JP2020018229A - Artificial light type plant factory - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a satisfactory growth environment for plants in cultivation shelves of a multistage shelves even in a case of a large-scale plant factory.SOLUTION: An artificial light type plant factory (1) in which a plurality of multistage shelves (3) having a plurality of cultivation shelves (31) are arrayed in a space (2), and an air conditioner (5) performs air conditioning inside the space comprises: a duct (7) which is disposed corresponding to each cultivation shelf of the multistage shelves and discharges cooling air from the air conditioner from vents into the cultivation shelf; a compressor (6) which compresses cooling air sent out to the duct; and a cooling tube which is provided for a part of the duct and allows cooling medium for cooling the cooling air in the duct to circulate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an artificial light type plant factory.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, artificial light-type plant factories that produce vegetables using artificial light such as fluorescent lights and LEDs in a closed space have attracted attention. Artificial light plant factories have the advantage of being able to produce vegetables year-round, regardless of climate or weather, and they can produce vegetables even in soilless or narrow places such as urban buildings. It has the advantage that.

  In such an artificial light type plant factory, cooling air ducts are installed in the spaces between the shelves of the multi-stage shelves, and the cooling air is blown out from the ducts to thereby control the temperature in the cultivation shelves of the multi-stage shelves. A structure for making the humidity uniform has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this structure, the cool air is blown out from the upper part of the lighting to heat the cooling air by the heat generated by the lighting, thereby suppressing the surrounding space of the plant from becoming excessively high in humidity.

JP 2014-14285 A

  However, in the structure described in Patent Document 1 described above, since the ducts are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the multi-stage shelf, when the plant factory becomes large-scale, a temperature distribution occurs in the cooling air supplied from the ducts. obtain. For this reason, there is a possibility that a difference occurs in the temperature of the cooling air supplied depending on the location of the duct, and a difference occurs in the growth state of the plant. In order to make the growth conditions of the plants in the cultivation shelves comparable, it is preferable to make the temperature of the cooling air supplied from the duct uniform.

  In addition, the supply of cooling air from the duct may affect the growth of the plant. That is, there is a difference in the growth state between a plant supplied with a relatively large amount of cooling air and a plant supplied with a relatively small amount of cooling air. If the length of the duct in the longitudinal direction increases with the increase in the size of the plant factory, the supply amount of cooling air tends to fluctuate depending on the position of the duct. In order to make the growth conditions of the plants in the cultivation shelves the same, it is preferable to set the supply amount of the cooling air supplied to the cultivation shelves to be substantially the same regardless of the position of the duct.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even in a large-scale plant factory, an artificial artificial environment capable of providing a good growth environment for plants in a cultivation shelf of a multi-stage shelf. One of the purposes is to provide a light-type plant factory.

  The artificial light type plant factory of the present invention is an artificial light type plant factory in which a plurality of multi-stage shelves having a plurality of cultivation shelves are arranged in a space, and an air conditioner performs air conditioning in the space, wherein the multi-stage shelves are provided. A duct that is disposed corresponding to each cultivation shelf, and that discharges cooling air from the air conditioner through the ventilation holes into the cultivation shelf, a compressor that compresses cooling air sent to the duct, and the duct And a cooling pipe that circulates a cooling medium that cools the cooling air in the duct.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if it is a large-scale plant factory, a favorable growth environment can be provided with respect to the plant in the cultivation shelf of a multistage shelf.

It is a mimetic diagram showing composition of an artificial light type plant factory concerning this embodiment from the upper part. It is a mimetic diagram showing composition of an artificial light type plant factory concerning this embodiment from the front. It is a mimetic diagram showing composition of an artificial light type plant factory concerning this embodiment from the back. It is a mimetic diagram showing the multistage type shelf which the artificial light type plant factory concerning this embodiment has from the front. It is a schematic diagram which shows the multistage type shelf which the artificial light type plant factory which concerns on this Embodiment has from the side. It is a mimetic diagram showing an example of a duct which supplies cooling air to a multistage type shelf of an artificial light type plant factory concerning this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the duct which supplies cooling air to the multistage type shelf of the artificial light type plant factory which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a mimetic diagram showing composition of an artificial light type plant factory concerning a modification of this embodiment from the upper part.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The artificial light type plant factory according to the present invention is applied to, for example, a completely artificial light type plant factory that produces vegetables in a closed space with artificial light such as a fluorescent lamp or an LED. However, the artificial light type plant factory according to the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other types of plant factories.

  Generally, in an artificial light type plant factory, it is required to uniformly adjust the temperature and humidity in a closed space, which is a cultivation room, in order to form a favorable growth environment for plants. Conventionally, there is a known structure in which a cooling air duct is installed in a space between shelves of each multi-stage shelf, and the temperature and humidity in the cultivation shelf of each multi-stage shelf are made uniform by blowing out cooling air from the duct. Have been. In this structure, the cool air is blown out from the upper part of the lighting to warm the cool air due to the heat generated by the lighting, thereby suppressing the surrounding space of the plant from becoming excessively high in humidity.

  However, in this structure, when the plant factory is enlarged, a temperature distribution may be generated in the cooling air supplied from the duct. For this reason, there is a possibility that a difference occurs in the temperature of the cooling air supplied into the cultivation shelf, and a difference occurs in the growth state of the plant in the cultivation shelf. In a structure in which the cooling air is blown to the cultivation shelf, the supply amount of the cooling air may affect the growth of the plant. That is, there is a difference in the growth state between a plant supplied with a relatively large amount of cooling air and a plant supplied with a relatively small amount of cooling air. This is considered to be due to the fact that the transpiration of the plant changes according to the supply amount of the cooling air. If the length of the duct increases with the plant factory, the supply amount of cooling air tends to fluctuate depending on the position of the duct.

  The present inventors have found that controlling not only the temperature and humidity in a closed space that is a cultivation room, but also the supply of cooling air used for adjusting the temperature and humidity contributes to providing a good growth environment for plants. We paid attention to. Applying a configuration to maintain the temperature of the cooling air in the duct, and increasing the pressure of the cooling air and sending it out to the duct makes the temperature and humidity in the cultivation shelf and the supply amount of the cooling air uniform, and the plant factory becomes large. The present inventors have found that it contributes to providing a good growth environment for plants even when the scale is increased, and reached the present invention.

  That is, the gist of the present invention is that, in a space, a plurality of multi-stage shelves having a plurality of cultivation shelves are arranged, and in an artificial light type plant factory that performs air conditioning in the space by an air conditioner, each cultivation shelf of the multi-stage shelves corresponds. And a duct for discharging the cooling air from the air conditioner through the ventilation holes into the cultivation shelf, a compressor for compressing the cooling air sent to the duct, and a part of the duct, And a cooling pipe through which a cooling medium for cooling the cooling air flows.

  According to the present invention, since the cooling air sent to the duct is compressed by the compressor and the cooling air in the duct is cooled by the cooling pipe, the cooling air flows through the duct regardless of the distance from the air conditioner. The cooling air is discharged from the ventilation holes while maintaining the temperature of the cooling air. For this reason, a situation where a difference occurs in the temperature of the cooling air supplied to the plants in the cultivation shelf is prevented, and a situation where a difference in the supply amount of the cooling air to the plants in the cultivation shelf is prevented. Thereby, even in a large-scale plant factory, a favorable growth environment can be provided for the plants in the cultivation shelf.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the artificial light type plant factory (hereinafter, simply referred to as “plant factory”) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a plant factory 1 according to the present embodiment from above. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the plant factory 1 according to the present embodiment from the front. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the plant factory 1 according to the present embodiment from behind. Hereinafter, the up-down direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described as the vertical direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction of the plant factory 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, in a plant factory 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality (in the present embodiment, referred to as “closed space”) 2 In the embodiment, (six) multi-stage shelves 3 are arranged. In the plant factory 1, the multi-stage shelves 3 are arranged at regular intervals in the left-right direction (see FIG. 1). The multi-stage shelf 3 has a plurality of cultivation shelves 31 in a vertical direction with the longitudinal direction arranged in the front-rear direction of the plant factory 1 (see FIG. 2). Each cultivation shelf 31 is provided with a cultivation case 4. In the cultivation case 4, a plant to be cultivated (cultivation product) is planted. The configurations of the multi-stage shelves 3 and the cultivation cases 4 will be described later.

  An air conditioner 5 and a compressor 6 are installed in the closed space 2. The air conditioner 5 and the compressor 6 are disposed on the outer wall surface on the left front side of the closed space 2 and at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the upper end of the multi-stage shelf 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). . The air conditioner 5 is arranged near the front surface of the closed space 2, and the compressor 6 is arranged behind the air conditioner 5. The air conditioner 5 performs air conditioning (air conditioning) in the closed space 2. The compressor 6 compresses air (cooling air) supplied into the closed space 2 via the air conditioner 5.

  A duct 7 is connected to the air conditioner 5. The duct 7 is provided corresponding to each cultivation shelf 31 of the multi-stage shelf 3. The duct 7 guides the cooling air supplied from the air conditioner 5 to each cultivation shelf 31 of the multi-stage shelf 3. As will be described in detail later, the duct 7 has a ventilation hole 74 formed toward the lower side (the cultivation case 4 side) of the cultivation shelf 31 (see FIG. 4). The cooling air supplied from the air conditioner 5 is discharged from the ventilation holes 74 into the cultivation shelf 31.

  The duct 7 includes a first duct portion 71, a second duct portion 72, and a third duct portion 73 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). As will be described in detail later, the duct 7 has a generally cylindrical shape and a double piping structure. In the present embodiment, cooling air from the air conditioner 5 is circulated in the outer cylinder of the duct 7, and cooling water is circulated in the inner cylinder of the duct 7. The configuration of the duct 7 is not limited to these configurations, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the duct may have a prismatic shape.

  The first duct portion 71 is provided to extend in a horizontal direction (left-right direction) at a height position corresponding to the air conditioner 5. The first duct portion 71 extends in the left-right direction at a position slightly forward of the front end of the multi-stage shelf 3 (see FIG. 1). The first duct portion 71 extends in the left-right direction at a position slightly above the upper end of the multi-stage shelf 3 (see FIG. 2).

  The second duct portion 72 is connected to the first duct portion 71, and is provided extending vertically in front of the multi-stage shelf 3 (see FIG. 2). The second duct part 72 is arranged at a position corresponding to the multi-stage shelf 3 in the first duct part 71. For example, a plurality of (six in the present embodiment) second duct portions 72 extend from the lower surface of the first duct portion 71 and, when viewed from the front, at a position corresponding to the central portion of the multi-stage shelf 3 in the vertical direction. Extends to. The lower end of the second duct 72 extends to a position corresponding to the upper side of the lowermost cultivation shelf 31 of the multi-stage shelf 3.

  The third duct portion 73 is connected to the second duct portion 72 and is provided extending in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 1). The third duct portion 73 is arranged at a position corresponding to a space above each cultivation shelf 31 in the second duct portion 72. For example, a plurality of third duct portions 73 extend from the rear surface of the second duct portion 72, and extend in the front-rear direction in the upper space of each cultivation shelf 31 of the multi-stage shelf 3 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The rear end of the third duct portion 73 extends slightly rearward from the rear end of the multi-stage shelf 3, and a part thereof is connected to a cooling water circulation mechanism 9 described later.

  Here, the configuration of the multi-stage shelf 3 and the cultivation case 4 of the plant factory 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the multi-stage shelf 3 of the plant factory 1 according to the present embodiment from the front. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the multi-stage shelf 3 of the plant factory 1 according to the present embodiment from the side. 4 and 5, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the multi-stage shelf 3 has six-stage cultivation shelves 31. In addition, it is assumed that nine cultivation cases 4 can be installed in each of the cultivation shelves 31 of the multi-stage shelf 3 in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 5). In FIG. 5, an illuminating unit 8 described later is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the multi-stage shelf 3 has six-stage cultivation shelves 31. Each cultivation shelf 31 is constituted by a space defined by a plurality of shelf boards 32 extending in the horizontal direction (left and right direction and front and rear direction). A cultivation case 4 is arranged on each cultivation shelf 31. The cultivation case 4 is placed on the upper surface of a lower shelf plate 32 that defines each cultivation shelf 31. The cultivation case 4 has a width substantially equal to the cultivation shelf 31 in a front view. In the cultivation case 4, a plant P to be cultivated is planted. The cultivation case 4 may be called a cultivation bed or the like.

  In the upper space in each cultivation shelf 31, the duct 7 (more specifically, the third duct portion 73) and the illumination unit 8 are arranged. For example, the third duct portion 73 and the lighting unit 8 are supported on the lower surface of the upper shelf plate 32 that defines the respective cultivation shelves 31, but is not limited thereto. In each cultivation shelf 31, the third duct portion 73 is disposed near the lower surface of the shelf plate 32. The third duct portion 73 is disposed so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the cultivation shelf 31 (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 4, a left-right direction of FIG. 5).

  The illumination unit 8 is arranged below the third duct portion 73. The illumination unit 8 has a light source 81 such as a fluorescent lamp for irradiating the plant P with light, and a reflector 82 for improving the efficiency of irradiating the plant P with light (see FIG. 4). The reflection plate 82 has a shape that opens downward in a sectional view. The reflection plate 82 is disposed above the light source 81, and reflects light emitted upward from the light source 81 downward (toward the cultivation case 4). The reflection plate 82 is disposed between the third duct portion 73 and the light source 81. The light source 81 and the reflector 82 are arranged so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the cultivation shelf 31 (the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 4 and the left-right direction of FIG. 5), similarly to the third duct portion 73.

  A plurality of ventilation holes 74 for discharging the cooling air in the third duct portion 73 into the cultivation shelf 31 are formed near the lower surface of the third duct portion 73 (see FIG. 4). A pair of ventilation holes 74a and 74b are formed in the third duct portion 73 in the left-right direction. The ventilation hole 74a is formed at a position where the cooling air is discharged to the lower left side of the cultivation shelf 31. On the other hand, the ventilation holes 74b are formed at positions where the cooling air is discharged to the lower right side of the cultivation shelf 31. The pair of ventilation holes 74a and 74b are formed at regular intervals in the front-rear direction of the third duct portion 73. In the present embodiment, nine ventilation holes 74 (74a, 74b) are formed in the third duct portion 73 (see FIG. 5). These ventilation holes 74 are arranged in association with each cultivation case 4 arranged on the cultivation shelf 31.

  Note that the reflection plate 82 of the illumination unit 8 is disposed below the third duct portion 73. Therefore, it is preferable as an embodiment to form an opening for ventilation at a predetermined position of the reflection plate 82. It is considered that these openings are formed at positions corresponding to the ventilation holes 74 of the third duct portion 73. These openings allow the cooling air discharged from the ventilation holes 74 of the third duct portion 73 to pass downward (toward the cultivation case 4). In addition, the opening allows air (warm air) warmed after cooling the plant P to pass through the space above the cultivation shelf 31. Here, an example is described in which the reflecting plate 82 of the illumination unit 8 is disposed below the third duct portion 73, but any arrangement can be applied to these arrangements.

  Here, the configuration of the third duct portion 73 arranged on the cultivation shelf 31 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the third duct portion 73 that supplies cooling air to the multi-stage shelf 3 of the plant factory 1 according to the present embodiment. The first duct portion 71 and the second duct portion 72 constituting the duct 7 have the same configuration as the third duct portion 73 except that the ventilation hole 74 is not formed. In FIG. 6, for convenience of description, reference numerals corresponding to the first duct portion 72 and the second duct portion 72 are described in parentheses.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the third duct portion 73 has a generally cylindrical shape. The third duct part 73 has a double piping structure including an outer cylinder part 73a and an inner cylinder part 73b. The outer cylinder 73a of the third duct 73 is connected to the air conditioner 5 via the outer cylinders (71a, 72a) of the first duct 71 and the second duct 72. The inner cylindrical portion 73b of the third duct portion 73 is connected to a cooling water circulation mechanism 9 described later via the first cylindrical portion 71 and the inner cylindrical portions (71b, 72b) of the second duct portion 72.

  Cooling air supplied from the air conditioner 5 flows through the outer cylinder 73a. Cooling water circulating through the cooling water circulation mechanism 9 flows through the inner cylinder portion 73b. The cooling water flowing through the inner cylinder 73b is an example of a cooling medium, and is used to cool the cooling air flowing through the outer cylinder 73a. More specifically, it is used to maintain the temperature of the cooling air flowing through the outer cylinder portion 73a, in other words, to prevent the temperature of the cooling air from rising due to the circulation in the outer cylinder portion 73a. You.

  That is, the inner cylindrical portion 73b of the third duct portion 73 functions as a cooling pipe through which the cooling water for cooling the cooling air in the outer cylindrical portion 73a flows. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which cooling water is used as a cooling medium for cooling the cooling air in outer cylinder portion 73a, but the present invention is not limited to this. Assuming that the cooling air is cooled, any fluid other than the cooling water can be used.

  Ventilation holes 74 are formed in a lower portion of the outer cylindrical portion 73a at regular intervals in the extending direction of the third duct portion 73 (the front-back direction of the plant factory 1). A pair of ventilation holes 74 are formed on the same plane orthogonal to the direction in which the third duct portion 73 extends. The pair of ventilation holes 74 are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to an imaginary line passing vertically through the center of the third duct portion 73. These ventilation holes 74 communicate the space inside the outer cylinder 73a with the space outside the outer cylinder 73a.

  The temperature of the cooling air flowing through the outer cylinder 73a is maintained within a desired temperature range regardless of the position of the third duct 73 by being cooled by the cooling water flowing through the inner cylinder 73b. Then, the cooling air is discharged into the cultivation shelf 31 from the ventilation holes 74 formed at predetermined positions of the outer cylindrical portion 73a. The cooling air discharged from the ventilation holes 74 adjusts the temperature and humidity in the cultivation shelf 31 to a desired temperature and humidity. Thereby, the growth environment for the plant P in the cultivation case 4 is adjusted to a favorable state. The cooling air released to the cultivation shelves 31 flows out of the multi-stage shelves 3 into the closed space 2.

  1 to 3, the description of the configuration of the plant factory 1 will be continued. A cooling water circulation mechanism (hereinafter simply referred to as a “circulation mechanism”) 9 is connected to a predetermined position of the duct 7 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The circulation mechanism 9 circulates the cooling water flowing in the duct 7 described above. The circulation mechanism 9 is configured to collect the cooling water sent out from the third duct portion 73, circulate the cooling water at a desired temperature, cool the water again, and then send it to the first duct portion 71. ing.

  The circulation mechanism 9 has a first water pipe 91, a second water pipe 92, a third water pipe 93, and a pump 94 with a cooling function (hereinafter simply referred to as “pump”). The first water pipe 91, the second water pipe 92, and the third water pipe 93 have a generally cylindrical shape. For example, the first water pipe 91, the second water pipe 92, and the third water pipe 93 can be constituted by a single pipe, but are not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed.

  The first water distribution pipe 91 is connected to the inner cylindrical part 73b of the third duct part 73, and is provided to extend vertically in the rear side of the multi-stage shelf 3 (see FIG. 3). For example, a plurality of (six in the present embodiment) first water distribution pipes 91 extend in the vertical direction at positions corresponding to the central portion of the multi-stage shelf 3 in rear view. The rear ends of the plurality of third ducts 73 are connected to the front surface of the first water distribution pipe 91.

  The second water distribution pipe 92 is connected to the lower end of the first water distribution pipe 91, and is provided extending in the left-right direction (see FIG. 3). The second water distribution pipe 92 extends in the left-right direction at a height position corresponding to the third duct portion 73 arranged on the lowermost cultivation shelf 31 of the multi-stage shelf 3. A plurality of (six in the present embodiment) first water distribution pipes 91 are connected to the upper surface of the second water distribution pipe 92. The left end of the second water pipe 92 is connected to a pump 94.

  The pump 94 is disposed on the inner wall surface on the left rear side in the closed space 2 and on the bottom surface thereof. For example, the pump 94 generates a pressure difference inside the pump, sucks cooling water flowing through the second water pipe 92, and sends out the sucked cooling water to the third water pipe 93. Further, the pump 94 has a function of cooling the cooling water sucked from the second water distribution pipe 92 to a predetermined temperature. The cooling water sucked from the second water pipe 92 is sent out to the third water pipe 93 after being cooled to a predetermined temperature.

  Note that, in the present embodiment, a case where cooling water is cooled by the pump 94 having a cooling function is described, but the configuration for cooling the cooling water is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed. is there. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which cooling water generated by a chiller or the like is circulated in the circulation mechanism 9.

  The third water distribution pipe 93 is connected to the front surface of the pump 94, extends in the front-rear direction, and is provided so as to be bent upward and extend in the vertical direction. The upper end of the third water pipe 93 is connected to the inner cylinder 71 b of the first duct 71 of the duct 7. The cooling water sent out to the third water pipe 93 by the pump 94 is sent out to the inner cylindrical portion 71b of the first duct portion 71, and can circulate in the duct 7 again.

  Next, in the plant factory 1 according to the above embodiment, the operation and cooling of each component when adjusting the temperature and humidity in the closed space 2 (more specifically, in the cultivation shelf 31 of the multi-stage shelf 3). The flow of air will be described with reference to FIGS. Adjustment of the temperature and humidity in the closed space 2 of the plant factory 1 is started according to an instruction from a manager. For example, the administrator instructs temperature / humidity adjustment by designating the temperature / humidity in the closed space 2 from a control device connected to the plant factory 1 by wire or wirelessly.

  When the adjustment of the temperature and humidity in the closed space 2 is instructed, the power is turned on to the air conditioner 5, the compressor 6, and the pump 94. The compressor 6 compresses air taken in from an intake port (not shown) and sends it to the air conditioner 5. For example, the compressor 6 can take in the air in the closed space 2. The air conditioner 5 cools the air sent from the compressor 6 to a predetermined temperature, and sends the cooled air to the outer cylinder 71 a of the first duct 71. The pump 94 cools the cooling water stored in a tank (not shown) and sends the cooling water to the inner cylinder 71 b of the first duct 71 via the third water pipe 93. The cooling air and the cooling water sent into the first duct portion 71 flow toward the right side of the plant factory 1.

  The cooling air and the cooling water sent into the first duct portion 71 flow into the second duct portion 72 from respective connection portions with the second duct portion 72. Similarly to the first duct 71, the cooling air flows into the outer cylinder 72a of the second duct 72, and the cooling water flows into the inner cylinder 72b of the second duct 72. The cooling air and the cooling water flowing into the second duct portion 72 flow toward the lower side of the plant factory 1 (see FIG. 2).

  The cooling air and the cooling water sent into the second duct portion 72 flow into the third duct portion 73 from respective connection portions with the third duct portion 73. Similarly to the second duct 72, the cooling air flows into the outer cylinder 73 a of the third duct 73, and the cooling water flows into the inner cylinder 73 b of the third duct 73. The cooling air and the cooling water flowing into the third duct portion 73 flow toward the rear side of the plant factory 1 (see FIG. 5).

  Inside the cooling air sent to each outer cylinder part (outer cylinder parts 71a, 72a and 73a) of the duct 7, the cooling air sent to each inner cylinder part (inner cylinder parts 71b, 72b and 73b) of the duct 7 is placed. Water is in circulation. For this reason, the temperature of the cooling air is suppressed from increasing with the circulation in the duct 7. Thereby, the cooling air flows through the duct 7 while maintaining the temperature within a predetermined range.

  While flowing through the third duct portion 73 to the rear side, the cooling air is discharged from the ventilation holes 74 (74a, 74b) into the cultivation shelf 31 (see FIG. 4). The cooling air discharged into the cultivation shelf 31 adjusts the temperature and humidity of the air around the plant P in the cultivation case 4 in the cultivation shelf 31. Then, the cooling air after adjusting the air around the plant P is discharged to the outside of the cultivation shelf 31 (the multi-stage shelf 3). The cooling air discharged from the cultivation shelf 31 flows in the closed space 2, is taken in from an intake port of the compressor 6 (not shown), and is sent again to the duct 7.

  The cooling water flowing to the rear side through the third duct portion 73 (more specifically, the inner cylindrical portion 73b) flows into the first water distribution pipe 91 from the connection portion of the circulation mechanism 9 with the first water distribution pipe 91. . The cooling water flowing into the first water distribution pipe 91 flows toward the lower side of the plant factory 1 (see FIG. 3). In the configuration of the multi-stage shelf 3 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cooling water flows from the six third ducts 73 arranged in the vertical direction into one first water distribution pipe 91.

  The cooling water sent into the first water distribution pipe 91 flows into the second water distribution pipe 92 from a connection portion with the second water distribution pipe 92. The cooling water flowing into the second water distribution pipe 92 flows toward the left side of the plant factory 1 (see FIG. 3). In the configuration of the multi-stage shelf 3 shown in FIG. 3, cooling water flows into one second water distribution pipe 92 from six first water distribution pipes 91 arranged in the left-right direction.

  The cooling water flowing into the second water distribution pipe 92 flows toward the left side of the plant factory 1 by being sucked by the pump 94. The pump 94 cools the sucked cooling water to a predetermined temperature again and sends it to the third water pipe 93. After flowing to the rear side of the plant factory 1 in the third water pipe 93, the cooling water changes its traveling direction to the upper side and flows. Then, the cooling water flows into the inner cylindrical portion 71b of the first duct portion 71 from the connection portion with the first duct portion 71, and circulates through the duct 7 again.

  As described above, in the plant factory 1 according to the present embodiment, the cooling air sent out to the duct 7 is compressed by the compressor 6, and the inner cylinder portions 71b, 72b, and 73b of the duct 7 constituting the cooling pipe are used. Since the cooling air in the duct 7 is cooled, the cooling air flowing through the duct 7 is discharged from the ventilation holes 74 while maintaining the temperature of the cooling air irrespective of the distance from the air conditioner 5. For this reason, a situation where a difference occurs in the temperature of the cooling air supplied to the plant P in the cultivation shelf 31 is prevented, and a situation where a difference in the supply amount of the cooling air to the plant P in the cultivation shelf 31 is prevented. You. Thereby, even in a large-scale plant factory, a favorable growth environment can be provided for the plants in the cultivation shelf 31.

  In particular, in the plant factory 1, the duct 7 has a double pipe structure, and the inner cylinder portions 71b, 72b, and 73b of the double pipe structure are used as cooling pipes. Thereby, the cooling air flowing through the outer cylinder portions 71a, 72a, and 73a can always be cooled from the inside, so that the cooling air flowing through the duct 7 can be cooled to a desired value regardless of the distance from the air conditioner 5. Temperature can be maintained. Note that, in order to promote the cooling effect (heat transfer effect) by the cooling water, fins may be provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the inner cylindrical portions 71b, 72b and 73b.

  In the plant factory 1 according to the present embodiment, the supply amount of the cooling air discharged from the ventilation holes 74 is made uniform by compressing the cooling air sent to the duct 7 by the compressor 6. Further, it is preferable as an embodiment to change the diameter and the shape of the ventilation hole 74 in order to make the supply amount of the cooling air discharged from the ventilation hole 74 uniform. For example, in the third duct portion 73 shown in FIG. 5, the diameter may be increased according to the position of the ventilation hole 74. In this case, it is conceivable to gradually increase the diameter of the ventilation hole 74 toward the rear side.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the amount of cooling air released to each cultivation shelf 31 of the multi-stage shelf 3 is made uniform has been described. However, the amount of cooling air released is adjusted depending on the growth condition of the plant P. There are also situations where it is preferable to do so. Considering such a situation, it is preferable as an embodiment to provide an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the amount of cooling air released from the ventilation holes 74 to the cultivation shelf 31. By providing an adjusting mechanism and adjusting the amount of cooling air released, an appropriate amount of cooling air can be supplied according to the growth state of the plant P.

  Such an adjusting mechanism can be constituted by an adjusting valve provided in a part of the duct 7. For example, the regulating valve includes an upstream end portion of the second duct portion 72 (connection portion with the first duct portion 71) and an upstream end portion of the third duct portion 73 (connection portion with the second duct portion 72). Can be installed respectively. In the former case, the amount of cooling air released can be adjusted for each multi-stage shelf 3. In the latter case, the amount of cooling air released can be adjusted for each cultivation shelf 31 included in the multi-stage shelf 3.

  These adjustment valves are controlled in accordance with, for example, various sensors (for example, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a load sensor) installed in the plant factory 1, the illumination time of the illumination unit 8, and the like. For example, based on the detection result of the temperature sensor installed on the cultivation shelf 31, the flow rate of the cooling air can be adjusted (increased or decreased) by the adjustment valve. Alternatively, based on the detection result (the weight detection result of the plant P) of the load sensor installed corresponding to the cultivation case 4 of the cultivation shelf 31, the passing amount of the cooling air is adjusted (increased or reduced) by the adjustment valve. Can be.

  Moreover, you may install a carbon dioxide supply pipe and a humidity control apparatus (dehumidification, a humidifier) in the plant factory 1. For example, by providing a carbon dioxide supply pipe at the air intake of the air conditioner 5 or the compressor 6 or at a part of the duct 7, carbon dioxide lost due to the growth of the plant P can be supplemented. In addition, by providing a humidity control device in the space between the closed space 2 and the multi-stage shelf 3, the humidity in the closed space 2 that fluctuates due to the transpiration of the plant P can be adjusted.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be implemented with various changes. In the above embodiment, the size, shape, and the like of the members and holes illustrated in the accompanying drawings are not limited thereto, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the effects of the present invention. In addition, the present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the scope of the object of the present invention.

  For example, in the plant factory 1 according to the above-described embodiment, a description will be given of a case where the duct 7 has a double pipe structure and allows the cooling air to flow through the outer cylindrical portion 73a and the cooling water to flow through the inner cylindrical portion 73b. are doing. However, the configuration of the duct 7 is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed. For example, the cooling water may flow through the outer cylinder 73a while the cooling air flows through the inner cylinder 73b.

  Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a cooling pipe through which cooling water flows is provided in a part of the duct 7 through which cooling air flows. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the duct 7 that supplies cooling air to the multi-stage shelf 3 of the plant factory 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, as in FIG. 6, the third duct portion 73 will be described as an example, but the first duct portion 71 and the second duct portion 72 may have the same configuration.

  In the duct 7 shown in FIG. 7, the third duct portion 73 has a single pipe structure. Inside the third duct portion 73, cooling air supplied from the air conditioner 5 is configured to be able to flow. A cooling pipe 75 is provided at a part (a part of the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface) of the third duct part 73. The cooling water supplied from the circulation mechanism 9 is configured to be circulated inside the cooling pipe 75. The cooling water circulating in the cooling pipe 75 plays a role of cooling the cooling air flowing in the third duct 73 as in the above-described embodiment.

  For example, the cooling pipe 75 is spirally arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the third duct portion 73 (see FIG. 7A). The cooling pipe 75 is preferably arranged in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the third duct part 73. By arranging the cooling air in the contact state, the cooling air in the third duct portion 73 can be effectively cooled by the cooling water in the cooling pipe 75. Further, by arranging in a helical manner, a portion exhibiting a heat exchange effect can be largely secured, and the cooling air in the third duct portion 73 can be effectively cooled by the cooling water in the cooling pipe 75. . Further, it is preferable to adhere a part or all of the cooling pipe 75 to the outer peripheral surface of the third duct portion 73 from the viewpoint of improving the cooling effect on the cooling air.

  Further, the cooling pipe 75 may be spirally arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the third duct portion 73 (see FIG. 7B). In this case, from the viewpoint of reducing the pressure loss in the third duct portion 73, it is preferable that the cooling pipe 75 be disposed in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the third duct portion 73. By being arranged in contact with each other, the cooling air in the third duct portion 73 can be cooled while the cooling air flows smoothly in the third duct portion 73. Further, by arranging in a helical manner, a portion exhibiting a heat exchange effect can be largely secured, and the cooling air in the third duct portion 73 can be effectively cooled by the cooling water in the cooling pipe 75. .

  Note that the cooling pipe 75 does not necessarily have to be helical as long as it is arranged so as to penetrate the space in the third duct portion 73. By arranging through the space in the third duct portion 73, the cooling air in the third duct portion 73 can be effectively cooled by the cooling water in the cooling pipe 75. Further, disposing a plurality of cooling pipes in the space inside the third duct portion 73 is preferable from the viewpoint of cooling the cooling air inside the third duct portion 73.

  In the configuration in which the cooling pipe 75 penetrates into the space in the third duct portion 73, a guide plate for guiding the cooling air in the third duct portion 73 to the cooling pipe 75 side may be provided in the third duct portion 73. preferable. In this case, since the cooling air flowing through the third duct portion 73 is guided to the cooling pipe 75 side by the guide plate, a large portion for performing the heat exchange action can be secured, and the inside of the third duct portion 73 can be secured. The cooling air can be effectively cooled by the cooling water in the cooling pipe 75.

  Further, in the plant factory 1 according to the above-described embodiment, a case is shown in which the multistage shelf 3 has a duct 7 through which cooling air flows from the front end to the rear end. However, the arrangement of the ducts 7 included in the plant factory 1 is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed. For example, the position of the first duct portion 71 connected to the air conditioner 5 may be arranged at the center of the closed space 2 in the front-rear direction.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a plant factory 10 according to a modification of the present embodiment from above. In FIG. 8, the same components as those of the plant factory 1 shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The plant factory 10 shown in FIG. 8 differs from the plant factory 1 shown in FIG. 1 in the installation positions of the air conditioner 5 and the compressor 6, and the configurations of the duct 7 and the circulation mechanism 9.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the plant factory 10, the air conditioner 5 and the compressor 6 are installed near the center of the closed space 2 in the front-rear direction. The first duct portion 71 of the duct 7 extends in the left-right direction near the center in the front-rear direction in the closed space 2. The second duct portion 72 is connected to the lower surface of the first duct portion 71, and is provided so as to vertically pass through the central portion of each multi-stage shelf 3 in the vertical direction. The third duct portion 73 is connected to the front surface and the rear surface of the second duct portion 72, and extends in the front and rear direction in the space above each cultivation shelf 31.

  Further, a first water pipe 91 of the circulation mechanism 9 is connected to a front end and a rear end of the third duct portion 73, and extends in a vertical direction. Second water distribution pipes 92 are connected to lower end portions of the first water distribution pipes 91 arranged in front and rear, respectively, and extend in the left-right direction. A pump 94 is connected to the left end of the second water distribution pipe 92. A third water distribution pipe 93 is connected to each of the two pumps 94, extends in the front-rear direction, and is bent upward and extends upward.

  According to the plant factory 10 shown in FIG. 8, the cooling air is sent in through the first duct 71 arranged near the center in the front-rear direction of the closed space 2, and the front and rear sides are passed through the second duct 72. Flows into the third duct portion 73 arranged on the side. The cooling air flowing into the third duct portion 73 arranged on the front side flows toward the front side, and the cooling air flowing into the third duct portion 73 arranged on the rear side flows toward the rear side. Therefore, the circulation distance of the cooling air flowing through the third duct portion 73 is shorter than that in the plant factory 1 shown in FIG. As described above, in the plant factory 10 illustrated in FIG. 8, since the circulation distance of the cooling air in the third duct portion 73 is reduced, the cooling air can be easily circulated to the front-rear end of the multi-stage shelf 3, and the multi-stage The longitudinal direction of the shelf 3 can be uniformly cooled.

  Furthermore, in the plant factory 1 according to the above-described embodiment, a case is described in which one air conditioner 5 is used to air-condition the closed space 2. However, the configuration of the plant factory 1 is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed. For example, the air conditioner 5 is installed for each of the multi-stage shelves 3 arranged in the closed space 2, and the amount and temperature of the cooling air released from the ventilation holes 74 of the third duct portion 73 to the cultivation shelves 31 are set for each of the multi-stage shelves. The configuration may be changed. In this case, the temperature and supply amount of the cooling air can be selected according to the growth state of the plant P in the cultivation case 4, so that a better growth environment is provided for the plants in the cultivation shelf 31. be able to.

  Furthermore, in the plant factory 1 according to the above embodiment, in each of the cultivation shelves 31 of the multi-stage shelf 3, the duct 7 (third duct portion 73) that discharges cooling air is arranged above the illumination unit 8. (See FIG. 4). However, the position of the third duct portion 73 is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed. For example, assuming that cooling air can be supplied into the cultivation shelf 31, the third duct portion 73 may be arranged in the cultivation shelf 31 so as to be shifted leftward or rightward from the illumination unit 8. Further, the third duct portion 73 may be arranged outside the cultivation shelf 31.

  As described above, the present invention has an effect that even in a large-scale plant factory, it is possible to provide a good growth environment for the plants in the cultivation shelves of the multi-stage shelves, and in particular, Useful for completely artificial light type plant factories.

1, 10: Artificial light type plant factory (plant factory)
2: closed space 3: multi-stage shelf 31: cultivation shelf 32: shelf plate 4: cultivation case 5: air conditioner 6: compressor 7: duct 71: first duct portions 71a, 72a, 73a: outer cylinder portions 71b, 72b , 73b: inner cylinder part 72: second duct part 73: third duct part 74, 74a, 74b: ventilation hole 75: cooling pipe 8: illumination unit 81: light source 82: reflector plate 9: cooling water circulation mechanism (circulation mechanism)
91: first water pipe 92: second water pipe 93: third water pipe 94: pump with cooling function (pump)
P: Plant

Claims (9)

In the space, a plurality of multi-stage shelves having a plurality of cultivation shelves are arranged, an artificial light type plant factory that performs air conditioning in the space by an air conditioner,
A duct that is disposed corresponding to each of the cultivation shelves of the multi-stage shelf and discharges cooling air from the air conditioner through the ventilation holes into the cultivation shelves,
A compressor that compresses cooling air sent to the duct;
A cooling pipe provided in a part of the duct and flowing a cooling medium for cooling cooling air in the duct,
An artificial light type plant factory, comprising:   2. The artificial light type plant factory according to claim 1, wherein the duct has a double pipe structure, and an inner tube or an outer tube of the double pipe structure is the cooling pipe. 3.   The artificial light type plant factory according to claim 1, wherein the cooling pipe is provided on a part of an outer peripheral surface or an inner peripheral surface of the duct.   The artificial light type plant factory according to claim 3, wherein the cooling pipes are arranged in a spiral shape.   The artificial light type plant factory according to claim 1, wherein the cooling pipe is arranged so as to penetrate a space in the duct.   The artificial light type plant factory according to claim 5, wherein a guide plate is provided inside the duct to guide cooling air in the duct toward the cooling pipe.   The artificial light type plant factory according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an adjusting mechanism for adjusting an amount of cooling air released from the ventilation hole to the cultivation shelf.   The artificial light type plant factory according to claim 7, wherein the adjusting mechanism is an adjusting valve provided in a part of the duct.   The air conditioner is installed for each of the multi-stage shelves, and the amount and temperature of cooling air discharged from the ventilation holes to the cultivation shelves are changed for each of the multi-stage shelves. An artificial light type plant factory according to any of the above.

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