DE102020125906A1 - Automated plant for vertical agricultural cultivation of plants indoors - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to design a system for the vertical agricultural cultivation of plants indoors as automated and effectively as possible, it is proposed that at least one climatically sealed climate cell for growing the plants be provided in the automated system, with several carrier systems being arranged in at least two layers one above the other within the climate cell. wherein the automated system has an intralogistics system for automated transport of the carrier systems in the automated system.

Description

The invention relates to an automated system for the vertical agricultural cultivation of plants indoors, the automated system having at least one climatically sealed climate cell for growing the plants, with several carrier systems being arranged one above the other in at least two layers within the climate cell.

State of the art

the DE 1 928 939 describes a climate chamber for growing plants indoors.

In the DE 1 778 624 a device for conditioning air for a climate chamber is described.

the DE 10 2018 126 555 A1 describes a closed climate cell with movable lighting platforms.

In the DE 10 2016 121 126 B3 describes a climatically sealed climate cell for growing plants indoors.

Presentation of the invention: task, solution, advantages

The object of the present invention is to provide an automated system for the vertical agricultural cultivation of plants indoors with at least one climatically sealed climate cell for growing the plants, with several carrier systems being arranged one above the other in at least two layers within the climate cell, which is flexible for the Breeding of different plant species and can be used particularly efficiently.

According to the invention, an automated system for the vertical agricultural cultivation of plants indoors is provided for this purpose, the automated system having at least one climatically sealed climate cell for growing the plants, with several carrier systems being arranged one above the other in at least two layers within the climate cell.

According to the invention, the automated system has an intralogistics system for automated transport of the carrier systems in the automated system.

In the context of this invention, an automated system is understood to mean a system for the vertical agricultural cultivation of plants indoors, with machines and robots being used to transport the plants on the carrier systems or the carrier systems themselves between different stations within the system in a mechanically and automatically controlled manner be moved. The automated system is preferably designed to be fully automated, so that the transport of the individual carrier systems between the different stations is carried out fully automatically by means of a controller.

Within the meaning of the invention, vertical agricultural cultivation indoors is understood to mean cultivation according to the vertical farming principle. This means that the plants are cultivated in a building, with the plants being raised or cultivated over several layers or floors one above the other. For this purpose, suitable lighting and air conditioning must be provided for the different stages of plant growth in the individual layers or floors.

According to the present invention, the carrier system is preferably trough-shaped and has an essentially rectangular basic shape. In principle, however, other shapes could also be provided. The carrier system serves to accommodate or as a carrier for a plurality of substrate carriers, which are or will preferably be arranged one behind the other in the carrier system. The carrier system is also a receptacle for the water/nutrient solution. The individual substrate carriers then lie in the water/nutrient solution within the carrier system. A substrate carrier essentially has a receiving area for the substrate and a bottom with openings through which the water/nutrient solution can pass. The substrate on which the seed is distributed and the plants grow is then arranged on the substrate carrier. Different substrates can be provided for this purpose.

In order to provide the most efficient possible automation for a system in the field of vertical agricultural plant cultivation, it has been shown that it makes sense to set up the system with several areas or modules. In order to transport the plants or the carrier systems in which the plants are arranged on individual substrate carriers between the individual modules as mechanically as possible, but also automatically, the present invention proposes the use of an intralogistics system. This means a controllable transport system for moving the carrier systems within the system or between individual modules or areas of the system. The aim is that the seedlings or plants remain on the substrate carriers from sowing to final processing and the carrier systems are moved or transported together with the substrate carriers and seedlings or plants arranged thereon.

The automated system or the intralogistics system can be designed for continuous guidance or continuous transport of the individual carrier systems through the various stations or modules of the system.

Alternatively, the automated system or the intralogistics system can be designed or designed for a type of batch management. This means that a group or a number of multiple carrier systems are always moved together from station to station or module to module at a time. The automated system could also be prepared for both types of cultivation.

The automated system preferably has a number of climatically sealed air-conditioning cells which are logistically connected to one another via the intralogistics system in such a way that the carrier systems can be transported between the number of air-conditioning cells via the intralogistics system. The several climate cells can be provided for the different stages in plant cultivation. For example, a climatic cell could be provided for the germination phase and another climatic cell for the growth phase. However, several climate cells could also be provided for the germination phase and/or growth phase. In particular for the growth phase, climate cells could be provided for different stages during the growth of the plants with different climatic conditions. Furthermore, climate cells could be provided for the flowering phase and/or for the pollination phase. The selection of the climate cells to be used and also the number of climate cells to be used therefore depend on the respective application and in particular on the type of plant that is to be cultivated. For example, the conditions for growing lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries or flowers are very different. For example, in order to support or activate flowering, a rapid temperature change or jump in temperature can be provided in a climate cell.

The intralogistics system is provided at least for transporting the carrier systems in one direction from one climate cell to the next climate cell. However, the intralogistics system could also be designed for transport in both directions, i.e. back to a previous climate cell.

A first climatic cell and a second climatic cell are preferably provided for different stages in plant cultivation, with different climatic properties or conditions being set in the first climatic cell and in the second climatic cell. However, additional climate cells, a third climate cell, a fourth climate cell, and so on, with different and/or partially identical climatic conditions can also be provided. Climate cells could also be provided, the climatic conditions of which can be set and programmed in a completely flexible manner.

In the multiple climate cells, not only is the climate preferably set individually according to the respective plant species and stage, but optimized lighting and irrigation are also provided. For example, some plant species do not require light during the germination phase, so that lighting can be completely dispensed with in a climate cell for the germination of such plant species. Other plant species also need light during the germination phase, so this can be provided in a climate cell provided for this purpose.

Basically, the lighting can be provided in different ways. For example, special LEDs can be provided, via which the light spectrum can be adjusted and adjusted to the respective stage during growth. Also, the light can be mimicked over the course of the day according to natural conditions. Additionally or exclusively, daylight can also be fed into the air-conditioning cell. For this purpose, the sunlight can, for example, be captured by special collectors and fed directly or indirectly into the climate cell.

It could also be provided only several climate cells for the growth phase or for different stages of the growth phase and no climate cell for the germination phase. In such a case, substrate carriers with pre-germinated seeds or seedlings could be delivered from outside and these could be introduced or used directly into the corresponding climate cell for the growth of the plants by means of the intralogistics system. The substrate carriers can be designed in different ways. In the simplest case, these are essentially plant bowls with a substrate inserted in them. But it can also be pots or other vessels for receiving substrate.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the automated system has at least one sowing room for sowing seed, with the at least one sowing room being logistically connected via the intralogistics system to the at least one climatically sealed climate cell for transporting the carrier systems from the sowing room to the climatically sealed climate cell. A sowing room can also be understood to mean a clean room. In the sowing room, the seed is applied to substrates, which are arranged in the prepared substrate carriers. Several of these substrate carriers are then or are already arranged beforehand in a carrier system. The carrier systems with the several substrate carriers arranged in them are transported from the sowing room to the climate cell via the intralogistics system. A plurality of sowing spaces could also be provided, in which seed is applied to substrates in substrate carriers in parallel or with a temporal overlap. The carrier systems do not necessarily have to be transported directly from the sowing area to a climatic cell or into a climatic cell. In order to act as flexibly as possible and to be able to take different running times in the individual modules into account, the carrier systems from the sowing area can also be temporarily stored in a kind of waiting module or a buffer area before they are then transported on to the climate cell.

The automated system preferably has at least one buffer area for intermediate storage of the carrier systems. The at least one buffer area can be logistically connected to various stations or areas and modules of the system via the intralogistics system. The buffer area serves as a kind of waiting area or for intermediate storage during transport from one station to the next or from one module to the next. The buffer areas increase the flexibility and efficiency of the entire system. The buffer areas can be climatically closed so that an optimal environment is provided for the plants to be temporarily stored. Alternatively, the buffer areas can also be climatically connected to individual stations or modules.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the automated system has at least two buffer areas, with a first buffer area being connected on the input side via the intralogistics system to the at least one climatically sealed air-conditioning cell, and a second buffer area being connected on the output side via the intralogistics system to the at least one climatically sealed air-conditioning cell is. Thus, carrier systems can be temporarily stored before being inserted into the at least one climate cell. Furthermore, the carrier systems can also be temporarily stored after they have been removed and before they are transported to another module, for example to another air-conditioning cell.

The automated system preferably has at least one sample preparation area for equipping the carrier systems and/or the substrate carriers in the carrier systems. In the sample preparation area, the substrate is placed on the substrate carrier in the carrier system and both are then placed on the intralogistics system. Alternatively, the carrier system could also first be placed on the intralogistics system and then the substrate carriers with the substrate applied thereto could be arranged in the carrier system. It is also possible to first arrange the substrate carriers in the carrier system, place the carrier system with the substrate carriers on the logistics system and then place the substrate on the substrate carriers already used in the carrier system. Different sequences are thus possible when applying the substrate to the substrate carrier, inserting the substrate carrier into the carrier system and placing the carrier system on the logistics system. These individual steps can be automated or manual. The substrate is preferably pretreated before or after being placed in the substrate carrier, for example watered and/or fertilized. In addition, the sample preparation area can have an analytical unit that is provided for measuring various parameters, for example the germination rate, the germ length, cross-contamination, and so on. For this purpose, the analysis unit can have suitable sensors or also cameras for image analysis.

Furthermore, the automated system preferably has a harvesting area for preparing the plants. Particularly preferably, the cultivated plants are automatically prepared in the harvesting area for the provision of a sales-optimized product. For the purposes of the present invention, harvest is not to be understood as meaning that the plants, for example lettuce plants, are cut off and separated from their roots. In the context of the present invention, harvest is to be understood as an automated process for providing the cultivated product or the plants. For example, in the harvesting area, the substrates with the plants arranged on them can be removed from the substrate carriers and packed, so that the plants are not yet separated from the roots for distribution, but remain on the substrate. In this case, after removing the substrates with the plants for sale or distribution, the carrier systems and therein arranged substrate carrier used for a new cultivation of plants in the facility. Theoretically, it would also be possible to provide the plants together with the substrate carrier and the substrate for distribution.

Provision is also preferably made for the automated system to have a packaging area for packaging the plants. The packing area can be provided locally in one room with the harvesting area or it can also be arranged separately from one another in different rooms. In the packaging area, the plants are packed on the substrates for further transport or distribution. Alternatively, as already mentioned for the harvest area, the complete substrate carrier can be packed with the substrate and the plants. Particularly preferably, however, the substrate carriers and also the carrier systems remain in the system for further cultivation of plants. Thus, only the substrates are removed from the substrate carriers together with the plants. The substrates can be used for distribution in suitable packaging and/or plant trays, pots and so on.

Furthermore, the automated system preferably has a cleaning module and/or a sterilization module for cleaning and/or sterilizing the carrier systems and/or for cleaning and/or sterilizing the substrate carriers arranged in the carrier systems. In this module, the carrier systems and/or substrate carriers can be cleaned and sterilized in the same automated plant after the substrates have been removed for reuse for new cultivation of plants. For example, the carrier systems and/or substrate carriers can be stacked separately or together, transported to the cleaning module and/or sterilization module by means of the intralogistics system, cleaned or sterilized there and then made available again for a new use by means of the intralogistics system.

The automated system preferably also has a storage module for providing water and/or a nutrient solution and/or individual components for producing a nutrient solution. For this purpose, the storage module can consist of several containers or tanks and devices for mixing the individual components in the tanks. In the storage module, the individual components for producing the nutrient solution are thus particularly preferably stored in tanks and the nutrient solution itself is also produced from these components. In particular, components such as water and various fertilizers are provided for this purpose in the tanks.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the automated system has a filtration system for filtering and/or treating water and/or a nutrient solution. As a result, a relatively closed circuit can be provided in the automated system in a particularly preferred manner. It is therefore particularly preferred not only to prepare the carrier systems with the substrate carriers after the cultivation of plants for reuse or new cultivation, for example cleaned and then reintroduced into the system, but also the nutrient solution used and/or the Water filtered and/or treated in the filtration system for reuse.

The filtration system can preferably be logistically connected to the storage module. Alternatively, the filtration system and storage module could be located locally in one room. For example, after the water and/or nutrient solution has been filtered and/or treated, the treated water and/or nutrient solution could be supplemented with components of a nutrient solution from the storage module.

The at least one climatically sealed climate cell of the automated system preferably has regulating means for regulating a temperature and/or a relative humidity and/or a carbon dioxide content and/or an air speed and/or an irrigation period and/or an illumination period and/or an illumination intensity inside the climate cell itself.

The climatic cell can be designed in such a way that uniform parameters are set within the entire climatic cell by means of these regulating means. Alternatively, the climatic cell could be designed in such a way that the parameters for the individual layers can be set individually by means of these regulating means. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the climate cell is divided into several climate zones in the horizontal direction, in particular in the direction of the rows of plants arranged on the individual layers. Different parameters for the individual climatic zones across all layers or on each individual layer can then be set separately by means of the regulating means. A climate cell designed in this way is particularly suitable if, along the rows on the individual layers, the plants or the support systems with the plants arranged on them in be pushed through a kind of FIFO principle during the germination and/or growth phase. Thus, the plants can pass through different climatic zones according to their growth requirements during the germination and/or growth phase.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the automated system has at least one transplantation area for separating the plants. Depending on the type of plant, for example, individual plants can be isolated between the germination phase and the growth phase or several times during the growth phase. This is particularly useful for so-called single head plants, such as flowers and tomatoes. These can then be isolated or implemented at specified time intervals during the growth phase. Small flowers and tomatoes require less space, so more plants per square meter can be arranged on the substrates or in the substrate holders early in the growth phase. At a later stage of the growth phase of these plants, they require more space, so that they have to be separated and fewer plants per square meter are arranged on the substrate or in the substrate carrier.

Furthermore, the automated system preferably has a substrate preparation area in which the substrate itself can also be prepared for reuse. Alternatively, the substrate can also be recycled in the substrate preparation area for sustainable disposal. For example, the substrate could be intended for repeated use and thus processed several times. Means for analyzing the last used substrate could be provided in the substrate preparation area. These analysis means can then be used to determine whether the substrate is suitable for repeated use and/or can be processed, or whether the substrate needs to be recycled.

character list

The invention is explained below using a preferred embodiment as an example.

• 1: eine Ansicht einer beispielhaften automatisierten Anlage für den vertikalen landwirtschaftlichen Anbau von Pflanzen in Innenräumen.

It shows purely schematically:

• 1 : a view of an exemplary automated installation for vertical agricultural cultivation of plants indoors.

Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

1 shows purely schematically and by way of example a structure of a possible automated system 100 for the vertical agricultural cultivation of plants indoors. are in 1 only some possible areas and modules of such an automated system 100 are shown. The intralogistics system is also 12 in 1 not shown for the sake of clarity. The intralogistics system 12 can be constructed in any suitable manner. For example, the intralogistics system 12 could be formed from different machines and robots as well as conveyor belts for the automated and mechanical transport of the carrier systems 11 between individual modules or areas of the automated system 100 .

In 1 an automated system 100 with a plurality of climate cells 10 arranged one behind the other, two buffer areas 14, a sowing area 13 and a cleaning module 18 is shown as an example.

The various air-conditioning cells 10 arranged one behind the other are each designed as separate air-conditioning cells 10 which are climatically sealed off. in the in 1 example, a first climate cell 10a is provided for the germination phase. Following this, further second climate cells 10b are provided for the growth phase. The second climate cells 10b can have identical climate settings or different climate settings for different stages of growth.

in the in 1 In the automated system 100 shown by way of example, a first buffer area 14a is connected on the input side to the climate cells 10 arranged one behind the other, so that before the carrier system 11 is inserted into the respective climate cell 10, the carrier systems 11 can be temporarily stored.

Furthermore, at the in 1 example shown, a second buffer area 14b is arranged on the outlet side of the air-conditioning cells 10 . As a result, the individual carrier systems 11 can also be temporarily stored after removal from the respective climate cells 10 and before transport to the harvesting area (not shown here for the sake of clarity).

In this context, it is again pointed out that the 1 The automated plant 100 illustrated is merely an example of how different modules and sections for such an automated plant 100 may interact and be co-located. for a fully automated system 100, further modules and areas as described above are useful.

Reference List

100

Automated facility

10; 10a, 10b

climate cell

11

carrier system

12

intralogistics system

13

sowing room

14; 14a, 14b

buffer area

14a, 14b

frame parts

15

sample preparation area

16

harvest area

17

packaging area

18

cleaning module

19

sterilization module

20

supply module

21

filtration system

22

substrate preparation area

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 1928939 [0002]
• DE 1778624 [0003]
• DE 102018126555 A1 [0004]
• DE 102016121126 B3 [0005]

Claims (15)

Automated system (100) for the vertical agricultural cultivation of plants indoors, the automated system (100) having at least one climatically sealed climate cell (10; 10a, 10b) for growing the plants, with a plurality of carrier systems (11) in at least two layers are arranged one above the other within the climate cell (10), characterized in that the automated system (100) has an intralogistics system (12) for automated transport of the carrier systems (11) in the automated system (100). Automated plant (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the automated system (100) has several climatically sealed climate cells (10; 10a, 10b) which are logistically connected to one another via the intralogistics system (12) in such a way that the carrier systems (11) via the intralogistics system (12) can be transported between the several climate cells (10; 10a, 10b). Automated plant (100) according to claim 2 , characterized in that a first climatic cell (10a) and a second climatic cell (10b) are provided for different stages in plant rearing, different climatic properties being set in the first climatic cell (10a) and in the second climatic cell (10b). Automated system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automated system (100) has at least one sowing space (13) for sowing seed, the at least one sowing space (13) being connected logistically via the intralogistics system (12) to the at least one climatically sealed climate cell (10; 10a, 10b) for transporting the carrier systems (11) from the sowing space (13) to the climatically sealed climate cell (10; 10a, 10b). Automated system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automated system (100) has at least one buffer area (14; 14a, 14b) for the intermediate storage of the carrier systems (11). Automated plant (100) according to claim 5 , characterized in that the automated system (100) has at least two buffer areas (14a, 14b), a first buffer area (14a) being connected on the input side via the intralogistics system (12) to the at least one climatically sealed climate cell (10; 10a, 10b). and wherein a second buffer area (14b) is connected on the output side via the intralogistics system (12) to the at least one climatically sealed climate cell (10; 10a, 10b). Automated system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automated system (100) has at least one sample preparation area (15) for equipping the carrier systems (11) and/or the substrate carriers in the carrier systems. Automated installation (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automated installation (100) has a harvesting area (16) for preparing the plants. Automated plant (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automated plant (100) comprises a packaging area (17) for packaging the plants. Automated system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automated system (100) has a cleaning module (18) and/or a sterilization module (19) for cleaning and/or sterilizing the carrier systems (11) and/or in the carrier systems (11) arranged substrate carriers. Automated system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automated system (100) has a storage module (20) for providing water and/or a nutrient solution and/or individual components for producing a nutrient solution. Automated installation (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automated installation (100) has a filtration system (21) for filtering and/or treating water and/or a nutrient solution. Automated system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one climatically sealed climate cell (10; 10a, 10b) has regulating means for regulating a temperature and/or a relative humidity and/or a carbon dioxide content and/or a air speed and/or an irrigation duration and/or an illumination duration and/or an illumination intensity within the climate cell (10; 10a, 10b). Automated installation (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the automated system (100) has at least one transplantation area (21) for separating the plants. Automated system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automated system (100) has a substrate preparation area (22).

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