JP2011239713A - Plant cultivation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive plant cultivation device designed so as to move a cultivation container in a horizontal direction in a simple structure.SOLUTION: The plant cultivation device is structured as follows: at least two supports 1 are set up so that two horizontal axes 7 parallel to each other are disposed to flexibly rotate but not to advance nor retreat, and the horizontal axes are respectively rotated in the same direction by a driving means 9; a plurality of cultivation containers 3 are disposed on each of the supports; pairs of wheels 21 respectively corresponding to the horizontal axes are set up at the lower end of each of the cultivation containers; the pairs of wheels have two wheels coming in contact with the rotating horizontal axes and rotating together with the horizontal axes; the rotational axis lines of the wheel slant in directions different from each other based on the longitudinal direction of the horizontal axis so that the two wheels of the pairs of wheels make the cultivation containers go back and forward in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal axes corresponding to the rotational direction of each of the horizontal axes; and a conveying means 41 for conveying the cultivation containers placed on one support 1a to another support 1b are set up.

Description

  The present invention relates to a plant cultivation apparatus, and particularly relates to a plant cultivation apparatus that can move a cultivation container in a horizontal direction.

  In the plant cultivation apparatus according to the present invention, plants such as vegetables, fruits, flowers, rice and other grains (hereinafter simply referred to as “plants”) are cultivated. The plant cultivation apparatus according to the present invention is preferably installed in a greenhouse.

  As a plant cultivation apparatus, the one shown in JP-A-8-23805 is already known. This plant cultivation device (hereinafter referred to as “conventional plant cultivation device”) is a vertical frame provided between the sprockets, with a frame having sprockets on the upper and lower sides thereof set up at predetermined intervals. The chain is supported by the chain and raised and lowered intermittently.

JP-A-8-23805

  Although the conventional plant cultivation apparatus has the advantage that many plants can be cultivated for the floor area, it has the following problems.

(A) Since the cultivation container is supported by the vertical chain, the cultivation container located below is not shaded by the cultivation container located above and cannot receive sufficient sunlight.

(B) Therefore, when cultivating a plant that requires a sufficient amount of solar radiation, it is necessary to use an artificial irradiation means such as a light-emitting diode, resulting in a problem of increased costs.

(C) Since the cultivation container is supported by the vertical chain, the heights of the cultivation containers are different from each other. That is, there arises a problem that the temperature varies depending on the height of the cultivation container.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional plant cultivation apparatus and to provide an inexpensive plant cultivation apparatus in which the cultivation container is moved in the horizontal direction with a simple structure.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following plant cultivation apparatus.

(1) Two horizontal shafts parallel to each other are disposed so as to be rotatable and unmovable, and at least two supports configured to rotate each horizontal shaft in the same direction by a driving means are disposed.
A plurality of cultivation containers are placed on each support, and each cultivation container is provided with a wheel pair corresponding to each horizontal axis at the lower end, and the wheel pair is in contact with the rotating horizontal axis and rotates with the horizontal axis. With wheels,
The two wheels in the wheel pair have the rotation axis of the wheel in the length direction of the horizontal axis so that the cultivation container moves forward and backward in the length direction of the horizontal axis according to the rotation direction of each horizontal axis. In a different direction from each other,
Furthermore, the plant cultivation apparatus characterized by including the transfer means for moving the cultivation container mounted on one support body to another support body (Claim 1).

(2) The transfer means comprises a pair of belt wheels attached to the frame, an annular belt is wound between the belt wheels, one belt wheel is associated with the drive means, and an elevating means for raising and lowering the frame is provided. (Claim 2).

(3) The elevating means is provided with an annular chain that is rotated by a driving means on each side of the frame in parallel with the frame, and one end of a pair of arms is axially attached to the outer surface of the frame, The other end of one arm is pivotally attached to the upper running portion of the annular chain, and the other end of the other arm is pivotally attached to the lower running portion of the annular chain. Is moved up and down (claim 3).

[Invention of Claim 1]
The pair of wheels provided at the lower end of the cultivation container includes two wheels that rotate together with the horizontal axis, and the two wheels in the pair of wheels correspond to the length direction of the horizontal axis according to the rotation direction of each horizontal axis. Since the rotation axes of the wheels are inclined in different directions with respect to the length direction of the horizontal axis so as to advance and retract the cultivation container, the cultivation container advances and retreats according to the rotation direction of each horizontal axis. . That is, when each horizontal axis is rotated in one direction, the cultivation container moves in one direction on the horizontal axis, and when each horizontal axis is rotated in the other direction, the cultivation container moves on the horizontal axis. Move in the other direction. In other words, the cultivation container can be moved in the predetermined horizontal direction by simply rotating the horizontal axis in the predetermined direction.

  Thus, the mechanism for moving the cultivation container in the horizontal direction is extremely simple in configuration, low in manufacturing cost, and easy to maintain. Further, the force for rotating the horizontal axis may be small.

  As described above, since the cultivation container can be moved in the horizontal direction, there are the following advantages when cultivating plants using the cultivation container.

(A) An operator can perform operations such as planting preparation, harvesting, and tidying up without moving.

(B) By providing irrigation means or disinfection means in the vicinity of the support, irrigation work or disinfection work can be automated.

(C) It is possible to easily move a cultivation container for a plant which is in a poorly conditioned place and whose growth is delayed to a well conditioned place as necessary.

(D) When a plant is cultivated in a high-temperature and high-humidity cultivation field, by providing a partition between the work place and the cultivation place, the worker can work at a comfortable work place.

(E) Since the position of the cultivation container is low, observation means such as a camera for observing the growth state of the plant can be easily arranged. Therefore, the growth state of the plant can be easily observed from a remote place.

(F) Since the cultivation container is disposed in the horizontal direction, an average temperature is secured for all plants, and tall plants such as tomatoes and melons can be cultivated without any trouble.

[Invention of claim 2]
Since the transfer means includes elevating means for elevating the frame that supports the annular belt and the belt wheel, when the cultivation container placed on one support is transferred to another support, the cultivation container is Pass through each horizontal axis of the support without any problems.

[Invention of claim 3]
The frame of the transfer means moves up and down according to the rotation direction of the annular chain. That is, since the upper traveling portion and the lower traveling portion in the annular chain move in opposite directions, when the annular chain is rotated in one direction, the one arm pivotally attached to the upper traveling portion in the annular chain As a result of the decrease in the distance between the other end of the other chain and the other end of the other arm pivotally attached to the lower running portion of the annular chain, each arm has a larger gradient and moves upward to lift the frame of the transfer means. Increase (see chain line in FIG. 8). Further, when the annular chain is rotated in the opposite direction, the other end of the one arm pivotally attached to the upper running portion of the annular chain and the other end pivotally attached to the lower running portion of the annular chain. As a result of the increase in the distance from the other end of the arm, the gradient of each arm decreases, and the frame of the transfer means is lowered (see the solid line in FIG. 8).

  As described above, the elevating means has a simple configuration and can reduce the manufacturing cost.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a plant cultivation apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the horizontal axis. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a cultivation container and a plant. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a wheel pair and a horizontal axis. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the wheel pair. FIG. 6 is a side view of the wheel. FIG. 7 is a front view of the transfer means. FIG. 8 is a front view of the lifting means.

  What is indicated by reference numeral 1 is a support for the cultivation container 3. The plant 5 is cultivated by the cultivation container 3.

  The support 1 is configured such that two horizontal shafts 7 and 7 parallel to each other are disposed so as to be rotatable and unable to advance and retreat, and the horizontal shafts 7 are rotated in the same direction by a driving means 9. At least two (1a, 1b) support bodies 1 are disposed.

  The horizontal shaft 7 is preferably a metal pipe. For example, an electric motor is used as the driving means 9 for rotating the horizontal shaft 7. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the rotation of the driving means (electric motor) 9 is transmitted to one horizontal shaft 7 via a gear group 11 and further transmitted to the other horizontal shaft 7 via an annular chain 13. Reference numeral 15 denotes a bearing for the horizontal shaft 7, reference numeral 17 denotes a support wheel for supporting the horizontal shaft 7, and reference numeral 19 denotes a base for the support wheel 17 (see FIG. 2).

  A plurality of cultivation containers 3, 3... Are placed on each support 1. The cultivation container 3 is made into the box-shaped body which opened the upper end as an example.

  Each cultivation container 3 is provided with a wheel pair 21 corresponding to each horizontal shaft 7 at the lower end, and the wheel pair 21 is provided with two wheels 23 and 25 that are in contact with the rotating horizontal shaft 7 and rotate together with the horizontal shaft 7. . The cultivation container 3 is preferably provided with at least two wheel pairs 21 for each horizontal axis 7.

The two wheels 23 and 25 in the wheel pair 21 rotate the rotation axes 23 a and 25 a of the wheels 23 and 25 so that the cultivation container 3 is advanced and retracted in the length direction of the horizontal shaft 7 according to the rotation direction of the horizontal shaft 7. Are inclined in different directions with respect to the length direction of the horizontal axis 7. That is, when the horizontal shaft 7 that cannot be advanced and retracted rotates, the wheels 23 and 25 rotate in a spiral manner relative to the surface of the horizontal shaft 7 while rotating while being in contact with the surface of the horizontal shaft 7. As described above, the rotation axes 23 a and 25 a of the wheels 23 and 25 are inclined in different directions with respect to the length direction of the horizontal shaft 7. The wheels 23 and 25 are like internal threads (nuts) that are threadedly engaged with the horizontal shaft 7, which is a male screw rod that cannot be advanced and retracted.

Each of the wheels 23 and 25 in the wheel pair 21 may be a metal wheel having a flat outer peripheral surface, but as an example, as shown in FIG. 6, a synthetic resin or rubber in which the outer peripheral surfaces 23b and 25b are bulged. Wheels made of steel may be used.

  The wheel pair 21 is supported by wheel support means 27. The wheel support means 27 fixes a center part 29a to the bottom surface 3a of the cultivation container 3, and a pair of lower surfaces of both end parts 29b and 29c in the wheel support plate 29 formed by bending both end parts 29b and 29c downward. The wheel clamping plates 31a and 31b (33a and 33b) are erected and the wheels 23 (25) are rotatably clamped between the wheel clamping plates 31a and 31b (33a and 33b).

  Furthermore, the transfer means 41 for moving the cultivation container 3 mounted on one support body (one of the said support bodies) 1a to another support body 1b is provided.

  The transfer means 41 has a pair of belt wheels 45, 45 attached to the frame 43, an annular belt 47 is wound between the belt wheels 45, 45, one belt wheel 45 is associated with the driving means 49, Elevating means 50 that elevates and lowers the frame 43 that supports the belt wheels 45 and 45 is provided. One annular belt 47 may be provided, but a plurality of annular belts 47 may be wound as illustrated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, a large number of support rollers 51, 51... Are attached to the frame 43 between the belt wheels 45. These support rollers 51, 51... Support the upper traveling portion 47 a in the annular belt 47.

  In the case shown in FIG. 7, an electric motor 53 is used as the driving means 49, and the rotation of the electric motor 53 is transmitted to one belt wheel 45 via a transmission means 55 such as a chain.

  In the case shown in FIG. 1, the transfer means 41 is provided between the horizontal shaft 7 and the horizontal shaft 7 at each end of one support 1a, and the horizontal shaft 7 at each end of the other support 1b. One each between the horizontal shaft 7 and one support 1a and the other support 1b are disposed at each end of the supports 1a and 1b.

  As for the raising / lowering means 50 for raising and lowering the frame 43, an annular chain 59 that is rotated by a driving means 57 is arranged in parallel with the frame 43 on each side of the frame 43, and a pair of arms 61 are provided on the outer surface of the frame 43. 63, one end 61a, 63a of each arm 61 is axially attached, the other end 61b of one arm 61 is axially attached to the upper running portion 59a of the annular chain 59, and the other end 63b of the other arm 63 is attached to the annular chain 59. The frame 43 is lifted and lowered according to the rotational direction of the annular chain 59 by being pivotally attached to the lower running portion 59b. See FIG. 1 and FIG.

  In the case shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the annular chain 59 is shared by the three transfer means 41. The annular chain 59 is wound around the sprockets 65 and 67 at both ends, and the rotation of the electric motor as the drive means 57 is transmitted to one of the sprockets 65 through a transmission means such as a chain. The sprockets 65 and 67 are attached to horizontal rotating shafts 69 and 71, respectively. In addition, what is shown with the code | symbol 73 in FIG. 8 is the base in which the flame | frame 43 is mounted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Support body 1a Support body 1b Support body 3 Cultivation container 5 Plant 7 Horizontal shaft 9 Driving means 11 Gear group 13 Ring chain 15 Bearing 17 Bearing wheel 19 Base 21 Wheel pair 23 Wheel 23a Rotating axis 23b Outer peripheral surface 25 Wheel 25a Rotating axis 25b outer peripheral surface 27 wheel support means 29 wheel support plate 29a center part 29b end part 29c end part 31a wheel holding plate 31b wheel holding plate 33a wheel holding plate 33b wheel holding plate 41 transfer means 43 frame 45 belt wheel 47 annular belt 47a upper side traveling Portion 49 Driving means 50 Lifting means 51 Bearing roller 53 Electric motor 55 Transmission means 57 Driving means 59 Annular chain 59a Upper traveling part 59b Lower traveling part 61 Arm 61a One end 61b Other end 63 Arm 63a One end 63b Other end 65 Sprocket 67 Sprocket 69 Rotating shaft 71 Rotating shaft 73

Claims (3)

Two horizontal shafts parallel to each other are disposed so as to be rotatable and unmovable, and at least two supports configured to rotate each horizontal shaft in the same direction by a driving means are disposed,
A plurality of cultivation containers are placed on each support, and each cultivation container is provided with a wheel pair corresponding to each horizontal axis at the lower end, and the wheel pair is in contact with the rotating horizontal axis and rotates with the horizontal axis. With wheels,
The two wheels in the wheel pair have the rotation axis of the wheel in the length direction of the horizontal axis so that the cultivation container moves forward and backward in the length direction of the horizontal axis according to the rotation direction of each horizontal axis. In a different direction from each other,
Furthermore, the plant cultivation apparatus characterized by including the transfer means for moving the cultivation container mounted on one support body to another support body.   The transfer means includes a pair of belt wheels attached to the frame, an annular belt is wound around the belt wheels, one belt wheel is associated with the drive means, and a lifting means for raising and lowering the frame is provided. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1.   The elevating means is provided with an annular chain that is rotated by a driving means on each side of the frame in parallel with the frame, and one end of a pair of arms is axially attached to the outer surface of the frame. The other end of the ring is pivotally attached to the upper running portion of the annular chain, the other end of the other arm is pivotally attached to the lower running portion of the annular chain, and the frame moves up and down according to the rotation direction of the annular chain. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plant cultivation apparatus is configured as described above.

Images