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Smart Flowerpot
red dot
red dot award: design concept 2007
| design: |
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| VIA Telecom (Hangzhou) CO., LTD |
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| Jian Wang |
Bin Yu |
Smart Flowerpot is a pot that takes care of its plant. It is designed for those who do not have much time for indoor plants, but would like the benefits of a natural, green environment.
Watering and taking care of potted plants is often neglected when daily schedules become busy. Smart Flowerpot makes taking care of plants effortless. The pot can function in any place with exposure to light. Its principle is based on the absorption and transformation of light energy into electrical energy, which is used to power semi-conductor cooling technology to cool the air. This condenses gaseous water into liquid water, which is then used to water the plant automatically.
Smart Flowerpot comprises five components: light absorbing materials, a semi-conductor refrigeration unit, a humidity sensor, a rechargeable battery, and a heat insulation layer. The light absorbing materials are distributed on the surface of the flowerpot, ensuring sufficient area for the absorption of light from all directions. The semi-conductor refrigeration unit, located at the top of the pot, enables it to be in contact with the air directly. Perforated with tiny holes, the circular surface allows the condensed water to flow into the pot. By increasing or decreasing the surface area exposed to the air, one is able to control the amount of water that flows into the pot.
A rechargeable battery is located at the bottom of the pot, which is automatically kept charged by solar panels. Energy is released from the battery for the refrigeration unit. A soil-moisture sensor is installed at the bottom of the pot. When the sensor detects low soil-moisture content, the system will start to work automatically to produce water. When soil humidity reaches an adequate level, the system will stop. This ensures that the soil in the pot always maintains the most suitable level of moisture for plant growth. The heat insulation layer on the inner surface protects the plant from low temperatures, and traps heat produced by the semiconductor refrigeration unit as well as heat from the light absorbing panels.
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