JP2017079708A - Capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus capable of suppressing a manufacturing cost, improving handleability, and preventing damage to a storage tank.SOLUTION: A capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a culture medium part on which a crop is adhered, the culture medium part including a gutter-like frame body arranged horizontally and a plurality of particles filled in the frame body; a gutter-like reservoir arranged in parallel with the culture medium part so that a culture liquid is stored and the liquid level of the culture liquid is lower than the upper surface of a layer of the particles in the culture medium part; a liquid supply part for supplying the culture liquid in the storage tank to a bottom portion of the layer of the particles in the culture medium part by capillary action; and a platform for suspending the culture medium part and the storage tank. The constituent material of the storage tank is composed mainly of synthetic resin. An engagement mechanism between the storage tank and the platform has an allowance that is relatively movable in the longitudinal direction of the storage tank. The platform may include a plurality of pairs of support columns erected on both sides in the lateral direction of the storage tank, a plurality of crosspieces connected to each pair of support columns of the plurality of pairs of support columns in a cross shape, and a plurality of beam members connected to the plurality of crosspieces and arranged horizontally.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus.

  In capillary hydroponic cultivation of crops, a culture solution stored in a storage tank is supplied to the roots of the crops by utilizing the capillary action of a medium such as rock wool that causes the crops to grow.

  As such a capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus, for example, a container that is disposed on a support base and stores a culture solution, a cultivation bed installed in the container, an upper surface of the cultivation bed, and an end portion There has been proposed one using a culture unit having a culture solution absorbing sheet immersed in the culture solution, and a root-proof sheet laid on the top surface of the culture solution absorption sheet and supporting the culture medium (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5). -3732 publication).

JP-A-5-3732

  Generally, such a capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus is used in a greenhouse where the temperature changes in a range of about 15 ° C. or more and 50 ° C. or less. However, the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus described in the above publication is supported by the thermal expansion of the container, for example, if the thermal expansion coefficient of the container and the thermal expansion coefficient of the support base are different because the container is disposed on the support base. The table cannot follow, and as a result, the contact portion of the container with the support table may be damaged. Moreover, this capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus needs to form a container and a support stand with a metal with a small coefficient of thermal expansion, for example, in order to prevent such a damage of a container, and a manufacturing cost becomes high. At the same time, the device becomes heavier and the handling is reduced.

  This invention is made based on such a situation, and it aims at provision of the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus which can suppress damage to a storage tank while suppressing manufacturing cost and improving handleability. To do.

  A capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention made to solve the above-described problem has a horizontal frame-like frame body and a plurality of particles filled in the frame body, and a crop A culture medium section for causing the culture medium to grow, and a bowl-shaped storage tank that is disposed in parallel with the culture medium section so that the culture liquid is stored at a lower level than the upper surface of the particle layer of the culture medium section And a hydroponics apparatus for supplying a culture solution in the storage tank to the bottom of the particle layer of the medium part by capillary action, and a pedestal for suspending the medium part and the storage tank. The constituent material of the storage tank has synthetic resin as a main component, and the engagement mechanism between the storage tank and the gantry has a play that is relatively movable in the longitudinal direction of the storage tank.

  The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention can reduce the manufacturing cost, improve the handleability, and prevent the storage tank from being damaged.

It is a typical side view showing a capillary hydroponic cultivation device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a typical front view which shows the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus of FIG. It is a typical side view which shows the fixing tool which fixes a support | pillar and a crosspiece. It is an AA line sectional view of the fixture of Drawing 3. It is a typical side view which shows the engagement mechanism of the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus of FIG. It is typical front sectional drawing which shows the engagement mechanism of FIG. It is a typical front view which shows the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus which concerns on embodiment different from the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus of FIG. It is a typical side view which shows the engagement mechanism which concerns on embodiment different from the engagement mechanism of the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus of FIG. It is typical front sectional drawing which shows the engagement mechanism of FIG.

[Description of Embodiment of the Present Invention]
First, embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described.

  A capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a horizontally disposed rod-shaped frame body and a plurality of particles filled in the frame body, and a culture medium unit for causing crops to grow, and culture A tub-like storage tank disposed in parallel with the culture medium part so that the liquid is stored and the liquid level of the culture liquid is lower than the upper surface of the particle layer of the culture medium part, and the culture liquid in the storage tank Is a capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus comprising a liquid feeding part for supplying the liquid to the bottom of the particle layer of the medium part by capillary action, and a gantry for suspending the medium part and the storage tank, wherein the constituent materials of the storage tank are synthesized Resin is the main component, and the engaging mechanism between the storage tank and the gantry has a play that is relatively movable in the longitudinal direction of the storage tank.

  In the capillary hydroponic cultivation device, the constituent material of the storage tank is mainly composed of synthetic resin, so that the manufacturing cost of the storage tank can be kept relatively low, the weight of the storage tank can be reduced, and the handleability of the apparatus Can be improved. In addition, since the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus has a play in which the engagement mechanism between the storage tank and the gantry is relatively movable in the longitudinal direction of the storage tank, the storage tank is thermally contracted by sunlight or the like. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the storage tank from being damaged due to the difference in heat shrinkage rate between the storage tank and the gantry.

  A plurality of pairs of struts erected on both lateral sides of the storage tank; a plurality of crosspieces connected to each pair of struts in the plurality of pairs of struts; and the plurality of crosspieces. It is good to provide the several girder connected with the material and arrange | positioned horizontally. In this way, the crosspieces are connected to each pair of support posts in a cross shape, and the plurality of girders are connected to the plurality of crosspieces, so that the connecting portion of each crosspiece with the support posts is in the axial direction of the support posts. A plurality of girders can be arranged horizontally by adjusting the position. Therefore, even when the installation surface of the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus is not horizontal, the storage tank can be disposed horizontally to prevent leakage of the culture solution.

  The engagement mechanism may have a plurality of hooks protruding from the upper portion of the storage tank, and the plurality of hooks may be hooked on the plurality of girders. As described above, the engagement mechanism has a plurality of hooks protruding from the upper portion of the storage tank, and the plurality of hooks are hooked on the plurality of girders, thereby arranging the storage tank horizontally. This can easily prevent the breakage of the storage tank.

  It is preferable that the frame body of the medium part is suspended on a plurality of girders on which the plurality of hooks are hooked. In this way, by suspending the frame body of the medium part on a plurality of girders on which a plurality of hooks are hooked, it is easy to arrange both the frame body and the storage tank horizontally, It is easy to supply the culture solution to the bottom of the particle layer through the liquid feeding unit. Moreover, according to this structure, it is easy to promote space saving of the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus.

  In the present specification, “the frame is disposed horizontally” means that the vertical distance between the lowermost portions of the frame in an arbitrary cross section perpendicular to the axis is 2 cm or less, preferably It means 1 cm or less. Further, “the girders are disposed horizontally” means that the vertical distance at both ends of the central axis of the girders is 2 cm or less, preferably 1 cm or less. The “saddle shape” refers to a shape having a groove defined by a bottom wall and a pair of opposing side walls, and the cross-sectional shape of the pair of side walls is not limited at all. “Parallel” means that the difference in the vertical distance to the central axis of the other object at each point on the central axis of the one object is 2 cm or less, preferably 1 cm or less. . “Main component” refers to a component having the largest content, for example, a component having a content of 50% by mass or more. The column and the crosspiece are “coupled in a cross shape” means that the column and the crosspiece are connected in a state where the angle between the central axes is 90 ° ± 10 ° or less, preferably the central axis It means that the angle between each other is linked in a state of 90 ° ± 5 ° or less.

[Details of the embodiment of the present invention]
Hereinafter, a capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[First Embodiment]
<Capillary hydroponics device>
The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a bowl-shaped frame 11 arranged horizontally and a plurality of particles 12 filled in the frame 11, and a medium on which a crop X is grown. The portion 2 and the culture medium Y are stored, and the level of the culture medium Y is lower than the upper surface of the particle layer of the culture medium part 2 (a layer formed by filling the frame 11 with a plurality of particles 12). A bowl-shaped storage tank 3 arranged in parallel with the culture medium part 2, a liquid feeding part 4 for supplying the culture solution Y in the storage tank 3 to the bottom of the particle layer of the culture medium part 2 by capillary action, A platform 5 for suspending the culture medium unit 2 and the storage tank 3 is provided. Moreover, as for the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1, the constituent material of the storage tank 3 has a synthetic resin as a main component. The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 has a play in which the engagement mechanism between the storage tank 3 and the gantry 5 can move relatively in the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 3.

  Since the constituent material of the storage tank 3 is mainly composed of synthetic resin, the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 can keep the manufacturing cost of the storage tank 3 relatively low and reduce the weight of the storage tank 3. The handleability of the device can be improved. Moreover, since the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 has the play which the engagement mechanism of the storage tank 3 and the mount frame 5 can move to the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 3 relatively, the storage tank 3 is sunlight. Even when the heat shrinkage is caused by the above, it is possible to prevent the storage tank 3 from being damaged due to the difference in the heat shrinkage rate between the storage tank 3 and the gantry 5.

  Furthermore, since the frame body 11 of the culture medium part 2 is formed in a bowl shape, the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 can arrange a plurality of strains in a longitudinal direction of the frame body 11. In addition, the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 has a bowl-shaped storage tank 3 arranged in parallel with the culture medium part 2, so that the culture solution Y in the storage tank 3 is supplied to each of the culture liquids Y via the liquid supply part 4. It is easy to supply stock efficiently. Therefore, the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 can cultivate a several stock | strain efficiently and reliably in a comparatively small space.

(Medium part)
The culture medium part 2 has a configuration in which a plurality of particles 12 are filled in a bowl-shaped frame 11. The frame 11 has a U-shaped cross section in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction. The frame 11 is constituted by a band-shaped water permeable sheet having water permeability and root prevention. Specifically, the frame body 11 is formed by the water-permeable sheet suspended from a pair of girders 23 described later. The water-permeable sheet is fixed to the pair of girders 23 at both ends in the width direction with the center portion in the width direction slackened downward. The water-permeable sheet is fixed to the pair of girders 23 by fitting a cylindrical fixture 13 having a notch in the axial direction from the outside in a state where both ends in the width direction are in contact with the pair of girders 23, for example. Is done. In addition, the frame 11 does not necessarily need to be comprised from one water-permeable sheet, and a plurality of water-permeable sheets may be arranged continuously or intermittently.

  The material of the frame 11 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include paper, woven fabric, and non-woven fabric.

  As a minimum of average thickness of frame 11, 0.1 mm is preferred and 0.2 mm is more preferred. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the frame 11 is preferably 5 mm, and more preferably 3 mm. If the average thickness of the frame 11 is less than the lower limit, the root-preventing property may be impaired. Conversely, if the average thickness of the frame 11 exceeds the upper limit, the cost of the water-permeable sheet may be too high. Note that “average thickness” refers to an average value of thicknesses at arbitrary 10 points.

  The lower limit of the average depth of the frame 11 (the average length in the vertical direction from the upper end of the pair of girders 23 to the lowest part of the frame 11) is preferably 2 cm and more preferably 3 cm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average depth of the frame 11 is preferably 15 cm, and more preferably 14 cm. If the average depth of the frame 11 is less than the lower limit, the frame 12 may not be sufficiently filled with the particles 12. On the contrary, when the average depth of the frame 11 exceeds the upper limit, the resistance becomes too high, and the water absorption rate due to the capillary phenomenon may become too small. Moreover, when the average depth of the frame 11 exceeds the above upper limit, the particles 12 filled in the frame 11 may be unnecessarily increased, or the crop X grown on the culture medium part 2 may be difficult to maintain. There is.

  As a minimum of the longitudinal direction length of frame 11, 1m is preferred, 1.5m is more preferred, and 2m is still more preferred. On the other hand, the upper limit of the length in the longitudinal direction of the frame 11 is preferably 30 m, more preferably 26 m, and even more preferably 24 m. If the length of the frame 11 in the longitudinal direction is less than the lower limit, it may be difficult to efficiently grow a large number of strains. On the other hand, if the length of the frame 11 in the longitudinal direction exceeds the above upper limit, the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 becomes too large, and the handleability may be reduced. In addition, since the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 supplies the culture solution Y in the storage tank 3 to the bottom part of the said particle layer, the longitudinal direction length of the frame 11 is the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 3 mentioned later. It is preferable to be approximately equal to the length.

  The plurality of particles 12 are filled in the frame 11 to form a particle layer. The particles 12 are not particularly limited as long as they are filled in the frame 11 and exhibit capillary action. For example, fine pumice such as soil, pumice sand, pulverized particles of porous volcanic rock, granular rock wool, coral Sand, coral, charcoal and the like can be mentioned. You may use these in mixture of 2 or more types. Among them, soil is preferable from the viewpoint of ensuring good capillary action and returning it to natural soil when it becomes unnecessary.

  Examples of the soil include commercially available horticultural soil, vermiculite, bentonite, zeolite, sand, Kanuma soil, Akadama soil, and true sand soil. Among these, sand which has a low organic matter content and a small number of microorganisms is preferable compared to general soil because it is difficult to cause the root disease of the crop X.

  The lower limit of the particle diameter of the particles 12 is preferably 0.1 mm, and more preferably 0.15 mm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the particle diameter of the particles 12 is preferably 1 mm, and more preferably 0.6 mm. If the particle diameter of the particles 12 is less than the above lower limit, the voids in the region where the culture solution Y is supplied to the roots of the crops X may become excessively humid, and bacteria may easily propagate. On the contrary, when the particle diameter of the particles 12 exceeds the above upper limit, the gap in the region where the culture solution Y is supplied to the root of the crop X becomes too large, and the capillary phenomenon becomes weak. There is a risk that it cannot be supplied to the root. The “particle diameter” is calculated from the number of particles on the sieve and the sieve opening of each sieve by using the sieve specified in JIS-Z8801-1: 2006. The average particle diameter.

  The lower limit of the content ratio of the particles 12 having a particle diameter of 0.1 mm to 1 mm is preferably 50% by mass, and more preferably 80% by mass. When the content ratio is less than the lower limit, the capillary phenomenon expressed by the plurality of particles 12 is weakened, and a predetermined amount of the culture solution Y may not be supplied to the root of the crop X.

(Reservoir)
The storage tank 3 is disposed below the frame body 11. Moreover, the storage tank 3 is arrange | positioned so that the said particle layer may be included by planar view. The storage tank 3 has a plurality of through holes for engaging hooks 31 described later on top of a pair of side walls extending in the longitudinal direction. The storage tank 3 is configured such that both ends in the longitudinal direction are sealed by a pair of end walls, whereby the culture medium Y can be stored inside. The storage tank 3 is disposed so that the upper sides of the pair of side walls are horizontal. The storage tank 3 is provided such that the liquid level of the culture solution Y stored therein is lower than the bottom surface of the frame body 11.

  The cross-sectional shape of the storage tank 3 in the short direction is not particularly limited, but is preferably configured to be bilaterally symmetric with respect to the central vertical line. The capillary hydroponics apparatus 1 is easy to maintain the storage tank 3 in a well-balanced manner by configuring the cross-sectional shape of the storage tank 3 in the lateral direction symmetrically with respect to the central vertical line. Specific cross-sectional shapes in the short direction of the storage tank 3 include, for example, a U shape, a square U shape, a V shape, a T shape, and the like.

  The constituent material of the storage tank 3 is mainly composed of synthetic resin. Examples of the synthetic resin include acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS resin), acrylonitrile-ethylenepropylene rubber-styrene copolymer (AES resin), acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylic rubber copolymer (ASA resin), Examples thereof include thermoplastic resins such as polystyrene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, methacrylic resin, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide. Among the thermoplastic resins, foamed thermoplastic resins such as foamed ABS resin, foamed AES resin, foamed ASA resin, foamed polystyrene, foamed polyester, and foamed polypropylene are preferable in terms of excellent lightness and heat insulation. Among these foamed thermoplastic resins, foamed polystyrene is particularly preferable in terms of improving weather resistance, water resistance, moldability, dimensional stability, acid resistance, alkali resistance, strength, and the like.

  The lower limit of the expansion ratio of the foamed resin is preferably 1.5 times, and more preferably 1.8 times. On the other hand, the upper limit of the expansion ratio of the foamed resin is preferably 2.5 times, and more preferably 2.2 times. If the expansion ratio of the foamed resin is less than the lower limit, it may not be possible to reduce the weight sufficiently. Conversely, if the expansion ratio of the foamed resin exceeds the upper limit, the strength of the storage tank 3 becomes insufficient, and the storage tank 3 may be easily damaged. The “foaming ratio” means a value obtained by dividing the density of the unfoamed material by the density of the foamed material. Further, when the hook 31 is engaged with the above-described through-hole, in order to improve the strength of the periphery of the through-hole, the expansion ratio of the periphery of the through-hole (especially near the upper edge of the through-hole) is higher than that of the other portions. It may be formed using a small foamed resin.

  As a minimum of the length of the longitudinal direction of storage tank 3, 1m is preferred, 1.5m is more preferred, and 2m is still more preferred. On the other hand, the upper limit of the length in the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 3 is preferably 30 m, more preferably 26 m, and even more preferably 24 m. If the length in the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 3 is less than the lower limit, it may be difficult to efficiently cultivate many strains. On the other hand, if the length in the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 3 exceeds the above upper limit, the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 becomes too large, and the handleability may be reduced. In addition, the storage tank 3 may be formed from one hook-shaped member, and may be formed by connecting several hook-shaped members to a longitudinal direction using an adhesive agent.

  As a minimum of average thickness of each wall (bottom wall, a side wall, and an end wall) of storage tank 3, 5 mm is preferred and 6 mm is more preferred. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness is preferably 10 mm, and more preferably 9 mm. If the average thickness is less than the lower limit, the strength of the storage tank 3 becomes insufficient, and the storage tank 3 may be easily damaged. Conversely, if the average thickness exceeds the upper limit, the storage tank 3 may become heavy and the manufacturing cost may increase. Note that, when the hook 31 is engaged with the above-described through hole, a load is applied to the vicinity of the upper edge of the through hole. Therefore, the average thickness near the upper edge of the through hole may be made thicker than other portions.

(Liquid feeding part)
The liquid feeding unit 4 pumps up the culture solution Y in the storage tank 3 by capillary action and supplies it to the bottom of the particle layer. The liquid feeding unit 4 is constituted by a water supply mat whose one end is immersed in the culture solution Y in the storage tank 3 and whose other end is in contact with the bottom surface of the frame body 11. The other end side of the liquid feeding section 4 is placed on a pair of first bar members 24 described later, and is pressed against the bottom surface of the frame body 11 from above. In the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1, the liquid feeding unit 4 is sandwiched between the pair of first rods 24 and the frame body 11, so that the culture solution Y is transferred to the particle layer with a relatively simple structure. A stable and easy supply to the bottom can be achieved. In addition, the liquid feeding part 4 does not necessarily need to be comprised from one water supply mat, and may be comprised by arrange | positioning the several water supply mat continuously or intermittently.

  The material of the liquid feeding unit 4 is not particularly limited as long as the culture solution Y can be supplied to the bottom of the particle layer by capillary action, and examples thereof include a nonwoven fabric, a rock wool sheet, a felt sheet, and a urethane sheet. Among these, non-woven fabrics are preferred from the standpoint of appropriate capillary action and appropriate water absorption.

  The lower limit of the water permeability of the liquid feeding part 4 is preferably 0.01% and more preferably 1%. On the other hand, as an upper limit of the water permeability of the liquid feeding part 4, 40% is preferable and 30% is more preferable. If the water permeability of the liquid feeding part 4 is less than the lower limit, the amount of the culture liquid Y supplied to the bottom of the particle layer may be insufficient. Conversely, if the water permeability of the liquid feeding part 4 exceeds the upper limit, the cost of the water supply mat may become too high. The “water permeability” refers to the ratio of water that has passed to the back surface of the water supply mat when water is sprayed from the surface of the flat water supply mat.

  As a minimum of average thickness of liquid sending section 4, 0.5 mm is preferred and 0.7 mm is more preferred. On the other hand, as an upper limit of the average thickness of the liquid feeding part 4, 2 mm is preferable and 1.5 mm is more preferable. If the average thickness of the liquid feeding section 4 is less than the above lower limit, the strength of the water supply mat may be reduced and breakage may occur. On the contrary, when the average thickness of the liquid feeding part 4 exceeds the said upper limit, there exists a possibility that the cost of a water supply mat may become high.

  As a minimum of the pumping height of the liquid feeding part 4, 3 cm is preferable, 10 cm is more preferable, and 20 cm is further more preferable. On the other hand, as an upper limit of the pumping height of the liquid feeding part 4, 300 cm is preferable, 200 cm is more preferable, and 40 cm is further more preferable. If the pumping height of the liquid feeding section 4 is less than the lower limit, the amount of the culture liquid Y supplied to the bottom of the particle layer becomes insufficient, and there is a possibility that water will run out. On the contrary, if the pumping height of the liquid feeding part 4 exceeds the upper limit, the cost of the water supply mat may be increased. The “pumped water height” means a value measured by the following method. First, a sheet obtained by cutting a water supply mat to a width of 4 cm and a length of 120 cm was coated with a polyethylene film having an average thickness of 0.03 mm (the sheet was inserted into a bag-like film by thermocompression bonding and covered around). Set as a sample and set on a stand that allows the measurement sample to be suspended vertically. At this time, the lower part is opened 5 cm so as to be in contact with the liquid surface. And the height which pumped up from the liquid level in 24 hours is measured 5 times, and let the average value of the value be pumping height.

  As a minimum of the minimum distance of the lower surface of the frame 11 which the liquid feeding part 4 contact | abuts, and the liquid level of the culture solution Y stored in the storage tank 3, 60 mm is preferable and 90 mm is more preferable. On the other hand, the upper limit of the minimum distance is preferably 160 mm, and more preferably 130 mm. If the minimum distance is less than the lower limit, the supply amount of the culture solution Y becomes too large, and the crop X may be rotted. Conversely, if the minimum distance exceeds the upper limit, a sufficient amount of the culture solution Y may not be supplied to the bottom of the particle layer.

(Frame)
The gantry 5 includes a plurality of pairs of struts 21 erected on both sides in the short direction of the storage tank 3, a plurality of crosspieces 22 connected in a cross shape to each pair of struts 21 in the plurality of pairs of struts 21, And a pair of girders 23 that are connected to the crosspiece 22 and arranged horizontally. The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 is installed by embedding the lower ends of a plurality of pairs of struts 21 in the ground. Each support column 21 is erected in the vertical direction, and each pair of support columns 21 is disposed so as to sandwich the culture medium section 2 and the storage tank 3. Each crosspiece 22 is disposed horizontally. Each pair of support columns 21 is connected to each other through a crosspiece 22. Each crosspiece 22 is arranged at the same height. In other words, each crosspiece 22 is arranged on a virtual horizontal plane having a constant height. The pair of beam members 23 are fixed on the plurality of crosspieces 22. The pair of girders 23 are arranged in parallel, and their axes are perpendicular to the axes of the plurality of crosspieces 22. In addition, the gantry 5 includes a pair of first bars 24 disposed horizontally below the plurality of bars 22, and a plurality of fixtures 25 that fix the pair of first bars 24 to the plurality of bars 22. With. The gantry 5 is connected to each pair of support columns 21 below the plurality of crosspieces 22 and to each pair of support posts 21 above the plurality of crosspieces 22. A plurality of upper beam members 27 extending in the horizontal direction, and a pair of second bar members 28 extending in parallel and horizontally with the pair of beam members 23 at both ends of the plurality of upper beam members 27 are provided. The pair of first bar members 24 are held by the fixture 25 in a state orthogonal to the plurality of crosspieces 22 in a plan view, whereby the pair of first beam members 23 are parallel to the pair of beam members 23 in the plan view. Arranged inside. Regarding “bar material”, “first bar”, “upper beam” and “second bar”, “disposed horizontally” means that the vertical distance at both ends of the central axis is 2 cm. It means below, preferably 1 cm or less.

  The column 21, the crosspiece 22, the lower beam 26, the upper beam 27, the girder 23, the first bar 24, and the second bar 28 are made of, for example, cylindrical pipes. In addition, the main components of the column 21, the crosspiece 22, the lower beam 26, the upper beam 27, the girder 23, the first bar 24, and the second bar 28 are not particularly limited. , Synthetic resin, wood and the like. Especially, a metal is preferable from the point which can maintain the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 with high intensity | strength, and steel or stainless steel which is excellent in durability is especially preferable.

  Each pair of struts 21 and the plurality of crosspieces 22 are connected to each other by fixtures 29. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fixture 29 includes a plate-like fitting member 29a curved in a U-shaped cross section, and a pair of free ends (on the opposite side to the curved end) of the opposing wall of the fitting member 29a. Plate member 29b engaged with the end portion). A notch is formed from the free end to the curved end side at each opposing position of the pair of opposing walls of the fitting member 29a. The fixture 29 has a through hole 29c defined by the notch and the plate member 29b by engaging the plate member 29b with the fitting member 29a. The fixing tool 29 connects the support column 21 and the crosspiece 22 by fitting the support post 21 inside the curved portion of the fitting member 29a and inserting the crosspiece 22 into the through hole 29c. The said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 is comprised so that the fixing tool 29 can be slid to an up-down direction with respect to the support | pillar 21 by having this structure. That is, the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 is comprised so that the vertical direction position of the crosspiece 22 can be adjusted by sliding the fixing tool 29 up and down with respect to the support | pillar 21. FIG.

  In the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1, a plurality of crosspieces 22 are connected to each pair of struts 21 in a cross shape, and a pair of girders 23 are connected to these crosspieces 22. A plurality of girders 23 can be arranged horizontally by adjusting the position of the connecting portion with the column 21 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 can easily prevent the leakage of the culture medium Y by arranging the storage tank 3 horizontally even when the installation surface is not horizontal.

  The lower limit of the vertical distance between the lower end of the crosspiece 22 and the upper end of the first bar 24 is preferably 1.5 cm, and more preferably 2.5 cm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the vertical distance is preferably 14.5 cm, and more preferably 13.5 cm. If the vertical distance is less than the lower limit, the depth of the frame body 11 cannot be obtained sufficiently, and there is a possibility that the particles 12 cannot be sufficiently filled in the frame body 11. On the contrary, if the vertical distance exceeds the upper limit, the depth of the frame body 11 becomes too deep, and the particles 12 filled in the frame body 11 may become unnecessarily large, or the medium portion 2 may be grown. There is a risk that it will be difficult to care for the crop X. The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 can easily and reliably adjust the depth of the frame 11 by using the fixture 25 having an appropriate vertical length.

The lower limit of the horizontal distance _{L 1} between the center axis of the strut 21 of each pair, 15cm are preferred, 20 cm is more preferable. On the other hand, the upper limit of the horizontal distance _{L 1,} preferably 140cm, 130 cm is more preferable. When the horizontal distance L ₁ is less than the above lower limit, there is a possibility that the width of the medium portion 2 hardly grow crops X becomes too small. Further, if the horizontal distance L ₁ is less than the above lower limit, the capillary water culture device 1 may become unstable in the installed state. Conversely, if the horizontal distance L ₁ is greater than the aforementioned upper limit, there is a risk against the demand of space saving of the capillary hydroponics device 1.

The lower limit of the horizontal distance L ₂ between the central axes of the struts 21 adjacent the longitudinal direction of the pair of beam members 23, 1 m is preferable, 1.5 m is more preferable. On the other hand, the upper limit of the horizontal distance _{L 2,} 4m are preferred, 3m is more preferable. When the horizontal distance L ₂ is less than the above lower limit, the number of struts 21 is unnecessarily large, there is a possibility that the struts 21 when the cultivation of crops X gets in the way. Conversely, the horizontal distance L ₂ is more than the upper limit, the strength of the capillary water culture apparatus 1 may become insufficient.

The lower limit of the vertical distance _{L 3} between the central axis of the lower end and crosspieces 22 of the strut 21, 25 cm is preferable, 35 cm is more preferable. On the other hand, the upper limit of the vertical distance _{L 3,} preferably 110 cm, 90cm and more preferably. When the vertical distance L ₃ is less than the above lower limit, the upper surface of the particle layer is too low it is necessary to grow crops X in low profile, it may be difficult to clean the crop X. Further, the vertical distance L ₃ is the less than the above lower limit, there is a possibility that the disease from such soil installed the capillary water culture apparatus 1 in the particle layer from entering. Conversely, the vertical distance L ₃ is more than the upper limit, the working efficiency such as time of harvesting the fruit from the upper surface becomes too high crops X of the particle layer may be reduced.

The lower limit of the horizontal distance _{L 4} between the central axes of the pair of beam members 23, 8 cm are preferred, 13cm is more preferable. On the other hand, the upper limit of the horizontal distance _{L 4,} preferably 130 cm, 120 cm is more preferable. When the horizontal distance L ₄ is less than the above lower limit, there is a possibility that the width of the medium portion 2 hardly grow crops X becomes too small. Conversely, the horizontal distance L ₄ exceeds the above upper limit, the medium portion 2 becomes unnecessarily large, there may be reduced cultivation efficiency of crop X.

  The plurality of lower beam members 26 are disposed at positions where a part thereof abuts on the installation surface in a state where the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 is installed. The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 can suppress the overturn in the installed state by having the plurality of lower beam members 26.

  The plurality of lower beam members 26 are respectively connected to the columns 21 by fixtures 30 having the same configuration as the fixtures 29 that connect the plurality of crosspieces 22 to each pair of columns 21. The plurality of lower beam members 26 are each connected to the support column 21 by a fixture 30 so that the vertical position can be adjusted. Since the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 can adjust the vertical position of the lower beam member 26 by sliding the fixture 30 up and down with respect to the support column 21, the installation surface is not horizontal. Can be installed stably. In addition, in order to suppress the fall in the installation state, the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 is the axial direction of a pair of girder material 23 in addition to or instead of the plurality of lower beam members 26. You may have the bar connected with the lower part of the support | pillar 21 adjacent to.

  The plurality of second bars 28 are configured as an inducement part for the crop X. Hooks (not shown) for hooking the vines of the crop X are suspended on the plurality of second bars 28. The plurality of second bars 28 attract the vine of the crop X to the outside by the hook. The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 alternately attracts a plurality of strains grown in the longitudinal direction of the frame 11 to one second bar 28 and the other second bar 28, thereby Can hold vines diagonally. Thereby, the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 can take the space where the crop X exists widely. Moreover, the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 is easy to harvest the fruit of each crop X according to this structure.

The lower limit of the vertical distance _{L 5} from the lower end of the strut 21 to the center axis of the second bar 28, preferably 130 cm, 150 cm is more preferable. On the other hand, the upper limit of the vertical distance _{L 5,} preferably 220 cm, 200 cm is more preferable. When the vertical distance which L ₅ is less than the above lower limit, vines there is a fear that too close a plurality of vines among which are attracted to the same side too inclination in the horizontal direction during attraction. Conversely, the vertical distance which L ₅ exceeds the above upper limit, attraction work may become difficult.

The lower limit of the horizontal distance _{L 6} between the central axes of the pair of second bars 28, 40 cm is preferable, 50 cm is more preferable. On the other hand, the upper limit of the horizontal distance _{L 6,} preferably 180cm, 170cm and more preferably. When the horizontal distance L ₆ is less than the above lower limit, it may not be possible to take sufficiently wide presence space crop X. Conversely, the horizontal distance L ₆ is more than the upper limit, the capillary water culture device 1 may become unstable in the installed state.

<Engagement mechanism>
Then, with reference to FIG.5 and FIG.6, the engagement mechanism of the storage tank 3 and the mount frame 5 in the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 is demonstrated.

  The engagement mechanism has a plurality of hooks 31 protruding from the upper part of the storage tank 3. The plurality of hooks 31 are hooked on the plurality of girders 23. Specifically, each hook 31 has a hook-like locking portion on one end side and the other end side, and one locking portion is formed in the above-described through-hole formed in the pair of side walls of the storage tank 3. While being engaged, the other locking portion is hooked on the beam member 23. In the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1, the storage tank 3 is suspended from the girder 23 via a hook 31. Thereby, when the longitudinal direction length of the storage tank 3 is changed by heat, the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 has the plurality of hooks 31 in accordance with the change in the longitudinal direction length of the storage tank 3. Since it slides in the axial direction, it is possible to prevent the storage tank 3 from being damaged due to the difference between the thermal expansion coefficient of the beam member 23 and the thermal expansion coefficient of the storage tank 3. Further, the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 prevents the storage tank 3 from being damaged because the plurality of hooks 31 swing in the radial direction of the girder 23 even when the length of the storage tank 3 in the short direction changes. can do. In addition, it is preferable that the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 does not provide the member which prevents sliding of the some hook 31 in the part which the some hook 31 slides.

  The specific shape of the hook 31 is not particularly limited as long as the storage tank 3 can be moved in the axial direction of the beam member 23, but an S-shaped hook that is relatively inexpensive and excellent in handleability is preferable. In addition, the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 can replace with the hook 31, and can also use a wire, a binding band, a metal fitting, etc.

  As a minimum of arrangement interval of a plurality of hooks 31 in the longitudinal direction of storage tank 3, 1m is preferred and 1.5m is more preferred. On the other hand, the upper limit of the arrangement interval of the plurality of hooks 31 in the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 3 is preferably 3 m, and more preferably 2.5 m. If the arrangement interval of the plurality of hooks 31 in the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 3 is less than the lower limit, the number of hooks 31 is unnecessarily increased, and the handleability may be reduced. On the contrary, if the arrangement interval of the plurality of hooks 31 in the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 3 exceeds the upper limit, the load applied to the vicinity of the upper edge of each through hole of the storage tank 3 may increase and the storage tank 3 may be damaged. There is.

The mechanism by which the engagement mechanism can prevent the storage tank 3 from being damaged will be described in detail. For example, when using expanded polystyrene as the main constituent material of the storage tank 3, the linear expansion coefficient of the expanded polystyrene is about 6 × 10 ⁻⁵ / K or more and about 8 × 10 ⁻⁵ / K or less. When the temperature changes by 10 ° C., it changes by about 0.6 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less per 1 m of length. Here, since the temperature in the greenhouse changes in a range of about 15 ° C. or more and 50 ° C. or less, the longitudinal length of the storage tank 3 is about 1.2 mm or more and 4 mm or less per 1 m in the temperature change range in the greenhouse. Change. Therefore, for example, when the storage tank 3 is fixed to the girder 23 by driving a screw or the like into the side wall of the storage tank 3, the periphery of the hole formed in the side wall of the storage tank 3 by driving the screw is the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 3. Breaks in response to changes in length. As a result, the culture medium Y may leak from the damaged portion, and the storage tank 3 may drop off when the damaged portion reaches the upper end of the side wall. For example, when the storage tank 3 is formed by connecting a plurality of bowl-shaped parts, the connection portion is broken due to a change in the length in the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 3, and the culture is started from the storage tank 3. The liquid Y may leak.

  On the other hand, the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 has the several hook 31 from which the said engagement mechanism protrudes from the upper part of the storage tank 3 as mentioned above, and these several hooks 31 are said several girder. Since it is hooked by 23, the storage tank 3 can be easily and reliably prevented from being damaged. Moreover, since the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 is easy to keep a pair of girder material 23 horizontal, when the some hook 31 hangs down from a pair of girder material 23, the storage tank 3 is made horizontal. Easy to arrange. Furthermore, the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 can hold down the cost which the said engagement mechanism requires by using the several hook 31 low.

  In the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1, the frame body 11 is suspended on a pair of girders 23 on which a plurality of hooks 31 are hooked. The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 is configured such that the frame body 11 and the storage tank 3 are both horizontal by suspending the frame body 11 of the culture medium unit 2 on a pair of girders 23 on which a plurality of hooks 31 are hooked. It is easy to dispose, and it is easy to supply the culture solution Y to the crop X through the liquid feeding unit 4. Moreover, the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 tends to promote the space-saving of an apparatus according to this structure.

[Second Embodiment]
The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 41 in FIG. 7 has a bowl-shaped frame body 11 arranged horizontally and a plurality of particles 12 filled in the frame body 11, and a culture medium unit 2 for growing a crop X, A tub-like storage tank 3 that is stored in parallel with the culture medium part 2 so that the culture medium Y is stored and the liquid level of the culture liquid Y is lower than the upper surface of the particle layer of the culture medium part 2; 3 is provided with a liquid feeding part 4 for supplying the culture liquid Y in 3 to the bottom of the particle layer of the medium part 2 by capillary action, and a gantry 5 for suspending the medium part 2 and the storage tank 3. The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 41 includes a light shielding sheet 42 disposed so as to cover at least a part of the storage tank 3. The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 41 is configured in the same manner as the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 of FIG. Therefore, only the light shielding sheet 42 will be described below.

(Shading sheet)
The light shielding sheet 42 has a plurality of openings for exposing the crop X. The light shielding sheet 42 is bridged between the pair of girders 23, and both end sides hanging from the pair of girders 23 cover the pair of side walls of the storage tank 3 from the outside. The light shielding sheet 42 may cover the entire surface of the pair of side walls of the storage tank 3 from the outside. For example, the light shielding sheet 42 may cover only a region where the temperature is likely to rise due to sunlight or the like. In addition to the pair of side walls, the light shielding sheet 42 may be disposed so as to cover a pair of end walls that seal both ends of the storage tank 3 in the longitudinal direction.

  The specific configuration of the light shielding sheet 42 is not particularly limited as long as it has light shielding properties, and examples thereof include a black synthetic resin sheet, a metal sheet, a vapor deposition sheet obtained by vapor-depositing a metal on the synthetic resin sheet, and a rubber sheet. .

  Since the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 41 is equipped with the light shielding sheet 42 arrange | positioned so that at least one part of the storage tank 3 may be covered, it suppresses that the length of a pair of side wall of the storage tank 3 changes with a heat | fever. Can do. Therefore, the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 41 suppresses the change of the length of the longitudinal direction by the heat | fever of the storage tank 3, for example by covering the area | region where the heat change of the storage tank 3 is easy with the light-shielding sheet 42. Damage can be prevented more accurately.

[Other Embodiments]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims. The

  For example, the engagement mechanism of the storage tank and the gantry is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment, and the configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 can also be adopted. The engagement mechanism shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 has a plurality of screw members 52 fixed to the pair of girders 51 from the outside (the outside in the width direction of the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus). A plurality of slits 54 into which the screw member 52 is inserted are formed on the pair of side walls of the storage tank 53. Each slit 54 is formed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pair of side walls. Therefore, according to this engagement mechanism, even when the longitudinal length of the storage tank 53 is changed by heat, there is play for the length of the plurality of slits 54, so that the screw member 52 is relative to the longitudinal direction of the storage tank 53. It is possible to move the storage tank 53, thereby preventing the storage tank 53 from being damaged. In addition, in the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus, although multiple types of engagement mechanism can be considered in this way, from the point which can respond flexibly by the change of the longitudinal direction length of a storage tank, it is like the said embodiment. A configuration using a hook is particularly preferable.

  As long as the culture medium part and the storage tank are arranged in parallel so that the liquid level of the culture solution is lower than the upper surface of the particle layer of the culture medium part, the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus has a position of the culture medium part and the storage tank. The relationship is not particularly limited. In the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus, for example, the storage tank may not be disposed in a region where the storage tank overlaps the culture medium part in plan view. However, from the viewpoint of space saving of the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus, it is preferable that the storage tank and the culture medium part are arranged so as to overlap in plan view.

  The liquid feeding unit does not necessarily need to be configured from a water supply mat. The liquid feeding unit may be, for example, a plate member or a cylindrical member connected to the storage tank and the medium unit. Specifically, the liquid feeding unit is formed by forming, for example, fine pumice such as soil, pumice sand, pulverized particles of porous volcanic rock, granular rock wool, coral sand, coral, charcoal, etc. into a plate shape or a cylindrical shape. It may be a formed member.

  The configuration of the gantry in the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment. For example, the gantry may not have a pair of beams connected to a plurality of crosspieces. As a specific configuration that does not have a pair of girders, for example, there is a configuration in which another crosspiece connected to a support column adjacent in the longitudinal direction is provided, and a frame body and a storage tank are suspended on this crosspiece. .

  Moreover, the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus may have three or more girders. As a specific configuration having three or more girders, for example, a configuration in which a plurality of girders are continuously arranged in the axial direction, or three or more girders are arranged in parallel, and a plurality of girders are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axis. The structure which arrange | positions this frame is mentioned.

  The said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus does not necessarily need to have a pair of 1st bar material. The said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus may have a 3 or more 1st rod, for example. Moreover, the said capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus does not need to have a lower beam material, an upper beam material, and a 2nd rod.

  Even if the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus has a light-shielding sheet, the light-shielding sheet is not necessarily between the pair of girders as long as the light-shielding sheet is disposed at a position where the change in the longitudinal length of the storage tank due to heat can be suppressed. There is no need to be handed over.

  As described above, the capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention is suitable for mass cultivation of crops because it can reduce the manufacturing cost and improve the handleability and prevent the storage tank from being damaged.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,41 Capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus 2 Medium part 3,53 Reservoir 4 Liquid supply part 5 Base 11 Frame 12 Particles 13, 25, 29, 30 Fixing tool 29a Fitting member 29b Plate member 29c Through-hole 21 Post 22 Bar Materials 23, 51 Girder material 24 First bar material 26 Lower beam material 27 Upper beam material 28 Second bar material 31 Hook 42 Light-shielding sheet 52 Screw member 54 Slit X Crop Y Culture medium

Claims (4)

A horizontally-arranged bowl-shaped frame body and a plurality of particles filled in the frame body, and a medium part for growing crops;
A bowl-shaped storage tank in which the culture solution is stored and disposed in parallel with the medium part so that the level of the culture solution is lower than the upper surface of the particle layer of the medium part;
A liquid feeding part for supplying the culture liquid in the reservoir to the bottom of the particle layer of the medium part by capillary action;
A capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus comprising: a platform for suspending the medium part and the storage tank;
The constituent material of the storage tank is mainly composed of synthetic resin,
The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus in which the engagement mechanism between the storage tank and the gantry has a play that is relatively movable in the longitudinal direction of the storage tank. The above frame is
A plurality of pairs of struts erected on both lateral sides of the storage tank;
A plurality of crosspieces connected in a cross shape to each pair of struts in the plurality of pairs of struts;
The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of girders connected to the plurality of crosspieces and disposed horizontally. The engagement mechanism has a plurality of hooks protruding from the upper part of the storage tank,
The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of hooks are hooked on the plurality of girders.   The capillary hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a frame of the medium part is suspended from a plurality of girders on which the plurality of hooks are hooked.

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