JP2000270698A - Device for culturing plant - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plant culture device which can reduce the amount of a used culture liquid to the utmost to lower a maintenance cost, even when a large installation is used to improve the efficiency of a plant culture work, and can also easily move plant holders, even when the plant holders loaded on the device are increased. SOLUTION: In this plant culture device, long storage layers 7 for storing a culture liquid for culturing plants are disposed in parallel to each other in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and each of the long storage layers 7 comprises a plurality of gutter-like members 7a used for storing the culture liquid. Loading supporters for movably loading and supporting a plurality of plant holders 6 for holding plants from one longitudinal end side of the storage layer 7 to the other end side are provided with movement resistance- reducing means IK for reducing the longitudinal movement resistance of the plant holders 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plurality of plant holders each having a long storage layer for storing a cultivation solution for cultivating a plant, and holding a plant to be cultivated.
The present invention relates to a plant cultivation apparatus provided with a mounting support portion that mounts and supports the reservoir so as to be movable from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a plant cultivation apparatus having the above structure, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-171125, for example, the long storage layer is generally formed in a substantially box shape with an open top. In addition, a cultivation layer 1 in which a nutrient solution (cultivation solution) is stored is provided, and a rail-shaped support piece 7 as a mounting support portion described above is provided on an inner surface in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation layer 1
7, a plant growing plate 10 (plant holding body) supporting a plant is placed and supported by these rail-shaped support pieces 7, 7, and from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation layer 1. There has been one that is configured to be freely movable toward the other end.

[0003]

In the plant cultivation apparatus having the above structure, the plant growth plate 10 holding the plant is placed on the support pieces 7, 7 at one longitudinal end of the cultivation layer 1. In addition to supporting the plant, the plant absorbs the nutrient solution in the cultivation layer 1 and grows. For example, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the plant growth plate 10 is placed on the other end of the cultivation layer 1 in the longitudinal direction. The cultivation layer 1 is slid in the direction of the cultivation layer 1 by repeatedly placing and supporting a plurality of plant growth plates 10 from one end in the longitudinal direction. The plant is cultivated such that the plant growth plate 10 on which the plant is growing is taken out from the other end in the longitudinal direction.

In this type of plant cultivation apparatus, in order to increase the amount of plants that can be grown,
It is necessary to increase the width of the reservoir in the longitudinal direction so that a large number of plant holders (plant growth plates 10) can be placed. However, according to the above configuration, the reservoir is formed as a single box as a whole. When the equipment is made large in this way, the amount of cultivation liquid stored in the equipment becomes very large, and disadvantageously occurs that a large amount of cultivation liquid must be supplied. In addition, in order to suppress the amount of the cultivation liquid, if the depth of the cultivation liquid stored in the reservoir is made shallow, the growth state of the plant becomes poor, or the roots of adjacent plants are entangled with each other. There is a possibility that favorable growth conditions may not be obtained.

In the above-described conventional configuration, the rail-shaped support pieces 7, 7 for supporting the plant growth plate 10 are configured to simply place and support the plant growth plate 10, so that, for example, many plant growth plates are provided. Assuming that the width of the reservoir in the longitudinal direction is increased so that the plate 10 can be placed, the more the plant growth plates 10 to be moved are increased, the greater the sliding resistance is, and the better the sliding movement is. It may not be possible.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and its object is to minimize the amount of cultivation liquid used even if the equipment is enlarged to improve the efficiency of plant cultivation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation apparatus that can reduce maintenance costs by reducing the number of plant holders and can perform a moving operation satisfactorily even when the amount of plant holders to be placed increases.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the storage layers are arranged side by side along a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction, and each store the cultivation liquid. In addition to being constituted by a plurality of gutter-like portions, the placing support portion is provided with a movement reducing means for reducing the resistance of the plant holder to move in the longitudinal direction.

[0008] Therefore, since the reservoir is composed of a plurality of gutter-like portions as described above, good cultivation can be performed by locating the plants so as to correspond to the gutter-like portions so that the plant can absorb the cultivation liquid. For example, even if the equipment is enlarged by increasing the length of the reservoir in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of gutter-shaped portions are provided as compared with the conventional configuration in which the cultivation liquid is stored in one box-shaped reservoir. Since it is only necessary to store the cultivation liquid only in the internal space of the plant, it is possible to secure a cultivation liquid having a depth suitable for plant cultivation, and to use only a small amount of the cultivation liquid for the entire equipment.

In addition, the mounting support for movably supporting the plant holding body from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the storage layer is provided with a movement reducing means. Even if the number of plant holders to be moved while being placed and supported is increased by increasing the width in the longitudinal direction, it is possible to move them with a small operating force, and it is possible to perform a good operation. Become.

As a result, even when the equipment is enlarged to improve the efficiency of plant cultivation work, the amount of cultivation liquid used can be minimized, the maintenance cost can be suppressed, and the plant can be placed. It has become possible to provide a plant cultivation apparatus that can perform a moving operation satisfactorily even if the amount of the plant holder increases.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the movement reducing means is provided between the gutter portions.

For example, in the case where the plant holder is placed and supported at the end portion in the direction (width direction) intersecting with the longitudinal direction, the central portion in the width direction of the plant holder has its own weight. It is easy to bend and deform at the upper end of the gutter-shaped portion located on the center side to increase the resistance of movement. However, since it is provided between the respective gutter-shaped portions, Thus, it is possible to easily maintain a favorable moving operation state.

[0013] According to the characteristic configuration of the third aspect, the plant holder is protruded into the cultivation liquid storage space at a position corresponding to the cultivation liquid storage space in each of the gutter-shaped portions. A holding action portion is formed.

That is, when the plant holding body is placed and supported, the holding action portion for the plant formed so as to protrude from the plant holding body enters the cultivation liquid storage space in each gutter. Therefore, a good cultivation state can be ensured even if the storage amount of the cultivation liquid in the cultivation liquid storage space is small, and when the plant holding body is moved, the holding action part is in the width direction with respect to each gutter-shaped part. The guide member can be used also as a position regulating guide member, and the structure is not complicated by providing a special guide means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the movement reducing means includes a plurality of rolling rollers rotatably supported around a horizontal axis on the support frame along the longitudinal direction. The plant holding body is configured to be placed and supported by a plurality of rolling rollers, and each rolling roller rotates around a horizontal axis, so that a very light moving force is obtained. Thus, the moving operation can be performed along the longitudinal direction.

According to the characteristic configuration of the present invention, a plurality of holding members for holding the position of the support frame are provided at a distance along the longitudinal direction, and these holding members are provided in the respective gutter-like shapes. It is configured to hold the position of the portion in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction.

Therefore, by using a holding member for holding the position of the support frame constituting the movement reducing means, the position of each gutter-shaped portion is held in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction. The structure for holding the position with respect to the movement reducing means and each gutter-shaped portion can be simplified by using the same member.

According to the characteristic configuration of the present invention, the storage layer is provided in a plurality of stages at intervals in the vertical direction, and the plant holding body is placed and supported in each of the storage layers in each stage. It is configured to:

By employing a configuration in which the storage layer is provided in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction, it is possible to increase the size of the facility without taking up a large space for installation in plan view, and to improve the work efficiency. It has become possible.

[0020] According to the characteristic configuration of the present invention, the illumination device for irradiating the plant held by the plant holding body with light from above is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the storage layer. In the installed state, a plurality of the distances to the plants are provided so as to be individually changeable and adjustable.

[0021] The plants held in each of the above-mentioned plant holders grow as they move along the reservoir (with time). Gradually increases. Therefore, a plurality of lighting devices for irradiating light from the upper side are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the storage layer, and furthermore, the distance to the plant is configured to be changed and adjusted separately for each plant. Can be adjusted to an appropriate distance at all times, and a good growth state can be maintained.

According to the characteristic configuration of the present invention, the height adjusting mechanism for changing and adjusting the distance to the plant in each of the lighting devices is provided in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction in the storage layer. The distance can be changed and adjusted by an adjusting operation from one end side.

In other words, when the height adjustment mechanism is to be adjusted, for example, if it is necessary to perform the adjustment from both sides of the storage layer in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction, a long storage layer may be used. Must be detoured to the opposite side, bypassing the outer side, which is a cumbersome operation.However, since the adjustment operation can be performed from one end side of the storage layer in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction, the operation is cumbersome. In addition, the distance to the plant in each lighting device can be easily changed and adjusted.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a plant cultivation apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a plant cultivation apparatus for cultivating plants such as lettuce and parsley by hydroponics. This plant cultivation apparatus includes a cultivation work unit 1 configured such that a plant to be cultivated is carried in from a first end at set time intervals and harvested from the other end after a predetermined time has passed since the cultivation work unit 1 is moved up and down. A plurality of stages are arranged side by side. The cultivation work unit 1 includes a seedling or cultivation work unit 1A for germinating a plant from a seed or a non-growth stage close thereto, and a cultivation work unit 1B for growing a germinated plant. Is provided.

The cultivation work section 1A for raising seedlings will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a long and open-top box-shaped storage layer 2 for storing a cultivation solution E for cultivating plants is provided. On the inner surface on both sides in the width direction of the storage layer 2, locking members 3 are provided along the longitudinal direction. Then, in the state of being received and supported by the left and right locking members 3, the seedling holding plate 4 for holding plant seeds or ungrown seedlings that have not yet germinated is connected to one end of the storage layer 2 in the longitudinal direction. It is configured so as to be placed and supported. The seedling holding plate 4 is formed with a plurality of holding holes 5 for holding seeds at predetermined pitch intervals vertically and horizontally in a plate material made of, for example, a synthetic resin material. For example, seeds are wrapped in a sponge or the like and inserted into the holding holes 5 to be held.

Then, the seedling holding plate 4 holding the seeds is placed and supported from one longitudinal end of the storage layer, and is sequentially slid toward the other longitudinal end to form another seedling holding plate 4. It is configured to be placed and supported. The distance in the longitudinal direction of the reservoir 2 is, for example, as long as a predetermined number of days are required to move to the other end in the longitudinal direction when the holding plates 4 for raising seedlings are placed several times a day. It is set, and when the holding plate for raising seedlings is taken out from the other end side, the raising of seedlings is completed. In this way, the plants (seedlings) for which the seedlings have been completed are transferred to the growing holding plate 6 and supplied to the growing cultivation work unit 1B.

Next, the configuration of the growing cultivation work section 1B will be described. In this growing cultivation work unit 1B, similarly to the cultivation work unit 1A for raising seedlings, a long storage layer 7 for storing a cultivation solution E for cultivating plants is provided. The holding plate for growth 6 (an example of a plant holding body) is sequentially placed and supported from one end in the direction. Reservoir 7 in this growing cultivation work unit 1B
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of (four in the example shown in FIG. 3) gutters are arranged side by side along a direction (width direction) intersecting with the longitudinal direction, and each store the cultivation liquid E. Shape 7
a. In addition, on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the storage layer 7, a liquid connected to each gutter portion 7 a so that the cultivation liquid E supplied through a circulation path is uniformly supplied to each gutter portion 7 a as described later. A pool 7b is formed. As shown in FIG. 8, the cultivation liquid E stored in the tank T is supplied to the storage layer 7 located at the uppermost stage by the circulation pump P.
Is supplied to one of the liquid reservoirs 7b, and is supplied from the other end in the longitudinal direction to the lower reservoir 7 through the supply pipe 8, and thereafter sequentially from the other longitudinal side to the lower reservoir 7
Is configured to be supplied. The supply pipe 8
The inlet 8a is set at a position higher by a predetermined amount from the bottom surface portion 7c of the storage layer 7, and a predetermined amount of the cultivation liquid E is stored in the storage layer 7.

As shown in FIG. 3, the growth holding plate 6 projects into the cultivation liquid storage space Q at a position corresponding to the cultivation liquid storage space Q in each of the troughs 7a. A plurality of holding action portions 6a for holding plants (seedlings) are formed, and holding holes 6b for holding plant seedlings are formed in the holding action portions 6a. The portion of the growth holding plate 6 other than the holding action portion 6a is formed in a substantially corrugated shape as a whole so as to be located above the holding action portion 6a.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the growth holding plate 6 holding the seedlings W is placed and supported from one longitudinal end of the storage layer 7 in the same manner as the seedling raising cultivation work section 1A. ,
It is configured to sequentially slide and move toward the other end in the longitudinal direction to place and support another growth holding plate 6. During the sliding movement in the longitudinal direction as described above, the roots of the seedlings W held by the holding action portions 6a enter the cultivation liquid storage space Q in each of the gutter-shaped portions 7a, and grow while absorbing the cultivation liquid E. Will be. The distance in the longitudinal direction of the reservoir 7 is, for example, several per day,
Is set to such a length that it takes a predetermined number of days to move to the other end in the longitudinal direction, and when the growth holding plate 6 is removed from the other end, the growth is completed. So it will be harvested and shipped. Although not described in detail, the cultivation work unit 1A for seedling and the cultivation work unit 1B for growth are adapted to appropriately supply necessary carbon dioxide, oxygen, and the like to the plants through piping (not shown). .

The cultivation apparatus is provided with a movement reducing means IK for reducing the movement resistance when the growth holding plate 6 is slid along the longitudinal direction. In other words, the distance in the longitudinal direction of the storage layer 7 is very long, and when the number of the growing holding plates 6 to be placed is large, the movement resistance for sliding movement becomes large, so that the movement resistance is reduced. To eliminate the hassle of work.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the movement reducing means IK includes four gutter-like portions 7a at both ends in the width direction (direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction). ,
The movement reducing means IK is disposed at two positions between the gutter-shaped portion 7a located on the inner side in the width direction than them.
A plurality of rolling rollers 10 rotatably supported around a horizontal axis are arranged side by side at a predetermined pitch on a support frame 9 along the longitudinal direction.

A specific supporting structure will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, square pipe-shaped columns 11 are provided on both sides in the width direction at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the plurality of storage layers 7, respectively. The left and right columns 11 are connected by a connecting member 12 having an L-shaped cross section along the width direction. A holding member 13 is supported on the connecting member 12, and a mounting bracket 14 that is bolted to both sides in the width direction of the holding member 13 prevents longitudinal displacement with respect to each of the columns 11. And a holding member 13 is provided on the support 11.
In contrast, the load is supported in a state in which the movement in the horizontal direction is restricted.

The holding member 13 has a rectangular wave-shaped cross section in which a protruding portion 13a protruding upward only in a gap between the gutter-shaped portions 7a is formed. 13b is configured to receive the bottom surface of each gutter-shaped portion 7a and support the load. Accordingly, the storage layers 7 are placed and supported by a plurality of holding members 13 provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. In addition, the protrusion 13a is configured to hold the position in the width direction with respect to each gutter-shaped portion 7a. That is, the storage layer 7 is made of a synthetic resin material, and is twisted in the width direction due to the storage of the cultivation liquid E and the placement and engagement of the growth holding plate 6. Since deformation and the like are likely to occur, such deformation and the like are prevented.

The support frame 9, which is a member constituting the movement reducing means IK, is divided at every interval at which the holding member 13 is provided, and is arranged in series in the longitudinal direction. 4, 5, and 7, the ends of the support frames 9 arranged in series are opposed to each other on the upper surface of the protruding portion 13 a of the holding member 13. So that each end of each support frame 9 is attached and fixed by a holding plate 15 bolted to the upper surface of the protruding portion 13a. The plurality of rolling rollers 10 in the movement reducing means IK attached as described above are located slightly above the upper edges of the gutter-shaped portions 7a to 7d, and the plurality of growth holding plates 6 are provided. The rolling roller 10 is configured to support a load. Therefore, the movement reducing means IK constitutes a mounting support portion, and even if the number of the holding plates for growth 6 increases, the sliding movement along the longitudinal direction can be easily performed with a light operating force. It will be.

An illumination device 16 for irradiating the plant held by the growth holding plate 6 with light from above is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the storage layer 7, and A plurality of plants are provided so that the distance to the plants can be changed and adjusted individually. A height adjustment mechanism 17 for changing and adjusting the distance to the plant in each lighting device 16 is configured to be able to change and adjust the distance by an adjustment operation from one end side in the width direction of the storage layer 7. I have.

That is, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of lighting devices 1 are arranged on the upper side of the lighting device 1 so as to be arranged in series along the longitudinal direction in a state where the supporting columns 11 are divided at intervals of being provided, similarly to the support frame 9.
6 are provided in parallel. Each lighting device 16
The three fluorescent lamps 19 are mounted on a rectangular frame 18 and are suspended and supported by adjusting suspenders 20, 20 at both ends along the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the hanging device 20 for adjustment includes two ropes 22 and 23 having different lengths on a single chain 21.
And the other ends of the ropes 22 and 23 are connected to the frame 1
7 are connected and fixed to both sides in the width direction. Chain 21
Is hooked on a hook 24 provided on the bracket 14 at one end in the width direction of the storage layer 7, and each of the ropes 22, 23 is passed through a guide portion 25 provided on the bracket 14 to support the frame 18. Are stretched to suspend and support both sides in the width direction. The height of the lighting device 16, that is, the distance to the plant can be changed and adjusted by changing the locations where the chain 21 is hooked on the hooks 24 at the locations on both sides in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, each of the adjusting suspenders 20, 2
The height adjustment mechanism 17 includes the hooks 24, the guides 25, and the like.

As described above, since the illumination devices 16 are provided in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the storage layer 7 and are provided in a plurality so as to be individually height-adjustable, for example, as shown in FIG. By changing the distance to the plant as the plant grows, an appropriate growth state can be maintained.

[Another Embodiment] (1) In the above embodiment, the movement reducing means for reducing the movement resistance of the plant holder (the growth holding plate 6) along the longitudinal direction is provided between the gutter-shaped portions. Of the gutter-shaped portions, the gutter-shaped portions may be provided at all locations between the gutter-shaped portions, or may be provided at both ends in the width direction of each gutter-shaped portion. Further, a configuration may be provided in which one gutter-like portion is provided at a central position. In this case, the plant holding body (the growth holding plate 6) is formed by the movement reducing means and the upper edge of the other gutter-shaped portion.
Is configured as a mounting support section.

(2) In the above embodiment, as the movement reducing means, a plurality of rolling rollers pivotally supported on a support frame along the longitudinal direction so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis are arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a configuration may be used in which a rotatable ball is pivotally supported in place of the roller. A configuration in which air is supplied to the sliding portion between the portion and the plant holding body to reduce the movement, a configuration in which a material that is easily slidable is interposed in the sliding portion, and a configuration in which a roller is provided on the plant holding body side, etc. , May be implemented in various forms.

(3) In the above embodiment, the distance to the plant in each of the lighting devices can be changed and adjusted by an adjusting operation from one end side of the storage layer in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction. However, the operation is not limited to such a configuration and may be performed from both sides in the width direction.

(4) In the above embodiment, the holding member is formed in the plant holder so as to protrude into the cultivation liquid storage space in each gutter portion. Alternatively, the present invention may be implemented in various forms such as a flat shape over the entire area in the width direction.

(5) In the above embodiment, the holding member for holding the position of the support frame is configured to hold the position of each gutter-shaped portion in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. The present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may be provided as a dedicated member for supporting the support frame.

(6) In the above embodiment, the height adjustment mechanism of the lighting device is configured to adjust the height by changing the hook position of the chain with respect to the hook. For example, the handle may be rotated to suspend the hanging wire. Winding format,
A configuration for adjusting the height, such as a configuration in which a pin for locking and holding the lighting device is inserted into and removed from an adjustment hole provided in the fixing member, and the like, can be variously changed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a plant cultivation apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a plant cultivation apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a growing cultivation work unit.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an attached state.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an attached state.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a support structure for supporting columns.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a support frame fixing configuration.

FIG. 8 is an overall side view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 6 Plant holding body 6a Holding action portion 7 Reservoir 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d Gutter-like portion 9 Support frame 10 Rolling roller 13 Holding member 16 Illumination device 17 Height adjustment mechanism IK Movement reduction means

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2B314 MA38 NA13 NA33 NA37 NC01 NC24 ND10 ND19 ND30 ND32 PB02 PB44 PB61 PD07

Claims (8)

[Claims] An elongated storage layer for storing a cultivation solution for cultivating a plant is provided, and each of a plurality of plant holders holding the plant is separated from one end in a longitudinal direction of the storage layer. It is a plant cultivation device provided with a placing support portion that is placed and movably supported toward the other end side, wherein the storage layer is arranged side by side along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and A plurality of gutter-shaped portions each storing the cultivation liquid, and the placement support portion includes a movement reducing unit configured to reduce a movement resistance of the plant holding body along the longitudinal direction. Plant cultivation equipment. 2. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said movement reducing means is provided between said gutter portions. 3. A holding action portion of the plant holding body is formed at a position corresponding to the cultivation liquid storage space in each of the trough-shaped portions so as to protrude into the cultivation liquid storage space. 3. The plant cultivation apparatus according to 1 or 2. 4. The movement reducing means comprises a plurality of rolling rollers which are rotatably supported around a horizontal axis on a support frame along the longitudinal direction. The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 3. 5. A holding member for holding the position of the support frame,
The plurality of holding members are provided at a distance along the longitudinal direction, and these holding members are configured to hold positions of the gutter-shaped portions in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction. Plant cultivation equipment. 6. The storage layer is provided in a plurality of stages at intervals in the vertical direction, and the plant holding body is placed and supported in each of the storage layers in each stage. The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 5. 7. A lighting device for irradiating a plant held by the plant holding body with light from above, in a state in which the lighting device is arranged side by side along a longitudinal direction of the storage layer, and The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of the distances to each of the plant cultivation apparatuses is changed and adjusted. 8. A height adjusting mechanism for changing and adjusting a distance to the plant in each of the lighting devices, the height adjusting mechanism adjusting the distance from one end of the storage layer in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plant cultivation device is configured to be able to change and adjust.