JP2019187356A - Water culture device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water culture device for performing deep flow type water culture without a liquid feeding pipe and a liquid discharge pipe in each of mounted culture vessels.SOLUTION: A water culture device of the invention can store a culture broth and can mount thereon, a plurality of culture vessels 1 on which a crop is planted. The water culture device has at least one transport assembly 33, 34. Each transport assembly 33, 34 can travel freely in the water culture device, and is used for moving the culture vessel 1 along a prescribed path in the water culture device. Each transport assembly 33, 34 comprises a feeding/discharging unit 61 comprising: a liquid feeding pipe 62 for supplying a nutritious liquid to the culture vessel 1; and a liquid discharge pipe 63 for collecting the culture broth from the culture vessel 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydroponics apparatus used for hydroponically cultivating crops such as vegetables.

  Hydroponics is known as a cultivation method in which a crop root is dipped in or on the surface of a solution (culture solution) in which fertilizer is dissolved in water to grow the crop. Hydroponics is widely adopted in vegetable factories that produce vegetables in a planned manner because it is easy to control the growth environment of crops.

  As an example of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus that performs hydroponic cultivation, there is an apparatus described in JP-A-11-127711 (Patent Document 1). This hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a plurality of cultivation containers (troughs) formed in an elongated rectangular shape, and a crop is planted in each cultivation container. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus is configured such that the mounted cultivation container can move in the short direction of the cultivation container. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the plurality of cultivation containers are arranged in parallel to each other, and the interval between the cultivation containers is adjusted according to the growth of the crop.

  The hydroponic cultivation apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 adopts a configuration in which the culture solution is continuously flowed in each cultivation container. For this reason, in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a culture solution is supplied to the cultivation container from a liquid supply pipe provided on one end side of each cultivation container, and at the other end side of each cultivation container. A certain wall part is comprised so that a culture solution can be discharged | emitted from the inside of a container. The culture solution discharged from each cultivation container is collected through the drainage trough.

JP-A-11-127711

  One of the hydroponics methods is a submerged hydroponics method. In the submerged hydroponic system, the culture solution is not always flown in the cultivation container but is stored in the cultivation container. As the culture solution fertilizer is absorbed by the crop to be cultivated, the culture solution in the cultivation container deteriorates with time, so in the submerged hydroponic method, the culture solution stored in the cultivation container needs to be replaced as appropriate. is there.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when performing hydroponics of the submerged hydroponics method, each cultivation container is configured so that the cultivation liquid can be stored, and the cultivation liquid is collected from each cultivation container. In order to do this, it is conceivable to change the drainage pipes corresponding to each cultivation container. However, in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the submerged hydroponic system, it would be functionally excessive for the hydroponic cultivation apparatus to provide a pair of a supply pipe and a drain pipe corresponding to each of the cultivation containers. This is because each of the provided supply and drainage pipe pairs does not function except when the culture solution is supplied to and / or discharged from the cultivation container corresponding to the pair. In addition, when a hydroponic cultivation apparatus is provided with a pair of a supply pipe and a drain pipe corresponding to each of the cultivation containers, a moving mechanism for moving each of these pairs in accordance with the position of the cultivation container corresponding thereto Since it becomes necessary, the structure of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost of the apparatus increases.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and in a hydroponic cultivation apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of cultivation containers, it is a dripping type without providing a liquid supply pipe and a drain pipe corresponding to each of the cultivation containers. Provided is a hydroponic cultivation apparatus that performs hydroponic cultivation.

  The hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention is a hydroponic cultivation apparatus that can store a culture solution and can be mounted with a plurality of cultivation containers in which crops are planted, and is provided to be able to run in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. And comprising at least one transport assembly used to move each of the plurality of cultivation containers along a predetermined path in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, and each of the at least one transport assembly Comprises a supply / discharge unit having a supply pipe for discharging the culture solution and a drain pipe for sucking the culture solution.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to the present invention, each of the at least one cultivation container includes an elongated trough portion, and a partition member is erected on the bottom surface of the trough portion along the longitudinal direction of the trough portion. One end of the partition member is connected to one end wall of the trough part, but one end of the partition member may be separated from the other end wall of the trough part.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, the supply / discharge unit includes a first state where the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe are erected, and a second state where the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe are laid sideways. It may be configured to transition between states.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, each of the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe is configured to be movable in the vertical direction and rotatable about the vertical axis when the supply / discharge unit is in the first state. May be.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, each of the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe is curved or bent, and when the supply / discharge unit is in the first state, an opening at the tip of the liquid supply pipe The opening at the tip of the drainage pipe may face downward.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, the supply / discharge unit is configured to shift between the first state and the second state by rotating around a horizontal rotation axis, and the supply / discharge unit When the unit is in the second state, the liquid supply pipe and the drain pipe may be arranged along a vertical plane orthogonal to the rotation axis.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, when the supply / discharge unit is in the second state, the tube axis of the liquid supply pipe and the tube axis of the drainage pipe may be arranged in substantially the same plane. .

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, in the state where the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe are separated from the cultivation container that replaces the culture liquid using the supply / discharge unit along the predetermined path. The supply / discharge unit may transition between the first state and the second state.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, after the feeding / discharging unit has shifted from the second state to the first state, the transport assembly provided with the feeding / discharging unit is used as a cultivation container for replacing the culture solution. The liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe may be moved closer to each other.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, after the transfer assembly provided with the supply / discharge unit moves so that the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe are brought close to a cultivation container for replacing the culture liquid, the supply / discharge is performed. You may hold | maintain the cultivation container which replaces | exchanges the said culture solution using the holding mechanism with which the conveyance assembly provided with the unit is provided.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, the transport assembly provided with the supply / discharge unit moves so that the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe are brought close to a cultivation container for replacing the culture liquid, and then the supply The liquid pipe and the drainage pipe rotate, and the opening at the tip of the liquid supply pipe and the opening at the tip of the drainage pipe may be arranged above the cultivation container for exchanging the culture solution.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, the supply pipe and the drain pipe rotate, and the opening at the tip of the supply pipe and the opening at the tip of the drain pipe exchange the culture solution. After being arranged above the container, the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe may descend.

  According to the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, a supply pipe for supplying a culture solution to the cultivation container to a transport assembly used for moving the cultivation container, and a drainage tube for collecting the culture solution from the cultivation container By providing the supply / discharge unit having the above, supply and recovery of the culture solution can be performed with respect to each cultivation container mounted on the hydroponic cultivation apparatus using the supply / discharge unit. Further, by using the transport assembly for the movement of the supply / discharge unit, the configuration of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is simplified as compared with the case where the movement mechanism of the supply / discharge unit is provided separately from the transport assembly.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cultivation container used in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the cultivation container used with the hydroponic cultivation apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a trough part of a cultivation container used in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first transport assembly according to the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first transport assembly according to the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a standing state of the supply / discharge unit according to the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a supply / discharge unit according to the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a step of replacing the culture solution in the cultivation container in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is explanatory drawing which shows the replacement | exchange process of the culture solution of the cultivation container in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 12 is explanatory drawing which shows the replacement | exchange process of the culture solution of the cultivation container in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a step of replacing the culture solution in the cultivation container in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a step of replacing the culture solution in the cultivation container in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the outlet of the liquid supply pipe and the arrangement of the inlet of the drain pipe in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a step of replacing the culture solution in the cultivation container in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the outlet of the liquid supply pipe and the arrangement of the inlet of the drain pipe in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing the hydroponic cultivation apparatus.

  The hydroponic cultivation apparatus of this embodiment performs hydroponic cultivation of a crop based on a submerged hydroponic system. A crop cultivated by the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is planted in the cultivation container 1, and a culture solution that nourishes the crop is stored in the cultivation container 1. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus can be equipped with a plurality of cultivation containers 1, and the container conveying means 3 for conveying the cultivation container 1 mounted on the hydroponic cultivation apparatus within the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, and the culture solution in the cultivation container 1 And / or a culture solution supply / discharge unit 6 for recovering the culture solution from the cultivation container 1 and a light irradiation unit 8 for irradiating the crops planted in the cultivation container 1 with light for photosynthesis.

  The cultivation container 1 mounted on the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is introduced into the hydroponic cultivation apparatus from the introduction unit 21 in a state where seeds and seedlings of crops are planted in advance. The position of the cultivation container 1 in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is appropriately changed along a predetermined movement route from the introduction unit 21 to the extraction unit 22 according to the growth of the crops planted in the cultivation container 1. The cultivation container 1 grown until the planted plant can be shipped is taken out of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus from the take-out unit 22. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present embodiment employs a two-stage structure, and the cultivation container 1 is introduced from the introduction part 21 to the lower stage, then moved to the upper stage, and taken out from the take-out part 22.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cultivation container 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cultivation container 1 cut along a plane passing through the line AA shown in FIG. The cultivation container 1 includes an elongated rectangular trough portion 11 and a lid portion 12 that is detachably disposed on the upper side of the trough portion 11. At both ends of the trough portion 11, positioning grooves 13 are formed along the short direction. These positioning grooves 13 are used to regulate the position of the cultivation container 1 in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. A plurality of holes 14 (six in this embodiment) spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation container 1 are formed in the lid portion 12, and sleeves 15 corresponding to the respective holes 14 are formed from the back surface of the lid portion 12. It extends inward. Each sleeve 15 is used to support a crop, and the crop is inserted into each sleeve 15 such that its root exits from the lower end of the sleeve 15 and enters a space in the trough portion 11. In FIG. 3, the crop arranged in the fourth hole 14 from the front is indicated by a broken line. It should be noted that in the accompanying drawings, the illustration of the crops planted in each cultivation container 1 is omitted except for the illustration of this crop in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view of the trough part 11 of the cultivation container 1. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plate-like partition member 16 is erected on the bottom surface of the trough portion 11 along the longitudinal direction of the trough portion 11. The partition member 16 is provided so as to divide the bottom surface of the trough portion 11 into approximately two. One end of the partition member 16 is connected to one end wall of the trough portion 11, but the other end of the partition member 16 is separated from the other end wall of the trough portion 11. As shown in FIG. 3, both ends of the lid portion 12 attached to the trough portion 11 are separated from both end walls of the trough portion 11, so that the inner space of the cultivation container 1 can be accessed from both ends of the cultivation vessel 1. It has become.

  In FIG. 4, the culture solution stored in the cultivation container 1 is illustrated by broken lines. The culture solution is stored so that the liquid level S does not exceed the upper end of the partition member 16. The crops cultivated with the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention are, for example, vegetables such as lettuce and spinach, but the crops cultivated with the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention are not limited to vegetables, but include flowers and foliage. It may be a plant such as a plant. The culture solution used for cultivation of crops is, for example, an aqueous solution containing inorganic elements such as inorganic nitrogen (ammonia nitrogen or nitrate nitrogen), phosphoric acid, potassium, calcium, magnesium as a fertilizer, and is cultivated. A culture solution containing fertilizer suitable for the crop is used. Since the hydroponic cultivation of the crop is performed using the submerged hydroponic system, the culture solution in the cultivation container 1 mounted on the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is appropriately replaced. The replacement of the culture solution will be described later.

  Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the light irradiation means 8 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a plurality of light irradiation means 8 that are spaced apart in the (horizontal) longitudinal direction of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus (indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 1). The light source 81 (in this embodiment, the number of the light sources 81 is 10) is comprised. In the present embodiment, each light source 81 is an elongated LED (light emitting diode) lamp disposed along the (horizontal) machine width or short direction (indicated by arrow C in FIG. 1) of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. The frame 23 is fixed so as to emit light downward. The frame 23 forms a framework of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, and supports various components included in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. In the present embodiment, the frame 23 is configured by combining a plurality of pipe materials. A crop planted in the cultivation container 1 arranged in the lower stage of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus grows by receiving light from the light source 81 and performing photosynthesis.

  The container conveying means 3 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a pair of first guide bars 31 and a pair of second guide bars 32 provided along the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. The pair of first guide bars 31 are arranged in parallel and horizontally apart from each other in the machine width direction C, and at the same height. These first guide bars 31 define the lower part of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus and a part of the movement path of the cultivation container 1. A second guide bar 32 is disposed above each first guide bar 31 in parallel with the first guide bar 31. A pair of 2nd guide bar 32 is spaced apart in the machine width direction C, is arrange | positioned in parallel and horizontally, and also with the same height, and a part of movement path | route of the hydroponics apparatus and the cultivation container 1 is part of it. Is specified.

  In this embodiment, the introduction part 21 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is along the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus at the end of the pair of first guide bars 31 and below each first guide bar 31. It is prescribed | regulated using the edge part of the pipe material 23a arrange | positioned horizontally. The two pipe members 23a are arranged in parallel and at the same height. These pipe members 23 a may constitute a part of the frame 23. One end on the near side of each first guide bar 31 is positioned on the inner side by about the width of the cultivation container 1 with respect to one end of the tube material 23a disposed on the lower side. When introducing a new cultivation container 1 into the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the operator can support the cultivation container 1 at the ends of the pair of pipe members 23a and in a part of the positioning groove 13 of the cultivation container 1. The cultivation container 1 is arrange | positioned so that the edge part of a pair of 1st guide bar 31 may fit. For example, a mark (not shown) for designating the position of the cultivation container 1 in the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is attached to the end on the near side of each pipe member 23a. The cultivation container 1 is arrange | positioned together.

  One end wall of the cultivation container 1 is provided with an IC tag (not shown) that stores data relating to the cultivation container 1 (for example, the ID number of the cultivation container 1, the type of crop to be planted, etc.) A reader (not shown) that reads data from the IC tag and a controller (not shown) that is connected to the reader are provided near the introduction unit 21. When a new cultivation container 1 is arranged in the introduction unit 21, data read from the IC tag is sent to the controller and stored together with the date and time when the cultivation container 1 was introduced.

  The container conveyance means 3 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a first conveyance assembly 33 and a second conveyance assembly 34 that are provided so as to be able to travel along the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. The 1st conveyance assembly 33 is used for the movement or conveyance of the cultivation container 1 arrange | positioned at the lower stage, and the 2nd conveyance assembly 34 is used for the movement or conveyance of the cultivation container 1 arrange | positioned at the upper stage. The container transport means 3 further includes a lifter 35. The lifter 35 is provided on the opposite side of the introduction part 21 and the take-out part 22 and moves the cultivation container 1 from the lower stage to the upper stage. 1 and 2 show a pattern in which the first transport assembly 33 and the second transport assembly 34 are arranged in the vicinity of the lifter 35. In FIG. 2, a pattern in which the first transport assembly 33 and the second transport assembly 34 are in different positions is indicated by a broken line.

  6 is a perspective view of the first transport assembly 33 as viewed from the introduction portion 21 side, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first transport assembly 33 as viewed from the lifter 35 side. The first transport assembly 33 includes a substantially rectangular plate-shaped base member 41, a pair of arm portions 42 that are rotatably provided on the base member 41, and an arm drive portion 43 that drives these arm portions 42. I have. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the short direction of the base member 41 is arranged to coincide with the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, and the longitudinal direction of the base member 41 is the machine width direction C of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. Arranged to match. A pair of arm part 42 and the arm drive part 43 comprise the holding mechanism which hold | maintains the cultivation container 1 at the time of the movement or conveyance of the cultivation container 1. FIG.

  A pair of rollers 44 and 45 that roll on the frame 23 of the hydroponic cultivation device are provided at each end of the lower surface of the base member 41 so as to be separated from each other in the short direction of the base member 41. These rollers 44 and 45 are configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the longitudinal direction of the base member 41. Each of the pair of rollers 44 provided at one end of the base member 41 is formed with an R-groove in the circumferential direction, and the R-groove is a tube material constituting the frame 23 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. The movement of the base member 41 is restricted in the direction along the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus by being fitted to the pipe material arranged along the longitudinal direction B of the cultivation apparatus. In the present embodiment, each of the pair of rollers 45 provided at the other end of the base member 41 has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface, and these rollers 45 are provided in parallel to the tube material into which the roller 44 is fitted. Roll along the pipe (which constitutes the frame 23).

  The lower surface of the base member 41 of the first transport assembly 33 is fixed to a pair of chains 46. Each chain 46 is stretched endlessly between a sprocket (not shown) provided on the introduction part 21 side of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus and a sprocket (not shown) provided on the lifter 35 side. Yes. The two sprockets provided on the lifter 35 side are fixed to a common rotary shaft body (not shown) provided along the machine width direction C of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. It is connected to a drive motor (not shown) for running the first transport assembly 33. As the drive motor rotates forward and backward, the first transport assembly 33 can move in the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus toward the introduction unit 21 or the lifter 35.

  The two arm portions 42 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the base member 41. A shaft body 47 is fixed to the base end of each arm portion 42 along the short direction of the base member 41. The shaft body 47 is pivotally supported by a pair of support members erected on the base member 41, and each arm portion 42 rotates around a rotation axis passing through the shaft body 47. Each arm portion 42 includes a pair of plate members 48 that are separated in the short direction of the base member 41. The pair of plate members 48 of each arm part 42 are arranged apart from the width of the cultivation container 1, that is, the distance between the side surfaces of the trough part 11 of the cultivation container 1. 6 and 7 show the guide surface formed inside the plate member 48 of each arm portion 42. These guide surfaces are tapered toward the upper edge of the plate material 48. As will be described later, the guide surfaces function when each arm portion 42 shifts to an upright state. The cultivation container 1 enters smoothly.

  The arm drive unit 43 includes a drive motor 51, and connects the drive motor 51 and each arm unit 42, and includes a connection mechanism 52 that transmits a drive force from the drive motor 51 to each arm unit 42. The coupling mechanism 52 includes a first rotating shaft 53 (see FIG. 7) that rotates forward and backward as the drive motor 51 rotates forward and backward, and a second rotating shaft that rotates in the opposite direction to the rotating shaft 53. It has a body (not shown). The first rotary shaft 53 is connected to a pulley fixed to a shaft 47 of the arm portion 42 shown on the left side in FIG. 7 via a timing belt (not shown). The second rotating shaft body is connected to a pulley fixed to the shaft body 47 of the arm portion 42 shown on the right side in FIG. 7 via a timing belt (not shown). These timing belts constitute a part of the coupling mechanism 52.

  6 and 7 show a pattern in which the two arm portions 42 are in a standby state, and each arm portion 42 is in a posture of being laid down along the upper surface of the base member 41. For example, when the drive motor 51 is operated and the first rotating shaft 53 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 7, the arm portion 42 shown on the left side in FIG. 7 also rotates counterclockwise around the rotating shaft passing through the shaft 47. The arm part 42 rises by rotating around. At the same time, the second rotating shaft rotates clockwise, so that the arm portion 42 shown on the right side in FIG. 7 rotates clockwise around the rotating shaft passing through the shaft 47, and the arm Part 42 stands up.

  In a state where the arm part 42 of the first transport assembly 33 is disposed almost directly below the cultivation container 1, the two arm parts 42 rotate approximately 90 degrees from the standby state and shift to the standing state, whereby each arm part 42. The cultivation container 1 partially enters between the plate members 48 (see FIGS. 13 and 14). In this state, when the first transport assembly 33 moves along the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the cultivation container 1 moves by being pushed by any plate member 48 of each arm portion 42. The cultivation container 1 slides on the pipe material 23 a while being guided by the pair of first guide bars 31. When the cultivation container 1 reaches a desired position, the first transport assembly 33 is stopped, and the two arm portions 42 are returned from the standing state to the standby state. In this invention, the holding mechanism of the 1st conveyance assembly 33 is not limited to this embodiment, The holding mechanism of the arbitrary forms which enable conveyance of the cultivation container 1 using the 1st conveyance assembly 33 may be used. Note that.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first table 24 for placing the cultivation container 1 to be mounted on the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is provided in the vicinity of the introduction unit 21 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. On the side surface of the first table 24, a first button group 25 for an operator to operate the first transport assembly 33 is disposed. The operator lifts the cultivation container 1 placed on the first table 24 so that the tip of the first guide bar 31 corresponding to a part of each positioning groove 13 of the cultivation container 1 fits into the tube material. The cultivation container 1 is placed on the end of 23a. As described above, the position of the cultivation container 1 is matched with respect to the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus with reference to the mark attached to the pipe material 23a. Under the present circumstances, the cultivation container 1 is arrange | positioned at the introducing | transducing part 21 so that the end wall connected with the partition member 16 in the trough part 11 may be located in the predetermined | prescribed side (right side in FIG. 1) about the machine width direction C. The hydroponics apparatus is provided with a restricting means (not shown) that designates or regulates the direction of the cultivation container 1 inserted between the first guide bars 31 in this direction. For example, the outer surface of the end wall connected to the partition member 16 and the outer surface of the trough portion 11 around the end wall have a predetermined color (for example, red) indicating that the end portion is connected to the partition member 16. The operator can visually grasp the side where the end wall connected to the partition member 16 is present. The tube material 23a and / or the first guide bar 31 located on a predetermined side (right side in FIG. 1) are also colored in the same color. An operator arrange | positions the cultivation container 1 so that the edge part to which the predetermined color in the cultivation container 1 was attached | subjected adjoins the pipe material 23a and / or the 1st guide bar 31 to which the same color was attached | subjected.

  When the operator presses a predetermined button included in the first button group 25, the controller operates the motor that drives the first transport assembly 33, so that the first transport assembly 33 that has been on standby is It moves toward the introduction part 21 and stops so that the arm part 42 is located almost directly below the cultivation container 1. Then, as the arm part 42 shifts from the standby state to the standing state as described above, the plate material 48 of the arm part 42 is arranged so as to sandwich or hold the cultivation container 1. Then, when the controller operates the motor again, the first transport assembly 33 moves away from the introduction unit 21. When the cultivation container 1 reaches a desired position, the controller stops the motor that drives the first transport assembly 33. Then, the arm part 42 is returned from the standing state to the standby state. The position of the first transport assembly 33 in the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is based on a signal sent from an encoder (not shown) provided on a rotary shaft connected to a motor that drives the first transport assembly 33. Specified by the controller.

  By repeating the above steps, a plurality of cultivation containers 1 can be introduced into the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. For example, the cultivated crop is introduced into the hydroponic cultivation apparatus in units of lots. The group of the cultivation containers 1 in which the crops of the lot whose introduction time is the earliest are planted are arranged on the lower stage toward the introduction unit 21 side by the operation of the first transport assembly 33 as described above. The space | interval between the cultivation containers 1 is adjusted so that it may become a predetermined pitch.

  The second transport assembly 34 is configured to be movable along the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus below the second guide bar 32, and the second transport assembly 34 of the cultivation container 1 disposed on the upper stage of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. The position (in the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus) can be changed using the second transport assembly 34. The second transport assembly 34 and the drive mechanism of the second transport assembly 34 in the container transport means 3 are configured in the same manner as the first transport assembly 33 and its drive mechanism, and the details thereof will not be described.

  For example, when a predetermined period (for example, 10 days) has elapsed since a group of crop cultivation containers 1 relating to a lot has been added to the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, Changing the position of the cultivation container 1 already introduced into the cultivation apparatus is performed. For example, in the group of cultivation containers 1 corresponding to the latest lot placed near the introduction unit 21 side, the first transport assembly 33 operates on the individual cultivation containers 1 as described above. As a whole, it is moved to the lifter 35 side. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of this embodiment, before adding the cultivation container 1 which concerns on a new lot to a hydroponic cultivation apparatus, all the existing cultivation containers 1 are taken out along the movement path | route of the cultivation container 1. It is moved toward. Thus, each cultivation container 1 mounted in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus moves from the introduction part 21 side to the extraction part 22 side according to the growth of the crops planted in the cultivation container 1. . The movement of the cultivation container 1 in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is automatically performed under the control of the above-described controller without requiring instructions from the operator except when the cultivation container 1 is introduced and taken out.

FIG. 2 illustrates a pattern in which twelve cultivation containers 1 are arranged in the lower stage and six cultivation containers 1 are arranged in the upper stage (the cultivation container 1 is indicated by a broken line). In FIG. 2, six cultivation containers 1 shown on the left side of the lower stage are cultivation containers 1 according to the first lot introduced most recently. The six cultivation containers 1 shown on the right side of the lower tier are in the second lot introduced into the hydroponics apparatus before the six cultivation containers 1 shown on the left side (for example, 10 days before). It is the cultivation container 1 which concerns. Based on the growth of crops, the pitch t ₂ between the culture container 1 according to the second lot is larger than the pitch t ₁ between the cultivation container 1 according to the first lot. For example, in the cultivation container 1 related to the first lot (in FIG. 2), the interval between the cultivation container 1 located on the rightmost side (in FIG. 2) and the cultivation container 1 located on the leftmost relating to the second lot (in FIG. 2) The pitch t ₁ and the pitch t ₂ are not less than the average value. Further, the rightmost cultivation container 1 (in FIG. 2) related to the second lot has a pair of pipe materials 23a and / or a pair of first guide bars 31 on the lifter 35 side so that the crop does not interfere with the lifter 35. preferably from end it is arranged to the pitch t ₂ or more away.

  By using the lifter 35, the lower cultivation container 1 disposed between the first guide bars 31 can be moved to the upper stage. The lifter 35 includes an elevating unit 54 that can be moved up and down in the vertical direction. The elevating unit 54 is provided with a pair of holding arms 55 that are spaced apart in the machine width C direction of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. ing. These holding arms 55 are configured to be withdrawn and withdrawn simultaneously in the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. A concave receiving portion 56 into which the cultivation container 1 is fitted is formed at the tip of each holding arm 55.

  The movement of the cultivation container 1 from the lower stage to the upper stage is performed as follows. First, when the first transport assembly 33 operates, the cultivation container 1 closest to the lifter 35 is disposed at a predetermined position near the lifter 35. In that case, the raising / lowering part 54 is arrange | positioned below the cultivation container 1, and a pair of holding | maintenance arm 55 which was in a standby state is extended toward the introduction part 21, and is received in the front-end | tip of each holding arm 55 The part 56 is disposed almost directly below the cultivation container 1. Then, the cultivation container 1 is fitted to the receiving part 56 by raising the elevating part 54 to a predetermined height. When the cultivation container 1 is fitted in the receiving portion 56, the cultivation container 1 is pulled out from between the first guide bars 31 by pulling the holding arm 55. When the cultivation container 1 is extracted from between the first guide bars 31, the elevating part 54 is raised. The ascending / descending portion 54 that has moved up stops at a position close to the end of the pair of second guide bars 32 on the lifter 35 side. Then, the cultivation container 1 is inserted between the 2nd guide bars 32 so that the 2nd guide bar 32 corresponding to the groove | channel 13 may fit in each positioning groove | channel 13 of the cultivation container 1 by the holding arm 55 extending. . After the cultivation container 1 is arranged at a predetermined position, the cultivation container 1 comes out of the receiving part 56 of the holding arm 55 by the elevating part 54 being lowered by a predetermined distance. Thereafter, the holding arm 55 is retracted, and the elevating part 54 is returned to a standby state lower than the first guide bar 31. The cultivation container 1 newly disposed between the second guide bars 32 is carried to a predetermined position in the upper stage by the operation of the second transport assembly 34.

  In the situation where a plurality of cultivation containers 1 are present in the lower stage, when introducing the cultivation container 1 relating to the new lot into the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, some of the cultivation containers 1 arranged on the lifter 35 side in the lower stage The first transport assembly 33, the lifter 35, and the second transport assembly 34 are moved to the upper stage in advance by operating as described above. In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of this embodiment, the light source corresponding to the upper stage is not provided, and the crop planted in the cultivation container 1 on the upper stage grows by receiving, for example, sunlight or natural light. In the present embodiment, the crops planted in the lower cultivation container 1 may be irradiated with sunlight or natural light, but a member that blocks the irradiation of sunlight or natural light toward the lower cultivation container 1 is water as necessary. It may be provided in the cultivation apparatus. Moreover, light sources, such as an LED lamp which irradiates light to the cultivation container 1 in the upper stage, may be provided.

In FIG. 2, the pattern by which the six cultivation containers 1 are arrange | positioned at the upper stage is shown. In these cultivation containers 1, the cultivation container according to the third lot of the crop introduced into the hydroponics apparatus before the cultivation container 1 according to the second lot in the lower stage in FIG. 2 (for example, 10 days before) 1. The cultivation container 1 of the third lot is moved from the position of the cultivation container 1 according to the second lot shown in FIG. 2 to the upper position shown in FIG. 2 as a whole. Taking into account the growth of the crop, the pitch t ₃ between the culture container 1 according to the third lot is greater than the pitch t ₂ between cultivating container 1 according to the second lot. The rightmost cultivation container 1 (in FIG. 2) among the cultivation containers 1 according to the third lot is a pair of tubes that support the cultivation container 1 in the upper stage so that the crop does not interfere with the lifter 35. preferably arranged in the pitch t ₃ or more away from 23b and / or a pair of end portions of the lifter 35 side of the second guide bars 32.

  The pair of pipe members 23b is a member that plays the same role as the pair of pipe members 23a constituting the lower stage, and is horizontal along the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus below the pair of second guide bars 32. Further, they are arranged at the same height. The tube material 23 b may be a part of the frame 23. The extraction part 22 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is defined using the ends of the pair of second guide bars 32 and the ends of the pair of pipe members 23b. One end on the front side of each second guide bar 32 is positioned on the inner side by the width of the cultivation container 1 with respect to one end of the tube material 23b disposed on the lower side.

  In the vicinity of the take-out unit 22, a second table 26 is provided on which the cultivation container 1 taken out from the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is placed. A second button group 27 for operating the second transport assembly 34 is provided on the side surface of the second table 26. When a certain button included in the second button group 27 is pressed, the controller activates a motor (not shown) that drives the second transport assembly 34, so that the second transport assembly 34 that has been waiting can be operated. Then, the arm unit 42 is stopped so that the arm unit 42 is disposed almost directly below the cultivation container 1 closest to the take-out unit 22. Then, after the arm part 42 shifts from the standby state to the standing state, the controller drives the second transport assembly 34 after the pair of plate members 48 of each arm part 42 are disposed so as to sandwich the cultivation container 1. By operating the motor again, the second transport assembly 34 moves toward the take-out portion 22. When the cultivation container 1 reaches the take-out part 22, the controller stops the motor. Then, the arm part 42 shifts from the standing state to the standby state. Thereafter, the cultivation container 1 is manually taken out from the take-out part 22 by the operator. In the take-out part 22, the cultivation container 1 is supported by the ends of the pair of pipe members 23 b, and the ends of the pair of second guide bars 32 are fitted in a part of the positioning groove 13 of the cultivation container 1. Is arranged. The operator lifts the cultivation container 1 supported by the pipe material 23b after releasing the engagement state of the positioning groove 13 and the pipe material 23b by pulling the cultivation container 1 slightly forward.

The management of the position of each cultivation container 1 in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is the information of the IC tag provided in the cultivation container 1, the date and time when the cultivation container 1 is introduced into the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the parameters such as the pitch t ₁ described above, This is performed by the controller based on a predetermined crop cultivation schedule or the like. Control of various components in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus (the drive motor 51 described above, the pump unit 70, the tube drive motor 71, the housing drive motor 77, the unit drive motor 79, and the like described below) is also performed by the controller. .

  One of the features of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present embodiment is the culture liquid supply / discharge means 6, which is used for supplying the culture liquid to the cultivation container 1 and discharging the culture liquid from the cultivation container 1. The supply / discharge unit 61 is provided in each of the first transfer assembly 33 and the second transfer assembly 34.

  Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the supply / discharge unit 61 is configured to be rotatable around the rotation axis along the short direction of the base member 41 of the first transport assembly 33, that is, the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. Has been. 6 and 7 show a pattern in which the supply / discharge unit 61 of the first transport assembly 33 is in a standby state in which it is laid down along the base member 41. Hereinafter, the supply / discharge unit 61 provided in the first transport assembly 33 will be described. Since the supply / discharge unit 61 provided in the second transport assembly 34 is configured in the same manner, a description of the supply / discharge unit 61 of the second transport assembly 34 is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the supply / discharge unit 61 in the standing state. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the supply / discharge unit 61. In the standing state, the supply / discharge unit 61 is disposed substantially along the vertical direction. The supply / discharge unit 61 includes a supply pipe 62 for supplying the culture solution to the cultivation container 1, a drain pipe 63 for collecting the culture solution from the cultivation container 1, and a housing 66 to which the supply pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63 are attached. And. The bases of the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 are disposed so as to penetrate the housing 66 through openings provided in the housing 66.

  In the present embodiment, both the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63 are bent or curved in a bowl shape. Therefore, when the supply / drain unit 61 (or the supply pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63) is in the standing state, the discharge port 64 at the tip of the supply pipe 62 and the culture medium is discharged, and the drainage At the tip of the tube 63, it faces downward from the suction port 65 through which the culture solution is sucked. Further, the distal end portion of the drainage pipe 63 that hangs down in the standing state is longer than the distal end portion of the liquid supply pipe 62 that hangs down in the standing state, and the position of the suction port 65 is greater than the position of the discharge port 64. Is also low. In the present embodiment, the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 have shapes that are bent in a bowl shape, but in the present invention, the shapes of the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 are limited to those of the present embodiment. For example, the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63 may be curved in a U shape.

  The housing 66 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and on the lower side of the housing 66, the liquid supply pipe 62 is connected to a liquid supply flexible tube 67 (not shown in FIG. 7 and the like). The tube 63 is connected to a drainage flexible tube 68 (not shown in FIG. 7 and the like). The length of the flexible tube 67 for liquid supply and the flexible tube 68 for drainage is set to a sufficient length so as not to limit the travel or movement of the first transport assembly 33. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus is provided with guide means (not shown) for guiding the flexible tube 67 for liquid supply and the flexible tube 68 for drainage. As shown in FIG. 1, the culture solution supply / discharge means 6 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus includes a storage tank 69 that stores the culture solution, and a culture solution flow path that connects the storage tank 69 and the flexible tube 67 for supply solution. The pump unit 70 is provided. When the pump unit 70 is driven, the culture solution is sent from the storage tank 69 to the supply pipe 62. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus is a pump unit (not shown) provided in a flow path of a culture solution that connects a drainage tank (not shown) provided outside the hydroponic cultivation apparatus and a flexible tube 68 for drainage. Is further provided. By driving this pump unit, the culture solution collected from the cultivation container 1 is sent to the drainage tank via the drainage pipe 63.

  In the standing state of the supply / drainage unit 61, each of the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 is configured to be rotatable around a vertical axis passing through the base portion thereof. The liquid supply pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63 are connected to the pipe drive motor 71 via a connection mechanism (not shown) provided inside the housing 66. When the tube driving motor 71 is operated, each of the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63 rotates around the vertical axis by a predetermined angle. In FIG. 9, the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63 at the position after the rotation are indicated by broken lines. In the present embodiment, the rotation angle of the liquid supply pipe 62 is different from the angle of the drainage pipe 63, and the rotation angle of the liquid supply pipe 62 is larger than the angle of the drainage pipe 63.

  The supply / discharge unit 61 includes a rectangular support member 72 arranged along the vertical direction in the standing state. On one main surface of the support member 72, a linear guide mechanism 73 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the support member 72. A rectangular attachment member 74 is fixed to the housing 66, and a sliding member 75 of the linear guide mechanism 73 is connected to one main surface of the attachment member 74. Further, a rack gear 76 extending in the vertical direction is fixed to one main surface of the mounting member 74. A housing drive motor 77 that drives the housing 66 is fixed to the support member 72, and a pinion gear 78 that meshes with the rack gear 76 is fixed to the rotation shaft of the housing drive motor 77. When the housing drive motor 77 rotates forward and backward, the attachment member 74 and the housing 66, and thus the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 move up and down along the longitudinal direction of the linear guide mechanism 73 or the support member 72. FIG. 8 shows a pattern in which the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 are in a retracted state at a position closest to the base end of the support member 72. In the standby state of the supply / discharge unit 61 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the liquid supply pipe 62 and the liquid discharge pipe 63 are in a retracted state.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the base end portion of the support member 72 is connected to a motor shaft of a unit drive motor 79 provided below one end portion of the base member 41. As the unit drive motor 79 rotates forward and backward, the supply / discharge unit 61 rotates or swings about the rotation axis along the short direction of the base member 41 or the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. Accordingly, the supply / discharge unit 61 can shift between the standby state shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and the standing state shown in FIG. 8 (and FIG. 11 and the like). In order to prevent interference between the base member 41 and the supply / discharge unit 61 in the standby state of the supply / discharge unit 61, a cutout 49 corresponding to the outer shape of the supply / discharge unit 61 is formed in the base member 41. When the supply / discharge unit 61 is placed in an upright state, the housing 66, and hence the supply pipe 62 and the discharge pipe 63, are arranged near one end of the base member 41 (see FIGS. 11 and 12, etc.). Further, when the supply / discharge unit 61 is placed in an upright state, the liquid supply pipe 62 and the liquid discharge pipe 63 are disposed near the first guide bar 31 on the right side shown in FIG.

  When the supply / discharge unit 61 is in an upright state, the liquid supply pipe 62 and the liquid discharge pipe 63 are arranged to extend from the housing 66 in the vertical direction. When the supply / discharge unit 61 is in the standby state, the liquid supply pipe 62 and the liquid discharge pipe 63 are laid sideways on the base member 41 side. When the supply / discharge unit 61 is in a standby state, the first supply assembly 33 is arranged in the lower stage of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus by arranging the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 in this way. It is possible to travel along the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus without interfering with 1.

  Next, the replacement | exchange process of the culture solution of the cultivation container 1 in the lower stage of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus using the supply / discharge unit 61 of the 1st conveyance assembly 33 is demonstrated. As described above, in all the cultivation containers 1 mounted on the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the end wall connected to the partition member 16 in the trough part 11 is on a predetermined side, that is, the first transport assembly 33 (and It arrange | positions so that the supply / discharge unit 61 side may be located in the 2nd conveyance assembly 34) (right side in FIG. 1).

  First, as shown in FIG. 10, it is supplied to a place in the middle of the cultivation container 1 that replaces the culture solution and the cultivation container 1 that is in front of the cultivation container 1 (that is, closer to the introduction unit 21 side). The position of the first transport assembly 33 is adjusted so that the liquid pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63 are arranged. Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the supply / discharge unit 61 in the standby state shifts to the standing state.

  In the present embodiment, in the standby state of the supply / discharge unit 61, the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 are arranged along a vertical plane orthogonal to a horizontal rotation axis that regulates the rotation of the supply / discharge unit 61. ing. Further, the tube axis of the liquid supply pipe 62 (indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 8) and the tube axis of the drainage pipe 63 (indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 8) are within the same plane, more specifically. They are arranged in the same vertical plane. When the supply / discharge unit 61 is in the standby state, the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 are arranged in this manner, so that the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 (more precisely, these pipes are arranged). The shaft) moves in the same vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal rotation axis that defines the rotation of the supply / discharge unit 61. In addition to this, the position of the first transport assembly 33 is adjusted so that the liquid supply pipe 62 and the liquid discharge pipe 63 are arranged at a substantially intermediate place between the cultivation containers 1, thereby supplying and discharging the unit 61. When moving from the standby state to the standing state, the interference between the crops planted in the two adjacent cultivation containers 1 and the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63 is suppressed as much as possible. Even if the supply pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63 interfere with the crops planted in the cultivation container 1, the supply pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63 hit the end of the crop, so that the quality of the crop is improved. The impact will be small.

  When the supply / discharge unit 61 shifts to the standing state, the housing drive motor 77 is actuated as shown in FIG. 12, and the opening at the tip of the liquid supply pipe 62, that is, the tip of the discharge port 64 and the drain pipe 63 The liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 are raised by a predetermined height so that the opening, that is, the suction port 65 is located above the cultivation container 1. After the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 rise, the first transport assembly 33 moves to a position where the pair of arm portions 42 are disposed under the cultivation container 1 for replacing the culture liquid. Thereby, the discharge port 64 and the drainage pipe | tube 63 are arrange | positioned in proximity to the cultivation container 1 which replaces a culture solution. Thereafter, when the drive motor 51 of the arm drive unit 43 of the first transport assembly 33 is operated, the pair of arm units 42 in the standby state shift from the standby state to the standing state, and as shown in FIG. The cultivation container 1 for exchanging the culture solution is sandwiched between the plate members 48 of the arm part 42. Thereby, the cultivation container 1 is stably held when the culture solution is taken in and out.

  Thereafter, the pipe drive motor 71 of the supply / discharge unit 61 is operated, and the supply pipe 62 and the discharge pipe 63 are rotated as described above, so that as shown in FIG. In addition, the discharge port 64 of the liquid supply pipe 62 and the suction port 65 of the drainage pipe 63 are arranged. As shown in FIG. 9, the rotation direction of the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 is such that the discharge port 64 of the liquid supply pipe 62 and the suction port 65 of the drainage pipe 63 are at the end of one end of the cultivation container 1. It is made the direction which moves on the cultivation container 1 from the wall side. Defining the rotation direction of the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 in this way avoids a situation where a crop near the end of the cultivation container 1 interferes with the rotating liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63. This is advantageous.

  As described above, the cultivation container 1 is opened at both ends of the cultivation container 1 so that the inside thereof can be accessed. And the cultivation container 1 is arrange | positioned so that the end wall connected with the partition member 16 in the trough part 11 exists in the vicinity of the liquid supply pipe | tube 62 and the drainage pipe | tube 63. FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the discharge port 64 of the liquid supply pipe 62 and the suction port 65 of the drainage pipe 63 after the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 are rotated. As shown in FIG. 15, the discharge port 64 of the liquid supply pipe 62 is disposed on one side surface of the partition member 16, and the suction port 65 of the drainage pipe 63 is disposed on the other side surface side of the partition member 16. The

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the supply pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63 are lowered by a predetermined height, so that the discharge port 64 of the supply pipe 62 and the suction port 65 of the drain pipe 63 are connected. Arranged in the cultivation container 1. FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement of the discharge port 64 of the liquid supply pipe 62 and the suction port 65 of the drainage pipe 63. As shown in FIG. 17, the liquid level S of the culture solution stored in the cultivation container 1 is at a position lower than the upper end of the partition member 16. The tip of the drainage pipe 63 is placed in the culture solution stored in the cultivation container 1, and the suction port 65 is a trough part so that the culture solution can be easily sucked even if the liquid level S of the culture solution is lowered. 11 so as to be close to the bottom surface. The discharge port 64 of the liquid supply pipe 62 is disposed above the upper end of the partition member 16 so as not to contact the culture solution stored in the cultivation container 1.

  When the discharge port 64 of the liquid supply pipe 62 and the suction port 65 of the drainage pipe 63 are arranged in the cultivation container 1, the pump connected to the drainage pipe 63 via the drainage flexible tube 68. The unit is activated. As a result, the culture solution accumulated in the cultivation container 1 is sucked from the suction port 65 of the drainage pipe 63 and sent to the drainage tank. In this embodiment, since the partition member 16 is provided in the trough part 11 of the cultivation container 1, when the pump unit is operated, the culture solution is vigorously vibrated along a U-shaped elongated channel as shown in FIG. Flows. Compared with the case where the partition member 16 is not provided in the cultivation container 1, the cultivation container 1 is not collected from the drainage pipe 63 by flowing the culture solution in the cultivation container 1 and collecting it from the suction port 65. The amount of culture solution remaining (deteriorated) in the inside is reduced.

  After the collection of the culture solution stored in the cultivation container 1 is completed and the pump unit connected to the drainage pipe 63 via the drainage flexible tube 68 is stopped, the fluid supply flexible tube The pump unit 70 connected to 67 is activated. Thereby, a new culture solution is sent from the storage tank 69 to the supply pipe 62 and is put into the cultivation container 1 from the discharge port 64. The pump unit 70 operates for a predetermined time, so that a predetermined amount of a new culture solution is put into the cultivation container 1. As described above, the liquid level S of the newly added culture solution is at a position lower than the upper edge of the partition member 16.

  Thereafter, the series of operations described above are executed in the reverse order, and as shown in FIG. 10, the supply / discharge unit 61 is returned to the standby state, and each of the arm portions 42 is also returned to the standby state. When the replacement of the culture solution is continuously performed for another cultivation container 1, the first transport assembly 33 is arranged between the other cultivation container 1 and the cultivation container 1 in front thereof as shown in FIG. It arrange | positions and the replacement | exchange of a culture solution is performed about another cultivation container 1 as mentioned above. For example, the culture medium is replaced in units of lots of cultivated crops. After replacing the culture solution for all the cultivation containers 1 related to a certain lot, if the culture solution is not changed for the cultivation container 1 related to another lot, the first transport assembly 33 It stays under the cultivation container 1 which was replaced last and waits for the next operation.

  When the culture solution is replaced with respect to the cultivation container 1 arranged closest to the introduction part 21, the first transport assembly 33 is supplied to a position away from the cultivation container 1 in the direction toward the introduction part 21. It moves to the place where the liquid pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63 are arranged. When the supply / discharge unit 61 shifts from the standby state to the standing state, the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 and the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 are prevented from causing interference with the crop as much as possible. The distance between the cultivation containers 1 is determined. Thereafter, the supply / discharge unit 61 shifts from the standby state to the standing state, and the culture solution supply step is performed in the same manner as described above.

  The process of replacing the culture solution in the cultivation container 1 in the upper stage of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus using the supply / discharge unit 61 of the second transport assembly 34 is also performed in the cultivation container 1 using the supply / discharge unit 61 of the first transport assembly 33. It is performed in the same manner as the culture medium replacement step. The time required for the culture medium replacement process using the supply / discharge unit 61 of the first transport assembly 33 or the second transport assembly 34 is, for example, about several minutes. The culture medium replacement process using the supply / discharge unit 61 of the first transport assembly 33 and the culture liquid replacement process using the supply / discharge unit 61 of the second transport assembly 34 may be performed simultaneously or in parallel. .

  From the viewpoint of promoting the growth of crops to be cultivated, the culture solution stored in each cultivation container 1 is preferably as fresh as possible. For this reason, about each cultivation container 1 mounted in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the replacement period of a culture solution is made into about 1 hour thru | or several hours, for example. On the other hand, although depending on the type of crop, the period during which the crop is cultivated by the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is about several tens of days. The period during which the cultivation container 1 stays at a certain place (except when the cultivation container 1 is introduced and taken out) is, for example, from several days to 10 days (as in the first to third lot examples mentioned above). The cultivation container 1 mounted in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is moved at a time interval of several days to about 10 days. In this case, the 1st conveyance assembly 33 and the 2nd conveyance assembly 34 are used for conveyance of the cultivation container 1 at intervals of about several days thru | or 10 days. If the first transport assembly 33 and the second transport assembly 34 are provided with a moving mechanism and the supply / discharge unit 61 is moved at the lower and upper stages of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus using the moving mechanism, The transport assembly 33 and the second transport assembly 34 will be almost in a rest state except that the transport assembly 33 and the second transport assembly 34 are used for transporting the cultivation container 1 at time intervals of about several days to 10 days. In the present invention, the first transport assembly 33 and / or the second transport assembly are moved while not being used for transporting the cultivation container 1 by moving the supply / discharge unit 61 using the first transport assembly 33 and the second transport assembly 34. 34 can be moved appropriately, and the culture solution can be exchanged for the desired cultivation container 1 (with a very short period compared with the movement period of the cultivation container 1). Thus, in the present invention, the components of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus are efficiently utilized, resulting in simplification of the device configuration and cost reduction. Moreover, in this invention, since the culture solution is collect | recovered and supplied in the one end side of the cultivation container 1 using the supply / drain unit 61 which has the liquid supply pipe | tube 62 and the drainage pipe 63, one end of the cultivation container 1 Compared with the case where a culture medium is supplied on the side and a mechanism for collecting the culture medium is provided on the other end side of the cultivation container 1, the configuration of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is simplified.

  When the cultivation container 1 is newly introduced into the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, a culture solution may be placed in the cultivation container 1 in advance, but from the viewpoint of reducing the burden on the operator, the culture solution is contained in the cultivation container 1. It is preferable that the cultivation container 1 is introduced into the hydroponic cultivation apparatus without entering. In this case, as described above, after the first transport assembly 33 is operated and the cultivation container 1 is disposed from the introduction unit 21 to a predetermined position, a culture solution supply process is performed on the cultivation container 1. The culture solution supply step is performed in the same manner as the culture solution replacement step described above, except that the culture solution is not collected.

  When the cultivation container 1 is taken out from the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the cultivation container 1 may contain a culture solution, but from the viewpoint of reducing the burden on the operator, the cultivation container 1 does not contain the cultivation solution. Therefore, it is preferable that the cultivation container 1 is taken out to the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. In this case, when the second button group 27 is operated to instruct to take out the cultivation container 1 closest to the take-out unit 22, the second transport assembly 34 operates as described above, and the cultivation closest to the take-out unit 22 is performed. The second transport assembly 34 is disposed so as to be close to the container 1. And the collection | recovery process of a culture solution is made | formed with respect to the cultivation container 1. FIG. The culture solution recovery step is performed in the same manner as the culture solution replacement step described above, except that the culture solution is not supplied.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the above embodiment, the liquid supply pipe 62, the liquid discharge pipe 63, the housing 66, etc. It is arranged on the 21 side. However, various modifications may be made to the first transport assembly 33 such that these components of the supply / discharge unit 61 are disposed on the lifter 35 side of the base member 41. The same applies to the second transport assembly 34. In this case, the rotation direction of the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 in the standing state of the supply / discharge unit 61 is opposite to the rotation direction in the above embodiment. Moreover, in the replacement | exchange process of the culture solution of the cultivation container 1, after the 1st conveyance assembly 33 is arrange | positioned between the adjacent two cultivation containers 1, as shown in FIG. 10, the cultivation container 1 ( In FIG. 10, a culture solution replacement step is performed on the cultivation container 1) shown in the foreground. The operation of the first transport assembly 33 and the supply / discharge unit 61 in this case can be understood from the above description. Furthermore, when the component of the supply / discharge unit 61 is changed to be disposed on the lifter 35 side of the base member 41, the replacement process of the culture solution for the cultivation container 1 closest to the lifter 35 side is also understood from the above description. It will be possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the liquid supply pipe 62 and the liquid discharge pipe 63 that are bent in a bowl shape are erected from the housing 66 in a standing state of the water supply / discharge unit 61 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. However, in the present invention, the shapes of the liquid supply pipe 62 and the liquid discharge pipe 63 are changed, and the liquid supply pipe 62 and the liquid discharge pipe 63 are provided so as to be movable up and down in the standing state of the supply and discharge unit 61. Alternatively, it may be provided so as to hang from an appropriate member. The configuration of the water supply / drainage unit 61 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus in the above embodiment is an exemplification, and includes a transition between the standing state and the standby state, and the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 after the standing state. Various types of supply / discharge units 61 that enable the collection and supply of the culture solution may be used.

  In said embodiment, as shown in FIG.4 and FIG.5 etc., the plate-shaped partition member 16 is standingly arranged along the longitudinal direction of the trough part 11 of the cultivation container 1. FIG. The cultivation container used in the present invention is not limited to such a cultivation container 1. For example, a cultivation container in which the partition member 16 is not provided in the trough portion 11 may be used. In order to reduce the culture solution remaining when the culture solution is collected, the bottom surface of the trough portion 11 may be provided with an inclination so as to be lowered toward the side where the supply pipe 62 and the drain pipe 63 are disposed. In addition, on the side where the liquid supply pipe 62 and the drainage pipe 63 are disposed, the bottom surface of the trough portion 11 may be provided with a recess for storing the remaining culture solution. In this case, it is preferable that the suction port 65 of the drainage pipe 63 is located close to the bottom surface of the recess and at a position lower than the bottom surface of the trough portion 11 during the culture medium replacement step.

  In said embodiment, the visual means of the mark provided in the pipe material 23a and the color of the edge part of the cultivation container 1 was used for positioning of the cultivation container 1 in the introduction part 21. FIG. Instead of such visual means, mechanical or structural means may be used for positioning the cultivation container 1 in the introduction part 21. Moreover, the control which guide | induces the 1st conveyance assembly 33 to the predetermined position with respect to the cultivation container 1 by specifying the position of the cultivation container 1 along the longitudinal direction B of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus in the introduction part 21 using a sensor. May be done. The first transport assembly 33 and the second transport assembly 34 are provided with sensors for detecting the individual cultivation containers 1, and control in the process of moving the cultivation containers 1 and replacing the culture solution is performed using information from the sensors. May be.

  In said embodiment, the 1st conveyance assembly 33 is provided for conveyance of the cultivation container 1 in the lower stage of a hydroponic cultivation apparatus, and replacement | exchange of a culture solution, and conveyance of the cultivation container 1 in the upper stage of a hydroponic cultivation apparatus A second transport assembly 34 is provided for replacing the culture medium. The number of stages in which the cultivation container 1 is arranged is not limited in the present invention. For example, a one-stage structure or a multi-stage hydroponics apparatus having three or more stages is realized using the present invention. Good. Moreover, in said embodiment, although one conveyance assembly is provided corresponding to each step | level, several conveyance comprised so that a movable range might overlap partially along the movement path | route of the cultivation container 1 An assembly may be provided corresponding to each stage. In the present invention, it is natural that the number of transport assemblies provided in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus is far less than the maximum number of cultivation containers that can be mounted.

  The usage form of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus shown in the description of the above embodiment is merely an example, and in particular, the number of cultivation containers 1 mounted on each of the lower stage and the upper stage, transition of the position of the cultivation container 1, and the like. Specific references to do not limit the invention. For example, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the above embodiment is so arranged that one cultivation container 1 is newly introduced per day, and one cultivation container 1 from which a planted plant can be harvested is taken out per day. May be used.

  The above description is provided to illustrate the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof. Moreover, each part structure of this invention is not restricted to the said embodiment, Of course, a various deformation | transformation is possible within the technical scope as described in a claim.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cultivation container 11 Trough part 16 Partition member 33 1st conveyance assembly 34 2nd conveyance assembly 42 Arm part 61 Supply / discharge unit 62 Supply pipe 63 Drain pipe 64 Discharge port 65 Discharge port

Claims (12)

In a hydroponic cultivation apparatus that can store a culture solution and can be equipped with a plurality of cultivation containers in which crops are planted,
At least one transport assembly that is provided so as to run freely in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus and is used to move each of the plurality of cultivation containers along a predetermined path in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus. Has
The hydroponic cultivation apparatus, wherein each of the at least one transport assembly includes a supply / discharge unit having a supply pipe for discharging the culture solution and a drain pipe for sucking the culture solution.   Each of the at least one cultivation container includes an elongated trough part, and a partition member is erected on the bottom surface of the trough part along a longitudinal direction of the trough part, and one end of the partition member is The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trough part is connected to one end wall, but one end of the partition member is separated from the other end wall of the trough part.   The supply / drainage unit is configured to transition between a first state in which the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe stand and a second state in which the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe are laid sideways. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus of Claim 1 or Claim 2.   The liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe are each configured to be movable in the vertical direction and rotatable about a vertical axis when the supply / drainage unit is in the first state. Hydroponics equipment. Each of the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe is curved or bent,
The hydroponic according to claim 3 or 4, wherein when the supply / drainage unit is in the first state, the opening at the tip of the liquid supply pipe and the opening at the tip of the drainage pipe face downward. Cultivation equipment. The supply / discharge unit is configured to shift between the first state and the second state by rotating around a horizontal rotation axis,
When the said supply / discharge unit is in the said 2nd state, the said liquid supply pipe and the said drainage pipe are arrange | positioned so that the vertical plane orthogonal to the said rotating shaft may be followed. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus described.   The pipe axis of the liquid supply pipe and the pipe axis of the drain pipe are arranged in substantially the same plane when the supply / discharge unit is in the second state. Hydroponics apparatus as described in.   In a state where the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe are separated from the cultivation container that replaces the culture solution using the supply / discharge unit along the predetermined path, the supply / discharge unit is The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein transition is made between a first state and the second state.   After the supply / discharge unit has shifted from the second state to the first state, the transport assembly provided with the supply / discharge unit is provided with the supply pipe and the drain pipe in a cultivation container for replacing the culture solution. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus of Claim 8 which moves so that it may approach.   The transfer assembly provided with the supply / discharge unit is provided with the transfer assembly provided with the supply / discharge unit after the transfer assembly is moved so as to bring the supply pipe and the drainage pipe closer to the cultivation container for replacing the culture solution. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus of Claim 9 which hold | maintains the cultivation container which replaces | exchanges the said culture solution using a holding mechanism.   After the transfer assembly provided with the supply / drainage unit moves so that the supply pipe and the drainage pipe are brought closer to the cultivation container for replacing the culture solution, the supply pipe and the drainage pipe rotate. Then, the hydroponic according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the opening at the tip of the liquid supply pipe and the opening at the tip of the drainage pipe are arranged above a cultivation container for replacing the culture solution. Cultivation equipment.   After the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe are rotated, the opening at the front end of the liquid supply pipe and the opening at the front end of the drainage pipe are arranged above the cultivation container for replacing the culture solution, The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the liquid supply pipe and the drainage pipe descend.

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