JP2016183931A - Plant cultivation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plant cultivation apparatus capable of effectively facilitating low-cost and high-accuracy cultivation experiments and studies.SOLUTION: A plant cultivation apparatus main body 11 has, inside thereof, a cultivation space 12 separated from outside to cover a minimum space for accommodating a predetermined minimum number of plants, and includes component analysis means for analyzing components of plants while being cultivated in the cultivation space 12. The component analysis means comprises a light-emitter 21 for irradiating the plants with near infrared rays, a photoreceiver 22 configured to receive light reflected from and transmitted through the plants, and an analyzer (control unit 100) that analyzes components of the plants based on a result of measuring a near infrared ray spectrum acquired from the received reflected light and transmitted light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a plant cultivation apparatus for growing a plant having a predetermined minimum number of plants under an environmental condition in which each element that affects the growth of the plant can be adjusted.

  Conventionally, various proposals have been made on plant growth apparatuses for research that are used in experiments for finding the optimal plant growth environment. For example, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, a conventional plant growing apparatus is usually provided with a so-called chamber (a constant temperature and humidity chamber), and an experiment is performed by placing a plurality of plants in the chamber. Was common.

  In such a plant growing apparatus, component analysis is known as a representative example of a verification method related to plant growth. There are various methods for such component analysis. For example, in Patent Document 3, a sample of a plant is put into a dedicated cell, and then the sample is pressed against the translucent member while passing through the translucent member. A method of analyzing a component contained in a sample by irradiating the sample with near infrared rays from the head and calculating absorbance from the diffuse reflected light is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 3982897 Japanese Patent No. 5034030 JP 2003-232728 A

  In the conventional plant growing apparatus described above, when verifying the growth of a plant with a minimum number of strains such as one strain, if multiple strains are stored in the chamber, interaction between individuals works and verification as a single unit is not possible. There was a problem that it was not suitable. In order to prevent such interaction between individuals, if the inside of the chamber is divided into areas for each strain in some way, light and wind may be blocked on some plants, and the plant is placed. There is a risk that the uniformity of the surrounding environment cannot be secured.

  Further, when the arrangement interval of the stocks is increased without dividing the chamber into a plurality of areas, there is a problem that only a small number of stocks can be stored in the limited chamber. Moreover, since the chamber is large enough to store a plurality of plants together, there is a limit to installing many devices in a limited space.

  Moreover, the environmental conditions in the chamber could be adjusted only uniformly with the same temperature, humidity, etc., in principle, regardless of the number of plant stocks stored. Therefore, when carrying out cultivation experiments with many environmental conditions set, prepare many devices and conduct experiments in parallel, or set the next environmental conditions after one experiment and Will be experimenting with the series. For this reason, there is a problem that the experiment is not only costly but also takes time.

  Furthermore, in the conventional plant growing apparatus, when the component analysis of the plant is performed, the plant has to be taken out from the chamber. When analyzing by the method described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 3, it takes time and effort to perform a pretreatment (such as crushing the plant) to process the plant into a form suitable for placing in a dedicated cell. The cultivation of the analyzed plants could not be resumed. Therefore, when it was desired to perform component analysis during cultivation, a plurality of plants had to be cultivated simultaneously under the same conditions.

  The present invention was made paying attention to the problems of the conventional techniques as described above, and when growing a plant in a minimum unit, the ability of a single plant or cultivation in an artificially controlled environment In addition, the component analysis, which is one of the plant verification methods, can be easily and accurately performed without taking out the plant from the device. It aims at providing the plant cultivation apparatus which can measure or verify.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object described above resides in the inventions of the following items.
[1] In a plant cultivation apparatus (10) for growing a predetermined minimum number of plants under environmental conditions in which each element affecting plant growth can be adjusted,
Inside the apparatus main body (11), a growth space (12) partitioned from the outside in a minimum range for storing a predetermined minimum number of plants is formed,
A plant cultivation device (10) comprising component analysis means (21, 22, 100) for analyzing the components of a growing plant while the plant is housed in the growth space (12).

  [2] The component analysis means (21, 22, 100) analyzes a plant component based on a result obtained by analyzing reflected light or transmitted light when the plant is irradiated with light. The plant cultivation apparatus (10) according to [1].

[3] The component analysis means (21, 22, 100)
A light emitting part (21) for irradiating the plant with near infrared rays;
A light receiving part (22) for receiving reflected light or transmitted light from the plant upon irradiation by the light emitting part (21);
An analysis unit (100) for analyzing plant components based on a result of measuring a near-infrared spectrum obtained from the reflected light or transmitted light received by the light receiving unit (22). 2] The plant cultivation apparatus (10).

  [4] The plant cultivation device according to [3] (10), wherein the light emitting unit (21) and the light receiving unit (22) are movably arranged inside the device main body (11). ).

  [5] Near-infrared light obtained from reflected or transmitted light of near-infrared irradiated by the component analysis means (21, 22, 100) in an empty state inside the device main body (11) before the start of plant cultivation Is recorded as background data, and then the near-infrared spectrum obtained from the reflected or transmitted near-infrared light irradiated during the cultivation of the plant is recorded as measurement data, the measurement data and the background data The plant cultivation apparatus (10) according to [3] or [4], wherein a plant component is analyzed based on the difference between the two.

  [6] The temperature of the growth space (12) when the background data is obtained is recorded as a reference temperature by the component analysis means (21, 22, 100), and the growth data is obtained when the measurement data is obtained. The plant cultivation device (10) according to [5], further comprising temperature control means (100) for adjusting the temperature of the space (12) to the reference temperature.

Next, the operation based on the above solution will be described.
The plant cultivation apparatus (10) according to the above [1] grows a plant by a predetermined minimum number of plants, and is a minimum for storing a plant with a predetermined minimum number of plants in one apparatus body (11). A series of growth spaces (12) partitioned from the outside in the range of is formed. In this growth space (12), each element affecting the growth of the plant is controlled to the adjusted environmental conditions. Thereby, various environmental conditions for growing plants can be realized easily and at low cost.

  Since the growth space (12) is set to a minimum range for storing a predetermined minimum number of plants, the entire apparatus can be miniaturized as much as possible. As a result, it is possible not only to promote cultivation experiments and research efficiently in units of the minimum number of plants, but also to set environmental conditions with more devices even in a limited space, and the price of the device itself And energy consumption can be reduced.

  The growth space (12) is basically a closed system, but supplies moisture, carbon dioxide (air), and the like, which are elements that affect the growth of the plant, from the outside of the apparatus body (11). It is better to configure as follows. Thereby, it is possible to further reduce the size of the apparatus main body (11) itself. Moreover, it is comprised so that the excess water | moisture content, air, etc. in the growth space (12) can be discharged | emitted outside.

  Analysis of plant components is important as one of verification methods for growing plants cultivated by such a plant cultivation apparatus (10). The plant cultivation apparatus (10) includes component analysis means (21, 22, 100) for analyzing the components of a growing plant in a state where the plant is housed in the growth space (12). Therefore, component analysis can be easily performed even when the plant is grown without taking out the plant from the apparatus main body (11) or performing special pretreatment. Based on the analysis result, it is possible to grasp the quality of plant growth.

  Various methods are conceivable for plant component analysis. Generally, the plant absorbs the visible region of light necessary for photosynthesis, and reflects the near-infrared region of light. [2] As described above, when the component analyzing means (21, 22, 100) is configured to analyze the components of the plant based on the result obtained by analyzing the reflected light or transmitted light when the plant is irradiated with light. good.

  Here, the component analyzing means (21, 22, 100) is specifically composed of a light emitting unit (21), a light receiving unit (22), and an analyzing unit (100) as described in [3] above. It is good to configure. With such a configuration, the plant housed in the apparatus main body (11) is irradiated with near infrared rays from the light emitting unit (21) at a predetermined timing, and reflected light or transmitted light from the plant is received by the light receiving unit (22). Receive light at. This received light data is output to the analysis unit (100) to measure the near-infrared spectrum, and the components contained in the plant are analyzed using, for example, a calibration curve from the absorbance (attenuation amount) of the specific wavelength component in the spectrum. be able to.

  According to the plant cultivation device (10) described in [4], the light emitting unit (21) and the light receiving unit (22) are movably arranged inside the device main body (11). This makes it possible to move the light irradiation position and the light receiving position in accordance with the degree of plant growth, or to irradiate near infrared rays over a wide range of plants. By measuring a plant over a wider range, it becomes possible to collect a plurality of received light data, and by taking an average of these data, the accuracy of analysis can be improved.

  According to the plant cultivation device (10) described in [5], the component analysis means (21, 22, 100) first causes the inside of the device main body (11) to be empty before starting cultivation of the plant. The near-infrared spectrum obtained from the reflected or transmitted near-infrared light is recorded as background data. The recording destination of the background data is not limited to the component analysis means (21, 22, 100), and may be stored by other means.

  Thereafter, the near-infrared spectrum obtained from the reflected or transmitted near-infrared light irradiated during the cultivation of the plant is again recorded as measurement data by the component analysis means (21, 22, 100). And the difference of this measurement data and the said background data is taken, and the component of a plant is analyzed based on this. Thereby, the accuracy of the analysis can be further increased, and the plant components can be analyzed more accurately.

  In addition, the spectrum absorbed by plants is generally subject to the influence of ambient temperature. Therefore, as described in [6] above, the temperature of the growth space (12) when the background data is obtained is recorded as the reference temperature by the component analysis means (21, 22, 100). And when obtaining the said measurement data, it is good to comprise so that the temperature of a growth space (12) may be adjusted to the said reference temperature by the temperature control means (100).

  Thereby, the situation where the precision of analysis changes with the temperature in the growth space (12) during cultivation can be prevented. The background data and the measurement data are obtained by the component analysis means (21, 22, 100). The means for measuring or recording the temperature of the growth space (12) at that time is the component analysis means (21 , 22, 100) may be implemented by other means.

  According to the plant cultivation apparatus according to the present invention, when growing a plant with a minimum number of strains, cultivation experiments and research in an artificially controlled environment that is not easily affected by other plants, in a short period of time, Moreover, it is possible to carry out efficiently with high accuracy, and it is possible to easily elucidate the optimum environmental conditions corresponding to the type of plant. This can contribute to the development of plant factories and facility cultivation. In addition, by reducing the size according to the minimum number of plants, environmental conditions can be set for many devices at the same time, even in a limited space, and it is possible to meet the demand for space saving. Its own price and energy consumption can be reduced.

  Moreover, component analysis, which is one of plant verification methods, can be easily and accurately analyzed or verified without taking out plants from the apparatus. In addition, component analysis can be repeatedly performed on one plant. That is, even if it is in the middle of cultivation, the plant can be continuously cultivated after component analysis. And based on the result of a component analysis, the growth result (component content) of a plant can be verified easily. That is, it is possible to verify how environmental conditions affect plant components under a controlled cultivation environment.

It is a longitudinal section showing typically a plant cultivation device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the plant cultivation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the cultivation thru | or component analysis in the plant cultivation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the plant cultivation apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment that represents the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
Initially, the whole structure of the plant cultivation apparatus 10 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated by FIG. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a main part of a plant cultivation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The plant cultivation apparatus 10 is an apparatus for growing a plant having a predetermined minimum number of plants under environmental conditions in which each element affecting the growth of the plant can be adjusted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the plant cultivation apparatus 10 forms a series of growth spaces 12 partitioned from the outside within a minimum range for storing a predetermined minimum number of plants inside one apparatus body 11. It is configured. Here, the “predetermined minimum number of strains” is a number determined as appropriate for each type of plant, and is not necessarily limited to only one strain. For example, only one strain is suitable for a plant that grows relatively large with respect to the growth space 12 having a predetermined minimum volume or shape. For plants smaller than this, 1 or 2 strains, 1 to 3 strains, 1 to 4 strains, or 1 to 5 strains are suitable, but this number is not limited, and plants expected in the growth space 12 It is set as appropriate based on the occupation ratio of the

  The “minimum range” is the minimum volume or shape in which the aforementioned minimum number of plants can be accommodated in a natural growth form, and the growth space 12 is partitioned from the outside in such a range (space). Thus, the external shape of the whole apparatus main body 11 which has the growth space 12 inside is not specifically limited. For example, various external shapes such as a cylindrical shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a spherical shape, an oval shape, and a spindle shape are conceivable. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a capsule shape in which the lower portion is cylindrical and the upper portion is rounded is used. Adopted.

  In the growth space 12 inside the apparatus main body 11, each element affecting the growth of the plant is controlled to an adjusted environmental condition. Here, each element includes a variety of moisture, light, carbon dioxide, nutrients, temperature, humidity, and the like necessary for plant photosynthesis, but the control target in the present embodiment is a nutrient solution that is light, moisture, Applicable to carbon dioxide in air, air temperature and humidity. Each of these elements is controlled to match the physiology of the plant, thereby promoting the growth of the plant while maintaining a correlation with each other.

  Each surface wall 11a that partitions the growth space 12 in the apparatus main body 11 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, or a metal such as aluminum or an alloy thereof. If the material of each surface wall 11a is mixed with titanium oxide or the like having a photocatalytic action, it is possible to suppress the propagation of various bacteria on the surface and to prevent the surface from being soiled.

  The outer surface of each surface wall 11a is preferably covered with a light shielding material. Here, the material of the light shielding material may be anything as long as it does not transmit light from the outside, but it is also desirable that the material also serves as a heat insulating material. Specifically, for example, a synthetic resin having excellent heat insulating properties such as polystyrene foam and vinyl chloride is suitable. In addition, each surface wall 11a itself can also be formed with the material which has light-shielding property and heat insulation.

  Further, a reflecting material may be provided on the inner surface of each surface wall 11a. Here, any material can be used as the reflective material as long as it can reflect light emitted from the light irradiation unit 20 described later. Specifically, for example, a white reflective sheet or a specular reflective sheet is attached to the inner surface of each surface wall 11a. A white paint or a light reflecting paint can be applied to the inner surface of each surface wall 11a.

  In the lower part of the apparatus main body 11, a nutrient solution tank 13 having an upper surface opened to the growth space 12 is provided. The nutrient solution tank 13 is formed, for example, as a shallow tank having a disc shape at the bottom and a circular cross section at the bottom, and the material thereof is synthetic resin, metal, or the like, similar to each surface wall 11a of the apparatus main body 11. . The inside of the nutrient solution tank 13 is filled with a nutrient solution for hydroponics. Alternatively, soil for soil cultivation or a solid medium or the like for medium cultivation may be filled. In this type of plant cultivation apparatus 10, the most easily handled cultivation method is hydroponics, and in this embodiment, general liquid hydroponics (DFT) is adopted.

  Here, the nutrient solution is an aqueous solution in which nutrients (essential elements) necessary for plant growth are dissolved. Examples of nutrients include nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), which are dissolved in water in an ionized state. There are various types of nutrient solutions with different nutrient concentrations, pH (hydrogen ion concentration), EC (electrical conductivity), etc., depending on the type of plant to be grown and to obtain the desired growth results. To do.

  Connected to the nutrient solution tank 13 are a supply pipe 14 for supplying the nutrient solution from the outside through the face wall 11a of the apparatus main body 11, and a drain tube 15 for discharging unnecessary nutrient solution to the outside. ing. Openable and closable bubbles (for example, solenoid valves) are provided in the middle of the liquid supply pipe 14 and the drainage pipe 15, and an electric pump for feeding liquid is also provided in the middle of the liquid supply pipe 14. Yes. The liquid supply pipe 14 and the drainage pipe 15 are preferably insulated by covering the outer periphery with a heat insulating material.

  An air supply pipe 16 for supplying air (carbon dioxide) from the outside to the growth space 12 is connected above the nutrient solution tank 13 on the face wall 11 a of the apparatus main body 11. Further, an exhaust pipe 17 for discharging the air in the growth space 12 to the outside is also connected to the ceiling portion of the apparatus main body 11. Openable and closable bubbles (for example, solenoid valves) are provided in the middle of the air supply pipe 16 and the exhaust pipe 17, and an electric pump for blowing and a blower fan are also provided in the middle of the air supply pipe 16. . The air supply pipe 16 and the exhaust pipe 17 are also preferably insulated by covering the outer periphery with a heat insulating material.

  Moreover, the light irradiation part 20 which irradiates light with respect to the plant located below is provided in the ceiling part of the apparatus main body 11. As shown in FIG. The light irradiation unit 20 may be configured as a light source or may irradiate light guided from an external light source. In either case, the light irradiation unit 20 is arranged to irradiate light downward. Is done. When the light irradiation unit 20 itself is a light source, specifically, for example, an LED (light emitting diode), a small fluorescent lamp or an incandescent lamp, or other organic EL (electroluminescence) may be used.

  In particular, an LED is suitable as a light source because it can be reduced in size as compared with other light sources, has low power consumption, and has a long life. Some LEDs emit various emission colors. For example, a plurality of emission colors such as red light, blue light, green light, white light, and far red light have a predetermined ratio (for example, ratio of light emission area). It is advisable to prepare a combination of different spectral distributions (narrow, broad, wavelength synthesis) and different amounts of light (photon flux density).

  Light is necessary for plant growth because the plant performs photosynthesis, but the wavelength most easily absorbed by chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, which are the main light-collecting pigments of plants, is blue light in the vicinity of 400 to 500 nm, Red light near 600 to 700 nm. It is known that light in these wavelength ranges is effective for photosynthesis. Therefore, it is preferable to control the emission color of the light source so as to perform irradiation mainly using light in these two wavelength ranges.

  When there is a light source outside, for example, natural light such as sunlight is guided to the light irradiation unit 20 by an optical fiber and irradiated, or artificial light from an external LED or the like is optical fiber. The light irradiation unit 20 may be guided to irradiate the light. When there is an external light source in addition to the light irradiation unit 20, light such as sunlight and LEDs is efficiently collected by a condenser such as a lens, and this collected light is collected to the light irradiation unit 20 by an optical fiber. Will lead. Here, the tip portion that emits the light of the optical fiber mainly corresponds to the light irradiation unit 20.

  Further, the plant cultivation apparatus 10 includes component analysis means for analyzing the components of the growing plant in a state where the plant is housed in the growth space 12. The component analysis means analyzes plant components based on results obtained by analyzing reflected light or transmitted light when the plant is irradiated with light. In the present embodiment, near-infrared rays are used as the light of the measurement medium. That is, when a plant is irradiated with near-infrared rays, a specific wavelength component of the near-infrared rays is absorbed for each component contained in the plant, so the reflected or transmitted light from the plant is analyzed to determine the absorbance of the specific wavelength component. The component contained in the plant is analyzed by calculating (attenuation amount).

  Specifically, the component analysis means includes a light emitting unit 21, a light receiving unit 22, and an analysis unit. The light emission part 21 irradiates a plant with near infrared rays, and is provided with a light source. Here, as the light source, for example, an LED may be used, but it is not particularly limited. The light emitting unit 21 is configured as a unit, and is attached to an appropriate position on the inner surface of the surface wall 11a via, for example, a support or a suction cup. However, the light emitting unit 21 may be detachably disposed at an arbitrary position. In addition, you may comprise so that the light source of the light emission part 21 may be combined with the said light irradiation part 20. FIG.

  Moreover, you may comprise the near infrared irradiation by the light emission part 21 so that only the component of a specific wavelength range may be irradiated with a filter etc., for example. As described above, since the frequency band absorbed by each component included in the plant is different, it is conceivable to irradiate only a specific wavelength range necessary for detecting a specific component. Specifically, for example, if the specific wavelength range is set to a range of 600 to 1000 nm, the nitrate ion concentration can be particularly measured. Note that the number of light emitting units 21 is not limited to one, and a plurality of light emitting units 21 may be provided.

  The light receiving unit 22 receives reflected light or transmitted light from the plant when irradiated by the light emitting unit 21. Specifically, for example, the light receiving unit 22 may include an optical fiber that collects reflected light or transmitted light from a plant and a detector such as an infrared sensor (for example, a CCD). Here, the light collected by the optical fiber is set to be output to the control unit 100 described later as light reception data from the detector as it is after entering the detector.

  The light receiving unit 22 is also configured as a unit, similar to the light emitting unit 21, and is attached to an appropriate position on the inner surface of the face wall 11a via, for example, a support or a suction cup. For example, the light receiving unit 22 may be detachably mounted so as to be movable to an arbitrary position on the inner surface of the face wall 11a. In addition, you may comprise so that the light received by the light-receiving part 22 may be isolate | separated and output for every wavelength of a near infrared region with a spectrometer. Further, the number of light receiving units 22 is not limited to one, and a plurality of light receiving units 22 may be provided.

  Further, instead of the light receiving unit 22 described above, a light receiving unit may be configured by a camera, and the camera may be configured to measure an absorbance spectrum in units of pixels in a two-dimensional image. Specifically, for example, a hyperspectral camera is suitable as the camera. Here, the hyperspectral camera is a camera that can capture an image having hyperspectral information, and the hyperspectral information is obtained by measuring light as a wavelength and measuring the intensity of light at each wavelength.

  The analysis unit is one of the functions realized by the control unit 100 and analyzes plant components based on the result of measuring the near-infrared spectrum obtained from the reflected or transmitted light received by the light receiving unit 22. It is. Although each function of the control unit 100 including the analysis unit will be described in detail later, the control unit 100 is disposed below the nutrient tank 13 inside the apparatus main body 11 while being sealed in a waterproof case. Has been.

  Next, the components of the control system provided in the growth space 12 will be described. Here, the components of the control system are involved in the control of environmental conditions in the growth space 12. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the nutrient solution is provided at an appropriate position in the nutrient solution tank 13 in the apparatus main body 11. Since the configuration of the temperature sensor itself is general, it is omitted, but the temperature sensor is set to output a measured value of the detected water temperature of the nutrient solution to the control unit 100 described later.

  As a component (controlled device) for adjusting the water temperature of the nutrient solution, a heater or a cooler can be considered. In the present embodiment, these components to be controlled are not provided directly in the nutrient solution tank 13 but are provided in the nutrient solution generation unit 140 outside the apparatus main body 11. The nutrient solution whose water temperature and the like are adjusted by the nutrient solution generation unit 140 is configured to be supplied to the nutrient solution tank 13 in the apparatus main body 11 through the liquid supply pipe 14.

  In the nutrient solution tank 13, a water sensor is further provided so that overflow can be detected, and adjustment of supply or discharge amount of the nutrient solution and control for keeping the nutrient solution at a constant amount are also performed. Furthermore, various sensors that detect the concentration, pH (hydrogen ion concentration), EC (electric conductivity), etc. of nutrients in the nutrient solution and output sensing data are provided, and feedback control is also performed for each element. You may comprise.

  Further, in the apparatus main body 11, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, and the like that output sensing data related to the air in the growth space 12 are provided at appropriate positions such as the inside of each surface wall 11 a located above the nutrient solution tank 13. Is provided. Although the configuration of these sensors themselves is also common and will be omitted, various sensors are also connected to the control unit 100 via signal lines and set to output the detected measurement values to the control unit 100.

  As a component for adjusting the temperature of the air, a heater or a cooler can be considered as in the water temperature control of the nutrient solution. Further, a humidifier can be considered as a component for adjusting the humidity, and a carbon dioxide generator can also be considered as a component for adjusting the carbon dioxide concentration. These are also provided outside the apparatus main body 11 as an air generation unit 130 to be described later without being provided in the apparatus main body 11 so that air adjusted in environmental conditions such as temperature is supplied to the growth space 12 through the air supply pipe 16. It is composed. Further, an air volume sensor may be provided in the apparatus main body 11 as necessary, and the amount of air blown out from the air supply pipe 16 may be detected to control the supply or discharge amount (air flow rate) of air.

  In addition, an illuminance sensor that outputs sensing data related to the environmental conditions of light, a light amount (photon flux density) sensor, and the like are also provided in appropriate places in the apparatus main body 11 with sufficient space. The configuration of various sensors relating to these lights is also common and will be omitted. However, the various sensors are connected to the control unit 100 via signal lines in the same manner as the temperature sensor and the like, and the detected measurement values (sensing) Data) is output to the control unit 100.

  Furthermore, a camera 23 for detecting the growth status of the plant, a sensor for detecting a value (for example, a biopotential) that changes according to the growth of the plant, and the like may be provided at an appropriate place in the apparatus main body 11. good. Here, the camera 23 is arranged at a position where the state of the plant in the growth space 12 can be photographed. Specifically, for example, a CCD camera or the like is suitable. Such a camera 23 may be configured to supply power via a USB port and to transmit image data that has been appropriately captured to the control unit 100. The image data is stored and utilized as a cultivation record relating to the growth state of the plant. In addition, you may provide the window part which can be opened and closed as needed in the appropriate place of each surface wall 11a so that the plant in the apparatus main body 11 can be observed directly.

Next, the control system of the plant cultivation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the plant cultivation apparatus 10.
In addition to the control unit 100, the plant cultivation apparatus 10 includes a nutrient solution generation unit 140, an air generation unit 130, a light source unit 120, and the like as a control system configuration attached to the apparatus main body 11. The control unit 100 is also connected to an external computer 200 via a communication line such as a LAN, the Internet, or a telephone line.

  In FIG. 2, the control unit 100 controls the environmental conditions in the growth space 12 of the apparatus main body 11 and is disposed at the bottom of the apparatus main body 11. The control unit 100 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer composed of a CPU, RAM, ROM, interface, and the like. The control unit 100 includes means for creating a control program for executing various controls, a memory for storing sensing data and control programs from the sensors, a display unit for displaying the sensing data and control programs, and the like. ing.

  In addition to the controlled devices included in the light source unit 120, the air generation unit 130, and the nutrient solution generation unit 140, the control unit 100 communicates with the operation means 101 such as a switch for performing an input operation, the above-described various sensors, and the like. The communication is possible via / F. That is, the control unit 100 is set to receive sensing data from each sensor, transmit a control signal to the controlled device, supply power, and the like. The control unit 100 is set to transmit sensing data and control signals to and from the external computer 200 via a communication line.

  Sensing data includes the temperature of the nutrient solution, the amount of nutrient solution supplied, the temperature and humidity of the air, the concentration of carbon dioxide, the amount of air blown, the illuminance, the amount of light, and the actual sensor. The concentration of each nutrient, pH (hydrogen ion concentration), EC (electric conductivity), spectrum, image data, and the like are applicable. In addition, the control signal corresponds to a control signal for a heater or a cooler, a control signal for a blower or an electric pump, and a control signal for ON / OFF or operation output of various controlled devices.

  As the set value of the controlled device according to the type and state of the plant to be cultivated by the operating means 101 of the control unit 100, the target nutrient water temperature, nutrient solution supply amount, air temperature and humidity, carbon dioxide Specific values such as density, air flow rate, illuminance, and light quantity can be input as appropriate. The setting value input here is also transmitted to the computer 200 via the communication line, and is also stored in a memory in the computer 200.

  When the control unit 100 receives the set value of the controlled device input from the operation unit 101 or transmitted from the computer 200, the control unit 100 stores the set value in the memory in time series. Based on this set value and the sensing data (measured value), a control signal is transmitted to each controlled device for control. In addition, a setting value can be suitably determined for every relative elapsed days (hours) from the start date of plant cultivation in the plant cultivation apparatus 10.

  The operation means 101 receives an input operation related to the timing of plant component analysis and the like and inputs the input operation to the control unit 100. Here, the control program of the control unit 100 includes a near infrared ray obtained from reflected light or transmitted light from the plant received by the light receiving unit 22 as a function related to the component analysis of the plant in addition to the function related to the control of the environmental conditions described above. The function of "analysis part" which analyzes the component of a plant based on the result of having measured the spectrum of is included.

Next, the nutrient solution generation unit 140 will be described.
The nutrient solution generation unit 140 is a tank 141 for generating and storing the nutrient solution to be supplied into the nutrient solution tank 13, supply means for supplying the nutrient solution to the tank 141, and stirring for mixing the nutrient solution in the tank 141. If necessary, it is provided with means, a heater and a cooler for adjusting the temperature of the nutrient solution in the tank 141, a delivery means including a liquid supply pipe 14 for feeding the produced nutrient solution to the nutrient solution tank 13, and the like. . These controlled devices are connected to the control unit 100 and controlled according to a control signal from the control unit 100.

  Here, the tank 141 is covered with a heat insulating material, and the water supply means, the replenishing means, and the sending means are provided with electromagnetic valves, electric pumps, filters, and the like in the middle of their paths. A predetermined amount of nutrient solution is delivered from the delivery means via the flow rate adjustment valve. The downstream end of the liquid supply pipe 14 of the delivery means is connected to the nutrient solution tank 13.

  The warmer warms the nutrient solution in the tank 141. Specifically, for example, heated water is supplied from a heated water supply path to a radiator (for example, a heating pipe) disposed in the tank 141. By being supplied, the nutrient solution in the tank 141 is heated. Here, as the heated water, for example, water heated by a separately installed heat pump water heater or the like is supplied as needed.

  The cooler cools the nutrient solution in the tank 141. Specifically, for example, cooling water is supplied from a cooling water supply path to a radiator (for example, a cooling pipe) disposed in the tank 141. Thus, the nutrient solution in the tank 141 is cooled. Here, the cooling water is supplied from time to time using ground water or tap water, or cooled by a separately installed heat pump or the like, for example.

  By such a cooler and a warmer, the temperature of the nutrient solution supplied from the tank 141 into the nutrient solution tank 13 is heated or cooled so that it can be controlled to an arbitrary set temperature (set value) within a predetermined range. Is configured to be possible. The nutrient solution generated by the nutrient solution generation unit 140 is supplied as needed into the nutrient solution tank 13 through the insulated liquid supply pipe 14. Note that a temperature sensor provided in the apparatus main body 11 may be provided at an appropriate place (for example, in the tank 141) of the nutrient solution generation unit 140 as necessary.

Next, the air generation unit 130 of the plant cultivation apparatus 10 will be described.
The air generating unit 130 adjusts and stores the air supplied to the growth space 12 of the apparatus main body 11, as well as air supply means for supplying air (atmosphere) to the tank 131, and stirring the air in the tank 131. Stirring means, a heater and a cooler for adjusting the temperature of the air in the tank 131, a humidifier for adjusting the humidity, a carbon dioxide generator, and the air supply pipe 16 for sending the adjusted air into the apparatus main body 11 It includes a delivery means and the like as required. These controlled devices are connected to the control unit 100 and controlled according to a control signal from the control unit 100.

  Here, the tank 131 is covered with a heat insulating material, and an electromagnetic valve, an electric pump, a filter, and the like are provided in the middle of the path of the air supply means and the delivery means. From the delivery means, air is delivered at a predetermined flow rate via a pressure regulating valve. The downstream end of the air supply pipe 16 of the delivery means is connected to the apparatus main body 11. Further, the heater and the cooler are basically configured in the same manner as those provided in the nutrient solution generation unit 140, and the air in the tank 131 can be heated or cooled to be adjusted to a desired set temperature. Is.

  The cooler and the warmer are configured to be heated or cooled so that the temperature of the air supplied from the tank 131 to the growth space 12 can be controlled to an arbitrary set temperature (set value) within a predetermined range. Yes. In addition, a general sheathed heater or panel heater is arranged directly in the tank 131 to be heated (or cooled), or heated (or cooled) with warm air (or cold air) such as a heat pump. May be. In addition, you may comprise so that a temperature adjustment means using a Peltier device (thermoelectric cooling device) may heat or cool by one apparatus.

Although not shown, the humidifier humidifies the air in the tank 131. Specifically, for example, an ultrasonic humidifier is applicable, and the humidity of the air in the tank 131 is set to an arbitrary set value. Anything that can be adjusted is acceptable.
Although not shown, the carbon dioxide generator supplies carbon dioxide into the tank 131. Specifically, the carbon dioxide generator is composed of, for example, an electromagnetic valve attached to a liquefied carbon dioxide cylinder, a regulator, a pressure gauge, etc. It is sufficient if it can be adjusted and supplied to any pressure or flow rate.

Next, the light source unit 120 of the plant cultivation apparatus 10 will be described.
The light source unit 120 includes a lighting control circuit for the light irradiation unit 20 (LED) provided on the ceiling portion of the apparatus main body 11, a power supply device for supplying power, and the like as necessary. When light is guided from an external light source into the apparatus main body 11, light guiding means such as an optical fiber may be regarded as a component of the light source unit 120. It should be noted that some components such as the lighting control circuit may be arranged at appropriate positions in the apparatus main body 11 as long as there is a space in the apparatus main body 11.

  A lighting control circuit, a power supply device, and the like are connected to the control unit 100 described above, and light irradiation conditions are controlled according to a control signal from the control unit 100. Here, the light irradiation conditions are, for example, when the light irradiation unit 20 is formed of LEDs, the number or position of the LEDs to be lit, the light quantity of the LEDs to be lit, the lighting time of the LEDs (dark time, blinking cycle period, etc.), pulse control Various light irradiation conditions such as are applicable.

Next, the external computer 200 will be described.
The computer 200 is composed of, for example, a normal personal computer, and is connected to the control unit 100 described above via a communication line. Here, the number of plant cultivation devices 10 connected to the computer 200 is not limited to one, and a plurality of plant cultivation devices 10, 10,. When a plurality of plant cultivation devices 10, 10... Are connected to the computer 200, the environmental conditions in the growth environment of each plant cultivation device 10 can be collectively controlled under different circumstances.

  That is, the computer 200 is set so as to receive various information such as sensing data from each sensor for each of the plurality of plant cultivation devices 10 and to control, monitor, and record the plurality of plant cultivation devices 10 collectively. ing. The computer 200 includes a database that accumulates various data in the plurality of plant cultivation apparatuses 10 and is set so that necessary data can be compared and organized in a predetermined format.

Hereinafter, the effect | action of the plant cultivation apparatus 10 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated.
In the plant cultivation apparatus 10, a series of growth spaces 12 partitioned from the outside are formed inside a single apparatus main body 11 within a minimum range for storing a predetermined minimum number of plants. In this growth space 12, in addition to sensing environmental conditions that affect the growth of plants, it is possible to control to desired environmental conditions, and an all-in-one experimental device that can record the growth state of plants. Easy to build.

  As a result, various cultivation experiments and research for growing plants can be carried out easily and at low cost, and it becomes possible to easily elucidate the optimum environmental conditions commensurate with the type of plant. Moreover, since the growth space 12 is set to a minimum range that can accommodate a predetermined minimum number of plants, the overall shape of the plant cultivation apparatus 10 can be made as compact as possible.

  Therefore, it is possible not only to advance cultivation experiments and research efficiently in units of the smallest number of plants, but also to set more environmental conditions with the device even in a limited space, such as being stored in a rack and arranged in multiple stages. Become. In addition, the price and energy consumption of the device itself can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the volume is small, temperature control and heat insulation from the outside world are facilitated.

  In the present embodiment, the growth space 12 is basically a closed system, but moisture, air (carbon dioxide), etc., which are elements that affect the growth of plants, are fed to the outside of the apparatus main body 11. It is supplied from the generation unit 140 or the air generation unit 130. Thereby, the apparatus main body 11 itself can be further downsized. Moreover, in the plant cultivation apparatus 10, as will be described in detail later, an easy and accurate component analysis can be performed without taking out a plant from the apparatus main body 11 even when the plant is grown.

  Moreover, when each surface wall 11a of the apparatus main body 11 is covered with a light shielding material, intrusion of light from the outside can be prevented, so that the light environment of the growth space 12 depends only on the light from the light irradiation unit 20. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to perform desired light irradiation control with high accuracy without being affected by light from the outside. For example, even if the plant cultivation apparatuses 10 are closely arranged in a narrow space, it is possible to prevent the light from the adjacent plant cultivation apparatus 10 from being affected.

  Furthermore, if the light shielding material is formed of a material that also serves as a heat insulating material, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of heat from the outside, so that the temperature environment of the growth space 12 depends only on the air from the air generation unit 130. it can. Therefore, it is possible to perform desired temperature control with higher accuracy without being affected by the external temperature.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for plant cultivation or component analysis by the plant cultivation apparatus 10. When starting plant cultivation with the plant cultivation apparatus 10, first, initial setting is performed (step S101). That is, the operation means 101 shown in FIG. 2 selects a cultivation method according to the type of plant to be cultivated, and inputs various set values that match desired environmental conditions. For example, specific values such as the temperature of the nutrient solution, the supply amount of the nutrient solution, the temperature and humidity of the air, the concentration of carbon dioxide, the amount of blown air, the illuminance, and the amount of light are appropriately input.

  Input data such as various setting values according to the type of plant and the cultivation method is selected from, for example, a plurality of patterns registered in advance in the computer 200 and confirmed on the display unit in the control unit 100 You may be able to do it. Here, the set value is not limited to the value input at the start of plant cultivation, but can be changed in the middle according to the degree of plant growth, or the relative number of elapsed days (hours) from the plant cultivation start date. Each can be determined in advance.

  At such an initial setting stage, the plant has not been stored in the apparatus main body 11 yet. At this stage, the temperature of the air in the growth space 12 is measured by a temperature sensor, and the measured value is output to the control unit 100 and recorded as a “reference temperature” at the time of component analysis. The measurement or recording of the reference temperature is performed at the time of acquiring the background data described below, and may be performed simultaneously with the acquisition of the background data, or immediately before or after. The recording of the reference temperature is not limited to the control unit 100 and may be stored by other means.

  Then, at the initial setting stage, in the empty state in which the plant is not yet stored in the apparatus main body 11, near-infrared background data that is used as a background at the time of plant component analysis is acquired by the component analysis unit (step) S102). That is, when near-infrared rays are emitted from the light emitting unit 21, the near-infrared rays are received as they are or reflected by the inner surfaces of the surface walls 11a and received by the light receiving unit 22.

  The light collected by, for example, an optical fiber in the light receiving unit 22 is incident on a detector such as an infrared sensor inside, and then is directly or after being spectrally separated by the spectroscope, the control unit is an analysis unit as light reception data. It is output to the unit 100. The analysis unit measures the near-infrared spectrum obtained by analyzing the received light data at this time and records it as “background data”.

  In this way, background data in the state where the apparatus main body 11 is empty is acquired by irradiating near infrared rays even at the initial setting stage. In order to improve the reliability of the measurement result, it is preferable to perform the measurement a plurality of times and take an average value. The recording of the background data is not limited to the control unit 100, and may be stored by other means.

  Subsequently, under the control of the control unit 100, environmental control of the growth space 12 is executed according to the initial setting (step S103). When the control unit 100 receives a setting value input from the operation unit 101 or called from the computer 200, the control unit 100 stores the setting value in a memory in time series. In addition, the control unit 100 acquires sensing data (measured values) transmitted from the various sensors at regular time intervals, and stores them in a memory in time series as cultivation records relating to environmental conditions. The measured values here may be transmitted to the computer 200 and recorded in the database.

  Further, the control unit 100 can also register the image data from the camera 23 acquired at regular intervals in its own memory or the computer 200 as a cultivation record relating to the growth state of the plant. Here, the image data registered in the control unit 100 or the computer 200 can be displayed as a fixed point observation image. In addition, in the computer 200, it is good to be able to confirm the present value and integrated value of the data which each sensor of the plant cultivation apparatus 10 acquired.

  Then, the control unit 100 compares sensing data (measured values) from various sensors with the set values of the corresponding controlled devices. Based on the comparison result, a predetermined control signal is transmitted to each controlled device in order to bring the actual measurement value closer to the target set value. The control signal here is transmitted to each controlled device provided in the nutrient solution generation unit 140, the air generation unit 130, and the light source unit 120 outside the apparatus main body 11.

  In the control of such environmental conditions, the nutrient solution generated by the nutrient solution generation unit 140 outside the device main body 11 is supplied into the nutrient solution tank 13 below the device main body 11. In the nutrient solution generation unit 140, a nutrient solution that meets the conditions set by the operation means 101 is generated under the control of the control unit 100. That is, a necessary amount of water and nutrients (nutrients) are supplied into the tank 141 (see FIG. 2) constituting the nutrient solution generation unit 140 and agitated, and adjusted to a desired set temperature.

  Regarding the temperature control of the nutrient solution, the control unit 100 compares the set temperature determined by the operation means 101 with the measured value output from the temperature sensor in the nutrient solution tank 13. Based on the comparison result, it is determined whether to control one of the cooler or the warmer provided in the tank 141, and a control signal for bringing the measured value from the temperature sensor close to the set temperature is output. Based on such a control signal, the cooler or the warmer is ON / OFF controlled.

  That is, when the measured value of the water temperature of the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank 13 is lower than the set value, it is determined that the cooler is turned off and the heater is turned on, and the nutrient solution generated in the tank 141 is turned on. Increase temperature. On the other hand, when the measured value is higher than the set value, it is determined that the heater is turned off and the cooler is turned on, and the temperature of the nutrient solution generated in the tank 141 is lowered. When the measured value is the same as the set value, both the heater and the cooler are turned off.

  Thus, the nutrient solution produced | generated by the nutrient solution production | generation unit 140 is supplied into the nutrient solution tank 13 by the supply pipe 14 only from the tank 141 by the required amount. On the other hand, the existing nutrient solution existing in the nutrient solution tank 13 is discharged as needed through the drainage pipe 15 or the like. The supply / discharge amount of the nutrient solution is also controlled by the control unit 100 according to the type of plant and the degree of growth, and the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank 13 is maintained at a constant amount.

  Further, the air generated by the air generation unit 130 outside the apparatus main body 11 is supplied to the growth space 12 occupying the main part in the apparatus main body 11. In the air generation unit 130, air that meets the conditions set by the operation means 101 is generated under the control of the control unit 100. That is, in the tank 131 shown in FIG. 1, air (atmosphere), moisture, and carbon dioxide are supplied in necessary amounts and agitated, and adjusted to a desired set temperature. Here, regarding the temperature control of the air, as in the nutrient solution temperature control in the nutrient solution generation unit 140, the temperature in the apparatus main body 11 is turned on / off by the cooler and the heater provided in the tank 131. The measurement value from the sensor is controlled so as to approach the set temperature.

  Regarding the air humidity control, the control unit 100 compares the set humidity determined by the operation means 101 with the measured value output from the humidity sensor in the apparatus main body 11. Based on the comparison result, ON / OFF of the humidifier in the air generation unit 130 is determined, and a control signal for bringing the measured value from the humidity sensor close to the set humidity is output. The humidifier is ON / OFF controlled based on the control signal.

That is, when the measured value of humidity is lower than the set value, the humidifier is turned on and the humidifier is operated to increase the humidity. On the other hand, when the measured humidity value is equal to or higher than the set value, the humidifier is turned off, the humidifier is stopped, and the humidity is lowered.
In addition, regarding the control of the carbon dioxide concentration in the air, the carbon dioxide generator in the air generation unit 130 is ON / OFF controlled based on the control signal regarding the carbon dioxide set concentration output from the control unit 100. Thereby, the measured value from the carbon dioxide sensor in the apparatus main body 11 can be brought close to the set value.

  A necessary amount of air generated by the air generation unit 130 is supplied from the tank 131 to the growth space 12 through the air supply pipe 16. Here, if air is supplied from below the growth space 12, a uniform and stable updraft can be generated. The air that has risen to the ceiling portion of the apparatus main body 11 is discharged from the exhaust pipe 17 connected to the ceiling portion to the outside as needed. Due to this updraft, the air in the growth space 12 is constantly circulated, not only assisting the absorption and transpiration of carbon dioxide in the leaves of the plant, but also bringing the air into contact with the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor without stagnation, An accurate temperature and humidity in the growth space 12 can be detected.

  The supply / discharge amount of air in the apparatus main body 11 is also controlled by the control unit 100 in accordance with the type of plant and the degree of growth. Specifically, for example, by controlling ON / OFF of an air supply means such as a blower fan provided in the middle of the air supply pipe 16, it is possible to adjust to an arbitrary air flow rate. In addition, the apparatus main body 11 can prevent intrusion of air from other than the air supply pipe 16 by being maintained at a positive pressure with respect to the external air pressure.

  In addition, the light irradiation condition by the light irradiation unit 20 is controlled by the light source unit 120 outside the apparatus main body 11. The control system related to the light irradiation unit 20 is also separately united outside the apparatus main body 11. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the apparatus main body 11 with the minimum necessary structure such as the light irradiation unit 20, and it is possible to simplify and miniaturize as much as possible. In particular, if the light irradiation unit 20 emits light guided from an external light source, the apparatus main body 11 itself does not need to be provided with a light source, and can be simplified and miniaturized. An external light source is preferably provided in the light source unit 120.

  As described above, if the light is guided from an external light source, it is not necessary to limit the size of the light source so as to be within a limited space in the apparatus main body 11. For example, in addition to sunlight, a large halogen lamp or metal halide is used. It is also possible to use a lamp or the like as the light source. Moreover, if a reflecting material is provided on the inner surface of each surface wall 11a of the apparatus main body 11 in contact with the growth space 12, the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 20 is reflected without being absorbed by the inner surface of the surface wall 11a, and The light absorption rate can be increased.

  The light source unit 120 is controlled based on the control signal regarding the light irradiation condition transmitted from the control unit 100 so that the light amount, lighting time, etc. of the light irradiation unit 20 in FIG. Such light irradiation conditions may be kept constant, or may be changed over time. Moreover, in order to promote the growth of plants, it is effective not only to continuously irradiate light, but also to perform pulse irradiation that repeatedly blinks in a short cycle, and to appropriately control the blinking cycle period and the like. Good.

  As described above, when the environmental conditions of the growth space 12 are in place, the plant is housed in the apparatus main body 11 and cultivated (step S104). In the apparatus main body 11, the roots of the plant are held so as to be planted in the nutrient solution tank 13, and the stems and leaves of the plant are expanded toward the upper side of the growth space 12. Note that control of environmental conditions may be started after the plant is stored in the apparatus main body 11 in advance.

  According to such a plant cultivation apparatus 10, it is possible to cultivate a plant by adjusting each element that affects the growth of the plant in the minimum necessary growth space 12 at low cost and stably and efficiently. Become. In addition, it is possible to respond to the demand for space saving, and the price of the device itself can be suppressed, and it is possible to efficiently promote highly accurate cultivation experiments and research.

  Thereafter, during plant cultivation, it is possible to analyze the components of the growing plant at a predetermined timing (step S105). When the component analysis of the plant is performed (Y in step S105), the control unit 100 first adjusts the temperature of the air in the growth space 12 to return to the reference temperature (step S106). As described above, the control unit 100 also has a function of temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of the growth space 12 to the reference temperature when obtaining measurement data described below. An instruction to start component analysis is input by the operation unit 101.

  In general, the spectrum absorbed by plants can be affected by ambient temperature. Therefore, when the component analysis of the growing plant is performed, by adjusting the temperature of the growth space 12 to the reference temperature, it is possible to prevent the accuracy of the component analysis from changing depending on the temperature. For example, depending on the type of acid contained in the plant, the dissociation state may change depending on the temperature, and the absorption spectrum tends to change. In general, the decomposition of the spectrum is poor at high temperatures, and the absorbance often decreases as the temperature increases.

  After the temperature of the growth space 12 is stabilized at the reference temperature, the light emitting unit 21 is operated to collect received light data. When the plant is irradiated with near infrared rays from the light emitting unit 21, reflected light or transmitted light from the plant is received by the light receiving unit 22. Here, since the light emitting unit 21 and the light receiving unit 22 are movable inside the apparatus main body 11, the light irradiation position and the light receiving position are moved according to the degree of plant growth, or close to a wide range of plants. Irradiation with infrared rays is possible. By measuring a plant over a wider range, it becomes possible to collect a plurality of received light data, and by taking the average of these data, the accuracy of analysis can be increased.

  The light from the plant received by the light receiving unit 22 is collected by, for example, an optical fiber and is incident on a detector such as an infrared sensor, and then is dispersed as it is or by a spectroscope as in the background data acquisition. After that, the received light data is output to the analysis unit in the control unit 100. The analysis unit measures the near-infrared spectrum obtained by analyzing the received light data at this time and records it as “measurement data” (step S107). The recording of the measurement data is not limited to the control unit 100.

  And an analysis part takes the difference of the measurement data acquired this time and the said background data, and analyzes the component of a plant based on this. That is, the difference between the two spectra is taken and compared to extract a characteristic spectrum (step S108). Based on the absorbance (attenuation amount) of the specific wavelength component in this spectrum, components such as sugar, nitrogen, nitric acid and other minerals in the plant are quantitatively or qualitatively measured using a calibration curve (step S109). Here, a calibration curve is a graph that shows the relationship between a standard substance whose amount is known in advance and the measurement data for it in general when quantifying a substance (component), and is created in advance by a known method. To do.

  According to the component analysis in the plant cultivation apparatus 10 as described above, it is not necessary to take out the plant from the apparatus main body 11 or to pre-process the plant (for example, to crush the plant). Even in the state as it is during cultivation, component analysis can be performed easily and accurately. Based on the analysis result, the growth result (component content) of the plant can be easily verified. That is, it is possible to verify how environmental conditions affect plant components under a controlled cultivation environment.

  In addition to outputting and recording the result of component analysis to the memory of the control unit 100 itself, it is preferable to output it to the computer 200 and record it in the database (step S110). The control unit 100 and the like are provided with a display unit and a printer, and the result of component analysis can be displayed or printed as text or graphs.

  In particular, such component analysis can be repeatedly performed at a predetermined timing for one plant (step S111). That is, as long as the cultivation experiment is continued (N in step S111), the plant can be continuously cultivated even after the component analysis is performed. Therefore, if it repeats over multiple times and compares each measurement result, it can also be easily verified by what transition a component changes during cultivation of one plant.

  By the way, the plant cultivation apparatus 10 can be controlled alone by the computer 200 connected to the control unit 100 via a communication line. However, as shown in FIG. A network may be constructed by the computer 200 for the control unit 100. Thereby, the several plant cultivation apparatus 10 can be managed intensively with one computer 200, and management becomes easy by carrying out remote control. Thus, it is applicable also to the large-scale installation provided with many plant cultivation apparatuses 10.

  Furthermore, as another embodiment, the apparatus main body 11 may be configured as a separate structure in which a plurality of units are combined without being integrally configured. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus body 11 is divided into two units, that is, a lower half portion 11 </ b> A including the nutrient solution tank 13 and an upper half portion 11 </ b> B including the light irradiation unit 20. In combination, a series of growth spaces 12 are formed therein.

  Each unit that divides the apparatus main body 11 is divided into a plurality of parts (blocks) according to, for example, the functions provided in the apparatus main body 11, the position in the apparatus main body 11, or the arrangement of plants in the apparatus main body 11. It becomes a divided unit. The number of such units is not limited to the upper and lower two of the apparatus main body 11, for example, the ceiling part including the light irradiation unit 20 is also separately divided, or the light irradiation unit 20 alone as a unit, You may comprise so that attachment or detachment with respect to the apparatus main body 11 is possible.

  Here, it is preferable that each unit has a plurality of different types for each of the same type of parts, and that one unit body 11 is configured by arbitrarily selecting and combining them. Specifically, for example, different types such as those for hydroponics and soil cultivation are prepared for the lower half 11A in the apparatus main body 11. In addition, different types of upper half portions 11 </ b> B are prepared depending on various external shapes or volumes, light irradiation portions 20, or presence / absence of a camera 23. In addition, when the light irradiation unit 20 is also a single unit, it is preferable to prepare different types of light sources such as the difference between the external light source and the internal light source.

  As described above, the apparatus main body 11 suitable for the plant to be cultivated and its cultivation method can be obtained by appropriately selecting and combining those of arbitrary conditions according to the intention of the user from among a plurality of types for each unit. Can be easily configured. Therefore, various environmental conditions can be realized simply and at low cost, and cultivation experiments and research can be promoted efficiently, contributing to the development of plant factories and facility cultivation.

  Moreover, the convex part thru | or a recessed part which engage mutually in a sealing state are provided in the junction location which each unit opposes. With such a combination structure, each unit can be easily separated or combined. In particular, when the units are combined in a state of overlapping in the vertical direction, the upper unit is held in a state of being engaged with the lower unit by its own weight. Moreover, if packing is provided on the contact surface of the convex part or the concave part, the degree of sealing can be increased, and the state can be more reliably fixed.

The following inventive concept is derived from the configuration according to another embodiment described above.
That is, in a plant cultivation apparatus 10 for growing a predetermined minimum number of plants under an environmental condition in which each element affecting the growth of the plant can be adjusted, the elements are divided from each other according to each part in the apparatus body 11. The units are detachably combined to form a series of growing spaces 12 partitioned from the outside within a minimum range for accommodating a predetermined minimum number of plants. Here, at least any one of the units is prepared in a plurality of different types for each of the same type of parts, and is arbitrarily selected and combined.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and there are changes and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention. For example, each element to be controlled as a cause of the environmental condition of the growth space 12 is not limited to light, nutrient solution that is moisture, carbon dioxide in the air, temperature and humidity of the air, and some of them are planted. It may be omitted as long as it does not hinder the growth of the plant, or may be configured to control, for example, the amount of oxygen in the air or the amount of air.

  In addition, regarding the component analysis of the plant by the component analysis means, the component analysis is performed from the measurement data acquired at a predetermined timing without measuring the background data at the initial setting and without comparing with the background data. It may be configured. Thus, when omitting the measurement of background data, for example, the temperature of the air in the growth space 12 at the time of obtaining the first measurement data may be set as the reference temperature.

  Further, if the influence on the absorption spectrum due to the temperature change of the air in the growth space 12 is not particularly considered, the reference temperature is measured, or the temperature of the air in the growth space 12 is returned to the reference temperature at the time of component analysis. It is also conceivable to omit an unnecessary process.

  Furthermore, the control unit 100 is also provided outside the apparatus main body 11 in the same manner as the other units such as the light source unit 120, the air generation unit 130, and the nutrient solution generation unit 140. The control unit 100 can also be configured to share the function.

  The plant cultivation apparatus according to the present invention can be widely used as an apparatus for advancing various cultivation experiments and research related to plants.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Plant cultivation apparatus 11 ... Apparatus main body 11a ... Face wall 12 ... Growth space 13 ... Nutrient tank 14 ... Supply pipe 15 ... Drain pipe 16 ... Air supply pipe 17 ... Exhaust pipe 20 ... Light irradiation part 21 ... Light emission part 22 ... Light receiver 23 ... Camera 100 ... Control unit 101 ... Operating means 120 ... Light source unit 130 ... Air generating unit 131 ... Tank 141 ... Tank 140 ... Nutrient solution generating unit 200 ... Computer

Claims (6)

In a plant cultivation apparatus for growing a predetermined minimum number of plants under an environmental condition in which each element affecting the growth of the plant can be adjusted,
Inside the device body, a growth space partitioned from the outside is formed in the minimum range for storing a predetermined minimum number of plants,
A plant cultivation apparatus comprising component analysis means for analyzing a component of a growing plant while the plant is housed in the growth space.   2. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the component analysis means analyzes a component of the plant based on a result obtained by analyzing reflected light or transmitted light when the plant is irradiated with light. The component analysis means includes
A light-emitting unit that irradiates the plant with near infrared rays;
A light receiving unit that receives reflected light or transmitted light from the plant when irradiated by the light emitting unit;
The plant cultivation according to claim 2, comprising: an analysis unit that analyzes a component of the plant based on a result of measuring a near infrared spectrum obtained from the reflected light or transmitted light received by the light receiving unit. apparatus.   The plant cultivating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are movably arranged inside the apparatus main body.   By the component analysis means, before the start of cultivation of the plant, the near-infrared spectrum obtained from the reflected or transmitted near-infrared light irradiated in an empty state inside the apparatus body as background data, A near-infrared spectrum obtained from reflected or transmitted near-infrared light irradiated during plant cultivation is recorded as measurement data, and plant components are analyzed based on the difference between the measurement data and the background data. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.   Temperature control means for recording the temperature of the growth space when the background data is obtained by the component analysis means as a reference temperature, and adjusting the temperature of the growth space to the reference temperature when obtaining the measurement data The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 5, comprising: