FI124137B - Method and arrangement for lighting of greenhouse plants and trolley for use in the greenhouse - Google Patents

Description

Method and arrangement for lighting of greenhouse plants and trolley for use in the greenhouse

Background of the Invention

The invention relates to a method for illuminating greenhouse plants, wherein the greenhouse plants are grown in rows of plants spaced by treatment corridors and / or other sufficiently wide rows of plants.

A further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for illuminating greenhouse plants, wherein the greenhouse has plant rows and a treatment corridor and / or other sufficiently spaced plant row spacing.

Yet another object of the invention is a trolley for use in a greenhouse.

Typically, greenhouse plants are illuminated by attaching luminaires to the plants in connection with the supporting structures. Greenhouse lighting consumes a considerable amount of energy. In addition, the luminaire generates wasted heat which overheats the greenhouse. Thus, typically, the roof hatches of the 15 greenhouses have to be opened to lower its indoor temperature. This results in both loss of energy and the removal of carbon dioxide from the greenhouse, which the plants need to contact. Because the luminaires are mounted above the plants, the lower part of the plants receives less light than the upper part. Thus, typically, the leaves of the lower plant receive too little light, thereby rendering them incapable of contacting, but merely consuming the connectivity results of the upper crop. In addition to high energy consumption, greenhouse lamps also illuminate the space outside the greenhouse, which typically produces a large amount of so-called light pollution. In addition, the lighting fixture and suspension structures shade the plants, preventing the plants from receiving important natural light.

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ii In greenhouse lighting, a solution has been tried, with ™ luminaires hanging down near the leaves of the plants. However, the heat output of such luminaires should not be very high so that they do not burn and thus damage the leaves of the plant. Thus, such a solution requires quite a lot of luminaires, because it also loses its light output reasonably low.

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member. Attempts have also been made to prevent leaf damage by swinging lights near the plant back and forth, but this does not reduce the amount of lights needed. All in all, such a solution will be quite expensive in terms of investment costs. Also in this solution, the luminaires and especially their hanging structures shade the plants, preventing natural light from entering the plants.

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US 6178692 discloses a solution in which vertical growth columns are illuminated by a sulfur plasma lamp mounted on a movable rack. The rack is fitted with eg. the magnetron and rack needed for the sulfur plasma lamp are placed next to the growth column. However, such a solution does not solve the overall lighting problems of greenhouse plants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a novel type of solution for lighting of greenhouse plants.

The method, arrangement and trolley according to the invention are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims.

The idea of the invention is to illuminate the plants in the greenhouse so that they receive the light they need for communication, at least partially laterally. The lamps are moved between the rows of plants in the greenhouse next to the plants 15 so that each plant is exposed to light for part of the time. Such a solution requires considerably less lighting than before. Thus, the energy consumption of lighting can be significantly reduced. Further, the excessive increase in indoor temperature caused by lighting can be significantly reduced. Thus, there is no longer such a great need to ventilate greenhouses to lower the temperature so that carbon dioxide cannot escape from the greenhouse and heat is not lost through such ventilation. This also reduces carbon dioxide emissions. As the luminaires are less demanding than before, the cost of purchasing and installing luminaires is also reduced. Because the amount of electricity consumed by the lighting 25 is also lower, the

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The size of the connection cable and main fuses must be the same as previously. The upper mounting structures for the luminaires can also be reduced, so that the mounting structures and luminaires are no longer equally shaded by the plants, preventing natural light from reaching the plants. Illuminate plants with side light between plant rows

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from a luminaire causes plants to receive near-light in almost all contact-? this leaf area. Thus, the leaves of the lower part of the crop can also communicate. Slowly moving light extends widely into the crop from different angles and directions, thus reaching evenly throughout the communicating press. In this way, the central and lower 35 presses are also made to produce link products instead of consuming them. Because the lanterns move past the plants, they do not have time to heat and burn the surface of the 3 leaves or damage the fruit, even if the heat they produce is quite high. Orientation and height adjustment of the luminaires are easy. In this way, the lighting conditions can be easily adjusted to suit different plant species and varieties as the plants grow. Since the luminaires require a relatively small amount, the amount of light pollution can also be reduced from the previous one. Lateral luminaires for plants also warm the lower part of the crop slightly, which lowers the humidity and creates a more uniform environment in the greenhouse. Uniform conditions prevent the occurrence of fungal diseases in the greenhouse. All in all, the lighting 10 will be uniform and thus the irrigation conditions operating automatically will also remain constant. Temperature differences in the crop are also reduced, which facilitates biological control.

According to one embodiment, wagons or rails with luminaires are arranged to pass through adjacent corridors in different rhythms, i.e. at different points.

15 The light also penetrates through the row of plants, so the lamps in one row also illuminate the plants in the next row of plants. By adjusting the light groups of the different row spacing to pass at different points, the plants cannot stop linking, but they keep linking because the length of the darkest periods is reasonably short.

The idea of one embodiment is that the trolley with the lighting fixtures is also a plant trolley and preferably the trolley can be combined to be a harvest trolley at the same time. This way, the placement of lighting in the treatment corridor does not interfere with plant care or harvesting.

In another embodiment, the idea is that the movable luminaire group is spaced between a wide pair of pairs.

In yet another embodiment, the idea is to combine so-called "light" with the light group. shaking rods used in low light conditions to ensure dusting cv ^. Typically, such mechanical dusting has to be done manually, so by combining the shaking rod with the carriage, labor costs can be saved.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS o

The invention will be explained in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows a top view of a greenhouse and Fig. 2 schematically shows a wagon illuminating the plants viewed from the side.

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In the figures, some embodiments of the invention are shown in simplified form for clarity. Like parts are denoted by like reference numerals in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a portion of a typical greenhouse. Figure 1 shows plant rows 1 with reference numeral 1. There are plant row spacing 2 between plant rows 1, which can be treatment corridors or other plant row spacing such as spacing between rows. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the rows of plants 1 are arranged in two different parts with a central 10 passageway 3 in the center. The plants in the row can be any greenhouse grown, for example, tomato, cucumber, pepper, potted vegetables and ornamentals.

For each row of plants 2, a light group 4 is arranged. The light group 4 may consist, for example, of luminaires mounted on wagons or rails. In this way, the rows 1 of the plant-15 are exposed to light from the light groups 4 so that the plants receive at least partially laterally the light they need for communication. The light groups 4 are moved along the row of plants 2 so that light is applied to each plant for a part of the time. The plant starts to communicate when it receives enough light. After the light has ceased, the plant typically continues to communicate for a while. 20 This connection does not end when the wagon carrying the lamps has moved away from the plant.

From the luminaires of light group 4, light also penetrates through plant row 1.

Thus, the luminaires of one light group 4 illuminate more rows of plants than only the rows of plants 1 adjacent to the plant row spacing 2 where light group 4 25 passes. According to Figure 1, the light groups 4 are preferably arranged to move in a different rhythm, i.e. the light groups 4 move at a different position relative to the adjacent light group. Thus, when there is no light V group 4 adjacent to the plant on its own plant row spacing 2, the plant nevertheless receives light from light group 4 on any other plant row spacing 2, thereby minimizing the darkest period of the plant | 30, and the plant does not necessarily stop at all, i.e. the plant cannot stop the contact between bright light periods.

2 Preferably, the light group 4 is arranged to move back and forth along a single row of plants 2 o. In this case, the lighting control and solution control is simple ™.

35 The length of the row of plants 2 can be, for example, 10-100 meters. The length of the light group 4 can be, for example, 1-10 meters. For example, the speed of movement of the light group 4 may be 5 to 10 seconds per meter, for example. The length of the plant row spacing 2, the length of the light group 4 and its speed of motion are adapted to the needs of each plant so as to optimize energy consumption and plant connection efficiency. According to one example, the plant row spacing is a treatment passage 50 meters long and a light group 5 mounted on a carriage 15 having a length of about 5 meters fitted with lamps to illuminate the plants. In this case, for example, the speed of the carriage 15 can be adjusted to 3-5 seconds / meter. In this case, one plant will have strong lighting for a few tens of seconds every few minutes. Depending on the vegetation, the luminaires used, and other factors, the length of the light group may be other than the above. The length of the light group is preferably less than 50%, preferably less than 30%, and most preferably less than 15% of the length of the illuminated plant row.

Fig. 1 shows electric rails 5 on top of plant row spacers 2. Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the luminaires 15 are mounted on a carriage. As shown in Fig. 2, the light group mounted on the carriage 15 receives its electricity supply from the electric rail 5 by means of a current collector 6.

Heating conduits 7 are typically provided in connection with the treatment corridors. These heating conduits 7 serve as tracks for the carriage, i.e. the wheels 8 of the carriage 15 are arranged to pass over the heating conduits 7.

A wiring harness 6 is provided to the wiring box 9, from which electricity is further supplied to the devices and instruments that require it, such as lamps 10 and motor 11.

The luminaires 10 are attached to the structures of the carriage 15, i.e. the carriage 15 serves as a rack for the luminaires 10. The luminaires 10 can be fixedly fixed to the carriage 25 15 or, for example, by mounting the luminaires 10 on a rail / or widthwise is easy to implement.

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Further, the orientation of the lamps 10 can be easily adjusted in the carriage 15.

v The number of luminaires 10 in the carriage 15 is selected by the luminaire power and plant

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° 30 based on the light needed. Number of vertical lamps 10 and the longitudinal direction of the carriage 15 is also selected as required. The position of the lamp 10 o in the vertical direction and its orientation in the vertical direction are selected according to the vision and can be adjusted as needed as the plants grow or the carriage 15 is illuminated by another row of plants 1. Further illumination 00 35 can be adjusted according to flora and other factors. that some of the lamps are switched on and / or off as required. For example, when the vegetation 6 is low, only the low-lying lamps can be on, and when the vegetation is growing, the lamps at different heights can be switched on and off as needed. Further, the illumination can be directed by using different reflectors or in the structure of the luminaire, which by turning the light in different positions can be directed in different directions, for example in the height direction, without moving the luminaire.

Preferably, the luminaires 10 are fitted to the carriage 15 inside the frame, contrary to that shown in FIG. In this case, the lamps 10 do not increase the overall width of the carriage 15. Further, the luminaires 10 are further away from the plant 10 so that they do not overheat the leaves of the plants. Further, the luminaires 10 can be mounted on the central rod of the carriage, so that they can be received even further from the plants. Then, if desired, a single lamp can be used to illuminate the plant rows on both sides of the treatment corridor by positioning the lamp in the direction of the plant row and directing the light with, for example, a wedge-shaped mirror or a reflector. By using a mirror or reflector, the lamp can be placed as far away from the plants as possible, thus further reducing the thermal effect and the consequent risk of damaging the foliage of the flora. Further, it is possible to attach the luminaires to the structures of the opposite side of the trolley, whereby the luminaires are further away from the plants. In this case, the 20 naturally in various parts of the vehicle lighting should be paid, either vertically and / or longitudinally thereof in which case they are not on the opposite side of the beam of lighting conditions, resulting in shading.

The carriage 15 is also provided with a treatment platform 12, whereby the carriage 15 functions not only as a lighting carriage but also as a carriage carriage. In this case, the plant care 25 can be done from the treatment corridor 2 without the interference of the lamps in the treatment corridor. Further, the carriage 15 is provided with a harvesting jet plane 13, whereupon the harvesting can also be carried out using the carriage 15.

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^ Illumination may be suspended during care and harvesting operations. The carriage v can be fitted with a height adjustment, for example, to adjust the height of the treatment platform 12 to 00 ° 30 as desired. The height adjustment can be done manually, electronically or | hydraulically. Alternatively, the lamps 10 can be adapted to be adjusted by adjusting the height of the car 15o, o

Further, the carriage 15 may be fitted with a shaking rod 14 adapted to tap or shake the plants, for example by touching the string supporting and / or supporting the plants 00 or a longitudinal support carrier. In this case, the shaking rods 14 are able to ensure pollination of the plants 7. Further, if desired, ultraviolet lamps can be fitted to the carriage 15 to control plant diseases.

The carriage 15 can be adapted to move, for example, by means of an electric motor 11, which thus receives its electricity supply from the electric rail 5. Preferably, the motor 11 5 is placed under or at the end of the carriage 15 so that it does not interfere with harvesting. Instead of the motor 11 positioned in the carriage 15, the carriage 15 may be moved, for example, by fitting reels connected to the carriage 15 at the ends of the treatment corridors and alternately rotating the coils at the ends of the treatment corridors 2, e.g.

If necessary, the narrow, tall trolley can be held upright, for example, by supporting the trolley from its upper part to a support structure such as a support rail. In this case, the support rail can be, for example, an electric rail, if it can be safely used for this purpose, or another suitable support rail 15.

The movement and speed of the carriages 15 and the lamps 10 can be controlled by a computerized control system for the greenhouse. The control commands to the coupling box 9 in the carriage can be either wirelessly provided or wired to the carriage 15. The wired connection may be implemented, for example, by wiring a coil which is discharged as the carriage 15 moves from a fixed wire attachment point and . The coil may be fitted either to the trolley or to the structures of the greenhouse.

Instead of the electric rail 5 and the current collector 6 moving therein, the electric cable 25 can also be supplied to the carriage 15 along an electric rail located down on the floor level. Further, electricity can be supplied from a fixed feed point such that between the fixed feed point 5 and the coupling box 9 of the carriage 15 is coiled or bundled.

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An accumulated wire which is disassembled as the carriage 15 moves away from the fixed v feed point and winds or weaves into the bundle as the carriage 15 moves toward a fixed feed point. The cable reel or bundle can be adapted to either move | nun 15 or stay in place with the greenhouse structures. Alternatively, the power supply to the light group, for example when using LED lights, can also be provided with a battery or a low-voltage power supply with an alternating current, 00 00 Any suitable lamp for plant lighting can be used. High pressure sodium lamps 8 or mercury vapor lamps are typically used. High pressure sodium lamps and mercury vapor lamps also produce quite a lot of heat radiation, but since the wagons are constantly moving, the heat radiation produced by the lamps does not burn the leaves or damage the fruit. The luminous efficacy of the lamps can also be higher than what the plants need at maximum 5, since presumably short-term too bright light does not harm the plant. Further, the luminaires may be LED luminaires. The advantage of LED luminaires is their relatively low energy consumption. In addition, LED lamps are long-lasting. Also, LED luminaires do not produce very high levels of excess heat radiation, so they do not substantially heat plant leaves 10, at least not excessively. Therefore, LED lamps can be used to illuminate quite close to plants. LED luminaires also provide the desired light wavelength ranges, which further increases the yield of plants.

In some cases, the features set forth in this application may be used as such, despite other features. On the other hand, the features disclosed in this application can be combined, if necessary, to form different combinations.

The drawings and the description related thereto are intended only to illustrate the idea of the invention. The details of the invention may vary within the scope of the claims. Thus, for example, the carriage 15 need not be adapted to run along the tracks, but the carriages may travel along the treatment corridor to the ground or floor. In addition to illuminating plants by means of movable light groups 4, if desired, some luminaires may be provided in the greenhouse, for example, to provide so-called general lighting. The plants can also be illuminated, for example, by means of pendant LED lamps. If the plants are adapted to the so-called. double rows, then the LEDs can be hung between the double rows if the gap is large enough.

5 These hanging lights can also be adapted to be movable, for example, by an electric rail

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Claims (27)

A method for illuminating greenhouse plants, wherein the plants are grown in a row of plants (1) spaced by treatment corridors or other sufficiently spaced row of plants (2), characterized in that the lamps are moved along the row of plants (2) so that the plants at least partially sideways and so that the plants (10) are illuminated intensively by each plant for a few tens of seconds every few minutes. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the lamps (10) are moved back and forth along the row of plants (2). Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the luminaires are arranged in groups (4) which are moved along the row of plants. Method according to Claim 3, characterized in that the lighting group is mounted on a carriage (15) which is moved along the treatment corridor. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the luminaires or groups of luminaires (4) are arranged on a plurality of plant row spacing (2) and the luminaire groups (4) of adjacent plant row spans are arranged to move in different rhythms. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that trolleys (15) are also used for plant care. Method according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that the carriages (15) are also used for the harvest. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that vibrating sticks are fitted to the lighting group (4) or the carriage (15) and adapted to vibrate the plants, wherein the lighting group (4) is used to ensure pollination of the plants. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there are luminaires of less than 50% X £ per plant row. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there are luminaires for each row of plants with a dimension of less than 30% CO. ^ 35 Arrangement for illuminating greenhouse plants, comprising a row of plants (1) and a row of plants (2) therebetween, characterized in that the lamps (10) are arranged to be moved along the row of plants (2) to illuminate the plants at least partially sideways and so that the lamps are adapted to provide each plant with vigorous illumination for a few tens of seconds every few minutes. An arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the lamps are adapted to move in and out. Arrangement according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the luminaires are arranged in groups of luminaires (4). Arrangement according to Claim 13, characterized in that the lighting groups (4) are fitted to the carriage (15). Arrangement according to one of Claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the luminaires or groups of luminaires (4) are arranged on a plurality of plant row spacing (2) and that the luminaires or luminaire groups (4) of adjacent plant row spacing (2) move in different rhythms. Arrangement according to Claim 14, characterized in that the carriage (15) is also adapted for use in plant care. Arrangement according to one of Claims 14 or 16, characterized in that the trolley (15) is also adapted to be used in harvesting. Arrangement according to one of Claims 11 to 17, characterized in that vibrating sticks are fitted to the lighting group (4) or the carriage to operate the lighting group (4) or the carriage to ensure pollination of the plants. Arrangement according to one of Claims 11 to 18, characterized in that there are luminaires for each row of plants of less than 50% medial-13-C-J. Arrangement according to one of Claims 11 to 19, characterized in that, for each row of plants, there are lamps of less than 30% medal. A wagon for use in a greenhouse, characterized in that the wagon is provided with luminaires (10) to provide the light needed for the plants to contact the plants at least partially laterally, a current collector (6) for conducting electricity to the luminaires (10) and to alternately illuminate 00 35 the various plants in the row of plants so that each plant is intensely illuminated for a few tens of seconds every few minutes. Trolley according to Claim 21, characterized in that the means for moving the trolley (15) is an electric motor 5 in the trolley (15) which receives its power supply via the current collector (6) of the trolley (15). Trolley according to Claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the pantograph (6) is operable to slide on the electric rail (5). A trolley according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the trolley (15) is provided with a level (12), wherein the trolley is also usable as a nursing trolley. Trolley according to one of Claims 21 to 24, characterized in that the trolley is provided with a harvesting platform, wherein the trolley is also available as a harvest trolley. Trolley according to one of Claims 21 to 25, characterized in that the trolley is provided with shaking rods (14) for adjusting the trolley (15) to ensure pollination of plants. A trolley according to any one of claims 21 to 26, characterized in that ultraviolet lamps are provided in connection with the trolley (15) for using the trolley for controlling plant diseases. 20 CO δ c \ j i co o X cc CL O o δ co o o c \ j