ES2580853B1 - IMPROVED IRRIGATION MODULE AND MODULAR IRRIGATION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

Improved modular container and modular irrigation system. # The improvements consist, on the one hand, of including in the modular container an element to improve hydration and for washing the substrate from its top, also avoiding potential obstructions due to the presence of fine roots On the other hand, and in relation to the modular system, improvements in the constructive nature of the system are provided by incorporating a new separating module that allows to increase the construction and design capacity of the system, this new separating module also acting as a dispenser and regulator of the system. irrigation flow Finally, the object of the invention is improved by incorporating means for the passage of electrical wiring or other reinforcement and structural elements, as well as means for providing mobility to the modules or modular systems described.

Description

IMPROVED IRRIGATION MODULE AND MODULAR IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Improvements introduced in the invention patent 201430905 for "Modular container and modular irrigation system".

The present invention relates to improvements introduced in the object of the main patent No. 201430905, by "Modular container and modular irrigation system", where the modular container or irrigation module and the modular irrigation system, obtained by means of the provision of at least two of these modules, it allows to define a continuous irrigation system and with recirculation of excess irrigation water, minimize evaporation losses, thanks to a vertically stackable module design, as well as define a sustainable construction system by means of provision of multiple irrigation systems forming various architectural elements, such as green walls, green columns, vertical gardens and the like.

The improvements of the invention consist, on the one hand, of including in the modular container an element to improve hydration and for washing the substrate from its upper part, thanks to a spray with water that allows to drag a possible saturation of nutrients and salts concentrated in these upper strata, also avoiding potential obstructions due to the presence of fine roots. On the other hand, and in relation to the modular system, improvements in the constructive nature of the system are provided by incorporating a new separating module that allows to increase the construction and design capacity of the system, this new separating module also acting as a dispenser and regulator of the system. irrigation flow Finally, the object of the previous invention is improved by incorporating means for the passage of electrical wiring, for example in order to include lighting

or electronic controls of the water level, in the improved modules, as well as means to provide mobility to the modules or modular systems described.

The following figures describe the improvements introduced herein

invention. The figures include, where appropriate, those elements that

constitute the improvements of the invention, eliminated if possible, and for reasons

of clarity, the elements already referenced in patent 201430905:

Fig. 1: External sectional view of the irrigation module essentially showing the improvements of the invention.

Fig. 2: Inside view of the irrigation module of fig. one.

Fig. 3: View of a collection tank. Figure 3a, sectional view; Figure 3b) External view.

Fig. 4: View of a separator module.

Fig. 5: View of a drain grill in section and inside a module

of irrigation.

Fig. 6: View of a cross section of a modular irrigation system according to the main patent 201430905, where

They show their main internal elements.

In the main invention patent 201430905 (see figure 6 of this document) a modular container or irrigation module (1) of vertically stackable type is described which includes a first container (2) intended to accommodate a

substrate for plants and presenting one or more on its vertical perimeter wall

lateral openings (3) for the growth thereof, where inside said first container (2) a second container (8) is centrally arranged whose side walls are permeable to the passage of water and which has a tube inside ( 9) blind at the top and open at the bottom, in

whose upper and lower end zones are made through holes that allow fluid communication with the second container (8), being

The function of the tube (9) define the level of water reserve and the maximum level of overflow that is desired for the second container (8).

In the upper part of the first container (2) a first tray (4) is supported as a water tank tightly connected by its lower part to the base of the first container (2), closing this first tray (4) of water storage with an upper cover (6) to avoid losses due to evaporation or by turning the module (1). This first tray (4) includes a regulator / metering element (7) located in its lower base that allows the passage of stored water to the first container (2) through it avoiding direct contact between the substrate contained in the first container (2 ) and the water of the tray (4) except for several holes or slits arranged in said regulator / metering element (7) that allow the passage of water as a

dosing wick

The lower base of the container (2) is perforated in its central area to allow the passage of water to a second lower module (1) adjacent to the one that is tightly joined in case of stacking more than one module (1) or to allow the exit of a possible excess of water in the first container (2) to second a recovery tray (5) of water, also coupled to the lower base of the container (2) in a hermetic way, the second recovery tray being

(5) interchangeable by the water storage tray (4) in order to

reuse excess water for a new irrigation manually. This

Second recovery tray (5) includes a pumping system and corresponding means that allow the water to be taken to the highest point, the tray

(4) located at the top.

Similarly, in the main invention patent 201430905 a

Modular irrigation system that includes at least two modules such as those indicated above stacked vertically.

First and in order to improve the hydration and washing of the substrate

from its upper part, by means of a spray with water that allows to drag a possible saturation of nutrients and salts concentrated in these upper strata, also avoiding potential obstructions due to the

presence of fine roots, the improvements object of the present application for additional patent consist (see figure 1) in incorporating in the lower part of the container

(2) of the module (1) through holes distributed by its base and projecting vertically into the container (2) as vertical tubes (200), the side walls of these vertical tubes (200) being impervious to passage direct water. Thus, these vertical tubes (200) determine the maximum level of water filling in a new reserve tank (400). The height of the water in the vertical tubes (200) defines the maximum level of filling, so

that in water accumulated inside it is available for plants in this

reserve tank (400). The number of vertical tubes (200), their arrangement, as well as their diameter is adapted to the irrigation flow to be provided to the module (1) to

its correct operation (see figures 1 and 2).

Likewise, at the base of the container (2) of the module (1) at least one drain hole (201) is provided which, like the through holes described above, is projected into the container (2) vertically. The height of this at least one drain hole (201) is greater than the height of the vertical pipes (200) so that, before the water passes through said drain hole (201), it flows out of the vertical pipes ( 200),

guaranteeing its correct functioning. Thus, when the water flow exceeds

the capacity of the vertical pipes (200), the water level continues to rise until it passes through the at least one drain hole (201) to the next module (1) and, once the irrigation is finished, the water level will go down to the height of the vertical tubes (200), defining a level of reserve water in the reserve tank (400).

In order to provide the modules (1) with lighting and drive

the excess water to the top of the modular system, as shown by the

Figure 2 provides the conduction through the interior of the modules (1) through conduits (102), open at its two ends, preferably of tubular or semi-tubular section, capable of housing elements such as cables, water transport pipes, etc. ., which allow such elements not to be appreciated from outside the module (1) And that isolate them from the area where the substrate is arranged. Such ducts (102) are arranged inside the perimeter walls of the module (1). The lower end of the ducts

(102) is integral to the base of the module (1) and does not allow the passage of fluid from inside the module, nor the spillage to the next lower module in the case of the modular system, and its vertical length is adapted so that neither the substrate

not even the water can pass it. The number of ducts (102) depends on the needs of use, and their arrangement is such that they must coincide aligned a

minimum of two ducts.

For its part and as shown in Figures 3A-3B, the collection tank (500), which replaces the water recovery tray (5), is constituted

essentially for a deposit similarly and compatible with that of the module

(one). This collection tank (500) is open at the top and closed, at least partially. on its lower part, said lower part being widened in order to increase the stability of the module (1) or the system obtained from the stacking of several modules (1). Inside this collection tank (500), automatic means for the

water recirculation for the irrigation modular system formed by the

minus two modules (1). As indicated and as shown in Figure 2, the incorporation of the ducts (102) in the module (1) facilitates the

provision of the necessary means for automatic water recirculation,

through pipes housed in said conduits (102), to the irrigation head of the

modular system, in particular to a metering-separator element that

will describe later.

In the perimeter wall of the upper part of this collection tank (500) there is a channel (501) suitable for the supply of water and nutrients to the tank (500). This channel (501) includes a cover (502) which. in your case It includes

a through hole for the passage of the automatic recirculation cable

of water. and that prevents the passage of light into the collection tank (500),

avoiding the growth of algae and unwanted organisms as well as a

possible evaporation of the liquid (figures 3A-3B).

Optionally, the lower base of the collection tank (500) includes means

to facilitate its mobility and transport, such as legs with wheels. Too

optionally The collection tank (500) can accommodate a means of measuring the level of liquid accumulated inside. where appropriate together with a means of

warning of maximum level in the tank or any other means that facilitates the measurement of any useful parameter for the improvement of its operation.

In relation to the modular system and as shown in Figure 4, it

they provide improvements in the constructive nature of the system by incorporating an additional separator module (110) that allows to increase the

constructive and design capacity of the system, acting this module

additional separator (110) also as a dispenser and regulator of the irrigation flow. This separator module (110) would replace the storage tray (4) and / or constitutes a separation between two modules (1).

For this, the separator module (110) is designed based on an open container

by its upper end and whose diameter adapts to the dimensions of the part

top of the container (2) of the module (1). The perimeter walls of the separator module (110) will be of sufficient height to accommodate the amount of water needed. This separator module (110) includes in its perimeter walls side holes (115) located in its upper part and whose height is less than the

height of the perimeter walls, to allow access to the interior of said

separator module, for example for arranging plants in holes (111). In addition, the separator module (110) in its lower base centrally has a conduit

(112) of main drain of the container (2), for example of tubular form or of any selected form, which projects vertically into the module (110) and which is closed at its end in contact with the base of said module (110), except for lateral holes made adjacent to said end (not shown). In this lower base and perimeter around said main drain duct (112), secondary drain holes or slots (113, 114) are arranged, suitably sized to regulate the

water outflow through it (typically, such holes will be used

(113, 114) as auxiliary drainage means, preferably located at

different levels to regulate excess flow and reuse for

substrate wash). Thus, for example, if this separator module (110) is interposed between two modules (1) of a modular system, the central duct (112) collects the water from the drain of the container (2) of the module (1) and would arrive at the base of this separator module, filling the secondary drain holes (114). Said holes (114) will thus serve to wash the substrate. For its part, the excess flow is deposited at the base of the

own separator module (110), subsequently passing the water through holes of

secondary drain (114), correspondingly located at the base of said separator module (110), for the passage of water to the module (1) located

immediately lower.

As in the case of the ducts (102) of the module (1), corresponding ducts (110) are also provided in the separator module (116) that can accommodate elements such as cables, water transport pipes, anchoring elements or reinforcement, etc., arranged inside the perimeter walls of the module (110).

In patent 201430905 (see figure 6 of this document) it is described that the lower base of the container (2) located in the module (1) is perforated in its central area to allow the passage of water to a second lower module (1)

next to the one that is tightly joined in case of stacking more than one

module (1) or to allow the exit of a possible excess of water in the first container (2) to second a recovery tray (5) of water. Likewise,

inside said first container (2) a second is centrally arranged

container (8) whose side walls are permeable to the passage of water and which has inside a tube (9) blind at the top and open by its

lower part, in whose upper and lower terminal areas two are practiced

through holes that allow fluid communication with the second container (8). Advantageously, and as a further improvement of the patent

201430905, the system of the present invention comprises the incorporation into

the lower base of said container (8) of a reserve tank (400), this is a

space that maintains the irrigation water once the irrigation is finished and that is

separated from the substrate by means of a separating element (81), as a drainage grill, which prevents direct contact of the irrigation water with the substrate except for absorbent elements or wicks (82) that allow the collection of water contained in the tank reserve (400) by capillarity (see figure 5).

Claims (12)

1. Improved irrigation module (1) of vertical stackable type. which includes a first container (2) intended to house a plant substrate and which has one or more lateral openings (3) on the vertical perimeter wall for growth thereof, characterized in that it comprises, in the lower part of the container (2) of said module (1), through holes distributed by its base and projecting vertically into the interior of the container (2) as vertical tubes (200), the Side walls of these vertical tubes (200) impervious to direct water passage, these vertical tubes (200) determining the maximum level of water filling in a reserve tank (400). 2. Irrigation module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at the base of the container (2) of the module (1) there is provided at least one drain hole (201) projecting into the container (2) vertically, the height of this being at least one drain hole (201) greater than the height of the vertical pipes (200) so that, before the water passes through said drain hole (201), it exits through the vertical tubes (200), guaranteeing that when the water flow exceeds the capacity of the vertical pipes (200), the water level continues to rise until it passes through the at least one drain hole (201) to the next module (1) and, once the irrigation is finished, the water level will go down to the height of the vertical tubes (200), defining a level of reserve water in the reserve tank (400). 3. Irrigation module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that conduits are provided through the interior of the modules (1) through ducts (102) arranged in the container (2), open in its two  ends, preferably of tubular or semi-tubular section, such conduits (102) being arranged inside the perimeter walls of the module (1) so that those of the upper modules with those of the lower modules. 4. Irrigation module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a collection tank (500) consisting essentially of a tank similarly and compatible with that of the module (1) opened by its upper part and closed, at least partially, by its lower part, said lower part being widened in order to increase the stability of the module (1) or of the system obtained from the stacking of several modules (1) And because there are means inside automatic for water recirculation for the modular system of irrigation formed by at least two modules (1) And in its upper perimeter wall there is a channel (501) suitable for the supply of water and nutrients to the tank (500), this channel (501) including a cover (502) that, where applicable, includes a through hole for the passage of the cable from the automatic measurement of water recirculation, and that prevents the passage of light inside the collection tank (500). 5. Irrigation module (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the lower base of the collection tank (500) includes means to facilitate its mobility and transport, such as legs with wheels. 6. Irrigation module (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the collection tank (500) can accommodate a means of measuring the level of liquid accumulated therein, where appropriate together with a maximum level warning means in the tank and / or any other means that facilitates the culture. 7. Irrigation module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the constructive nature of the system is improved by incorporating a module separator (110) that allows to increase the construction and design capacity of the system, this additional separator module (110) also acting as a doser and regulator of the irrigation flow, replacing this separator module (110) where appropriate the storage tray (4 ) and / or constituting a separation between two modules (one). 8. Irrigation module (1) according to claim 7. characterized in that the separator module (110) is designed based on a container open at its upper end and whose size adapts to the dimensions of the upper part of the container (2) of the module (1), where the perimeter walls of the separator module (110) are of sufficient height to accommodate the amount of water needed and include side holes (115) located in its upper part and whose height is less than the height of the perimeter walls, to allow access to its interior. 9. Irrigation module (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that at its lower base, the separator module (110) includes a central duct (112) that projects vertically into the module (110), closed at its end in contact with said base except for holes lateral sides practiced adjacent to said end, the conduit (112) being surrounded perimetrically by holes or grooves (113, 114) located at the base of the separator module (110), suitably sized to regulate the flow rate of water through it. 10. Irrigation module (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the ducting module (110) is provided on the side walls (116) capable of accommodating elements such as cables, pipes for water transport or elements of anchoring or internal reinforcement structure, arranged inside the perimeter walls of the module (110). 11. Irrigation module (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a reserve tank (400) by means of a separating element (81), as a drain grate, which prevents direct contact of the irrigation water with the substrate except for absorbent elements or wicks (82) that allow the collection of water contained in the reserve tank (400) by capillarity. 12. Improved modular irrigation system, characterized in that comprises an arrangement of two or more modules (1) according to any  of the preceding claims, stacked vertically.