WO2023061451A1 - 园艺电器及在园艺电器中培养植物的方法 - Google Patents

园艺电器及在园艺电器中培养植物的方法 Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2023061451A1
WO2023061451A1 PCT/CN2022/125157 CN2022125157W WO2023061451A1 WO 2023061451 A1 WO2023061451 A1 WO 2023061451A1 CN 2022125157 W CN2022125157 W CN 2022125157W WO 2023061451 A1 WO2023061451 A1 WO 2023061451A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
root
chamber
frame
growth
hydroponic
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2022/125157
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
A. 沃特兰德路易斯
奥尔盖尔布莱恩
Original Assignee
海尔智家股份有限公司
青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司
海尔美国电器解决方案有限公司
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 海尔智家股份有限公司, 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司, 海尔美国电器解决方案有限公司 filed Critical 海尔智家股份有限公司
Publication of WO2023061451A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023061451A1/zh

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
    • A01G31/02—Special apparatus therefor
    • A01G31/06—Hydroponic culture on racks or in stacked containers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
    • Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
    • Y02P60/21—Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to systems for indoor gardening of plants, and more particularly to gardening appliances and methods of growing plants in gardening appliances.
  • a traditional indoor garden center includes a box with a growing chamber in which a plurality of trays or shelves are provided to support seedlings or plant material, for example, for growing herbs, vegetables or other plants in an indoor environment. Additionally, such indoor garden centers include an environmental control system that maintains the grow room at a predetermined temperature or humidity. Some indoor garden centers also include a hydration system for watering the plants and/or an artificial lighting system to provide the light necessary for such plants to grow.
  • Certain indoor gardening appliances include growing towers for supporting multiple plants.
  • traditional growth towers include openings for receiving plant containers containing seeds or other plant material.
  • the plant container passes at least partially through the opening and into the root chamber.
  • the plant roots can be supplied with the water and nutrients needed for growth.
  • Some traditional plant containers used in aeroponic systems are initially grown hydroponically, eg, with the roots submerged in a storage container of water or otherwise periodically receiving a flow of water.
  • the roots thus formed cannot usually be transferred directly to aeroponic systems, for example, where the roots are periodically re-watered with mist.
  • hydrobacon is usually "inert” and doesn't absorb enough moisture from the spray alone.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration device capable of accurately identifying items stored therein.
  • the present invention provides a gardening appliance, which includes an inner tank, a growth tower, a plurality of orifices, a water replenishment system and a culture container, the inner tank is arranged in a box and has a growth chamber, and the growth tower rotatably mounted within the liner and having a root chamber, the plurality of apertures disposed through the growth tower for receiving one or more plant containers extending into the root chamber, the A water replenishment system is used to periodically fill the root chamber with aerosol mist, and the cultivation container is used to be received in at least one of the plurality of orifices.
  • the cultivation vessel includes a frame having a root chamber for receiving a root ball of hydroponic medium, a medium holding structure extending from the frame for engaging and securing, and a water collection storage container For the hydroponic medium, the water collection storage container is disposed adjacent to the frame for collecting at least a portion of the aeroponic mist to rehydrate the root mass of the hydroponic medium.
  • the medium holding structure includes protrusions, spikes or barbs extending into the root accommodation chamber.
  • the root end of the frame defines a void for allowing aerial roots to grow into the root chamber.
  • the frame includes first and second halves pivotally joined at a hinge and a latch for securing the first and second halves in a closed position.
  • water collection storage container is removable from the frame.
  • the water collection storage container is supported at an angle relative to the central frame axis.
  • water collection and storage container is supported horizontally to collect the aerosol mist.
  • the width of the water collection storage container is smaller than the diameter of the frame.
  • the frame is plastic injection molded from polymer material.
  • the present invention also provides a method for cultivating plants in gardening appliances, including:
  • a hydroponic-grown plant medium is placed in a cultivation vessel comprising: a frame having a root chamber for receiving the hydroponic-grown plant medium; a medium holding structure from the said frame extension for engaging and securing said hydroponic growing plant medium; and a water collection storage container disposed adjacent to said frame;
  • a water replenishment system of the gardening appliance is operated to fill the root chamber with aeroponic mist such that at least a portion of the aeroponic mist is collected in the water collection storage container.
  • the frame includes first and second halves pivotally joined at the hinge location and a latch for securing the first and second halves in the closed position , and wherein, placing the plant medium of the hydroponic growth in the culture container comprises:
  • the culture vessel is closed and latched using the latch.
  • the beneficial effects of the present invention are: the gardening appliance and the method for cultivating plants in the gardening appliance of the present invention replenish water through aeroponics and have a plant container capable of receiving hydroponic medium for growth, thereby ensuring good growth of the hydroponic medium.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the gardening appliance of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a front view of the gardening appliance shown in Fig. 1 with the door open.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 in FIG. 2 .
  • Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of the gardening appliance shown in Fig. 1, wherein the top panel and the door are removed.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view along line 5-5 in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 6 is a top cross-sectional view along line 5-5 in FIG. 2 .
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the growing tower of the gardening appliance shown in Fig. 1 .
  • Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a culture container in the gardening appliance shown in Fig. 1 .
  • Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the culture container shown in Fig. 8 when it is in an open state.
  • Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the culture container shown in Fig. 8 and the plant medium for hydroponic growth with the water collection and storage container removed.
  • Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a hydroponically grown plant medium cultured in the culture container shown in Fig. 8 .
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view after culturing a hydroponically grown plant medium in the culture container shown in FIG. 8 .
  • Approximate language is used to modify any quantitative representation that is amenable to variation without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by terms such as “about,” “approximately,” and “approximately” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some cases, the approximate language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. For example, approximate language may mean within a ten percent (10%) margin.
  • the garden appliance 100 of the present invention will be described.
  • the gardening appliance 100 is used as an indoor garden center for growing plants. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are only intended to illustrate the present invention. Variations and modifications may be made to garden appliance 100 while remaining within the scope of the invention.
  • garden appliance 100 includes a housing 102 that generally houses and/or supports the various components of garden appliance 100 and may also define one or more interior chambers or compartments of garden appliance 100 . room.
  • the terms "casing", “housing” and the like are generally intended to refer to the outer frame or support structure for garden appliance 100, including, for example, any suitable number of , type and configuration of support structures, such as systems of elongated support members, multiple interconnected panels, or some combination thereof.
  • the enclosure 102 need not necessarily be enclosed, but may simply comprise an open structure that supports the various elements of the garden appliance 100 . Rather, the case 102 may enclose some or all of the interior of the case 102 .
  • the tank 102 may have any suitable size, shape and configuration while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
  • the gardening appliance 100 has a vertical V, a lateral L, and a lateral T, and each of the vertical V, lateral L, and lateral T are perpendicular to each other such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined.
  • a horizontal direction generally refers to a direction perpendicular to vertical V (eg, within a plane defined by lateral L and lateral T).
  • the case 102 extends along a vertical V between a top 104 and a bottom 106, and along a lateral L between a first side 108 (e.g., left as viewed from the front as in FIG. 1 ) and a second side 110 (e.g., extending between the right side when viewed from the front in FIG.
  • first side 108 e.g., left as viewed from the front as in FIG. 1
  • a second side 110 e.g., extending between the right side when viewed from the front in FIG.
  • the gardening appliance 100 includes an insulated liner 120 disposed within the housing 102 .
  • Liner 120 may at least partially define an interior temperature-controlled chamber, generally referred to herein as climate-controlled chamber 122 , in which plants 124 may grow.
  • climate-controlled chamber 122 in which plants 124 may grow.
  • garden appliance 100 is used herein to grow plants 124, it should be understood that other organisms or living things may be grown or stored in garden appliance 100 as well. For example, algae, fungi (eg, mushrooms, etc.), or other living organisms may be grown or stored in the garden appliance 100 .
  • the specific applications described herein are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
  • the liner 120 has a generally closed rear portion 126 (eg, proximate the rear side 114 of the case 102 ).
  • cabinet 102 and liner 120 have a front opening, referred to herein as front display opening 128 (e.g., near front side 112 of cabinet 102), through which a user of garden appliance 100 can enter the climate-controlled compartment. 122, for example, for harvesting, planting, pruning, or otherwise interacting with plants 124.
  • an enclosed rear portion 126 may be defined as a portion of the liner 120 that defines the climate control chamber 122 proximate to the rear side 114 of the cabinet 102 .
  • the front display opening 128 may generally be disposed proximate to or coincident with the front side 112 of the cabinet 102 .
  • Garden appliance 100 also includes one or more doors 130 rotatably mounted to cabinet 102 for selective access to climate control compartment 122 .
  • FIG. 1 shows doors 130 in a closed position such that they can help insulate climate-controlled chamber 122 .
  • FIG. 2 shows door 130 in an open position to allow access to climate-controlled chamber 122 and to plants 124 stored therein.
  • the door body 130 also includes a transparent window 132 through which the user can observe the plants 124 without opening the door body 130 .
  • the door body 130 is illustrated as a rectangle and is installed on the front side 112 of the box body 102, it should be understood that the door body 130 may have different shapes and installation positions according to alternative embodiments. wait.
  • the door body 130 may be curved, may be formed entirely of glass, or the like.
  • the door body 130 may have features for controlling light entering and/or exiting the climate-controlled chamber 122, such as interior shutters, tinting, UV treatment, polarization, and the like.
  • interior shutters such as interior shutters, tinting, UV treatment, polarization, and the like.
  • the box 102 also has a drawer 134 disposed adjacent to the bottom 106 of the box 102 and slidably mounted to the box 102 for supplying plant nutrients, system accessories, water filters, etc. Provides convenient storage. Additionally, behind the drawer 134 is a mechanical compartment 136 for receiving an environmental control system including a sealing system for regulating the temperature within the climate control compartment 122, as described in more detail below.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of certain components of an environmental control system 140 for regulating the climate or environment within the climate control room 122 .
  • the environmental control system 140 includes one or more subsystems for regulating the temperature, humidity, hydration, nutrient dosing, lighting, and any other aspects of the environment within one or more portions of the climate-controlled room 122, For example, as desired to promote improved or regulated growth of plants 124 disposed therein.
  • environmental control system 140 may vary while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
  • the environmental control system 140 includes a containment system 142 that is generally used to regulate the temperature and/or humidity within one or more areas of the climate controlled room 122 .
  • a containment system 142 may be located partially within the mechanical compartment 136 and include a compressor 144 , a first heat exchanger or evaporator 146 and a second heat exchanger or condenser 148 .
  • the compressor 144 is generally operable to circulate or force refrigerant through the hermetic system 142 , including various conduits that may be used to flow refrigerant between the various components of the hermetic system 142 .
  • the evaporator 146 and the condenser 148 may be in fluid communication between each other and the compressor 144 .
  • refrigerant flows from evaporator 146 to compressor 144 .
  • refrigerant may exit evaporator 146 as a fluid in the form of superheated vapor.
  • the refrigerant may enter compressor 144 , which is operable to compress the refrigerant and direct the compressed refrigerant to condenser 148 .
  • the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant may increase in compressor 144 causing the refrigerant to become a more superheated vapor.
  • a condenser 148 is provided downstream of the compressor 144 and serves to remove heat from the refrigerant. For example, superheated steam from compressor 144 may enter condenser 148 and transfer energy to the air surrounding condenser 148 (eg, to generate a flow of heated air). In this way, the refrigerant condenses into a saturated liquid and/or liquid vapor mixture.
  • a condenser fan (not shown) may be positioned adjacent to the condenser 148 and may facilitate or push heated air (eg, from the surrounding atmosphere) across the coils of the condenser 148 to facilitate heat transfer.
  • variable electronic expansion valve 150 is also provided to regulate refrigerant expansion.
  • the variable electronic expansion valve 150 generally expands the refrigerant to reduce its pressure and temperature.
  • refrigerant may exit condenser 148 as a high liquid quality/saturated liquid vapor mixture and travel through variable electronic expansion valve 150 before flowing through evaporator 146 .
  • Variable electronic expansion valve 150 is typically configured to be adjustable, eg, such that refrigerant flow (eg, volumetric flow in milliliters per second) through variable electronic expansion valve 150 can be selectively varied or adjusted.
  • Evaporator 146 is disposed downstream of variable electronic expansion valve 150 and is operable to heat refrigerant within evaporator 146 (eg, to generate a flow of cooling air), for example, by absorbing thermal energy from air surrounding the evaporator.
  • refrigerant from variable electronic expansion valve 150 may enter evaporator 146 .
  • refrigerant from variable electronic expansion valve 150 receives energy from the flow of cooled air and evaporates into superheated steam and/or a high quality vapor mixture.
  • An air handler or evaporator fan 152 is disposed adjacent to the evaporator 146 and may facilitate or force cooling air to flow through the evaporator 146 to facilitate heat transfer. Refrigerant may return from evaporator 146 to compressor 144 and the vapor compression cycle may continue.
  • the environmental control system 140 includes a containment system 142 for providing a flow of heated air or a flow of cooled air throughout the climate controlled chamber 122 as desired.
  • environmental control system 140 includes ductwork 154 for channeling a flow of temperature-conditioned air, identified herein simply as air flow 156 (see, eg, FIG. 3 ).
  • the evaporator fan 152 may generate a flow of cooling air as the air passes through the evaporator 146 and the condenser fan (not shown) may generate a flow of heated air as the air passes through the condenser 148 .
  • the temperature conditioning air flow 156 is routed through cooling air supply ducts, and/or heated air may be routed through heated air supply ducts (not shown).
  • the environmental control system 140 typically includes a plurality of ducts, dampers, diverter assemblies, and/or air handlers to facilitate conditioning of the climate within the climate control chamber 122 in a cooling mode, a heating mode, both heating and cooling modes, or as appropriate. Any other mode operation of the environment.
  • ductwork 154 may vary in complexity and may regulate air flow from containment system 142 in any suitable arrangement with any suitable portion of climate controlled chamber 122 .
  • sealing system 142 and piping 154 are illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made to sealing system 142 and/or piping 154 while remaining within the scope of the invention.
  • sealing system 142 includes additional or optional components
  • piping system 154 includes additional or different piping configurations, and the like.
  • evaporator 146 and evaporator fan 152 may be disposed at top 104 of case 102 , and refrigerant may be routed from mechanical compartment 136 and through case 102 to evaporator 146 .
  • gardening appliance 100 may have one or more subsystems integrated with or operatively coupled to ductwork 154 for filtering airflow 156, regulating the flow of one or more gases within airflow 156, Concentration etc.
  • gardening appliance 100 generally includes a rotatable carousel, referred to herein as growing tower 160 , mounted within liner 120 such that it is located within climate control chamber 122 .
  • growing tower 160 may be positioned on top of a turntable 162 that is rotatably mounted to a sump 164 of garden appliance 100 .
  • growth tower 160 extends along vertical V from storage tank 164 to top wall 166 of climate control chamber 122 .
  • growth tower 160 is generally rotatable about a central axis 168 defined by turntable 162 .
  • central axis 168 is parallel to vertical V, according to the illustrated embodiment. It should be understood, however, that the central axis 168 may alternatively extend in any suitable direction (eg, such as a horizontal direction (eg, defined by a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T)).
  • growth tower 160 generally defines an axial direction A (i.e., parallel to central axis 168), a radial direction R extending perpendicular to central axis 168, and a circumferential direction C extending about central axis 168 (e.g., perpendicular to central axis 168). in the plane of the central axis 168).
  • the growth tower 160 may generally separate, divide, or partition the climate-controlled chamber 122 into a plurality of growth chambers (as indicated by reference numeral 170). More specifically, the growth chamber 170 is generally defined between the growth tower 160 and the liner 120 or between the growth tower 160 and the door body 130 . Generally, growth chamber 170 is intended to support foliage growth of plants 124 (eg, or other parts of plants 124 other than plant roots). According to the illustrated embodiment, growth tower 160 divides climate-controlled chamber 122 into three growth chambers 170, referred to herein as a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber. As shown, these growth chambers 170 are circumferentially spaced relative to each other and define generally separate and distinct growth environments. It can be seen that each growth chamber 170 can receive plants 124 with different growth requirements, and as the growth tower 160 rotates in the climate control chamber 122, the growth environment in each corresponding growth chamber 170 can be maintained.
  • growth tower 160 has an interior chamber, referred to herein as root chamber 172 .
  • root chamber 172 may be substantially sealed from (or isolated from) growth chamber 170 and used to house the roots of plants 124 throughout the growing process.
  • growth tower 160 may generally define one or more apertures 174 defined through growth tower 160 to allow passage between growth chamber 170 and root chamber 172 .
  • the apertures 174 may be configured to receive plant containers 176 into the root chamber 172 .
  • Plant container 176 typically contains seedlings, root balls, or other plant material for growing plants 124 disposed within a mesh or other support structure by which roots of plants 124 may grow within growth tower 160 .
  • a user may insert a portion of plant container 176 (eg, a seed end or a root end) with a desired seed into root chamber 172 through one of plurality of apertures 174 .
  • the plant end (eg, opposite the root end) of the plant container 176 can be maintained within the growth chamber 170 so that the plants 124 can be grown from the growth tower 160 such that they are accessible by a user.
  • root chamber 172 may be operably coupled with sealing system 142 to facilitate proper climate control within root chamber 172, eg, to achieve desired growing conditions.
  • a hydration system may be configured to provide a hydration mist comprising water, nutrients, and other suitable components for providing plants 124 with a desired growth environment.
  • the orifice 174 may be covered by a flat baffle seal or sealing cover (not shown) to prevent water mist from escaping the root chamber 172 when the plant container 176 is not installed, and to help improve the root chamber 172 and the root chamber 172.
  • climate control within the growth chamber 170 may be controlled by a flat baffle seal or sealing cover (not shown) to prevent water mist from escaping the root chamber 172 when the plant container 176 is not installed, and to help improve the root chamber 172 and the root chamber 172.
  • growth tower 160 may also include one or more internal divider panels (not shown) that set Within the root chamber 172, the root chamber 172 is divided into a plurality of subchambers or root chambers. Each of these root chambers may be partially or substantially isolated from the other root chambers to facilitate independent climate control, hydration, gas regulation, and the like. Additionally, each of the root chambers may be in fluid communication with one of the plurality of growth chambers 170 through a plurality of orifices 174 .
  • a fluid-tight seal needs to be formed between the growth tower 160 and the inner bladder 120 .
  • growth chambers 170 may remain fluidly isolated from each other as growth tower 160 rotates within climate-controlled chamber 122 .
  • the growth tower 160 has a growth module diameter (eg, defined by its generally circular footprint formed in the horizontal plane).
  • the closed rear portion 126 of the bladder 120 can be generally cylindrical and can define a bladder diameter (not labeled).
  • the inner bladder diameter may be approximately equal to or slightly larger than the growth module diameter.
  • the environment control system 140 further includes a water replenishment system 180 for providing water and/or nutrients to the plants 124 to support the growth of the plants.
  • the hydration system 180 may be fluidly coupled to a water supply and/or nutrient distribution assembly to selectively provide desired amounts and concentrations of water, nutrients, and/or other fluids to the plants 124, to promote improved plant growth.
  • hydration system 180 includes spray device 182 (eg, one or more fine mist nozzles) fluidly coupled to a water source (not shown).
  • the water source may be a storage container containing water (eg, distilled water), or may be a directly connected municipal water source.
  • hydration system 180 may include one or more pumps (not shown) for providing a flow of liquid nutrients to spray device 182 .
  • pumps for example, water or nutrients not absorbed by the roots of plants 124 may fall into sump 164 under gravity, and the pumps may be fluidly coupled to sump 164 to recirculate the water through spraying device 182 .
  • a spray device 182 is positioned on top of the root chamber 172 and may be used to fill the root chamber 172 with mist to rehydrate the roots of the plants 124 .
  • a spray device 182 may be provided at the bottom of the root chamber 172 (eg, within the sump 164 ) for spraying mist or water into the root chamber 172 .
  • hydration system 180 may optionally include multiple spray devices 182, eg, all coupled to a water and/or nutrient source.
  • the plurality of spray devices 182 may be spaced vertically V within the root chamber 172 . In this way, these spray devices 182 can provide different concentrations of water and/or nutrients to different areas within the root chamber 172 .
  • the environmental control system 140 described above is generally used to regulate temperature and humidity (eg, or some other suitable water level or measurement) within one or all of the plurality of chambers 170 and/or root chambers 172 independently of each other. In this way, a common and desired growth environment can be obtained for each and every chamber 170 .
  • temperature and humidity eg, or some other suitable water level or measurement
  • garden appliance 100 also includes a light assembly 184 that is generally used to provide light into selected growth chambers 170 to promote photosynthesis and growth of plants 124 .
  • light assembly 184 includes a plurality of light sources (not labeled) stacked in an array, e.g., extending along vertical V.
  • light assembly 184 may be mounted directly to liner 120 within climate control chamber 122 , or may alternatively be positioned behind liner 120 such that light is projected into climate control chamber 122 through a transparent window or light pipe.
  • the location, configuration and type of light sources described herein are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
  • Light assembly 184 includes any suitable number, type, location and arrangement of electric light sources, employs any suitable light technology and illuminates in any suitable color.
  • light assembly 184 includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), which may each illuminate in a single color (eg, a white LED) depending on a control signal from controller 196, or may Each is illuminated in multiple colors (eg, multi-color or RGB LEDs).
  • LEDs light emitting diodes
  • the light assembly 184 includes any other suitable conventional light bulb or light source, such as a halogen light bulb, fluorescent light bulb, incandescent light bulb, glow stick, fiber optic light source, or the like.
  • the light generated from light assembly 184 may cause light pollution in the room in which garden appliance 100 is located. Accordingly, the present invention seeks to reduce light pollution, or prevent light from light assembly 184 from passing through front display opening 128 .
  • the light assembly 184 is only disposed within the closed rear portion 126 of the liner 120 such that only the growth chamber 170 in the sealed position is exposed to light from the light assembly 184 .
  • growth tower 160 acts as a physical barrier between light assembly 184 and front display opening 128 . In this way, as shown in FIG. 5 , no light may pass through the growth tower 160 and exit through the front display opening 128 from the first or second growth chamber 170 (ie, the “rear” or enclosed growth chamber 170 ).
  • a single light assembly can be used to reduce cost whereby only a single growth chamber 170 will be illuminated at a single time.
  • garden appliance 100 also includes a motor assembly 186 or other suitable drive element or device for selectively rotating growth tower 160 during operation of garden appliance 100 .
  • motor assembly 186 is disposed below growth tower 160, such as within machinery compartment 136, and may be mechanically coupled to turntable 162 for selectively rotating turntable 162 and growth tower 160 about central axis 168. .
  • motor may refer to any suitable drive motor and/or transmission assembly for rotating turret 162 and growth tower 160 .
  • motor assembly 186 includes a brushless DC motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable type or configuration of motor.
  • motor assembly 186 includes an AC motor, an induction motor, a permanent magnet synchronous motor, or any other suitable type of AC motor.
  • the motor assembly 186 includes any suitable transmission assembly, clutch mechanism, or other components.
  • garden appliance 100 includes control panel 190 , which represents a general purpose input/output (“GPIO”) device or functional block for garden appliance 100 .
  • the control panel 190 includes or is in operative communication with one or more user input devices 192, such as including rotary control dials, control knobs, buttons, toggle switches, selector switches, and touch controls.
  • user input devices 192 such as including rotary control dials, control knobs, buttons, toggle switches, selector switches, and touch controls.
  • user input devices 192 such as including rotary control dials, control knobs, buttons, toggle switches, selector switches, and touch controls.
  • garden appliance 100 includes a display 194 , such as a digital or analog display device, which is typically configured to provide visual feedback regarding the operation of garden appliance 100 .
  • display 194 may be provided on control panel 190 and include one or more status lights, screens, or visual indicators.
  • user input device 192 and display 194 may be integrated into a single device, including, for example, a touch screen interface, a capacitive touch panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a cathode ray tube (CRT)
  • LCD liquid crystal display
  • PDP plasma display panel
  • CRT cathode ray tube
  • Gardening appliance 100 also includes or is in operative communication with a processing device or controller 196, which may generally be configured to facilitate operation of the appliance.
  • control panel 190, user input device 192, and display 194 may be in communication with controller 196 such that controller 196 may receive control inputs from user input device 192, may display information using display 194, and may otherwise Regulates the operation of the garden appliance 100 .
  • signals generated by controller 196 may operate garden appliance 100 , including any or all system components, subsystems, or interconnections, in response to the position of user input device 192 and other control commands.
  • Control panel 190 and other components of garden appliance 100 may communicate with controller 196 via, for example, one or more signal lines or a shared communication bus. In this manner, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller 196 and the various operating components of garden appliance 100 .
  • I/O input/output
  • processing device may generally refer to any suitable processing device, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor, microcontroller, integrated circuit, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC ), digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), logic devices, one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), processing units that perform other specialized computations, semiconductor devices wait.
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • DSPs digital signal processors
  • FPGAs field programmable gate arrays
  • CPUs central processing units
  • GPUs graphics processing units
  • processing units that perform other specialized computations, semiconductor devices wait.
  • these "controllers” are not necessarily limited to a single element, but include any suitable number, type and configuration of processing devices integrated in any suitable manner to facilitate operation of the appliance.
  • controller 196 may use a combination of independent analog and/or digital logic circuits (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, and/or doors, etc.) are built to perform control functions rather than relying on software.
  • independent analog and/or digital logic circuits such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, and/or doors, etc.
  • Controller 196 includes or is associated with one or more storage elements or non-transitory computer-readable storage media such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks, or Other suitable storage devices (including combinations thereof). These storage devices may be a separate component from the processor, or may be included on-board within the processor. Additionally, these storage devices may store information and/or data accessible by one or more processors, including instructions executable by the one or more processors. It should be understood that instructions may be written in software in any suitable programming language, or may be implemented in hardware. Additionally or alternatively, instructions may be logically and/or virtually executed using separate threads on one or more processors.
  • controller 196 is operable to execute programmed instructions or microcontroller code associated with an operating cycle of garden appliance 100 .
  • the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that, when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations, such as running one or more software applications, displaying a user interface, receiving user input, processing user input, and the like.
  • the controller 196 disclosed herein is capable and operable to perform any method, method step or part of a method disclosed herein.
  • the methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programmed instructions stored in memory and executed by controller 196 .
  • the storage device may also store data that may be retrieved, manipulated, created, or stored by one or more processors or portions of the controller 196 .
  • Data includes, for example, data that facilitates performance of the methods described herein.
  • Data may be stored locally (eg, on controller 196) in one or more databases and/or may be partitioned such that data is stored in multiple locations.
  • one or more databases may be connected to controller 196 via any suitable network, such as via a high bandwidth local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN).
  • the controller 196 may also include a communication module or interface operable to communicate with one or more of the garden appliances 100, for example, via any suitable communication line or network and using any suitable communication protocol.
  • the controller 196 an external electrical controller, or any other suitable means of communication.
  • a communication interface includes any suitable components for interfacing with one or more networks, including, for example, transmitters, receivers, ports, controllers, antennas, or other suitable components.
  • motor assembly 186 is operably coupled to controller 196 that is programmed to rotate growth tower 160 according to a predetermined cycle of operation based on user input (eg, via touch of button 192 ) or the like. Additionally, the controller 196 may be communicatively coupled to one or more sensors, such as temperature or humidity sensors, respectively disposed within the various chambers 170 for measuring temperature and/or humidity. Controller 196 may then operate motor assembly 186 to maintain desired environmental conditions for each of the various chambers 170 .
  • garden appliance 100 includes features or subsystems for providing certain locations of garden appliance 100 with light, temperature control, proper moisture, nutrients, and other requirements. The motor assembly 186 may be used to position the particular chamber 170 where it needs to receive such growth requirements.
  • controller 196 may operate motor assembly 186 to index growth tower 160 sequentially through a plurality of preselected positions. More specifically, motor assembly 186 may rotate growth tower 160 in 120° increments in a counterclockwise direction (e.g., when viewed from the top of growth tower 160) to move chamber 170 between a sealed position and a display position .
  • the chamber 170 is considered to be in a "sealed position" when the chamber 170 is substantially sealed between the growth tower 200 and the inner bladder 120 .
  • a chamber 170 is considered to be in a "display position" when the chamber 170 is at least partially exposed to the front display opening 128 such that a user can access the plants 124 disposed within the chamber 170 .
  • both the first and second growth chambers are in the sealed position
  • the third growth chamber ie, the front chamber
  • the motor assembly 186 rotates the growth tower 160 120 degrees in a counterclockwise direction
  • the second growth chamber will enter the display position
  • the first and third growth chambers will be in the sealed position.
  • Motor assembly 186 may continue to rotate growth tower 160 in such increments to cycle growth chamber 170 between these sealed and display positions.
  • gardening appliance 100 and growth tower 160 have been described above to illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood that changes and modifications may be made while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
  • gardening appliance 100 may be reduced to a two-chamber implementation having a square interior 120 and a growing tower 160 that divides climate-controlled chamber 122 in half to define a first growing chamber and a second growing chamber. room.
  • the first chamber can be positioned between a sealed position (e.g., facing the rear side 114 of the enclosure 102) and a display position (e.g., facing the front of the enclosure 102). Alternate between sides 112). Conversely, the same rotation will move the second chamber from the display position to the sealing position.
  • the garden appliance 100 includes a three-chamber growing tower 160, but may have a modified cabinet 102 such that the front display opening 128 is wider and displays two of the three growing chambers 170 at a time.
  • the first growth chamber can be in the sealing position, while the second and third growth chambers can be in the display position.
  • the growth tower 160 is rotated counterclockwise, the first growth chamber moves to the display position and the third growth chamber moves to the sealing position.
  • culture container 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail. Although an exemplary embodiment of the culture vessel 200 is described herein, it should be understood that changes and modifications may be made to the culture vessel 200 while remaining within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, it should be understood that culture vessel 200 is not limited to the exemplary applications described herein. In fact, culture container 200 can be used in any gardening appliance.
  • culture vessel 200 may be adapted to be received within port 174 of growth tower 160 .
  • cultivation container 200 may be similar to plant container 176 and may have many of the same or similar features.
  • culture container 200 may include additional features generally intended to facilitate the cultivation and/or growth of plants 124 from a hydroponic environment to an aeroponic environment.
  • the rehydration system 100 may generally be used to periodically fill the root chamber 172 with an aeroponic mist.
  • plants commonly used in gardening appliance 100 may be seeded or otherwise initiated in a hydroponic system (eg, a system in which the roots of the plants are submerged or generally exposed to a flow of water).
  • the present invention relates to the cultivation of hydroponic grown plants in an aeroponic system to promote root adaptation and plant growth.
  • the culture container 200 includes a frame 202 that generally defines a root accommodation chamber 204 .
  • root containment chamber 204 is a cavity defined within frame 202 within which root ball 206 of hydroponic medium 208 may be disposed.
  • root mass 206 is intended to refer to the roots of hydroponic grown plants
  • hydroponic medium 208 is a general term intended to refer to any plant material initially grown in a hydroponic environment.
  • frame 202 defines a front opening 210 through which plant 124 may be inserted into root containment chamber 204 .
  • the frame 202 may also taper away from the front opening 210 toward a root end 212 of the frame 202 .
  • the diameter of the frame 202 at the front opening 210 may be greater than the diameter of the frame 202 at the root end 212 .
  • the culture container 200 can be easily inserted through the aperture 174 and can have a tendency to support the hydroponic medium 208 and prevent it from sliding directly through the frame 202 .
  • frame 202 may define a plurality of voids 214 proximate root end 212 through which root balls 206 of hydroponic medium 208 may grow and transform into aerial roots (e.g., as generally shown in FIG. 12 by Reference numeral 216 identifies).
  • aeroponic roots 216 are generally more capable of absorbing water and nutrients from the aeroponic mist generated by hydration system 180 , especially relative to inert hydroponically formed roots.
  • aerial roots 216 include thinner roots or root extensions that extend outward to form fluffy root balls that cover a large volume.
  • root balls 206 of hydroponic plants prior to cultivation are generally consolidated and compacted, for example, due to the relative ease of uptake of nutrients when located in a pond or water storage container. .
  • culture vessel 200 also includes a medium retention structure 220 extending from frame 202 for engaging and securing hydroponic medium 208 .
  • the media retention structure 220 may include protrusions, spikes, barbs, or any other mechanical feature for engaging the root ball 206 of the hydroponic medium 208, for example, to secure the hydroponic medium 208 in a root-holding position. chamber 204 so that it does not fall off or move during plant growth.
  • the media retention structure 220 may be a small machine screw 222 that extends radially inwardly toward the center of the root accommodation chamber 204 .
  • the machine screw 222 may be particularly adapted to engage the fibrous, web-like, or interwoven structure of the root ball 206 of the hydroponic medium 208 . It should be understood that other suitable retention features are possible and within the scope of the present invention.
  • Culture vessel 200 also includes features that simplify installation of hydroponic medium 208 within frame 202 .
  • the frame 202 includes a first half 230 and a second half 232 that are pivotally articulated at a hinge 234 .
  • first half 230 and second half 232 are pivotable between an open position (eg, as shown in FIG. 9 ) and a closed position (eg, as shown in FIG. 8 ) to facilitate introduction of media into the frame. 202 in.
  • the latch 236 of the frame 202 can be used to secure the first half 230 and the second half 232 in the closed position. together to prevent removal of the hydroponic medium 208.
  • hydroponic medium 208 when hydroponic medium 208 is first installed in an aeroponic system (e.g., garden appliance 100 that relies on the aeroponic mist from replenishment system 180 to provide moisture and
  • the root mass 206 of the growing medium 208 may not be able to absorb water properly.
  • inert roots eg, see FIG. 10
  • the hydroponic medium 208 may quickly wither and die. Accordingly, the present invention relates to features for providing such nutrients until proper aerial roots are formed.
  • the culture vessel 200 may include a water collection storage container 240 disposed adjacent to or otherwise extending from the frame 202 for use in To collect at least a portion of the aeroponic mist to rehydrate the newly introduced root mass 204 of the hydroponic medium 208.
  • water collection storage container 240 may be a small cup disposed below or adjacent to root end 212 of frame 202 such that positioning hydroponic medium 208 within frame 202 causes root ball 206 to be at least partially located. The water collects in the storage container 240 .
  • the rehydration system 180 fills the root chamber 172 with the aeroponic mist, at least a portion of such mist is collected within the water collection storage container 240 to rehydrate and provide nutrients to the root mass 206 .
  • the water collection storage container 240 can generally replenish the hydroponic medium 208 until proper aerial roots 216 are formed.
  • water collection storage container 240 may be removed from frame 202 after such airponic roots 216 are formed, according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • water collection storage container 240 may be connected to frame 202 by perforated or frangible bridges 242 such that water collection storage container 240 may be simply snapped or disconnected from frame 202 .
  • the water collection storage container 240 may be a permanent structure of the frame 202 .
  • water collection storage container 240 may be supported at an angle 244 relative to central frame axis 246 .
  • angle 244 may be selected such that when culture vessel 200 is installed within growth tower 160, water collection storage vessel 240 is supported in a horizontal arrangement.
  • the water collection storage container 240 can be relatively small, yet be able to collect enough water to rehydrate the hydroponic medium 208 .
  • water collection storage container 240 may be sized such that it is easily inserted through aperture 174 of growth tower 160 .
  • the width 250 (eg, measured in a horizontal plane) of the water collection storage container 240 may be smaller than the diameter of the frame 202 , eg, the diameter of the front opening 210 .
  • culture vessel 200 may be formed from any suitable rigid material.
  • frame 202 and water collection storage container 240 may be injection molded, for example, using a suitable plastic material such as injection molding grade polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), nylon 6, high impact poly styrene (HIPS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or any other suitable polymer blend).
  • PBT injection molding grade polybutylene terephthalate
  • HIPS high impact poly styrene
  • ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
  • these components may be compression molded, for example using sheet molding compound (SMC) thermosets or other thermoplastics.
  • SMC sheet molding compound
  • culture vessel 200 may be formed from any other suitable rigid material.
  • the invention also relates to a method for cultivating plants for growth in a garden appliance. More specifically, the method may aim to convert a hydroponic growing medium into an aeroponic medium.
  • the method includes placing a hydroponic-grown plant medium in a cultivation vessel (eg, cultivation vessel 200).
  • the cultivation container includes: a frame defining a root chamber for receiving hydroponicly grown plant medium; a medium retaining structure extending from the frame for engaging and securing the hydroponicly grown plant medium; and water
  • a collection storage container is disposed adjacent to the frame.
  • placing the hydroponic growing plant medium in the culture container comprises: opening the frame by separating the first half of the frame from the second half; inserting the hydroponic growing plant medium into the root holding chamber , such that it is secured by the medium holding structure; and closing and latching the culture vessel using the latches of the frame.
  • the method also includes: inserting the cultivation container into the orifice of the growth tower; and operating the water replenishment system of the gardening appliance to fill the root chamber with the aeroponic mist such that at least a portion of the aeroponic mist is collected in the water collection storage container.
  • the roots of the hydroponically grown plants can be located within the water collection storage container to rehydrate the plants until proper aerial roots are exhibited. After the formation of such aeroponic roots, hydroponic grown plants can survive in an aeroponic environment with or without a water collection storage container.
  • the present invention relates to a garden appliance with a plant growing container that can be used to receive hydroponic grown root balls, seedlings or other plant media or materials.
  • the plant growing container can then be placed in the aeroponic gardening system so that it is periodically re-watered with mist, allowing the plants to survive while the roots are slowly cultivated to absorb the aeroponic water and nutrients.
  • the plant material will transition from being grown in one environment (eg, a hydroponic environment) to an aeroponic environment.
  • a hydroponic environment e.g, a hydroponic environment

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)

Abstract

一种园艺电器，其包括内胆、生长塔、多个孔口、补水系统以及培养容器，所述内胆设置在箱体内并具有生长室，所述生长塔可旋转地安装在所述内胆内且设有根室，所述多个孔口被设置为穿过所述生长塔，用于接收延伸到所述根室中的一个或多个植物容器，所述补水系统用于周期性地向所述根室内填充气栽雾，所述培养容器用于接收在所述多个孔口中的至少一个内。所述培养容器包括框架、介质保持结构以及水收集储存容器，所述框架具有用于接收水培介质的根团的根容纳室，所述介质保持结构从所述框架延伸，用于接合和固定所述水培介质，所述水收集储存容器设置为与所述框架相邻，用于收集所述气栽雾的至少一部分，以对所述水培介质的所述根团补水。

Description

园艺电器及在园艺电器中培养植物的方法 技术领域
本发明涉及用于在室内对植物进行花园种植的系统，更具体地涉及园艺电器及在园艺电器中培养植物的方法。
背景技术
传统的室内花园中心包括设有生长室的箱体，该生长室中设置有多个托盘或搁架，以支撑幼苗或植物材料，例如，用于在室内环境中种植药草、蔬菜或其他植物。另外，这种室内花园中心包括将生长室保持在预定温度或湿度的环境控制系统。某些室内花园中心还包括用于给植物浇水的补水系统和/或提供这种植物生长所必需的光的人工照明系统。
某些室内园艺电器包括用于支撑多种植物的生长塔。例如，传统的生长塔包括用于接收包含种子或其它植物材料的植物容器的开口。具体地，植物容器至少部分地穿过开口并进入根室中。在气栽系统中，通过周期性地使根室内的水雾化，可以向植物根供应生长所需的水分和养分。
某些用于气栽系统中的传统植物容器最初是水培生长的，例如，根浸没在水的储存容器中或以其它方式周期性地接收水流。然而，这样形成的根通常不能直接转移到气栽系统中，例如，在气栽系统中，根定期地用雾补水。在这点上，水培根通常是“惰性的”，并且不能单独从喷雾中吸收足够的水分。
有鉴于此，有必要对现有的园艺电器予以改进，以解决上述问题。
发明内容
本发明的目的在于提供一种能够精准识别其内储存的物品的制冷设备。
为实现上述目的，本发明提供了一种园艺电器，其包括内胆、生长塔、多个孔口、补水系统以及培养容器，所述内胆设置在箱体内并具有生长室，所述生长塔可旋转地安装在所述内胆内且设有根室，所述多个孔口被设置为穿过所述生长塔，用于接收延伸到所述根室中的一个或多个植物容器，所述补水系统用于周期性地向所述根室内填充气栽雾，所述培养容器用于接收在所述多个孔口中的至少一个内。所述培养容器包括框架、介质保持结构以及水收集储存容器，所述框架具有用于接收水培介质的根团的根容纳室，所述介质保持结构从所述框架延伸，用于接合和固定所述水培介质，所述水收集储存容器设置为与所述框架相邻，用于收集所述气栽雾的至少一部分，以对所述水培介质的所述根团补水。
进一步地，所述介质保持结构包括延伸到所述根容纳室中的突起、尖刺或倒钩。
进一步地，所述框架的根端限定用于允许气栽根生长到所述根室中的空隙。
进一步地，所述框架包括在铰链处枢转地结合的第一半部和第二半部以及用于将所述第一半部和所述第二半部固定在闭合位置的闩锁。
进一步地，所述水收集储存容器可从所述框架移除。
进一步地，所述水收集储存容器相对于中心框架轴线以一定角度被支撑。
进一步地，所述水收集储存容器被支撑为水平设置，以收集所述气栽雾。
进一步地，所述水收集储存容器的宽度小于所述框架的直径。
进一步地，所述框架是由聚合物材料注塑的塑料。
为实现上述目的，本发明还提供了一种在园艺电器中培养植物的方法，包括：
将水培生长的植物介质放置在培养容器中，所述培养容器包括：框架，该框架具有用于接收所述水培生长的植物介质的根容纳室；介质保持结构，该介质保持结构从所述框架延伸，用于接合和固定所述水培生长的植物介质；以及水收集储存容器，该水收集储存容器设置为与所述框架相邻；
将所述培养容器插入到所述生长塔的孔口中；以及
操作所述园艺电器的补水系统以用气栽雾填充所述根室，使得所述气栽雾的至少一部分被收集在所述水收集储存容器中。
进一步地，所述框架包括在铰链所在位置处枢转地结合的第一半部和第二半部以及用于将所述第一半部和所述第二半部固定在闭合位置的闩锁，并且其中，将所述水培生长的植物介质放置在所述培养容器中包括：
通过将所述第一半部与所述第二半部分开而打开所述框架；
将所述水培生长的植物介质插入所述根容纳室中，使得所述水培生长的植物介质通过所述介质保持结构固定；以及
使用所述闩锁闭合并闩锁所述培养容器。
本发明的有益效果是：本发明的园艺电器及在园艺电器中培养植物的方法，通过气栽法补水且具有能够接收水培介质生长的植物容器，从而保证水培介质的良好生长。
附图说明
图1是本发明园艺电器的立体图。
图2是图1所示的园艺电器的前视图，其中门体打开。
图3是沿图2中的线3-3的剖视图。
图4是图1所示园艺电器的顶部立体图，其中去除顶面板和门体。
图5是沿图2中的线5-5的立体剖视图。
图6是沿图2中的线5-5的顶剖视图。
图7是图1所示的园艺电器的生长塔的立体图。
图8是图1所示的园艺电器内的培养容器的立体图。
图9是图8所示的培养容器处于打开状态时的立体图。
图10是图8所示培养容器和水培生长的植物介质将水收集储存容器移除后的立体图。
图11是在图8所示的培养容器中培养水培生长的植物介质时的立体图。
图12是在图8所示的培养容器中培养水培生长的植物介质之后的立体图。
具体实施方式
为了使本发明的目的、技术方案和优点更加清楚，下面结合附图和具体实施例对本发明进行详细描述。
如本文在整个说明书和权利要求书中使用的近似语言被应用于修饰任何定量表示，该定量表示可容许在不导致其相关的基本功能改变的情况下变化。因此，由诸如“大约”、“近似”以及“大致”的术语修饰的值不限于所指定的精确值。在至少一些情况下，近似语言可对应于用于测量值的仪器的精度。例如，近似语言可以指在百分之十(10％)的裕度内。
现在参见附图，将描述本发明的园艺电器100。在本实施方式中，所述园艺电器100用作使植物生长的室内花园中心。应当理解，本文描述的实施方式仅旨在说明本发明。可以在保持在本发明的范围内的同时对园艺电器100进行变更和修改。
在本实施方式中，园艺电器100包括箱体102，该箱体通常用于容纳和/或支撑园艺电器100的各种部件，并且还可限定园艺电器100的一个或多个内部腔室或间室。在这点上，如本文所用的，术语“箱体”、“壳体”等通常旨在指用于园艺电器100的外框架或支撑结构，例如，包括由任何合适的材料形成的任何合适数量、类型和构造的支撑结构，诸如细长支撑构件、多个互连面板或其一些组合的系统。应当理解，箱体102不一定需要围合，而是可以简单地包括支撑园艺电器100的各种元件的开放结构。相反，箱体102可以包围箱体102内部的一些或所有部分。应当理解，箱体102可具有任何合适的尺寸、形状和构造，同时保持在本发明的范围内。
如图示例，园艺电器100具有竖向V、侧向L和横向T，且竖向V、侧向L和横向T中的每一个相互垂直，使得通常限定正交坐标系。水平方向通常指垂直于竖向V的方向(例如，在由侧向L和横向T限定的平面内)。箱体102沿着竖向V在顶部104与底部106之间延伸，沿着侧向L在第一侧108(例如，如图1中从前方观察时的左侧)与第二侧110(例如，如图1中从前方观察时的右侧)之间延伸，并且沿着横向T在前部112与后部114之间延伸。一般而言，诸如“左”、“右”、“前”、“后”、“顶部”或“底部”的术语是参考用户接近园艺电器100的视角来说明的。
园艺电器100包括设置在箱体102内的隔热内胆120。内胆120可以至少部分地限定植物124可以在其中生长的内部温度控制室，本文总体称为气候控制室122。虽然园艺电器100在本文中被用于使植物124生长，但应当理解，其他有机体或生物也可以在园艺电器100中生长或储存。例如，可以在园艺电器100中生长或储存藻类、真菌(例如蘑菇等)或其他活有机体。本文所述的特定应用并非旨在以任何方式限制本发明的范围。
更具体地，内胆120具有大致封闭的后部126(例如，接近箱体102的后侧114)。另外，箱体102和内胆120具有前开口，在本文中称为前显示开口128(例如，接近箱体102的前侧112)，园艺电器100的用户穿过该前开口可以进入气候控制室122，例如，以便收获、种植、修剪或以其他方式与植物124相互作用。根据示例性实施方式，封闭的后部126可以被定义为内胆120的一部分，该部分限定了接近箱体102的后侧114的气候控制室122。另外， 前显示开口128通常可以设置为接近箱体102的前侧112或与之重合。
园艺电器100还包括一个或多个门体130，这些门体可旋转地安装到箱体102，用于选择性进入到气候控制室122的。例如，图1展示了处于关闭状态的门体130，使得它们可以帮助使气候控制室122隔热。作为对比，图2展示了处于打开状态的门体130，以允许进入气候控制室122并接近储存在其中的植物124。门体130还包括透明窗口132，用户可以借助该窗口观察植物124，而无需打开门体130。
虽然在图1和图2中，门体130被示例为矩形并且被安装在箱体102的前侧112上，但是应当理解，根据可选实施方式，门体130可以具有不同的形状、安装位置等。例如，门体130可以是弯曲的，可以完全由玻璃等形成。另外，门体130可以具有用于控制传入和/或离开气候控制室122的光，诸如内部百叶窗、着色、UV处理、极化等。本领域技术人员将理解，其他腔室和门体构造是可以的，并且在本发明的范围内。
在本实施方式中，箱体102还具有抽屉134，该抽屉被设置为靠近箱体102的底部106，并且可滑动地安装到箱体102，用于为植物养分、系统配件、水过滤器等提供方便的储存。另外，在抽屉134后面的是用于接收环境控制系统的机械室136，该环境控制系统包括用于调节气候控制室122内的温度的密封系统，如下面更详细地描述的。
图3是用于调节气候控制室122内的气候或环境的环境控制系统140的某些部件的示意图。具体地，环境控制系统140包括一个或多个子系统，这些子系统用于调节气候控制室122的一个或多个部分内的环境的温度、湿度、补水、养分定量供给、照明和任何其它方面，例如，如促进设置在其中的植物124的改善的或调节的生长所需要的。尽管以下描述了示例性子系统和子系统配置，但是应当理解，环境控制系统140可以变化，同时保持在本发明的范围内。
如图所示，环境控制系统140包括密封系统142，该密封系统通常用于调节气候控制室122的一个或多个区域内的温度和/或湿度。在这点上，如图3所示，密封系统142可部分地位于机械室136内，并包括压缩机144、第一热交换器或蒸发器146和第二热交换器或冷凝器148。如通常理解的，压缩机144通常可操作为循环或推动制冷剂流过密封系统142，包括各种管道，这些管道可以用于使制冷剂在密封系统142的各种部件之间流动。由此，蒸发器146和冷凝器148可以在彼此和压缩机144之间流体连通。
在密封系统142的运行期间，制冷剂从蒸发器146流到压缩机144。例如，制冷剂可以作为过热蒸汽形式的流体离开蒸发器146。在离开蒸发器146时，制冷剂可进入压缩机144，该压缩机可操作为压缩制冷剂并将压缩的制冷剂引导至冷凝器148。因此，制冷剂的压力和温度可以在压缩机144中升高，使得制冷剂变为更过热的蒸汽。
冷凝器148设置在压缩机144的下游，并且用于排除来自制冷剂的热量。例如，来自压缩机144的过热蒸汽可以进入冷凝器148并将能量传递到冷凝器148周围的空气(例如，以产生加热空气的流)。这样，制冷剂冷凝成饱和的液体和/或液体蒸汽混合物。冷凝器风扇(未 示出)可以被设置为与冷凝器148相邻，并且可以促进或推动加热空气(例如，来自周围大气)流过冷凝器148的盘管，以便促进热传递。
在实施方式中，还设置有膨胀装置或可变电子膨胀阀150，以调节制冷剂膨胀。在使用期间，可变电子膨胀阀150通常可以使制冷剂膨胀，以降低其压力和温度。如此，制冷剂可以以高液体质量/饱和液体蒸汽混合物的形式离开冷凝器148，并且在流过蒸发器146之前行进穿过可变电子膨胀阀150。可变电子膨胀阀150通常被构造为可调节，例如，使得可以选择性地改变或调节穿过可变电子膨胀阀150的制冷剂流(例如，以毫升/秒为单位的体积流量)。
蒸发器146设置在可变电子膨胀阀150的下游，并且可操作为例如通过吸收来自蒸发器周围的空气的热能来加热蒸发器146内的制冷剂(例如，以产生冷却空气的流)。例如，来自可变电子膨胀阀150的液体或液体蒸汽混合物制冷剂可以进入蒸发器146。在蒸发器146内，来自可变电子膨胀阀150的制冷剂从冷却空气的流接收能量，并且蒸发成过热蒸汽和/或高质量的蒸气混合物。空气处理器或蒸发器风扇152设置为与蒸发器146相邻，并且可以促进或推动冷却空气流过蒸发器146，以便促进热传递。制冷剂可以从蒸发器146返回压缩机144，并且蒸汽压缩循环可以继续。
如上所述，环境控制系统140包括密封系统142，该密封系统用于根据需要贯穿气候控制室122提供加热空气的流或冷却空气的流。为了引导该空气，环境控制系统140包括用于引导温度调节空气流的管道系统154，温度调节空气流在本文中简单地标识为空气流156(例如，参见图3)。如此，随着空气经过蒸发器146，蒸发器风扇152可以生成冷却空气流，并且随着空气经过冷凝器148，冷凝器风扇(未示出)可以生成加热空气流。
该温度调节空气流156被路由穿过冷却空气供应管道，和/或加热空气可被路由穿过加热空气供应管道(未示出)。应当理解，环境控制系统140通常包括多个管道、风门、分流器组件和/或空气处理器，以便于以冷却模式、加热模式、加热和冷却模式两者或适于调节气候控制室122内的环境的任意其他模式操作。应当理解，管道系统154可以在复杂性方面变化，并且可以借助气候控制室122的任意合适的部分以任意合适的设置来调节来自密封系统142的空气流。
虽然在本文中示例并描述了密封系统142和管道系统154，但应当理解，可以在保持在本发明的范围内的同时对密封系统142和/或管道系统154进行各种变更和修改。例如，密封系统142包括额外的或可选的部件，管道系统154包括额外的或不同的管道构造等。例如，在实施方式中，蒸发器146和蒸发器风扇152可以设置在箱体102的顶部104处，并且制冷剂可以从机械室136并穿过箱体102被路由到蒸发器146。另外，应当理解，园艺电器100可以具有一个或多个子系统，这些子系统与管道系统154集成或可操作地联接，用于过滤空气流156、调节空气流156内的一种或多种气体的浓度等。
现在参阅图1至图7，园艺电器100通常包括可旋转的圆盘传送带，在本文中被称为生 长塔160，该生长塔安装在内胆120内，例如，使得其在气候控制室122内。更具体地，生长塔160可以设置在可旋转地安装到园艺电器100的贮槽164的转台162的顶部。通常，生长塔160沿着竖向V从贮槽164延伸到气候控制室122的顶壁166。
另外，生长塔160通常可围绕由转台162限定的中心轴线168旋转。具体地，根据所示例的实施方式，中心轴线168平行于竖向V。然而，应当理解，中心轴线168可以可选地沿任意合适的方向(例如，诸如水平方向(例如，由侧向L和横向T限定))延伸。在这点上，生长塔160通常限定轴向A(即，平行于中心轴线168)、与中心轴线168垂直地延伸的径向R以及绕中心轴线168延伸的周向C(例如，在垂直于中心轴线168的平面中)。
如图示例，生长塔160通常可以将气候控制室122分离、划分或分隔成多个生长室(如附图标记170所示)。更具体地，生长室170通常限定在生长塔160与内胆120之间或生长塔160与门体130之间。通常，生长室170旨在支持植物124的叶生长(例如，或植物124的除了植物根部之外的其他部分)。根据所示例的实施方式，生长塔160将气候控制室122分成三个生长室170，本文中称为第一室、第二室和第三室。如图所示，这些生长室170相对于彼此周向地隔开，并且限定大致分离且不同的生长环境。由此可见，各个生长室170可以接收具有不同生长需求的植物124，并且随着生长塔160在气候控制室122内旋转，可以保持各个相应的生长室170内的生长环境。
另外，在本实施方式中，生长塔160具有内部腔室，本文中称为根室172。通常，根室172可相对于生长室170大致密封(或与其隔离)，并且用于在整个生长过程中容纳植物124的根部。如将在下面更详细地描述的，生长塔160通常可以限定一个或多个孔口174，这些孔口被限定为穿过生长塔160以允许在生长室170与根室172之间的通路。在本实施方式中，这些孔口174可被构造为将植物容器176接收到根室172中。
植物容器176通常包含设置在网眼或其他支撑结构内的用于生长植物124的幼苗、根团或其他植物材料，植物124的根可以借助该网眼或其他支撑结构在生长塔160内生长。用户可以将具有期望种子的植物容器176的部分(例如，种子端或根端)穿过多个孔口174中的一个插入到根室172中。植物容器176的植物端(例如与根端相对)可以保持在生长室170内，使得植物124可以从生长塔160生长，使得它们可由用户接近。
如下面将说明的，水和其他养分可以被供应到根室172内的植物容器176的根端。例如，在本实施方式中，根室172可与密封系统142可操作地联接，以便于根室172内的适当气候控制，例如，以实现期望的生长条件。类似地，补水系统可以被构造为提供补水雾流，该补水雾包括水、养分和其他合适的成分，用于为植物124提供期望的生长环境。根据示例性实施方式，孔口174可由平坦的挡板密封件或密封盖(未示出)覆盖，以防止补水雾在没有安装植物容器176时逸出根室172，并有助于改善根室172和生长室170内的气候控制。
尽管上面描述和示例的生长塔160包括单个根室172，但应当理解，在其他实施方式中，生长塔160还可包括一个或多个内部分隔板(未示出)，这些内部分隔板设置在根室172内 以将根室172分成多个子腔室或根室。这些根室中的每一个可部分地或大致与其它根室隔离，以便于独立的气候控制、补水、气体调节等。另外，这些根室中的每一个可通过多个孔口174与多个生长室170中的一个流体连通。
特别地，在本实施方式中，需要在生长塔160与内胆120之间形成液密密封。这样，随着生长塔160在气候控制室122内旋转，生长室170可保持彼此流体隔离。因此，在本实施方式中，生长塔160具有生长模块直径(例如，由其形成在水平面中的大致圆形的覆盖区限定)。类似地，内胆120的封闭的后部126可以是大致圆柱形的，并且可以限定内胆直径(未标记)。为了防止大量空气在生长塔160与内胆120之间逸出，并且为了流体隔离各个生长室170，内胆直径可以大致等于或略大于生长模块直径。
如图7所示，优选地，环境控制系统140还包括补水系统180，该补水系统用于向植物124提供水和/或养分，以支持植物的生长。具体地，根在本实施方式中，补水系统180可流体地联接到供水和/或养分分配组件，以选择性地将期望量和浓度的水分、养分和/或其它流体提供到植物124上，以促进改善的植物生长。例如，补水系统180包括喷雾装置182(例如，一个或多个细雾喷嘴)，其流体地联接到水源(未示出)。例如，水源可以是含水(例如，蒸馏水)的储存容器，或者可以是直接连接的市政水源。根据示例性实施方式，补水系统180可包括一个或多个泵(未示出)，用于将液体养分流提供到喷雾装置182。如此，例如，未被植物124的根吸收的水或养分可在重力作用下落入贮槽164中，并且这些泵可流体地联接到贮槽164，以使水通过喷雾装置182再循环。
在本实施方式中，喷雾装置182设置在根室172的顶部，并且可以用于用雾来填充根室172，以为植物124的根补水。可选地，喷雾装置182可设置在根室172的底部(例如，在贮槽164内)，用于将雾或水喷射到根室172中。因为各种植物124可能需要不同的水量用于期望的生长，所以补水系统180可以可选地包括多个喷雾装置182，例如，全部联接到水源和/或养分源。该多个喷雾装置182可在根室172内沿着竖向V隔开。这样，这些喷雾装置182可向根室172内的不同区域提供不同浓度的水分和/或养分。
明显地，上述环境控制系统140通常用于将多个腔室170和/或根室172中的一个或全部内的温度和湿度(例如，或一些其他合适的水位量或测量)独立于彼此调节。这样，可以为各个和每一个腔室170获得通用且期望的生长环境。
现在参阅图5和图6，园艺电器100还包括光组件184，该光组件通常用于向选定的生长室170中提供光，以促进植物124的光合作用和生长。如图所示，光组件184包括多个光源(未标记)，这些光源堆叠成阵列，例如，沿着竖向V延伸。例如，光组件184可以直接安装到气候控制室122内的内胆120，或者可以可选地设置在内胆120的后面，使得光穿过透明窗口或光管投射到气候控制室122中。本文描述的光源的位置、构造以及类型并不旨在以任何方式限制本发明的范围。
光组件184包括任何合适数量、类型、位置和配置的电光源，使用任何合适的光技术并 且以任何合适的颜色照明。例如，根据所示例的实施方式，光组件184包括一个或多个发光二极管(LED)，取决于来自控制器196的控制信号，这些LED可以各自以单色照明(例如，白色LED)，或者可以各自以多个颜色照明(例如，多色或RGB LED)。然而，应当理解，根据可选实施方式，光组件184包括任意其他合适的传统灯泡或光源，诸如卤素灯泡、荧光灯泡、白炽灯灯泡、发光棒、光纤光源等。
如上所述，从光组件184生成的光可能导致园艺电器100所位于的房间内的光污染。因此，本发明致力于减少光污染，或者说致力于阻止来自光组件184的光穿过前显示开口128。具体地，如图所示，光组件184仅设置在内胆120的封闭后部126内，使得仅处于密封位置的生长室170暴露于来自光组件184的光。具体地，生长塔160充当光组件184与前显示开口128之间的物理隔板。这样，如图5所示，没有光可以从第一或第二生长室170(即，“后部”或封闭的生长室170)穿过生长塔160并通过前显示开口128离开。随着生长塔160旋转，三个生长室170中的两个将一次接收来自光组件184的光。根据另一些实施方式，可以使用单个光组件来降低成本，借此，在单个时间将仅照亮单个生长室170。
现在参阅图3和图7，园艺电器100还包括电机组件186或其他合适的驱动元件或装置，以用于在园艺电器100的操作期间选择性地旋转生长塔160。如此，在本实施方式中，电机组件186设置在生长塔160下方，例如在机械室136内，并且可以机械地联接到转台162，以便使转台162和生长塔160围绕中心轴线168选择性地旋转。
如本文使用的，“电机”可以指代用于旋转转台162和生长塔160的任意合适的驱动电机和/或传动组件。例如，电机组件186包括无刷DC电动机、步进电机或任意其他合适类型或构造的电机。例如，电机组件186包括AC电机、感应电机、永磁同步电机或任意其他合适类型的AC电机。另外，电机组件186包括任意合适的传动组件、离合机构或其他部件。
再次参见图2，园艺电器100包括控制面板190，该控制面板代表用于园艺电器100的通用输入/输出(“GPIO”)装置或功能块。在一些实施方式中，控制面板190包括一个或多个用户输入装置192或与其可操作地通信，该用户输入装置诸如为包括旋转控制盘、控制旋钮、按钮、拨动开关、选择器开关和触摸板的各种数字、模拟、电气、机械或机电输入装置中的一个或多个。
另外，园艺电器100包括显示器194，诸如数字或模拟显示装置，该显示装置通常被配置为提供关于园艺电器100的操作的视觉反馈。例如，显示器194可以设置在控制面板190上，并且包括一个或多个状态灯、屏幕或可视指示器。根据示例性实施方式，用户输入装置192和显示器194可集成到单个装置中，例如包括触摸屏界面、电容触控面板、液晶显示器(LCD)、等离子体显示面板(PDP)、阴极射线管(CRT)显示器或其他信息或交互式显示器中的一个或多个。
园艺电器100还包括处理装置或控制器196或与其可操作地通信，该处理装置或控制器可通常配置为便于电器操作。在这点上，控制面板190、用户输入装置192和显示器194可 与控制器196通信，使得控制器196可接收来自用户输入装置192的控制输入，可使用显示器194显示信息，并且可以以其它方式调节园艺电器100的操作。例如，由控制器196生成的信号可以响应于用户输入装置192的位置和其它控制命令来操作园艺电器100，包括任何或所有系统部件、子系统或互连装置。园艺电器100的控制面板190和其它部件可经由例如一个或多个信号线或共享通信总线与控制器196通信。这样，输入/输出(“I/O”)信号可以在控制器196与园艺电器100的各种运行部件之间路由。
如本文所用的，术语“处理装置”、“计算装置”、“控制器”等一般可以指任何合适的处理装置，诸如通用或专用微处理器、微控制器、集成电路、专用集成电路(ASIC)、数字信号处理器(DSP)、现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)、逻辑装置、一个或多个中央处理单元(CPU)、图形处理单元(GPU)、执行其他专用计算的处理单元、半导体装置等。另外，这些“控制器”不必限于单个元件，而是包括以任何合适的方式集成以便于电器操作的任何合适数量、类型和配置的处理装置。可选地，控制器196可以在不使用微处理器的情况下，例如，使用独立的模拟或/或数字逻辑电路的组合(诸如开关、放大器、积分器、比较器、触发器、与/或门等)构建为执行控制功能，而不是依靠软件。
控制器196包括一个或多个存储元件或非暂时性计算机可读存储介质或与其相关联，存储元件或非暂时性计算机可读存储介质诸如为RAM、ROM、EEPROM、EPROM、闪存装置、磁盘或其他合适的存储装置(包括其组合)。这些存储装置可以是与处理器分开的部件，或者可以包含在处理器内的板上。另外，这些存储装置可存储可由一个或多个处理器访问的信息和/或数据，包括可由该一个或多个处理器执行的指令。应当理解，指令可以是以任何合适的编程语言编写的软件，或者可以以硬件实施。另外或可选地，指令可以使用一个或多个处理器上的单独线程逻辑地和/或虚拟地执行。
例如，控制器196可操作为执行与园艺电器100的操作循环相关联的编程指令或微控制代码。如此，指令可以是软件或者任何指令集，该软件或指令集在由处理装置执行时使处理装置执行操作，诸如运行一个或者多个软件应用、显示用户界面、接收用户输入、处理用户输入等。而且，应当注意，本文所公开的控制器196能够并且可以操作为执行本文所公开的任何方法、方法步骤或方法的部分。例如，在一些实施方式中，本文公开的方法可以在存储在存储器中并由控制器196执行的编程指令中具体实施。
存储装置还可存储可由一个或多个处理器或控制器196的部分检索、操纵、创建或存储的数据。数据包括例如促进本文描述的方法的执行的数据。数据可以本地(例如，在控制器196上)存储在一个或多个数据库中和/或可以被分割，使得数据存储在多个位置。另外，或可选地，一个或多个数据库可以通过任何合适的网络(诸如通过高带宽局域网(LAN)或广域网(WAN))连接到控制器196。在这点上，例如，控制器196还可包括通信模块或接口，该通信模块或接口可用于例如经由任何合适的通信线路或网络并使用任何合适的通信协议与园艺电器100的一个或多个其它部件、控制器196、外部电器控制器或任何其它合适的 装置通信。通信接口包括用于与一个或多个网络接口连接的任何适当的部件，包括例如发送器、接收器、端口、控制器、天线或其他适当的部件。
在本实施方式中，电机组件186可操作地联接到控制器196，该控制器被编程为基于用户输入(例如，经由触摸按钮192)等根据预定的操作循环旋转生长塔160。另外，控制器196可以通信地联接到一个或多个传感器，诸如温度或湿度传感器，这些传感器分别设置在用于测量温度和/或湿度的各种腔室170内。控制器196然后可以操作电机组件186，以便为各个腔室170中的每一个保持期望的环境条件。例如，如本文所述的，园艺电器100包括特征或子系统，这些特征或子系统用于向园艺电器100的某些位置提供光、温度控制、适当的水分、养分以及用于适合植物生长的其他要求。电机组件186可以用于将特定的腔室170设置在需要接收这种生长要求的地方。
在本实施方式中，诸如在生长塔160将气候控制室122分成三个生长室170的情况下，控制器196可操作电机组件186以使生长塔160顺序地转位通过多个预选位置。更具体地，电机组件186可以以120°的增量沿逆时针方向(例如，当从生长塔160的顶部查看时)旋转生长塔160，以使腔室170在密封位置与显示位置之间移动。如本文使用的，当腔室170被大致密封在生长塔200与内胆120之间时，该腔室170被认为处于“密封位置”。与之相比，当腔室170至少部分地暴露于前显示开口128使得用户可以接近设置在该腔室170内的植物124时，该腔室170被认为处于“显示位置”。
例如，如图4和图5所示，第一生长室和第二生长室(即，后室)都处于密封位置，而第三生长室(即，前室)处于显示位置。当电机组件186使生长塔160沿逆时针方向旋转120度时，第二生长室将进入显示位置，而第一生长室和第三生长室将处于密封位置。电机组件186可以继续以这种增量旋转生长塔160，以使生长室170在这些密封位置与显示位置之间循环。
上面已经描述了园艺电器100和生长塔160，来说明本发明的示例性实施方式。然而，应当理解，可以在保持在本发明的范围内的同时进行变更和修改。例如，根据可选实施方式，园艺电器100可以简化为具有方形内胆120和生长塔160的两室实施方式，该生长塔将气候控制室122分成两半以限定第一生长室和第二生长室。根据这种实施方式，通过使生长塔160围绕中心轴线168旋转180度，第一室可以在密封位置(例如，面向箱体102的后侧114)与显示位置(例如，面向箱体102的前侧112)之间交替。相反，相同的旋转将使第二室从显示位置移动到密封位置。
根据另一些实施方式，园艺电器100包括三室生长塔160，但是可以具有修改的箱体102，使得前显示开口128更宽，并且单次显示三个生长室170中的两个。由此，第一生长室可以处于密封位置，而第二生长室和第三生长室可以处于显示位置。当生长塔160逆时针旋转时，第一生长室移动到显示位置，第三生长室移动到密封位置。
现在参见图8至图12，将更详细地描述根据本发明的示例性实施方式的培养容器200。 虽然本文中描述了培养容器200的示例性实施方式，但应当理解，可以在保持在本发明的范围内的同时对培养容器200进行变更和修改。另外，应当理解，培养容器200不限于本文所述的示例性应用。实际上，培养容器200可以用在任何园艺电器内。
通常，培养容器200可以用于接收在生长塔160的孔口174内。例如，培养容器200可类似于植物容器176，并且可具有许多相同或类似的特征。然而，如将在下面更详细地描述的，培养容器200可包括额外特征，这些额外特征通常旨在促进植物124从水培环境到气栽环境的培养和/或生长。在这点上，补水系统100通常可用于周期性地用气栽雾填充根室172。值得注意的是，如上所述，通常用于园艺电器100中的植物可以在水培系统(例如，植物的根浸没或通常暴露于水流的系统)中播种或以其他方式开始形成。本发明涉及在气栽系统中培养水培生长的植物以促进根适应和植物生长。
如图所示，培养容器200包括框架202，该框架通常限定根容纳室204。通常，根容纳室204是限定在框架202内的腔，水培介质208的根团206可以设置在该腔内。通常，根团206旨在指水培生长的植物的根，而水培介质208是一般术语，其旨在指最初在水培环境中生长的任何植物材料。根据所示例的实施方式，框架202限定了前开口210，植物124可通过该前开口插入到根容纳室204中。框架202还可以远离前开口210朝向框架202的根端212逐渐变细。在这点上，框架202在前开口210处的直径可以大于框架202在根端212处的直径。这样，培养容器200可以容易地通过孔口174插入，并且可以具有支撑水培介质208并防止其直接滑动通过框架202的趋势。
另外，根据所示例的实施方式，框架202可接近根端212限定多个空隙214，水培介质208的根团206可通过这些空隙生长并转变成气栽根(例如，如图12中通常由附图标记216标识)。通常，气栽根216通常更能够从由补水系统180生成的气栽雾中吸收水和养分，特别是相对于惰性的水培形成的根。在这点上，例如气栽根216包括更细的根或根延伸部，其向外延伸以形成覆盖大体积的蓬松的根团。作为对比，如图10中最佳示出的，培养之前的水培形成的植物的根团206通常是固结的和压实的，例如，由于位于水池或水储存容器内时相对容易吸收养分。
如图8、图9和图12所示，培养容器200还包括介质保持结构220，该介质保持结构从框架202延伸，用于接合和固定水培介质208。在这点上，例如，介质保持结构220可包括突起、尖刺、倒钩或用于接合水培介质208的根团206的任何其它机械特征，例如，以将水培介质208固定在根容纳室204内，使得其在植物生长期间不会脱落或移动。例如，根据所示例的实施方式，介质保持结构220可以是沿着径向朝向根容纳室204的中心向内延伸的小的机械螺钉222。值得注意的是，该机械螺钉222可特别适于接合水培介质208的根团206的纤维、网状或交织结构。应当理解，其它合适的保持特征是可能的并且在本发明的范围内。
培养容器200还包括简化在框架202内安装水培介质208的特征。在这点上，例如，框架202包括在铰链234处可枢转地铰接的第一半部230和第二半部232。这样，第一半部230 和第二半部232可在打开位置(例如，如图9所示)与闭合位置(例如，如图8所示)之间枢转，以便于将介质引入到框架202中。在水培介质208已经安装并且第一半部230和第二半部232已经枢转到闭合位置之后，框架202的闩锁236可以用于将第一半部230和第二半部232固定在一起，以防止水培介质208的去除。
值得注意的是，如上所述，当首先将水培介质208安装在气栽系统(例如，依赖于来自补水系统180的气栽雾来提供水分和养分的园艺电器100)中时，这种水培介质208的根团206可能不能够适当地吸收水分。在这点上，惰性根(例如，参见图10)可能不会吸收根室172内的细雾填料。因此，该水培介质208可能迅速枯萎并死亡。因此，本发明涉及用于提供这样的养分直到形成适当的气栽根的特征。
如此，如图8、图9、图11和图12所示，培养容器200可包括水收集储存容器240，该水收集储存容器设置为与框架202相邻或以其它方式从框架202延伸，用于收集气栽雾的至少一部分，以向新引入的水培介质208的根团204补水。在这点上，水收集储存容器240可以是设置在框架202的根端212下方或设置为与其相邻的小杯，使得将水培介质208设置在框架202内导致根团206至少部分地位于水收集储存容器240内。当补水系统180用气栽雾填充根室172时，至少一部分这样的雾被收集在水收集储存容器240内以向根团206补水并提供养分。
这样，水收集储存容器240通常可以向水培介质208补水，直到形成适当的气栽根216。值得注意的是，根据示例性实施方式，在形成这样的气栽根216之后，可以将水收集储存容器240从框架202去除。这样，例如，水收集储存容器240可通过穿孔的或易碎的桥242连接到框架202，使得水收集储存容器240可简单地从框架202上折断或断开。根据另一些实施方式，水收集储存容器240可以是框架202的永久结构。
如图11所示，水收集储存容器240可以相对于中心框架轴线246以角度244被支撑。这样，例如，角度244可以被选择为使得当培养容器200安装在生长塔160内时，水收集储存容器240被支撑为水平设置。这样，水收集储存容器240可以较小，但能够收集足够的水来向水培介质208补水。另外，水收集储存容器240的尺寸可以被构造为使得其易于插入通过生长塔160的孔口174。在这点上，例如，水收集储存容器240的宽度250(例如，在水平面内测量)可以小于框架202的直径，例如，前开口210的直径。
应当理解，培养容器200可以由任何合适的刚性材料形成。例如，根据示例性实施方式，框架202和水收集储存容器240可通过注塑例如使用合适的塑料材料(诸如注塑级的聚对苯二甲酸丁二醇酯(PBT)、尼龙6、高抗冲聚苯乙烯(HIPS)、丙烯腈丁二烯苯乙烯(ABS)或任何其他合适的聚合物混合物)形成。另选地，根据示例性实施方式，这些部件可以例如使用片状模塑料(SMC)热固性塑料或其他热塑性塑料压缩成型。根据另一些实施方式，培养容器200可由任意其它合适的刚性材料形成。
本发明还涉及一种用于培养植物以在园艺电器内生长的方法。更具体地，该方法可旨在 将水培生长的介质转变为气栽介质。在这点上，例如，该方法包括将水培生长的植物介质放置在培养容器(例如，培养容器200)中。该培养容器包括：框架，该框架限定用于接收水培生长的植物介质的根容纳室；介质保持结构，该介质保持结构从框架延伸，用于接合和固定水培生长的植物介质；以及水收集储存容器，该水收集储存容器设置为与框架相邻。
在本实施方式中，将水培生长的植物介质放置在培养容器中包括：通过将框架的第一半部与第二半部分开而打开框架；将水培生长的植物介质插入根容纳室中，使得其通过介质保持结构固定；以及使用框架的闩锁闭合并闩锁培养容器。该方法还包括：将培养容器插入到生长塔的孔口中；以及操作园艺电器的补水系统以用气栽雾填充根室，使得气栽雾的至少一部分被收集在水收集储存容器中。这样，水培形成的植物的根可以位于水收集储存容器内以向植物补水，直到表现出适当的气栽根。在形成这样的气栽根之后，水培生长的植物可以在具有或不具有水收集储存容器的气栽环境中存活。
本发明涉及一种具有植物培养容器的园艺电器，其可以用于接收水培生长的根团、幼苗或其它植物介质或材料。然后，可以将该植物培养容器设置在气栽园艺系统中，使得其周期性地用雾补水，使得植物存活，同时根被缓慢地培养成吸收气栽水和养分。在这点上，植物材料将从在一种环境(例如，水培环境)中生长转变为气栽环境。由此，用于通过浸没在水中或被水包围来吸收养分的“惰性”水培根在气栽系统中形成细茸毛或吸收养分的能力。
以上实施例仅用以说明本发明的技术方案而非限制，尽管参照较佳实施例对本发明进行了详细说明，本领域的普通技术人员应当理解，可以对本发明的技术方案进行修改或者等同替换，而不脱离本发明技术方案的精神和范围。

Claims (11)

  1. 一种园艺电器，其具有竖向方向，其特征在于，包括：
    内胆，该内胆设置在箱体内并具有生长室；
    生长塔，该生长塔可旋转地安装在所述内胆内且设有根室；
    多个孔口，该多个孔口被设置为穿过所述生长塔，用于接收延伸到所述根室中的一个或多个植物容器；
    补水系统，该补水系统用于周期性地向所述根室内填充气栽雾；以及
    培养容器，该培养容器用于接收在所述多个孔口中的至少一个内，所述培养容器包括：
    框架，该框架限定用于接收水培介质的根团的根容纳室；
    介质保持结构，该介质保持结构从所述框架延伸，用于接合和固定所述水培介质；以及
    水收集储存容器，该水收集储存容器设置为与所述框架相邻，用于收集所述气栽雾的至少一部分，以对所述水培介质的所述根团补水。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的园艺电器，其特征在于，所述介质保持结构包括延伸到所述根容纳室中的突起、尖刺或倒钩。
  3. 根据权利要求1所述的园艺电器，其特征在于，所述框架的根端限定用于允许气栽根生长到所述根室中的空隙。
  4. 根据权利要求1所述的园艺电器，其特征在于，所述框架包括在铰链处枢转地结合的第一半部和第二半部以及用于将所述第一半部和所述第二半部固定在闭合位置的闩锁。
  5. 根据权利要求1所述的园艺电器，其特征在于，所述水收集储存容器可从所述框架移除。
  6. 根据权利要求1所述的园艺电器，其特征在于，所述水收集储存容器相对于中心框架轴线以一定角度被支撑。
  7. 根据权利要求1所述的园艺电器，其特征在于，所述水收集储存容器被支撑为水平设置，以收集所述气栽雾。
  8. 根据权利要求1所述的园艺电器，其特征在于，所述水收集储存容器的宽度小于所述框架的直径。
  9. 根据权利要求1所述的园艺电器，其特征在于，所述框架是由聚合物材料注塑的塑料。
  10. 一种在园艺电器中培养植物的方法，其特征在于，包括：
    将水培生长的植物介质放置在培养容器中，所述培养容器包括：框架，该框架具有用于接收所述水培生长的植物介质的根容纳室；介质保持结构，该介质保持结构从所述框架延伸，用于接合和固定所述水培生长的植物介质；以及水收集储存容器，该水收集储存容器设置为与所述框架相邻；
    将所述培养容器插入到所述生长塔的孔口中；以及
    操作所述园艺电器的补水系统以用气栽雾填充所述根室，使得所述气栽雾的至少一部分被收集在所述水收集储存容器中。
  11. 根据权利要求10所述的在园艺电器中培养植物的方法，其特征在于，所述框架包括在铰链所在位置处枢转地结合的第一半部和第二半部以及用于将所述第一半部和所述第二半部固定在闭合位置的闩锁，并且其中，将所述水培生长的植物介质放置在所述培养容器中包括：
    通过将所述第一半部与所述第二半部分开而打开所述框架；
    将所述水培生长的植物介质插入所述根容纳室中，使得所述水培生长的植物介质通过所述介质保持结构固定；以及
    使用所述闩锁闭合并闩锁所述培养容器。
PCT/CN2022/125157 2021-10-14 2022-10-13 园艺电器及在园艺电器中培养植物的方法 WO2023061451A1 (zh)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17/501,233 US20230124203A1 (en) 2021-10-14 2021-10-14 Plant training pods for an indoor gardening appliance
US17/501,233 2021-10-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2023061451A1 true WO2023061451A1 (zh) 2023-04-20

Family

ID=85981705

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CN2022/125157 WO2023061451A1 (zh) 2021-10-14 2022-10-13 园艺电器及在园艺电器中培养植物的方法

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20230124203A1 (zh)
WO (1) WO2023061451A1 (zh)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN117178865A (zh) * 2023-11-06 2023-12-08 南通市优绿蔬菜有限公司 一种蔬菜用自动灌溉的水处理设备

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101543182A (zh) * 2008-03-28 2009-09-30 孙宗桂 一种全新温室无土栽培——喷雾栽培技术
US20110061297A1 (en) * 2009-09-11 2011-03-17 Simmons Robert S Apparatus for aeroponically growing and developing plants
CN102845293A (zh) * 2012-09-26 2013-01-02 江苏大学 一种阳台用的雾培与水培复合栽培器
CN204762648U (zh) * 2015-06-18 2015-11-18 爱盛生物科技（上海）有限公司 一种生长环境可控制的无土栽培装置
US20160044879A1 (en) * 2014-08-15 2016-02-18 John W. Hamlin Root Environment Control System and Method
CN205266539U (zh) * 2015-09-07 2016-06-01 天津爱民网络科技有限公司 农业种植与物联网技术教学应用课件
CN111343859A (zh) * 2017-05-08 2020-06-26 丹尼尔·S·斯皮罗 自动化竖直植物栽培系统

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080078118A1 (en) * 2003-11-17 2008-04-03 Aerogrow International, Inc. Master gardener baskets and methods for growing plants
US20130067814A1 (en) * 2010-05-27 2013-03-21 Britta Riley Hydroponic system
US9101099B2 (en) * 2013-03-28 2015-08-11 Bryce D. Nagels Hydroponic growing system
US10701868B2 (en) * 2016-06-14 2020-07-07 Donald Anthony Hadley Multi-door apparatus for growing plants
BR112019006823A2 (pt) * 2016-10-07 2019-07-09 Hydro Grow Llc aparelho e método de cultivo de planta
US11304390B2 (en) * 2017-05-08 2022-04-19 Urban Planter, Llc Automated vertical plant cultivation system
KR102103923B1 (ko) * 2018-08-08 2020-04-24 주식회사 예안산업 식물 재배장치 및 이를 이용한 공기정화시스템
BR112021003040A2 (pt) * 2018-08-20 2021-05-11 Heliponix, Llc método e aparelho aeropônico rotativo
CN108633725A (zh) * 2018-08-22 2018-10-12 深圳市海卓生物科技有限公司 一种水培定植篮及应用其的立体水培定植设备
CN109315281A (zh) * 2018-12-12 2019-02-12 芭芭拉（厦门）农业科技有限公司 可展开引漏式定植装置
US11825785B2 (en) * 2019-12-03 2023-11-28 Douglas P. HATRAN High-density cultivation system, apparatus used therein, and methods of operation thereof

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101543182A (zh) * 2008-03-28 2009-09-30 孙宗桂 一种全新温室无土栽培——喷雾栽培技术
US20110061297A1 (en) * 2009-09-11 2011-03-17 Simmons Robert S Apparatus for aeroponically growing and developing plants
CN102845293A (zh) * 2012-09-26 2013-01-02 江苏大学 一种阳台用的雾培与水培复合栽培器
US20160044879A1 (en) * 2014-08-15 2016-02-18 John W. Hamlin Root Environment Control System and Method
CN204762648U (zh) * 2015-06-18 2015-11-18 爱盛生物科技（上海）有限公司 一种生长环境可控制的无土栽培装置
CN205266539U (zh) * 2015-09-07 2016-06-01 天津爱民网络科技有限公司 农业种植与物联网技术教学应用课件
CN111343859A (zh) * 2017-05-08 2020-06-26 丹尼尔·S·斯皮罗 自动化竖直植物栽培系统

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN117178865A (zh) * 2023-11-06 2023-12-08 南通市优绿蔬菜有限公司 一种蔬菜用自动灌溉的水处理设备

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20230124203A1 (en) 2023-04-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2020224465A1 (zh) 具有旋转室的室内园艺中心
US11240974B2 (en) Indoor garden center with a resilient sealing element
US20210084828A1 (en) System and method for suggestive lighting in an indoor gardening appliance
WO2023036095A1 (zh) 园艺电器
WO2023066281A1 (zh) 园艺电器
US20210084845A1 (en) Nutrient dosing system for an indoor gardening appliance
WO2022117006A1 (zh) 室内花园中心的照明系统操作方法
WO2023061451A1 (zh) 园艺电器及在园艺电器中培养植物的方法
US11503774B2 (en) Grow lighting profiles for indoor garden center
US11343976B2 (en) Indoor garden center with a plant pod detection system
US11160218B2 (en) Indoor garden center with rotating compartments and environmental control
WO2023088349A1 (zh) 操作室内园艺电器中的相机组件的方法
WO2022012389A1 (zh) 用于室内花园中心的补水系统及其操作方法
US11457580B2 (en) Indoor garden center with a nutrient cartridge system
US20220007595A1 (en) Hydration system for an indoor gardening appliance
WO2023045812A1 (zh) 具有集水肋的室内园艺设备
US11849681B1 (en) Multi-nozzle misting system for an indoor gardening appliance
WO2023098782A1 (zh) 具有相机的植物生长电器
US20230390434A1 (en) System and method for sanitizing objects in an indoor gardening appliance
US11528851B2 (en) Indoor garden center with a moisture management system
US11240968B2 (en) Pollen distribution system for an indoor gardening appliance
US20220007664A1 (en) Indoor garden center with a ripening control system
US12114626B2 (en) Indoor garden center environmental control system
US20230389495A1 (en) System and method for priming an indoor gardening appliance
WO2023030143A1 (zh) 室内园艺中心的种植舱安装接口

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 22880387

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 22880387

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1