WO2022219415A1

WO2022219415A1 - Intelligent climate control system for greenhouses

Info

Publication number: WO2022219415A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/050330
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zahra MOHAMMADNEJAD; Mahdi AHMADIAN
Original assignee: Mohammadnejad Zahra; Ahmadian Mahdi
Priority date: 2022-01-16
Filing date: 2022-01-16
Publication date: 2022-10-20

Abstract

Intelligent climate control system for greenhouses and plants in a variety of environments that this system has three boards: the first or mainboard, the second or control board, and the third or sensor board. Additional software can accept orders and reports remotely and control and monitor the situation. The system is intended as a module, with the ability to remove and add the system's core tools. These tools contain sensors, a variable number of pumps and solenoid valves, and wireless connectivity, with no restriction on the number of solenoids or pumps. Furthermore, this strategy allows for smart and distinct programs depending on the circumstances and kind of plant. This system can develop and maintain an unlimited number of plants without the need for human intervention. also, several different programs for different types of plants can be considered at the same time.

Description

Intelligent climate control system for greenhouses

Watering gardens, fields, sports grounds, or the like (special apparatus or adaptations for fertilizing-liquids A01C 23/00; nozzles or outlets, spraying apparatus B05B) (A01G 25/00) - Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems, therefore (Y02A40/25)

Multi-temperature area group control greenhouse environment and irrigation control system

CN101211178A

The invention relates to a greenhouse environment and irrigation control system with group control of multi-temperature regions, which mainly comprises a greenhouse control software system run in the centralized monitoring computer, a communication network system based on a CAN field bus, and unit controllers distributed in various temperature regions. The unit controller comprises a microcontroller, a CAN field bus communication module, an input/output interface module for digital quantity and analog quantity, an input module for collecting sensing signals from environmental sensors and plant physiological sensor in a greenhouse and performing signal processing, and an output module for driving and controlling the operation of various equipment’s in the greenhouse.

The greenhouse control software in the centralized monitoring computer is used for processing environmental and plant physiological information of the multi-temperature regions, performing control algorithm and strategy selection and algorithmic calculation, and real-time transmitting a control implantation action obtained based on calculation results to each unit controller to control the operation of greenhouse equipment. The greenhouse environment and irrigation control system with group control of the multi-temperature regions adopt a development method of configuration software so that the overall system can perform software configuration setting on the unit controller, the sensors, the control equipment’s, the display interface, and the greenhouse control strategy according to specific conditions of the greenhouse, to adapt to different requirements of different greenhouse agricultural production managements on the control system.

The invention relates to a greenhouse environment and irrigation control system with group control of multi-temperature regions, but our invention is about the ability to remove and add the system's core tools. These tools contain sensors, a variable number of pumps and solenoid valves, and wireless connectivity, with no restriction on the number of solenoids or pumps. Furthermore, this strategy allows for smart and distinct programs depending on the circumstances and kind of plant.

A kind of reading intelligent agriculture greenhouse control system

CN107251781A

The invention discloses a kind of reading intelligent agriculture greenhouse control system, including can be with the temperature sensor of environmental information in sensing chamber, humidity sensor, soil moisture sensor, the temperature sensor, humidity sensor, the data message detected is sent to message processing module by soil moisture sensor, obtained data message is converted into text information and sent to subscriber's main station by described information processing module, obtained data message is converted into text information and sends to display and show over the display by described information processing module, described information processing module passes on instruction to control module according to obtained data message, the control module receives instruction and controls temperature-adjusting device according to command information, humidity control apparatus, air-cleaning unit, watering device works, the present invention is reasonable in design, it is simple to operate, being capable of Intelligentized regulating and controlling temperature indoor environment, subscriber's main station remotely can receive and transmit an order information to multiple greenhouses, improve the efficiency of management.

The above plan is only for monitoring and reporting the conditions of the greenhouse, while our plan, in addition to monitoring and controlling and even reporting, can have an irrigation program for each number of plants, etc., and has no restrictions on installing sensors and other equipment.

Intelligent control method for greenhouse

CN111090292A

The invention provides an intelligent control method for a greenhouse, which specifically comprises the following steps: Step 1: setting an environmental parameter threshold according to environmental conditions required by the growth of crop species in the greenhouse, and transmitting environmental parameter threshold data to the PLC; step 2: collecting environmental parameter data in the greenhouse by an environmental parameter collecting unit; and step 3: the environment parameter data is transmitted to the PLC through the communication unit; and 4, step 4: the PLC controller carries out contrastive analysis according to the received environmental parameter data and the environmental parameter threshold value, and when the environmental parameter data exceeds the environmental parameter threshold value, the PLC controller controls the early warning unit to send out early warning information and controls the environmental adjusting unit to operate to adjust the environment in the greenhouse. The technical scheme of the invention solves the problem that the intelligent degree of the greenhouse in the prior art cannot be monitored and adjusted in real-time.

The above design is for greenhouse control only and is designed for the greenhouse while our design greenhouses, green walls, indoor green spaces, gardens, orchards, industrial greenhouses, hydroponic greenhouses, and the ability to remove and add the system's core tools. These tools contain sensors, a variable number of pumps and solenoid valves, and wireless connectivity, with no restriction on the number of solenoids or pumps. Furthermore, this strategy allows for smart and distinct programs depending on the circumstances and kind of plant.

Automatic control system for greenhouse culture environment

CN101430552A

The invention provides a greenhouse culture environment automatic controlling system, which comprises a plurality of distributed greenhouse environment sensor groups, greenhouse environment actuating equipment, greenhouse environment actuating equipment control modules, a greenhouse environment computer processing part, an outdoor environment parameter acquisition part, and a single chip. The greenhouse environment actuating equipment control modules are a plurality of on-site controllers which are provided with microprocessors in a distributed way and a control and processing module; the on-site controllers are directly connected with a sensor in the sensor groups and the greenhouse environment actuating equipment. The distributed on-site controllers are respectively connected with the single-chip to form a Y-junction mode. The single-chip is configured with the control modules and a temporary storage module used for temporarily storing data and transmitting controlling and setting commands calculated by the greenhouse environment. The greenhouse environment computer is configured with a processing module, a storage module, a control module center, an adjustment module for the seasonal nature growth pattern of different crops. The automatic controlling system has good stability and can effectively reduce the control of labor interference.

The main problem in existing systems is the lack of modularity of the systems, which made it necessary to purchase a complete system to upgrade the system, and designing the whole system on one board increases the possibility of failure, circuit complexity, and the impossibility of expansion. Existing systems are limited in increasing the number of solenoid valves, which prevents the possibility of expanding the irrigation space, and it is not possible to offer different programs depending on the type of plant, and the number and type of sensors is limited. Existing systems operate only on the GSM platform, in which case there is no alternative if GSM is disconnected, and current systems do not allow the storage of incoming reports and commands.

For this purpose, a comprehensive and intelligent system has been designed that solves all the problems of the current systems. Among the capabilities of this system, the following can be mentioned: Separating the mainboards, controllers, and sensors from each other and modulating them which solves the problem of limiting the definition of device elements (solenoid valve, pump, and sensor). The possibility of increasing the number of solenoid valves indefinitely will expand the geographical space of the coverage area. The possibility of increasing the number of pumps indefinitely will make it possible to define different intelligent programs based on the information received from the sensors and adjust the solenoid valves. Ability to increase the number of sensors per pump and solenoid valve to provide different applications based on different plants. Use GSM, GPRS, and Internet platforms as a backup. Establish communication between the mentioned boards wirelessly. The possibility of direct connection of the device to the Internet to receive the program and send reports and send orders and receive reports through a server, in which case the information sent and received can be stored.

Human beings have long worked to lower the expenses of their operations, and effective leaders have also strived to organize things in a manner that takes them closer to their objectives. Greenhouse management is a productive activity that will succeed if the available instruments are utilized effectively and efficiently. Automatic and intelligent greenhouse management may improve the precision and speed with which certain operations are completed. A system has been devised to enhance the irrigation approach by using the irrigation system's intelligence and automation capabilities. This system consists of the mainboard, control board, and sensor board. With this system, you can monitor the state of your greenhouse or direct the devices on how to maintain the environment through mobile apps. After the mobile software completes the initial configuration, the instructions are delivered to the main server and subsequently to the mainboard through the main server. The primary board will attempt to irrigate, spray, and do other necessary tasks by connecting to the second board or control board. After receiving orders from the mainboard, the control board connects with the sensor board, analyses the ecosystem's status, and initiates irrigation.

For a long time, human beings have sought to reduce the costs of their activities, and successful leaders have also tried to put everything together in a way that brings them closer to their goals. Greenhouse management is a productive activity and the greenhouse owner will be successful when he/she uses the available tools for better efficiency and effectiveness. Contrary to popular belief, greenhouse farming is not a mere labor operation, and greenhouse farming requires managerial skills rather than an agricultural profession. Successful greenhouse owners are more successful managers than just those who specialize in farming. They seek to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Efficiency and effectiveness are two important components in productivity and greenhouse intelligence are one of the most important management tools that increase management power that can lead to productivity. Greenhouse intelligence can be considered as a tool for better effectiveness of activities. The intelligent greenhouse system must have the flexibility needed for new applications. Greenhouses also have different appliances and are usually designed by different companies or individuals. From the location of fans and systems to the type of ventilation and water supply systems that may be different in a greenhouse to the considerations required in different cultures that may change in the greenhouse, all require that the greenhouse intelligent system not have a fixed and general structure.

Unfortunately, the greenhouse or smart climate control systems available in the market generally have a fixed and predetermined program and it is not possible to personalize them or personalization is not an inherent feature of these systems and the greenhouse manager is given to the climate control system and the smart greenhouse system is not given to the greenhouse manager. Also, the main problem in existing systems is the lack of modularity of the systems, which made it necessary to purchase a complete system to upgrade the system, and designing the whole system on one board increases the possibility of failure, circuit complexity, and the impossibility of expansion. Existing systems are limited in increasing the number of solenoid valves, which prevents the possibility of expanding the irrigation space, and it is not possible to offer different programs depending on the type of plant, and the number and type of sensors is limited. Existing systems operate only on the GSM platform, in which case there is no alternative if GSM is disconnected, and current systems do not allow the storage of incoming reports and commands.

Solution of problem

Automatic and intelligent greenhouse management may improve the precision and speed with which certain operations are completed. Precision greenhouse temperature control has advanced to a new level in the Netherlands, the United States, and Japan via intelligent greenhouse climate control systems. Agriculture has a longer cycle than other businesses, and its operators are less educated. Therefore, in addition to cost savings, utilizing an intelligent application to regulate and maintain greenhouses saves time and labor mistakes. Prudent control of the environment in today's greenhouses promotes plant and cultivated flower development. Temperature, humidity, irrigation rate, and soil moisture control are all involved in developing these plants and should be prepared for. This technology is intended to create an ecosystem conducive to plant life in various environments and may be utilized in greenhouses, green walls, indoor green spaces, gardens, orchards, industrial greenhouses, and hydroponic greenhouses. Any number of plants may be grown and maintained without the presence of a human using the basic parameters created by the mobile program.

This system consists of three boards:

First board or mainboard: This board is intended to administer other boards and serve as a conduit for contact with the ecosystem's owner.

Communication ways:

SMS
Internet
Wi-Fi
LAN
Bluetooth

Second board or control board: To verify the status of the water tank, this board employs an ultrasonic sensor (the function of this sensor is to measure the amount of water in the fertilizer tank). Flow switches (sensors to check the water status in the pipes leading to the solenoid valve). Solenoid valves (the device regulates the irrigation flow. Zero and one mode may control the water flow opening and shut). Pump (a device for controlling materials added to irrigation, such as fertilizer). The mainboard transmits orders to this board, and the sensors deliver commands to the solenoid valve, pump, flow switch, and ultrasonic sensor, depending on the board's calculations.

Third board or sensor board: This board is responsible for monitoring and calculating the conditions of the surrounding environment and plant using the following sensors:

Soil moisture sensor: This sensor is used to determine soil moisture and, during irrigation, to ensure that the soil temperature does not go below zero, causing water to freeze.

Ambient temperature sensor: This sensor is responsible for sensing the ambient temperature and issuing the appropriate orders in an excessively heated or cool environment.

Ambient humidity sensor: This sensor is in charge of determining the humidity level in the surrounding environment, and its data is utilized during irrigation.

Rain sensor: This sensor detects the presence of rain in the surrounding environment and is used to control irrigation.

Soil PH sensor: This sensor is in charge of assessing the soil's alkalinity and transmitting the required instructions to the control board in the event of a deficiency.

Light sensor (Lux meter): This sensor is in charge of detecting ambient light and issuing the appropriate order if the plant does not get sufficient light.

System function:

Once the system is up and running, irrigation programs are downloaded from the server through the mainboard connection. For irrigation, the sensors capture environmental data, including temperature, air humidity, soil moisture, and soil ph. The mainboard processes the collected data and selects an appropriate program depending on the established parameters, including plant kind, ambient temperature, soil moisture and humidity, and soil ph. Depending on the program, the controller board receives the appropriate instructions about the state of solenoid valves and pumps. It calculates which solenoid valves to open when and for how long and which pumps to use to provide fertilizer to irrigation for which plants (depending on the solenoid valve).

The flow switch sensor begins by determining the state of the water within the pipes. If water is present in the pipes, the valve or solenoid valves begin to irrigate, then halt, and the desired pump adds the desired quantity of fertilizer or other additives to the solenoid valve's desired water. This step is repeated depending on the pump and solenoid valve system planning. If there is no water in the pipes, the system user receives an error notice. System sensors can vary depending on the environment in which they are used. Increases and decreases in solenoid valves and pumps are also possible without limitation.

The boards are linked wirelessly and by network cable, and the system communicates with the server and controlling user through three modes of communication: GSM, GPRS, and the Internet. These connections allow the performance software to be downloaded from the main server, for the user to get performance reports, and for the user to exercise manual control. Including a server in this system ensures the backup of all transactions between the system and the user.

Advantage effects of invention

For any number of different plants, a growth plan can be defined

No limit in defining the number of solenoid valves

No limit in defining the number of pumps

No limit in defining the number of flow switches

Store all environmental information in the main server

Very small size of the device

Very different ways of communication with the device

Increasing and decreasing the sensors without any restrictions

Change the modules used in the device as needed

: Schematic of the three boards used in this design and how they relate to each other

: Block diagram of how to run and set up an ecosystem and control it by three system boards

Examples

Using mobile software, you can view the status of your greenhouse or instruct devices on how to manage their ecosystem. After the initial settings made by the mobile software, the commands are transferred to the main server and then through it to the mainboard, and the main board tries to irrigate, spray, and so on by connecting to the second board, which is the control board. The control board, after receiving commands from the mainboard, communicates with the sensor board, assesses the condition of the ecosystem, and starts irrigation.

This device is designed to build an ecosystem for plant survival in different conditions and can be used in greenhouses, green walls, indoor green spaces, gardens, orchards, industrial greenhouses, hydroponic greenhouses. With basic settings designed by mobile software, you can grow and maintain as many plants as you want without the need for your presence.

Claims

Intelligent climate control system for greenhouses and plants in a variety of environments that, with the help of mobile software, can develop and maintain an unlimited number of plants without the need for human intervention. also, several different programs for different types of plants can be considered at the same time. Three boards comprise the system: the first or mainboard, the second or control board, and the third or sensor board. Additional software can accept orders and reports remotely and control and monitor the situation.
According to claim 1, the mainboard is configured to control other boards and serve as a communication platform for the ecosystem's owner, including SMS, Internet, Wi-Fi, LAN, and Bluetooth.
According to claim 1, the control board is responsible for monitoring the status of the water tank using ultrasonic sensors, flow-switches, solenoid valves, and pumps.
According to claim 1, the sensor board is responsible for assessing and calculating environmental and plant conditions based on the following sensors: soil moisture sensor, ambient temperature sensor, ambient humidity sensor, rain sensor, soil pH sensor, and light sensor (lux meter).
According to claims 2, 3, and 4, the system operates to receive irrigation programs after the system is started through the main board's link to the server. The sensors gather data from the environment to initiate irrigation. This data includes temperature, air humidity, soil moisture, and ph. The mainboard processes the collected data and selects an appropriate program depending on the established parameters, including plant kind, ambient temperature, soil moisture and humidity, and soil pH. Depending on the program type, the controller board receives instructions on the state of solenoid valves and pumps, which solenoid valves should be opened when and for how long, and which pumps should supply fertilizer to which plants (based on the solenoid valve).
According to claim 5, the flow switch sensor continuously analyzes the water condition inside the pipes. If water is present in the pipes, the valve or solenoid valves begin to irrigate, then halt, and the desired pump adds the desired quantity of fertilizer or other additives to the solenoid valve's desired water. This process is repeated depending on the pump and solenoid valve system planning. If there is no water in the pipes, the system user receives an error notice.
According to claim 1, the number of system sensors might change based on the operating environment. Increases and decreases in solenoid valves and pumps are also possible without limitation. The boards are connected wirelessly and by network cable, and the system communicates with the server and controlling user through three modes of communication: GSM, GPRS, and the Internet. These connections allow the performance software to be downloaded from the main server, for the user to get performance reports, and for the user to exercise manual control. Including a server in this system ensures the backup of all transactions between the system and the user.
The system is intended as a module, with the ability to remove and add the system's core tools. These tools contain sensors, a variable number of pumps and solenoid valves, and wireless connectivity, with no restriction on the number of solenoids or pumps. Furthermore, this strategy allows for smart and distinct programs depending on the circumstances and kind of plant.