JPH09224505A - Watering machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set times in a short time. SOLUTION: On the top surface of a watering machine main body having a solenoid valve arranged between a raw water side and a watering side, a setting operation part 20a2 for previously setting and inputting control conditions to the control circuit is fitted. At the time setting operation part 20a2 , pilot lamps E1a and E2a for the morning and afternoon are arranged above and below a 12-hour time display corresponding to times in the morning and afternoon.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a watering machine, and more particularly to a display structure of a setting operation section of the watering machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, grass, garden trees, flowers such as potted plants,
When watering foliage plants, etc., when you are away from home for long-term travel, etc., there is a concern that the plants will die, you cannot safely leave your house, and the annoyance of watering even in your normal life. There is a desire to be released from Therefore, recently, a setting operation unit was installed in the main body of the watering machine that has a solenoid valve arranged between the raw water side and the sprinkling side, and conditions such as day, time, and time can be set and input in advance. An automatic watering machine has been developed that can automatically perform watering for a predetermined time.

[0003]

However, in the conventional automatic watering machine, it is necessary to set and input the conditions of the day, time, and time for watering in the setting operation unit. If the time is displayed in time, the number of display elements will increase and the cost will increase. In addition, when setting and inputting the time, a wide range of setting input operations from 1:00 to 24:00 is required. , It takes time to set, but if the time display is divided into am and pm for 12 hours a day, display elements for am and pm, time display contents and operation buttons On the other hand, there is a problem that a series of time setting operation is difficult to understand, and a trouble that a different setting condition is erroneously input or a setting input is intended but not actually input is likely to occur. Especially in the case of a watering machine, even if it is necessary to make settings suitable for the characteristics of plants such as lawns and flower beds, if the setting conditions are incorrect, the plants will be accidentally watered at inappropriate times (for example, late at night). There is a fear that it will be done.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a irrigation machine equipped with a setting operation section capable of easily setting the time in a short time.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a main body 1 of a watering machine having a solenoid valve 22 in a water flow passage 21 between a raw water side and a sprinkling side. A watering machine provided with a time setting operation section 20a ₂ for setting and inputting a time for watering in advance in a control circuit 18 for controlling the operation of the water. The time setting operation section 20a ₂ displays various time setting contents. A set time display section 20b ₂ is provided, and the set time display section 20b ₂ has a display element row for the morning and the afternoon corresponding to the time in the morning and the afternoon above and below the time display for 12 hours, respectively. With this configuration, a display corresponding to the time of day in a one-to-one manner can be performed, and the time setting input operation can be performed easily in a short time.

Further, the time setting operation section 20a ₂ is preferably provided with operation buttons E ₁ and E ₂ for setting and inputting the time of am and pm to the display element rows of am and pm respectively. By setting the watering time once each in the morning and the afternoon with the operation buttons E ₁ and E ₂ , the watering time suitable for the plant can be set.

Further, it is preferable that the time setting operation section 20a ₂ is provided with a portion without time setting which does not display a predetermined time among the times in the morning and / or afternoon. In this case, it is necessary to meet the characteristics of the plant. It is possible to limit the display to only a specific time. Further, in the above-mentioned am and pm display element rows, the display time is sequentially moved each time the corresponding operation buttons E ₁ and E ₂ are operated once, and the display time is returned to the first time after the last time and the last time. It is preferable that there is provided a time setting non-display portion that does not display any time between the first time and the first time, and in this case, the number of times the operation buttons E ₁ and E ₂ are operated and the display time are set to 1: 1. It is possible to deal with it, and it is possible to easily perform the setting input operation, and it is possible to reduce the number of times the operation buttons E ₁ and E ₂ are pressed by the portion without time setting provided between the last time and the first time. .

Further, it is preferable that the display element is not provided for a predetermined time in the afternoon and / or the time in the afternoon, and in this case, the display element is set at a time corresponding to an inappropriate time for the plant (for example, midnight). By not providing it, there is no fear of accidentally setting the inappropriate time. Further, it is preferable to set the time displayed on the set time display section 20b ₂ in the unit of time, and in this case, setting the watering time in the unit of time can be sufficiently dealt with in view of the characteristics of the plant.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the irrigation machine of this embodiment has a raw water side and a watering side on the bottom surface of the irrigation machine main body 1 arranged between the raw water side (supply side) and the sprinkling side (outlet side). Side joints 2 and 3 are provided respectively, and the raw water side joint 2 is connected to the water tap 15 (or directly connected to the water tap 15) via the water supply hose 4, while the sprinkling side joint 3 is provided. A watering hose 5 is connected to. This watering hose 5 is Y
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is connected to a lawn sprinkler 7, a garden spray nozzle 8 ', a flower bed sort hose 9, and a potted drip nozzle 10 through a mold joint 6 and the like. In addition, the bottom of the irrigation machine body 1 is provided with a battery storage unit 14 that stores a battery 11 and can be opened and closed by a cover 13 with a screw 12, so that it can be used without an outlet near the water tap 15. Has become.

A lid 16 is provided on the upper surface of the watering machine body 1.
There is provided a display / setting panel 17 which is covered by a button. This display / setting panel 17, as shown in FIG.
The control circuit 18 is provided with a setting operation section 19 for setting and inputting control conditions in advance. The setting operation unit 19 includes various operation units 20a for setting and inputting conditions in various setting contents, and a content display unit 20b for displaying contents respectively set by the various operation units 20a. In the upper part of the setting operation unit 19, a "watering setting" button A used when performing watering setting, a "current time setting" button B for adjusting the current time before performing watering setting, and a water now The "temporary watering" button C ₁ which is the temporary watering means C used when watering is arranged side by side in a row, and by pressing this "temporary watering" button C ₁ , regardless of the watering setting. It is now possible to water for 30 minutes, for example. Further, in the lower part of the setting operation unit 19, a date setting operation unit 20a ₁ equipped with a "watering date setting" button D ₁ for selecting the watering interval, and "Watering time setting / Time setting operation unit 20 equipped with "AM" button E ₁
a ₂ and a time setting operation unit 20a provided with a "watering time setting / afternoon" button E ₂ for selecting the watering start time in the afternoon
₃ and a time setting operation unit 20a ₄ provided with a "watering time setting" button F ₁ for selecting a sprinkling time (for example, ₃ , 5, 10, 20, 30 minutes) are arranged vertically in a line.

On the other hand, the content display section 20b displays "Watering date
"Set" button D₁Day indicator lamp D corresponding to_TwoEquipped with
Fixed date display section 20b₁And, "Watering time setting, morning" button
E ₁Lamp E corresponding to₁a and "Watering time setting
Fixed / Afternoon "button E_TwoAfternoon lamp E corresponding to_Twoequipped with a
Set time display section 20b_TwoAnd the “Watering time setting” button
Tan F₁Hour lamp F corresponding to_TwoTime setting table with
Indicating part 20b_ThreeAnd are arranged vertically in a line.
In this embodiment, each button D₁, E₁, E_Two, F₁To
Various lamps D corresponding to each operation once
_Two, E₁a, E _Twoa, F_TwoIs lit in order from left to right
Move to the right end and then back to the left end again
Is repeated and can be set to any content (day, time, time)
I am able to do it. Also, set the watering time up and down in the afternoon.
Easy to understand the set time by dividing into the previous and afternoon
In addition, the watering time is set once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
Can be set, and the settings suitable for plants can be set.
is there. Furthermore, in the morning, a lamp corresponding to 0 to 4 am
Is not provided. The reason is that during this time,
Improper time to water and the number of lamps
Cost can be reduced by reducing
The setting can be input only from an appropriate time, so the setting can be shortened.
This is because it is easy to do in time. further,
Various lamps D_Two, E₁a, E_Twoa, F_TwoIs an LED
The display element is used, and the display is easy to see when installed outdoors.
In addition, it has a durable and durable structure.
You.

On the other hand, inside the watering machine body 1, as shown in FIG. 5, a control circuit 18 into which the setting contents of the display / setting panel 17 are input, a joint 2 on the raw water side and a joint 3 on the sprinkling side. An electromagnetic valve 22 that opens and closes a flowing water channel 21 that communicates with each other and a drive circuit 23 as a valve drive unit that drives the electromagnetic valve 22 to discharge water at a preset time based on a signal from the control circuit 18 are provided. .

The control circuit 18 includes a display / setting panel 1
It is realized by a microcomputer or the like that operates the drive circuit 23 based on the input content from the computer 7 to drive and control the solenoid valve 22. The control circuit 18 operates the drive circuit 23 at a preset time and time to perform water discharge and water stop, and at the arbitrary time other than the preset time, the "/" of the display / setting panel 17 is set. when doing occasional water "button C ₁ is operated, the water drive circuit 23 is operated temporarily, and performs waterproofing. Further control circuit 1
8 has a built-in timer that automatically stops the water after a predetermined time elapses after the water is discharged after the "temporary watering" button C ₁ is pressed, and a time preset at the time of the temporary water discharge operation, It is equipped with a function that retains the settings such as time.

The solenoid valve 22 includes a valve body 22a.
And a keep solenoid 22b. In the valve body 22a, a large diameter passage 23 is formed in the middle of a flowing water passage 21 communicating with the raw water side joint 2 and the sprinkling side joint 3, and the joint 2 on the raw water side from the center position of the large diameter passage 23 is formed. A partition portion 24 is erected so as to be displaced toward the above, and a valve 25 for partitioning the large diameter passage 23 is disposed above the partition portion 24 so as to be vertically movable. A pressing spring 26 that constantly biases the valve 25 toward the partition 24 is arranged behind the valve 25. The spring force of the pressing spring 26 prevents the water behind the valve 25 from leaking by the keep solenoid 22b. In the state, the spring force is set so that the pressures on both sides of the valve 25 are maintained in a balanced state, and when the water behind the valve 25 is leaked by the keep solenoid 22b, the valve 25 is opened. The spring force is set to move. Further, the valve 25 is formed with a small-hole-shaped communication passage 26a for communicating the portion of the flow passage 21 on the raw water side with the back of the valve 25, and both ends of the valve 25 have valve main bodies 22a.
It is composed of a bellows-like elastic piece 27 that is attached to the wall.

Further, the valve 2 is provided on the wall portion of the valve body 22a.
5, a leak hole 29 communicating with the back of the No. 5, a bypass passage 30 communicating with the leak hole 29, a bypass passage 30 and a running water passage 21.
A valve hole 31 communicating with the sprinkling side of the valve is formed. The valve nozzle 28 of the keep solenoid 22b is housed in the bypass passage 30 facing the valve hole 31, and the valve nozzle 28 has a spring 32. A magnet 34 reciprocally movable in a coil 33 mounted outside the valve body 22a via
It is connected to.

When the drive circuit 23 does not operate, the valve nozzle 28 of the keep solenoid 22b has a valve hole 31.
The valve 2 of the valve body 22a
The water behind 5 does not flow out from the leak hole 29, the pressures on both sides of the valve 25 are balanced, the spring force of the pressing spring 26 causes the valve 26 to abut on the upper portion of the partition 26, and the flowing water passage 21
Is closed and kept in a water-stopped state (state of FIG. 5).

When the drive circuit 23 operates and the valve nozzle 28 of the keep solenoid 22b opens the valve hole 31, water 40 behind the valve 25 of the valve body 22a flows into the bypass passage 30 from the leak hole 29, Further, it flows out to the sprinkling side of the running water channel 21 through the valve hole 31 (state of FIG. 6), whereby the pressure behind the valve 25 decreases, and the pressure from the raw water side of the running water channel 21 of the valve 25 is suppressed. The valve 25 is opened by overcoming the spring force of the spring 26, and the flowing water passage 21 is opened to maintain the water discharge state (state of FIG. 7). Then, after a predetermined time, the valve nozzle 28 of the keep solenoid 22b closes the valve hole 31.
At this time, the water behind the valve 25 of the valve body 22a does not flow out from the leak hole 29, and the water flows into the back of the valve 25 through the communication passage 26a of the valve 25 to balance the pressure on both sides of the valve 25. Then, the water flow passage 21 is closed again to return to the water stop state.

Next, an example of an operation procedure for setting watering will be described. First, the initial setting for adjusting the current time is performed. When the "Watering setting" button A shown in Fig. 1 is pressed and then the "Current time setting" button B is pressed, the morning lamp E
_{One of the 1} a or the afternoon lamp E ₂ a flashes (state in FIG. 8A), and in this state, each time the “Watering time setting / AM” button E ₁ is pressed, the AM lamp E
₁ a moves one by one from 5 am to 9 pm (state of FIG. 8 (b)), at the current time, stop the “Set watering time / am” button E ₁ and press the “Set current time” button When B is pressed, blinking changes to lighting, and the current time (for example, 5:00 am) is fixed as shown in FIG. In addition, it is time set in the same operation also by the "watering time setting and afternoon" button E ₂ case in the afternoon.

After setting the current time, "watering setting"
When button A is pressed, the left end of each lamp flashes
(State of FIG. 9). In this state, watering is set. example
For example, "every other day", "8 am" and "5 pm", "2"
A case of performing the setting of "watering for 0 minutes" will be described. "Water
Date Setting "Button D₁Each time you press, the day indicator lamp D
_TwoMoves to the right (state of Fig. 10 (a)), "every other day"
Stop when you come to.

[Watering time setting / morning] button E
Every time ₁ is pressed, the morning lamp E ₁ a moves to the right (state of FIG. 10 (b)), and stops when it reaches “8:00”. Followed by "watering time setting and afternoon" afternoon lamp E ₂ a Each time you press the button E ₂ 1 times to move to the right, stop when you come to "5:00". This allows you to set watering times for morning and afternoon. In addition, morning lamp E ₁ a (or afternoon lamp E ₂
By pressing the button until a) disappears, it can be set to not water in the morning (or in the afternoon).

After that, each time the "watering time setting" button F ₁ is pressed, the hour lamp F ₂ moves to the right (see FIG. 10).
(State of (d)), stop when it comes to "20 minutes". As a result, the setting contents as shown in FIG. 11 are obtained, the input operation is completed, and the set contents are input to the control circuit 18. Therefore, the control circuit 18 operates every other day at 8 am and 5 pm
The drive circuit 23 is operated for a fixed time (for example, 30 minutes) at a fixed time, and the electromagnetic valve 22 is opened to automatically perform the watering operation. You can rest assured when you do, and when you are at home,
Watering can be done automatically, and you will be freed from the hassle of watering normally.

When changing the watering setting, the "watering setting" button A → "watering date setting" button D ₁ → "watering time setting / am" button E ₁ → "watering time setting ・
By performing the same operation as above in the order of "afternoon" button E ₂ → "watering time setting" button F ₁ , for example, "every 2 days", "4 pm" and "10 minutes watering" as shown in FIG. It is possible to easily change the setting contents to ".

Further, FIG. 13 shows an example of watering throughout the year in the case of a plant that needs to be fully watered, and FIG. 14 shows watering throughout the year in the case of a plant that requires less water. An example is shown in FIG.
June), (b) summer (July-August), (c) autumn (9)
(-November) and (d) show the standard of the watering setting contents for each winter (December-February).

Therefore, in the set time display section 20b ₂ provided in the time setting operation section 20a ₂ , display element rows for AM and PM are arranged above and below the time display of 12 hours corresponding to the time in AM and PM respectively. As a result, when the various operation buttons E ₁ and E ₂ are operated to input various setting contents, the content display section 20b for displaying the setting contents and the operation buttons E ₁ and E ₂ have a one-to-one correspondence. By doing so, a series of various condition setting operations can be easily understood, and therefore, the condition setting operation can be easily performed, and various setting contents follow the operation procedure in the order of watering date, watering time, watering time. Since they are arranged regularly, the number of times of watering, time and time can be set without error according to the characteristics of lawns, flower beds, etc. and the schedule of living, and water can be discharged by simply pressing operation buttons E ₁ and E _2. Since the start time and time can be easily set, a series of various condition setting operations related to the watering setting can be performed more easily.

Moreover, by dividing the watering time setting into morning and afternoon, the watering time can be set once in the morning and once in the afternoon, and the time can be set from 1 o'clock when setting and inputting the time. Since it suffices to perform the setting input operation in a narrow range until 12:00, the setting input operation can be made easy to understand. Operation buttons E _{1 for} setting and inputting the time of am and pm for the display element rows of am and pm respectively
Since E ₂ is provided, the watering time suitable for the plant can be easily set by setting the watering time once each in the morning and the afternoon with the operation buttons E ₁ and E ₂ . In addition, in the AM and PM display element rows, the display time sequentially moves each time the corresponding operation buttons E ₁ and E ₂ are operated, and the display time returns to the first time after the last time,
The number of times the operation buttons E ₁ and E ₂ are operated and the display time are 1
Since it can correspond to one-to-one, the setting input operation can be facilitated, and there is no time setting part that does not display any time between the last time and the first time,
By the portion without the time setting, the number of times the operation buttons E ₁ and E ₂ are pressed is reduced, and the time can be set in a shorter time.

Further, the time setting operation section 20a_TwoIn the morning
And / or display the time of day in the afternoon
By providing the part with no time setting
It is possible to limit the display to only the required time that suits your gender.
In addition, the time of day in the morning and / or afternoon
The time that is inappropriate for plants (e.g.
No display element is provided at the time corresponding to (night). Book
In the embodiment, AM E₁a corresponds to 0 to 4 am
Lamp is not provided. During this time, the plants are watered.
It is an inappropriate time to do and also an appropriate time
Settings can be entered only from the
And reduce costs by reducing the number of display elements.
The advantage is that Besides, set timetable
Indicating part 20b _TwoDisplay the time as hours instead of minutes and seconds
As a unit, the number of display elements is reduced to further increase the cost.
Down is planned. Also, in terms of plant characteristics, minutes and seconds
Since it is not necessary to set the detailed watering time at the
It is possible to deal with the situation sufficiently.

Further, in this embodiment, various lamps D ₂ , E ₁
Display elements such as LEDs are used for a, E ₂ a, and F ₂ ,
The display is easy to see when installed outdoors, and it has a durable structure that is not easily damaged. When performing watering at time other than the further predetermined time, press the "temporary watering" button C _1, the control circuit 18 be a time other than the time set in advance, "spear extraordinary water" Button C ₁ is given priority to operate drive circuit 23 to open solenoid valve 22, and water can be supplied for a predetermined time (for example, 20 to 30 minutes) to perform watering immediately. Since it has a function to retain the set contents as it is,
This also frees the user from the troublesome operation of resetting the setting contents to the original setting.

Although the button setting method has been described in the above embodiment, the "watering date setting" dial 50, the "watering time setting / morning" dial 51 and the "watering time setting / afternoon" as shown in FIG. "Dial 52," Watering time setting "
A dial setting method provided with the dial 53 may be used.

[0029]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation control of the solenoid valve is performed in the main body of the watering machine equipped with the solenoid valve in the flow passage between the raw water side and the sprinkling side. It is a watering machine provided with a time setting operation unit for setting and inputting a time for watering in advance to the control circuit, wherein the time setting operation unit includes a set time display unit for displaying various time setting contents, In this set time display section, the display element rows for the morning and the afternoon are arranged above and below the time display for 12 hours corresponding to the times in the morning and the afternoon, respectively. It is possible to perform a display corresponding to, and when setting and inputting the time, it suffices to perform the setting input operation in a narrow range from 1:00 to 12:00, and the time setting and input operation can be easily performed in a short time. .

According to the invention of claim 2, the time setting operation section according to claim 1 is provided with operation buttons for setting and inputting the time of am and pm to the display element rows of am and pm respectively. In addition to the effect of the first aspect, the watering time suitable for the plant can be easily set by setting the watering time once each in the morning and the afternoon with the operation button.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is that the time setting operation part according to claim 1 or 2 is provided with a part without time setting which does not display a predetermined time among the time in the morning and / or the afternoon. In addition to the effect of claim 1 or claim 2, it is possible to limit the display to only the necessary time that matches the characteristics of the plant. Further, in the invention of claim 4, in the am and pm display element rows according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the display time sequentially moves each time the corresponding operation button is operated once, and 4. The time setting non-existing portion which does not display any time is provided between the last time and the first time while returning to the first time after the time. Therefore, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In addition to the effects described, the number of times the operation button is operated and the display time are one-to-one.
It is possible to correspond to, and the setting input operation can be easily performed, and the number of times the operation button is pressed is reduced by the part without time setting provided between the last time and the first time,
The time can be set in a shorter time.

The invention according to claim 5 does not include a display element for a predetermined time among the times in the morning and / or afternoon according to any one of claims 11 to 4, and therefore the invention according to claims 1 to In addition to the effect according to claim 4, the display element is not provided at a time corresponding to an improper time for the plant (for example, midnight), so that the improper time is erroneously set. You don't have to worry, you can prevent watering at an inappropriate time for plants, you can start setting input operation from an appropriate time, you can set the time easily in a short time, and reduce the number of display elements to reduce costs. Can be down.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, the time displayed on the set time display section according to claim 1 is set as an hour unit,
In addition to the effect according to claim 1, in terms of plant characteristics,
It is not necessary to set the fine watering time in seconds, and it is possible to sufficiently cope with time, and further reduce the cost by reducing the number of display elements.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a display / setting panel used in an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a watering machine main body.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the irrigation machine main body viewed from the bottom side.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a usage state of the watering machine.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram related to a watering machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram in the middle of switching from the water stoppage of the watering machine to the water discharge state.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a watering state of the watering machine.

FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C are operation explanatory views when the current time is set.

FIG. 9 is a partial front view of a display / setting panel before watering setting.

10 (a) to (d) are operation explanatory views when setting watering.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a watering setting end state.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of changing the watering setting.

13 (a) to 13 (d) are explanatory views of condition setting contents for a plant that needs to be fully watered throughout the year.

14 (a) to (d) are explanatory views of condition setting contents for a plant that requires less water throughout the year.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Water main body 18 Control circuit 20a ₂ Time setting operation part 20b ₂ Setting time display part 21 Flow channel 22 Solenoid valve E ₁ , E ₂ Operation buttons

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshiharu Ohashi 1048, Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A time for pre-setting and inputting a watering time in a control circuit for controlling the operation of a solenoid valve in a watering machine body having a solenoid valve in a water passage between a raw water side and a sprinkling side. A water dispenser provided with a setting operation unit, the time setting operation unit includes a set time display unit for displaying various time setting contents, and the set time display unit displays a 12-hour time display above and below, respectively. A watering machine characterized by arranging display element rows for the morning and the afternoon corresponding to the time in the afternoon. 2. The irrigation machine according to claim 1, wherein the time setting operation section includes operation buttons for setting and inputting the times of am and pm to the display element rows of am and pm, respectively. 3. The irrigation machine according to claim 1, wherein the time setting operation section includes a time setting non-existing portion that does not display a predetermined time among the times in the morning and / or the afternoon. . 4. The display element rows in the morning and the afternoon display time are sequentially moved each time the corresponding operation button is operated, and the display time is returned to the first time after the last time, and at the last time and the first time. 4. The water irrigation machine according to claim 1, further comprising a time non-setting portion that does not display any time between the time and the time. 5. The watering machine according to claim 1, wherein a display element is not provided for a predetermined time of the afternoon and / or the afternoon. 6. The irrigation machine according to claim 1, wherein the time displayed on the set time display unit is set as an hour unit.