RU2676316C1 - Device for plant cultivation - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of hydroponic and aeroponic automated cultivation of plants of different morphological structure and can be applied in everyday life, as well as in food and agricultural industries. Device comprises a plant growing chamber, a controller-controlled lighting module, a ventilation module, a plant growing module, a means of tracking the growth stage of plants, a means of humidifying airflows, a means of differentiating airflows and a means of introducing microorganisms.EFFECT: this implementation provides a balanced growth and development of plants.10 cl, 5 dwg

Description

The invention relates to the field of hydroponic and aeroponic automated cultivation of plants of different morphological structure and can be applied in everyday life, as well as in the food and agricultural industries.

A device for cultivating plants is known, comprising a housing inside which an illumination module, a filtration module and a module for growing plants are provided, provided with a means for hydroponically feeding substances into the root zone [US2014259920, publication date: 09/18/2014, IPC: A01G 1/00].

A device for cultivating plants is known, comprising a housing inside which a controller, an lighting module, a ventilation module and a plant growing module are provided, equipped with an aerophone supplying agent to the root zone [WO2017 207508, publication date: 07.12. 2017, IPC: A01G 31/06].

As a prototype, a device for cultivating plants was selected, comprising a housing, in the upper part of which a plant growing chamber with obscuring glass is located, with a lighting module and an ultrasonic plant height sensor located inside the chamber, and a controller, a ventilation module and a plant growing module located inside the chamber, including the means of aeroponic supply of substances to the root zone [US2018007845, publication date: 11.01.2018, IPC: A01G 31/00].

 The disadvantage of the prototype and the known technical solutions is unbalanced growth and development of plants due to insufficient plant care at each stage of their growth, which can manifest itself in the absence of qualitative changes in the structure of plant cells, or in the slow formation of inflorescences and fruits, resulting in reduced efficiency of cultivation of plants.

 The technical problem that the invention is directed to is to increase the efficiency of plant cultivation.

 The technical result, the achievement of which the invention is directed, is to ensure a balanced growth and development of plants.

 The invention consists in the following.

 The plant cultivation device comprises a plant growing chamber, a controller-controlled lighting module, a ventilation module, a plant growing module, and a means of tracking the growth stage of the plants. Unlike the prototype, the device contains controller-controlled means for humidifying air flows, means for differentiating air flows and means for introducing microorganisms.

The plant growing chamber is a cavity inside the device in which the system of plant shoots is located and favorable conditions for their growth and development are created. Growing chamber can be of any shape and size, providing the possibility of placing plants, as well as their further growth and development.

 The means of humidifying the air flows provides the possibility of changing the humidity and temperature of the air inside the plant growing chamber by adding fine particles of liquid to it. The means for moistening airflows may comprise a supply unit and a fluid atomization unit. The fluid supply unit may be a submersible pump located in a container with a liquid, or a pipeline that is connected to the public water supply system. The liquid spray unit may be nozzles or sprayers that may be located inside the plant growing chamber.

The moistening means can be equipped with a heat exchange unit, which allows organizing evaporative cooling and increasing the efficiency of changing humidity and air temperature inside the growing chamber, for example, the heat exchange unit can be a perforated plate or heat exchanger, which are equipped with fans that blow the liquid from their surface. The air flow humidifier can be integrated into the ventilation module.

The ventilation module provides the possibility of organizing the supply and exhaust ventilation of the plant growing chamber. The ventilation module may contain climate control elements that provide the ability to control the air parameters inside the plant growing chamber and outside the device. Climate control elements can be temperature, humidity or air velocity sensors, as well as sensors for airborne substances, light sensors, etc. Climate control elements can be installed inside the ventilation module and / or inside the plant growing chamber and / or outside the device .

The ventilation module may contain an air circulation circuit inside the plant growing chamber and an air exchange circuit with the external environment. The air circulation circuit inside the growing chamber and the air exchange circuit with the external environment can be connected by means of air ducts, while a system of controlled valves, valves or dampers can be used to change the amount of air entering the growth chamber. The air circuit inside the plant growing chamber may contain a circulation loop fan, a plant feeding unit with carbon dioxide and an air duct system connected to the growing chamber. The air exchange circuit with the external environment may contain an air exchange circuit fan, as well as an air purification unit, which may contain elements of ionization and air filtration, ensuring the possibility of cleaning the air going outside.

The air flow differentiator provides the ability to simulate the natural wind flow inside the growing chamber by changing the speed and direction of the air flow. A means of differentiation of air flow can receive data from the elements of climate control. The means of differentiating the flow of air may contain injection and guide nodes. The delivery unit can be a compressor and receiver, either a fan, or fans of a ventilation module can be used as a delivery unit. The guide assembly can be an air duct of any shape and size, connected to the plant growing chamber and provided at the end with a deflector with a controlled damper. In this case, the controlled deflector may have a telescopic flexible structure to allow the air flow to be made to certain parts of the plants. Also, the air circulation circuit inside the growing room of the ventilation module can be used as a guide unit.

The plant growing module provides the possibility of placing the root system of plants and bringing nutrients to the root system. The module for growing plants may contain a node for placing the root system of plants, a node for preparing a nutrient solution, and a node for feeding the nutrient solution to the root system of plants. The node for placing the root system of plants can be perforated cup-shaped holes of any shape and size, selected in accordance with the size of the plant roots. The nutrient solution preparation unit can consist of one or several interconnected containers, which at the junction can contain a system of valves, gate valves, dampers or pumps. Also, the nutrient solution preparation unit may contain elements for monitoring the state of the nutrient solution, which may be sensors of salts, minerals, acidity, temperature, density, level, etc. The nutrient solution supply unit may contain elements of the aeroponic and / or hydroponic nutrient solution supply, equipped with feed pump feed solution.

 The means of introducing microorganisms provides the possibility of maintaining and further growth and development of microorganisms necessary at each stage of growth and development of the plant and their supply to the plants. The means of introducing microorganisms can be integrated into the plant growing module. The means of introducing microorganisms may contain a dosing unit, providing the possibility of introducing a specific volume and / or type of microorganisms. In this case, the dosing unit may be a valve, gate valve, valve or pump.

The means of introducing microorganisms may comprise a microorganism dilution unit and a microorganism supply unit for a plant. The microbial breeding unit can consist of one or several open or closed containers of any shape and size, within which favorable conditions are created for the active life of the microorganisms. The host of microorganisms to the plant can be a pipeline of any shape and size in cross section, providing connection of the breeding unit of microorganisms with the cavity containing the nutrient solution, root system or other plant parts, for example, with the cavity of the plant growing chamber or with the root placement unit plant systems module growing plants. As microorganisms, mycorrhiza, trichoderma, etc. can be chosen.

 A tool for tracking the stage of plant growth provides the ability to control the dynamics of plant growth and development in the plant growing chamber by assessing their physical condition. The plant growth tracking tool may contain elements of optical and sound control. The elements of optical control can be a video camera, photo sensor, ultraviolet or infrared sensors, etc. The elements of sound control can be ultrasonic distance sensors of various ranges. The plant growth tracking tool can be installed anywhere in the plant growing chamber, provided that the plants are within its range.

The lighting module provides the possibility of creating inside the growing room the necessary light conditions for the growth and development of plants. The lighting module can be a panel equipped with LED lamps of various spectra, such as ultraviolet, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, infrared, and white LEDs, providing the ability to differentiate the spectrum and light intensity to make changes in the morphological structure of plants. The lighting module can be of any shape and size and can be installed anywhere on the device, provided that the amount of light on the plants is sufficient for the photosynthesis process. The lighting module can be movably fixed by any known means, for example, by means of hinges, actuators or groove systems.

The controller provides the ability to process information from the electronic components of the device, and the interaction of electronic components with each other to ensure the growth and development of plants in the growing room. The controller can be represented by a set of integrated circuits, chips and microprocessors.

The body can be of any shape and size, providing the possibility of placing inside the growing chamber and the remaining structural elements of the device. The housing may contain upper and lower technological compartments located around the plant growing chamber. In this case, the ventilation module can be located in the upper process compartment, and the plant growth module in the lower one. The housing from the outside may contain openings that allow air to be drawn in and out by the ventilation module, as well as allowing the air that is heated by the lighting module to escape. The body may contain a door, equipped with glass with auto-darkening function, which provides the ability to protect the plant from direct sunlight.

The housing may contain input devices that provide the ability to change and select programs for growing plants. At the same time, input devices can be represented by keys, rheostats, potentiometers or a touch panel.

The device can be equipped with batteries that provide the possibility of its autonomous operation. Batteries can be a battery and / or solar cells.

Structural elements of the device can be made of any structural materials, such as metal, plastic or composite materials.

 The invention has previously unknown set of essential features, characterized in that the device contains:

 - a means of differentiating air flow, providing the ability to change the speed and direction of air flow and exposure to plants with different intensity, thereby strengthening the stem increases the efficiency of nutrients to the leaves, flowers and fruits of plants.

 - a means of humidifying airflows, providing the possibility of changing humidity and air temperature inside the device, thereby creating favorable climatic conditions for the active growth and development of plants.

 - a means of introducing microorganisms, providing the opportunity for the development and transfer of beneficial microorganisms to the root zone of plants, thereby providing the possibility of increasing the efficiency of plant consumption of nutrients and water, as well as reducing the risk of pathogens at the initial stage of plant development.

 The set of essential features provides the ability to select the most effective modes of operation of the device depending on the physical condition of the plants at each stage of plant development, thereby ensuring the achievement of the technical result, which is to ensure balanced growth and development of plants, thereby increasing the efficiency of their cultivation.

The presence of new distinctive essential features testifies to the compliance of the invention with the criteria of patentability "novelty".

 The set of essential features of the device leads to the achievement of unobvious technical effect, which consists in ensuring balanced growth and development of the plant. This is due to the means of introducing microorganisms, which constantly supply the plants (root system, stem, leaves) with useful microorganisms in the required volume and, if the device registers a lag or vice versa - advancing the growth and / or development of the plant, the device regulates the type and volume of microorganisms supplied to the plant, respectively, accelerating or slowing the growth and / or development of the plant. This is also due to the means of differentiating the air flow, which strengthens the plant stem and stimulates the plant to absorb nutrients due to exposure to wind streams of different speeds and directions, which can be focused on less developed or vice versa - on more developed parts. plants. At the same time, due to the dynamic change in the temperature and humidity of wind streams, it is possible to create different climatic zones for different plants that are lagging or advancing growth and development, restoring the balance between these indicators for simultaneous fruiting. Thus, an unexpected technical effect is achieved, which consists in ensuring balanced plant growth, which indicates that the invention conforms to the patentability criterion of "inventive step".

The invention can be made from known materials using known means, which indicates the compliance of the invention with the patentability criterion of "industrial applicability".

 The invention is illustrated by the following drawings.

 Figure 1 - Device for the cultivation of plants, axonometric view.

Figure 2 - Device for the cultivation of plants, the door is removed for clarity, axonometric view

Figure 3 - The internal space of the device for the cultivation of plants, front view.

Figure 4 - Ventilation module with an integrated differentiation tool and a means of humidifying air flows, axonometric view.

Figure 5 - Module cultivation of plants with an integrated means of introducing microorganisms, axonometric view.

The device for cultivating plants includes a housing 1, made in the form of a cabinet with a door 2, which contains a touch control panel 3, inside which the controller is located, and tinted glass 4. At the same time, housing 1 has an air inlet 5, an outlet 6 of purified purified air and an outlet 7 warm air and is divided into three compartments: the upper technological compartment 8, the lower technological compartment 9 and the chamber 10 for growing plants.

Inside the plant growing chamber 10 there is an ultrasonic sensor 11, an HD camera 12, climate control sensors 13, side and ceiling lighting modules 14, inlet 15 and air outlet 16 in the side walls, as well as openings for planting in the bottom.

The upper technological compartment 8 contains the ventilation module 17, and the lower technological compartment 9 contains the module 18 for growing plants.

The ventilation module 17 contains an integrated means 19 for humidifying air flows, operating on the principle of evaporative cooling and containing inside a liquid pan, a pump, nozzles and a heat exchanger (not shown in the drawing), a carbon dioxide mixing means 20, a circulation circuit fan 21, an air exchange circuit fan 22 , an ionization element 23, a temperature lowering valve 24, a temperature raising valve 25 and a carbon filter 26. In addition, the ventilation module 17 contains a differentiation means integrated into it It is operated by air fans (not shown in the drawing), which is operated by fans 21 and 22, and uses air inlet 15 and air outlet 16 as deflectors.

Plant growing module 18 contains root support bowls 27 and 28, equipped with an aeroponic and hydroponic nutrient solution supply system, a valve system 29, nutrient solution condition monitoring elements 30 including sensors for salts, nitrates, acidity and temperature of the nutrient solution, nutrient solution tank 31 and tanks 32 with liquids. The means of introducing microorganisms consists of tanks 33 and 34, inside of which the bacteria mycorrhiza and trichoderma are located, while the tanks 33 and 34 are provided with flaps (not shown in the drawings).

The invention works as follows.

The door 2 of the plant cultivation device is opened, the nutrient solution is poured into the tank 31 and the containers 32 are installed. The microorganism colonies are placed in the tank 33. The plants (not shown in the drawings) are placed inside the plant growth chamber 10 and the roots are placed in the bowls 27 and 28. Door 2 is closed and, via the touch panel 3, controls are entered into the controller on the type of planted plants. The controller selects the necessary program for the care of plants at all stages of their growth.

The plant growing module 18 receives a command from the controller to prepare a nutrient solution by mixing into the tank 31 fluids from the tanks 32 via the valve system 29. The nutrient solution condition monitoring elements 30 register changes in the content of minerals, salts, as well as the acidity and temperature of the nutrient solution and transmit them to the controller, which, when the required values are reached, stops the mixing of liquids in the tank 31. The medium of the aeroponic and hydroponic nutrient solution sprays the nutrient solution on plant roots. At the same time, the controller registers the physical state of the plants by means of the HD camera 12 and makes corrections to the composition and the intensity of the spraying of the nutrient solution on the plant roots relative to the physical state of the plants. At the same time, mycorrhiza from the tank 33 enters the tank 31 and, together with the nutrient solution, moves to the plant roots, increasing the amount of nutrients absorbed by the plants. The controller registers a sufficient level of mycorrhiza in the tank due to nutrient solution control elements 30 and overlaps capacity 33. To reduce the risk of pathogens in plants, the controller opens capacity 34 and trichoderma enters tank 31 and moves with the nutrient solution to plant roots, protecting the plants. When registering a sufficient volume of trichoderma, the controller covers the capacity of 34.

The ventilation module 17 receives a command from the controller to activate the circulation circuit fan 21 and air begins to flow into the housing 1 through the inlet 5 and into the growing chamber 10 through the inlet 15, and due to the valves 24 and 25, the temperature inside the chamber rises and falls. When this controller registers the change in temperature and humidity inside the chamber 10 by means of sensors 13 climate control. In the case of a decrease in humidity, the controller gives the command to activate the pump of the air flow humidifier 19, which by means of nozzles sprays liquid onto the surface of the heat exchanger, from which surface it enters the circulation loop, lowering the temperature and increasing the humidity inside the growth chamber 10 to create favorable conditions for growth and development cultivated plant species. In case of exceeding the temperature and / or humidity values, the controller gives the command to activate the air exchange circuit fan 22, resulting in air passing through the air outlet 16 from the growth chamber 10 through the ionization element 23, the carbon filter 26 and, free from pollen and unpleasant odors, gets out through the outlet 7 in the housing 1. As a result of ventilation of the growing chamber 10, the controller by means of sensors 13 of the climate control registers a drop in the level of carbon dioxide necessary for the effective passage of the photosynthesis in the cells of the plant, and gives the command to activate the carbon dioxide mixing facility 20 inside the chamber 10 and the required level of carbon dioxide is restored.

The controller registers the height of the plants by means of an ultrasonic sensor, as a result of which it receives data on the sufficient development of the stem of the plants. The controller gives the command to the fans 21 and 22, and they begin to rotate intermittently at different frequencies, imitating the wind flow, as a result of which the plants begin to sway and their stem is strengthened, and the efficiency of nutrient absorption by the plants increases.

The controller receives data from the ultrasonic sensor 11 of the HD camera 12 and the climate control sensor 13, which includes a light sensor, about the current physical condition of the plants and commands the side and ceiling lighting modules 14 to activate the LEDs of the light spectrum required at this stage of plant growth, forming the necessary the luminous flux and composition of light to accelerate the growth of vegetative mass by the plant, as well as increasing the height and thickness of the stem. At the same time to eliminate the possibility of heating the air inside the chamber 10 of growing plants and changing climatic conditions, warm air from the ceiling lighting modules 14 is discharged through the outlet 7 of warm air. The controller registers the insufficient illumination of the plant 35 and changes the position of the lighting module, after which the required level of illumination of the plant 35 is restored.

The controller registers changes in the physical state of the plants by means of the ultrasonic sensor 11 and the HD camera 12, and constantly makes adjustments to the operation of the side and ceiling lighting modules 14, the ventilation module 17 and the plant growing module 18. In this case, the controller registers the lag or advance of the growth and / or development of individual plant parts and compares the growth and development dynamics of the plants themselves. In case of deviation of these parameters from the given controller, depending on the readings of the ultrasonic sensor 11, HD camera 12, climate control sensors 13, as well as nutrient solution condition monitoring elements 30, makes corrections to the operation of the humidification means 19, means of differentiating air flows and means of introducing microorganisms. When forming and ripening fruits in plants, the controller sends a signal to the touch panel 3 about the need to harvest.

Thus, a technical result is achieved, which consists in ensuring balanced growth and development of plants, thereby increasing the efficiency of their cultivation.

Claims (10)

1. A device for cultivating plants, comprising a camera for growing plants, a controller-controlled lighting module, a ventilation module, a module for growing plants, and a means for monitoring the growth stage of plants, characterized in that it further comprises means for humidifying air flows controlled by a controller, a means for differentiating air flows and an injection means microorganisms. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of moistening contains the feed unit and the spray unit of the liquid. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for humidifying air flows is provided with a heat exchange unit for organizing evaporative cooling. 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the means of moistening is integrated into the ventilation module. 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of differentiating the flow of air contains the injection and guide nodes. 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide unit is connected to the plant growing chamber and provided at the end with a deflector with a controlled valve. 7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for introducing microorganisms is integrated into the module for growing plants. 8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of introducing microorganisms contains a dosing unit that provides the possibility of introducing a specific volume and / or type of microorganisms. 9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of introducing microorganisms contains a node for the cultivation of microorganisms and a node leading the microorganisms. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the site of cultivation of microorganisms is one and / or several containers.

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