JP2019024452A - Plant cultivation device and plant cultivation method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a plant cultivation device and a plant cultivation method that can increase yield.SOLUTION: The plant cultivation device has a building structure 300 that can take in sunlight, upper water-culture means 1 that is disposed in the building structure 300 and cultures plants with water, and lower water-culture means 50 that is disposed under the upper water-culture means 1 and comprises one or multiple stages. The lower water-culture means 50 has a cylindrical space 60, and has a luminaire 82 for illuminating the inside of the cylindrical space 60, and plants are grown in the cylindrical space 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a plant cultivation apparatus and a plant cultivation method for growing plants such as agricultural crops.

There are open field cultivation and house cultivation as methods for cultivating crops. House cultivation is a method of cultivating crops in a building such as a greenhouse or greenhouse.
There is also known a plant cultivation apparatus that continuously cultivates agricultural crops in a building. A plant cultivation apparatus is used for the cultivation form commonly called a crop factory or a plant factory. That is, the plant cultivation apparatus is an apparatus that grows a plant while providing appropriate sunshine to the plant using artificial lighting, and maintaining a temperature and humidity suitable for growth in the building and the room.
According to the plant cultivation device, crops and the like can be made in an environment in which sunlight, temperature, moisture, fertilizer concentration and the like are appropriately controlled, so that the period required for harvesting is shorter than in open field cultivation.
Many plant cultivation devices grow plants by hydroponics, and are cleaner than open field cultivation. Furthermore, since plants are cultivated indoors, pests are not attached, and edible plants can be cultivated without pesticides. Therefore, the plant cultivation apparatus is suitable for cultivating vegetables to eat without skinning lettuce or the like.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-60529 JP 2001-78577 A

In the house cultivation described above, a method using soil as a medium is common. Here, the present inventors considered performing hydroponics by house cultivation. That is, it was considered that hydroponic cultivation was performed in a building such as a greenhouse.
As a method of hydroponics, for example, a plant holder in which seedlings are fixed is placed in a culture tank filled with a culture solution, and seedling roots are immersed in the culture tank to grow seedlings.
For example, when hydroponics is performed in a greenhouse, a culture tank is installed in the greenhouse and the seedlings on the attached plant holder are exposed to sunlight to grow.
Here, the culture tank was installed at a predetermined height so that the operator can easily work. For example, a culture tank was provided on the gantry, or legs were provided on the culture tank so that the culture tank was separated from the ground, and a certain height was secured so that the work was easy.

The inventors of the present invention further studied a method for increasing the yield.
This invention is invented after this examination, and makes it a subject to provide the plant cultivation apparatus and plant cultivation method which can increase a yield.

  An aspect for solving the above-described problems includes a building capable of taking sunlight, an upper hydroponics unit disposed in the building and hydroponically cultivating a plant, and an upper hydroponic unit. The lower hydroponics means has a cylindrical space, and has a lighting device that illuminates the inside of the cylindrical space, and the plant is placed in the cylindrical space. A plant cultivation apparatus characterized by growing.

  Another aspect for solving the same problem is a plant cultivation apparatus installed in a building capable of taking in sunlight, hydroponically cultivating a plant, and a liquid level of a culture solution The upper hydroponic cultivation means installed at a height of 160 cm or less, and a single or multi-stage lower hydroponic cultivation means arranged under the upper hydroponic cultivation means, the lower hydroponic cultivation means is cylindrical It has a lighting device that has a space and illuminates the inside of the cylindrical space, and is characterized by growing plants in the cylindrical space.

In the plant cultivation device according to the above-described two aspects, hydroponics means are provided at the top and bottom. A building provided with hydroponic cultivation means is, for example, a plastic house and can take in sunlight. In the plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention, since the upper hydroponic cultivation means is irradiated with sunlight, crops and the like can be harvested in the same manner as in normal hydroponic cultivation.
On the other hand, the lower hydroponic cultivation means is behind the upper hydroponic cultivation means and is not sufficiently irradiated with sunlight, but the lower hydroponic cultivation means has a cylindrical space and has a cylindrical space inside. An illuminating device is provided. Therefore, crops and the like can be grown and harvested in the cylindrical space.

  The lower hydroponic cultivation means preferably has a plurality of cylindrical members connected to form the cylindrical space.

  In the plant cultivation apparatus of this aspect, a plurality of tubular members are connected to form the tubular space. Therefore, construction work is easy.

  In each aspect described above, the lower hydroponic cultivation means has a plurality of nutrient solution tanks in which plant seedlings or seeds are planted, and a conveying means for sequentially moving the nutrient solution tanks from the upstream side toward the downstream side. A case in which a nutrient solution tank is moved downstream by a conveying means while growing a plant on the solution tank, and has a plurality of seedling units, and the seedling unit is open at both ends and can cover the peripheral surface. A plurality of seedling unit cases are connected to form the cylindrical space, the nutrient solution tank is placed in a series of cylindrical spaces formed by the case, and the nutrient solution tank is transported Therefore, it is desirable to move across the case to the downstream side.

The plant cultivation apparatus of this aspect is comprised by several seedling raising units, and the cylindrical space used as cultivation space is formed by connecting the seedling raising units. Further, the nutrient solution tank moves downstream across the case by the conveying means.
Here, each seedling unit can be manufactured at a manufacturing plant.
In this aspect, it is assumed that each seedling unit is manufactured at a manufacturing factory. Then, the seedling units produced at the manufacturing factory are brought into the construction site and connected to complete the plant cultivation apparatus.
According to this aspect, the work at the construction site is greatly reduced. Therefore, the plant cultivation apparatus of this aspect is easy to install.
If the nursery unit is removed and repairs are made, the repair work will not be significant.
Furthermore, the total length of the apparatus and the growing period can be changed by changing the number of the growing seedling units.
Furthermore, since environmental adjustment is sufficient only in a series of cylindrical spaces, the space to be adjusted is small, and less energy is required for environmental adjustment.
The plant cultivation apparatus of this aspect is easy also for extermination when a pest invades. That is, according to this aspect, since the space to be controlled is small and adult insects, larvae, eggs and the like are difficult to hide, the control when the insects enter is easy.

  In each of the above embodiments, it is desirable to have air conditioning means for adjusting the environment in the cylindrical space.

  In each aspect described above, the upper hydroponics means has one or a plurality of upper nutrient solution tanks, and cultivates plant roots by immersing plant roots in the culture solution in the upper nutrient solution tank. The means has one or a plurality of lower nutrient solution tanks and grows by immersing plant roots in the culture solution in the lower nutrient solution tank, and the culture solution in the upper nutrient solution tank is used as the lower nutrient solution tank. It is desirable to supply.

  According to this aspect, the culture solution can be easily supplied to the lower nutrient solution tank.

  In each aspect described above, the upper hydroponic cultivation means has one or a plurality of upper nutrient solution tanks and a plant holder, and a plant root is attached to the culture solution in the upper nutrient tank by attaching the plant to the plant holder. The lower hydroponic cultivation means has one or a plurality of lower nutrient solution tanks and a plant holder, and the plant is attached to the plant holder and used as a culture solution in the lower nutrient tank. The plant holder used in the upper nutrient solution tank can be used in the lower nutrient solution tank, and the plant holder used in the lower nutrient solution tank can also be used in the upper nutrient solution tank. It is desirable to be possible.

  According to this aspect, parts can be shared. Moreover, the plant holder provided with seedlings grown to some extent between the upper hydroponic cultivation means and the lower hydroponic cultivation means can be replaced.

  It is recommended to cultivate plants using the plant cultivation apparatus described above.

  It is also recommended to use the plant cultivation apparatus described above to grow seedlings with the lower hydroponic cultivation means and to grow the seedlings grown with the lower hydroponic cultivation means with the upper hydroponic cultivation means.

Seedlings are vulnerable to environmental changes. On the other hand, the lower hydroponic cultivation means grows seedlings in a cylindrical space, and is therefore suitable for growing young seedlings with little environmental change.
Since the seedling that has grown to some extent is strong, it is grown by sunlight using the upper hydroponics means of the plant cultivation device.

  According to the plant cultivation apparatus and the plant cultivation method of the present invention, an increase in yield can be expected.

It is sectional drawing of the plant cultivation apparatus (whole apparatus) of embodiment of this invention. It is a section perspective view of the plant cultivation device (internal cultivation device) of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view in the state where the upper hydroponics cultivation means of a plant cultivation device (internal cultivation device) was put on a support frame. It is a disassembled perspective view of the upper hydroponics means of FIG. It is a perspective view of the upper hydroponics means of FIG. (A) is a perspective view of the lower hydroponic cultivation means of FIG. 2, (b) is a perspective view which shows the state which isolate | separated the lower hydroponic cultivation means for every unit. It is front sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the raising seedling unit which comprises a lower hydroponic cultivation means. It is the perspective view which observed the internal structure of the seedling raising unit of FIG. 7 from the edge part side. It is a perspective view which observes the seedling raising unit of FIG. 7 through the upper side, and shows an internal structure. It is a disassembled perspective view of the cultivation tray employ | adopted by a lower hydroponic cultivation means. (A) thru | or (d) are explanatory drawings which show the operation | movement at the time of moving a cultivation tray by the conveyance means incorporated in the seedling raising unit of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the plant cultivation apparatus (whole apparatus) of other embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the plant cultivation apparatus (internal cultivation apparatus) employ | adopted by other embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be further described below.
One embodiment of the present invention is a plant cultivation apparatus in which a building 300 as shown in FIG. 1 and an internal cultivation apparatus are combined. Another embodiment of the present invention is a plant cultivation apparatus installed in a building 300 as shown in FIGS.
In order to distinguish between the two, the building 300 is a component, the plant cultivation device in which the building 300 and the inside cultivation device are combined is referred to as an overall device 200, and the plant cultivation device installed in the building 300 is the interior. It shall be called the cultivation apparatus 100.

The overall apparatus (plant cultivation apparatus) 200 of this embodiment is one in which an internal cultivation apparatus (plant cultivation apparatus) 100 is installed in a building 300 as shown in FIG.
Specifically, the building 300 is, for example, a greenhouse, which transmits sunlight and can incorporate sunlight.

In this embodiment, two internal cultivation devices (plant cultivation devices) 100 having the same structure are installed in parallel in the building 300.
Moreover, the internal cultivation apparatus 100 is provided with hydroponic cultivation means 1 and 50 having different structures as shown in FIG.
That is, the internal cultivation apparatus 100 includes an upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 for hydroponically cultivating a plant and a lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 disposed directly below the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 described above.

The upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 does not have a cover on the upper part, and sunlight incident from the outside directly hits a plant to perform photosynthesis.
The lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 is under the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 and therefore does not receive sunlight, but includes a lighting device 82 as shown in FIG. 7 and grows plants by the light emitted by the lighting device 82. .
The lower hydroponics means 50 has a cylindrical space 60, air-conditions the cylindrical space 60, and performs hydroponics therein. In the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50, there is an illumination device 82 in the cylindrical space 60, and a plant is grown by the light of illumination.
This will be described below.

  The internal cultivation apparatus 100 of this embodiment has a support frame 20, and the upper nutrient solution tank 3 that constitutes the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 is installed on the support frame 20. The lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 is supported at a midway height of the support frame 20.

The upper hydroponics means 1 is supported on the upper surface of the support frame 20 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 itself includes a groove-shaped upper nutrient solution tank 3 and a plant holder 30 as shown in FIGS.
The upper nutrient solution tank 3 is filled with the culture solution, the liquid level of the nutrient solution tank is in the cylindrical space 60, and a plurality of plant holders 30 are floated as shown in FIG.
The height of the upper nutrient solution tank 3 is a height at which an operator can directly touch the plant as shown in FIG. 1, and the minimum height (back plate) H of the upper nutrient solution tank 3 is 150 cm or less. The height of the culture medium is preferably 160 cm or less.
Further, the minimum height (back plate) H of the upper nutrient solution tank 3 is 140 cm or less, and the height of the liquid level of the culture solution is more preferably 150 cm or less.

The upper nutrient solution tank 3 is a grooved water tank as described above, and the bottom 13, the long side surfaces 10a and 10b, and the short side surfaces 11a and 11b are covered with walls, and the upper surface is open. .
The upper nutrient tank 3 is elongated and shallow. The inner surface of the upper nutrient solution tank 3 is waterproofed so that water (culture solution) can be stored therein.

A drain outlet 8 is provided in the vicinity of one end of the upper nutrient solution tank 3 in the longitudinal direction. A culture solution supply port 35 is provided in the vicinity of the other end in the longitudinal direction of the upper nutrient solution tank 3.
The drainage port 8 is the overflow pipe 7, and the opening (drainage port 8) is at a certain height from the bottom 13 of the upper nutrient solution tank 3.
The overflow pipe 7 is a pipe that vertically penetrates the bottom 13 of the upper nutrient solution tank 3, and the drainage port 8 on the tip side is at a position rising from the bottom 13 of the upper nutrient solution tank 3. The drainage port 8 of the overflow pipe 7 has a function of discharging excess culture solution and keeps the liquid level of the upper nutrient solution tank 3 constant.

The plant holder 30 is a plate made of a material having a light specific gravity, and is provided with a plurality of openings 31. A plant seedling is held in the opening 31. The plant holder 30 has strong buoyancy, and not only floats in water alone, but also does not sink even in a state of holding a plant.
The plant holder 30 is floated on the culture solution in the upper nutrient tank 3 with the plant held in the opening 31.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of plant holders 30 are floated on the upper nutrient solution tank 3, and the plant holders 30 are advanced in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5 by an external force. That is, the plant holder 30 is laid so as to cover the water surface of the upper nutrient solution tank 3, and the plant holder 30 is floated on the water surface of the upper nutrient solution tank 3. Therefore, when the plant holder 30 on the upper nutrient solution tank 3 is pushed by human power, the plant holder 30 moves easily. That is, the plant holder 30 floats on the water surface of the upper nutrient tank 3 like a ridge, and when the plant holder 30 on the upstream side is pushed, the plant holder 30 flows downstream. Moreover, the plant holder 30 that has flowed downstream pushes the adjacent plant holder 30, and the plant holder 30 also flows downstream. As a result, all the plant holders 30 floating in the upper nutrient solution tank 3 flow downstream.

In the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 of this embodiment, the culture solution is filled in the upper nutrient solution tank 3 as described above. The plant seedling is held in the opening 31 of the plant holder 30 and floated on the upstream side of the upper nutrient solution tank 3. As a result, the roots of the plant are immersed in the culture solution in the upper nutrient solution tank 3, and moisture and nutrients are absorbed by the plants on the plant holder 30.
The upper hydroponics means 1 does not cover the upper part, and the sunlight that has entered the building 300 hits the plant directly held by the plant holder 30, and the plant grows.

Then, the plant holder 30 is taken out at the end of the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 and the grown plant is harvested, or the plant holder 30 is brought into the other upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 again to grow the seedling larger. .
That is, a plant holder 30 in which a seedling is planted is inserted at the beginning of the upper hydroponics means 1, sunlight is applied to the leaf of the seedling, and the culture solution in the upper nutrient tank 3 is absorbed from the root of the seedling to seed the seedling. raise. And the plant holder 30 which floats in the upper nutrient solution tank 3 is pushed, it is made to flow downstream, and it moves slowly. When the plant holder 30 passes through the end of one upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 or passes through a plurality of upper hydroponic cultivation means 1, the seedlings are grown to the extent that they are used for food. The plant holder 30 is harvested and shipped.

Next, the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 will be described.
The lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 is located immediately below the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is disposed along the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1.
That is, the lower hydroponics means 50 is in the middle position of the support frame 20 described above.
The lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 is constructed by connecting a plurality of seedling units 52 in series as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. In FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, the total length of each seedling unit 52 is shown to be shorter than the actual length because of plotting. The actual seedling unit 52 has a longer overall length.

The seedling raising unit 52 has a case 53 that is open at both ends and can cover the peripheral surface.
As shown in FIG. 7, the case 53 is a cylindrical member having an arc-shaped roof portion 6, a bottom surface portion 12, and vertical wall-shaped side portions 57 and 58 that connect them.
The case 53 has a length of about 3 m. The width of the case 53 is about 1 m. Both ends of the case 53 are open. One opening in the longitudinal direction is referred to as an introduction opening 56, and the other is referred to as a discharge side opening 51.
The roof portion 6 of the case 53 is made of a material that is not easily rusted and has excellent thermal conductivity, such as stainless steel.
It is also possible to provide a pipe 36 at the peak portion of the roof part 6 and discharge the water from the pipe 36 to cool the roof part 6.

In the case 53, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a tray mounting base 61, a linear moving member 62, a lighting device 82, a water supply / drainage facility 63, and a ventilation air stirring means 76 are provided.
Further, the seedling raising unit 52 has a ventilation path forming member 65 built in the case 53.
In the present embodiment, a reflection plate (not shown) is attached to the inner surface of the roof portion 6.

In this embodiment, the tray installation base 61 and the linear moving member 62 constitute a conveying means 70 that sequentially moves the lower nutrient solution tank 40 of the cultivation tray 38 from the upstream side toward the downstream side.
The tray installation base 61 can slide the cultivation tray 38 in a state where the cultivation tray 38 is placed.
In the present embodiment, a large number of rollers 66 are provided on the placement portion 14 of the tray installation base 61. The mounting portion 14 is provided with a fixed-side engagement protrusion 67. The fixed side engaging protrusion 67 is entirely made of spring steel. One end of the fixed side engaging protrusion 67 is fixed to the mounting portion 14 of the tray mounting table 61 and the other end protrudes outward from the mounting portion 14. The fixed engagement protrusion 67 is inclined with the other end protruding from the mounting portion 14 of the tray mounting table 61. The fixed engagement protrusion 67 sinks into the mounting portion 14 when receiving an external force in the vertical direction, and the other end protrudes outward from the mounting portion 14 again when the external force disappears.

The linear moving member 62 is a rectangular bar-like long body. The linear moving members 62 are arranged in two rows. It can be said that the linear moving member 62 is a long pressing member.
The linear moving member 62 is provided with a moving side engaging protrusion 68. The moving side engaging protrusion 68 has the same structure and function as the fixed side engaging protrusion 67 described above.

The water supply / drainage facility 63 is configured by a supply side pipe 47 for supplying the culture solution to the cultivation tray 38 and a collection side pipe 32 for collecting the culture solution overflowed from the cultivation tray.
The supply side pipe 47 is constituted by a single main pipe 33 and a plurality of branch pipes 37 branched from the main pipe 33.
The collection side pipe 32 has a culture medium collection basket 46.

Ventilation air agitation means 76 is provided on the bottom surface portion 12 of the cylindrical space 60. The ventilation air stirring means 76 is a kind of fan, and is constituted by a motor 77 and an impeller 78 (rotary blade). The impeller 78 is fixed to the output shaft of the motor 77, and the impeller 78 rotates as the motor 77 rotates.
In this embodiment, the motor 77 of the ventilation air agitating means 76 is installed outside the cylindrical space 60, and the impeller 78 is in the cylindrical space 60 and in the vicinity of the bottom surface portion 12.
Accordingly, the impeller 78 rotates in the vicinity of the bottom surface portion 12 by rotating the motor 77.
In the present embodiment, a plurality of ventilation air agitation means 76 are provided at regular intervals as shown in FIG.

  Further, an air guide path forming member 83 is installed on the bottom surface portion 12 of the cylindrical space 60 as shown in FIG. The air guide path forming member 83 is a wall having a low height.

In the seedling raising unit 52 employed in the present embodiment, the air passage forming member 65 is built in the case 53. The air passage forming member 65 includes a main pipe 80 made of resin, a large number of openings provided around the main pipe 80, and a small blower (not shown) built in the main pipe 80.
The seedling unit 52 is connected linearly, and the adjacent main pipe 80 is also connected at that time. Accordingly, the main pipe 80 of the air passage forming member 65 communicates with the cylindrical space 60 of the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50.
The main pipe 80 is connected to an air conditioner (not shown), and air whose temperature and humidity are adjusted is supplied into the cylindrical space 60 from the opening 84, and the inside of the cylindrical space 60 is an environment suitable for plant growth. Maintained.

Next, the cultivation tray 38 will be described. The cultivation tray 38 is made of a metal such as stainless steel or a resin, and includes a lower nutrient solution tank 40 having a square plan view as shown in FIG.
The lower nutrient solution tank 40 is a tray that is small in size and does not leak water and has an open upper surface. In the present embodiment, the lower nutrient solution tank 40 is provided with overflow pipe portions 91a and 91b.

Next, the positional relationship of each member constituting the seedling raising unit 52 and the positional relationship of the cultivation tray 38 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, the tray mounting base 61 and the linear moving member 62 are disposed at the bottom position in the case 53. Further, as described above, the two rows of linearly moving members 62 are in the inner portion of the tray mounting base 61.

The main pipe 33 of the supply side piping 47 of the water supply / drainage facility 63 is in the vicinity of the upper end of the side surface portion 58.
Further, the branch pipe 37 of the water supply / drainage facility 63 is opened above the tray installation base 61.
In addition, the main pipe 33 of the water supply / drainage facility 63 is connected to the drainage port 8 of the upper nutrient solution tank 3 of the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 by a connecting pipe 71 as shown in FIGS. Therefore, the culture solution overflowing from the upper nutrient solution tank 3 of the upper hydroponics means 1 naturally falls through the connecting pipe 71 and is supplied to the supply side pipe 47.
The culture solution collection basket 46 of the water supply / drainage facility 63 is attached to a position near the side surface 58 and low in the height direction.

  The lower hydroponics means 50 is configured by connecting a plurality of seedling units 52 in series. The plurality of seedling units 52 have the same shape and structure, and the introduction opening 56 of the case 53 of the seedling unit 52 is connected to the discharge side opening 51 of the case 53 of one seedling unit 52.

Further, the linear moving members 62 in the adjacent cases 53 are connected to each other. As a result, the linear moving members 62 in the case 53 are connected, and the linear moving members 62 in the plurality of cases 53 are connected in series as shown in FIG.
Then, by starting a motor (not shown) installed outside, the linearly moving member 62 can travel in the longitudinal direction of the case 53 (direction in which both end openings are connected).
In the present embodiment, the linear moving member 62 in the case 53 moves linearly by a motor (not shown).

  In addition, the longitudinal end of the tray installation table 61 in one case 53 and the longitudinal end of the tray installation table 61 in the adjacent case 53 are close to each other, and the tray installation tables 61 in the plurality of cases 53 are located. The mounting portion 14 constitutes a series of tray running surfaces.

  As a result of the cases 53 of the plurality of seedling units 52 being connected, a series of cylindrical spaces 60 are formed therein. Some doors and lids are installed at both ends of the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50. Therefore, the cylindrical space 60 is almost a closed space, but the sealing degree of the cylindrical space is not so high.

  The cultivation tray 38 is placed on the tray installation table 61, and the branch pipe 37 of the water supply / drainage facility 63 is opened above the cultivation tray 38. Therefore, when the culture solution is discharged from the branch pipe 37, all of the discharged culture solution enters the cultivation tray 38.

Next, the function of the lower hydroponics means 50 will be described.
In the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50, the cultivation tray 38 is inserted from one end side (upstream end portion) of the series of cylindrical spaces 60. In the cultivation tray 38, seedlings of edible plants such as lettuce are planted in advance. In the present embodiment, four cultivation trays 38 are installed on the tray installation table 61 of one seedling raising unit 52.

The cultivation tray 38 is placed on the tray installation base 61 in the case 53 as shown in FIG.
Then, the culture solution is supplied to the cultivation tray 38 through the supply-side piping 47 of the water supply / drainage facility 63, and the overflowed culture solution is collected in the culture solution collection basket 46. Accordingly, the cultivation tray 38 is always filled with the culture solution.
The lighting device 82 supplies light required for seedling growth. In the present embodiment, since the reflective coating is applied to the inner surface of the case 53, the light hitting the inner wall of the case 53 is also reflected and hits the seedling.
Furthermore, the temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration in the cylindrical space 60 are adjusted by an air conditioner or the like (not shown).

  The cultivation tray 38 installed in the cylindrical space 60 is moved downstream by the conveying means 70 at regular intervals. For example, every 24 hours, the linear movement member 62 of the conveyance means 70 is operated, and the cultivation tray 38 is moved to the seedling raising unit 52 adjacent to the discharge side opening 51 side.

Next, the operation | movement at the time of moving the cultivation tray 38 is demonstrated, referring FIG.
The cultivation tray 38 is placed on the tray installation table 61 as described above, and can slide on the placement unit 14 of the tray installation table 61.
In addition, two rows of linear moving members 62 of the conveying means 70 are provided inside the placement unit 14 of the tray setting table 61, and the side portions of the cultivation tray 38 are covered on the linear moving members 62.
In this state, the linear moving member 62 is operated in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

Here, the moving side engaging protrusion 68 of the linear moving member 62 protrudes as shown in FIG. Further, the bottom of the cultivation tray 38 has an uneven shape as shown in FIG.
Therefore, when the moving-side engaging protrusion 68 of the linear moving member 62 is moved from the introduction opening 56 side to the discharge-side opening 51, the protruding end of the moving-side engaging protrusion 68 is a vertical wall portion ( Engaging with the engaging portion 45), the cultivation tray 38 is pushed and moved from the introduction opening 56 side to the discharge side opening 51 side as shown in FIG.
As a result, in each seedling unit 52, each cultivation tray 38 moves toward the downstream side. Then, the cultivation tray 38 positioned on the most downstream side of each seedling unit 52 enters the adjacent seedling unit 52.
That is, the cultivation tray 38 is transferred from the tray setting base 61 of the initial seedling unit 52 to the tray setting base 61 of the seedling unit 52 adjacent to the downstream side, and moves across the seedling unit 52. That is, in this embodiment, the linear movement members 62 in each case 53 are coupled, and the cultivation tray 38 moves downstream across the breeding unit 52 by operating all the linear movement members 62.
In the present embodiment, the cultivation tray 38 in each seedling unit 52 is sequentially sent to the previous seedling unit 52 by the linear moving member 62 of the conveying means 70. A new cultivation tray 38 is carried into the seedling raising unit 52 from the upstream side.

After that, as shown in FIG. 11C, the linear moving member 62 is moved in the reverse direction, and the moving side engagement protrusion 68 is moved from the discharge side opening 51 side to the introduction opening 56 side.
At that time, the moving-side engaging protrusion 68 of the linear moving member 62 collides with the bottom of the cultivation tray 38, but the moving-side engaging protrusion 68 is in the inclined posture and the cultivation tray 38 from below the inclination. Abut. Since the inclined surface of the moving side engaging protrusion 68 contacts the cultivation tray 38, the moving side engaging protrusion 68 is pushed downward by the vertical component of the inclination. Here, the moving-side engagement protrusion 68 is biased so as to protrude outward from the main body portion, but when it receives an external force in the vertical direction, it sinks into the main body of the linear movement member 62.
Therefore, like FIG.11 (c) (d), the movement side engaging protrusion 68 passes under the convex part of the cultivation tray 38, and the new cultivation tray 38 and the movement side engagement protrusion 68 are FIG. Return to the relationship (a).

In the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50, the cultivation tray 38 is sent from the start end to the end over about 10 to 30 days. Then, the cultivation tray 38 is taken out at the end, and the grown plants are harvested, or the cultivation tray 38 is again carried into the upper hydroponics means 1 and other lower hydroponic means 50 to grow seedlings larger.
That is, the cultivation tray 38 in which seedlings are planted is inserted into the seedling raising unit 52 located at the beginning of the lower hydroponics cultivation means 50, the lighting device 82 is turned on to shine light on the seedling leaves, and the cultivation tray from the roots of the seedlings Seedlings are grown by absorbing 38 cultures. And the conveyance means 70 is driven and the cultivation tray 38 is slowly moved in the cylindrical space 60. When the cultivation tray 38 reaches the end of one lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 or the plurality of lower hydroponic cultivation means 50, the seedlings are grown to be edible. , Harvested from the cultivation tray 38 and shipped.

According to the overall apparatus (plant cultivation apparatus) 200 of the present embodiment, the plant can be cultivated mainly using the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 by effectively utilizing sunlight, which is energy saving.
Moreover, the whole apparatus (plant cultivation apparatus) 200 and the internal cultivation apparatus (plant cultivation apparatus) 100 of this embodiment have the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 installed in the place where a sunlight ray is hard to hit, and use a space effectively. Since it can be cultivated, the yield is high.

The internal cultivation apparatus (plant cultivation apparatus) 100 of this embodiment has a structure in which the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 and the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 are vertically stacked as described above.
In the internal cultivation apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the circulation line for circulating the nutrient solution includes the upper hydroponics means 1 and the lower hydroponics means 50, and constitutes one circulation line.
Hereinafter, this point will be described.
In the internal cultivation apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the nutrient solution tank 73 is installed in the vicinity of the internal cultivation apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. A temperature adjusting means (not shown) is built in the nutrient solution tank 73, and the temperature of the culture solution is adjusted within a certain range. The nutrient solution tank 73 is connected to the culture solution supply port 35 of the upper nutrient solution tank 3 of the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 via a pump 75. Further, the drain port 8 of the upper nutrient solution tank 3 and the main pipe 33 of the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 are connected by a connecting pipe 71. Further, the culture solution recovery basket 46 is connected to the nutrient solution tank 73 via a recovery path (not shown).

  Therefore, the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank 73 is supplied to the culture solution supply port 35 of the upper nutrient solution tank 3 of the upper hydroponics means 1 by the pump 75, and the upper portion of the upper hydroponics means 1 from the culture solution supply port 35. It is supplied to the nutrient solution tank 3. The culture solution overflowing from the upper nutrient solution tank 3 naturally falls in the connection pipe 71 and flows into the main tube 33 of the lower hydroponics cultivation means 50 and is supplied to the lower nutrient solution tank 40 of the cultivation tray 38. Further, the culture solution overflowing from the lower nutrient solution tank 40 returns to the nutrient solution tank 73 via the culture solution collecting basket 46.

The lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 employed in this embodiment is provided with the ventilation air stirring means 76 on the bottom surface portion 12 of the cylindrical space 60 as described above. Hereinafter, the function of the air stirring means 76 for ventilation will be described.
In the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50, since a large number of LEDs and the like are turned on in the narrow cylindrical space 60, the temperature in the cylindrical space 60 tends to rise.
In the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 of the present embodiment, a ventilation air agitation means 76 is provided as a measure for suppressing the temperature rise in the cylindrical space 60. Further, as a measure for suppressing temperature variation in the cylindrical space 60, an air passage forming member 65 is provided.

The ventilation air agitation means 76 is located in the gap 86 between the bottom surface 87 of the cultivation tray 38 and the bottom surface portion 12 of the cylindrical space 60.
Here, in this embodiment, the culture solution in the cultivation tray 38 is cooled by the temperature adjusting means in the culture solution tank 73 and is kept at a constant temperature. At least the temperature of the culture solution is lower than the average temperature in the cylindrical space 60.

If the cultivation tray 38 is made of stainless steel, the cold heat of the cultivation tray 38 is easily conducted to the bottom surface 87 of the cultivation tray 38.
Even when the cultivation tray 38 is made of resin, the area of the bottom surface 87 of the cultivation tray 38 is extremely large.
Therefore, in the cylindrical space 60, between the bottom surface 87 of the cultivation tray 38 and the bottom surface portion 12 of the cylindrical space forming member 2, the contact area between the air and the cultivation tray 38 is wide, and in the gap 86 between both. The air is heat-exchanged with the culture solution in the cultivation tray 38, and the temperature decreases.

In the present embodiment, there is an impeller 78 of the ventilation air agitation means 76 between the bottom surface 87 of the cultivation tray 38 and the bottom surface portion 12 of the cylindrical space 60. Therefore, when the motor 77 of the ventilation air agitation means 76 is activated, the impeller 78 rotates under the cultivation tray 38, agitates the air in the gap 86, energizes it, and discharges it from the gap 86 to the outside.
Also, new air is introduced into the gap 86 from the outside.
In particular, in this embodiment, the air guide path forming member 83 is installed, and a series of air guide paths are formed by the air guide path forming member 83 in the gap 86.

Therefore, by starting the ventilation air stirring means 76, the air in the gap 86 is ventilated and always replaced. That is, the air heated by the LED or the like and heated up is forcibly narrowed between the bottom surface 87 of the cultivation tray 38 and the cylindrical space 60 by the action of the air stirring means 76 for ventilation and the air guide path forming member 83. The temperature of the air is lowered in contact with the bottom surface 87 of the low temperature cultivation tray 38.
The cooled air is forcibly discharged from the gap 86 by the action of the ventilation air stirring means 76 and the air guide path forming member 83, and goes around the upper surface of the cultivation tray 38. That is, cold air circulates through the seedling leaves.

Furthermore, there is an air passage forming member 65 at the upper part of the cultivation tray 38, and the air in the cylindrical space 60 is agitated by the air blown out from the air passage forming member 65, eliminating temperature variations in the upper space of the cultivation tray 38. Is done.
That is, the air passage forming member 65 is arranged in the axial direction of the cylindrical space 60, but a small blower (not shown) is incorporated in the middle portion.
The main pipe 80 is provided with a large number of openings 84. Therefore, when the small blower is started, air in the cylindrical space 60 is introduced into the main pipe 80 from the opening 84 on one side with the small blower as the center. It is discharged from the other opening 84. As a result, the air in the cylindrical space 60 is agitated.

  In the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 of the present embodiment, the high-temperature air on the upper side of the cultivation tray 38 is forcibly introduced to the bottom surface 87 side of the cultivation tray 38 by the ventilation air stirring means 76, and the culture solution and heat The low temperature air is returned to the upper side of the cultivation tray 38 after being exchanged and cooled. And in the upper part side of the cultivation tray 38, air is stirred by the ventilation path formation member 65, and the temperature variation around a seedling is eliminated. Therefore, the region where the seedling grows in the cylindrical space 60 is maintained at a constant temperature, and the seedling grows smoothly.

In the internal cultivation apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the same shape of the plant holder 30 is employed in both the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 and the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50. Therefore, the compatibility of parts is high.
Further, since the plant holder 30 can be used in either the upper hydroponics means 1 or the lower hydroponics means 50, a seedling is grown to some extent by one hydroponics means 1, 50, and the plant holder 30 is attached to the other hydroponic means 1. The seedlings may be further cultivated by placing them on the hydroponic cultivation means 1 and 50.

For example, edible plant seedlings such as lettuce are grown in the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50. Although young seedlings are vulnerable to environmental changes, the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 is air-conditioned, so the environmental changes are small, and the young seedlings grow smoothly.
And if a seedling grows to some extent, the plant holder 30 will be removed from the lower hydroponics means 50 with the seedling attached, and it will move to the upper nutrient solution tank 3 of the upper hydroponics means 1. In the upper hydroponics means 1, the seedling is grown to a size suitable for food by sunlight.

  Of course, the young seedlings may be grown by the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 and transferred to the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 when they have grown to some extent.

  The plant holder used in the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 and the plant holder used in the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 may be different in shape and material. In particular, the plant holder used in the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1 is desirably floating in the nutrient solution, but the plant holder used in the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 does not necessarily need to float.

  In the embodiment described above, only one lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 is installed under the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1, but a plurality of lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 may be provided as shown in FIG.

Moreover, in embodiment described above, the upper hydroponics cultivation means 1 has one large groove-shaped upper nutrient solution tank 3, and has the structure which floats the plant holder 30 on the upper nutrient solution tank 3, and advances it. The lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 has a lower nutrient solution tank 40 divided into a plurality of parts, and a plant holder 30 is installed in each lower nutrient solution tank 40 and moved together with the lower nutrient solution tank 40. is there.
However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Like the internal cultivation apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 13, the lower hydroponic cultivation means 111 also includes the groove-shaped upper nutrient solution tank 3, and the upper nutrient solution. You may employ | adopt the structure which floats the plant holder 30 on the tank 3, and advances it.
Moreover, you may have the lower nutrient solution tank 40 by which the upper hydroponics means was divided | segmented into plurality.
Further, the plant may be grown without moving the plant holder 30.

  The cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical space 60 is not limited, and may be rectangular or circular.

  In the above-described embodiment, the culture solution overflowing from the upper nutrient solution tank 3 is naturally dropped in the connecting pipe 71 and supplied to the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50. According to this configuration, the number of pumps and the like can be reduced, which is recommended. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the culture solution in the upper nutrient solution tank 3 may be pumped out and supplied to the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50. Alternatively, the culture solution may be supplied directly from the nutrient solution tank 73 to the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 using a pump. A culture medium may be supplied to the lower hydroponic cultivation means 50 by branching a pipe from the nutrient solution tank 73 to the upper hydroponic cultivation means 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper hydroponic cultivation means 3 Upper nutrient solution tank 8 Drain outlet 30 Plant holder 38 Cultivation tray 40 Lower nutrient solution tank 50,111 Lower hydroponic cultivation means 52 Raising seedling unit 53 Case 60 Cylindrical space 70 Conveying means 71 Connecting pipe 82 Lighting device 100, 110 Internal cultivation device (plant cultivation device)
200 Overall equipment (plant cultivation equipment)
300 buildings

Claims (9)

A structure capable of taking in sunlight, an upper hydroponics unit disposed in the building and hydroponically cultivating a plant, and a single or multi-stage lower hydroponic disposed under the upper hydroponic unit Has cultivation means,
The lower hydroponics means has a cylindrical space, has a lighting device that illuminates the inside of the cylindrical space, and grows plants in the cylindrical space. A plant cultivation device installed in a building that can take in sunlight,
Hydroponic cultivation of plants, the upper hydroponic cultivation means installed at a liquid level of 160 cm or less, and one-stage or multi-stage lower water arranged under the upper hydroponic cultivation means Having cultivation cultivation means,
The lower hydroponics means has a cylindrical space, has a lighting device that illuminates the inside of the cylindrical space, and grows plants in the cylindrical space.   The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower hydroponic cultivation means includes a plurality of tubular members connected to form the tubular space. The lower hydroponic cultivation means has a plurality of nutrient solution tanks in which plant seedlings or seeds are planted, and a conveying means for sequentially moving the nutrient solution tanks from the upstream side toward the downstream side. The nutrient solution tank is moved downstream by the conveying means while growing,
Having a plurality of seedling units, the seedling unit has a case where both ends are open and the peripheral surface can be covered;
A plurality of seedling unit cases are connected to form the cylindrical space,
4. The nutrient solution tank is placed in a series of cylindrical spaces formed by the case, and the nutrient solution tank is moved downstream across the case by a conveying means. The plant cultivation apparatus of crab.   The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an air-conditioning unit that adjusts an environment in the cylindrical space. The upper hydroponic cultivation means has one or a plurality of upper nutrient solution tanks, and is cultivated by immersing plant roots in the culture solution in the upper nutrient solution tank,
The lower hydroponic cultivation means has one or a plurality of lower nutrient solution tanks, and cultivates plant roots by immersing the roots in the culture solution in the lower nutrient solution tanks,
The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the culture solution in the upper nutrient solution tank is supplied to the lower nutrient solution vessel. The upper hydroponic cultivation means has one or a plurality of upper nutrient solution tanks and a plant holder, and a plant is mounted on the plant holder and the roots of the plants are immersed in the culture solution in the upper nutrient tank and grown. And
The lower hydroponic cultivation means has one or a plurality of lower nutrient solution tanks and a plant holder, and a plant is attached to the plant holder and the roots of the plants are immersed in the culture solution in the lower nutrient tank and grown. And
The plant holder used in the upper nutrient tank can be used in the lower nutrient tank, and the plant holder used in the lower nutrient tank can also be used in the upper nutrient tank. The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of 6.   A plant cultivation method comprising cultivating a plant using the plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1.   Using the plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, nurturing young seedlings with a lower hydroponic cultivation means, and growing seedlings grown with a lower hydroponic cultivation means with an upper hydroponic cultivation means A plant cultivation method characterized.

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