Abstract
A device and method for irrigating and providing nutrients to plants and fungi, having a supply unit, which has an inlet that can be connected at least indirectly to a water and/or nutrient solution supply and which has an outlet through which water and/or nutrient solution can be dispensed in at least two locations that are positioned at different heights with respect to a vertical. The solution features the fact that the supply unit has a drive train (8), which can be connected to a drive unit, and at the outlet, has at least one nozzle, which is coupled to the drive train and is for dispensing the water and/or nutrient solution, wherein based on an activation of the drive train, the nozzle is movable to at least two locations positioned at different heights.
Claims
1. A device (1) for irrigating and providing nutrients to plants and fungi, having a supply unit (2), which has an inlet (3) that can be connected at least indirectly to a water and/or nutrient solution supply (5) and which has an outlet (4) through which water and/or nutrient solution can be dispensed in at least two locations (A, B) that are positioned at different heights with respect to a vertical (C), characterized in that the supply unit (2) has a drive train (8), which can be connected to a drive unit (7), and at the outlet (4), has at least one nozzle (6), which is coupled to the drive train (8) and is for dispensing the water and/or nutrient solution, wherein based on an activation of the drive train (8), the nozzle (6) is movable to at least two locations (A, B) positioned at different heights.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive train (8) has at least one at least approximately vertically oriented guide rail (9) to which the nozzle (6) is at least indirectly connected and in relation to which the nozzle (6) executes a relative movement upon activation of the drive train (8).
3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the nozzle (6) is at least indirectly connected to the at least one guide rail (9) by means of a nozzle holder (10).
4. The device according claim 2, characterized in that a swivel and/or folding mechanism (11) is provided between the nozzle holder (10) and the at least one guide rail (9).
5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive train (8) has at least one support arm with at least one articulation to which the nozzle (6) is at least indirectly fastened and by means of which the nozzle (6) is movable to the at least two locations (A, B) that are positioned at different heights.
6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply unit (2) has at least one delivery element (12) by means of which a pressure and/or flow rate of a water and/or nutrient solution flow that is delivered to the nozzle (6) is selectively variable at least in certain areas.
7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive train (8) is coupled to a drive (7) with at least one electric, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic drive unit (20) for activation.
8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive train (8) is coupled to a drive (7) with at least one hydraulic drive unit (20) for activation, to which water and/or nutrient solution provided for the provision of nutrients is supplied as a drive fluid.
9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one sensor unit (14) is provided, which is able to detect a position, speed, and/or acceleration of the nozzle (6).
10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that by means of a nozzle holder (10), a nozzle (6) is fastened in the immediate vicinity of a vertically oriented guide rail (9) and is able to move in the vertical direction in the immediate vicinity of the vertically oriented guide rail and by means of the nozzle, the water and/or nutrient solution can be dispensed in the direction of the plants or fungi.
11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle (6) is embodied as an air atomizing nozzle.
12. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of nozzles (6) is embodied in the form of openings in a pipe that is movable in the vertical direction along a guide rail (9).
13. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (19), the water and nutrient solution supply (5), and the at least one nozzle (6) are equipped in such a way that the water and/or nutrient solution can be dispensed in the form of mist, wherein it is possible to selectively vary a size of the droplets of the mist and/or a geometry of a dispensed spray jet
14. A method for irrigating and/or providing nutrients to plants and fungi, in which water and/or a nutrient solution is supplied to a supply unit (2) and the water and/or nutrient solution is dispensed from an outlet (5) of the supply unit (2) to a vicinity in which the plants and/or fungi are positioned, in at least two locations (A, B), which are at different heights with respect to a vertical characterized in that at least one nozzle (6) is moved by a drive train (8), which can be activated by a drive (7), to at least two of the locations (A, B) positioned at different heights in order to dispense the water and/or nutrient solution.
15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the nozzle (6) is moved in the vertical and horizontal direction.
16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the nozzle (6) is moved with a constant speed at least during a movement between two reversal points.
17. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that a direction, pressure, flow rate, and/or jet shape with which the water and/or nutrient solution is dispensed into the vicinity in which the plants and/or fungi are positioned is/are varied.
18. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the water and/or nutrient solution is dispensed in the form of a mist in the direction of the plants or fungi.
19. A system (15) for automated plant and fungi cultivation, having a device (1) according to claim 1.
20. The system for automated plant and fungi cultivation according to claim 19, having at least one conveyor section (16) on which the plants and/or fungi to be grown are moved upward or downward in an at least approximately vertical direction, wherein the plants and/or fungi are anchored relative to a conveyor belt (17) moving along the conveyor section (16) in such a way that the root system of the plants and mycelia of the fungi project on one side of the conveyor belt (17) and the root system is at least intermittently provided with water and/or nutrient solution.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0037] The invention will explained in greater detail below without limitation to the general concept of the invention, based on specific exemplary embodiments and with reference to figures. In the various figures, components that are the same are each provided with the same reference symbols. In the drawings:
[0038] FIG. 1: shows a schematic depiction of the device according to the invention for providing plants and/or fungi with water and/or nutrient solution with a movable nozzle holder to which five nozzles are fastened,
[0039] FIG. 2: shows a schematic depiction of the device according to the invention for providing plants and/or fungi with water and/or nutrient solution with a conveyor belt and cultivated crops,
[0040] FIG. 3: shows a schematic depiction of the device according to the invention for providing plants and/or fungi with water and/or nutrient solution with a movable nozzle holder, which is pivoted into a maintenance position,
[0041] FIG. 4: shows a schematic depiction of the device according to the invention for providing plants and/or fungi with water and/or nutrient solution with a nozzle, which can be moved along a vertical guide rail, and
[0042] FIG. 5: shows a schematic depiction of the device according to the invention for providing plants and/or fungi with water and/or nutrient solution with a pipe, which can be moved vertically along the irrigation area and is provided with a plurality of nozzles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] FIG. 1 shows a schematic depiction of the basic structure of a device 1 embodied according to the invention, which is suitable for providing nutrients to crops such as plants and fungi. The device 1 has a supply unit 2 with a plurality of nozzles 6 for dispensing water and/or nutrient solution; according to the exemplary embodiment shown here, there are five nozzles 6, which are coupled to a drive 7 via a drive train 8. The five nozzles 6 shown in FIG. 1 are fastened to a nozzle holder 10 in the form of a strut and both ends of the strut are accommodated in guide rails 9 in such a way that the nozzle holder 10 together with the nozzles 6 fastened to it can be moved upward and downward in the vertical direction along the two guide rails 10. As part of the drive train 8, a drive element is provided in at least one of the guide rails 9, in this case in the guide rail 9 on the left in FIG. 1, which enables selective movement of the nozzle holder 10 relative to the guide rail 9. The drive element can be a pinion that cooperates with a toothed rack fastened to the guide rail. It is also conceivable for the drive train 8 to have a tension element, such as a cable, wire, or chain, or a pressure element, such as a piston, which is used to initiate a selective movement of the nozzle holder 10 with the nozzle 6 relative to the guide rails 9.
[0044] According to the embodiment described here, the drive 7 coupled to the drive train 8 and thus to the drive element provided in the guide rail 9 and/or on the nozzle holder 10 has an electric motor that is supplied with electrical energy and sets the drive element at least intermittently in motion in the desired manner.
[0045] Alternatively, it is conceivable to cause a nozzle holder 10 to move by providing a hydraulic or pneumatic drive 7 (e.g. by means of the hydrodynamic pressure of the nutrient solution).
[0046] The nozzles 6 shown in FIG. 1, which are fastened to the nozzle holder 10, are connected to a tubular supply line 13, via which the water or nutrient solution required to supply the plants or fungi is fed to the nozzles 6 from a central water and/or nutrient solution supply 5. In this case, the water and/or nutrient solution is delivered to the nozzles 6 by means of a pump provided as a delivery element 12, which can be controlled by means of the control unit 19. The pressure and/or flow rate of the water and/or nutrient solution flow prevailing in the supply line or at the outlet 4 of the supply unit 2, i.e. at the nozzle outlets, can be selectively adjusted through selective activation of the delivery element 12. It is thus possible to vary both the range of the supply unit 2 in relation to the space into which water and/or nutrient solution is discharged and the jet shape of the water and/or nutrient solution flow coming out of the nozzles 6. In this context, it is conceivable, for example, for a jet to come out of the nozzles 6 at least intermittently, for the water and/or nutrient solution coming out to be atomized or, for an aerosol containing droplets of water and/or nutrient solution to be dispensed in the direction of plants or crops that are moved during their growth.
[0047] At the upper and lower ends of the guide rail shown on the left in FIG. 1, a contact sensor is provided as a sensor unit 14, which generates a signal upon contact with the strut-shaped nozzle holder 10 and transmits it to the control unit 19 so that it is ultimately possible to determine the movement speed, at least an average movement speed, of the nozzle holder 10 with the nozzles 6 fastened to it. Based on at least one determined speed value, it is ultimately possible for the drive 7 with a drive unit 20 such as an electric or hydraulic motor to be controlled with the aid of the control unit 10 and with the aid of stored set points in such a way that it is possible to vary the movement of the nozzle holder 10 with the nozzles 6 fastened to it, in particular its movement or travel speed. In this case, the travel speed is preferably set depending on the type of plants or fungi to be supplied with water and/or nutrient solution, depending on the respective growth phase, and/or depending on a selected day-night cycle. Accordingly, an irrigation and/or provision of nutrients can be carried out in a fully automatic way.
[0048] FIG. 2 shows a schematic depiction of a device 1 for irrigating and providing nutrients to plants and fungi, which is embodied according to the invention and in the exemplary embodiment shown, is combined with a system 15 for the automatic cultivation of crops 18, in particular plants and fungi. FIG. 2 shows an operating state in which heads of lettuce are being grown in the system 15 for automated plant cultivation and are anchored along a conveyor line on a conveyor belt 17 for this purpose. The conveyor line 17 has a plurality of conveyor sections 16 positioned between deflection points, on which the crops 18 to be grown or cultivated are alternately moved upward and downward. According to FIG. 2, the heads of lettuce to be grown are situated on a vertical conveyor section 16 of the system 15 for automated plant cultivation, with the root system projecting beyond the surface of the conveyor belt 17 in the direction of the device 1 for providing nutrients according to the invention. In this way, the root system is selectively provided with water and/or nutrient solution aeroponically by the moving nozzles 6 fastened to a nozzle holder 10. FIG. 2 shows a state of the device according to the invention in which the nozzle holder 10 with the nozzles 6 fastened to it is in the uppermost end position, touches the contact sensor provided as sensor unit 14 so that the electric motor of the drive 7 used as drive unit 20 is switched and the nozzle holder with the nozzles 6 fastened to it is then moved downward at a constant speed. Once again, it is essential that the nozzles 6 are moved to and dispense water and/or nutrient solution at locations A, B that are at different heights with respect to a vertical C. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the nozzles 6 are moved in a vertical plane that is at least approximately parallel to the plane in which the root systems of the plants to be grown are moved.
[0049] In addition, FIG. 3 shows a schematic depiction of a device 1 for providing plants or fungi with water and/or nutrient solution, which is embodied according to the invention and is in a maintenance state. In order to be able to suitably reach the nozzles 6 used as easily as possible for maintenance, repair, or replacement, a swivel and/or folding mechanism 11 is provided at one end of the nozzle holder so that the nozzle holder 10 can be folded upward together with the nozzles 6 fastened to it so that the nozzle holder 10 is then oriented at least approximately parallel to the guide rail 9 on the left in FIG. 3. Maintenance, repair, or replacement of nozzles can thus be carried out relatively easily from one side of the device for providing nutrients according to the invention.
[0050] FIG. 4 shows another special embodiment of the invention. The essential technical feature of this embodiment is that a nozzle 6 is fastened to a vertical guide rail 9 by means of a suitable nozzle holder 10 in such a way that the nozzle 6 can be moved along the guide rail 9 in a vertical direction both upward and downward as needed and, in turn, nutrient solution can be dispensed in at least two locations (A, B), which are located at different heights above the floor, in the direction of the plants or fungi to be grown. It is generally conceivable for more than one nozzle to be moved along the guide rail 9. It is important here for the nozzle 6 to be located in the immediate vicinity of the vertical guide rail 9 and for the nozzle holder 10 to not protrude into the area in which the plants to be grown are positioned, thus reliably excluding the risk of damage to the plants or fungi, in particular the root system of the plants or the mycelium of the fungi.
[0051] During the movement of the nozzle 6 in a vertical direction along the guide rail, it is thus preferably possible to supply the areas of a plant or fungi growing system to be irrigated with a nutrient mist via the movable nozzle 6 without any part of the nozzle holder 10 protruding into the plant growing area. Preferably, the at least one nozzle 6, which can be moved with the aid of a drive train 8 and supplied with the corresponding liquid by a water and/or nutrient solution supply 5, is embodied as an air atomizing nozzle, which is characterized by the possibility of being able to dispense particularly fine mist with very small droplets over relatively long distances.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows the system 15 for irrigating plants or fungi in two different operating states, namely in FIG. 4 a) in an operating state in which no plants or fungi are positioned in the system 15 and the nozzle (6), which can be moved in a vertical direction, is situated in the lower region of the vertical guide rail 9 and in FIG. 4 b) in an operating state in which plants are positioned for cultivation and irrigation in the system 15 and the nozzle (6), which can be moved in a vertical direction, is situated in the upper region of the vertical guide rail 9. In the operating cases shown, the nozzle 6 will soon move upward according to FIG. 4 a) and will soon move downward according to FIG. 4 b).
[0053] In the upper and lower regions of the vertical guide rail 9, a sensor unit 14 is also provided, which generates a signal and transmits it to a control unit as soon as the nozzle 6 has reached an upper or lower reversal point, whereupon the control unit 19 generates a control signal and transmits it to the drive train 8 so that the nozzle 6 changes its movement direction. The sensor unit 14 is preferably embodied in the form of a touch sensor, which generates a signal as soon as the nozzle 6 touches a touch-sensitive surface of the sensor unit 14.
[0054] The movement of the nozzle 6 is in turn initiated by a suitable drive train 8, which in particular comprises a cable pull, a gear rod, a toothed rack, a pneumatic or hydraulic component, and/or an electric drive. The nozzle 6 is supplied with water and/or nutrients, in particular a suitable nutrient solution, via a suitable water and/or nutrient solution supply 5 with a supply line 13, through which the nutrient solution is pneumatically conveyed to the nozzle 6 with the aid of compressed air according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4.
[0055] FIG. 5 shows another special embodiment of a system according to the invention and the implementation of the method according to the invention. According to this embodiment, the water used to irrigate plants or fungi and/or the nutrient medium, in particular a nutrient solution, is dispensed in the form of a fine mist with relatively small droplets via nozzles 6, which in this case are embodied as dispensing openings in a tube, in a selective manner over a large area in the direction of the plants or fungi, in particular the root system or the mycelium. In this case, the tube with the nozzles 6 can be moved both upward and downward in the vertical direction by means of a drive train 8 and is supplied with the required water and/or nutrient solution from a water and nutrient solution supply 5 via a supply line 13. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the mist is dispensed toward and in the immediate vicinity of the root or mycelium structures to be irrigated and with the aid of the pipe and the plurality of nozzles 6 provided therein. Once again, the upper and lower regions of the vertical guide rail 9 are provided with a sensor unit 14, which generates a signal and transmits it to a control unit 19 as soon as the pipe with the nozzles 6 has reached an upper or lower reversal point, whereupon the control unit 19 generates a control signal and transmits it to the drive train 8 so that the pipe with the nozzles 6 changes its movement direction. The sensor unit 14 is preferably embodied in the form of a touch sensor, which generates a signal as soon as the pipe touches a touch-sensitive surface of the sensor unit 14.
[0056] When the system 15 and the method according to FIG. 5 are used, if the nozzles 6 are embodied as pneumatic nozzles 6, then the mist can be selectively modulated in an advantageous way, i.e. in particular the droplet size and the spray pattern or geometry of the spray jet can be varied in a selective manner that is adapted to current needs.
[0057] FIG. 5 shows the system 15 for irrigating plants or fungi in two different operating states, namely in FIG. 5 a) in an operating state in which no plants or fungi are positioned in the system 15 and the pipe with nozzles (6), which can be moved in the vertical direction, is situated in the lower region of the vertical guide rails 9 and in FIG. 5 b) in an operating state in which plants for cultivation and irrigation are positioned in the system 15 and the pipe with nozzles (6), which can be moved in a vertical direction, is situated in the upper region of the vertical guide rails 9. In the operating cases shown, the pipe with the nozzles 6 will soon move upward according to FIG. 5 a) and will soon move downward according to FIG. 5 b).
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0058] 1 device for irrigating and/or providing nutrients [0059] 2 supply unit [0060] 3 inlet [0061] 4 outlet [0062] 5 water and/or nutrient solution supply [0063] 6 nozzle [0064] 7 drive [0065] 8 drive train [0066] 9 guide rail [0067] 10 nozzle holder [0068] 11 swivel and/or folding mechanism [0069] 12 delivery element [0070] 13 supply line [0071] 14 sensor unit [0072] 15 system for automated cultivation of plants or fungi [0073] 16 conveyor section [0074] 17 conveyor belt [0075] 18 crop [0076] 19 control unit [0077] 20 drive unit [0078] A first location for dispensing water and/or nutrient solution [0079] B second location for dispensing water and/or nutrient solution [0080] C vertical
