WO2018224291A1

WO2018224291A1 - A plant growing cabinet in which light intensity is controlled

Info

Publication number: WO2018224291A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/063137
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yagiz TEZEL; Yusuf KUYUMCU; Ersin Sarikaya
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2017-06-09
Filing date: 2018-05-18
Publication date: 2018-12-13
Also published as: TR201708590A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plant growing cabinet (1) comprising a body (3) in which at least one plant growing unit (2) is provided, a light source (4) positioned above the plant growing unit (2), generating the light required by the plants to be cultivated, and a door (5) having a closed position (C) inhibiting the user from accessing into the body (3), and an open position (O) enabling the user to access into the body (3), comprising a hollow rectangle shaped frame (6) and a sheet (7) made of transparent material placed into the frame (6), enabling a user to see inside the body (3).

Description

A PLANT GROWING CABINET IN WHICH LIGHT INTENSITY IS CONTROLLED

The present invention relates to a plant growing cabinet used for growing plants. The present invention particularly relates to a domestic type plant growing cabinet.

Hydroponic cultivation is a method of agriculture based on growing plants without soil, depends on the principle of giving water and the nutrients required by the plants to the root environment in required amounts, and is practiced in water or solid medium culture. The plants to be grown in soilless agriculture applications are cultivated in an enclosed environment in which the levels of water, light, and humidity and the proportion of carbon dioxide in the air, which has a significant part in growing of a plant, is maintained constant. During growing of a plant, all of these factors are optimized according to the phase of the plant's growth, and the plant is thus enabled to grow more rapidly and is protected from harmful outer environmental factors (e.g. high levels of humidity, light intensity). In plant growing cabinets, the door is mainly made of glass or a plastic like transparent material for the user to be able to see the cultivated plants. Said structure enabling the user to see inside, also allows light to enter into the plant growing cabinet. Particularly in cases when sun light directly enters into a plant growing cabinet, the intensity of the sun rays combines with the light generated by the illumination system of the plant growing cabinet, and may cause yellowing and drying on the plants' leaves, and may even lead to irreversible damages on the plants.

State of the art U.S. patent document no. US 854 97 88 B2 discloses a domestic type plant growing cabinet.

The aim of the present invention is to prevent the plants from being damaged due to high light intensity by setting the intensity of the light reaching the plants in plant growing cabinets.

The plant growing cabinet realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, is provided with plant growing units positioned in a body. A turf mixture in which plants are grown is placed into said plant growing units. A plant growing cabinet consists of a body and a door separating the body from the outer environment. By means of the light source provided above the plant growing unit, light of an amount according to their growing phase is provided to the plants cultivated. The door consists of two parts, namely the frame and the sheet. The frame is shaped as a hollow rectangle, and is configured to allow the sheet to be placed therein. The sheet is almost completely transparent so as to allow light to pass therethrough. Light sensors are provided in the body. Said light sensors measure the intensity of the light coming from the light source and from the outer environment by passing through the sheet and entering into the plant growing cabinet. The light sensor transmits the obtained light intensity value to a control unit, and the control unit compares the value obtained by means of the light sensor with the values predetermined by the producer. When the metered light intensity value is higher than the predetermined light intensity value, then the control unit reduces the electric current transmitted to the light source and prevents the plants from being damaged due to high light intensity. Likewise, when the metered light intensity is lower than the threshold value predetermined by the producer, then the control unit increases the electric current transmitted to the light source thereby increasing the light intensity generated by the light source, and therefore provides the plants with the amount of light they require and accelerates their growth. By means of the control unit increasing or reducing the light intensity generated by the light source according to the values metered from the light sensor, the optimum light intensity required by the plants to grow is obtained, the plants are prevented from being damaged due to high light intensity, and the electric consumption of the plant growing cabinet is improved. Another advantage of the invention is the plants being able to receive the amount of light they need. By this, growth rate of the plants increase, providing customer satisfaction.

In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit is capable of storing the amounts of light required by different species of plants at different phases. By this, the control unit is able to change the electric current transmitted to the light source in order to obtain the light intensity according to the requirements of different species of plants. By this, a user can cultivate separate species of plants in the same plant growing cabinet, thereby enhancing the product perception. Likewise, by being able to use the same control unit for many species of plants, it becomes unnecessary for a user to purchase separate control units for separate species of plants, thereby improving spare part costs.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet is made of electro-chromatic material. Electro-chromatic materials are materials whose light transmittance change when electric current is conducted therethrough. In cases when the intensity of the light entering into the plant growing cabinet from the outer environment is higher than the value predetermined by the producer, the control unit reduces the electric current transmitted to the light source to decrease the light intensity. However, the plants may get damaged even if the light source is completely turned off when the intensity of the light from the outer environment is higher than the light intensity required by the plant for its present growing phase. In this case, the control unit is able to change the light transmittance of the sheet by transmitting electric current to the electro-chromatic sheet, and can thus control the amount of light entering from the outer environment into the plant growing unit. The light coming from the outer environment (sun, indoor illuminations) is thus prevented from damaging the plants. Another advantage of the sheet being electro-chromatic, is enabling the user to see inside the body in dark or dim-lit environments, thereby creating a quality perception for the product.

In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of light sensors are used, whose position in the body can be changed. When there are a plurality of plant growing units, depending on the angle of the light coming from the outer environment, a plant growing unit may receive light in an amount more than required while another may receive light in an amount less than required. Consequently, the plants in the plant growing units happen to have varying heights and be in varying growing phases. Precise measurements are made by means of a plurality of light sensors, and the plants in separate plant growing units are enabled to receive equal amounts of light. Therefore, the cultivated plants are prevented from being damaged by being subject to high intensity of light, and from growing slowly by being subject to low intensity of light, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency of the plant growing unit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the light sensors used are of the IR or LDR type. Light sensors of such types provide the user with the advantages of reduced spare part costs and favorable plant growing cabinet prices due to their long useful lifetime and low costs, respectively.

In an embodiment of the invention, the light sensors comprise solar panels enabling it to absorb the light coming thereon and to convert light to electric energy. By means of the light sensor generating its own electricity, the electric consumption of the plant growing cabinet is reduced, thereby reducing the operating costs for the user.

In an embodiment of the invention, the light sensors are capable of establishing wireless connection with the control unit. By this, the user can easily change the positions of the light sensors, thereby enabling the user to change the positions of the light sensors according to varying outer environment conditions. Consequently, the yield of the obtained plants is improved while giving the user a quality perception for the product.

The advantage of the present invention is improving the yield of the plants to be cultivated by controlling the intensity of the light to which the plants grown in plant growing cabinets are subjected to.

The plant growing cabinet realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a frontal view of the plant growing cabinet with the door open.

Figure 2 is a frontal view of the plant growing unit without the door.

Figure 3 is the operating algorithm of the control unit.

The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

1. Plant growing cabinet

2. Plant growing unit

3. Body

4. Light source

5. Door

6. Frame

7. Sheet

8. Light sensor

9. Control unit

C. Closed position of the door

O. Open position of the door

The plant growing cabinet (1) of the invention comprises a body (3) in which at least one plant growing unit (2) is provided, a light source (4) positioned above the plant growing unit (2), generating the light required by the plants to be cultivated, and a door (5) having a closed position (C) inhibiting the user from accessing into the body (3), and an open position (O) enabling the user to access into the body (3), comprising a hollow rectangle shaped frame (6) and a sheet (7) made of transparent material placed into the frame (6), enabling a user to see inside the body (3).

The plant growing cabinet (1) of the invention comprises a light sensor (8) measuring the amount of light entering into the body (3) by means of the sheet (7) in a closed position (C), and a control unit (9) comparing the value (X) measured by the light sensor (8) with a limit value range (Y) predetermined by the producer, then increasing the intensity of the light generated by the light source (4) in the case the measured value (X) being below the limit value range (Y) predetermined by the producer, decreasing the intensity of the light generated by the light source (4) in the case the measured value (X) being above the limit value range (Y) predetermined by the producer, and maintaining the operating parameters if the measured value (X) is within the limit value range (Y) predetermined by the producer.

The plant growing cabinet (1) comprises plant growing units (2) provided in the body (3), in which the plants to be cultivated are planted in turf. There are light sources (4) positioned so as to be above the plant growing unit (2). The plants receive the light they require for growing by means of the light sources (4) positioned between two consecutive plant growing units (2) on the vertical plane. The plant growing cabinet (1) is separated from the outer environment by means of a door (5). The door (5) comprises a frame (6) and a sheet (7) placed in the frame (6). The user is able to monitor the state of the plants growing in the plant growing cabinet (1) thanks to said sheet (7) having a transparent structure. The transparent structure of the sheet (7) also enables the light from the outer environment to enter into the plant growing cabinet (1).

The light coming from the outer environment and the light generated by the light source (4), reach the light sensor (8), and the metered light intensity value (X) is transmitted to the control unit (9). If the transmitted light intensity value is below the light intensity (Y) predetermined according to the plant type by the producer, then the electric current transmitted to the light source (4) is increased by means of the control unit (9), thereby increasing the intensity of the light generated by the light source (4). Likewise, if the intensity of the light coming from the outer environment and generated by the light source (4) is above the light intensity limit value range (Y) predetermined according to the plant type by the producer, then the electric current transmitted to the light source (4) is reduced by means of the control unit (9), thereby decreasing the intensity of the light generated by the light source (4). By this, the plants are provided with the amount of light they require, and are thus prevented from being damaged by being subject to excessive light, and also the running costs are improved by reducing the electricity consumption of the plant growing cabinet (1)

In an embodiment of the invention, the plant growing cabinet (1) comprises a control unit (9) storing the light requirements of various species of plants in its memory. By this, separate species of plants can be cultivated in the plant growing cabinet (1), light intensity values required by separate plant species can be controlled by only one control unit (9), consequently making it unnecessary to use separate control units (9) for separate species of plants, improving product costs.

In an embodiment of the invention, the plant growing cabinet (1) comprises a sheet (7) made of electro-chromatic material. The light transmittance of the sheet (7) decreases when electricity is conducted through the electro-chromatic material. The intensity of the light (X) coming from the outer environment and generated by the light source (4) is periodically compared by the control unit (9) to the light intensity limit value range (Y) required by the plants. When these two light intensity values are equal (X=Y), the light source (4) and the sheet with the electro-chromatic coating maintain their present state, and the plant growing cabinet (1) continues operating with the same values. When the intensity of the light (X) from the outer environment and generated by the light source (4) is below light intensity limit value range (Y) required by the plants (X<Y), then the control unit (9) controls the light transmittance of the sheet (7). When the light transmittance of the sheet (7) is at the highest level, the control unit (9) increases the electric current transmitted to the light source (4). During increasing, the intensity of the light (X) from the outer environment and generated by the light source (4) is measured, and the electric current transmitted to the light source (4) is increased until said light intensity (X) and the light intensity limit value range (Y) required by the plants reach the equal value. Likewise, if the light transmittance of the sheet (7) is not at the highest level in the above-mentioned case, then the electric current transmitted to the sheet (7) is reduced by means of the control unit (9). In the meanwhile, the light transmittance of the sheet (7) increases. Simultaneously, the control unit (9) measures the intensity of the light (X) from the outer environment and generated by the light source (4) by means of the light sensor (8), and compares this value to the light intensity (Y) required by the plants. When these two values are equal to each other (X=Y), the control unit (9) keeps the light transmittance of the sheet (7) constant. In the other case of the intensity of the light (X) from the outer environment and generated by the light source (4), being above the light intensity limit value range (Y) required by the plants (X>Y), the control unit (9) first gradually decreases the intensity of the light generated by the light source (4). If it is detected that the intensity of the light (X) from the outer environment and generated by the light source (4), is still above the light intensity limit value range (Y) required by the plants even when the light source (4) is completely turned off as a result of said reduction, then the control unit (9) transmits electricity to the sheet (7), reducing the light transmittance of the sheet (7). During this reduction, the control unit (9) compares the values from the light sensor (8) to the predetermined values, and when the light intensity reaches the desired value (X=Y), the control unit (9) keeps the new operating parameters and continues its operation unless the intensity of the light coming to the plant growing cabinet (1) from the outer environment changes. In cases when the light values transmitted to the control unit (9) requires it to modify the light transmittance of the sheet (7) or the light intensity of the light source (4), the priority of the control unit (9) is to minimize the total consumed electricity. By this, the plants are provided with the optimum amount of light they require to grow, and also the running costs are improved by reducing the electricity consumption of the plant growing cabinet (1)

In an embodiment of the invention, the plant growing cabinet (1) comprises a plurality of light sensors (8) whose position in the body (3) can be changed. In cases causing changes in the intensity of the light reaching the plant growing cabinet (1), such as the user relocating the plant growing cabinet (1), or changing of the sunrise or sunset angle, the user may have to change the position the light sensor (8). By means of the light sensor (8) being relocatable, the user can reposition the utilized light sensors (8) according to the changing ambient conditions, and the costs are thus improved by reducing the number of light sensors (8) used in the body (3). By means of using a plurality of light sensors (8), the optimum light intensity value can be adjusted for the plants cultivated in separate plant growing units (2), thereby improving the quality of the cultivated plants.

In an embodiment of the invention, the plant growing cabinet (1) comprises IR or LDR type light sensor (8). The light sensors (8) operating according to the IR or LDR principle provide a cost advantage, and have a long useful lifetime due to their durable structures, thereby improving spare part and maintenance costs.

In an embodiment of the invention, the plant growing cabinet (1) comprises a light sensor (8) having a solar energy panel converting the light from the outer environment to electricity. By means of the solar panels provided on the light sensor (8), converting the light energy coming from the outer environment to electricity required for the operation of the light sensor (8), the energy consumption of the light sensor (8) is reduced, therefore the energy consumption of the plant growing cabinet (1) is improved.

In an embodiment of the invention, the plant growing cabinet (1) comprises a light sensor (8) of a structure adapted to establish wireless communication with the control unit (9). The light sensor (8) being capable of establishing wireless communication with the control unit (9) facilitates positioning of the light sensor (8) in the plant growing cabinet (1). By this, the user is enabled to easily locate the light sensor (8) to a desired position in the body without requiring cables or other similar connection members, improving the product perception.

Thanks to the invention, the intensity of the light coming from the light source (4) and the outer environment can be measured by means of the light sensor (8) located in plant growing cabinets (1), consequently, the cultivated plants are provided with light of a constant intensity.

Claims

A plant growing cabinet (1) comprising

- a body (3) in which at least one plant growing unit (2) is provided,

- a light source (4) positioned above the plant growing unit (2), generating the light required by the plants to be cultivated, and

- a door (5) having a closed position (C) inhibiting the user from accessing into the body (3), and an open position (O) enabling the user to access into the body (3), comprising a hollow rectangle shaped frame (6) and a sheet (7) made of transparent material placed into the frame (6), enabling a user to see inside the body (3), characterized by

- a light sensor (8) measuring the amount of light entering into the body (3) by means of the sheet (7) in a closed position (C), and by a control unit (9) comparing the value (X) measured by the light sensor (8) with a limit value range (Y) predetermined by the producer, then

- increasing the intensity of the light generated by the light source (4) in the case the measured value (X) being below the limit value range (Y) predetermined by the producer,

- decreasing the intensity of the light generated by the light source (4) in the case the measured value (X) being above the limit value range (Y) predetermined by the producer, and

- maintaining the operating parameters if the measured value (X) is within the limit value range (Y) predetermined by the producer.
A plant growing cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control unit (9) storing in its memory the light requirements of various species of plants.
A plant growing cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the sheet (7) made of electro-chromatic material.
A plant growing cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a plurality of light sensors (8) whose position in the body (3) can be changed.
A plant growing cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the light sensor (8) of the IR or LDR type.
A plant growing cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the light sensor (8) having solar energy panel converting the light coming from the outer environment to electricity.
A plant growing cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the light sensor (8) with a structure suitable for wireless communication with the control unit (9).