FIELD OF THE INVENTION
5
[001] The present invention generally relates to a hydroponic apparatus and more
particularly, the present invention relates to a hydroponic apparatus comprising a valve
mechanism for maintaining water level in containers having plants.
10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Traditionally, plants are planted in soil. As known, soil contains minerals and
nutrients that are important for growth of the plant. Further, the soil acts as a convenient filter
and stabilizer for the roots. Further, the plants absorb the minerals and nutrients along with
15 water which are essential for growth of the plant.
[003] With improvements in technology, several techniques have been proposed for
growing plants without soil. One such technique includes a hydroponic technique. The
hydroponic technique is a method of growing plants without using soil. The method involves
20 growing plants in a solution enriched with nutrients and the minerals. The nutrients and the
minerals are fed to the plant which is utilized for growth of the plant. The hydroponic technique
is a popular practice to grow plants indoors for food and decorative purposes.
[004] The hydroponic technique offers a good deal of control over conditions of the plant
25 and the hydroponic technique can be easily carried out indoors. Yield of the crops grown using
the hydroponic technique is higher and the hydroponic technique can be used at the places
where ordinary agriculture or gardening is difficult.
[005] Generally, the hydroponic technique comprises a solution culture technique and a
30 medium culture technique. The solution culture technique further comprises a static solution
and a continuous flow solution in which the hydroponic growing can take place.
[006] In the static solution, the plants are kept in a vessel containing nutrient solution and
the solution is changed manually at a given time interval, for example, weekly or twice a week.
3
In the continuous flow solution, the plants are kept in a vessel and the nutrient solution is being
constantly pumped over the plant’s root system. Examples of the continuous flow solution
includes a Nutrient Film Technique (N.F.T) in which a continuous shallow stream of water
containing the dissolved nutrients required for growth of the plant is supplied through a tube.
Generally, a pump is used to deliver the nutrients from 5 a reservoir to the vessel located at the
highest level where the roots of the plants come in contact with water. Upon coming in contact
with the water, the roots absorb the nutrients.
[007] Although the techniques discussed above allow growing plants without soil, they
10 have certain problems. For instance, considering the NFT techniques, if the pump fails for some
reasons in hot weather, then the plant may die within few hours or days. Further, the systems
using the hydroponic techniques do not have an outlet valve with adjustable height, to control
water level during power failure. Further, plants may not grow properly due to improper
lighting conditions. Furthermore, many of the existing hydroponic techniques used in gardens
15 are being monitored manually. For example, static reading instruments such as air and liquid
thermometers, hygrometers, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) testers are used to critical
parameters of the plant. The critical parameters are measured at a prescribed time of the day
using the static reading instruments. The static reading instruments may be placed in the vessel
or in the nutrient-rich solution to obtain the readings. The reading may be used to supply water
20 to the plant.
[008] It must be noted that failure to take the reading regularly and accurate determination
of the readings are critical to survival and growth of the plant. As discussed above, the readings
corresponding to pump is also critical to survival and growth of the plant.
25
[009] Therefore, there is a need for a hydroponic apparatus that can continuously monitor
conditions of the plant such as water level and lighting levels and facilitates in supplying water
and lighting required for survival and growth of the plant with minimum intervention or
without intervention of a user.
30
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] This summary is provided to introduce concepts of the subject matter in a simple
manner that is further described in the detailed description of the disclosure. This summary is
4
not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the subject matter nor is it
intended to determine the scope of the disclosure.
[0011] In order to solve at least one of the above mentioned problems, there exists a need
for a hydroponic apparatus that 5 can continuously monitor conditions of the plant, such as water
level and lighting levels. Moreover, there is a need for the hydroponic apparatus that supplies
water and light required for survival and growth of the plant without or with minimum
intervention of a user.
10 [0012] Briefly, according to an exemplary embodiment, a hydroponic apparatus is provided.
The hydroponic apparatus comprises a reservoir for storing liquid, a first container and a second
container. The first container comprises a first inlet, a first outlet, a first sensor and a first valve.
The first inlet is operatively coupled to the reservoir and the first valve is provided at the first
outlet. The second container comprises a second inlet, a second outlet, a second sensor and a
15 second valve. The second inlet is coupled to the first outlet, and wherein the second outlet is
operatively coupled to the reservoir. In addition, the reservoir comprises a pump means and an
actuator is coupled to the pump means. The actuator actuates the pump means to pump the
liquid from the reservoir to the first container via the first inlet, to the second container via the
first outlet and the second inlet, and to the reservoir through the second outlet. The first valve
20 is operated to store liquid in the first container and to control the flow of the liquid from the
first container to the second container. The second valve is operated to store liquid in the second
container and to control the flow of the liquid from the second container to the reservoir.
[0013] In another embodiment, the hydroponic apparatus comprises a motor coupled to the
25 pump means and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator. The controller is configured
to actuate the actuator in response to the first level sensor or the second level sensor determining
the level of the liquid being at or below a predetermined threshold. The actuator operates the
motor to operate the pump means to pump the liquid from the reservoir to the first container
via the first inlet, to the second container via the first outlet and the second inlet, and to the
30 reservoir through the second outlet.
[0014] The summary above is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting.
Further aspects, exemplary embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to
the drawings and the following detailed description.
5
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments
can be 5 better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings,
wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1A and 1B illustrate a schematic diagram and a top view of a hydroponic
10 apparatus, respectively, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the hydroponic apparatus, in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
15 [0018] FIG. 3A and 3B illustrate a perspective view of a first valve provided at the first
container and a second valve provided at the second container, respectively, in accordance with
one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of the hydroponic apparatus comprising
20 illuminating units, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of the hydroponic apparatus, in accordance with
one embodiment of the present disclosure;
25 [0021] FIG. 6 illustrates the block diagram of the hydroponic apparatus communicatively
coupled with an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the hydroponic apparatus, in accordance with
30 one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for
simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the
construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented
6
in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details
that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to
obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
having the benefit of the description herein.
5
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention,
reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the figures and specific language
10 will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the
scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the
illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated
therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the
invention relates.
15
[0025] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are
not intended to be restrictive thereof.
20 [0026] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended
to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps
does not comprise only those steps but may comprise other steps not expressly listed or inherent
to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or
structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints,
25 preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other
structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional
elements or additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase “in an
embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification
may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
30
[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the
same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. The apparatuses, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative
only and not intended to be limiting.
7
[0028] In addition to the illustrative aspects, exemplary embodiments, and features
described above, further aspects, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will
become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
5
[0029] In the present disclosure, a hydroponic apparatus is disclosed. The hydroponic
apparatus comprises a reservoir for storing liquid, a first container and a second container. The
first container comprises a first inlet, a first outlet, a first sensor and a first valve. The first inlet
is operatively coupled to the reservoir, and wherein the first valve is provided at the first outlet.
10 The second container comprises a second inlet, a second outlet, a second sensor and a second
valve. The second inlet is coupled to the first outlet, and wherein the second outlet is operatively
coupled to the reservoir. In addition, a pump means is provided at the reservoir and an actuator
is coupled to the pump means to pump the liquid from the reservoir to the first container via
the first inlet, to the second container via the first outlet and the second inlet, and to the reservoir
15 through the second outlet. The first valve is operated to store liquid in the first container and to
control the flow of the liquid from the first container to the second container, and wherein the
second valve is operated to store liquid in the second container and to control the flow of the
liquid from the second container to the reservoir.
20 [0030] Various features and embodiments of the hydroponic apparatus are explained with
the help of FIGS 1-7.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1A and 1B, a schematic diagram and a top view of a hydroponic
apparatus 100, respectively is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
25 disclosure. The hydroponic apparatus 100 is provided in an oval shape, a circular shape, a
square or in a rectangular shape, and the like. The hydroponic apparatus 100 may be made up
of plastic or any other suitable material. The hydroponic apparatus 100 comprises a reservoir
105 provided at a base (not shown) of the hydroponic apparatus 100. The reservoir 105 may be
used to store liquid such as nutrient-rich solution. The hydroponic apparatus 100 comprises a
30 plurality of containers such as a first container 110, a second container 115 and so on. It should
be understood that the first container 110 is placed at a higher level than the second container
115. Each of the first container 110 and the second container 115 may be provided in a
cylindrical shape, or rectangular or square.
8
Further, the first container 110 comprises plurality of pots 120. Similarly, the second container
115 comprises a plurality of pots 125. The plurality of the pots of the first container 110 and
the plurality of the pots of the second container 115 are used to receive the plants (220, shown
in FIG. 7). It must be noted that the first pot 120 of the first container 110 and the first pot 125,
(here referred as second 5 pot 125) of the second container 115 are used for the explanation
purpose.
[0032] The hydroponic apparatus 100 comprises a first pipe 130 coupled between the
reservoir 105 and the first container 110. In other words, the first pipe 130 acts as a first inlet
135 to the first container 110. Further, the first container 110 comprises a first outlet 140 at the
10 bottom of the first container 110. The hydroponic apparatus 100 comprises a second pipe 145
coupled to the first outlet 140.
[0033] The second pipe 145 acts as a second inlet 150 to the second container 115. Further,
the second container 115 comprises a second outlet 155 at the bottom of the second container
15 115. The hydroponic apparatus 100 comprises a third pipe 160 coupled to the reservoir 105.
[0034] Further, the first container 110 comprises a first level sensor 165 and a first valve
175. Similarly, the second container 115 comprises a second level sensor 170 and a second
valve 180. The first level sensor 165 is configured to determine level of the liquid in the
20 plurality of the pots of the first container 110. Similarly, the second level sensor 170 is
configured to determine level of the liquid in the plurality of the pots of the second container
115, respectively.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the hydroponic apparatus 100, in accordance
25 with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As can be seen, the first pipe 130 is
coupled between the reservoir 105 and the first container 110. Further, the first container 110
comprises the first outlet 140 at the bottom of the first container 110. The first container 110
comprises the first level sensor 165 and the first valve 175. Referring to FIG. 3A, the first valve
175 provided at the first outlet 140 is shown.
30
[0036] Further, the second pipe 145 acting as the second inlet 150 to the second container
115 is shown in FIG. 2. Further, the second container 115 comprises the second outlet 155 at
the bottom of the second container 115. Further, the third pipe 160 is provided between the
second container 115 and the reservoir 105. As specified above, the second container 115
9
comprises the second level sensor 170 and the second valve 180. Referring to FIG. 3B, the
second valve 180 provided at the second outlet 155 is shown.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, the hydroponic apparatus 100 may comprise a housing 181
provided at a distance from 5 the hydroponic apparatus 100. The housing 181 may be coupled to
the hydroponic apparatus 100 via a connecting rod 182. The height of the connecting rod 182
is adjusted to position the housing 181 at desired distance from the hydroponic apparatus 100.
The housing 181 may comprise a plurality of the illuminating units 184-1, 184-2, 184-3, 184-
4 and so on, collectively referred as illuminating units 184. In one example, the illuminating
10 units 184 may include but not limited to Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The plurality of the
illuminating units 184 are positioned in axis with the plurality of the pots of the first container
110 and the plurality of the pots of the second container 115. The illuminating units 184 provide
lighting to the plants placed in the first pot 120 and the second pot 125. The light provides
photosynthesis required for growth of the plant.
15
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of the hydroponic apparatus 100, in accordance
with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Now, FIG. 5 is used to explain operation of
the hydroponic apparatus 100.
20 [0039] In one embodiment, the hydroponic apparatus 100 comprises a pump means 185, a
motor 190 and an actuator 195. In the present embodiment, the actuator 195 is coupled to the
pump means 185 through the motor 190. The pump means 185 is provided at the reservoir 105.
[0040] In order to pump the liquid from the reservoir 105 to the first container 110, the
25 actuator 195 actuates the pump means 185. The pump means 185 pumps the liquid to the first
container 110 via the first inlet 135. Further, the liquid is made to flow in the first container
110.
[0041] As discussed above, the first container 110 comprises the first valve 175 provided at
30 the first outlet 140. The first valve 175 is provided at a certain height from a base or bottom of
the first container 110. As the first valve 175 is at the certain height, the level of the liquid is
maintained at a predetermined height. In other words, liquid is stored in the first container 110
until the position of the first valve 175. As a result, liquid is stored in the first container 110 at
all times i.e., until the certain height. As the plants are placed in the pots, the roots come in
10
contact with the liquid in the containers at all times. Hence, plants 220 are supplied with liquid
for survival. Excess liquid in the the first container 110 may be sent to the second container
115 by operating the first valve 175.
[0042] It should be understood that the height of 5 the first valve 175 is adjusted to maintain
certain amount of liquid at all times in the first container 110.
[0043] Further, the liquid is made to flow in the second container 115 via the second pipe
145. As discussed above, the second container 115 comprises the second valve 180 at the
10 second outlet 155. The second valve 180 is provided at a certain height from the base of the
second container 115. As the second valve 180 is at the certain height, the level of the liquid is
maintained at a predetermined height. In other words, liquid is stored in the second container
115 until the position of the second valve 180. As a result, liquid is stored in the second
container 115 at all times i.e., until the certain height. As the plants are placed in the pots, the
15 roots come in contact with the liquid in the containers at all times. Hence, plants 220 are
supplied with liquid for survival. Excess liquid in the the second container 115 may be sent to
the reservoir 105 by operating the second valve 180.
[0044] Similarly, the height of the second valve 180 is adjusted to maintain certain amount
20 of liquid at all times in the second container 115.
[0045] In case of a power cut, the level of the liquid is maintained at the certain
predetermined height in each the first container 110 and the second container 115, thus
mitigating the risk of roots of the plants 220 getting dry during the power cut.
25
[0046] Now referring to FIG. 6, the hydroponic apparatus 100 is communicatively coupled
with an electronic device 210, in accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure. The hydroponic apparatus 100 comprises a transceiver (not shown)
communicatively coupled with the electronic device 210 via a network 205. The hydroponic
30 apparatus 100 may comprise a transceiver (not shown) to communicate with the electronic
device 210. In one example, the network 205 may be a wireless network, a wired network or a
combination thereof. The network 205 can be implemented as one of the different types of
networks, such as intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet,
and the like. The network 205 may either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The
11
shared network represents an association of the different types of networks that use a variety
of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like, to
communicate with one another.
5
[0047] The electronic device 210 may include but not limited to a mobile device, a laptop,
a desktop, a tablet, a smart watch, and so on.
[0048] In order to operate the hydroponic apparatus 100, a user of the electronic device 210
10 may navigate options provided in an interface (not shown) of the electronic device 210. The
user may select the options to provide instructions to the hydroponic apparatus 100 to supply
liquid to the plants. At first, the user provides the instructions using the electronic device 210.
The electronic device 210 transmits the instructions to the transceiver of the hydroponic
apparatus 100. Subsequently, the transceiver sends the instructions to the controller 200.
15
[0049] After receiving the instructions, the controller 200 actuates the actuator 195 to
operate the pump means 185 to pump the liquid from the reservoir 105 to the first container
110. Further, the controller 200 operates the first valve 175 to control amount of the liquid
stored in the first container 110 and the flow of the liquid from the first container 110 to the
20 second container 115. Specifically, the controller 200 operates the first valve 175 based on the
signals received from the first level sensor 165. As explained above, the first level sensor 165
determines the level of the liquid being at or below a predetermined threshold in the first
container 110.
25 [0050] Further, the controller 200 operates the second valve 180 to control amount of the
liquid stored in the second container 115 and the flow of the liquid from the second container
115 to the reservoir 105. Further, the controller 200 operates the second valve 180 based on the
signals received from the second level sensor 170. As explained above, the second level sensor
170 determines the level of the liquid being at or below a predetermined threshold in the second
30 container 115.
[0051] The valves provided at the first outlet 140 of the first container 110 and at the second
outlet 155 of the second container 115 are configured to maintain either distinct or same water
12
level in each the first container 110 and the second container 115 depending on plant type and
plant growth stage.
[0052] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the hydroponic apparatus 100, in accordance
5 with one embodiment of the present disclosure. As explained above, the hydroponic apparatus
100 comprises the first container 110 and the second container 115. The first container 110
comprises the first pot 120. The second container 115 comprises the second pot 125. The pots
comprise plants 220.
10 [0053] The number of pot openings for receiving the plants may be chosen as may be
desired. Further, the size and shape of the pots may be chosen as desired.
[0054] Advantages: liquid is made to flow in the first container 110 and the second container
115 at all times. In addition, the liquid that is not utilized is sent back to the reservoir for later
15 use. Further, the hydroponic apparatus 100 may be provided with the housing having LEDs to
such that the hydroponic apparatus 100 may be used in indoors. The LEDs may provide the
light required for growth of the plants.
[0055] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations
20 arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in
the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the
inventive concept as taught herein.
[0056] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those
25 skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be
combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into
multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another
embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not
limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be
30 implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also,
those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts.
The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous
variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure,
13
dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as
given by the following claims.
5
10
15
20
25
14
WE CLAIM:
5 1. A hydroponic apparatus (100), comprising:
a reservoir (105) for storing liquid;
a first container (110) and a second container (115), wherein the first container (110)
comprises a first inlet (135), a first outlet (140), and a first valve (175), wherein the first inlet
(135) is operatively coupled to the reservoir (105), wherein the first valve (175) is provided at
10 the first outlet (140), wherein the second container (115) comprises a second inlet (150), a
second outlet (155), and a second valve (180), wherein the second inlet (150) is coupled to the
first outlet (140), and wherein the second outlet (155) is operatively coupled to the reservoir
(105);
a pump means (185) provided at the reservoir (105); and
15 an actuator (195) coupled to the pump means (185), wherein the actuator (195) actuates
the pump means (185) to pump the liquid from the reservoir (105) to the first container (110)
via the first inlet (135), to the second container (115) via the first outlet (140) and the second
inlet (150), and to the reservoir (105) through the second outlet (155), wherein the first valve
(175) is operated to store liquid in the first container (110) and to control the flow of the liquid
20 from the first container (110) to the second container (115), and wherein the second valve (180)
is operated to store liquid in the second container (115) and to control the flow of the liquid
from the second container (115) to the reservoir (105).
2. The hydroponic apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first container (110)
25 and the second container (115) comprises first pot (120) and a second pot (125), wherein the
first pot (120) and the second pot (125) are configured for receiving plants (220).
3. The hydroponic apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first container (110)
comprises a first level sensor (165) and the second container (115) comprises a second level
30 sensor (170), wherein the first level sensor (165) and the second level sensor (170) determines
level of the liquid in the first container (110) and the second container (115), respectively.
4. A hydroponic apparatus (100), comprising:
a reservoir (105) for storing liquid;
15
a first container (110) and a second container (115), wherein the first container (110)
comprises a first inlet (135), a first outlet (140), and a first valve (175), wherein the first inlet
(135) is operatively coupled to the reservoir (105), wherein the first valve (175) is provided at
the first outlet (140), wherein the first container (110) comprises a first level sensor (165) to
determine level of the liquid 5 in the first container (110), wherein the second container (115)
comprises a second inlet (150), a second outlet (155), and a second valve (180), wherein the
second inlet (150) is coupled to the first outlet (140), wherein the second outlet (155) is
operatively coupled to the reservoir (105), and wherein the second container (115) comprises
a second level sensor (170) to determines level of the liquid in the second container (115);
10 a pump means (185) provided at the reservoir (105);
a motor (190) coupled to the pump means (185);
an actuator (195) coupled to the motor (190); and
a controller (200) operatively coupled to the actuator (195), wherein the controller (200) is
configured to actuate the actuator (195) in response to the first level sensor (165) or the second
15 level sensor (170) determining the level of the liquid being at or below a predetermined
threshold,
wherein the controller (200) actuates the actuator (195) to operate the motor (190),
wherein the motor (190) operates the pump means (185) to pump the liquid from the reservoir
(105) to the first container (110) via the first inlet (135), to the second container (115) via the
20 first outlet (140) and the second inlet (150), and to the reservoir (105) through the second outlet
(155), wherein the first valve (175) is operated to store liquid in the first container (110) and to
control the flow of the liquid from the first container (110) to the second container (115), and
wherein the second valve (180) is operated to store liquid in the second container (115) and to
control the flow of the liquid from the second container (115) to the reservoir (105).
25
5. The hydroponic apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the controller (200)
operates the first valve (175) and the second valve (180) to control amount of the liquid stored
or the flow of the liquid in the first container (110) and the second container (115).
30 6. The hydroponic apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, further comprises a display unit
configured for displaying the level of the liquid in each the first container (110) and the second
container (115).
16
7. The hydroponic apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, further comprises a plurality of
illuminating units (184-1 to 184-N) in parallel to the first pot (120) of the first container (110)
and the second pot (125) of the second container (115).
8. The hydroponic apparatus (100) 5 as claimed in claim 4, further comprises a transceiver
to receive instructions from an electronic device (210).
9. The hydroponic apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the controller (200)
operates the actuator (195) to pump liquid in response to the instructions from the electronic
10 device (210).