US 2022/0174898 A1 · INDOOR GARDEN CENTER WITH A DRIVE ASSEMBLY UTILIZING POSITIONAL FEEDBACK

Abstract

An indoor gardening appliance includes a grow module that is seated on a turntable that is rotatably mounted within a grow chamber and is rotated by a drive assembly. A position sensing assembly monitors an angular position using two proximity sensors, such as Hall-effect sensors, mounted below the sump at the same circumferential position but at different radial positions. The turntable includes a plurality of proximity indicators, such as magnets, positioned at each of three circumferential positions on the turntable and at different radiuses to define a two-digit binary code corresponding to each of the three circumferential positions that is detectable by the proximity sensors.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A gardening appliance defining a vertical direction, the gardening appliance, comprising:

a liner positioned within a cabinet and defining a grow chamber;
a grow module mounted within the liner and defining a plurality of apertures for receiving one or more plant pods;
a sump positioned proximate a bottom of the cabinet and defining a collection reservoir;
a turntable rotatably mounted to the sump and being configured for supporting the grow module;
a position sensing assembly operably coupled to the sump and the turntable for monitoring an angular position of the turntable relative to the sump;
and
a drive assembly for selectively rotating the turntable within the grow chamber based at least in part on the angular position of the turntable.

4 more elements

A position sensing assembly for monitoring an angular position of a turntable within a sump of an indoor gardening appliance to provide feedback to a drive assembly for selectively rotating the turntable, the position sensing assembly comprising:

a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor mounted to the sump at hub alignment position along a circumferential direction, the first proximity sensor being positioned at a first radial position and the second proximity sensor being positioned at a second radial position;
and
a plurality of proximity indicators positioned at three circumferential positions on the turntable, the plurality of proximity indicators being positioned at different radiuses at each of the three circumferential positions to define a two-digit binary code corresponding to each of the three circumferential positions that is detectable by the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Indoor garden center with a drive assembly utilizing positional feedback

Life of this patent

Indoor garden center with a drive assembly utilizing positional feedback

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20