JP2001352968A - Algae-culturing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an algae-culturing apparatus capable of easily connecting power wires which light sources have with a control unit and attaching and removing each light source. SOLUTION: This apparatus for culturing algae is equipped with a water tank 2 for receiving an algae-culture solution 9, light sources 13, a lid body 10 installed on the aforesaid water tank 2. A control unit 30 and the aforesaid light sources 13 and the aforesaid control unit 30 are fixed to the lid body 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an algal culture apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of apparatus is disclosed in
-89555. According to this publication, a water tank for containing a culture solution of algae and a light source for irradiating the culture solution with light are provided. The present inventor provided a control unit (for controlling the voltage of the light source and the like) below the water tank adjacent to this device.

[0003]

As described above, in the above apparatus, the power line of the light source passes through the side of the water tank through the upper part of the water tank and is connected to the control unit. There is a first drawback, which can cause shock or other parts to hit. In particular, when a plurality of light sources have respective power supply lines, the possibility is high.

Further, although algae and the like are easily adhered to the light source, since a plurality of light sources are collectively attached to the lid of the water tank, all the light sources are once taken out, and then each light source is taken out and cleaned. Need to be done. As described above, there is the second disadvantage that it takes time to attach and detach each light source. Therefore, the present invention provides an algae culture apparatus in which it is easy to connect a power supply line of a light source to a control unit and to easily attach and detach each light source, in consideration of such conventional disadvantages.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a water tank for accommodating a culture solution of algae, a light source for irradiating light into the culture solution, A lid provided on an upper part and a control unit for controlling the light source are provided, and the light source and the control unit are attached to the lid.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the lid provided with the light source and the control section is configured to be detachable from the water tank.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the light source has an upper part set to the lid, a lower part extending into the culture solution,
The total weight of the light source, the control unit, and the lid is greater than the buoyancy of the lower part of the light source.

In the present invention according to claim 4, a support means is provided on the lid, and the control unit is provided on the support means.
The control unit is configured so that the mounting angle can be changed by the support means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control unit is normally located above the light source, and when the mounting angle of the control unit is changed, the control unit is located above the light source. Located in.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first connector connected to a power supply line of the light source and a second connector connected to a lead wire of the control unit.
The connector and the second connector are connected above the lid.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS.
An algal culture device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
1 is a perspective view of the device 1, FIG. 2 (a) is a front sectional view of the device 1, FIG. 2 (b) is a cross-sectional view of A1A2 in FIG. 2 (a), and FIG. FIG. 3 (b) is a perspective view of a water tank and the like used in the device 1, and FIG. 3 (c) is a perspective view of the control unit and the light source (one light source is being taken out). FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device 1, FIG. 5A is a plan view of the light source, FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the light source, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the light source.

In these figures, the water tank 2 is made of, for example, a polycarbonate resin. The water tank 2 is, for example, a flange 3
, A body part 4, a bottom part 5, and the like. The flange 3 is formed in a step shape when viewed in cross section (see FIG. 2A), and is formed in a substantially circular shape when viewed from a plane (see FIG. 4).

The body 4 is connected to the flange 3 and has a shape in which a hanging bell is inverted. The bottom 5 is formed so as to be connected to the body 4.

The mounting base 6 is made of, for example, a plastic or metal plate, and is formed in a substantially concave shape whose upper part is open. The inner surface of the inclined part 7 formed on the upper part of the mounting base 6 and the outer surface of the body part 4 formed on the water tank 2 are configured to abut.

The drainage section 8 includes a joint, a first pipe, an elbow, a second pipe, a valve, an outlet, and the like, each of which is fixed to each other. The water tank 2 and the drainage unit 8 are fixed to the mounting base 1 by sandwiching the side surface of the mounting base 6 between the flange of the valve and the outlet.

The culture solution 9 is prepared, for example, by adding NaNO to sterile seawater.
3. a medium containing a predetermined component such as thiamine;
O3 and water are each mixed by a predetermined amount, and the initial concentration of Nannochloropsis (test algae of Chlorella) is 2,000,000 to 50.
It was mixed at a rate of 10,000 / cc. In this way, a culture of algae (eg, chlorella) is (eg, 120
Liters) in the water tank 2.

The cover 10 is made of, for example, a plastic or metal plate and is formed in a substantially circular shape (see FIG. 4).
For example, 21 large holes 11 are formed at an appropriate position of the lid 10, and, for example, 32 small holes are formed around the large hole 11. The lid 10 is provided on the upper part of the water tank 2. More specifically, the lid 10 is mounted on a flange 3 formed on the upper part of the water tank 2.

The outer frame of the light source 13 includes a flange portion 14, a body portion 15, a lid portion 16, a bottom portion 17, and the like. The flange portion 14 is formed, for example, in a donut shape having a hollow portion, the body portion 15 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape, and the upper portion of the body portion 15 is connected to the flange portion 14 (FIGS. 5A and 5B). reference). The flange portion 14 and the body portion 15 are made of a highly transparent material such as an acrylic resin, for example.

The lid portion 16 is formed, for example, in a donut shape having a hollow portion, and is fixed to the flange portion 14 by bolts or the like. The bottom part 17 is formed in a substantially columnar shape, and a concave part 18 is formed substantially in the center. The recess 18 is formed in a substantially square shape when viewed from a plane. The bottom portion 17 is inserted from the lower portion of the body portion 15 so as to be in close contact with the inner surface of the body portion 15, and if necessary, a sealing material (not shown) is attached to the adhesive surface between the inner surface of the body portion 15 and the outer surface of the bottom portion 17. Is provided.

The substrates 19, 20, 21 and 22 are made of, for example, a printed circuit board and have a rectangular shape with a wiring pattern formed on the back surface. The light emitting diodes 23 (for example, 60 in total) are aligned and mounted on the substrate 19, and the anode lead and the cathode lead of each light emitting diode 23 are electrically connected to a wiring pattern formed on the back surface of the substrate 19. I have.

The twelve light emitting diodes 23 are connected in series to form a series set 23a, and the other twelve light emitting diodes 23 are connected in series to form a series set 23b. Similarly, each of the series sets 23c, 23d, and 23e in which twelve light emitting diodes are connected in series, respectively.
Is configured.

Each series set 23a, 23b, 23c, 2
3d and 23e are connected in parallel, and the anode side lead 23f and the cathode side lead 23g of the parallel connection are formed.

Similarly, twelve light emitting diodes 24 on the substrate 20 are connected in series, each having twelve light emitting diodes 24a to 24e (five).
The series set is connected in parallel, and an anode lead 24f and a cathode lead 24g are formed.

The light emitting diodes 25 are formed on the substrate 21 in series of twelve series sets 25a to 25e (five pieces). The series sets are connected in parallel, and the anode side lead 25f and the cathode side lead 25g are connected. Is formed.

Similarly, the light emitting diode 26 on the substrate 22
Is composed of 12 series sets 26a to 26e (5 pieces) each of which is connected in parallel, and the anode side lead 26f and the cathode side lead 26g are formed.

In this manner, the substrates 19, 20, 21, 2
2 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape when viewed from a plane (see FIG. 5A). The substrate 19 on which the light emitting diode 23 is mounted and the substrate 20 on which the light emitting diode 24 is mounted
The substrate 21 on which the light emitting diode 25 is mounted and the substrate 22 on which the light emitting diode 26 is mounted are housed in the body 15.

Each tip of the substrates 19, 20, 21, 22 is
By being stored in the concave portion 18 formed in the bottom portion 17, the substrates 19 to 22 are positioned with respect to the body portion 15.

The anode-side leads 23f to 26f are shared as the anode lead 27f, and an insulating tube is inserted. The cathode leads 23g to 26g are the cathode leads 2
7g, and an insulating tube is inserted. A power supply line 28 is constituted by the anode lead 27f and the cathode lead 27g (see FIG. 6).

The first connector 29 is, for example, a male connector, and is connected to the power line 28 of the light source 13. That is, one pin (not shown) of the first connector 29 is electrically connected to the anode lead 27f, and the other pin (not shown) is electrically connected to the cathode lead 27g. The first connector 29 is fixed on the lid 16.

As described above, the flange portion 14 and the body portion 15
, Lid 16, bottom 17, substrates 19, 20, 21,
The light source 13 is constituted by 22, the light emitting diodes 23, 24, 25, 26, the power supply line 28, the first connector 29, and the like (see FIG. 5).

The upper portion of the light source 13 (that is, the flange portion 14) is set on the lid 10 (that is, fixed to the lid 10 with a bolt or the like), and the lower portion of the light source 13 (that is, the body portion 15) is
It extends through the large hole 11 of the lid 10 and into the culture solution 9 (see FIG. 2). That is, the light source 13 irradiates the culture solution 9 with light.

The control unit 30 includes, for example, a casing 31 and
Lead 32, second connector 33, and stabilizing power supply 34
And a variable resistor 35 and the like. The casing 31 is formed, for example, in a substantially box shape.

One end of each lead wire 32 is connected to each second connector (for example, a female connector) 33, and the second connector 33 is connected to the first connector 29. One end of each variable resistor 35 (21 in total) is connected to the other end of each lead wire 32.

The other end of each variable resistor 35 is shared and connected to the output side of the stabilized power supply 34. Stabilized power supply 3
The input side 4 receives an AC 100 V input. The stabilizing power supply 34 supplies DC 24 V to each variable resistor 35. By adjusting each variable resistor 35, each light source 13
(That is, an appropriate current is supplied to each of the light emitting diodes 23, 24, 25, and 26).

As described above, the control unit 30 controls the light source 13. Further, a lighting time control circuit may be provided in the control unit 30, and the light emitting diodes 23, 24, 25, and 26 may be repeatedly turned on and off at a predetermined ratio.

The support means 36 includes front support parts 37a, 37
b, 37c, 37d and rear support portions 38a, 38b, 38
c, 38d, and shafts 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d, and the like.

The front support portions 37a to 37d are made of, for example, metal rods. One end of each of the front support portions 37a to 37d is in contact with the lid 10, and is fixed to the lid 10 by a small screw (not shown) or the like. Normally, the other ends of the front support portions 37a to 37d abut the bottom surface 40 of the control unit 30 to support the control unit 30.

Rear support portions 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d
Is made of, for example, a metal rod, one end of which is in contact with the lid 10 and is fixed to the lid 10 by a small screw (not shown) or the like. Flat ends 41a, 41b, 41c and 41d are formed at the other end of each of the rear support portions 38a, 38b, 38c and 38d (see FIG. 2).

Hinge portions 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d are formed at appropriate places of the casing 31 constituting the control section 30, project downward, have a flat shape, and are perforated.

The shaft 39a passes through the hole in the flat portion 41a and the hole in the hinge portion 42a, the shaft 39b passes through the hole in the flat portion 41b and the hole in the hinge portion 42b, and the shaft 39c passes through the hole in the flat portion 41a.
The shaft 39d passes through the hole in the flat portion 41d and the hole in the hinge portion 42d.

In this manner, the control unit 30 controls the shafts 39a-3
It is configured to be able to rotate in the B1B2 direction around 9d. That is, the support unit 36 is provided on the lid 10, and the control unit 30 is provided on the support unit 36.
The control unit 30 is configured so that the mounting angle can be changed (rotatably in the B1B2 direction) by the support means 36.

As described above, the power supply line 2 of the light source 13
The first connector 29 connected to the connector 8 and the second connector 33 connected to the lead wire 32 of the controller 30 are connected to the lid 1.
Above 0, there is a mechanical connection and an electrical connection.

Normal operation (ie, during operation and at rest)
For example, the first row of light sources 13a (three), the second row of light sources 13b (five), and the third row of light sources 13c
(Five), the light source 13d in the fourth row (five), and the light source 13e in the fifth row (three) are respectively connected to the lid 1 by bolts 43.
0 (see FIG. 4). The light source 13
The light sources 13 are collectively referred to as a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e.

As described above, at normal times, the control unit 30 operates the cover unit 36 via the support means 36 so that the control unit 30 is positioned above, for example, the first row of light sources 13a and the second row of light sources 13b. It is provided on the body 10. That is, the light source 13 and the control unit 30 are attached to the lid 10 (FIG. 2).
And FIG. 4).

Further, the light source 13, the control unit 30, and the lid 1
The total weight of zero is configured to be larger than the buoyancy received by the lower part of the light source 13 (that is, the body part 15) (see FIG. 2). As a result, the edge of the lid 10 is
Is pushed upward (the total weight) is greater than the force pushing the edge upward (the buoyancy), so that the lid 10 is stably arranged on the flange 3.

As a result, the lid 10 is
Even if they are not fixed by bolts or the like, they can be stably arranged. Further, since the cover 10 is not fixed with bolts or the like, the cover 10 can be easily removed. That is, the lid 10 including the light source 13 and the control unit 30 is configured to be detachable from the water tank 2.

Next, the operation of the algae culture apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 again. First, the user needs the light source 1
The lid 10 provided with the control unit 3 and the control unit 30 is removed from the water tank 2 (see FIG. 3A). Then, the user puts the culture solution 9 into the water tank 2 and puts the lid 10 on the flange 3 of the water tank 2.
Place on top.

Next, the user inserts a power plug connected to the input side of the control unit 30 into a power outlet (both not shown). The control unit 30 supplies a predetermined voltage and a predetermined current to each light source 13. As a result, the light emitting diodes 23, 24, 25, 26 are turned on. The light emitting diodes 23 to 26 repeat lighting and non-lighting as necessary.

Further, air (air) is supplied from a pump through a hose (not shown) inserted into a hole (not shown) formed in the lid 10. In this way, carbon dioxide is supplied into the culture solution 9. The light source 13 irradiates the culture solution 9 with light. By arranging the light source 13 in the culture solution 9 in this manner, it is possible to efficiently grow (grow and cultivate) algae (eg, chlorella) with high energy efficiency.

In the cultivation of such algae, the light source unit 1
Algae easily adhere to the inside of the body 15 of the third tank and the water tank 2, and the transmittance of the light quantity decreases.

For example, when the user wants to clean the light source 13 on the left side of the light source 13b in the second row (see FIG. 3C), the user tilts the casing 31 constituting the control unit 30 in the direction B2 (see FIG. 3C). When the casing 31 is rotated, the casing 31 is in a state shown by a broken line (see FIG. 2B).

As described above, the control unit 30 normally operates the light source 13
(Refer to the control unit 30 shown by a solid line in FIG. 2B). Then, when the mounting angle of the control unit 30 is changed (see the control unit 30 indicated by a broken line in the above figure), the bottom surface 40 of the control unit 30 is substantially vertical. At this time, the control unit 30 moves to a position outside the light source 13 (right side).
Go to

At this time, the length of the lead wire 32 has a margin, and as described above, even when the control unit 30 is tilted, the lead wire 32 is prevented from being pulled.

Next, the user releases the connection between the first connector 29 and the second connector 33 for the light source 13 on the left side of the second row of light sources 13b. After that, the user sets the light source 13
Remove the bolts 43a (six) fixing the (see FIG. 4).

As a result, the light source 13 is released from being fixed to the lid 10, and the user can remove the light source 13 (see FIG. 3C). Then, the user sets the substrates 19, 2
0, 21, 22 and light emitting diodes 23, 24, 25,
26 and the power line 28 etc. are assembled into the light source 13.
From the torso 15.

Next, the user cleans and cleans the inner surface and the outer surface of the body portion 15, and after drying, mounts the above-mentioned assembled components such as the substrates 19 to 22, the light emitting diodes 23 to 26, the power supply line 28, and the like. Insert into body 15.

The user attaches the lid 1 to the flange 14.
6, and insert the trunk 15 into the large hole 11 of the lid 10,
The bolt 43a is fastened. Thus, the light source 13 is attached to the lid 10 (see FIG. 4).

Thereafter, the user connects the first connector 29 with the second connector 29.
The connector 33 is connected, the control unit 30 is rotated in the direction B1, and the control unit 30 is returned to the original position indicated by the solid line (FIG. 2).
(B)). As a result, the algal culture apparatus 1 returns to a state where operation can be started.

When the user wants to clean the water tank 2, the user lifts the handles 44 and 45 fixed to the lid 10 (see FIGS. 2A and 4). As a result, the lid 10 including the light source 13 and the control unit 30 moves upward (see FIG. 3).

Next, the user opens the valve provided in the drain section 8 and fills the stored culture solution 9 into another container (not shown).
Replace with Then, the user cleans the inner surface and the outer surface of the water tank 2 and then closes the valve.

After that, the user puts a predetermined amount of the culture solution 9 into the water tank 2, and sets the lid 10 having the light source and the control unit 30.
Is placed on the flange 3 of the water tank 2. As a result, the algal culture apparatus 1 returns to a state where operation can be started.

[0062]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water tank for containing a culture solution of algae, a light source for irradiating the culture solution with light,
A lid provided above the water tank and a control unit for controlling the light source are provided, and the light source and the control unit are attached to the lid. As described above, since the light source and the control unit are attached to the lid, the wiring connecting the light source and the control unit can be short. Therefore, the possibility of short-circuiting, disconnection, or hitting other components in the middle of the wiring is reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the lid provided with the light source and the control section is configured to be detachable from the water tank. As described above, since the lid provided with the light source and the control unit is configured to be detachable, only the water tank can be easily taken out, and the water tank to which algae easily adhere can be easily cleaned.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the light source has an upper part set to the lid, a lower part extending into the culture solution,
The total weight of the light source, the control unit, and the lid is configured to be larger than the buoyancy received by the lower part of the light source. As a result, the force with which the lid presses the water tank is greater than the force with which the lid floats, and the lid can be stably arranged on the water tank without fastening bolts or the like.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, support means is provided on the lid, and the control unit is provided on the support means.
The control unit is configured so that the mounting angle can be changed by the support means. As described above, since the control unit is disposed on the lid via the support means, the space occupied by the algae culture apparatus including the control unit can be small.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the control unit is normally located above the light source, and when the mounting angle of the control unit is changed, the control unit is located outside the light source. The configuration is located at As described above, since the control unit is normally located above the light source, the space occupied by the algae culture apparatus including the control unit can be small. Further, in the case of the mounting angle of the control unit, the control unit is located at a position deviated above the light source, so that the light source is easily removed and mounted.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first connector connected to a power supply line of the light source, and a second connector connected to a lead wire of the control unit.
The connector and the second connector are configured to be connected above the lid. With this configuration, the first connector connected to the light source and the second connector connected to the control unit can be easily removed, so that the light source can be easily removed from the water tank and attached.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an algae culture apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a front sectional view of the device 1, and FIG.
FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along line A1A2 in FIG.

3A is a perspective view of a control unit and a light source used in the apparatus 1, FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a water tank used in the apparatus 1, and FIG. It is a perspective view of a control part and a light source (state in which one light source is being taken out).

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device 1.

5A is a plan view of the light source, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the light source.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the light source.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Water tank 9 Culture solution 10 Lid 13 Light source 30 Control unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A water tank for accommodating a culture solution of algae, a light source for irradiating the culture solution with light, a lid provided on an upper portion of the water tank, and a control unit for controlling the light source, The algal culture apparatus, wherein the light source and the control unit are attached to the lid. 2. The algae culture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lid including the light source and the control unit is configured to be detachable from the water tank. 3. The light source has an upper part set to the lid, a lower part extending into the culture solution, and a lower part of the light source receives a total weight of the light source, the controller, and the lid. The algal culture device according to claim 1, wherein the algal culture device is larger than buoyancy. 4. A support means is provided on the lid, and the control section is provided on the support means, and the control section is configured to be capable of changing a mounting angle by the support means. The algal culture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 5. The control unit is normally located above the light source, and when the mounting angle of the control unit is changed, the control unit is located at a position off the light source. The algal culture device according to claim 4, wherein 6. A control device comprising: a first connector connected to a power supply line of the light source; and a second connector connected to a lead wire of the control unit, wherein the first connector and the second connector are connected to each other.
The algal culture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connector is connected above the lid.