FR2928814A1 - Potted plant watering device, has humidity sensor allowing activation or deactivation of solenoid valve based on humidity of soil detected through probe, and allowing arrival of water in reservoir when soil is not humid - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a solenoid valve (8) for releasing or blocking the arrival of water from a storage tank (7) through a pipe (9) and a tube (5) in a water reservoir (2) of a pot (1). An electric float switch (4) cuts power supply when a water level (3) in the reservoir reaches a maximum level. A humidity sensor (10) allows activation or deactivation of the solenoid valve based on humidity of soil (11) detected through a probe (6), and allows the arrival of the water in the reservoir when the soil is not humid.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for watering potted plants with water reserve, by self-watering regulated by the plant itself. The watering of plants is generally known, with a watering can, a pressurized water spraying system 5, by an automatic system programmed at a fixed time and a flow limited in time. All these processes do not take into account the need for water for each plant, which is very variable from one plant to another. The device according to the invention overcomes these disadvantages.

It comprises in fact according to a first characteristic, a water storage tank connected to a solenoid valve which supplies the water reserve of the pot of the plant. According to a second characteristic, a sheath is placed vertically in the pot of the plant, in which a tube which comprises at its base a float switch connected to a low voltage electrical circuit which triggers the opening of the solenoid valve allowing the flow, stored water, in the pot reserve of the plant, up to the maximum level. According to a third characteristic, a probe planted in the earth of the pot comprises two metal parts connected to the circuit of the humidity detector by two wires, which serve as a second switch determining the action of the solenoid valve. According to a third characteristic, the opening of the solenoid valve can be activated only if the circuit of the float switch is closed due to lack of water in the pot water supply, and the circuit of the probe is opened by 25 lack of water in the earth of the pot of the plant. This device regulates the quantity of water necessary for the plant in an ideal way: enough to push, and without surplus which would make it rot. The electronic circuitry of the humidity detector, and the electrical circuit of the low-voltage switch, are powered by battery, battery, transformer, etc. The automatic system that triggers the opening of the solenoid valve consists of a known moisture detector, and connected to a float switch which supplies or cuts the electric current when the water level is minimum or maximum in the reserve of water from the pot.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention: Figure 1 shows schematically the various elements constituting the watering method. FIG. 2 represents, for example, the meeting in a housing, elements described in this invention, for greater ease of use.

With reference to these drawings, the device comprises a water supply of the reserve (2) of the Trot (1) via the pipe (9) coming from the water storage tank (7) when the solenoid valve (8) is activated by the float switch (4) located in the lower part of the tube (5). The electric power cut is by the float switch (4) when the maximum water level 45 (3) is reached . The probe (6) blocks the water supply into the water supply (2) as long as the soil (I1) of the pot (1) is wet. The humidity detector (10) triggers a new filling of the reserve (2) when the two electrodes of the probe (6) are no longer in contact with moisture in the earth (II), and the level of water in the water supply (2) of the pot (1) is low 50, both conditions are necessary to open the solenoid valve (.8)

Claims (7)

1. Device for watering potted plants with water reserve by self-watering regulated by the plant itself, comprises: A solenoid valve (8) which opens or closes the water inlet of the storage tank (7) ) through the pipe (9) and the tube (5) into the water supply (2) of the pot (1) An electric float switch (4) which cuts off the supply when the water level ( 3) is at most in the reserve (2). A humidity sensor (10) via the probe (6) allows water to enter the tank (2) when there is no more moisture in the earth (11). 2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it is the water consumption of the plant that determines the frequency of watering so that the plant does not have too much water but enough to grow. 3. Device according to claim 2 characterized in that this watering system is fully automatic. 4. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the solenoid valve (8) closes or opens the water supply (2). 5. Device according to claim 4 characterized in that the moisture sensor (10) via the probe (6) allows to activate or deactivate the solenoid valve (8) depending on the humidity of the earth (He) . 6. Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the switch (4) opens or closes the water supply in the reserve (2) according to the level (3) up or down the water in the reserve (2) . 7. Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the sheath (12) final placement in the pot (1) allows instant mounting and disassembly of the watering device without damaging the earth (11) and the plant, the sheath (12) remaining in place in the pot (1).