CN115735750A

CN115735750A - Transfer structure for continuously conveying crops and system comprising same

Info

Publication number: CN115735750A
Application number: CN202211512858.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王森; 孙清焕; 罗燕
Original assignee: Sichuan Zhongnong Mulin Senguang Biotechnology Co ltd
Current assignee: Sichuan Zhongnong Mulin Senguang Biotechnology Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-28
Filing date: 2022-11-28
Publication date: 2023-03-07

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transfer structure for continuously conveying crops and a system comprising the transfer structure. The transfer structure at least comprises a plurality of inclined transfer sections and a plurality of corner transfer sections. A plurality of the inclined transfer sections and/or a plurality of the corner transfer sections are used for moving the crops along the transfer direction. The transfer structure further comprises a lighting unit. The lighting unit is connected with a tilt module. The lighting unit performs a tilting motion toward the transfer structure along an extension plane in a transfer direction of the transfer structure based on a change in a tilt of the tilting module controlled by the control unit. Wherein the control unit adjusts the inclination angle of the illumination unit based on the crop attribute set of the crop on the cultivation plate, and simultaneously the control unit adjusts the inclination module based on the light receiving area of the leaves of the crop in the cultivation plate in such a manner that the light receiving amount of the crop satisfies the growth condition.

Description

Transfer structure for continuously conveying crops and system comprising same

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of crop cultivation, in particular to a delivery structure for continuously conveying crops and a system comprising the delivery structure.

Background

Fog culture cultivation has been developed for years, particularly during the past decade, and such cultivation methods are widely used in densely cultivating plants. The greenhouse crops such as tomatoes, lettuce and the like are more particularly cultivated by adopting the cultivation mode, and large-scale indoor agriculture which strictly controls the influence of external factors is formed. In the prior art, such indoor agriculture arranges crops on planting frames and supplies nutrients required by the crops in an automated manner at each growth stage of the crops. In this case, the pre-cultivated crops are usually individually fixed in planting pots on a horizontal surface and supplied with water and nutrients by periodically spraying nutrients. However, such a cultivation method cannot automatically illuminate a large number of crops and supply nutrients, and most of the cultivation methods depend on manual operation. Furthermore, problems with known systems for automated plant cultivation in indoor environments are typically: the systems used are difficult to adapt to different types and different growth stages of crops. When crops in the growth are changed, the change of the growth space required by different crops in different degrees and different periods of the growth stage must be considered. The prior art automated plant growing systems have difficulty in accomplishing such adjustments. More importantly, the prior art has difficulty in providing the required nutrients and moisture to the crop without causing damage to the foliage or roots of the crop. There is therefore a great need for a cost-effective delivery structure for continuously delivering crops and a system comprising the delivery structure, which is capable of anchoring the crop, isolating between the wet root and foliage of the crop.

Chinese patent CN110024596A discloses a cultivation structure for lettuce greenhouse and a preparation method of plant lamp thereof, the cultivation structure comprises: the base, vertical fixed bolster on the base, be equipped with the conveyer belt on the support, be equipped with the culture dish on the conveyer belt, contactless directly over the culture dish is equipped with the lift lighting fixture, be connected with full gloss register for easy reference plant lamp on the lift lighting fixture, the conveyer belt end is equipped with reaps the district, it is that to cultivate lettuce work flow: placing lettuce seeds in a culture dish containing a culture solution, placing the lettuce seeds on a conveyor belt, and irradiating under a seed cultivation plant lamp; after the lettuce sprouts, the lettuce is conveyed to a seedling cultivation plant lamp through a conveyor belt to irradiate; after the lettuce enters the growth period, the lettuce is conveyed to a plant cultivation lamp in the growth period through the conveyor belt to irradiate, and finally, after the lettuce is completely ripe, the lettuce is conveyed to a harvesting area through the conveyor belt to be harvested. The full-spectrum plant lamp is used for simulating sunlight to cultivate lettuce seedlings, and the seedlings can be harvested only in about 45 days, so that the time for growing the seedlings in the greenhouse is greatly shortened compared with the time for growing the seedlings in the greenhouse for 90 days. The patent has the defects of a horizontal cultivation structure, although the patent considers different growth stages and different illumination requirements of crops, the occupied area is too large, the construction cost is high, and large-scale crop cultivation is difficult.

Chinese patent CN104756716B discloses a tobacco seedling raising method, which comprises the steps of raising seedlings by using an aerosol seedling raising device, and comprehensively regulating and controlling the factors which influence the plant seedling raising and growth, such as temperature, humidity, spraying period, dissolved oxygen, CO2, inorganic salt, pH value and leaf surface illumination intensity, of the tobacco seedling raising; the aerial fog seedling raising device is arranged in the greenhouse and comprises a liquid storage pool, a support piece, a seedling raising tray and a substrate, wherein the liquid storage pool is positioned on the ground, the support piece is positioned above the liquid storage pool, the seedling raising tray is positioned on the support piece, and the substrate is positioned in the seedling raising tray; the liquid storage pool is filled with nutrient solution for spraying. The method can shorten the seedling raising period, raise more robust seedlings, save the seedling raising space, efficiently reduce the cost and protect the environment. However, the patent has the defects that the transmission structure is not provided, so that the seedling raising space is saved only in the arrangement mode, and the formed hollow lightproof aerosol chamber is easy to damage the leaves and/or roots of crops, and is difficult to prevent crop diseases.

Chinese patent CN111820121B discloses a plant tank production apparatus and plant tank transfer mechanism, which adjusts the distance of hydroponic plants according to their day-by-day growth to make different days of hydroponic plants obtain the plant tank production apparatus with the best growth space; the plant groove production equipment comprises a feeding conveying mechanism, a plant groove conveying mechanism and a discharging conveying mechanism; therefore, the plant tank production equipment of the patent mainly utilizes the hardware design of a plurality of top pieces for positioning each water tank, and the distance between the water-cultivated plants in each water tank is effectively adjusted according to the day-by-day growth of the water-cultivated plants in each water tank, so that the water-cultivated plants in different ages can obtain the optimal growth space, and the automation of cultivating the water-cultivated plants is really achieved by matching with the feeding and discharging of the plant tank, the quality of the produced and cultivated water-cultivated plants is improved, the limited space is effectively applied, and the cultivation yield is further improved. The drawback of this patent is that the focus is on the adaptation of the growing space of crops of different ages of day, but it is not considered that different ages of day have different needs not only for growing space, but also for light, nutrition, moisture, etc. In addition, the cultivation design of this patent is for stacking in the space, only adjusts in the horizontal direction, leads to the device area is big, and the crop of cultivating is few, only can regard as the equipment for the experiment, and can not cultivate on a large scale.

Furthermore, on the one hand, due to the differences in understanding to the person skilled in the art; on the other hand, since the inventor has studied a lot of documents and patents when making the present invention, but the space is not limited to the details and contents listed in the above, however, the present invention is by no means free of the features of the prior art, but the present invention has been provided with all the features of the prior art, and the applicant reserves the right to increase the related prior art in the background.

Disclosure of Invention

Indoor agriculture of the prior art has a problem of increased energy demand, and the present invention achieves more advantages over traditional agriculture for cultivation in the field through an automated system for cultivating crops. For example, the independence of the cultivation weather, the climate conditions in the greenhouse can also be optimally adapted to any crop that needs to be cultivated, thereby achieving a continuous growth of the crop. The special hydroponic system is designed to require a reduced amount of water to plant the crop, requires fertilizer, and planting the crop in indoor space can avoid the use of pesticides compared to outdoor cultivation. The arrangement mode and/or the arrangement length of the transmission structures are designed to reduce the energy consumption of indoor cultivation and increase the available surface area for crop cultivation. With respect to reducing the crop cultivation area, it is a very important technical measure for developed countries in urban areas and/or with relatively small surface areas suitable for agriculture.

In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention is to provide a transfer structure for continuously conveying crops, which at least comprises a plurality of inclined transfer sections and a plurality of corner transfer sections. A plurality of the inclined transfer sections and/or a plurality of the corner transfer sections are used for moving the crops along the transfer direction. The transfer structure further comprises a lighting unit. The illumination unit is connected with an inclination module, and the illumination unit performs inclination motion along an extension surface in the transmission direction of the transmission structure towards the transmission structure based on the change of the inclination controlled by the control unit. Wherein the control unit adjusts the inclination angle of the illumination unit based on the crop attribute set of the crop on the cultivation tray, and simultaneously the control unit adjusts the inclination module based on the light receiving area of the leaves of the crop in the cultivation tray in such a manner that the light receiving amount of the crop satisfies the growth condition. The invention realizes a system with a transmission structure for crop cultivation, which can effectively reduce the cultivation cost of each crop and the construction cost of cultivation facilities.

According to a preferred embodiment, the control unit controls the lighting unit such that a range of the conical illumination area emitted with the light emitting point of the lighting unit as the vertex is irradiated on the inclination transfer section and/or the rotation angle transfer section is changed. The illumination area is related to time, the moving speed of the transfer belt, the position of the cultivation disc and the light receiving area of the blade. Considering that the light receiving amount of crops cannot be accurately judged only through the light quantity of the lighting unit, the invention provides that the light receiving area of the blades is used as a reference parameter in the growth process of the crops, the gradient of the lighting unit, the transmission speeds of the plurality of inclination transmission sections and the plurality of corner transmission sections are adjusted according to the blade distribution characteristics of the crops with different types and different growth periods, and the purpose of enabling the crops to grow rapidly is achieved according to the blade distribution characteristics of the crops based on the design of the lighting unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lighting unit is provided with beam elements arranged in an array for emitting different light beams, the beam elements comprising at least a first beam element and a second beam element. Wherein the first light beam member corresponds to an incubation plate position to provide constant illumination, and the second light beam member is disposed in the gap of the first light beam member to correspond to a position of each incubation plate after the illumination unit is tilted. When the specific plants need to be supplemented with the auxiliary light source, the second light beam element of the lighting unit is aligned to crops on the cultivation dish after the lighting unit is inclined, and the light quality is not required to be adjusted by the lighting unit. Compared with the mode of providing a constant light beam through straight plate illumination in the prior art, the mode of providing various auxiliary illumination emphasizes the overall growth state of plants to provide illumination conditions for optimizing the growth of crops. The control unit controls the second beam element of the lighting unit to deflect in response to a transition in the plant growing period and controls the second beam element to provide auxiliary light to participate in the photomorphogenic response of the plant.

According to a preferred embodiment, the set of crop attributes consists of reference parameters describing the growth stage of the crop, the illuminated area of the leaves and the area covered by the leaves. The reference parameters refer to various parameters capable of expressing the current crop growth condition. Including the growth stage, the light receiving area, the light receiving quantity and the like of crops.

According to a preferred embodiment, the transfer structure is provided with a plurality of intermediate arrangements by a plurality of oblique transfer sections and a plurality of corner transfer sections. Wherein, the highest point and the lowest point of the transmission structure are set as a first deflection area and a second deflection area. The first deflection area and the second deflection area are alternately arranged to enable the crops to be in the process of periodic movement. Wherein the crop roots receive nutrients as the objects move in the oblique transfer section; the crop at least partially passes through the second deflection area, so that the crop roots can obtain nutrients in a water culture mode. With the transfer structure for continuously transporting crops and the system including the same designed as described above, it is possible to continuously aeroponically cultivate the roots of crops in the inner space of the lower surface of the transfer belt, while hydroponically cultivating the crops when the objects are in the second deflection area.

According to a preferred embodiment, the end of the transfer structure is connected to the head end of the transfer structure to form a circulating structure, or the end of the transfer structure is connected to a harvesting unit to harvest from the transfer structure crops that have grown to a harvestable extent; wherein, with the tail end of the transfer structure connected to the head end of the transfer structure to form a circulating structure, the crop is circulated to the head end of the transfer structure for the next growth cycle; in the case where the end of the transfer structure is provided with an acquisition unit, the end of the transfer structure is connected to the head end of the transfer structure to form a circulating structure after the crop in the transfer structure has been harvested.

The invention also relates to a system comprising a delivery structure for continuously delivering a crop, said system comprising a control unit which establishes a set of crop attributes at least for the crop, the set of crop attributes consisting of reference parameters describing the growth stage of the crop, the area of the blade acceptance and the area of the blade coverage. The control unit acquires a crop attribute set, and determines an adjustment mode of the illumination unit according to the crop attribute set; determining an adjusted trigger condition based on the set of crop attributes; when at least one reference parameter in the crop attribute set meets the trigger condition, the control unit controls the lighting unit to adjust in the determined adjusting mode of the lighting unit; therefore, the aim of adjusting the inclination of the lighting unit in real time to meet the light receiving amount of crops is fulfilled. According to the invention, the triggering condition is determined based on the crop attribute set, the lighting unit is correspondingly adjusted only after the crop triggers the corresponding condition, the problem of uncontrollable pollution can be avoided, and the lighting unit can be adjusted in a manner more in line with the crop fertility expectation in the indoor agricultural cultivation based on a multi-condition triggering verification manner.

According to a preferred embodiment, the adjustment of the lighting unit comprises at least: the illumination unit is subjected to a tilting movement towards the transfer structure along an extension plane in a transfer direction of the transfer structure based on a change of inclination of the tilting module controlled by the control unit. Wherein the control unit adjusts the inclination angle of the illumination unit based on the crop attribute set of the crop on the cultivation tray, and simultaneously the control unit adjusts the inclination module based on the light receiving area of the leaves of the crop in the cultivation tray in such a manner that the light receiving amount of the crop satisfies the growth condition. Since the adjustment of the transfer structure 1 entails the problem that the crop needs to be adjusted indirectly and the entire transfer structure is elongated, the invention proposes to indirectly achieve a relative rotation of the transfer structure 1 by changing the inclination angle of the lighting unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, the system further comprises a lighting unit configured to: the crop is wholly or partly illuminated by the light of the illumination unit and partly not illuminated while the crop is moved along the transfer path. Wherein the crop is irradiated when the object moves in the first deflection area and the second deflection area in a vertical downward direction along the transfer path; the crop is shaded as it moves vertically upwardly along the transfer path between the first deflection zone and the second deflection zone.

According to a preferred embodiment, the crop is moved continuously or intermittently along the lighting unit during its growth phase in order to receive sufficient illumination; the crop is illuminated in a manner suitable for the type of crop and/or consistent with the growth stage of the crop. In this way, the system operates economically and ecologically efficiently, for example with reduced costs of supplying moisture and light when the crop is in the seedling stage.

The invention has the beneficial technical effects that:

the invention meets the growing space requirement of crops by changing the inclination of the lighting unit to adapt to each growing stage of the crops. The illumination and the water acquisition are optimally designed according to the distance between the crops, a large amount of cost can be saved in the aspect of energy consumption, the system is flexible to use due to the modular periodic design, the crops of different types and different growth stages can be correspondingly cultivated, and the economy is realized. The invention is used for improving the space utilization rate in the existing crop planting frame, and can not obviously reduce the utilization rate of light rays in the whole illumination environment.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a transfer structure for continuously transporting crops and a system including the transfer structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the periodic module of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic view of a coupling structure of a fixed member and a rotating member of the present invention.

List of reference numerals

1: a transfer structure; 2: an oblique transfer section; 3: a corner transfer section; 4: a first deflection region; 5: a second deflection region; 6: an interior space; 7: an external space; 8: a crop; 9: a cultivation plate; 10: a period module; 11: a transfer belt; 12: an aeroponic culture device; 13: a hydroponic device; 14: a lighting unit; 15: a temperature sensor; 16: a humidity sensor; 17: a period module; 18: an acquisition unit; 19: a fixing element; 20: a rotating element; 21: a braking element; 22: a worm; 23: a worm gear; 24: a beam member.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Example 1

Starting from the known prior art systems for the automated cultivation of plants and the above-mentioned problems, the present application relates to a transfer structure for the continuous transport of crops and a system comprising such a transfer structure. Preferably, the crop is fixed during transport along the transfer path so that at least part of the root of the crop protrudes into the inner space 6 at the lower surface of the transfer belt 11. Preferably, at least part of the foliage and/or fruit of the crop protrudes into the outer space 7 on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 11 opposite the lower surface. The inner space 6 is provided at least with an aeroponic device 12 so that the crop fixed on the conveyor belt 11 is supplied with nutrients in an aeroponic manner. Preferably, the crop is moved continuously or intermittently during its growth phase while being fixed on the conveyor belt 11 and periodically exposed to light. Preferably, the roots are continuously supplied with nutrients during the movement of the crop. The crop is fixed on the transfer structure 1 by means of the cultivating tray 9 during transport along the transfer path. The dimensions of the transfer path and the transfer speed of the transfer structure 1 are such that the period of time during which the crop is moved along the transfer path corresponds to the growth phase of the crop. The invention realizes a system with a transfer structure for crop cultivation, which can effectively reduce the cultivation cost of each crop and the construction cost of cultivation facilities. Preferably, the cultivation plate 9 is provided with carrier material for the cultivation of crops. The carrier materials are used for short-term storage of moisture and/or nutrients and also for fixing crops.

Preferably, the transfer structure 1 comprises at least a number of oblique transfer sections 2 and a number of corner transfer sections 3. Several oblique transfer sections 2 move the crop in the transfer direction. The plurality of corner transfer sections 3 enable the crops to move smoothly when turning. Preferably, the crop is moved smoothly by the corner transfer section 3 at least when turning at the highest and lowest points of the transfer structure 1. The transfer structure 1 is provided with a first deflection area 4 and a second deflection area 5. The transfer structure 1 is provided at intervals with cultivation plates 9 for growing crops. The incubation plate 9 is fixed to the transfer structure 1. The cultivating tray 9 is used for preventing crops from falling or falling. Preferably, the roots of the crops are located in the area vertically below the transfer structure 1. The crop leaf is located in the vertically upper region of the transfer structure 1. The roots and leaves of the crops are located in the vertically lower and vertically upper regions of the transfer structure 1, respectively. The cultivating tray 9 spatially separates the roots and foliage of the crops so that when the objects move along the transfer path to the inclined transfer section 2, the crop roots are located in the inner space 6 and the crop foliage is located in the outer space to effect the aeroponic moistening and nutrient supply process to the crops. Due to the design of the transfer path, the transfer structure 1 alternately moves the crop to the first deflection area 4 and subsequently to the second deflection area 5. During the time the crop is in the second deflection zone 5, the roots of the crop are invaded into the vertically lower zone of the transfer structure 1 to soak the hydroponic culture and provide nutrients. After the crop has moved through the short, corner transfer section 3, the crop is moved again onto the inclined transfer section 2 of the transfer structure 1 and is subjected to aeroponic cultivation. Preferably, a part of the transfer path is composed of at least two oblique transfer sections 2 and two corner transfer sections 3. Wherein the crop moves from a vertically lower position to a vertically upper position and then from the vertically upper position to the vertically lower position. Preferably, at least one corner transfer section 3 is arranged at intervals between two oblique transfer sections 2. Preferably, two oblique transfer sections 2 and two corner transfer sections 3 constitute one periodic module 17. The speed of the transfer structure 1 is set so that the crop is circulated back and forth through the period module 17. A complete delivery structure 1 consists of the number of cycle modules 17 required to achieve the complete growth phase of the crop. The modular design of the overall system, which facilitates humidity automated crop cultivation, can be adapted to any need for crop growth, i.e. to the type of crop and/or the stage of growth. The delivery structure 1 is extended by arranging the period modules 17 to meet the full period of crop growth. Each cycle module 17 accommodates the nutritional requirements, lighting requirements, growing space and growing stage requirements of that type of crop. Several periodic modules 17 are assembled to form one integral transfer structure 1, making it possible to increase the distance between two adjacent oblique transfer sections 2 as the crop movement duration increases, making this distance suitable for crop growth. Preferably, the distance between two adjacent oblique transfer sections 2 is varied, at least on the basis of a given size of the crop fixed on the transfer belt 11.

Preferably, the transfer structure 1 is provided with several intermediate arrangements by means of several oblique transfer sections 2 and several corner transfer sections 3. Including, but not limited to, one or more combinations of laterally continuous "W" shapes, laterally continuous "S" shapes, laterally continuous "N" shapes, and longitudinally continuous "S" shapes. Preferably, the highest and lowest points of the transfer structure 1 are provided as a first deflection area 4 and a second deflection area 5. The continuous design of the transfer structure 1 causes the highest points and the lowest points to alternately appear, so that the crops 8 are in the process of periodic movement.

According to a preferred embodiment, the control unit obtains a crop attribute set, and determines an adjustment mode of the transmission structure 1 according to the crop attribute set; determining an adjusted trigger condition based on the set of crop attributes; when at least one reference parameter in the crop attribute set meets the trigger condition, the control unit controls the transmission structure 1 to adjust in the determined adjustment mode of the transmission structure 1; therefore, the purpose of adjusting the characteristics of the transmission structure 1 in real time to meet the crop growth characteristics is achieved. The reference parameters refer to various parameters capable of expressing the current crop growth condition. Including the growth stage, the light receiving area, the light receiving amount and the like of crops.

Preferably, the adjustment of the transfer structure 1 comprises: the inclined transfer sections 2 and/or the corner transfer sections 3 are raised or lowered in the longitudinal direction with a curvature which changes with the change in the longitudinal height. The lifting process can be completed by various embodiments such as a lifting motor, and the details are not described herein. The change of the bending radian is completed by adjusting the included angle between the adjacent inclined transfer section 2 and the corner transfer section 3. This change can be achieved by providing an adjustable hinge-like connection at the connection between the adjacent oblique and corner transfer sections 2, 3. For example, fixing pieces are respectively arranged on the inclined transmission section 2 and the corner transmission section 3, and an included angle is adjusted between the two fixing pieces through a connected rotating shaft point, wherein a worm 22 motor is arranged in each fixing piece to control the size of the included angle, and the worm 22 motor is in communication connection with the control unit.

However, since the adjustment of the transfer structure 1 brings about the problems that the adjustment of the crop is required indirectly and the whole transfer structure is elongated, the present invention proposes to indirectly achieve the relative rotation of the transfer structure 1 by changing the inclination angle of the illumination unit. Preferably, a tilt module is connected to the lighting unit. Preferably, the lighting unit performs a tilting motion toward the transfer structure based on an angular change of a tilting angle of the tilting module controlled by the control unit. Preferably, the control unit adjusts the tilt angle of the lighting unit based on a set of crop attributes of the crop on the cultivation tray. Preferably, the control unit adjusts the tilting module based on the light receiving area of the leaves of the crop in the cultivation tray in such a manner that the light receiving amount of the crop satisfies the growth condition. Preferably, the control unit controls the lighting unit such that the range of the conical illumination area emitted with the lighting point of the lighting unit as the vertex is irradiated on the tilt transfer section 2 and/or the rotation angle transfer section 3 is changed. Preferably, the control unit acquires a crop attribute set, and determines an adjustment mode of the illumination unit according to the crop attribute set; determining an adjusted trigger condition based on the set of crop attributes; when at least one reference parameter in the crop attribute set meets the trigger condition, the control unit controls the lighting unit to adjust in the determined adjusting mode of the lighting unit; therefore, the purpose of adjusting the inclination of the lighting unit in real time to meet the light receiving quantity of crops is achieved. The inclination module can adjust the inclination by a motor or an oil cylinder arranged on the lighting unit. The tilt module is communicatively coupled to the control unit.

The scheme generates a plurality of trigger conditions based on the reference parameters of the crops, but does not adjust the lighting unit in advance so as to prevent uncontrollable factors from influencing the crop growth. According to the invention, the triggering condition is determined based on the crop attribute set, the lighting unit is correspondingly adjusted only after the crop triggers the corresponding condition, the problem of uncontrollable pollution can be avoided, and the lighting unit can be adjusted in a manner more in line with the crop fertility expectation in the indoor agricultural cultivation based on a multi-condition triggering verification manner. Preferably, the control unit establishes a set of crop attributes for at least the crop 8, the set of crop attributes being made up of various reference parameters describing the growth stage of the crop, the illuminated area of the blades and the covered area of the blades. For example, the crop is in the seedling stage, the crop type is wheat, and the required light receiving amount in the growth stage is 200. Mu. Mol. M ^-2 ·s ^-1 The ratio of the blade light receiving area to the blade covering area is 0.7:0.3. in such a case, the lighting unit 14 should emit light in an amount greater than the amount of light it needs to receive, so that the actual amount of light received by the crop is at its standard for growth. The value of the adjusted illumination quantity depends on the ratio of the light receiving area of the leaves to the covering area of the leaves, namely the illumination quantity is increased by 30 percent to adapt to the growth of crops. The ratio of the light receiving area of the blade to the covering area of the blade in the reference parameters satisfies the triggering condition, so that the control unit controls the illumination amount of the illumination unit to adjust the actual light receiving amount of the crop. In particular, the reference parameters in the crop attribute set can be obtained from monitoring of the crop by a vision sensor provided in the system. The vision sensor obtains image information of crops and obtains parameters including crop growth stages, leaf light receiving areas, leaf covering areas and the like in real time through images based on an image processing technology. Preferably, for the crops to be detected with a plurality of complex backgrounds, a parameter model for the crops in the background can be established through the data obtained by image processing. The establishment of the new model can effectively improve the reference parametersThe new model can be directly called when reference parameters are obtained again in the background, and a large amount of calculation time is saved. Preferably, the control unit also performs image acquisition on the crops through a visual sensor and obtains the current chlorophyll content of the corresponding plants based on a digital image processing technology. The chlorophyll content can be used to correct the growth stage in which the crop is located.

In the present invention, the angle between the lighting unit and the oblique and/or corner transfer sections 2, 3 affects the actual light receiving area of the crop 8. The actual light receiving area of the crop 8 is the light receiving area of the leaves of the crop. But the illuminated area of the leaves of the crop 8 is affected by the area covered by the leaves. The leaf covering area is gradually increased in the crop growth process. Blade coverage area is a time-dependent variable. The leaf coverage area refers to the area of the leaf covered under the canopy during the growth of the crop. The ratio of the light receiving area of the leaves to the covering area of the leaves is the leaf occupancy ratio of the crops. In the present invention, the illumination unit 14 emits a conical illumination area with its light emitting point as a vertex. The illumination area is time-dependent, speed-dependent, position-dependent and illuminated area-dependent on the transfer belt 11, the place where the cultivation plate 9 is located and the blade. The above description explains that the illumination area is time-dependent and the moving speed of the transfer belt 11 is particularly characterized in that: the distance of movement of the crop along the transfer structure 1 increases as the crop grows. Since the lighting unit 14 is stationary, the crop moves continuously relative to the illuminated area during this movement, and the characteristics of this movement are closely related to the time and the speed of movement of the transfer belt 11. Furthermore, the blade coverage area is also a time-dependent variable, which itself also has time and speed-dependent effects. Considering that the light receiving amount of the crops cannot be accurately judged only through the light quantity of the lighting unit 14, the invention provides that the light receiving area of the blades is used as a reference parameter in the growth process of the crops 8, the inclination of the lighting unit, and the transmission speeds of the plurality of inclination transmission sections 2 and the plurality of corner transmission sections 3 are adjusted according to the blade distribution characteristics of the crops 8 with different types and different growth cycles, and the purpose of enabling the crops to grow rapidly is achieved according to the blade distribution characteristics of the crops based on the design of the lighting unit.

The adjustment of the inclination of the lighting unit also consists in: when the ratio of the light receiving area of the blade to the blade covering area is high, the covered area of the blade is small, that is, the light receiving amount is increased, and the triggering condition is satisfied. At the moment, the included angle between the lighting unit and the inclined transfer section 2 and/or the corner transfer section 3 is adjusted so that the light receiving area of the crop is changed. For example, when the included angle is 45 ° (the included angle means that the inclined angle of the inclined transfer section 2 to the lighting unit is 45 °), the actual illumination area illuminated by the lighting unit on the inclined transfer section 2 is √ 2 times the illumination area illuminated by the lighting unit on the vertical plane. That is, in the case where the lighting units emit the same illumination intensity, the light receiving amount per plant decreases by √ 2/2 in an equal ratio. Therefore, the control unit controls the inclination of the lighting unit, so that the light receiving quantity of each plant on the cultivation disc can be controlled. Preferably, the lighting unit is further provided as several light beam pieces. The light beam pieces are connected through a controllable hinge, so that the angle between each light beam piece can be adjusted. When the ratio of the light receiving area of the blade to the covering area of the blade is low, the covered area of the blade is large, namely, the light receiving amount is reduced, and the triggering condition is met. At this time, the control unit of the present invention superposes a plurality of light beam members to irradiate the cultivation tray and/or the plant by adjusting the angle between the light beam members so that the amount of light received by the crop is increased. The reason why the amount of light received by the plant is not changed by changing the amount of light emitted by the illumination unit is that in the actual cultivation process, the gap between each cultivation plate and each crop is large and sufficient space needs to be left for the crop to grow sufficiently. And these spaces result in the range over which the lighting unit actually illuminates the plant being much smaller than the overall illumination range. That is, more light is wasted illuminating the space, rather than illuminating the crop. If the light receiving amount of the crop is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the light emitting amount of the lighting unit, the power consumption of the lighting unit is inevitably increased greatly, which leads to an increase in cost. Therefore, the crop light receiving quantity is indirectly changed by adjusting the inclination of the lighting unit and the emergent angle of the light beam piece, additional energy consumption is not needed, and the crop light receiving quantity control system is more suitable for growth and development of crops.

Preferably, the controllable hinge comprises a stationary element 19 and a rotating element 20. Two fixing elements 19 are connected to two adjacent beam pieces, respectively. The two fixed elements 19 are angularly adjusted by means of a rotating element 20. Preferably, the fixing element 19 is fixed to the beam piece 24 by means of a screw connection or a snap connection. Preferably, there is space within the fixing element 19 for the placement of wires or battery packs or other devices that need to be placed. Preferably, the electrical wires or the battery pack in the fixing element 19 are also used for the electrical energy supply of the light bundle. The fixing member 19 can protect the wires or the battery pack from external factors or contamination. Preferably, the tip of the fixing element near the light beam can be provided with a tapered structure to enhance the firmness of the lighting unit. The fixing element 19 extends as far as possible towards the beam element to increase the bending resistance of the lighting unit as a whole, thereby improving the accuracy of the adjustment of the lighting unit to the tilting angle. A stop is also provided in the rotary elements 20 for limiting the rotation of the two rotary elements 20 about the axis point. Wherein, a braking element 21 for adjusting the rotation angle between the two rotating elements 20 is further provided in the rotating element 20. Preferably, the two rotating elements 20 are mutually engaged to form a complete hinge capable of controlling the angle after assembly. The braking element 21 extends within the rotating element 20 to the centerline of the rotating element 20. The output of the braking element 21 is provided as a worm 22. The central shaft of the two rotary elements 20 is provided with a worm wheel 23. The worm wheel 23 and the worm 22 are engaged to perform the adjustment of the inclination angle. Preferably, a central shaft is provided between the two rotating elements 20 to assist the rotation of the worm wheel and worm. The controllable hinge is used for rotatably adjusting the inclination angle between each adjacent light beam piece. That is, the stopper serves to restrict the relative rotation of the two rotating elements 20 within a predetermined angular range. For example, the limiter can limit the rotation of the rotating element 20 within the rotating element 20 in the manner of a slot or a cam. Preferably, the relative rotation angle of the two rotating elements 20 is limited to ± 30 °. The limiting member enables the light beam members to form the lighting unit according to a preset spatial arrangement. The braking element 21 controls the rotation of the worm wheel 23 by means of the rotating worm 22 and thus the relative rotation between the two rotating elements 20. Preferably, the braking element 21 is able to receive a control signal of the control unit to control the degree of rotation itself.

Preferably, the lighting unit is provided with light beam pieces arranged in an array for emitting different light beam types. The beam member includes at least a first beam member and a second beam member. The first beam element is used for providing a constant beam so as to enable the plant to carry out photosynthesis. Preferably, the first light beam member corresponds to each of the incubation plates on the transfer belt to provide a constant illumination. Preferably, the second beam member is disposed in the gap of the first beam member to correspond to each of the positions of the incubation tray after the illumination unit is tilted. When the specific plants need to be supplemented with the auxiliary light source, the second light beam element of the lighting unit is aligned to the crops on the cultivation disc after the lighting unit is inclined, and the light quality is not required to be adjusted by the lighting unit. Compared with the mode of providing a constant light beam through straight-plate illumination in the prior art, the mode of providing various auxiliary illumination emphasizes the overall growth state of plants to provide illumination conditions for optimizing the growth of crops. The control unit controls the second light beam element of the lighting unit to deflect in response to a transition in the plant growth period and controls the second light beam element to provide auxiliary light participating in the plant photomorphogenetic response. Preferably, the constant light emitted by the first beam element can be red and/or blue light in accordance with plant growth requirements. Preferably, the auxiliary light emitted by the second light beam element can be a combination of red, far-red, blue and/or violet light of different intensities that promotes a photomorphogenic response of the plant. Preferably, the combined proportion of the auxiliary light is red: far-red light: blue light: violet light =2:1:2:1. preferably, the combined proportion of auxiliary light is red: far-red light: blue light: violet =2:2:2:1

The prior art does not pay attention to the provision of an auxiliary light source for crops, and the plants are integrally grown in the growth process. The auxiliary light source can realize the targeted growth of crops, for example, the targeted illumination is carried out on leaves or fruits or pollen of the crops, so that the crops can grow in advance. But the auxiliary light source cannot be provided as long as the constant light source for crop photosynthesis. On the basis, the invention provides that the light beam is divided into the first light beam and the second light beam, and the first light beam and the second light beam respectively provide a constant light source and an auxiliary light source to realize the preferential growth of crops, so that the growth trend of the acquired expected targets (such as leaves or fruits or pollen and the like) is far better than that of the rest parts of the crops. The invention also ensures that the auxiliary light source does not irradiate crops for a long time through the adjustment of the inclination of the lighting unit. A first beam element and a second beam element form a complete beam element and the beam elements are connected by a controllable hinge, so that the angle between each beam element is adjustable. After the light beam pieces are adjusted in a targeted mode, the inclination of the whole lighting unit is adjusted, so that the second light beam pieces are aligned to the cultivation disc needing illumination and crops on the cultivation disc, and personalized combined light cultivation can be performed on single plants more accurately.

The invention meets the growing space requirement of growing crops by changing the inclination of the lighting unit to adapt to each growing stage of the crops. The illumination and the water acquisition are optimally designed according to the distance between the crops, a large amount of cost can be saved in the aspect of energy consumption, the system is flexible to use due to the modular periodic design, the crops of different types and different growth stages can be correspondingly cultivated, and the economy is realized. The invention is used for improving the space utilization rate in the existing crop planting frame, and can not obviously reduce the utilization rate of light rays in the whole illumination environment.

According to a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a lighting unit 14. The lighting unit 14 is configured to: while the crop is moving along the transfer path, the crop is wholly or partially illuminated by the light emitted by the illumination unit 14 and not illuminated on part of the transfer path. Preferably, the crop is illuminated by the lighting unit 14 as the object moves in a vertical downward direction in the first deflection area 4 and the second deflection area 5 along the transfer path. Preferably, the crop is screened by the transfer structure as the object moves in a vertically upward direction along the transfer path between the first deflection area 4 and the second deflection area 5. When the crop is shaded, the lighting unit 14 cannot illuminate the light to the crop. In this way, the light quality, illumination intensity and illumination duration of the lighting unit 14 can be selectively provided to the respective crops. Preferably, the lighting unit 14 is regulated by the control unit. The lighting unit 14 can be arranged horizontally above the transfer structure 1 or vertically opposite by the inclined transfer section 2. Preferably, the crop is moved continuously or intermittently along the lighting unit 14 during its growing stage in order to receive sufficient illumination. Preferably, the crop is illuminated in a selective manner. Especially in a manner suitable for the type of crop and/or consistent with the growth stage of the crop. With the above arrangement, the crop is illuminated only in a specific area on the transfer path. The specific area is preferably an inclined transfer section 2, especially the inclined transfer section 2 when the crops move vertically, so as to imitate the circadian rhythm of the natural environment.

The indoor agriculture of the prior art brings about a function of automatically cultivating crops, but also brings about a problem of increasing energy required for cultivation. The automated system employed by the present invention achieves more advantages over traditional agriculture for cultivation in the field. For example with controlled independent weather. The indoor air temperature can be adjusted in a self-adaptive manner according to crops to be cultivated. Compared with the water culture device and the field cultivation, the fog culture device provided by the invention has the advantages that the water consumption for planting is reduced, and the use of pesticides can be avoided when crops are planted in the indoor space. For indoor agriculture in the prior art, the arrangement mode and/or arrangement length design of the transfer structures 1 reduces the energy consumption of indoor cultivation and increases the available surface area for crop cultivation. With respect to reducing the crop cultivation area, it is a very important technical measure for developed countries in urban areas and/or with relatively small surface areas suitable for agriculture.

According to a preferred embodiment, the crop roots project into the aeroponic device 12 to receive aeroponic moistening as the matter moves on the inclined transfer section 2. When the crop reaches the second deflection area 5, the root of the crop extends into the water culture device to obtain water and/or nutrients in a water culture mode. On the conveyor belt 11 with the inclined conveyor segments 2, the corner conveyor segments 3 located between them and at the lowest point of the conveyor structure provide the crop with continuous access to nutrients. With the transfer structure 1 for continuously transporting crops and the system including the transfer structure 1 designed as described above, it is possible to continuously perform the aeroponics of the roots of the crops in the inner space of the lower surface of the transfer belt 11, and to perform the hydroponics of the crops when the objects are in the second deflection area 5. Preferably, the crops are aeroponically cultivated continuously or intermittently, the aeroponics not affecting the leaf growth of the crops by the insulating action of the cultivation trays and the transfer belt. In this way leaf diseases of crops are prevented. The temperature and humidity of the inner space 6 of the lower surface of the transfer belt 11, in particular of the inclined transfer sections 2, are monitored by temperature sensors 15 and humidity sensors 16 and controlled by a control unit to avoid that the temperature and/or humidity in the area is not suitable for crop growth.

According to a preferred embodiment, it also comprises an adjustment unit for adjusting the distance between the periodic modules 17 to accommodate the growth size variations of the individual crops. Preferably, the adjusting unit adjusts the distance between two adjacent periodic modules 17 at least based on the growth condition of the crops. The crop is also growing continuously as it moves along the transfer structure 1. On the basis of the continuous growth of crops, as the green amount of crops increases, the distance between the modules 17 in each period needs to be increased to adapt to the change of the illumination requirement. Preferably, the transfer structure 1 is also designed such that the distance between the individual cultivation plates 9 varies depending on the extent of crop growth. The adjusting unit can be a telescopic component which is composed of telescopic rods and can control distance change. According to a preferred embodiment, the delivery end of the delivery structure 1 is connected to the head end of the delivery structure 1 so as to form a reciprocating cycle of the delivery structure or the end of the delivery structure 1 is connected to the harvesting unit 18 for harvesting crops that have grown to a harvestable extent from the end of the delivery structure 1. Preferably, the length of the delivery structure 1 is adapted to the crop growth to harvest. Preferably, in case the delivery end of the delivery structure 1 is connected to the head end of the delivery structure 1, thereby forming a reciprocating cycle of the delivery structure, the crop is circulated to the head end of the delivery structure 1 for the next growth cycle. In case the transfer structure 1 is provided with an acquisition unit 18 at its end, the end of the transfer structure 1 is connected to the head end of the transfer structure 1 to form a circulating structure after the crop in the transfer structure 1 has been harvested. Preferably, a cleaning unit is provided on the path where the end of the transfer structure 1 is connected to the head end of the transfer structure 1 to ensure the required sterilization of the transfer structure 1. The cleaning unit can be sterilized with steam.

According to a preferred embodiment, the distance between two adjacent trays 9 on the transfer structure 1 is adjusted on the basis of the degree of growth of the crop on the trays 9. As the crop grows, particularly the leaves of the crop, the surface area required for growth increases. Therefore, the two adjacent cultivation plates 9 are properly separated by the mechanical elements on the transfer structure 1, so that the single crop has more growth space and is fully irradiated. The above adjustment is achieved by changing the distance between the cultivation plates 9. The root of each crop is fixed in a corresponding cultivation plate 9. Preferably, the distance between two adjacent trays 9 is increased when transferring the crop, based on the extent and speed of growth of the crop on the transfer structure 1. It will be appreciated that as the crop grows, there is a further separation between the various trays 9. Preferably, the transfer structure 1 comprises a transfer chain. The cultivating tray 9 is fixed on the transferring chain by the transferring belt 11 having elasticity. The transfer belt 11 is moved along the transfer path by the transfer chain. The transfer belt 11 is designed such that: the distance A between the two sections formed by bending the transfer belt 11 and the distance B between the adjacent two cultivation plates 9 fixed to the transfer belt 11 can be changed. Although the distance between the cultivating trays 9 can be changed by changing the distance a between two adjacent transfer belts 11, it is preferable in the present invention that a mechanical member for changing the distance between the respective cultivating trays 9 by elastically elongating the transfer belts 11 in the longitudinal direction is not provided. By adapting the transfer path or belt 11 accordingly in this way on the basis of the changing size of the crop growing space, the ever-increasing space requirements of indoor agriculture are met and the use of material and energy is minimized. In this way, the system operates effectively from an economic and ecological point of view, for example with reduced costs for supplying moisture and light when the crop is in the seedling stage. Preferably, elastic elements are provided between the respective cultivation plates 9 to increase the distance to the cultivation plates 9 which are not directly connected to the transfer belt 11 when the transfer belt 11 is moved. When the transfer belt 11 moves, the elastic member is elongated accordingly. Preferably, the incubation plate 9 is at least partially fixed to the transfer belt 11. Preferably, the incubation plate 9 is at least partially rigidly connected to the transfer belt 11. Preferably, the incubation plate 9 can also be indirectly connected to the conveyor belt by means of elastic elements. The transfer belt 11 is longitudinally elongated as the crop transfer time increases. Preferably, the elastic member is provided between the cultivation plates 9 only for increasing the distance between the cultivation plates 9. Preferably, the cultivating trays 9 can be arranged in different positions of the resilient elements, or the respective resilient elements can be part of the transfer belt 11, so that the resilient elements are spread out as desired, in particular as a function of the growth of the crop, to vary the distance between the cultivating trays 9. Furthermore, the individual incubation plates 9 are not moved by the movement of the elastic elements. The individual incubation plates 9 can be actively moved individually. It will be appreciated that, regardless of the type of establishment used, it is necessary to vary the distance between the various trays 9 in the direction along the path of travel to meet the growing space requirements of the crop. The system described above is adapted to various crops, such as lettuce, strawberry and/or tomato etc., and enables harvesting in the second deflection area 5.

To further illustrate the principles of the transfer belt of the present invention. As shown in fig. 2, a schematic diagram of the structure of a single period module 17 is shown. The periodic module 17 has a transfer belt 11 which is an elliptical-like loop comprising two oblique transfer sections 2 and two corner transfer sections 3, and vertically above which there is a first deflection zone 4 and vertically below which there is a second deflection zone 5. It will be appreciated that the oblique 2 and corner 3 transfer sections of the schematic are relatively short, only as a principle illustration, and that the resilient elements and the incubation plate 9 are not shown. Preferably, the transfer belt 11 can be made of plastic material, preferably polyvinyl chloride, which is formed into a plate-like transfer belt such that the roots of the crop (i.e. the cultivation plate on which the crop is fixed) thereon are in the inner space 6 formed by the transfer belt 11. While the blade and/or fruit protruding conveyor belt 11 is located in the outer space 7. An aeroponic device 12 is also provided in the inner space 6 to provide nutrition to the roots of the crops. Preferably, the transfer belt 11 can be motor driven. Which is connected to the transfer belt 11 by means of a transmission. The motor and lighting unit 14 is connected to the control unit. The control unit adapts the illumination of the crop and the speed at which the crop moves along the conveyor belt 11 to the growth cycle of the crop.

Throughout this document, the features referred to as "preferably" are only optional and should not be understood as necessarily requiring that such applicant reserves the right to disclaim or delete any relevant preferred feature at any time.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments are exemplary, and that those skilled in the art, having benefit of the present disclosure, may devise various arrangements that are within the scope of the present disclosure and that fall within the scope of the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present specification and figures are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting on the claims. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A transfer structure for continuously conveying crops, said transfer structure (1) comprising at least a number of inclined transfer sections (2) and a number of corner transfer sections (3),

a number of said oblique transfer sections (2) and/or a number of corner transfer sections (3) for moving the crop in a transfer direction,

the transfer structure further comprises a lighting unit (14),

a tilting module is connected to the lighting unit (14), the lighting unit (14) performing a tilting movement towards the transfer structure (1) along an extension plane in a transfer direction of the transfer structure (1) based on a change of a tilt of the tilting module controlled by a control unit, wherein,

the control unit adjusts the inclination angle of the illumination unit based on the crop attribute set of the crop on the cultivation tray, and simultaneously adjusts the inclination module based on the light receiving area of the leaves of the crop in the cultivation tray in such a manner that the light receiving amount of the crop satisfies the growth condition.

2. Transfer structure for continuously transferring crops as claimed in claim 1,

the control unit controls the lighting unit (14) to change the range of the conical illumination area emitted by taking the luminous point of the lighting unit (14) as the vertex on the inclination transmission section (2) and/or the corner transmission section (3).

3. Transfer structure for continuously conveying crops as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that beam elements for emitting different light beams are arranged in an array on the lighting unit (14), which beam elements comprise at least a first beam element and a second beam element, wherein,

the first light beam member corresponds to the position of the cultivation plate (9) on the transfer belt to provide constant illumination, and the second light beam member is disposed in the gap of the first light beam member to correspond to the position of the cultivation plate (9) after the illumination unit (14) is tilted.

4. Transfer structure for the continuous conveying of crops as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3,

the crop attribute set consists of reference parameters describing the growth stage of the crop, the light receiving area of the blades and the covering area of the blades.

5. Transfer structure for the continuous conveying of crops as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4,

the transfer structure (1) is provided with a plurality of middle arrangement modes through a plurality of inclined transfer sections (2) and a plurality of corner transfer sections (3), wherein,

the highest point and the lowest point of the transmission structure (1) are set as a first deflection area (4) and a second deflection area (5), the first deflection area (4) and the second deflection area (5) alternately appear to enable crops to be in the process of periodic movement, wherein,

the roots of the crops receive nutrients as they move in the oblique transfer section (2); the crop at least partially passes through the second deflection area (5) so that the roots of the crop can obtain nutrients in a water culture mode.

6. Transfer structure for the continuous conveying of crops as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5,

the tail end of the transfer structure (1) is connected to the head end of the transfer structure (1) to form a circulating structure, or

The ends of the transfer structure (1) are connected to an acquisition unit (18) to harvest from the transfer structure crops that have grown to a harvestable extent; wherein,

in case the tail end of the transfer structure (1) is connected to the head end of the transfer structure (1) to form a circulating structure, the crop circulates to the head end of the transfer structure for the next growth cycle;

in case the transfer structure (1) is provided with an acquisition unit (18) at its end, the end of the transfer structure (1) is connected to the head end of the transfer structure after the crop in the transfer structure has been harvested to form a circulating structure.

7. A system comprising a transfer structure for continuously transporting a crop as claimed in claims 1-6, characterized in that the system comprises a control unit, which control unit establishes a set of crop properties at least for a crop, which set of crop properties consists of reference parameters describing the growth stage, the blade acceptance area and the blade coverage area of the crop,

the control unit acquires a crop attribute set and determines an adjustment mode of the lighting unit (14) according to the crop attribute set; determining an adjusted trigger condition based on the set of crop attributes; when at least one reference parameter in the crop attribute set meets the trigger condition, the control unit controls the lighting unit (14) to adjust in the determined adjusting mode of the lighting unit (14); therefore, the purpose of adjusting the inclination of the lighting unit in real time to meet the light receiving quantity of crops is achieved.

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the manner of adjustment of the lighting unit (14) comprises at least: -subjecting the lighting unit (14) to a tilting movement towards the transfer structure (1) along an extension plane in a transfer direction of the transfer structure (1) based on a change of inclination of an inclination module controlled by a control unit, wherein,

the control unit adjusts the inclination angle of the illumination unit based on the crop attribute set of the crop on the cultivation plate, and simultaneously adjusts the inclination module based on the light receiving area of the leaves of the crop in the cultivation plate in such a manner that the light receiving amount of the crop meets the growth conditions.

9. The system according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the lighting unit (14) is configured to: while the crop is moving along the transfer path, the crop is wholly or partially illuminated by the light of the illumination unit (14) and partially not illuminated by the light, wherein,

the crop is irradiated while moving in a vertical downward direction in the first deflection area (4) and the second deflection area (5) along the transfer path;

the crop is shaded when it moves in a vertically upward direction along the transfer path between the first deflection zone (4) and the second deflection zone (5).

10. The system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the crop is moved continuously or intermittently along said lighting unit (14) during its growing phase in order to receive sufficient illumination; the crop is illuminated in a manner appropriate to the type of crop and/or consistent with the growth stage of the crop.