JP2018023294A - Plant cultivation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plant cultivation system which improves cultivation efficiency by increasing the total amount of plants which can be cultivated at one time without hindering plant growth.SOLUTION: The plant cultivation system 1 is provided with a plurality of pods 30 for cultivating plants, and a transportation part 10 having an approach path 12a and a return path 12b that transport the pods 30 parallel to each other in opposite directions. The growth direction of the plants is tilted in the pods 30 with respect to the transportation direction of the approach path 12a and the return path 12b by a weight that decenters the pods 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a plant cultivation system.

  Conventionally, a plant cultivation system for cultivating plants has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a plant cultivation system, a plurality of plant cultivation pods are suspended at predetermined intervals on a movable line. And it is cultivated by giving light and water to the plant of the plant cultivation pod by the lighting device and the watering pipe arranged in the middle of the line.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 52-069755

  Here, in the conventional plant cultivation system as described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, if the distance between the plant cultivation pods is not sufficiently secured, the grown plant becomes another plant cultivation pod. Interfering may interfere with plant growth. However, if the distance between the pods is increased, the total amount of plants that can be cultivated at one time is reduced, and the cultivation efficiency may be reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation system in which the total amount of plants that can be cultivated at one time without inhibiting the growth of plants is increased and the cultivation efficiency is improved. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the plant cultivation system according to claim 1 includes a plurality of plant cultivation containers for cultivating a plant and the plant cultivation containers in parallel and in opposite directions. Transporting means having a forward path and a return path for transport, and the plant growth direction in the plant cultivation container is inclined with respect to the transport direction of the forward path and the return path.

  The plant cultivation system according to claim 2 is provided with an eccentric means for inclining the growth direction with respect to the transport direction by decentering the plant cultivation container in the plant cultivation system according to claim 1.

  The plant cultivation system according to claim 3 is the plant cultivation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plant cultivation container and the connection means connect the plant cultivation container and the transport means to each other. And the connection means regulates the plant cultivation container via the latch, so that the growth direction is inclined with respect to the transport direction.

  According to the plant cultivation system according to claim 1, since the growth direction of the plant is inclined with respect to the conveying direction, the plant interferes with other plant cultivation containers when the distance between the plant cultivation containers is shortened. The total amount of plants that can be cultivated at one time without inhibiting the growth of the plant is increased, and the cultivation efficiency is improved.

  According to the plant cultivation system according to claim 2, since the plant cultivation container is provided with eccentric means for inclining the growth direction with respect to the transport direction by decentering the plant cultivation container, the growth direction can be inclined with a simple configuration, and the cultivation efficiency Will improve.

  According to the plant cultivation system according to claim 3, since the growth means is inclined with respect to the transport direction by restricting the plant cultivation container via the latch, the growth direction can be inclined with a simple configuration. And the cultivation efficiency is improved.

It is a front view of the plant cultivation system concerning an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in FIG. 1. It is an enlarged front view of a pod and its periphery. FIG. 4A is an enlarged plan view of the pod and its surroundings, FIG. 4A is when the latch is ON, and FIG. 4B is when the latch is OFF. FIG. 5A is a front view corresponding to FIG. 1 schematically showing the effect of the embodiment, FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the prior art, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the pod of the plant cultivation system which concerns on a 1st modification, and its periphery, Comprising: Fig.6 (a) is a front view, FIG.6 (b) is a right view (bb of FIG.6 (a) bb. FIG. 6 (c) is a plan view. It is a front view which shows the pod of the plant cultivation system which concerns on a 2nd modification, and its periphery, Comprising: Fig.7 (a) is a latch-on time, FIG.7 (b) is a latch-off time. It is a top view which shows the pod of the plant cultivation system which concerns on a 2nd modification, and its periphery, Comprising: Fig.8 (a) is a latch-on time, FIG.8 (b) is a latch-off time. It is a figure which shows the pod of the plant cultivation system which concerns on a 3rd modification, and its periphery, Comprising: Fig.9 (a) is a front view, FIG.9 (b) is a left view (cc of FIG.9 (a)). FIG. 9 (c) is a plan view. It is a front view which shows the plant cultivation system which concerns on a 4th modification. It is a front view which shows the plant cultivation system which concerns on a 5th modification.

  Embodiments of a plant cultivation system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, [I] the basic concept of the embodiment will be described, then [II] the specific content of the embodiment will be described, and finally, [III] a modification to the embodiment will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[I] Basic Concept of Embodiment First, the basic concept of the embodiment will be described. Embodiments relate to a plant cultivation system for cultivating plants. Here, “cultivation” in the embodiment is to secure a minimum space in which plants can grow. In addition, in order to promote the growth of the plant, various elements (for example, water, light, nutrients, etc.) may be given to the plant.

[II] Specific Contents of Embodiment Next, specific contents of the present embodiment will be described.

(Constitution)
1 is a front view of a plant cultivation system 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in FIG. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of the same plant cultivation systems 1 can be arranged side by side, but since these can all be configured identically, only a single plant cultivation system 1 will be described below. In FIG. 2, the plant cultivation system 1 is juxtaposed along the Y direction, but not limited thereto, for example, it may be juxtaposed along the X direction. Here, the plant cultivation system 1 is roughly provided with the conveyance part 10, the illumination 20, the pod 30, and the base part 40. FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of pods 30 are attached to one transport unit 10, and each pod 30 is transported in the direction of an arrow with hatching. Further, the positions of the pods 30 being conveyed are indicated by positions (A1) to (A10), respectively. However, in FIG. 1, for convenience of illustration, the pod 30 between the position (A3) and the position (A4) and the pod 30 between the position (A8) and the position (A9) are not shown. In the following description, the X direction in each drawing is referred to as “width direction (or left-right direction)”, and in particular, the + X direction is referred to as “right direction”, and the −X direction is referred to as “left direction”. Further, the Y direction is referred to as a “depth direction (or front-rear direction)”, and in particular, the + Y direction is referred to as a “front direction”, and the −Y direction is referred to as a “rear direction”. In addition, the Z direction is referred to as a “height direction (or vertical direction)”, in particular, the + Z direction is referred to as “upward direction”, and the −Z direction is referred to as “downward direction”. Further, with any position as a reference, the direction approaching the center of the plant cultivation system 1 (the center of the trajectory of conveyance) is referred to as “inward direction”, and the direction away from the center is referred to as “outward direction”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, a harvesting space E is provided below the base portion 40 of the plant cultivation system 1, and a sufficiently grown plant is collected from below or planted in the pod 30. Although it plantes, it is not restricted to this, You may provide the space E for harvesting in the front and rear, right and left of the plant cultivation system 1, directly under (on the base part 40), or upper direction.

(Configuration-transport section)
The transport unit 10 is a transport unit having a forward path 12a and a return path 12b that transport the pods 30 in parallel and in opposite directions. The transport unit 10 generally includes a sprocket 11, a chain 12, an arm 13, a guide rail 14, and a support column 15.

  The sprocket 11 is a rotating unit that rotates the chain 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the sprockets 11 are formed as a pair with an interval in the front-rear direction (Y direction), and the pair of front and rear sprockets 11 are located above (+ Z direction) and below (−Z direction) the transport unit 10. Has been placed. In order to prevent the plant from interfering with the pair of front and rear sprockets 11, the distance between the pair of front and rear sprockets 11 is preferably larger than the depth of the plant (the length in the Y direction). Here, the sprocket 11 is rotated by receiving a force from power (not shown). For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an axle 11 a penetrating all the sprockets 11 above each plant cultivation system 1 aligned in the front-rear direction (Y direction) and all the sprockets 11 below are arranged. A penetrating axle 11b is provided. Then, when the upper axle 11a is rotated by power, all the upper sprockets 11 fixed to the axle 11a rotate uniformly. As a result, all the lower sprockets 11 connected to the upper sprocket 11 by the chain 12 rotate around the axle 11b fixed to the support column 15 so as not to rotate. The axle 11b is provided in the Y direction in the same manner as the axle 11a in the present embodiment, but the axle 11b may be provided with at least a portion connected to the support column 15, for example, the front and rear sprockets 11 The portion in between (the portion illustrated by the dotted line in FIG. 2) may be omitted. This is because the axle 11b indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 2 becomes an obstacle during movement depending on the height of plant growth.

  The chain 12 is winding means that circulates according to the rotation of the sprocket 11. In the present embodiment, the chain 12 meshes with each sprocket 11 so as to span the upper and lower sprockets 11. Hereinafter, the vertical portion on the right side (+ X direction side) of the center of the chain 12 in FIG. 1 is referred to as an “outward path” 12a, and the vertical portion on the left side (−X direction side) is referred to as a “return path” 12b. Here, the direction along the forward path 12a and the return path 12b of the chain 12 is referred to as a “conveying direction”. For example, the conveyance direction of the present embodiment is the vertical direction (Z direction). As shown by the arrows in FIG. 1, the chain 12 of the present embodiment is rotated counterclockwise as a whole when viewed from the front, the forward path 12a proceeds upward, and the return path 12b faces downward. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be rotated clockwise.

  The arm 13 is a support means for supporting the pod 30. In the present embodiment, one pod 30 is supported by a pair of arms 13. Specifically, one arm 13 is located in front of the pod 30 (+ Y direction), and the other arm 13 is located behind the pod 30 (−Y direction). The pair of arms 13 sandwich the pod 30. doing. As shown in FIG. 1, the arm 13 is attached to the chain 12 so as to always protrude outward regardless of the position of the pod 30. Further, the pair of arms 13 is further configured as a set of two vertically as shown in FIG. This is because the arm 13 causes the pod 30 to protrude outward through the latch 34 as will be described later. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the set of two arms 13, and any means for projecting the pod 30 toward the outside is sufficient. Specifically, the arm 13 may be replaced with the arm 13 by projecting an arm substantially perpendicular to the chain 12 and in the vicinity of the latch 34 and providing a member (not shown) on the upper surface and / or lower surface of the arm.

  The guide rail 14 is guide means for guiding the circulation of the chain 12. For example, in this Embodiment, it arrange | positions along the up-down in the position between the two plant cultivation systems 1 arranged in parallel at the front and back. The specific configuration of the guide rail 14 is arbitrary, but in the present embodiment, the guide rail 14 is an H-shaped steel along the vertical direction (Z direction), and one of the guide rails 14 is positioned forward (+ Y direction) of the web 14a of the H-shaped steel. The chain 12 of the plant cultivation system 1 is accommodated, and the chain 12 of the other plant cultivation system 1 is accommodated behind the web 14a (−Y direction). Each chain 12 can slide up and down along the H-shaped steel. In FIG. 1, the guide rail 14 is omitted for convenience of illustration. By providing the guide rails 14 in this way, the chain 12 can be prevented from shaking and bending, and the pod 30 can be transported more smoothly.

  The support column 15 is a system support unit that structurally supports the plant cultivation system 1. For example, the support column 15 is installed on the base portion 40 and fixedly supports the lower axle 11b. In this embodiment, one support pillar 15 is installed between the plant cultivation systems 1, but the number of support pillars 15 is only an example. Two or more support columns 15 may be installed. The support column 15 can be constituted by, for example, a plate or a pole. In FIG. 1, the support column 15 is omitted for convenience of illustration.

(Configuration-Lighting)
The illumination 20 is illumination means for applying light to a plant to cause photosynthesis. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the illumination 20 is supported and arranged by an arbitrary support member (not shown) or the like between the forward path 12a and the return path 12b of the chain 12, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, you may arrange | position in the up-and-down left and right of the plant cultivation system 1, the inside of each pod 30, etc., for example. As an example, a known LED (light emitting diode) may be used as the illumination 20.

(Configuration-Pod)
The pod 30 is a plant cultivation container for cultivating plants. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of the pods 30 are arranged around the transport unit 10 in a ring shape in front view. The number of the pods 30 can be arbitrarily determined according to the total length of the transport unit 10 and the size of the pods 30, but may be, for example, about several tens at regular intervals. Here, FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the pod 30 and its surroundings, FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the pod 30 and its surroundings, FIG. 4A is when the latch is ON, and FIG. It is OFF. FIG. 3 shows a state near the position (A7) in FIG. “Latch ON” and “Latch OFF” will be described later. In FIG. 4, plants are omitted for convenience of illustration. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pod 30 includes a container 31, a rotating shaft 32, a weight 33, and a latch 34.

  The container 31 is a storage means for storing at least a plant. In the present embodiment, the container 31 has a hollow substantially semi-cylindrical shape with the upper end as an opening surface, but is not limited thereto, and any shape can be adopted as long as a plant can grow. For example, a shape with a low edge such as a tray or a flat plate shape without an edge may be used. Here, a plant is fixed to the inner bottom of the container 31. For example, in the present embodiment, plant roots are vegetated in a culture solution (not shown) filled in the inner bottom of the container 31, and the plant can grow outside the container 31 through the opening surface. . For example, a plurality of planters may be mounted on the inner bottom of the container 31. However, in this case, it is preferable that there is a device (the container 31 has an edge or the planter is fixed to the container 31) so that the planter does not slide down. Hereinafter, the direction in which the plant in the container 31 grows is referred to as “growth direction”. For example, in the present embodiment, the direction from the center of the bottom surface of the container 31 to the center of the opening surface is defined as the growth direction. Further, the space covered with the container 31 is referred to as “inside the pod 30”, and the space not covered is referred to as “outside of the pod 30” as necessary. Further, a culture medium supply pipe (not shown) may be arranged on the side of the container 31 so that the culture medium is automatically supplied to the inside of the container 31, thereby reducing the labor for replacing the culture medium.

  The rotating shaft 32 is a container rotating means for rotating the container 31 with respect to the arm 13. The rotation shaft 32 is provided through each of the front surface (+ Y side surface) and the rear surface (−Y side surface) of the container 31. The rotary shaft 32 can employ any configuration that can rotate the container 31 with respect to the arm 13. For example, in the present embodiment, one end of the rotating shaft 32 is fixed to the container 31, and the other end of the rotating shaft 32 is a hole slightly larger than the diameter of the rotating shaft 32 provided at the tip of the arm 13. The pod 30 can be rotated in the vertical plane about the rotation shaft 32 by being inserted into the vertical axis. The rotating shaft 32 is above the weight 33. This is to prevent the pod 30 from rotating once and the opening of the pod 30 from facing downward.

  The weight 33 is an eccentric means for inclining the growth direction with respect to the conveying direction by decentering the pod 30. Here, “tilt” means being inclined, and does not include, for example, that the transport direction and the growth direction coincide with each other, or that the transport direction and the growth direction intersect at right angles. As a method for tilting the pod 30 in this manner, for example, “a method of eccentricizing the pod 30 (shown in the present embodiment)” or “a method in which the arm 13 regulates the pod 30 via the latch 34 (this embodiment). And “a method of applying an external force to the pod 30 with an abutting member (described later) (described later in a modified example)”. Here, “eccentric” means rotation in a vertical plane of the pod 30 on a vertical line passing through the center of gravity of the pod 30 when the pod 30 in an inclined state is viewed from any side surface (for example, the front surface). The center (that is, the rotation shaft 32) is not located. That is, the “eccentric means” means that the vertical line passing through the center of gravity of the pod 30 and the rotation of the pod 30 are shifted by shifting at least one of “the center of gravity of the pod 30” or “the center of rotation of the pod 30” in the horizontal direction. This is a mechanism for horizontally separating the center. For example, as the mechanism for shifting the former “center of gravity of the pod 30” in the horizontal direction, there is a “mechanism for disposing the weight 33 at a position where the pod 30 is offset (rightward)” as shown in the present embodiment. Further, as a mechanism for shifting the latter “center of rotation of the pod 30” in the horizontal direction, there is a “mechanism for shifting the rotation shaft 32 in the horizontal direction” as shown in a modification example to be described later. Each of these eccentric means may be appropriately combined as necessary. However, in the embodiment, only the “mechanism for arranging the weight 33 at the position where the pod 30 is offset (rightward)” is used as the eccentric means. As described above, when the vertical line passing through the center of gravity of the pod 30 and the center of rotation of the pod 30 are shifted, as a result, the pod 30 rotates and tilts naturally with the weight of the pod 30 and the weight 33. For example, as described above, the weight 33 in the present embodiment is disposed on the right side of the bottom surface. As a result, the pod 30 can be decentered, and the pod 30 can be tilted to the right as shown in FIG. The advantage of tilting the pod 30 in this way will be described later. Although the degree of inclination may be arbitrarily determined, it is preferable to incline so that no other pod 30 is positioned on the extension line of the target pod 30 in the growth direction. For example, in this embodiment, the inclination is about 20 °. Yes. In addition, although the arrangement | positioning location of this weight 33 is a bottom face inside the pod 30 in this Embodiment, it is not restricted to this, For example, the bottom face outside the pod 30 may be sufficient.

  The latch 34 is an inclination control means for controlling the inclination of the pod 30. A pair of latches 34 are provided on the front surface (+ Y side surface) and rear surface (−Y side surface) of the pod 30, and are rod-like bodies protruding outward from the respective surfaces. However, the latch 34 may be provided not on “a pair” but on “only one” of the front surface (+ Y side surface) or the rear surface (−Y side surface). As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the latch 34 is arranged on the right side (+ X side) of the pod 30, so such a latch 34 is hereinafter referred to as a “right latch” as necessary. Will be described. Here, each latch 34 according to the present embodiment can be retracted inside the pod 30 or protruded outside the pod 30. Hereinafter, the state in which the latch 34 protrudes to the outside of the pod 30 (see FIG. 4A) is referred to as “latch ON”, and the state in which the latch 34 is retracted into the pod 30 (FIG. 4B). )) Is referred to as “latch OFF”. For example, in the present embodiment, when the pod 30 is transported and reaches a specific position (in this embodiment, the position (A10 in FIG. 1)), the latch 34 is retracted and the latch is turned OFF, and after a predetermined time has elapsed ( After a time required for the pod 30 to reach the vicinity of the position (A1) (for example, after several tens of seconds), the latch 34 projects again out of the container 31 to become the latch ON, and these operations are repeated thereafter. The configuration and the purpose of moving the latch 34 in and out of the pod 30 will be described later.

(Configuration-foundation part)
The base unit 40 is a base means that serves as a base on which the transport unit is installed. The base portion 40 is a plate material positioned near the ceiling of the harvesting space E, for example, and includes a harvesting port 41 for accessing the harvesting space E from the vicinity of the position (A1).

(Operation)
Then, operation | movement of the plant cultivation system 1 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated. The plant cultivation system 1 operates when power (not shown) is turned on, and the sprocket 11 rotates so that the chain 12 circulates around the sprocket 11, thereby causing the pod 30 to be in FIG. 1. It is conveyed in the direction of the arrow shown. Hereinafter, the position (A10) to the position (A10) of the pod 30 will be described in order. In FIG. 1, for convenience, a state where the latch 34 protrudes (latch ON) is indicated by a black circle, and a state where the latch 34 is retracted (latch OFF) is indicated by a white circle. In addition, the speed of conveyance is arbitrary, For example, the speed | rate which carries out 1 round over the whole day may be sufficient.

  First, at the position (A1), since the pod 30 is located at the lowermost end, a plant can be planted from the harvesting space E to the pod 30 or the plant can be harvested. Since the pod 30 is eccentric by the weight 33, it is tilted to the right with respect to the transport direction (vertical direction) as shown in the figure. Then, the pod 30 sequentially moves along the chain 12 to the position (A2) and the position (A3), moves up the forward path 12a and moves to the position (A4), and then continues along the chain 12 to the position (A5). , Sequentially move to position (A6) and position (A7). Also in this case, the pod 30 is always transported while being tilted to the right with respect to the transport direction (vertical direction) of the forward path 12a. Here, at the position (A7), the arm 13 regulates the pod 30 via the latch 34 as illustrated. “Regulating” means that a force is applied to the pod 30 to place the pod 30 in a state other than the initial state (in the present embodiment, the state tilted to the right). For example, in the present embodiment, when the latch 34 comes into contact with the arm 13, the latch 34 receives an upward force from the arm 13, and the pod 30 rotates counterclockwise around the rotating shaft 32, At the position (A8), as shown in the drawing, it is inclined to the left with respect to the conveyance direction (vertical direction) of the return path 12b. And the pod 30 descend | falls the return path 12b, always inclining to the left side, and reaches the position (A9) and the position (A10) sequentially.

  Here, at the position (A10), a mechanism for retracting the latch 34 (latch OFF) is provided. By eliminating the restriction between the latch 34 and the arm 13, the upward pressing by the arm 13 is released, and the original state The pod 30 can be returned to (tilted to the right). This is because when the latch 34 is moved from the position (A10) where the latch 34 is projected to the position (A1), the latch 34 is pushed further upward by the arm 13 and the pod 30 is pushed back. This is because there is a possibility that the plant will fall once in a clockwise direction. However, the pod 30 may be rotated once without providing a mechanism for turning off the latch. In this case, it is preferable to provide a device for preventing the fall of the plant (for example, tying the plant to the pod 30). The latch 34 thus retracted may be protruded (latch ON) again until the pod 30 arrives at the position (A7), but in this embodiment, as will be described later, for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds). ) Turn on the latch after elapse.

  As described above, a specific method for moving the latch 34 in and out of the pod 30 is arbitrary, and is not limited to electrical means but may be mechanical means, but in the following, electrical means is used. Specifically, a known sensor 35 (for example, an infrared sensor or a magnetic proximity sensor) is used to detect that the pod 30 has arrived at the position (A10), and a known sensor provided in the pod 30 when detected. Energize the solenoid mechanism to retract the latch 34 (latch OFF). Since the specific configuration of such a solenoid mechanism is known, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Then, when the solenoid mechanism is energized in this way, a timer (not shown) is started, and after the elapse of a predetermined period (for example, 10 seconds) is judged by the timer, the energization to the solenoid mechanism is canceled again to latch. 34 is protruded again (latch ON). Here, in the “predetermined period”, the position of the latch 34 in the front view as shown in FIG. 1 reaches a position where it does not overlap the arm 13 in the front view (that is, the latch 34 avoids the arm 13 from above the arm 13). The time required to reach the lower side of the arm 13 (hereinafter referred to as “dodging the arm”).

  Here, FIG. 5 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 1 schematically showing the effect of the embodiment, FIG. 5 (a) is a prior art, and FIG. 5 (b) is a diagram showing the present embodiment. is there. In addition, both the width and height of the plant are represented by α. Thus, in this Embodiment, the growth direction of a plant is inclined with respect to the conveyance direction of the outward path 12a and the return path 12b. Therefore, the plant cultivation system 1 according to the present embodiment generally has at least two effects described below.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, in the plant cultivation system 1 according to the present embodiment, the distance between the pods 30 arranged in the transport direction (up and down) can be made shorter than before. That is, in the conventional technique without inclination (FIG. 5A), the distance between the upper and lower pods 30 (for example, the distance from the center of the opening surface of the upper pod 30 to the center of the opening surface of the lower pod 30. The height required as the “distance between the top and bottom” D1) is “the height of the plant (hereinafter referred to as“ plant height ”α)” and “the plant of the lower pod 30 does not contact the upper pod 30. Of the pod 30 (hereinafter “gap” C) ”and“ the height h of the pod 30 (hereinafter “pod height” h) ”. On the other hand, in the plant cultivation system 1 (FIG. 5 (b)) of the present embodiment, the height required as the vertical distance D1 is a height combining the “plant height α” and the “gap C”. Compared with the prior art, it can be shortened by the “pod height h”. Therefore, many pods 30 can be installed in one chain 12. In addition, although the plant of length ((alpha)) with the same height and width | variety is illustrated in FIG. 5, when cultivating a vertically long plant (plant whose height is larger than a width | variety), the pod 30 is inclined. Therefore, the plant height α can also be shortened, and the distance between each other can be further shortened.

  Second, in the plant cultivation system 1 according to the present embodiment, the distance between the plant on the forward path 12a side and the plant on the return path 12b side (hereinafter referred to as “distance between round trip paths” D2) can be made shorter than before. That is, in the conventional technique without inclination (FIG. 5A), the plant growth space on the forward path 12a side and the plant growth space on the return path 12b side overlap between the forward path 12a and the return path 12b. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient distance D2 between the round trip paths. On the other hand, in the plant cultivation system 1 (FIG. 5B) of the present embodiment, the plant growth space on the forward path 12a side and the plant growth space on the return path 12b side face each other and do not overlap. Therefore, the length required as the distance D2 between the round trip paths is a minimum length necessary for conveyance, and can be shortened as compared with the prior art. In FIG. 1, the distance D2 between round trips is exaggerated and illustrated, but the distance D2 between round trips may be further shortened.

(Effect of embodiment)
According to the plant cultivation system 1 according to this embodiment, the plant growth direction is inclined with respect to the transport direction, so that when the distance between the pods 30 is shortened, the plant interferes with the other pods 30. The total amount of plants that can be cultivated at one time without inhibiting the growth of the plant is increased, and the cultivation efficiency is improved.

  Moreover, since the weight 33 which inclines the growth direction with respect to the conveyance direction by decentering the pod 30 is provided, the growth direction can be inclined with a simple configuration, and the cultivation efficiency is improved.

  Moreover, since the arm 13 regulates the pod 30 via the latch 34, the growth direction is inclined with respect to the transport direction. Therefore, the growth direction can be inclined with a simple configuration, and the cultivation efficiency is improved.

[III] Modifications to Embodiments Although the embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, the specific configuration and means of the present invention are within the scope of the technical idea of each invention described in the claims. Can be arbitrarily modified and improved. Hereinafter, such a modification will be described.

(About problems to be solved and effects of the invention)
First, the problems to be solved by the invention and the effects of the invention are not limited to the above contents, and may vary depending on the implementation environment and details of the configuration of the invention. In some cases, only a part of the effects described above may be achieved.

(About dimensions and materials)
The dimensions, shapes, materials, ratios, and the like of each part of the plant cultivation system 1 described in the detailed description of the invention and the drawings are merely examples, and may be any other dimensions, shapes, materials, ratios, and the like.

(About taking in and out the latch)
In the present embodiment, as described above, in order for the latch 34 to dodge the arm 13, the latch 34 is taken in and out by electrical means (solenoid mechanism), but the present invention is not limited to this, and mechanical means may be used. Hereinafter, an example using a link mechanism will be described as an example. FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing the pod 30 and its periphery of the plant cultivation system 100 according to the first modification, in which FIG. 6A is a front view, and FIG. 6B is a right side view (FIG. 6 ( FIG. 6 (c) is a plan view. Each drawing in FIG. 6 shows a state in the vicinity of the position (A10) in FIG. Further, in each of the modifications described below, the guide rail 14 is not shown for convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the plant cultivation system 100 according to the first modification is schematically in a plane (XY plane) centering on the pivot axis 110 and the pivot axis 110 fixed in the pod 30. A pivot rod 120 that can rotate (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6C), a latch 130 that can freely enter and exit the pod 30 that is pivotally connected to the right end portion (+ X direction end portion) of the pivot rod 120, and A first slope member 140 having a slope 141 inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Z direction) is provided. In addition, in FIG.6 (b), illustration of the rotating shaft 110 is abbreviate | omitted for convenience. When the plant cultivation system 100 is operated and the pod 30 is conveyed downward, the left end portion (−X end portion) of the swivel rod 120 contacts the slope 141 of the first slope member 140. When the pod 30 is conveyed further downward in this state, the swiveling rod 120 gradually moves along the inclined surface 141. Therefore, as shown by the arrow in FIG. Slowly rotate. As a result, the latch 130 provided at the right end (+ X end) of the swivel rod 120 is retracted into the pod 30 and the latch is turned off. When the pod 30 is further conveyed downward, the left end portion (−X end portion) of the swivel rod 120 reaches below the first slope member 140 and receives no force from the first slope member 140. The swivel rod 120 returns to the original state (the state shown in the figure), and the latch 130 protrudes again to become the latch ON. In addition, you may bias with a spring etc. so that the turning rod 120 may return suitably by the original state.

  Further, the latch 34 may be taken in and out using a magnet. FIGS. 7A and 7B are front views showing the pod 30 and its periphery of the plant cultivation system 200 according to the second modified example, in which FIG. 7A is when the latch is ON and FIG. 7B is when the latch is OFF. . FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views showing the pod 30 and its periphery of the plant cultivation system 200 according to the second modification. FIG. 8A is a latch-on state and FIG. 8B is a latch-off state. . 7A shows a state near the position (A7) in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7B shows a state around the position (A10) in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the plant cultivation system 200 includes a hollow arm 210, an arm magnet 220 that is a bar magnet that can slide inside and outside the hollow arm 210, and a pod. 30 is a bar magnet 230 whose tip can enter and exit and functions as a latch, and is arranged between the rotary shaft 32 and the arm magnet 220 inside the arm 210, and the arm magnet 220 is directed inward (chain And a spring 240 that is biased in a direction approaching 12). In FIG. 8, the N poles of the arm magnet 220 and the latch magnet 230 are shown with hatching, and the S pole is shown without hatching. First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the biasing force of the spring 240 acts, so that the arm magnet 220 is always at the inner end portion (side end portion close to the chain 12) in the arm 210. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8A, since the N pole of the arm magnet 220 is located near the tip (S pole) of the latch magnet 230, the magnets attract each other, and the latch magnet 230 It protrudes outside the pod 30 and is turned on. Next, when the plant cultivation system 200 is operated and the pod 30 descends and the inclination of the arm 210 increases as shown in FIG. 8B, the weight of the arm magnet 220 is greater than the urging force of the spring 240, and the arm The magnet 220 slides outward (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7B). At this time, as shown in FIG. 8B, since the S pole of the arm magnet 220 is located near the tip (S pole) of the latch magnet 230, the magnets repel each other, and the latch magnet 230. Is retracted into the pod 30 and latched off. Then, when the arm 210 is displaced by the latch OFF at the position (A10) in FIG. 1 and comes to the position (A3) from the position (A2) in FIG. 1, the urging force of the spring 240 continues to be the arm magnet. Overcoming the weight of 220, the arm magnet 220 slides again and returns to the inner end (side end close to the chain 12).

(About pod eccentricity)
In the present embodiment, the pod 30 is eccentrically tilted with the weight 33 provided on the right side of the pod 30. However, the method of eccentricizing the pod 30 is not limited to this. As another example of eccentricity of the pod 30, as described above, the rotation axis 32 (the center of rotation) that also serves as a suspension support for the pod 30 is not positioned on a perpendicular line that passes through the center of gravity of the pod 30. There is a method of shifting 32 in the horizontal direction. For example, in contrast to the present embodiment in which the rotation shaft 32 is provided at the approximate center of the pod 30, if the rotation shaft 32 is positioned to the left of the pod 30, it can be similarly inclined depending on the weight of the pod 30 itself. .

(About the tilt of the pod)
Further, the pod 30 may be tilted without being eccentric. As such a method, for example, as described above, there is a method of applying an external force to the pod 30 itself (for example, the edge of the pod 30). Hereinafter, as an example, a method of hitting and tilting the pod 30 against the contact member 350 (described later) will be described. In this example and the example in which the rotation shaft 32 is displaced in the horizontal direction, the weight 33 may be placed at the center of the pod 30 as necessary. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the pod 30 and its surroundings of the plant cultivation system 300 according to the third modification. FIG. 9A is a front view, and FIG. 9B is a left side view (FIG. 9 ( FIG. 9C is a plan view. Each drawing in FIG. 9 shows a state near the position (A2) and the position (A3) in FIG. Here, in FIG. 9A, a state in which the same pod 30 is conveyed is illustrated step by step, the direction of conveyance is indicated by an arrow, and the position of the pod 30 at each step is indicated by position (B1). To position (B3).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the plant cultivation system 300 according to the third modified example is schematically in a plane (XY plane) centering on the pivot axis 310 fixed inside the pod 30 and the pivot axis 310. A revolving rod 320 that can rotate (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9C), and a latch 330 that can freely move in and out of the pod 30 that is pivotally connected to the left end (−X direction end) of the revolving rod 320; A second inclined surface member 340 having an inclined surface 341 inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and a vertically long contact member 350 disposed outside the conveyance path of the pod 30 are provided. In addition, in FIG.9 (b), illustration of the rotating shaft 310 is abbreviate | omitted for convenience. The latch 330 according to the third modification is not a right latch like the latch 34 of the embodiment but a “left latch” provided on the left side of the pod 30. In the third modification, the latch 330 protrudes (latch ON) at the position (B1). When the plant cultivation system 300 is operated and the pod 30 is conveyed upward, the right end portion (+ X end portion) of the swiveling rod 320 contacts the slope 341 of the second slope member 340. When the pod 30 is conveyed further upward in this state, the swivel rod 320 gradually moves along the slope 341, so that the swivel rod 120 gradually turns clockwise as indicated by the arrow in FIG. Rotate to. As a result, the latch 330 provided at the left end (−X end) of the swivel rod 320 is retracted into the pod 30 and the latch is turned OFF. When the pod 30 is further conveyed upward and reaches the position (B2), the right edge portion (+ X direction edge portion) of the pod 30 comes into contact with the contact member 350. When the pod 30 is further conveyed upward in this state, the right side of the pod 30 rises while receiving the frictional force with the abutting member 350, so that the entire pod 30 can be tilted to the right side. Thus, the pod 30 is conveyed upward while being inclined, and the right end portion (+ X end portion) of the swivel rod 320 reaches above the second slope member 340 (position (B3)), and the second slope member. When the force from 340 is not received, the swivel rod 320 returns to the original state (the state shown in the figure), and the latch 330 protrudes again and becomes the latch ON. Thus, after the position of the latch 330 in the front view (FIG. 9A) has come above the arm 13 (after the latch 330 has displaced the arm 13. For example, the state shown in the position (B 3) is reached. Later, the latch 330 is protruded again (latch ON), and the latch 330 is placed on the arm 13 to maintain the inclination of the pod 30. In addition, you may bias with a spring etc. so that the turning rod 120 may return suitably by the original state. Further, a device for making the contact between the pod 30 and the contact member 350 smoother may be applied. For example, a rack and pinion gear may be employed at the contact portion between the pod 30 and the contact member 350.

  FIG. 10 is a front view showing a plant cultivation system 400 according to a fourth modification. FIG. 10 shows a state in the vicinity of the position (A2) and the position (A3) in FIG. Here, in FIG. 10, the state in which the same pod 30 is conveyed is illustrated step by step, the direction of conveyance is indicated by arrows, and the position of the pod 30 at each step is determined from the position (C1) to the position ( C4).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the plant cultivation system 400 according to the fourth modification generally includes a sensor 410 and a pod 30 that detect that the pod 30 has reached a specific position (for example, the position (C1)). An advancing / retracting member 420 that advances and retreats left and right (X direction) and a latch 430 (left latch) that can freely enter and exit the pod 30 are provided. The advance / retreat member 420 can be configured using, for example, a known cam or crank. Here, the cam rotates about the shaft to advance the advance / retreat member 420 in the left direction (−X direction), but the advance / retreat member 420 advanced in the left direction (−X direction) moves to the right direction (+ X direction). A spring (not shown) may be used to return to the position. When the plant cultivation system 400 is activated and the pod 30 is conveyed upward, the sensor 410 first detects that the pod 30 has reached the position (C1), and the latch 430 is retracted by a solenoid mechanism or the like. At the same time, the advance / retreat member 420 is advanced in the left direction (−X direction). Next, when the pod 30 reaches the position (C2), the right edge (+ X direction edge) of the pod 30 is caught by the advance / retreat member 420 and tilts to the right. At this time, since the latch 430 is still retracted, the latch 430 can dodge the arm 13. Then, when the latch 430 completely removes the arm 13, the latch 430 is protruded again, and the advance / retreat member 420 is retracted in the right direction (+ X direction), so that the pod 30 reaches the position (C 3) and remains as it is. Ascend to position (C4). Note that the method for determining that the latch 430 has completely evacuated the arm 13 is arbitrary as described above. For example, it may be determined by a known timer whether a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) has elapsed. . Moreover, you may give the device which makes the contact with the pod 30 and the advance / retreat member 420 smoother. For example, the contact between the pod 30 and the advance / retreat member 420 may be made smoother by providing a roller (not shown) at the right edge (+ X side edge) of the pod 30.

(About the direction of tilting the pod)
In the present embodiment, the plant growth direction is inclined with respect to the conveyance direction (vertical direction) of the pod 30, but not limited thereto, the plant growth direction is inclined with respect to the parallel direction of the plurality of plant cultivation systems 500. May be. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a plant cultivation system 500 according to a fifth modification. In FIG. 11, a plurality (three in FIG. 11) of plant cultivation systems 500 that convey the pod 30 along the horizontal direction (X direction) are arranged in the vertical direction (Z direction). In this case, as shown in the figure, by tilting the growth direction of the plant with respect to the parallel direction (Z direction) of the plant cultivation system 500, the distance between the plant cultivation systems 500 can be shortened, and more plants can be obtained with less space. Can be cultivated. In addition, such a plant cultivation system 500 does not require a device for changing the direction of inclination at any position, such as each latch as described above. That is, simply tilting the pod 30 outward with, for example, the weight 33, the pod 30 tilts outward as shown in the figure at any position.

(About the unit)
One plant cultivation system 1, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 according to the above-described embodiment and each modification is housed in a housing as a unit, and a construction method is adopted in which the units are arranged side by side in the up, down, front, back, left and right directions. May be. By constructing in this way, the workability when installing a plurality of plant cultivation systems 1, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 is improved.

(Correlation between embodiment and each modification)
The features shown in the embodiment and each modification may be interchanged with each other, or one feature may be added to the other. For example, a system that combines the features according to the first modification (the first slope member 140 and the like) and the features according to the third modification (the second slope member 340 and the contact member 350) may be used. Moreover, it is good also as a system provided with both the right latch as shown in embodiment, and the left latch as shown in the 3rd modification and the 4th modification.

(Appendix)
The plant cultivation system of Supplementary Note 1 includes a plurality of plant cultivation containers for cultivating plants, and a transport unit having a forward path and a backward path for transporting the plant cultivation containers in parallel and in opposite directions, and the forward path and The growth direction of the plant in the plant cultivation container was tilted with respect to the conveyance direction of the return path.

  The plant cultivation system according to appendix 2 includes an eccentric means for tilting the growth direction with respect to the transport direction by decentering the plant cultivation container in the plant cultivation system according to appendix 1.

  The plant cultivation system according to appendix 3 is the same as the plant cultivation system according to appendix 1 or 2, with respect to the connection means that interconnects the plant cultivation container and the transport means, the plant cultivation container, and the connection means. A latch that comes into contact, and the connecting means regulates the plant cultivation container via the latch, so that the growth direction is inclined with respect to the transport direction.

(Additional effects)
According to the plant cultivation system of appendix 1, since the growth direction of the plant is inclined with respect to the transport direction, the plant interferes with other plant cultivation containers when the distance between the plant cultivation containers is shortened. The total amount of plants that can be cultivated at one time without inhibiting the growth of the plant is increased, and the cultivation efficiency is improved.

  According to the plant cultivation system of appendix 2, since the eccentric means for inclining the growth direction with respect to the transport direction by decentering the plant cultivation container is provided, the growth direction can be inclined with a simple configuration, and the cultivation efficiency is improved. improves.

  According to the plant cultivation system described in appendix 3, the growth means is inclined with respect to the conveying direction by restricting the plant cultivation container via the latch, so that the growth direction can be inclined with a simple configuration. , Cultivation efficiency is improved.

1 Plant cultivation system 10 Conveyance part (conveyance means)
11 Sprocket 11a Axle 11b Axle 12 Chain 12a Outward 12b Return 13 Arm (connecting means)
14 guide rail 14a web 15 support pillar 20 lighting 30 pod (plant cultivation container)
31 Container 32 Rotating shaft 33 Weight (Eccentric means)
34 Latch 35 Sensor 40 Base 41 Harvester 100 Plant cultivation system 110 Rotating shaft 120 Rotating rod 130 Latch 140 First slope member 141 Slope 200 Plant cultivation system 210 Arm (connecting means)
220 Arm magnet 230 Latch magnet (latch)
240 Spring 300 Plant cultivation system 310 Rotating shaft 320 Rotating rod 330 Latch 340 Second slope member 341 Slope 350 Abutting member 400 Plant cultivation system 410 Sensor 420 Advancement / retraction member 430 Latch 500 Plant cultivation systems A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10 Position B1, B2, B3 Position C Clearance C1, C2, C3, C4 Position D1 Vertical distance D2 Distance between reciprocating paths E Harvesting space α Plant height h Pod height

Claims (3)

A plurality of plant cultivation containers for cultivating plants;
Transporting means having a forward path and a backward path for transporting the plant cultivation container in parallel and in opposite directions,
Inclined the growth direction of the plant in the plant cultivation container with respect to the transport direction of the forward path and the return path,
Plant cultivation system. Eccentric means for inclining the growth direction with respect to the transport direction by decentering the plant cultivation container,
The plant cultivation system according to claim 1. Connection means for mutually connecting the plant cultivation container and the transport means;
A latch abutting against the plant cultivation container and the connection means,
By tilting the growth direction with respect to the transport direction, the connecting means regulates the plant cultivation container via the latch,
The plant cultivation system according to claim 1 or 2.

Images