liquid channel connected thereto. This asynchronously control is easily realized by means of separate solenoid valves connected separately to each liquid outlet channel of the electronic control unit. ln said program, the electronic control unit is programmed such that it can determine the required time interval for closing the solenoid valve after a water flow in a certain amount and pressure exits out of the liquid outlet channel in accordance with the predetermined water needs of plants, whereby all plants receives only the amount of water they exactly need. Also when necessary, new plant species can be entered into said program. A booklet is supplied with the present device during delivery, indicating which plant species are loaded within this device and which code corresponds to which plant.

As it is mentioned above as well, the electronic control unit receives the commands from the user panel and operates the present invention's device. Said user panel enables the user to load new plant programs; to delete already loaded plant programs; to individually or collectedly assign a loaded program to a desired liquid outlet channel or to delete them from channels; to switch on and off the system; to monitor the operation status of each liquid outlet channel; and to monitor the date received from the electronic control unit on a display.

Regarding a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said user panel contains a keypad that is preferably similar to those of cellular phones to install and uninstall new or present plant programs and to enter numbers (1-9) and letters (of the alphabet) into the electronic control unit and to cancel/undo once an incorrect number of letter is entered and to verify the initiation process of entering data into the electronic control unit; a new program key to add a new plant program; a program loading key to assign desired program or programs to desired channel or channels by activating loaded programs; a program unloading (delete) key; channel selection keys to report the electronic control unit about on which channel an operation is to be performed; and a Liquid Crystal Display to monitor the data that an user entered and that are received from the electronic control unit. ln an alternative embodiment for said user panel is that it is designed for circumstances where the present device contains many liquid outlet channels, there are no separate keys for each channel, and instead, channels whereon programs are to be loaded or wherefrom channels are to be deleted are selected with the use of the keypad via the LCD, and then a verification key is utilized in order to complete this operation.

In another alternative embodiment for said user panel, a program installed on a personal computer is run. The irrigation device can communicate with a PC by means of a communication interface (such as a RS232 or USB port) appended to the electronic control unit and the program commands coming from the PC can be transferred to the solenoid valves. Also by means of this embodiment, it is possible to control the irrigation device by a remote computer through the Internet and similar systems.

In another alternative embodiment especially towards greenhouses and greater places, the solenoid valves within said device can also be controlled with a program to be installed to a PLC (Programable Logic Control) by means of a serial communication unit to be connected to said device.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, said electronic control unit is positioned above said liquid outlet channels in order to prevent possible damages in said control unit due to a possible liquid leakage.

In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, where a few variety of plants are present only, a more practical and (concerning the materials consumed) more economical irrigation operation is realized by utilizing only one liquid outlet channel and a special outer liquid channel connected thereto and parting into plurality of branches directed to the plants.

In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, pressurizing mechanisms can be used for transferring the water to more distant points. ln another alternative embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to locate sensors to the bottom of flowerpots, these sensors capable to measure the humidity ratio. These sensors warn the electronic control unit once the plant's soil falls down a certain humidity ratio, whereas the electronic control unit receiving this warning signal provides the relevant plant with water by opening the solenoid valve of the liquid outlet channel where said plant is connected to.

In this way, the humidity rate in the plant starts to rise and the sensor within the flowerpot warns back the electronic control unit once the optimal humidity ratio is reached and thus makes said control unit close the relevant solenoid valve. Thanks to this embodiment, the plants are neither let waterless nor are withered. The receiving/transmitting circuits between the sensors and the electronic control unit utilized under this embodiment are designed to communicate by means of radio waves for far distances and by means of serial communication methods for close distances, depending on the distance of a flowerpot.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the foregoing and ongoing written specification, the drawing figures and claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of liquid outlet channels at the rear surface of main body.

Figure 3 is a front view of liquid outlet channels at the rear surface of the main body.

Figure 4 is a view of the user panel designed for 8 channels. Figure 5 is a view of the interface to be used in a irrigation device with many channels.

Figure 6 is a representative view of the line location plan of the system used under the present invention;

Figure 7 is an alternative outer liquid channel embodiment.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1. Main body 11. Channel selection keys

1.1 Front surface of main body 12. Channel status LEDs

1.2 Rear surface of main body 13. On/Off Key

2. Liquid inlet channel 14. LCD

3. Liquid outlet channels 15. New program key

4. Outer liquid channels 16. Program installation key

5. Electronic control unit 17. Program deletion key

6. Keypad 18. On/Off Key

6.1 Verification key 19. Solenoid valve

7. Liquid Crystal Display 20. Pressure fixing apparatus

8. New program key 21. Flowerpot

9. Program installation key 22. Multi-branched outer liquid channel

lO.Program deletion key DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Figure 1 gives a schematic view of the system under the present invention. As it can also be seen from this Figure; the connection between the device's main body (1 ) and the flowerpots (21 ) is realized by means of outer liquid channels (4). Each outer liquid channel (4) is connected so that to correspond to a liquid outlet channel (3) on the main body (1); thus it is ensured that each outer liquid channel (4) waters only the flowerpot (21 ) that it (4) is connected to, when desired. The liquid inlet channel (2) and the liquid outlet channels (3) under the present invention are formed on the front surface (1.1 ) and on the rear surface (1.2) of the main body, respectively.

Figure 2 gives a preferred location plan of the liquid in- and out-channels on the main body (1 ). As it is obvious from this Figure, the liquid inlet channel (2) is distributed into branches each directed to a separate liquid outlet channel in the main body (1 ) and the electronic control unit is placed on the liquid in- and out-channels so that not to get in contact with them.

Figure 3 gives a view of the rear surface (1.2) of main body (1). In this Figure, the location of preferably of 16 liquid outlet channels are shown, said channels located so as to define a rectangle with their borders. The location type of these channels and the openings of their muzzles can be amended depending on user necessity.

Figure 4 gives a view of the user panel embodiment preferred under the present invention. This embodiment includes an on/off key (13), a LCD (7), a keypad (6) similar to those used in cellular phones to send signals of numbers in the range of 1-9 and of alphabetic letters to the electronic control unit, channel selection keys (11) to select the channels whereon desired operations are to be performed, a new program key (8) to report the electronic control unit about once a new program is to be loaded, a program loading key (9) to assign the programs within the electronic control unit's memory to liquid outlet channels (3); and a program deletion key (10) to delete any programs within the memory due to incorrect entrances or any other reasons.

There are also one each channel status LEDs (12) corresponding to each channel selection keys (11 ). When a channel selection key (11 ) is pressed once, the relevant LED turns on and thus the user becomes able to easily understand as to which channel is selected and which are not. Also when a channel selection key is pressed once more, the selection becomes cancelled and the corresponding LED (12) turns off.

Below is a description as to how said user panel is used and how a programming operation is performed.

Steps to be followed to add a new plant program:

• New program key (8) is pressed;

• Instructions appearing in the LCD (7) are followed and by the use of the keypad (6), a new program's name and the times and periods the solenoid valve (19) is to be opened and closed are entered in hours or in days;

• Finally, the verification key (6.1 ) is pressed and the newly entered program is saved in the memory.

Steps to be followed to assign a plant program installed on the memory to one or more channels to delete a program therein:

• Program installation key (9) is pressed;

• Instruction appearing in the LCD (7) are followed and the channel/ channels (3) whereon the program is to be loaded is/are selected by means of program selection keys (1 1 ) (when the corresponding key is pressed once more, its selection is cancelled);

• Program deletion key (10) is pressed to delete a program; • If a program is to be assigned, the code or name of the plant program to be loaded to selected liquid outlet channels (3) is entered with the use of the keypad (6);

• The verification key (6.1) is pressed in order to complete the operation.

Steps to be followed in order to delete a program from the memory:

• Program deletion key (10) is pressed;

• The code or name of the program to be deleted is entered with the use of the keypad (6);

• Completing the delete operation with the use of the verification key (6.1).

Figure 5 gives the view of a user panel designed to take into consideration circumstances where the present device contains many liquid outlet channels (3). As with the panel given under Figure 4, this panel also contains a new program key (15), a program installation key (16), a program deletion key (17) and a keypad. In this embodiment, however, there is not one key present for each channel as there are too many channels, rather, channels whereon programs are to be installed or deleted are selected via a more complex LCD with the use of the keypad (6) and then, the verification key (6.1 ) is used again in order to complete the operation.

As an alternative for this interface embodiment, programs arranged with the use of Delphi, Visual Basic, etc. On a PC can also serve as an interface. In this system, a PC and the present irrigation device can be communicated by means of communication ports such as RS 232, RS 485 or USB ports or by means of a data cable to be appended to the electronic control unit and thus it becomes also possible to remotely control the system by means of the Internet, if desired. Figure 6 gives a representative view of the location of the pressure fixing apparatus (20) and solenoid valves (19) on the liquid in- and out-channels (2, 3) utilized under the present invention. This plan has been prepared by assuming that 4 liquid outlet channels (9) are used within the system. However it is possible to increase this amount with supplementary elements.

Figure 7 gives the view of a multi-branched outer liquid channel (22) designed for use in environments where same type plants are present. This channel (22) is parted into many branches after a certain point and thus easily performs the device's irrigation operation by only one liquid outlet channel (3).

If a conclusion is to be arrived at by combining the entire embodiments given under said Figures, the application and operation of the present system can be explained as given hereunder:

First of all, a water source such as of a city's water line system or of a tank is connected to the liquid inlet channel (2) of the irrigation system by means of a hose. At the other side, the liquid outlet channels (3) are connected to flowerpots (21 ) by means of outer liquid channels (4) having preferably a flexible hose structure. Various protective outer covering materials or balancing means can be embodied between the flowerpots (21 ) and the present device in order to prevent the outer liquid channels from depressing, twisting, and from similar actions capable to stop the water flow.

Water coming from a city water line system, from tanks or from similar sources enter into the liquid inlet channel (2) within the main body (1 ). A pressure fixing apparatus (20) is embodied within the very entrance of this channel (2) to fix the pressure within the system. Water reduced to a constant pressure is transferred from this point to liquid outlet channels (3). However, the normally-closed solenoid valves (19) present a the very entrance of these channels (3) do not permit the water flow. Water flows through these valves (19) as the electronic control unit (5) controls said valves.

Said electronic control unit opens and closes the valves in times and intervals arranged in the program by the commands it receives from said program that is specially arranged in accordance with the water necessities of distinct plant species in interest. These relevant times are determined according to the amount of water in grams that plants shall require for a certain time interval. Since the mass flow rate of flowing water is fixed by means of the pressure fixing apparatus (20) embodied at the entrance of the liquid inlet channel (2), it becomes possible to calculate the time required to reach the desired amount of water in grams. This way, the program will keep the solenoid valves (19) open for the time that the plants will cover their water need, and as soon as this amount is reached it will close the valve (19) and will repeat this operation for fixed optimal periods for the relevant plant.

For instance, concerning a plant that requires 200 g of water twice a day in 12-hour intervals, if the mass flow rate of the flowing water is 100 g/s, the electronic control unit (5) containing the program arranged for this plant will open the solenoid valve (19) present at the entrance of the liquid outlet channel (3) connected to said plant for 2 seconds once in 12 hours and then close said valve when 2 seconds are elapsed.

Although the present invention has been shown and described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that changes and modifications will be evident to those skilled in the art from knowledge of the teachings of the present invention. Such changes and modifications, which do not depart from the spirit, scope and teachings herein, are deemed to fall within the purview of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electromechanical irrigation device for household use, comprising: a main body (1 ), at least one liquid inlet channel (2), at least one liquid outlet channel (3) embodied on said main body (1 ); a programmable electronic control unit (5); a user panel to control and program said electronic control unit (5); solenoid valves (19) embodied at the inlet parts of said liquid outlet channels (3) and controlled by said electronic control unit (5) and at least one outer channel (4) to transfer the water coming from said main body (1) to plants (21 ).

2. An electromechanical irrigation device according to claim 1 , wherein one liquid inlet channel (2) and 16 liquid outlet channels (3) are embodied on the main body (1).

3. An electromechanical irrigation device according to claim 1 and 2, wherein the liquid inlet channel (2) is divided into 16 branches, each directed to a separate liquid outlet channel (3), within the main body

(1 ).

4. An electromechanical irrigation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein there is provided a water pressure fixing apparatus located in the liquid inlet channel (2).

5. An electromechanical irrigation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the solenoid valves (19) are present in the inlet of each of said liquid outlet channels (3), where their opening/closing are controlled by the electronic control unit (5) and the outlets of these outlet channels (3) are connected to respective outer liquid channels (4).

6. An electromechanical irrigation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit (5) asynchronously or synchronously controls, i.e. opens and closes, the solenoid valves (19) according to the time and time periods determined by the electronic control unit (5).

7. An electromechanical irrigation device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic control unit (5) comprises a program which determines the required time interval for closing the solenoid valves (19) after a water flow in a certain amount and pressure exits out of the liquid outlet channel (3) in accordance with the predetermined water needs of plants.

8. An electromechanical irrigation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein there is provided a user panel enabling the users to load new plant programs; to delete already loaded plant programs; to individually or collectedly assign a loaded program to a desired liquid outlet channel or to delete them from channels; to switch on and off the system; to monitor the operation status of each liquid outlet channel; and to monitor the date received from the electronic control unit on a display.

9. An electromechanical irrigation device according to claim 8, wherein said user panel comprises a keypad (6) similar to those of cellular phones; a new program key (15) to add a new plant program; a program loading key (16) to assign desired program or programs to desired channel or channels by activating loaded programs; a program unloading (delete) key (17); channel selection keys (1 1 ) to report the electronic control unit (5) about on which outlet liquid channel (3) an operation is to be performed; and a Liquid Crystal Display (7) to monitor the data that an user entered and that are received from the electronic control unit.

10. An electromechanical irrigation device according to claim 8, wherein the user panel enables the users to select liquid outlet channels (3) the programs to be loaded thereto or deleted therefrom via a keypad.

11. An electromechanical irrigation device according to claim 8, wherein said user panel is a personal computer controlling the solenoid valves (19) by a software stored in magnetic storage device thereof via a RS232 communication interface.

12. An electromechanical irrigation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit (5) is a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).

13. An electromechanical irrigation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said electronic control unit (5) is positioned above said liquid outlet channels (3) for preventing possible damages in said control unit due to a possible liquid leakage.

14. An electromechanical irrigation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in case of a few variety of plants to be irrigated, only one liquid outlet channel (3) and a special outer liquid channel (22) connected thereto and parting into plurality of branches directed to the plants are used.

15. An electromechanical irrigation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein there are provided humidity sensors at the bottom of flowerpots and thus the electronic control unit (5) opens and closes the solenoid valves (19) of related liquid outlet channels (3) in accordance with the signals coming from said sensors.