Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to agricultural system and particularly to smart hydroponics irrigation system.
Description of Related Art
[002] Hydroponics is a widely adopted method for cultivating plants in controlled environments, where nutrients are delivered directly to the plant roots in a water-based solution. Conventional hydroponics systems often face challenges in maintaining a consistent moisture level, nutrient levels, pH, and environmental conditions. Manual adjustments can lead to inconsistencies, resulting in suboptimal growth rates and crop yields. Furthermore, existing automated systems lack the integration of advanced sensors and remotely driven methods to adaptively respond to the specific needs of individual plants.
[003] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced smart hydroponics irrigation system that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[004] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a smart hydroponics irrigation system. The system comprising: a hydroponics tower adapted to cultivate hydroponic plants. The hydroponics tower is divided into compartments such that each of the compartments comprising a valve at an inlet to receive water. The system further comprising: water level sensors installed in each of the compartments. The water level sensors measure a level of water in each of the compartments. The system further comprising: a control unit communicatively connected to the water level sensors. The control unit is configured to: receive the measured level of water in each of the compartments from the water level sensors; compare the received level of water in each of the compartments with a threshold level; activate a motor, when the received level of water in any of the compartments is less than the threshold level; and actuate the valve to replenish the water in the compartment in which the received level of water is less than the threshold level.
[005] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart hydroponics irrigation system.
[006] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart hydroponics irrigation system that consumes less space.
[007] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart hydroponics irrigation system that improves a living space esthetically.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a smart hydroponics irrigation system that operates autonomously.
[009] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0010] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a smart hydroponics irrigation system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 1B illustrates a diagram of a hydroponics tower, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for irrigation of hydroponic plants using the smart hydroponics irrigation system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0017] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0018] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0019] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a smart hydroponics irrigation system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a hydroponics tower 102, compartments 104a-104n (hereinafter referred individually to as the compartment 104, and plurally to as the compartments 104), a valve 106, an inlet 108, water level sensors 110a-110n (hereinafter referred individually to as the water level sensor 110, and plurally to as the water level sensors 110), a control unit 112, a motor 114, a communication unit 116, and a user device 118.
[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hydroponics tower 102 may be adapted to cultivate hydroponic plants. The hydroponics tower 102 may be divided into the compartments 104 such that each of the compartments 104 may comprise the valve 106 at the inlet 108 to receive water, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the received water may irrigate the hydroponic plants planted in the hydroponics tower 102.
[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hydroponics tower 102 may be divided into two compartments. In another embodiment of the present invention, the hydroponics tower 102 may be divided into four compartments. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydroponics tower 102 may be divided into three compartments. In an embodiment of the present invention, the hydroponics tower 102 may be divided into any number of compartments 104.
[0022] According to embodiments of the present invention, the valve 106 may be, but not limited to, a mechanical valve, an electronic valve, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve 106 may be a solenoid valve. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the valve 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the water level sensors 110 may be installed in each of the compartments 104. The water level sensors 110 may be adapted to measure a level of water in each of the compartments 104, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 112 may be connected to the water level sensor 110. The control unit 112 may be configured to receive the measured level of water in each of the compartments 104 from the water level sensors 110. The control unit 112 may be configured to compare the received level of water in each of the compartments 104 with a threshold level. The control unit 112 may be configured to activate the motor 114 when the received level of water in any of the compartments 104 is less than the threshold level. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the motor 114 may be a submersible motor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the motor 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The control unit 112 may be configured to actuate the valve 106 to replenish the water in the compartment in which the received level of water is less than the threshold level.
[0025] The control unit 112 may further be configured to deactivate the motor 114 when the received level of water in the compartments 104 is more than the threshold level. The processing unit may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the processing unit may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, an Arduino, an Espressif-32 (ESP32), a Raspberry Pi, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processing unit including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 116 may be connected to the control unit 112. The communication unit 116 may be adapted to enable a user to remotely actuate the valve 106 and the motor 114 using the user device 118, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the communication unit 116 may be, but not limited to, a wired communication unit, a wireless communication unit, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication unit 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the user device 118 may be, but not limited to, a smartphone, a computer, a smart wearable device, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user device 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] FIG. 1B illustrates a diagram of the hydroponics tower 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the hydroponics tower 102 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a metallic material, a wooden material, a ceramic material, a plastic material, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydroponics tower 102 may be constructed of a Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) material. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material for construction of the hydroponics tower 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] According to embodiments of the present invention, the height of the hydroponics tower may be in a range from 1.0 meters (m) to 1.5 meters (m). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height of the hydroponics tower may be 1.2 meters (m). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any height of the hydroponics tower.
[0029] According to embodiments of the present invention, the diameter of the hydroponics tower may be in a range from 0.10 meters (m) to 0.20 meters (m). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the hydroponics tower may be 0.11 meters (m). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any diameter of the hydroponics tower.
[0030] According to embodiments of the present invention, a length of the components of the hydroponics tower may be in a range from 0.1 meters (m) to 0.3 meters (m). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the length of the components of the hydroponics tower may be 0.2 meters (m). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any length of the components of the hydroponics tower.
[0031] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 for irrigation of the hydroponic plants using the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] At step 202, the system 100 may receive the measured level of water in each of the compartments 104 from the water level sensors 110.
[0033] At step 204, the system 100 may compare the received level of water in the each of the compartments 104 with the threshold level. Upon comparison, if the received level of water in any of the compartments 104 is less than the threshold level, then the method 200 may proceed to a step 206. Else, the method 200 may revert to the step 202.
[0034] At step 206, the system 100 may activate the motor 114, when the received level of water in any of the compartments 104 is less than the threshold level.
[0035] At step 208, the system 100 may actuate the valve 106 to replenish the water in the compartment in which the received level of water is less than the threshold level.
[0036] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0037] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A smart hydroponics irrigation system (100), the system (100) comprising:
a hydroponics tower (102) adapted to cultivate hydroponic plants, wherein the hydroponics tower (102) is divided into compartments (104a-104n) such that each of the compartments (104a-104n) comprising a valve (106) at an inlet (108) to receive water;
water level sensors (110a-110n) installed in each of the compartments (104a-104n), and adapted to measure a level of water in each of the compartments (104a-104n);
a control unit (112) communicatively connected to the water level sensors (110a-110n), characterized in that the control unit (112) is configured to:
receive the measured level of water in each of the compartments (104a-104n) from the water level sensors (110a-110n);
comparing the received level of water in each of the compartments (104a-104n) with a threshold level;
activate a motor (114), when the received level of water in any of the compartments (104a-104n) is less than the threshold level; and
actuate the valve (106) to replenish the water in the compartment in which the received level of water is less than the threshold level.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (112) is configured to deactivate the motor (114), when the received level of water in the compartments (104a-104n) is more than the threshold level.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a length of the compartments (104a-104n) is 0.2 meters (m).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a height of the hydroponics tower is 1.2 meters (m).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a diameter of the hydroponics tower is 0.11 meters (m).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydroponics tower (102) is constructed of a Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) material.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve (106) is a solenoid valve.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (112) is selected from an Arduino, an Espressif-32 (ESP32), a Raspberry Pi, or a combination thereof.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (112) is connected to a communication unit (116).
10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication unit (116) is adapted to enable a user to remotely actuate the valve (106) and the motor (114) using a user device (118).
Date: November 16, 2023
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)