JP2020058238A - Planting device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a planting device capable of arranging a root of a stump to a desired position after planting.SOLUTION: A planting device is a device for transplanting a plurality of stumps 1 from a seedling raising panel capable of holding the plurality of stumps 1 to a growth panel 20 comprising a plurality of openings 21 for holding the plurality of stumps 1, and the planting device comprises a suction device 80 for supplying air directed to at least one opening 21 from the stump 1 side in a state in which a root 1b extending from at least one stump 1 taken out from the seedling raising panel and at least one opening 21 out of the plurality of openings 21 of the growth panel 20 are associated and positioned, in transplanting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a planting device for transferring a plant.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a planting device for automating planting from a nursery mat to a cultivation cup. The planting device of Patent Document 1 includes a retracting means that supports the strain taken out from the seedling raising mat and pulls it into the cultivation cup. This retracting means has a plurality of rod-shaped members whose lower ends are supported in a gathered state on a support plate, and a tightening member that expands or bundles the upper ends of the plurality of rod-shaped members.

  The planting device moves the upper ends of the bundled rod-shaped members to directly below the cultivation cup and raises them. Thereby, the rod-shaped member is inserted into the opening on the lower surface of the cultivation cup. Next, the planting device expands the upper ends of the plurality of rod-shaped members by the tightening member, and accommodates the plant inside the plurality of rod-shaped members. In this state, the rod-shaped member is lowered to draw the plant into the cultivation cup. As a result, the planting from the seedling raising mat to the cultivation cup is automatically performed.

JP-A-7-147855

  In the planting device of Patent Document 1, the plant can be planted automatically by mechanically gripping the plant and pulling it into the cultivation cup as described above. However, Patent Document 1 does not pay attention to the problem that the roots growing in the plant cannot be drawn to a desired position in the cultivation cup. Therefore, when the strain held by the rod-shaped member is inserted into the cultivation cup, the root may pop out of the cultivation cup. In this case, the subsequent growth of the strain is adversely affected. Therefore, there is a demand for a technique capable of arranging the roots of a plant at a desired position after planting.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a planting device capable of arranging roots of a plant at a desired position after planting.

[Constitution]
The characteristic configuration of the planting device according to the present invention is
A planting device that transfers the plurality of strains from a first device capable of holding a plurality of strains to a second device having a plurality of openings capable of holding the plurality of strains,
At the time of the transfer, in a state where the root extending from at least one plant taken out from the first device and at least one opening of the plurality of openings of the second device are positioned corresponding to each other. , A wind supply device for supplying wind from the stock side toward the at least one opening.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, by supplying the wind from the stock side toward the opening of the second device, the root extending from the stock positioned corresponding to the opening is corrected to enter the opening, It becomes easy to insert into the opening. Therefore, it is possible to suppress planting without rooting in the opening of the second device. Even if there are variations in root length and root curl for each plant, the wind supply corrects the root so as to enter the corresponding opening of the second device. Further, even when the device vibrates during planting, the roots are easily inserted into the corresponding openings of the second device by the correction of the roots by the wind.

  As a result, it is possible to maintain or promote the normal growth of the plant even after the plant is planted in the second device. In addition, for example, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the tip of the root where more growth factors exist due to the fixed planting jumps upward from the opening of the second device, and it is possible to maintain the growth of the plant. Further, it is possible to omit the work of adjusting the insertion path of the plant into the opening, for example, adjusting the orientation of the plant so that the root enters the corresponding opening of the second device. Also, for example, root shaping operations such as cutting the root so that the root enters the corresponding opening of the second device, changing the orientation of the root, or bundling the root can be omitted.

  Since the roots of the plant are sent into the opening of the second device by the wind as described above, the roots of the plant are directly compared with the case where the plant, the root, etc. are clamped by the mechanical mechanism and drawn into the opening of the second device. Strains can be planted while suppressing contact with and suppressing root damage.

[Constitution]
Further characteristic configuration of the planting device according to the present invention,
The air supply device is a suction device that sucks the air on the stock side and supplies the air toward the at least one opening.

  According to the above-mentioned characteristic configuration, since the wind is sucked in the direction from the plant side toward the opening, the root is corrected so as to enter the opening and is easily inserted into the opening.

[Constitution]
Further characteristic configuration of the planting device according to the present invention,
The suction device includes a tubular member having a first end positioned corresponding to a lower portion of the at least one opening of the second device, and air from a second end opposite to the first end. And a suction drive unit for sucking.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, the air flow is generated in the direction in which the air is sucked into the tubular member. Therefore, the wind toward the opening of the second device can be efficiently generated. Thereby, the wind easily passes through the opening, the root is easily corrected in a direction to enter the opening of the second device, and the root is easily inserted into the opening.

  The tubular member may have a substantially cylindrical shape, and may have a funnel-shaped portion whose width decreases from the upper portion to the lower portion along the axial direction of the tubular member. The widest part of the funnel-shaped part covers the opening of the second device, and air can be efficiently sucked from the opening.

  Further, the tubular member may have at least one hole penetrating the wall of the tubular member. The tubular member sucks air from the upper portion facing the opening of the second device, but also sucks air from the hole in the wall. As a result, it is possible to prevent the suction force for sucking the wind inside the tubular member, that is, the wind pressure from becoming too large. Further, suction is prevented by vacuum, and suction force, wind pressure, negative pressure, etc. do not become too large.

It is a top view of a seedling raising panel. It is a top view of a growth panel. It is a side view of a pot. It is a schematic diagram which shows the cultivation method by the NFT method. It is a schematic diagram which shows the cultivation method by a DFT method. It is a plane schematic diagram of a planting device. It is a side surface schematic diagram of a planting device. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of the planting method using the wind by suction. It is a schematic diagram which shows the flow of the planting method using the wind by suction. It is a schematic diagram which shows the flow of the planting method using the wind by suction. It is a schematic diagram which shows the flow of the planting method using the wind by suction. It is a schematic diagram which shows the flow of the planting method using the wind by suction. It is a schematic diagram which shows the flow of the planting method using the wind by suction. It is a schematic diagram which shows another positional relationship between a tubular member and a growth panel. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of a cylindrical member. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of a cylindrical member. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode of another planting method using the wind by suction. It is a schematic diagram which shows the guide provided in the arm. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that the pot is hold | gripped by the arm which has the guide of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode of the planting method using ventilation.

  An embodiment of a planting device and a planting method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. When cultivating a plant, a fixed planting is performed in which a seedling raising panel (first device) for growing the plant is transferred to a growth panel (second device) for further growing the plant. In the present invention, when performing planting, wind is supplied to the roots so that the roots extending from the plant can be arranged at appropriate positions. As a method of supplying this wind, for example, a method of supplying the wind so as to suck the root extending from the plant and arranging the root at an appropriate position (first embodiment), and a method of supplying the wind toward the opening There is a method (second embodiment) in which air is blown to generate air flow from the root of the root toward the tip to dispose the root at an appropriate position.

[First Embodiment]
As an example of a method for arranging the roots at the proper position in the planting step, a planting apparatus and a planting method for supplying the wind so as to suck the roots and arranging the roots at the proper positions will be described below.

(1) Cultivation panel In recent years, a method for cultivating fruits and vegetables such as vegetables without being influenced by the weather has become popular by performing hydroponic cultivation indoors such as in greenhouses and buildings. In such hydroponics, a plate-shaped cultivation panel is used in this embodiment. As a cultivation panel, a seedling raising panel (first device) 10 for growing a plurality of strains (seedlings) grown from seeds and in an early stage of the growth stage, and growth for maintaining and promoting further growth of the strains. The panel (2nd apparatus) 20 is mentioned.

(1-1) Seedling Raising Panel The raising seedling panel 10 is a plate-shaped member at least in part, and in FIG. 1, substantially the entire surface is formed into a plate shape. In the seedling raising panel 10, a plurality of openings 11 each having a circular shape in plan view are formed along the plate-like surface in, for example, a matrix. The opening 11 is formed so as to penetrate from the upper surface side to the lower surface side of the seedling raising panel 10, and a pot (accommodation portion) 30 shown in FIG. 3 described later is arranged in each of the plurality of openings 11. In the pot 30, for example, a plurality of strains (seedlings) 1 grown from seeds and in an early stage of the growth stage are arranged.

  In the seedling raising panel 10, the pitch Wb of the openings 11 is narrower than that in the growing panel 20 described later, and the plurality of strains 1 in the early stage of the growth stage are densely cultivated. With such a small seedling raising panel 10, a plurality of strains 1 can be collectively grown. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power of the light source for irradiating the plurality of strains 1, the amount of water and liquid fertilizer supplied to the seedling raising panel 10, the space for managing the seedling raising panel 10, and the like. Therefore, the strain (seedling) 1 can be efficiently grown.

(1-2) Growth panel When the strain 1 grows on the seedling raising panel 10, a planting is performed in which the plurality of strains 1 are transferred to the growth panel 20 having a wider interval in order to further maintain and promote the growth. As shown in FIG. 2, at least a part of the growth panel 20 is a plate-shaped member, and in FIG. 2, substantially the entire surface is formed in a plate shape. In the growth panel 20, a plurality of openings 21 having a circular shape in plan view are formed along the plate-like surface in, for example, a matrix. The opening 21 is formed so as to penetrate from the upper surface side to the lower surface side of the growing panel 20, and the pot 30 is arranged in each of the plurality of openings 21.

  The pitch Wd of the growing panel 20 of FIG. 2 is larger than the pitch Wb of the seedling raising panel 10 of FIG. The pitch is represented by the distance between the centers of adjacent openings. Moreover, the numerical aperture (opening area) per unit area of the growth panel 20 is smaller than the numerical aperture (opening area) per unit area of the seedling raising panel 10. As a result, in the pot 30 placed on the growth panel 20, it is possible to suppress contact between the strains 1 and maintain and promote growth of the strains.

(2) Pot (container)
In order to place the strain 1 on the seedling raising panel 10 and the growth panel 20, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the strain 1 is stored in the pot (storage unit) 30 shown in FIG. 3A. The pot 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a cavity capable of accommodating the stock 1 inside. The pot 30 has an edge portion 31 at the upper end and a body portion 33 extending downward from the edge portion 31. As shown in FIG. 3A, the edge portion 31 is formed to be larger than the upper end of the main body portion 33 in a side view, and the edge portion 31 and the main body portion 33 have a step. The main body portion 33 is formed so as to taper slightly from the upper end toward the lower end in a side view. A substantially circular opening 35 is formed on the lower end surface of the main body 33 in a top view. Then, urethane or the like serving as the medium 37 of the strain 1 is inserted inside the cavity of the pot 30.

  As described above, the edge portion 31 of the pot 30 is larger than the main body portion 33. Therefore, the pot 30 is placed on the seedling raising panel 10 by placing the edge portion 31 on the peripheral portion of the opening 11 of the seedling raising panel 10. Similarly, the pot 30 is placed on the growing panel 20 by placing the edge portion 31 on the peripheral edge of the opening 21 of the growing panel 20.

When the strain 1 is cultivated in the pot 30, for example, the seeds of the strain 1 are sown in the medium 37 in the pot 30, and water and liquid fertilizer are supplied to the seeds. When the buds, roots 1b, leaves, etc. grow from the seed, the leaves of the plant 1 extend toward the upper portion of the pot 30 on the edge 31 side, and the roots 1b of the plant 1 are provided with openings 35 provided in the main body 33 of the pot 30. It extends from the pot to the outside of the pot 30.
Since the strain 1 is held in such a pot 30, the strain 1 can be removed together with the pot 30 from the seedling raising panel 10 when the strain 1 is transferred from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growing panel 20. Therefore, damage to the root 1b and the leaf 1a of the strain 1 can be suppressed.

  The size of each of the plurality of openings 21 of the growing panel 20 preferably corresponds to the size of each of the plurality of openings 11 of the seedling raising panel 10. For example, the size of each of the plurality of openings 21 of the growing panel 20 and the size of each of the plurality of openings 11 of the seedling raising panel 10 are substantially the same. The pot 30 removed from the seedling raising panel 10 is fitted into the opening 21 of the growing panel 20, but since the respective openings 11 and 21 are about the same size, the pot 30 removed from the seedling raising panel 10 has the opening 21. It is properly fitted into the opening 21 without falling out.

  That is, since the opening 11 of the seedling raising panel 10 and the openings 11 and 21 of the growing panel 20 correspond in size, the plant 1 should be removed together with the pot 30 from the seedling raising panel 10 and fitted into the opening 21 of the growing panel 20 as it is. You can Further, the plant 1 can be easily transferred from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growing panel 20 while the pot 1 is being held in the pot 30.

(3) Cultivation method As a method for cultivating the strain 1 housed in such a pot 30, for example, a method by NFT (nutrient film technique) shown in FIG. 3B and a DFT (deep flow technique) method shown in FIG. 3C are available. Can be mentioned. In the NFT method, the plant 1 is cultivated by immersing the tip of the root 1b mainly in a liquid 43 such as a mixed solution of water and liquid fertilizer, while in the DFT method, almost the entire root 1b is added to the liquid 43 in the liquid 43. Dip and grow strain 1.
The cultivation method is not particularly limited, but the DFT method is used in this embodiment.
In the above, the same cultivation method can be applied to the growth panel 20.

(4) Planting device The plant 1 cultivated on the seedling raising panel 10 is planted by transferring it from the seedling raising panel 10 to a growing panel 20 having a wider plant interval in order to maintain and promote the growth of the strain 1. A planting device 100 according to this embodiment that performs such planting will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  The planting device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a first transport device 50 that transports the seedling raising panel 10, a second transport device (moving unit) 60 that transports the growing panel 20, and a seedling 1 from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growing panel 20. And a suction device (air supply device) 80 for supplying air by suction to the root 1b, and a liquid supply device 90 for supplying liquid to the root 1b.

(4-1) First Transport Device The first transport device 50 transports the seedling raising panel 10 in the cultivation process to the planting device 100. For example, the 1st conveyance apparatus 50 takes out the seedling raising panel 10 from the container 40 of FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C. Then, the first transfer device 50 transfers the seedling raising panel 10 to a position where the transfer mechanism 70 is installed in order to transfer the strain 1 from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growth panel 20. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first transfer device 50 extends along the X direction (direction along the + X direction and the −X direction) and transfers the seedling raising panel 10 in the −X direction. At the same time, it is positioned below the transfer mechanism 70.
In addition, in the stage where the 1st conveyance apparatus 50 conveys the seedling-growing panel 10 to the planting apparatus 100, the pot 30 in which the stock | strain 1 was accommodated in the seedling-raising panel 10 is fitted in each opening 11.

Further, in the above, the seedling-growing panel 10 is transported in the −X direction, but it is sufficient that the strain 1 can be planted from the seedling-growing panel 10 to the growth panel 20, and the transport direction of the seedling-growing panel 10 is not limited to this.
Further, in the above, the seedling raising panel 10 is automatically transported to the planting device 100 by the first transport device 50. However, the seedling raising panel 10 may be manually transferred to the planting device 100.

(4-2) Second transfer device (moving part)
The second transfer device 60 (moving part) transfers the growth panel 20 to a position adjacent to the transfer mechanism 70 of the planting device 100. For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second transfer device 60 extends along the Y direction (direction along the + Y direction and the −Y direction), and transfers the growth panel 20 in the + Y direction. Then, the growth panel 20 is arranged at a position adjacent to the transfer mechanism 70. At this time, in the present embodiment, the second carrying device 60 is located below the first carrying device 50, and the growing panel 20 is arranged below the seedling raising panel 10. By the transfer mechanism 70, the pot 30 is transferred from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growing panel 20.
When the growth panel 20 is conveyed corresponding to the transfer mechanism 70, the pot 30 is not fitted in the opening 21 of the growth panel 20.

Further, in the above, the growth panel 20 is conveyed in the + Y direction, but it is sufficient that the plant 1 can be planted from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growth panel 20, and the conveyance direction of the growth panel 20 is not limited to this.
Further, in the above, the growth panel 20 is automatically transported to the planting device 100 by the second transport device 60. However, the growth panel 20 may be manually transferred to the planting device 100. Therefore, at least one of the seedling raising panel 10 and the growing panel 20 may be manually transferred to the planting device 100.

Further, in the above, the plant 1 is planted from one seedling raising panel 10 to one growing panel 20 in plan view. However, the correspondence relationship between the number of seedling raising panels 10 and the number of growing panels 20 at the time of planting is not limited to this.
Further, in the above description, the arrangement position of the growth panel 20 in the Z direction (vertical direction) is lower than that of the seedling raising panel 10. However, the vertical relationship between the seedling raising panel 10 and the growing panel 20 is not limited to this, and for example, the seedling raising panel 10 may be arranged below the growing panel 20, or the seedling raising panel 10 and the growing panel 20 may be the same. May be in position.

(4-3) Transfer Mechanism The transfer mechanism 70 transfers the stock 1 from the seedling raising panel 10 transferred to the predetermined position by the first transfer device 50 to the growth panel 20 transferred to the predetermined position by the second transfer device 60. The pot 30 in which is stored is transferred. Specifically, the transfer mechanism 70 has, for example, an arm (moving part) 71 configured to be movable and grippable, and grips the pot 30 placed on the seedling raising panel 10 by the arm 71. The pot 30 is moved to a position above the predetermined opening 21 of the growth panel 20 and placed in the opening 21.

  At this time, since the growing panel 20 is arranged below the seedling raising panel 10, the arm 71 can hold the pot 30 and place the pot 30 downward from the upper portion of the opening 21 toward the opening 21. . Therefore, since the pot 30 can be arranged in a state of being vertically aligned with the opening 21, it is preferable that the pot 30 is prevented from being tilted and placed on the growth panel 20.

The shape of the arm 71 is not particularly limited as long as the arm 71 can hold the pot 30. The arm 71 is formed of, for example, a long plate-shaped member, and the tip of the plate-shaped member is formed into a fork. Here, the pot 30 is placed in the opening 11 of the seedling raising panel 10 with the edge 31 exposed. Therefore, when the arm 71 holds the pot 30, the bifurcated portion of the tip of the arm 71 is inserted between the edge 31 and the seedling raising panel 10. The arm 71 supports the pot 30 by supporting the step portion of the edge portion 31 and the main body portion 33 by the bifurcated portion.
However, the shape of the arm 71 is not limited to this, and for example, the arm 71 may be formed by a plurality of openable and closable gripping fingers. The arm 71 clamps the pot 30 from above by closing a plurality of grasping fingers, and opens the grasping of the pot 30 by opening the grasping fingers at a predetermined position.

(4-4) Suction device (wind supply device)
The suction device (air supply device) 80 supplies air by suction to the root 1b when transferring the pot 30 containing the plant 1 to the growth panel 20. The suction device 80 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

  The suction device 80 includes a tubular member 81 that supplies wind to the root 1b by suction, a suction drive unit 83 that sucks air through the tubular member 81, and a moving unit 85 that moves the tubular member 81 to a predetermined position. Have and. The cylindrical member 81 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the first end 81 a, which is a circular opening facing the lower portion of the opening 21, and the first end 81 a are circular shapes facing each other in the cylinder axis direction. And the second end portion 81b which is the opening of the. The second end portion 81b is connected to the suction driving portion 83, and the suction driving portion 83 is driven to suck air from the second end portion 81b side. As a result, air is sucked from the first end portion 81a facing the opening 21. The moving portion 85 moves the tubular member 81 to a lower portion of the predetermined opening 21 so that the first end 81 a of the tubular member 81 faces the predetermined opening 21.

  Such a suction device 80 is retracted to the retracted position as shown in FIG. 5, for example, when not in use. Next, when the pot 30 is planted, the moving member 85 moves the tubular member 81 to a lower portion of the predetermined opening 21 in which the pot 30 is placed, as shown in FIG. The arm 71 moves the pot 30 to be placed in the opening 21 almost directly above the opening 21. As a result, the pot 30 accommodating the stock 1 is positioned above the opening 21, and the suction device 80 is positioned below the opening 21. At this time, the root 1b of the strain 1 extends downward from the opening 35 side of the pot 30, and the leaves 1a and the like of the strain 1 extend upward on the opposite side.

  When the suction drive section 83 is driven in this state, air is sucked from the second end 81b of the tubular member 81, and as a result, air is drawn from the first end 81a of the tubular member 81 as shown in FIG. Is sucked. As a result, a flow of air is formed from the upper part of the opening 21 toward the lower part, for example, from the pot 30, the stock 1, the root 1b, and the like.

  Here, the pot 30 is arranged above the opening 21 of the growth panel 20, and the root 1b of the plant 1 extends from the opening 35 in the lower portion of the pot 30. By driving the suction device 80, a flow of air is generated from the upper side of the opening 21, for example, the side of the pot 30, the plant 1 and the root 1b toward the lower side of the opening 21. Therefore, by driving the suction device 80, it is possible to efficiently generate the wind from the upper part to the lower part of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20. At this time, as the wind passes through the opening 21 from the upper part to the lower part, the root 1b is corrected so as to enter the opening 21 along the flow of air from the upper part of the opening 21 to the lower part. 21 to be easily inserted. Therefore, it is possible to suppress planting without the root 1b entering the opening 21 of the growth panel 20. Even if there is a variation in the length of the root 1b for each plant 1 or a curb of the root, the root 1b is corrected to enter the corresponding opening 21 of the growth panel 20 by supplying the wind. Further, even when there is vibration or the like in the growth panel 20, the arm 71, etc. at the time of planting, the root 1b is corrected by being sucked toward the opening 21 side by the wind, and the root 1b is set in the corresponding opening 21 of the growth panel 20. Easy to insert.

  Since the pot 30 containing the strain 1 is arranged in the opening 21 of the growth panel 20, while the tubular member 81 is arranged in the lower portion of the opening 21, the strain 1 is accommodated in the upper portion of the opening 21. It is preferable that the mechanism for moving and holding the pot 30 and the like, and the mechanism for moving and holding the tubular member 81 to have a degree of freedom of movement and to suppress contact between them.

  The size (diameter) of the first end 81 a of the tubular member 81 preferably corresponds to the size (diameter) of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20. In this case, the wind from the upper part of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 to the lower part is efficiently generated, and the root 1b is easily inserted into the opening 21 of the growth panel 20.

The size of the first end 81 a of the tubular member 81 may be slightly larger than the opening 21 of the growth panel 20. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A described later, the growing panel 20 and the tubular member 81 are brought into contact with each other so that the first end 81a of the tubular member 81 covers the opening 21 of the growing panel 20. Thereby, the root 1b extending from the plant 1 can be sucked toward the lower part of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20. The tubular member 81 may not be in contact with the growth panel 20 and may be located away from the opening 21 of the growth panel 20. Also in this case, the root 1b can be sucked toward the lower part of the opening 21.
Alternatively, the first end 81a of the tubular member 81 can be made slightly smaller than the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 as shown in FIG. 8 described later.

(4-5) Liquid Supply Device The liquid supply device 90 is a mixed liquid in which water, liquid fertilizer, and water and liquid fertilizer are mixed in the root 1b of the strain 1 transferred from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growing panel 20. Etc. liquid is supplied. This makes it easy to gather the unbalanced roots 1b into one bundle by, for example, attractive force via water. Further, the attractive force of water makes it easier for the root 1b to move downward, and makes it easier to insert the root 1b into the opening 21. In addition, it is possible to prevent the root 1b from being dried and having a bad influence on the growth of the plant 1 at the time of planting.

The liquid supply device 90 can supply the liquid at any timing from when the seedling raising panel 10 is taken out of the container 40 to when the air is being supplied from the suction device 80 to the root 1b.
For example, when the seedling-growing panel 10 on which the plant 1 to be planted is placed is taken out from the container 40, the liquid supply device 90 is a target to be planted when being transported after the seedling-growing panel 10 is taken out from the container 40. When the plant 1 to be planted is placed in the planting device 100, when the plant 1 to be planted is taken out from the seedling raising panel 10, when the plant 1 to be planted is moved from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growing panel 20. In addition, when the plant 1 to be planted is positioned in the opening 21 of the growth panel 20, while the wind is being supplied to the plant 1 to be planted by the suction device 80, the root 1b of the plant 1 is planted. Can supply liquid.

  The seedling raising panel 10 on which the plant 1 to be planted is placed may be taken out of the container 40, and the liquid 43 in the container 40 attached to the root 1b or the like may be temporarily cut off. After that, the liquid supply device 90 may supply new liquid to the root 1b or the like. In this case, by supplying a fresh liquid to the root 1b, it is possible to further promote the growth of the root 1b after planting.

(5) Planting method A planting method by the planting apparatus 100 will be described below.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first transfer device 50 transfers the seedling raising panel 10 to a position corresponding to the transfer mechanism 70 of the planting device 100, and the second transfer device 60 transfers the growth panel 20. To the position corresponding to. After that, planting is performed according to the following procedure.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the moving unit 85 of the suction device 80 receives, for example, an instruction for planting, it moves the tubular member 81 to a lower portion of the predetermined opening 21 of the growth panel 20. The predetermined opening 21 is the opening 21 in which the pot 30 that is the current planting target is to be placed. Furthermore, the moving part 85 moves so as to contact the tubular member 81 with the lower surface of the growing panel 20 so as to cover the lower portion of the predetermined opening 21. At this time, the predetermined opening 21 is covered by the first end 81 a of the tubular member 81.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the arm 71 grips and takes out the pot 30 which is a planting target from the seedling raising panel 10. In the present embodiment, at the stage shown in FIG. 7B, the liquid supply device 90 supplies the liquid to the root 1b. As a result, the roots 1b become one bundle, and the roots can easily face downward, so that the roots 1b can be easily inserted into the opening 21.
The liquid supply timing of the liquid supply device 90 is not limited to this, as described above.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, the arm 71 moves the pot 30 which is the planting target taken out from the seedling raising panel 10 to the upper part of the predetermined opening 21 of the growing panel 20. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7C, in the arm 71, the pot 30 is preferably arranged such that the root 1b is located above the predetermined opening 21.
This can prevent the root 1b from adhering to the periphery of the opening 21 or the like. Then, by sucking air from the tubular member 81, the root 1b moves toward the opening 21. Further, since the root 1b is inserted into the opening 21 without adhering to the periphery of the opening 21 or the like, damage to the root 1b due to adherence to the periphery of the opening 21 and the state in which the root 1b adheres to the periphery of the opening 21 occur inside the opening 21. It is possible to suppress damage to the root 1b due to being sucked.

  However, even when the root 1b is attached to the periphery of the opening 21 or the like, the air can be sucked from the lower portion of the opening 21 to pull the root 1b toward the opening 21, and the root 1b can be inserted into the opening 21. Become. Therefore, the root 1b does not necessarily have to be arranged above the opening 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C described above, the positions are adjusted so that the tubular member 81 and the pot 30 are arranged corresponding to the predetermined opening 21. With the position adjusted in this manner, by supplying the wind from the upper part to the lower part of the predetermined opening 21, the root 1b is corrected so as to enter the opening 21 and easily inserted into the opening 21.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, in a state where the pot 30 is positioned above the predetermined opening 21, the suction driving section 83 drives to suck air from the tubular member 81. This causes a flow of air from the upper part of the predetermined opening 21 toward the lower part. At this time, as the wind passes through the opening 21 from the upper part to the lower part, the root 1b is corrected so as to enter the predetermined opening 21 and is easily inserted into the opening 21. At this time, since the tubular member 81 is in contact with the lower surface of the growth panel 20 so as to cover the predetermined opening 21 as shown in FIG. 7C, the wind force of the wind from the upper part of the predetermined opening 21 to the lower part. And the air volume is large. Therefore, even when the root 1b is uncoordinated and spreads when the suction is started by the tubular member 81, the root 1b can be directed to the predetermined opening 21 by a strong wind.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7D, the arm 71 lowers the pot 30 so as to approach the predetermined opening 21. At this time, the moving part 85 separates the tubular member 81 from the lower surface of the growing panel 20 so that the first end portion 81a of the tubular member 81 and the lower surface of the growing panel 20 have a predetermined distance. At the stage of FIG. 7C, the root 1b is pulled toward the predetermined opening 21 by the wind due to the suction from the tubular member 81, but the suction is continued even after the pot 30 is lowered as shown in FIG. 7D. By doing so, the root 1b can be inserted into the predetermined opening 21 more reliably.
Note that in FIG. 7D, a gap of a predetermined distance is formed between the first end 81 a of the tubular member 81 and the lower surface of the growing panel 20. Therefore, the force of the wind that draws the root 1b into the predetermined opening 21 is smaller than that in the case of FIG. 7C. For example, vacuum suction is prevented, and suction force, wind pressure, negative pressure, etc. do not become too large. Thereby, the root 1b can be inserted into the predetermined opening 21 while avoiding the risk of damaging the root 1b by pulling the root 1b by the strong force of the wind.

  The predetermined distance between the first end 81a of the tubular member 81 and the lower surface of the growing panel 20 is not limited to this, but for example, the wind force and the air volume applied to the root 1b, the size of the opening 21, the root 1b and the opening. 21, the distance between the root 1b and the tubular member 81, the distance between the pot 30 and the upper surface of the growing panel 20, the size of the pot 30, the length of the root 1b, and the like. It

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 7E, the arm 71 places the pot 30 in the predetermined opening 21 and returns to the retracted position. Further, the suction drive section 83 stops the suction. Then, the moving part 85 returns the tubular member 81 to the retracted position. As a result, the pot 30 is placed in the predetermined opening 21 of the growing panel 20 with the root 1b positioned below the predetermined opening 21, and one pot 30 is planted from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growing panel 20. Is completed.

The flow of the planting method is not limited to this, as long as the root 1b is inserted into the opening 21 of the growing panel 20 when the pot 30 is planted from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growing panel 20.
For example, in the above, first, the tubular member 81 of the suction device 80 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the growing panel 20 so as to cover the predetermined opening 21 (FIG. 7A), and then the arm 71 is used to move the pot 30 above the opening 21. (FIG. 7B). However, first, the pot 30 may be arranged above the opening 21 by the arm 71, and then the tubular member 81 may be brought into contact with the lower surface of the growing panel 20 so as to cover the predetermined opening 21.

  Further, in FIG. 7A, the tubular member 81 is in contact with the lower surface of the growing panel 20 so as to cover the predetermined opening 21, but the tubular member 81 is not in contact with the growing panel 20, and is separated from the opening 21 to some extent. It may be arranged in a position. In this case, the step of separating the tubular member 81 from the opening 21 in FIG. 7D can be omitted. Alternatively, in FIG. 7D, the tubular member 81 may be further separated from the opening 21.

  Further, in the above, in FIG. 7C, after the arm 71 moves the pot 30 to the upper part of the predetermined opening 21, the suction driving unit 83 drives to suck air from the tubular member 81. However, the suction timing is not limited to this, and the suction driving unit 83 may suction air from the tubular member 81 before the pot 30 moves to the upper portion of the opening 21.

  Further, in the above-described planting method, the air volume, the wind force, and the like when air is sucked by the suction drive unit 83 may be kept constant. The air volume and the wind force at the time of sucking air can also be adjusted by changing the distance between the first end 81a of the tubular member 81 and the lower surface of the growing panel 20. By such adjustment, the root 1b can be inserted into the opening 21 while suppressing damage to the root 1b, the stem, the leaves 1a, and the like of the plant 1 due to the wind flowing from the upper part to the lower part of the opening 21.

(6) Operation and Effects According to the above configuration, the air flow from the upper part of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20, for example, the side of the pot 30, the plant 1 and the root 1b to the lower part of the opening 21 is driven by driving the suction device 80. Occurs. Therefore, the wind from the upper part of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 toward the lower part can be efficiently generated. At this time, as the wind passes through the opening 21 from the upper part to the lower part, the root 1b is corrected so as to enter the opening 21 along the flow of air from the upper part of the opening 21 to the lower part. 21 to be easily inserted. Therefore, the root 1b is easily inserted into the opening 21 even if there is a difference in the length, the extending direction, or the like for each plant 1, or if the growth panel 20, the arm 71, or the like vibrates.

Thereby, it is possible to maintain or promote the normal growth of the strain 1 even after the plant 1 is planted on the growth panel 20. Further, for example, it is possible to suppress inconveniences such as the tip of the root 1b having more growth factors protruding upward from the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 due to the fixed planting, and the growth of the strain 1 can be maintained. Further, it is possible to omit the work of adjusting the insertion path of the plant 1 into the opening 21, for example, adjusting the orientation of the plant 1 so that the root 1b enters the opening 21 of the growth panel 20. Further, for example, it is possible to omit the shaping operation of the root 1b such as cutting the root 1b so that the root 1b enters the opening 21 of the growth panel 20, changing the direction of the root 1b, or bundling the roots 1b.
Since the root 1b is fed into the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 by the wind as described above, compared with the case where the plant 1 and the root 1b are clamped by the mechanical mechanism and pulled into the opening 21 of the growth panel 20, The plant can be planted while suppressing the physical contact with the root 1b and suppressing damage to the root 1b.

[Modification of First Embodiment]
(1) In the above, as shown in FIG. 7A, the size of the first end portion 81a of the tubular member 81 is formed to be slightly larger than the opening 21 of the growth panel 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the size of the first end 81a of the tubular member 81 can be made smaller than the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 as shown in FIG. Since the size of the first end portion 81a of the tubular member 81 is slightly smaller than the opening 21, when the tubular member 81 is made to correspond to the opening 21 as shown in FIG. 8, instead of the step in FIG. At least a part of the tubular member 81 can be projected from the opening 21. Also in this case, the root 1b extending from the plant 1 can be sucked toward the lower part of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 by driving the suction device 80. It is also possible to arrange the tubular member 81 of FIG. 8 in the lower part of the growth panel 20 away from the opening 21 and suck the root 1b toward the lower part of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20.
The first end 81a of the tubular member 81 may have a diameter substantially the same as the opening 21 of the growth panel 20.

(2) In the above, the tubular member 81 of the suction device 80 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The tubular member 81 is not limited in shape as long as the root 1b can be inserted into the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 by suction, but can be formed as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, for example.
As shown in FIG. 9, the tubular member 81 may have at least one hole 86 penetrating the wall of the tubular member 81. The tubular member 81 sucks air from the first end portion 81a facing the opening 21 of the growth panel 20, but also sucks air from the hole 86 in the wall. As a result, it is possible to prevent the suction force for sucking the wind inside the tubular member 81, that is, the wind pressure and the air volume from becoming too large. Further, suction is prevented by vacuum, and suction force, wind pressure, negative pressure, etc. do not become too large.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, it may have a funnel-shaped portion 81α whose width narrows from the upper part to the lower part along the axial direction of the tubular member 81. In the case of FIG. 10, the tubular member 81 has a funnel-shaped portion 81α in the upper portion and a cylindrical portion 81β continuous with the funnel-shaped portion 81α. The widest opening of the funnel-shaped portion 81α covers the opening 21 of the growth panel 20. Thereby, the air can be efficiently sucked from the opening 21 and the root 1b can be easily inserted into the opening 21. The tubular member 81 may have a funnel shape in which the width narrows from the upper part to the lower part as a whole.

  (3) In the above description, hydroponic culture in which the strain 1 is housed in the pot 30 together with the medium 37 and the strain 1 is cultivated using a liquid such as water and liquid fertilizer has been described as an example. However, in the soil cultivation, the suction device 80 according to the first embodiment is used even when the plant 1 is cultivated only in the medium 37 such as soil and urethane without using the pot 30, and then the plant 1 is planted in the pot 30. Is applicable. Such an example will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the strain 1 is growing in a medium (first device) 37 such as soil and urethane, and when the medium 37 is inserted into the pot 30, the suction device 80 can be used. The pot 30 is arranged such that the edge portion 31 is located at the upper portion and the opening 35 on the lower end surface is located at the lower portion by a gripping portion (not shown). The medium 37 grasped by the arm 71 is positioned above the pot 30 as shown in FIG. The leaves 1a and the like of the strain 1 extend above the medium 37, and the roots 1b extend below the medium 37. On the other hand, the tubular member 81 is positioned so as to correspond to the lower portion of the opening 35 of the pot 30. Then, similarly to the above, air is sucked from the first end portion 81a of the tubular member 81. Therefore, a flow of air is generated from the side of the plant 1 and the root 1b toward the lower part of the opening 35, and the wind passes through the opening 35 from the upper part to the lower part.

  As a result, the root 1b is corrected so as to enter the opening 35 of the pot 30 and is easily inserted into the opening 35. Therefore, the state in which the root 1b does not enter the opening 35 can be suppressed. Even if there is a variation in the length of the root 1b and the root is bent for each plant 1, the root 1b is corrected so as to enter the opening 35 by supplying the wind. Further, even if vibrations or the like occur in a gripping portion (not shown) that holds the arm 71 and the pot 30, the root 1b is corrected by being sucked toward the opening 35 by the wind, and the root 1b is easily inserted into the opening 35. .

  In the above, one strain 1 is planted for one medium 37. However, a plurality of strains 1 may be planted in one medium 37. The first device in the claims may be a plurality of sets of one medium 37 in which one strain 1 is planted, or one medium 37 capable of planting a plurality of strains 1. Good.

  (4) As shown in FIG. 12, the planting apparatus 100 may include a guide 101 that guides wind in a direction in which the root 1b goes from the upper part to the lower part of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20. The guide 101 can efficiently guide the wind from the upper part of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 toward the lower part. Therefore, the wind from the upper part of the opening 21 toward the lower part can be efficiently supplied to the root 1b.

  The place where the guide 101 is provided and the shape of the guide 101 are not particularly limited. The guide 101 can be provided on the arm 71 of the transfer mechanism 70 as shown in FIG. 12, for example. As described above, the arm 71 shown in FIG. 12 is formed of an elongated plate-shaped member, and the tip of the plate-shaped member is formed in a bifurcated shape. Further, the arm 71 has a guide 101 formed on the lower surface of the plate member.

  That is, the arm 71 has a bifurcated portion 71a whose tip is bifurcated, a main body portion 71b to which the bifurcated portion 71a is connected in the longitudinal direction, and a guide 101 which is a semi-cylindrical wall. The guide 101 is formed from the rear of the tip of the bifurcated portion 71a to the main body portion 71b. Further, the guide 101 is formed such that a semi-cylindrical wall extending along the U-shaped bifurcated portion 71 a extends in a direction intersecting the plate surface of the arm 71. In the guide 101, it is preferable to have a taper 101a that inclines downward from the tip end side (open end side) of the bifurcated portion 71a toward the main body portion 71b side.

  The space inside the semi-cylindrical wall forming the guide 101 is large enough to accommodate the main body 33 of the pot 30. More preferably, the space inside the guide 101 is one size larger than the main body 33 of the pot 30, and the wind can be efficiently guided from the upper part to the lower part of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20. It is the size.

  That is, it is preferable that a certain gap is formed between the inside of the wall forming the guide 101 and the main body portion 33 of the pot 30. In this case, when the suction device 80 is driven, air flows from the pot 30 side toward the opening 21 side of the growth panel 20 in the gap.

  More preferably, the space inside the guide 101 accommodates at least a part of the main body 33 of the pot 30 and the root 1b, and is between the inside of the wall forming the guide 101 and the main body 33 of the pot 30. The size is such that there is a certain amount of clearance in the interior. Accordingly, when the suction device 80 is driven, the root 1b is surrounded by the guide 101, so that the wind by suction can be efficiently supplied to the root 1b.

  When such an arm 71 holds the pot 30, the tip of the bifurcated portion 71 a of the arm 71 is inserted between the edge 31 and the seedling raising panel 10. Then, first, the stepped portion formed by the edge portion 31 and the main body portion 33 is supported by the tip of the bifurcated portion 71a. Further, by pushing the arm 71 toward the pot 30 side, the lower surface of the taper 101a of the guide 101 slides on the plane of the seedling raising panel 10.

  By pushing in the arm 71, the arm 71 is gradually pushed up. At this time, the main body 33 of the pot 30 is still fitted in the opening 11. Therefore, when the body portion 33 is caught in the opening 11, the arm 71 is further pushed, and the edge portion 31 of the pot 30 supported at the tip of the bifurcated portion 71a is pushed to the body portion 71b side. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the edge portion 31 is supported by the rear end of the bifurcated portion 71a. The main body 33, the root 1b, and the like are surrounded by a semicylindrical wall that constitutes the guide 101.

The guide 101 that surrounds the pot 30 and the root 1b in this way guides the wind efficiently from the upper part of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 to the lower part by the guide 101, and moves from the upper part of the opening 21 to the lower part of the root 1b. The wind can be supplied efficiently.
Although the root 1b may be attached to the guide 101, the root 1b is separated from the guide 101 and is inserted into the opening 21 by supplying the root 1b with a wind from the upper part of the opening 21 toward the lower part by the suction device 80. It

  Here, the example in which the guide 101 is provided on the arm 71 has been described, but the position at which the guide 101 is provided is not limited to the arm 71. That is, when the pot 30 accommodating the stock 1 is positioned above the opening 21, if the wind flowing from the upper part of the opening 21 to the lower part can be efficiently supplied to the root 1b, the position where the guide 101 is provided is the arm. It is not limited to 71. Therefore, for example, the guide 101 attached to a device separate from the arm 71 may be positioned so as to correspond to the opening 21 when the pot 30 is positioned in the opening 21.

  (5) In the above, the moving part 85 of the suction device 80 moves the tubular member 81 to the lower part of the predetermined opening 21 of the growth panel 20 (FIG. 7A). The arm 71 moves the pot 30 that is the planting target taken out from the seedling raising panel 10 to the upper part of the predetermined opening 21 of the growing panel 20 (FIGS. 7B and 7C). It suffices that the tubular member 81 and the pot 30 are arranged in correspondence with the predetermined opening 21, and the position adjustment is not limited to the above-described aspect.

For example, in order to arrange the tubular member 81 and the pot 30 corresponding to the predetermined opening 21, the moving portion 85 moves the tubular member 81 to the opening 21, and the arm 71 moves the pot 30 to the opening 21. The movement of the growth panel 20 to the pot 30 side by the second transfer device 60, the movement of the growth panel 20 to the tubular member 81 (suction device 80) side by the second transfer device 60, and the like can be appropriately used.
For example, the second transfer device 60 moves the growth panel 20 with respect to the tubular member 81 and the pot 30 arranged at predetermined positions, so that the tubular member 81 and the pot 30 and the opening 21 of the growth panel 20. Can be associated with.

[Second Embodiment]
As another example of the method of arranging the roots at the proper position in the planting step, a planting apparatus and a planting method for blowing the air toward the opening to arrange the roots at the proper positions will be described below.

  The first embodiment is common in that the root 1b is inserted into the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 using the wind, but the device and method for supplying the wind to the root 1b are different. That is, in the first embodiment, the suction device 80 is used to supply the air for sucking the root 1b from the root of the root 1b toward the tip. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the blowing device 111 that blows air toward the opening 21 (blowing the air) to generate an air flow from the root of the root 1b toward the tip is used. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

(1) Planting device The planting device 100 according to the present embodiment is, similar to the first embodiment, a first transport device 50 that transports the seedling raising panel 10 and a second transport device (moving unit) that transports the growing panel 20. 60, a transfer mechanism 70 for transferring the strain 1 from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growing panel 20, and a liquid supply device 90 for supplying a liquid to the root 1b. Instead of the suction device (air supply device) 80 of the first embodiment, the planting device of the present embodiment blows air toward the opening 21, as shown in FIG. 14, and directs from the root of the root 1b to the tip. A blowout device (wind supply device) 111 for generating a flow of air is provided.

The blowing device (wind supply device) 111 will be described with reference to FIG.
The blowing device 111 is configured by a blower that blows air toward the opening 21, and has a moving unit (not shown) that moves the blowing device 111 to a predetermined position. The moving unit moves the blowing device 111 to a predetermined upper portion of the opening 21 so that the outlet 111 a of the blowing device 111 faces the direction of the opening 21.
Such a blowing device 111 is retracted to the retracted position when not in use, for example. Next, when transferring the pot 30 accommodating the stock 1 to the growth panel 20, the blowing device 111 is moved by the moving unit so as to be above the predetermined opening 21 on which the pot 30 is placed, as shown in FIG. Move to.

  On the other hand, the arm 71 moves the pot 30 to be placed in the opening 21 above the opening 21. Accordingly, the pot 30 in which the stock 1 is stored and the blowing device 111 are positioned above the opening 21. At this time, the root 1b of the plant 1 extends from the pot 30 on the lower side which is the opening 35 side of the pot 30, and the leaf 1a and the like of the plant 1 extends on the upper side on the opposite side.

  In this embodiment, for example, two blowing devices 111 are provided. Then, when performing planting as shown in FIG. 14, for example, the pot 30 is arranged almost directly above the opening 21, and the blowing device 111 is arranged at a position facing the pot 30 in between.

In this state, when the blowout device 111 is driven, air is blown out from the blowout port 111a. This forms a flow of air from the upper part of the opening 21 toward the lower part.
Here, the pot 30 is arranged above the opening 21 of the growth panel 20, and the root 1b of the plant 1 extends from the opening 35 in the lower portion of the pot 30. The blowing device 111 is driven to generate a flow of air from the upper side of the opening 21, for example, the side of the pot 30, the stock 1, the root 1b, or the like to the lower side of the opening 21. Therefore, by driving the blowing device 111, the wind from the upper part of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 to the lower part can be efficiently generated. At this time, as the wind passes through the opening 21 from the upper part to the lower part, the root 1b is corrected so as to enter the opening 21 along the flow of air from the upper part of the opening 21 to the lower part. 21 to be easily inserted.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress planting without the root 1b entering the opening 21 of the growth panel 20. Even if there is a variation in the length of the root 1b for each plant 1 or a curb of the root, the root 1b is corrected to enter the corresponding opening 21 of the growth panel 20 by supplying the wind. Further, even when there is vibration or the like in the growth panel 20, the arm 71, etc. at the time of planting, the root 1b is corrected by being sucked toward the opening 21 side by the wind, and the root 1b is set in the corresponding opening 21 of the growth panel 20. Easy to insert.

(2) Planting Method A planting method in the planting apparatus including the blowing device 111 will be described mainly regarding differences from the first embodiment.

First, the blowing device 111 is moved to the upper part of the predetermined opening 21 of the growing panel 20 by the moving unit.
Next, the arm 71 grips and takes out the pot 30 which is a planting target from the seedling raising panel 10. At this time, the liquid supply device 90 supplies the liquid to the root 1b. After that, the arm 71 moves the pot 30 to the upper part of the predetermined opening 21 of the growing panel 20.

  Next, the blowing device 111 blows air while the pot 30 is positioned above the predetermined opening 21. By this, the air flowing from the upper part of the predetermined opening 21 toward the lower part is supplied, so that the root 1b is corrected so as to enter the predetermined opening 21 and is easily inserted into the opening 21.

  Finally, the arm 71 places the pot 30 in the predetermined opening 21 and returns to the retracted position. In addition, the blowing device 111 stops blowing. After that, the blowing device 111 is returned to the retracted position by the moving unit. As a result, the pot 30 is placed in the predetermined opening 21 of the growing panel 20 with the root 1b positioned below the predetermined opening 21, and one pot 30 is planted from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growing panel 20. Is completed.

  In the above planting method, the air volume, the wind force, and the like when the air is blown out by the blowing device 111 may be kept constant. The air volume, the wind force, and the like when the air is blown can be adjusted by changing the distance between the blowing device 111 and the root 1b, the opening 21, and the like. By such adjustment, the root 1b can be inserted into the opening 21 while suppressing damage to the root 1b, the stem, the leaves 1a, and the like of the plant 1 due to the wind flowing from the upper part to the lower part of the opening 21.

The flow of the above-described planting method is not limited to this as long as the root 1b is inserted into the opening 21 of the growing panel 20 when planting from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growing panel 20.
For example, unlike the above, first, the pot 30 may be arranged above the opening 21 by the arm 71, and then the blowing device 111 may be arranged above the opening 21.

  Further, for example, the timing of blowing air from the blowing device 111 is not limited to the above, and air may be blown from the blowing device 111 before the pot 30 moves to the upper part of the opening 21.

[Modification of Second Embodiment]
(1) Similar to the concept (3) of the first embodiment, in soil cultivation, the pot 30 is not used, the strain 1 is cultivated only with the medium 37 such as soil and urethane, and then the strain 1 is pot 30. The blowing device 111 according to the second embodiment can be applied to the case of planting the plant. Unlike the suction device 80 of FIG. 11 of the first embodiment, the blowing device 111 is arranged above the pot 30 like the culture medium 37. The blowing device 111 is arranged, for example, at an upper position of the pot 30 so as to face each other with the medium 37 in between. By blowing out the air from the blowing device 111, the root 1b is corrected so as to enter the opening 35 of the pot 30, and is easily inserted into the opening 35.

  (2) Similar to the concept of the modified example (4) of the first embodiment, a guide for guiding the air blown from the blowing device 111 in the direction from the upper part of the opening 21 to the lower part may be provided. Since the wind can be guided from the upper part of the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 to the lower part by the guide, the wind from the upper part of the opening 21 to the lower part can be efficiently supplied to the root 1b.

  Although the place where the guide is provided and the shape of the guide are not particularly limited, for example, at the time of planting, the retracted guide is moved to the corresponding opening 21 of the growth panel 20 by a moving unit (not shown). The guide 101 is, for example, a plate-shaped member with respect to the opening 21, and is arranged along the direction of the wind so that the wind blown from the blowing device 111 is directed to the opening 21.

(3) Similar to the concept of the modified example (5) of the first embodiment, the blowing device 111 and the pot 30 may be arranged corresponding to the predetermined opening 21, and are limited to the position adjustment in the above mode. Not done.
For example, in order to arrange the blowing device 111 and the pot 30 corresponding to the predetermined opening 21, the moving unit moves the blowing device 111 to the opening 21, the arm 71 moves the pot 30 to the opening 21, and The movement of the growth panel 20 to the pot 30 side by the transfer device 60, the movement of the growth panel 20 to the blowing device 111 side by the second transfer device 60, and the like can be appropriately used.
For example, the second transport device 60 moves the growth panel 20 with respect to the blowing device 111 and the pot 30 arranged at a predetermined position, so that the blowing device 111 and the pot 30 and the opening 21 of the growth panel 20 are separated from each other. Can be associated.

[Other Embodiments]
Note that the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in the other embodiments, as long as no contradiction occurs. The embodiment disclosed in the present specification is an exemplification, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the object of the present invention.

  (1) In the above embodiment (first and second embodiments), one strain 1 is taken out from the seedling raising panel 10 and planted in the corresponding one opening 21 of the growing panel 20, so that one strain 1 is planted. The mode of planting each one has been described. However, the above-described embodiment is also applicable to a mode in which a plurality of strains 1 are taken out from the seedling raising panel 10 at one time and planted in the corresponding plurality of openings 21 of the growing panel 20.

  (2) In the above embodiment, planting by transferring the strain 1 from the seedling raising panel 10 to the growing panel 20 was mainly described. However, the fixed planting may include transfer of the strain from the growth panel having the first strain interval to the growth panel having the second strain interval wider than the first strain interval. Also, planting may simply mean transfer of stock between panels. That is, the fixed planting includes not only the transfer for widening the stock interval, but also the transfer between the panels of the stock 1 regardless of the stock interval, and the transfer for narrowing the stock interval. Good.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the liquid supply device 90 is provided in the planting device 100, but the liquid supply device 90 may be provided separately from the planting device 100. Further, the liquid supply device 90 may be omitted.

  (4) The air supply device, which is the suction device 80 and the blowing device 111 of the above embodiment, may change the air volume, the air pressure, and the like according to the length of the root 1b. In this case, for example, the length of the root 1b is detected by a detection device (not shown). The air supply device may change the air volume, the air pressure, and the like when sucking or blowing the air based on the detection result. For example, when the length of the root 1b is longer than or equal to a predetermined value, the air volume and pressure are increased, and when the length of the root 1b is shorter than the predetermined value, the air volume and pressure are reduced.

  (5) In the above-described embodiment, the suction device 80 and the blowing device 111 generate the wind from the upper part of the opening 21 toward the lower part. However, in order to insert the root 1b into the opening 21, it suffices that the wind be directed from the root 1b side to the opposite side across the opening 21, and the direction of the wind is not limited to the vertical direction. For example, depending on the direction of the plate-shaped surface of the growth panel 20, the wind may be in the left-right direction.

1: Stock 1b: Root 10: Seedling raising panel (first device)
11: Opening 20: Growth panel (second device)
21: Opening 30: Pot (container)
37: Medium 50: First transfer device 60: Second transfer device (moving part)
70: Replacement mechanism 71: Arm (moving part)
80: Suction device (wind supply device)
81: Cylindrical member 81a: First end part 81b: Second end part 85: Moving part 90: Liquid supply device 100: Planting device 101: Guide 111: Blow-out device (wind supply device)

Claims (7)

A planting device that transfers the plurality of strains from a first device capable of holding a plurality of strains to a second device having a plurality of openings capable of holding the plurality of strains,
At the time of the transfer, in a state where the root extending from at least one plant taken out from the first device and at least one opening of the plurality of openings of the second device are positioned corresponding to each other. A planting device comprising a wind supply device that supplies wind from the plant side toward the at least one opening.   The planting device according to claim 1, wherein the air supply device is a suction device that sucks air on the plant side and supplies air toward the at least one opening.   The suction device includes a tubular member having a first end positioned corresponding to a lower portion of the at least one opening of the second device, and air from a second end opposite to the first end. The planting device according to claim 2, further comprising a suction drive unit that suctions.   The planting device according to claim 1, wherein the wind supply device is a blowing device that blows air from the stock side to supply wind toward the at least one opening.   A moving unit that moves at least one of the second device, the wind supply device, and the stock so that the wind supply device and the stock are arranged corresponding to the at least one opening of the second device. The planting device according to claim 1, further comprising:   The moving unit is configured to change the distance between the second device and the wind supply device so that the distance between the second device and the wind supply device changes while the wind supply device supplies the wind toward the opening of the second device. The planting device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the air supply devices is moved. The planting device according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid supply device that supplies a liquid containing water to the roots of the plants transferred from the first device to the second device.

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