Patent Application
20170121235
This application claims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number 104136354 filed Nov. 4, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference.
Field
The present disclosure relates to a compost controlling system and a method. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system and a method for controlling the process of making compost according to several environment factors.
Description of Related Art
Fertile soil must have enough decomposed organic matter (also referred to humus) to provide an appropriate environment for corps. The purpose for making compost is to decompose organic matter, in which “decompose” means the extent of the decomposition has reached a certain level suitable for the corps instead the organic matter is completely decomposed. In general, compost is dark brown, delicate, soft and has a dirt aroma. During the process of making compost, factors such as temperature, oxygen concentration, stirring time, and standing time need to be controlled. For example, Taiwan patent publication number 201302663 disclosed a pre-treatment equipment for composting of agricultural waste in which the agricultural waste is crushed and dehydrated. Taiwan utility model number M326015 discloses a fast composting device, in which a container has a heat isolation case, and the process of composting is kept at a high temperature to perform aerobic fermentation by the isolation case and air circulation functions of a ventilation device. However, these prior arts do not consider and control all the factors. Therefore, it is an issue concerned in the art that how the factors are controlled in a systematic way to improve the possibility of making compost successfully.
Embodiments of the disclosure provides a compost controlling system including a container, a temperature sensor, a heater, and a controlling circuit. The temperature sensor is disposed on the container, and configured to detect a temperature corresponding to the container. The controlling circuit is electrically coupled to the temperature sensor and the heater. The controlling circuit turns on the heater and determine whether the temperature is higher than a first predetermined temperature in a first mode. If the temperature is higher than the first predetermined temperature in the first mode, the controlling circuit enters a second mode, turns off the heater, and determines whether the temperature is higher than a second predetermined temperature. The second predetermined temperature is higher than the first predetermined temperature. If the temperature is higher than the second predetermined temperature in the second mode, the controlling circuit enters a third mode and determines whether the temperature is lower than a third predetermined temperature. The third predetermined temperature is lower than the second predetermined temperature. If determining that the temperature is lower than the third predetermined temperature, the controlling circuit generates a compost completion message.
In an embodiment, the controlling circuit determines whether the temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature in the second mode. If the temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature in the second mode, the controlling circuit turns on the heater.
In an embodiment, the compost controlling system further includes a stirring module disposed in the container. If the controlling circuit determines that a first predetermined time is elapsed or the temperature is lower than a fourth predetermined temperature in the third mode, the controlling circuit turns on the stirring module. The fourth predetermined temperature is lower than the second predetermined temperature and higher than the third predetermined temperature.
In an embodiment, after turning on the stirring module, the controlling circuit determines whether the temperature is lower than a fifth predetermined temperature. The fifth predetermined temperature is lower than the fourth predetermined temperature and higher than the third predetermined temperature. If determining that the temperature is lower than the fifth predetermined temperature, the controlling circuit turns off the stirring module.
In an embodiment, the compost controlling system further includes a humidity sensor and a humidifier which are disposed on the container and electrically coupled to the controlling circuit. The humidity sensor detects a humidity corresponding to the container. The controlling circuit determines whether the humidity is lower than a predetermined humidity in the first mode and the second mode. If determining that the humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity, the controlling circuit turns on the humidifier.
In an embodiment, the compost controlling system further includes a liquid level sensor and a liquid fertilizer discharging device which are disposed on the container and electrically coupled to the controlling circuit. The liquid level sensor detects a liquid level corresponding to the container. The controlling circuit determines whether the liquid level is higher than a predetermined liquid level in the third mode. If determining that the liquid level is higher than the predetermined liquid level, the controlling circuit turns on the liquid fertilizer discharging device.
In an embodiment, the compost controlling system further includes an oxygen sensor and a gas providing device which are disposed on the container and electrically coupled to the controlling circuit. The oxygen sensor detects an oxygen value corresponding to the container. The controlling circuit determines whether the oxygen value is less than a predetermined oxygen value in the second mode. If determining that the oxygen value is less than the predetermined oxygen value, the controlling circuit turns on the gas providing device.
In an embodiment, the compost controlling system further includes a weight sensor disposed on the container and electrically coupled to the controlling circuit. The weight detects a weight value corresponding to the container.
In an embodiment, the compost controlling system further includes a display device disposed on the container and electrically coupled to the controlling circuit. When the controlling circuit is in the second mode, the controlling circuit records time elapsed in the first mode and accordingly calculates estimated completion time, and displays the estimated completion time on the display device.
In an embodiment, when the controlling circuit is in the third mode, the controlling circuit records time elapsed in the first mode and the second mode, and accordingly recalculates and updates the estimated completion time. The controlling circuit displays the updated estimated completion time on the display device.
Embodiments of the disclosure provides a compost controlling method including following steps. First, a temperature corresponding to the compost controlling system is obtained. A heater is turned on, and whether the temperature is higher than a first predetermined temperature is determined in a first mode. If the temperature is higher than the first predetermined temperature in the first mode, a second mode is entered, the heater is turned off, and whether the temperature is higher than a second predetermined temperature is determined. The second predetermined temperature is higher the first predetermined temperature. If the temperature is higher than the second predetermined temperature in the second mode, a third mode is entered, and whether the temperature is lower than a third predetermined temperature is determined. The third predetermined temperature is lower than the second predetermined temperature. A compost completion message is generated if determining that the temperature is lower than the third predetermined temperature in the third mode.
In an embodiment whether the temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature is determined in the second mode. The heater is turned on if the temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature in the second mode.
In an embodiment, a stirring module is turned on if determining that first predetermined time has elapsed or the temperature is lower than a fourth predetermined temperature in the third mode. The fourth predetermined temperature is lower than the second predetermined temperature and higher than the third predetermined temperature.
In an embodiment, whether the temperature is lower than a fifth predetermined temperature is determined after turning on the stirring module. The fifth predetermined temperature is lower than the fourth predetermined temperature and higher than the third predetermined temperature. The stirring module is turned off if determining that the temperature is lower than the fifth predetermined temperature.
In an embodiment, a humidity corresponding to the compost controlling system is obtained. Whether the humidity is lower than a predetermined humidity is determined in the first mode and the second mode. A humidifier is turned on if determining that the humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity.
In an embodiment, a liquid level corresponding to the compost controlling system is obtained. Whether the liquid level is higher than a predetermined liquid level is determined in the third mode. A liquid fertilizer discharging device is turned on if determining that the liquid level is higher than the predetermined liquid level.
In an embodiment, an oxygen value corresponding to the compost controlling system is obtained. Whether the oxygen value is less than a predetermined oxygen value is determined in the second mode. A gas providing device is turned on if determining that the oxygen value is less than the predetermined oxygen value.
In an embodiment, a weight value corresponding to the compost controlling system is obtained.
In an embodiment, time elapsed in the first mode is recoded when entering the second mode. Estimated completion time is calculated accordingly, and is displayed on a display device.
In an embodiment, time elapsed in the first mode and the second mode is recorded when entering the third mode. The estimated completion time is updated accordingly, and the updated estimated completion time is displayed on the display device.
The disclosure can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiment, with reference made to the accompanying drawings as follows:
Specific embodiments of the present disclosure are further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, however, the embodiments described are not intended to limit the present disclosure and it is not intended for the description of operation to limit the order of implementation. Moreover, any device with equivalent functions that is produced from a structure formed by a recombination of elements shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the drawings are only illustrative and are not drawn to actual size.
The using of “first”, “second”, etc. in the specification should be understood for identify units or data described by the same terminology, but are not referred to particular order or sequence.
If the temperature is higher than the first predetermined temperature T1 in the first mode M1, the controlling circuit 130 will be set as a second mode M2 (also referred to the controlling circuit 130 entering the second mode M2). In the second mode M2, the controlling circuit 130 turns off the heater 122, and determines whether the temperature obtained from temperature sensor 112 is higher than the second predetermined temperature T2 which is higher than the first predetermined temperature T1. For example, the second predetermined temperature T2 is ranged from 60 degrees Celsius to 80 degrees Celsius. In the second mode M2, the microorganisms have stated to decompose massive organic matters. The decomposition generates lots of heat, and thus the heater 122 is turned off. In some embodiment, if the sensed temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature T1 in the second mode M2 due to some external factors, then the controlling circuit 130 will again turns on the heater 122 until the temperature is higher than the first predetermined temperature T1. Since the decomposition generates lots of heat in the second mode M2, some prior arts do not have the mechanism of re-turning on the heater 122. However, in practical scenarios, the temperature of the compost may drop due to the user opening the container or stirring the compost, or due to the cold air outside. In the embodiment, the mechanism of re-turning on the heater 122 increases the probability of making the compost successfully, which is an advantage of the disclosure.
In some embodiments, the controlling circuit 130 controls the heater 122 based on a fuzzy inference control, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The controlling circuit 130 may apply a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control in other embodiments.
If the sensed temperature is higher than the second predetermined temperature T2 in the second mode M2, the controlling circuit 130 will be set as a third mode M3 (or referred to the controlling circuit 130 entering the third mode). In the third mode M3, the temperature drops progressively, and the controlling circuit 130 determines whether the sensed temperature is lower than a third predetermined temperature T3 which is lower than the second predetermined temperature T2. For example, the third predetermined temperature T3 is near to the room temperature (e.g. 25 degrees Celsius). If determining that the temperature is lower than the third predetermined temperature T3, the controlling circuit 130 will generates a compost completion message, and display the compost completion message on the display device 140. The compost completion message is used to inform the user about the making of the compost being done. The compost completion message may be implemented as words, images, symbols, etc. Moreover, the content of the compost completion message is not limited in the disclosure. In practice, the compost no longer generates heat after the decomposition is finished, and therefore the temperature of the container may drop because there is no heat isolation means in the container in some embodiments.
The controlling circuit 130 has three modes, and only controls the heater 122 in the embodiments above. However, the three modes may be divided into more modes, and the stirring module 120, the humidifier 124, the gas providing device 126 and the liquid fertilizer discharging device 128 may be controlled as well in the embodiments below.
On the other hand, the controlling circuit 130 controls the humidity in the first mode M1 and the second mode M2. To be specific, the humidity sensor 114 detects a humidity corresponding to the container 110, and transmits the information of the humidity to the controlling circuit 130. The controlling circuit 130 determines whether the humidity is lower than a predetermined humidity (it varies depending on the types of the compost and the microorganisms, for example, it ranges from 50% to 80%). If the sensed humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity in the first mode M1 and the second mode M2, then the controlling circuit 130 turns on the humidifier 124. For example, the humidifier 124 increases the humidity of the compost through spraying water.
The controlling circuit 130 controls the concentration of the oxygen in the second mode M2 and the fourth mode M4. To be specific, the oxygen sensor 116 detects an oxygen value (e.g. the concentration of the oxygen) corresponding to the container 110, and transmits the oxygen value to the controlling circuit 130. The controlling circuit 130 determines whether the oxygen value is less than a predetermined oxygen value (it varies depending on the types of the compost and the microorganisms, for example, it is 20%). If the oxygen value is less than the predetermined oxygen value in the second mode M2 and the fourth mode M4, the controlling circuit 130 turns on the gas providing device 124. For example, the gas providing device 124 imports the external fresh air into the container 110.
The controlling circuit 130 controls a liquid level of a liquid fertilizer in the fourth mode M4 and the fifth mode M5. To be specific, the liquid level sensor 118 detects a liquid level (representing the level of the liquid fertilizer) corresponding to the container 110, and transmits the liquid level to the controlling circuit 130. The controlling circuit 130 determines whether the liquid level is higher than a predetermined liquid level (it varies depending on the shapes of the container 110, for example, it is two centimeter). If the controlling circuit 130 determines that the liquid level is higher than the predetermined liquid level in fourth mode M4 and the fifth mode M5, the controlling circuit 130 turns on the liquid fertilizer discharging device 128 so that the liquid fertilizer is discharged into outside of the container 110. In some embodiments, the compost controlling system 100 also has a liquid fertilizer collecting module for collecting the discharged liquid fertilizer.
The weight sensor 129 is used to detect a weight value corresponding to the container 110. For example, the weight value may represent how much compost is in the container 110. When the weight value is larger, it means the time to make the compost is required to be longer. In some embodiments, the first predetermined time is proportional to the weight value.
In some embodiments, the controlling circuit 130 also predicts when the making of the compost is finished, and displays the predicted time on the display device 140. To be specific, when the controlling circuit 130 enters the second mode M2, the controlling circuit 130 records time elapsed in the first mode M1, and accordingly calculates estimated completion time, and displays the estimated completion time on the display device 140. In addition, when the controlling circuit 130 enters the fourth mode M4 (i.e. entering the third mode M3), the controlling circuit 130 records time elapsed in the first mode M1 and the second mode M2, and re-calculates and updates the estimated completion time according to the recorded time information. The controlling circuit 130 displays the updated estimated completion time on the display device 140. In some embodiments, the controlling circuit 130 may calculates the estimated completion time according to the time elapsed in the first mode M1 and the second mode M2, and the weight value sensed by the weight sensor 129. Consequently, the user may know when the making of the compost is finished, and the estimated finished time is updated in real time during the composting procedure.
However, all the steps in
Although the present disclosure has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they fall within the scope of the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 104136354 | Nov 2015 | TW | national |
