JP2018171008A - Plant raising device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plant raising device that can raise plants by efficient or optimum illumination.SOLUTION: A plant raising device 100 according to the present invention comprises: a mounting part 102 on which plants 104 which can grow so as to extend in an upper direction are mounted; irradiation means 112 which irradiates the plant 104 with light; detection means 140 which detects the height of the plant 104 in a vertical direction; and moving means 120, 130 which move the irradiation means 112 corresponding to the height detected by the detection means 140.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

  The present invention relates to a plant growing apparatus for growing a plant by irradiating the plant with light.

  In recent years, since the conversion efficiency of electric power into visible light is high and the lifetime is long, lighting devices including light emitting diodes (LEDs) are widely used in various facilities that require lighting. Such an illuminating device is also used for a seedling growing device for growing seedlings of plants for cultivation such as vegetables, rice, and flowers (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

JP 2000-207933 A JP 2013-017397 A JP 2013-251230 A

  However, in a plant growing apparatus that grows plants such as seedlings, there is a possibility that efficient or optimal illumination cannot be realized depending on the positional relationship between the plant and the lighting apparatus.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the plant growing apparatus which can grow a plant by efficient thru | or optimal illumination.

  The plant growing device according to the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-described problems, includes a mounting portion on which a plant that can grow so as to extend upward, an irradiation unit that irradiates light to the plant, and It is characterized by comprising detection means for detecting the height of the plant in the vertical direction and movement means for moving the irradiation means in accordance with the height detected by the detection means.

  According to the plant growing apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently or optimize lighting for plants such as seedlings, thereby achieving uniform plant growth and promotion of growth.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an overall configuration of a seedling production apparatus for producing seedlings of a plant for cultivation. FIG. 2 is a side view of the sowing apparatus that constitutes the seedling production apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of a seeder constituting the seeding apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of a cart used in the seedling production apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view of a carriage used in the seedling production apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view of a nursery room in which a lighting device is disposed. FIG. 7 is a side view of a nursery room in which a lighting device, a cooling water circulation passage, a heat exchanger, and the like are disposed. FIG. 8 is a side view of the nursery room in a state where the cart is accommodated. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a lighting device, a cooling water circulation passage, a heat exchanger, and the like. FIG. 10 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger or the like. FIG. 11 is a schematic elevational sectional view of the lighting device, the cooling water circulation passage, and the like. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a seedling growing device. FIG. 13 is a control system diagram of the seedling growing apparatus shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the whole structure of the seedling production apparatus which produces the seedling of the plant for cultivation is demonstrated, referring FIG. In this embodiment, the indoor lighting system is used for the seedling growing device. However, the present invention is not limited to the seedling growing device that illuminates the object accommodated in the room, for example, various facilities or devices such as factories and convenience stores. Of course, it can also be used.

  In addition, the seedling production apparatus in this embodiment is for producing grafted seedlings, but the indoor lighting system or seedling growing apparatus according to the present invention is not only a seedling production apparatus for producing such grafted seedlings. Also used in planting equipment for producing seedlings such as rice, leaf vegetables (lettuce, cabbage, etc.), fruit vegetables (strawberry, etc.), root vegetables (radish, carrot, etc.), flowers, etc. Of course you can.

[First Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the seedling production device 1 includes a seeding device 2, a plurality of seedling growing devices 3 including an indoor lighting system according to the present invention, a grafting device 4, and a plurality of curing devices 5. Yes. The number of the seedling growing device 3 or the curing device 5 in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to these. Note that it is not always necessary to install a plurality of seedling growing devices 3 or curing devices 5, and only one seedling growing device 3 or curing device 5 may be installed.

  In the sowing apparatus 2, a pot 10 (see FIG. 2) includes seeds of a plant for hogi or a plant for rootstock, and soil (for example, culture soil, cultivation soil, etc.) suitable for growing seedlings produced by seed germination. The seed-containing cultivation medium accommodated in the reference) is prepared, and a plurality of such seed-containing cultivation media are arranged on the tray 36 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and the tray 36 is used as a seedling cart. 6 is loaded. It should be noted that a sowing device for producing seeds exclusively for producing seed-containing cultivation media for plants for hogi and a sowing device for rootstocks for producing exclusively seed-containing cultivation media for plants for rootstocks are provided in parallel. Also good. In particular, when the scale of the seedling production apparatus 1 is large, it is preferable to provide two sowing apparatuses in parallel as described above. The seedling raising cart 6 loaded with a plurality of trays 36 is moved by an operator and transferred to one seedling growing device 3 among the plurality of seedling growing devices 3.

  The seedling growing device 3 grows seedlings produced by the germination after germinating the seeds of the plant for safflower or rootstock. Each of the plurality of seedling growing devices 3 includes a seedling raising cart 6 and a seedling raising room 7 for accommodating the seedling raising cart 6. The structures and dimensions of the plurality of seedling carts 6 are substantially the same, and the structures and dimensions of the plurality of seedling rooms 7 are also substantially the same. Therefore, each seedling growing device 3 can grow both the seedlings of the plant for hogi and the seedling of the plant for rootstock. The operation of the surplus seedling growing device 3 is stopped.

  Thus, the seedlings of the plant for hogi and the seedling of the plant for rootstock are parallel in a good growing environment in which the amount of light irradiation, temperature, humidity, irrigation amount, etc. are appropriately controlled by the seedling growing device 3. To be nurtured. When the seedlings of the safflower plant or the rootstock plant grow in a predetermined state in each seedling breeding device 3, the seedling raising cart 6 accommodated in the nursery room 7 is pulled out by the operator, and the grafting device 4 is moved to the vicinity.

  The grafting device 4 creates a grafted seedling by grafting the seedling of the plant for spikelets and the seedling of the plant for rootstock that are grown by the seedling growing device 3, respectively. That is, the grafting device 4 cuts the lower part of the seedling of the plant for hogi (a half on the root side) and creates the hogi, while the upper part of the seedling for the rootstock plant (a half part on the side of the leaf generally). ) Is cut to create a rootstock, and then grafted with Hogi and rootstock to create a grafted seedling. A plurality of grafted seedlings created by the grafting device 4 are arranged on the tray 36 as they are, or arranged on the tray 36 after the pot 10 is mounted on the root portion. The tray 36 is loaded on the curing cart 8. The curing cart 8 loaded with a plurality of trays 36 is moved by an operator and transferred to one curing device 5 among the plurality of curing devices 5.

  The curing device 5 cures the grafted seedling created by the grafting device 4. Each of the plurality of curing devices 5 includes a curing cart 8 and a curing room 9 that accommodates the curing cart 8. The structures and dimensions of the plurality of curing carts 8 are substantially the same, and the structures and dimensions of the plurality of curing rooms 9 are also substantially the same. In addition, the three arrows described in FIG. 1 indicate the basic movement direction of the seedling carriage 6 or the curing carriage 8.

  In this seedling production apparatus 1, the seedling raising cart 6 for the seedling growing apparatus 3 and the curing carriage 8 for the curing apparatus 5 have substantially the same structure and dimensions. Further, the nursery room 7 constituting the seedling raising device 3 and the curing room 9 constituting the curing device 5 are substantially the same in structure and dimensions. In short, the structure of the seedling growing device 3 and the curing device 5 are substantially the same, but depending on whether the usage pattern is seed or seedling growth or grafted seedling curing Only the conditions, that is, temperature, humidity, irrigation, light irradiation mode and the like are different.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the seedling growing apparatus 3 is configured to grow seedlings produced by germination after germinating seeds of a plant for panicle or a plant for rootstock. That is, the seedling growing apparatus 3 performs both seed germination and seedling growing. However, a germination chamber (not shown) may be provided separately from the seedling growing device 3, and seedlings germinated in the germination chamber may be transferred to the seedling growing device 3 and grown. In this case, it is preferable that the seedlings taken out from the germination chamber are selected based on the growth degree, and the seedlings having substantially the same growth degree are transferred to the seedling growing device 3. In this way, the seedling growing device 3 can generate seedlings having substantially the same degree of growth, that is, high-quality seedlings.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the sowing apparatus 2 that constitutes the seedling production apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The seeding device 2 creates a large number of seed-containing culture media 11 each containing a seed of a cultivated plant and soil (or a solid culture medium other than soil) suitable for growing the cultivated plant in a pot 10. To do. In this seedling production apparatus 1, a single sowing apparatus 2 alternately creates seed-containing cultivation media for a desired number of spikelets plants and seed-containing cultivation media for a desired number of rootstock plants. ing. In addition, operation or operation | movement of the sowing apparatus 2 does not have a special difference with the case where the seed containing cultivation medium of the plant for panicles is created, and the case where the seed containing cultivation medium of the plant for rootstock is created.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the seeding device 2, a large number of pots 10 (seeding / nurturing containers) made of plastic, for example, are arranged in a direction indicated by an arrow X in a horizontal plane (hereinafter referred to as “X direction”). A conveying device 12 that conveys in a straight line is provided. The transport device 12 is supported by a plurality of support bases 14 having support base casters 13 at the lower end thereof. Furthermore, in the seeding device 2, seed storage for storing seeds 20 of a plant for panicle or a plant for rootstock (hereinafter simply referred to as “seed 20”) in order from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the pot 10, that is, the flow direction. A tank 15, a seed supply machine 16 that distributes seeds 20 stored in the seed storage tank 15 one by one to each pot 10, and a soil supply that supplies an appropriate amount of soil to each pot 10 containing the seeds 20. A machine 17 and a water supply machine 18 for supplying an appropriate amount of water to each pot 10 containing seeds 20 and soil are provided.

  Although not shown in detail, there are a plurality of transfer devices 12 in the direction (hereinafter referred to as “Y direction”) indicated by direction indication marks Y perpendicular to the X direction in the horizontal plane, that is, in the width direction of the transfer device 12 ( For example, in a state where ten bowls 10 are arranged in a straight line, these bowls 10 are conveyed continuously or intermittently in the X direction. That is, the transport device 12 transports the bowl 10 in a plurality of rows (for example, 10 rows) in the same movement mode in the X direction. Furthermore, the transport device 12 is provided with a position sensor 19 that detects whether or not the pot 10 is disposed at an appropriate position with respect to the seed feeder 16. In FIG. 2, the arrow Z indicates the vertical direction.

  In addition, the seed feeder 16, the soil feeder 17, and the water feeder 18 supply seeds 20, soil, or water individually and simultaneously to the plurality of pots 10 arranged in the Y direction. Yes. A plurality (for example, 200 pieces) of seed-containing cultivation media 11 in which seeds 20, soil and water are accommodated in a pot 10 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement (for example, 20 rows × 10 rows) on a tray 36. Placed in a grid pattern). A plurality of (for example, eight) trays 36 each carrying a plurality of seed-containing cultivation media 11 are loaded on the seedling cart 6. Thereafter, the seedling cart 6 is moved by the operator and is accommodated in the seedling room 7.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the seed supply device 16 includes a seed take-out mechanism 21 that is arranged above the transport device 12 and takes out seeds 20 from the seed storage tank 15 so as not to overlap each other, and above the transport device 12. And a seed distribution mechanism 22 that holds the seed 20 that has been extracted by the seed extraction mechanism 21 and distributes the seed 20 to each pot 10 on the conveying device 12.

  Although not shown in detail, each of the seed extraction mechanisms 21 extends while being inclined downward in the X direction, while being parallel to each other (for example, 10) arranged at a predetermined arrangement interval in the Y direction. A seed movement passage 23 (for example, a groove having a V-shaped valley in cross section). In addition, the number and arrangement | positioning space | interval of the some seed movement channel | path 23 are the same as the number and arrangement | positioning space | interval of the pot 10 arranged in the width direction on the conveying apparatus 12, respectively. Thus, the seed extraction mechanism 21 supplies the seeds 20 to the seed distribution mechanism 22 in a plurality of rows (for example, 10 rows). That is, the seed extraction mechanism 21 is arranged in a form in which the seed distribution mechanism 22 can hold the seed 20.

  The seed distributing mechanism 22 includes six rotating members 25 that are attached around a shaft 24 that extends in the Y direction and rotates counterclockwise in the positional relationship in FIG. 3 and rotates integrally with the shaft 24. The six rotating members 25 are arranged around the central axis of the shaft 24 at angular positions separated from each other by 60 ° at the central angle. Although not shown in detail, each rotating member 25 includes a plurality of (for example, ten) tweezers-like gripping members 26 that are spaced apart from and parallel to each other in the Y direction at a predetermined arrangement interval. Note that the number and interval of the plurality of gripping members 26 provided on the rotating member 25 are the same as the number and interval of the seed moving passages 23 of the seed extraction mechanism 21, respectively.

  Each gripping member 26 is a position corresponding to the tip of each of the child moving passages 23 of the seed take-out mechanism 21 and one seed 20 located at the head of the seeds 20 arranged in the various child moving passages 23. Grip. The gripping member 26 releases the gripping of the seed 20 when it comes to a position corresponding to the pot 10 to which the seed 20 should be supplied as the rotating member 25 rotates. As a result, the seed 20 falls freely into the pot 10.

  In the seed distribution mechanism 22, each rotating member 25, and thus each gripping member 26 disposed on the rotating member 25, moves away from or in a direction approaching the shaft 24 (hereinafter referred to as “radial direction”). Gripping member advancing / retreating cams 27 for making the gripping members 26 and seeding device opening / closing cams 29 for opening and closing the seed gripping devices 28 disposed at the tip end portions (outer end portions in the radial direction) of the respective gripping members 26. Yes.

  The gripping member advancing / retreating cam 27 is a substantially disc-shaped cam whose position is fixed. The gripping member advancing / retreating cam 27 should supply the angular position (hereinafter referred to as “seed gripping angular position”) corresponding to the tip of the seed moving passage 23 and the seed 20 on the transport device 12 in the circumferential direction. A bulging portion is provided at an angular position corresponding to the pot 10 (hereinafter referred to as “seed drop angle position”). The bulging portion gently bulges radially outward in a manner that bulges most at the seed gripping angle position or the seed dropping position, that is, without forming a corner portion. On the other hand, each rotating member 25 is provided with a cam contact portion 30 whose radially inner end portion is always in contact with the peripheral surface of the gripping member advance / retreat cam 27.

  Thus, when each rotating member 25 and thus each gripping member 26 comes to the seed gripping angle position or the seed drop angle position, the respective bulging portions of the gripping member advancing / retreating cam 27 cause the bulging portions to outward in the radial direction. The seed grasper 28 can be grasped or allowed to fall freely by being protruded. On the other hand, the rotating member 25 is retracted radially inward at a position that is not the seed gripping angle position or the seed dropping angle position.

  The seed gripper opening / closing cam 29 is a substantially disk-shaped cam whose position is fixed. The seed gripper opening / closing cam 29 also bulges out partially and radially outwardly at the seed gripping angle position and the seed dropping angle position, like the gripping member advance / retreat cam 27. On the other hand, when the rotary member 25 is engaged with the bulging portion of the seed gripper opening / closing cam 29, the distal end portion of the various child gripper 28 is opened, and when not engaged with the bulging portion, the various child gripper 28 is opened. A seed gripper opening / closing mechanism (not shown) is provided for closing or squeezing the tip of the seed.

  When the seed gripper 28 of each gripping member 26 comes to the seed gripping angle position or the seed drop angle position, the seed gripper 28 is opened in a protruding state by each bulging portion of the seed gripper opening / closing cam 29 and the seed gripper opening / closing mechanism, The seed 20 can be taken into the seed gripper 28 or the seed 20 can be dropped from the seed gripper 28 downward. It is noted that the seed 20 is taken into the seed gripper 28 by assisting in reducing the pressure inside the seed gripper, and the detachment of the seed 20 from the seed gripper 28 is supported by pressurizing the inside of the seed gripper. It may be.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the seedling raising cart 6 for the seedling raising device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The seedling carriage 6 includes a carriage main body 33 that forms a skeleton thereof, a carriage caster 34 attached to each lower end of the four columns constituting the carriage main body 33, and a plurality of carriages disposed on the carriage main body 33. (For example, eight) tray holding members 35. The plurality of tray holding members 35 are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and each tray holding member 35 holds a plurality of (for example, twelve) trays 36. The vertical arrangement interval of each tray holding member 35 is such that when a seedling of a plant for roots or a plant for rootstock is grown in the nursery room 7, the upper end part of the seedling and the tray holding member 35 or tray on the upper side thereof. 36 or a component of the nursery room 7 is preferably set so that an appropriate space is formed. 4 and 5 show a state in which the seedlings of the plant for spikelets or the plant for rootstocks have grown to an extent suitable for grafting.

  Although not shown in detail, the seed-containing cultivation medium 11 placed on the tray 36 held thereon or the seed 20 in the seed-containing cultivation medium 11 germinates on each tray holding member 35. An irrigation member 37 for irrigating the seedling (hereinafter referred to as “nurturing seedling 11a”) and a drainage member 38 for discharging excess water from the tray 36 are provided. Water is supplied to the irrigation member 37 from a water supply mechanism (not shown) provided in the nursery room 7. When the door (not shown) of the seedling room 7 is closed, the irrigation member 37 is automatically connected to the water supply mechanism.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the seedling growing device 3 including the indoor lighting system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the seedling growing room 7 constituting the seedling growing device 3 has a plurality (for example, eight) of seedling growing chambers 7 that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction inside the housing 39 (wall portion). A support member 40 is provided. Here, the arrangement intervals in the vertical direction of the support members 40 are the same as the arrangement intervals in the vertical direction of the holding members 35 in the seedling carriage 6. And each support member 40 has the tray holding member 35 of the seedling carriage 6 and the seedling room 7 in the vertical direction when the seedling carriage 6 is accommodated in the seedling room 7 (state shown in FIG. 8). The support members 40 are arranged so as to be alternately positioned one by one. That is, when the seedling cart 6 is accommodated in the seedling room 7, each tray holding member 35 is located between two adjacent support members 40 in the vertical direction.

  Although not shown in detail, the nursery room 7 is provided with a cultivation environment adjustment mechanism that automatically controls the temperature, humidity, irrigation amount, etc. of the inside so as to be in a state suitable for seedling growth. . In addition, since such a cultivation environment adjustment mechanism is well known among those skilled in the art, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

The seedling room 7 is provided with a carbon dioxide supply machine that supplies carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) and an oxygen supply machine that supplies oxygen (O ₂ ) in order to promote the growth of the grown seedlings 11a. Yes. Carbon dioxide promotes photosynthesis in the leaves or stems of the grown seedlings 11a, and oxygen mainly promotes the respiration and growth of the roots of the grown seedlings 11a. The supply amounts of carbon dioxide and oxygen are preferably set according to the type of the nurturing seedling 11a, the degree of promoting the growth of the nurturing seedling 11a, and the like. Here, since the specific gravity of carbon dioxide is larger than that of air, if it is supplied slightly above the upper end of the nurturing seedling 11a, it will be distributed uniformly to the leaves or stems of the nurturing seedling 11a. What is necessary is just to supply oxygen to the vicinity of the root of the raising seedling 11a. If it is not necessary to particularly promote the growth of the nurturing seedling 11a, it is not necessary to provide a carbon dioxide supply machine and an oxygen supply machine.

  When a carbon dioxide supply machine and an oxygen supply machine are provided, carbon dioxide and oxygen stay around the growing seedling 11a, and in order to suppress diffusion thereof, the periphery of the tray 36 or the inside of the tray 36 (for example, at an appropriate interval) It is preferable that a transparent wall surrounding the side of the nurturing seedling 11a is provided on the horizontal plane in a plan view. This transparent wall does not hinder the irradiation of light to the growing seedling 11a.

  The support member 40 includes a lighting device 42 including a number of light emitting diodes 41 (LEDs) for irradiating light to the growing seedlings 11 a housed in the seedling raising room 7, and a part of the lighting device 42 is in the vicinity of the light emitting diodes 41 And a cooling water circulation passage 43 through which the cooling water circulates is provided (see FIG. 11). As will be described in detail later, a part of the cooling water circulation passage 43 (a portion disposed in the vicinity of the light emitting diode 41) is disposed inside the frame 44 of the lighting device 41 (see FIG. 11). Further, a heat exchanger 45 interposed in the cooling water circulation passage 43 is disposed in the nursery room 7.

  In each support member 40, a large number of light emitting diodes 41 are divided into a plurality of light emitting diode groups, and each light emitting diode group is provided with an elongated illumination device 42 (partial illumination device) extending in the horizontal direction. And as shown in FIG. 9, the cooling water circulation channel | path 43 is respectively with respect to the main water channel 43a connected to the cooling water channel | path 46 (refer FIG. 10) of the heat exchanger 45 demonstrated later, and each light emitting diode group. And a branch water channel 43b provided in parallel with the main water channel 43a.

In each light emitting diode group, the branch water passage 43b forming a part of the cooling water circulation passage 43 is formed to be bent in a U shape so as to pass through the vicinity of each light emitting diode 41 twice. That is, in the vicinity of each light emitting diode 41, the forward path portion and the return path portion of the branch water channel 43b forming a part of the cooling water circulation passage 43 are arranged (both portions are one cooling water circulation passage 43 or branch. It is a part of the water channel 43b). Thus, since the several branch water channel 43b is arrange | positioned mutually parallel with respect to the main water channel 43a, the light emitting diode 41 of each light emitting diode group can be cooled effectively.

  The heat exchanger 45 disposed in the nursery room 7 is interposed in the cooling water circulation passage 43 (main water passage 43a). This heat exchanger 45 has a cooling water passage 46 communicating with the cooling water circulation passage 43 (main water passage 43a) and an air passage 47 through which air is circulated. By heat exchange between the cooling water and air, The temperature of the cooling water is lowered while the temperature of the air is raised. Although not shown in detail, a large number of fins are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cooling water passage 46 in order to enlarge the air-side heat transfer surface having a low boundary film heat transfer coefficient. The heat exchanger 45 includes an outside air introduction passage 48 that introduces air outside the nursery room into the air passage 47, an air discharge passage 49 that exhausts air inside the air passage outside the seedling room, and an air passage 47. An inside air introduction passage 50 for introducing the air in the nursery room and an air inflow passage 51 for allowing the air in the air passage to flow into the nursery room are connected (attached).

  The outside air introduction passage 48, the air discharge passage 49, the inside air introduction passage 50, and the air inflow passage 51 are provided with first to fourth on-off valves 53 to 56 for opening and closing corresponding passages, respectively. Although not shown in detail, the first to fourth on-off valves 53 to 56 are respectively controlled by a controller 58 (air flow control device, on-off valve control device) equipped with a computer via an actuator (not shown). Opening and closing is controlled. In the air flow path 47, an electric fan 59 for agitating air is disposed in order to increase heat transfer efficiency.

  In the indoor lighting system of the seedling growing device 3, an outside air introduction mode and an inside air introduction mode are set as operation modes of the heat exchanger 45. The outside air introduction mode is an operation mode in which air outside the nursery room is introduced into the air flow path 47 while air inside the air flow path is discharged outside the nursery room. At this time, the outside air introduction passage 48 and the air discharge passage 49 are opened. On the other hand, the inside air introduction passage 50 and the air inflow passage 51 are closed. Specifically, in the outside air introduction mode, the controller 58 opens the first opening / closing valve 53 and the second opening / closing valve 54 via respective actuators (not shown), while the third opening / closing valve 55 and the fourth opening / closing valve. Valves 56 are closed via respective actuators (not shown). FIG. 10 shows the state of the heat exchanger 45 in the outside air introduction mode.

  On the other hand, the inside air introduction mode is an operation mode in which the air in the nursery room is introduced into the air flow path 47 while the air in the air flow path is returned to the nursery room. At this time, the outside air introduction passage 48 and the air discharge passage 49 are Is closed, while the inside air introduction passage 50 and the air inflow passage 51 are opened. Specifically, in the inside air introduction mode, the controller 58 closes the first opening / closing valve 53 and the second opening / closing valve 54 via respective actuators (not shown), while the third opening / closing valve 55 and the fourth opening / closing valve. Valves 56 are opened via respective actuators (not shown).

  Then, the controller 45 sets the first to fourth on-off valves 53 to 56 based on the temperature of the air inside the nursery room and / or the temperature of the air outside the nursery room, and the operation mode of the heat exchanger 45 is the outside air introduction mode or the inside air. Open / close control is performed so that the introduction mode is established. For example, the controller 58 opens and closes the first to fourth on-off valves 53 to 56 so that the outside air introduction mode is set at a high temperature (for example, summer). At this time, the heat generated in the light emitting diode 41 and transferred to the air in the air flow path of the heat exchanger 45 through the cooling water is discharged together with the air outside the nursery room and does not flow into the nursery room. For this reason, the temperature rise of the light emitting diode 41 or the lighting device 42 can be suppressed, and the temperature control of the air in the nursery room at high temperatures (for example, cooling of the nursery room 7) becomes easy and efficient. .

  On the other hand, the controller 58 opens and closes the first to fourth on-off valves 53 to 56 so that the inside air introduction mode is set at a low temperature (for example, in winter). At this time, the heat generated in the light emitting diode and transferred to the air in the heat exchanger via the cooling water flows into the nursery room together with the air. For this reason, the temperature rise of the light emitting diode 41 or the lighting device 42 can be suppressed, and the temperature control in the nursery room (for example, heating of the nursery room) at a low temperature becomes easy and efficient.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the lighting device 42, a large number (a plurality of) of light emitting diodes 41 are mounted in contact with the lower surface of the printed circuit board 60, and power is supplied from a power source (not shown) through the printed circuit board 60. Each light emitting diode 41 is supplied. The cooling water circulation passage 43 is disposed on the upper surface of the printed circuit board 60 so as to contact the upper surface. Further, the lighting device 42 is provided with a heat transfer member 61 that is in contact with the light emitting diode 41 and the cooling water circulation passage 43 and is made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity, such as copper or aluminum. A conductive shell 62 made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity, such as copper or aluminum, for promoting the inflow of heat into the cooling water circulation passage 43 may be provided around the cooling water circulation passage 43.

  Further, in the lighting device 42, a first heat insulating material 63 disposed on the upper side of the printed circuit board 60 and surrounding (covers) an upper part and an intermediate part of the cooling water circulation passage 43, and a second heat insulating material disposed on the lower side of the printed circuit board 60. A material 64 is provided. A part (peripheral part) of the lower surface of the light emitting diode 41 is in contact with the upper surface of the second heat insulating material 64.

  The second heat insulating material 64 is formed with a tapered hole 65 that expands downward in order to irradiate light emitted from the light emitting diode 41 downward. In order to prevent or suppress light absorption by the second heat insulating material 64, a reflective material 66 made of, for example, aluminum foil is attached to the frustoconical inner peripheral surface of the hole 65. A cover 67 made of a transparent material is attached to the lower surface of the second heat insulating material 64.

  Furthermore, the heat from the space between the first heat insulating member 63 and the second heat insulating material 64 to the heat insulating materials 63 and 64 is respectively formed on the lower surface of the first heat insulating member 63 and the upper surface of the second heat insulating material 64. In order to prevent or suppress the movement of the light, that is, in order to enhance the heat insulating effect, a reflective material 68 made of, for example, an aluminum foil is attached. That is, the reflective material 68 on the lower surface of the first heat insulating material 63 reflects the infrared rays or heat in the space between the printed board 60 and the first heat insulating material 63 downward, and the heat is transferred to the first heat insulating material 63. Is prevented or suppressed. Further, the reflective material 68 on the upper surface of the second heat insulating material 64 reflects the infrared rays or heat in the space between the printed circuit board 60 and the second heat insulating material 64 upward, and the heat is transferred to the second heat insulating material 64. Is prevented or suppressed.

  Each member and the cooling water circulation passage 43 constituting the lighting device 42 are accommodated in a frame 44. The frame 44 (cover frame) is an elongated box-shaped or cylindrical integrated member whose lower side is open, and its internal space is divided into an upper space portion 71, an intermediate space portion 72, and a lower space portion 73. It has been. The upper space 71 accommodates the cooling water circulation passage 43 and the first heat insulating material 63, the intermediate space 72 accommodates the printed circuit board 60, and the lower space 73 defines the second heat insulating material 64 and the cover. 67 is housed. The heat transfer member 61 is disposed across the upper space portion 71 and the intermediate space portion 72, and the light emitting diode 41 is disposed at the boundary between the intermediate space portion 72 and the lower space portion 73.

  The wavelength of the light emitted from the light emitting diode 41 is preferably set according to the type of plant for cultivation. For example, when growing a vegetable seedling, light having a wavelength of 400 to 660 nm is used. The intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting diode 41 can be changed in a wide range by changing the voltage applied thereto. In addition, the seedling growing device 3 or the room lighting system is provided with a light emission controller (not shown) for controlling the light emitting mode of each light emitting diode 41, that is, the mode of light irradiated to each growing seedling 11a. The seedling growing device 3 periodically changes (swings) the posture or direction of each light-emitting diode 41, that is, the direction in which light is emitted, and also moves a light-emitting diode (not shown) that changes the position of each light-emitting diode 41. May be provided.

  The light emission controller periodically switches between turning on and off the light emitting diodes 41 periodically, switching on and off the light emitting diodes 41, light emission intensity when the light emitting diodes 41 are turned on, and light emission in each switching cycle. The ratio of the lighting time of the diode 41, that is, the ratio of the lighting time and the lighting time is controlled (for example, lighting for 0.2 seconds and lighting for 0.2 seconds are repeated). Thus, since the light emitting diode 41 is not lit constantly but is lit intermittently, the power consumption of the lighting device 42 can be reduced. According to the knowledge of the inventor of the present application, it is considered that there is no particular problem in the growth of the nurturing seedling 11a even if the ratio of the lighting time in one period (cycle) is about 40 to 50%.

  The light emission controller controls the blinking or light quantity of the light emitting diode 41 so as to artificially create a daytime state and a nighttime state. Note that the blinking mode or light amount of the light emitting diode 41 in the daytime or nighttime state may be controlled or switched based on the type of the seedling 11a or its physiological characteristics.

  In addition, when providing a light emitting diode movable mechanism, the direction which radiates | emits the light of each light emitting diode 41 is periodically changed in a predetermined angle range (for example, 30 degrees-45 degrees back and forth or right and left with respect to a perpendicular). Is preferred. In this way, even when the arrangement interval of the light emitting diodes 41 is increased, the grown seedlings 11a can be irradiated with light uniformly (evenly), and the growth rate of the grown seedlings 11a can be made uniform. . In this case, it is preferable that the light-emitting diode moving mechanism can freely change the position of the light-emitting diode 41 in the vertical direction or the front-back and left-right directions. If it does in this way, the irradiation mode of the light with respect to the raising seedling 11a can be preferably adjusted according to the kind thru | or the physiological characteristic, etc. of the raising seedling 11a.

  According to the indoor lighting system or the lighting device 42 according to the present invention, the cooling water circulation passage 43 contacts the upper surface of the printed circuit board 60, while the light emitting diode 41 contacts the lower surface of the printed circuit board 60, and is made of a material having high thermal conductivity. Since the heat transfer member 61 in contact with the cooling water circulation passage 43 and the light emitting diode 41 is provided, and the reflection material 68 is further provided, the heat generated in the light emitting diode 41 is quickly and effectively cooled in the cooling water circulation passage. Transmitted to water. For this reason, the temperature rise of the light emitting diode 41 thru | or the illuminating device 42 can be prevented or suppressed effectively.

  The grafted seedlings carried out from the grafting device 4 are placed on the tray 36 in a predetermined arrangement (for example, a grid pattern of 20 vertical rows and 10 horizontal rows). A plurality (for example, eight) of trays 36 each carrying a plurality of grafted seedlings are loaded on the curing cart 8. In addition, since the structure and operation | movement of the trolley | bogie 8 for curing are the same as that of the trolley | bogie 16 for raising seedlings, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. Thereafter, the curing cart 8 is moved by the operator and accommodated in the curing room 9.

  Since the configuration and operation of the curing room 9 are basically the same as those of the nursery room 7, detailed description thereof is omitted. The grafted seedlings cured in the curing room 9 are taken out from the curing room 9 when they can be transplanted to cultivated soil such as fields. The grafted seedlings taken out from the curing room 9 are shipped or transplanted to cultivated soil.

  Thus, according to the embodiment of the present invention, an increase in the temperature of the light emitting diode 41 or the lighting device 42 can be effectively prevented or suppressed in a manner that contributes to appropriate control of the temperature of the air in the nursery room. .

[Second Embodiment]
The configuration of the seedling growing device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The seedling growing device 100 includes a tray 102 as a placement unit on which a plurality of seedlings 104 are placed, and an illumination device 110 that irradiates the seedling 104 with light. The seedling 104 grows so as to extend upward. That is, the height of the seedling 104 in the vertical direction increases with growth.

  The illumination device 110 includes a plurality of LED lamps 112. The LED lamp 112 is a water-cooled type. For cooling the LED lamp 112, a part of the water circulated for supplying the seedling 104 from the water supply machine may be used. The LED lamp 112 is attached to the support 118.

  The seedling growing device 100 is a moving means for moving the LED lamp 112 according to the height of the seedling 104 detected by a sensor 140, which will be described later. And a left-right moving device 130 for moving 112 in the horizontal direction.

  The vertical movement device 120 moves the LED lamp 112 together with the support 118 by moving the support 118 in the vertical direction by an actuator such as a motor. The left-right moving device 130 moves the LED lamp 112 together with the support 118 by moving the support 118 in the lateral direction by an actuator such as a motor. The motors of the vertical movement device 120 and the horizontal movement device 130 are connected to the support body 118 via, for example, a ball screw.

  The seedling growing device 100 further includes a sensor 140 as a detection unit that detects the height of the seedling 104 in the vertical direction, that is, the growth of the seedling 104. As the sensor 140, for example, an optical sensor such as a laser sensor or a photoelectric sensor is used. Thereby, the sensor 140 can detect the height of the upper end of the seedling 104.

  The sensor 140 includes a light projecting unit 142 that emits light and a light receiving unit 144 that receives the light emitted from the light projecting unit 142. When the light emitted from the light projecting unit 142 is blocked by the seedling 104, the light receiving unit 144 does not receive the light.

  The light projecting unit 142 and the light receiving unit 144 are attached to the support 118. As described above, the sensor 140 is integrated with the LED lamp 112 via the support body 118, so that the sensor 140 can move integrally with the LED lamp 112.

  As illustrated in FIG. 16, each operation of the illumination device 110, the vertical movement device 120, and the left / right movement device 130 of the seedling growing device 100 is controlled by the control device 200. The control device 200 is configured with, for example, a microprocessor as a main part.

  The control device 200 receives a signal from the sensor 140 described above. Based on the input signal from the sensor 140, the control device 200 sends control signals to the LED lamp 112 of the illumination device 110, the actuator such as the motor of the vertical movement device 120, and the actuator such as the motor of the left and right movement device 130, Thereby, these operations are controlled.

  According to the second embodiment, the vertical movement device 120 moves the LED lamp 112 in the vertical direction as the seedling 104 grows, so that the seedling 104 is always irradiated with light from the optimum height. Can do. In addition, the LED lamp 112 is moved by the left and right moving device 130, so that the seedlings 104 arranged side by side on the tray 102 can be irradiated with uniform light. Therefore, efficient and uniform illumination is possible, and the growth of the seedling 104 can be made uniform and promoted.

  In addition, in 2nd Embodiment, the various structure demonstrated in 1st Embodiment can be employ | adopted suitably as another structure of the seedling growing apparatus 100. FIG. In the second embodiment, the present invention has been described with reference to an example of a seedling growing apparatus that grows plant seedlings. However, the present invention is applicable to a plant growing apparatus that grows plants other than seedlings.

  1 seedling production device, 2 seeding device, 3 seedling growing device, 4 grafting device, 5 curing device, 6 dolly, 7 nursery room, 8 dolly, 9 curing room, 10 pot, 11 seed-containing cultivation medium, 11a cultivation seedling, 12 Conveying device, 13 Support stand caster, 14 Support stand, 15 Seed storage tank, 16 Seed supply machine, 17 Soil supply machine, 18 Water supply machine, 19 Position sensor, 20 Seeds, 21 Seed take-out mechanism, 22 Seed distribution mechanism, 23 Seed moving path, 24 shaft, 25 rotating member, 26 gripping member, 27 gripping member advancing / retreating cam, 28 seed gripper, 29 seed gripper opening / closing cam, 30 cam contact portion, 33 truck main body, 34 truck caster, 35 tray Holding member, 36 trays, 37 Irrigation member, 38 Drainage member, 39 Housing, 40 Support member, 41 Light emitting diode, 42 Lighting device, 43 Cooling water circulation passage, 44 frame (cover frame), 45 heat exchanger, 46 cooling water passage, 47 air passage, 48 outside air introduction passage, 49 air discharge passage, 50 inside air introduction passage, 51 air inflow passage, 53 first opening / closing Valve, 54 second open / close valve, 55 third open / close valve, 56 fourth open / close valve, 58 controller, 60 printed circuit board, 61 heat transfer member, 62 conductive shell, 63 first heat insulating material, 64 second heat insulating material, 65 Tapered hole, 66 reflector, 67 cover, 68 reflector, 71 upper space, 72 intermediate space, 73 lower space, 100 seedling growing device (plant growing device), 102 tray (mounting portion) 104 seedlings (plants), 110 illumination devices, 112 LED lamps (irradiation means), 116 supports, 120 vertical movement devices, 130 left and right movement devices, 140 sensors ( Out means), 200 control device.

Claims (5)

A placement section on which a plant capable of growing so as to extend upward is placed;
Irradiation means for irradiating the plant with light;
Detecting means for detecting the vertical height of the plant;
And a moving means for moving the irradiating means according to the height detected by the detecting means.   The plant growing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided so as to be movable integrally with the irradiation unit.   The plant according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit includes a vertical moving device that moves the irradiating unit in a vertical direction, and a left-right moving device that moves the irradiating unit in a horizontal direction. Training device.   The plant irradiation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the irradiation means is a water-cooled LED.   The plant growing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detecting means is an optical sensor having a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit.

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