JP2023040484A - Planting device and cultivation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a mechanism that changes the intervals between plants without thinning or transplantation of the plants.SOLUTION: A planting device for hydroponics includes a plurality of beam members that include a plurality of pot holes for putting in plants and moves on water or nutritious liquid according to the movement of a drive line. The intervals between the plurality of beam members are changeable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a planting device and a cultivation device.

As a background art of this technical field, there is Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-071382 (Patent Document 1). In this publication, it is described that "the plant cultivation apparatus comprises a plurality of sensors for monitoring the growth state of plants to be cultivated, and the environment, which is at least one state of light, air, water, and space, within the plant cultivation apparatus. and a process control means for managing the work process of cultivating the plant." (see abstract).

Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-071382

The aforementioned Patent Literature 1 describes a mechanism for performing both environmental management within the device and process management for work processes for cultivating plants in a plant cultivating device. However, this patent document does not disclose a mechanism for changing the spacing between plants without thinning or transplanting the plants.
Therefore, the present invention provides a mechanism for changing the spacing between plants without thinning or transplanting the plants.

In order to solve the above problems, for example, the configurations described in the claims are adopted.
The present application includes a plurality of means for solving the above problems. One example is a planting device for hydroponic cultivation, which includes a plurality of pot holes for planting plants, and a driving line movement. a plurality of beam members that move on water or a nutrient solution based on, and the spacing between the plurality of beam members is changed.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the mechanism which changes the space|interval between plants can be provided, without performing the thinning-out operation|work and transplanting operation|work of a plant.
Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an example of a perspective view of a cultivation device to which the planting device is applied. FIG. 2 is an example of a top view for explaining intervals between planting devices conveyed within the cultivation device of FIG. FIG. 3 is an example of an explanatory diagram for explaining the inlet region of the cultivation apparatus of FIG. FIG. 4 is an example of an enlarged top view for explaining intervals between planting devices conveyed within the cultivation device of FIG. FIG. 5 is an example of an explanatory diagram for explaining the nutrient solution flow path in the cultivation apparatus of FIG. FIG. 6 is an example of a cross-sectional view of the planting device, the nutrient solution flow path, the drive lane, and the light source in the cultivation device of FIG. 1 as viewed from the conveying direction. FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating two drive line sections and a drive mechanism therebetween. 8 is an example of an enlarged view of the drive mechanism of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is an example of a front view of the drive mechanism of FIG. 7. FIG. FIG. 10 is an example of a top view for explaining the state of engagement between the beam member and the drive line. FIG. 11 is an example of a perspective view from above of an engaging member for engaging the beam member and the drive line. 12 is an example of a perspective view from below of the engaging member of FIG. 11. FIG. FIG. 13 is an example of a specific configuration of the engaging element of the connecting member. FIG. 14 is an example of a perspective view of the first cover member attached to the planting device. FIG. 15 is an example of a perspective view explaining a state in which the first cover member of FIG. 14 is expanded. FIG. 16 is an example of a perspective view illustrating a state in which the spread first cover member of FIG. 15 is further spread. FIG. 17 is an example of a side view of reinforcing members attached to both side edges of the cover member. FIG. 18 is an example of a planting device having four beam members. FIG. 19 is an example of a side view for explaining a planned mounting state of the first cover member. FIG. 20 is an example of a perspective view explaining another planned mounting state of the first cover member. FIG. 21 is an example of a side view for explaining the attachment range of the second cover member attached to the planting device. FIG. 22 is an example of a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the cultivation apparatus. FIG. 23 is an example of a diagram showing the inside of the cultivation apparatus. FIG. 24 is an example of a schematic cross-sectional view of the cultivation chamber viewed from the longitudinal direction. FIG. 25 is an example of a cultivation plate and a cultivation tray arranged in a cultivation apparatus. FIG. 26 is an example of an explanatory diagram of an air circulation device provided in the cultivation apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The planting apparatus of the present embodiment is used in an artificial light type plant factory, and is suitably used in a plant factory with a large production scale in which it has been difficult to manage the cultivation environment conventionally.

Before describing embodiments of the present invention, specific examples of the plant factory will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 25. FIG.

FIG. 22 is an example of a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a cultivation device 2200 used in the above plant factory.
The cultivation device 2200 includes a cultivation room 2210 , a plurality of cultivation chambers 2220 , an air circulation device 2230 , a nutrient solution circulation device 2240 , an operation section 2250 , a control section 2260 and a display section 2270 .
Cultivation room 2210 has a rectangular parallelepiped outer wall that can be sealed inside, and can maintain a cultivation environment that is independent of the environment (temperature and humidity) of the working room of the plant factory in which cultivation device 2200 is arranged. As the material of the outer wall, it is preferable to use a heat insulating material so as not to be affected by the environment of the working room outside the cultivation room 2210 .
FIG. 23 is an example of a diagram showing the inside of the cultivation apparatus.
FIG. 23 shows the cultivation apparatus 2200 with the outer wall of the cultivation room 2210 removed.

FIG. 24 shows an example of a schematic cross-sectional view of the cultivation chamber 2210 of FIG. 22 viewed from the longitudinal direction.
As shown in FIG. 24, a plurality of cultivation chambers 2220 are formed by partitioning cultivation chambers 2210 vertically with prescribed intervals by cultivation shelves 2407, each of which has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A plurality of cultivation chambers 2220 can be configured by providing an exterior to a conventionally known multistage cultivation shelf. In this embodiment, the five stages of cultivation shelves 2407 are provided with an exterior (the outer wall of the cultivation room 2210).

FIG. 25 is an example of a cultivation plate and a cultivation tray arranged in a cultivation apparatus.
In each cultivation chamber 2220, a plurality of nutrient solution trays 2310 and cultivation plates 2320 as shown in FIG. 25 are arranged such that their short sides are aligned with the longitudinal direction of the cultivation chamber 2220 as shown in FIG. be done. The nutrient solution tray 2310 has substantially the same size as the rectangular cultivation plate 2320 and is composed of a rectangular tray that can be arranged so as to fit the cultivation plate 2320 . In this embodiment, 16 cultivation plates 2320 are placed in each cultivation chamber 2220 in a state in which cultivation plates 2320 are fitted in nutrient solution trays 2310 of approximately 30 cm×120 cm (see FIG. 26). Note that the number of sheets may be larger depending on the scale of the cultivation apparatus of FIG. 22 .

In addition, since the shape of the cultivation chamber 2220 is preferably used in a plant factory with a large scale of production, it is preferable that the length in the longitudinal direction is at least twice the length in the lateral direction. preferable. In this embodiment, the ratio of length in the lateral direction:length in the longitudinal direction is 1:5. However, the size of the cultivation chamber 2220 (the number of cultivation plates 2320 arranged in the cultivation chamber 2220) is not limited to the size of the embodiment described above.

Moreover, although the nutrient solution tray 2310 and the cultivation plate 2320 are rectangular in this embodiment, they may be square. In the case of a square, one side of the square cultivation plate 2320 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation chamber 2220 .
Thus, in the state where the nutrient solution tray 2310 is arranged, each of the plurality of cultivation chambers 2220 is in a sealed or semi-sealed state.

Further, the nutrient solution tray 2310 is formed with a discharge port 2408 (see FIG. 24) for discharging the supplied nutrient solution at one longitudinal end (downstream side of the flow of the nutrient solution). In addition, the nutrient solution tray 2310 has an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, about 1 degree) with respect to the lateral direction of the cultivation chamber 2220 so that the downstream side of the nutrient solution flow is downward. As a result, the supplied nutrient solution does not stay in the nutrient solution tray 2310, and a unidirectional flow can be created at a predetermined flow rate according to the supply flow rate. Also, a nutrient solution recovery pipe 2409 is arranged below the discharge port 2408 (see FIG. 24).

The nutrient solution tray 2310 may not have a size corresponding to one cultivation plate 2320, and may be configured so that a plurality of cultivation plates 2320 can be arranged in one nutrient solution tray 2310. .
24, an artificial light source 2401 is arranged above each cultivation chamber 2220, and a dimmer for adjusting the light of the artificial light source 2401 is connected. In this embodiment, two artificial light sources 2401 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the nutrient solution tray 2310 and the cultivation plate 2320 (the lateral direction of the cultivation chamber 2220). As the artificial light source 2401, an LED that consumes less power and can be made thin is preferably used. A fluorescent lamp may also be used as an artificial light source.

FIG. 26 is an example of an explanatory diagram of an air circulation device provided in the cultivation apparatus.
The configuration of air circulation device 2230 will be described with reference to FIG. The air circulation device 2230 may have functions of adjusting at least temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and air flow rate (flow rate). In this embodiment, the air circulation device 2230 includes an air sterilizer 2610, a direct-expansion air conditioner 2620 having heating, cooling, and dehumidifying functions (a method of directly cooling air with a refrigerant), and a humidifying device having a humidifying function. 2630, a carbon dioxide supply device 2640 that adjusts the carbon dioxide concentration, a suction pump 2650, and a compression pump 2660.
As a device having a function of adjusting temperature, a chiller device of an inter-expansion method (a method of cooling air with a refrigerant through water) may be used.

Each cultivation chamber 2220 and air circulation device 2230 are connected via an air recovery pipe 2670 and an air supply pipe 2680 . Air recovery tube 2670 and air supply tube 2680 extend longitudinally of cultivation chamber 2220 . Air recovery pipe 2670 is formed with a plurality of air recovery ports provided at predetermined intervals. The air supply pipe 2680 is formed with a plurality of air supply ports 2681 provided at predetermined intervals, and these air supply ports 2681 are provided with constant flow valves (not shown).
A temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a carbon dioxide concentration sensor (not shown) are attached to predetermined portions of each cultivation chamber 2220 to monitor the temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration of air during circulation.

Air collected from each cultivation chamber 2220 by suction pump 2650 through air collection tube 2670 is sterilized through air sterilizer 2610 and sent to air conditioner 2620 . The air conditioner 2620 performs temperature adjustment and dehumidification according to the measurement results of the temperature sensor and humidity sensor, and then the humidification device 2630 performs humidification. After that, the carbon dioxide supply device 2640 supplies carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide supply source 2641 such as a carbon dioxide cylinder according to the measurement result of the carbon dioxide concentration sensor. Air adjusted to predetermined conditions and a predetermined flow rate is supplied to each cultivation chamber 2220 through an air supply pipe 2680 by a compression pump 2660 .
Note that the set value of the air flow rate may be fixed or changeable.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 24 , the direction of air flow in the cultivation chamber 2220 is along the lateral direction of the cultivation chamber 2220 . As a result, compared to the case where the air is supplied along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation chamber 2220, the time from the supply of the air to the collection can be shortened. Therefore, changes in the cultivation environment such as temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration that occur between the upstream side and the downstream side of the air flow can be reduced.
However, it is not limited to this, and the air flow direction in the cultivation chamber 2220 may be from above to below the cultivation chamber 2220 .

In addition, in the embodiment, one cultivation apparatus 2200 is provided with one cultivation room 2210, one cultivation room 2210 is provided with a plurality of cultivation chambers 2220 and one air circulation device 2230, and a plurality of cultivation chambers 2220 are provided with one Air is sent from the air circulation device 2230 .
However, without being limited to this, one cultivation apparatus 2200 includes one cultivation chamber 2210, and one cultivation chamber 2210 includes a plurality of cultivation chambers 2220 and a plurality of air circulation devices 2230 corresponding to the respective cultivation chambers 2220. The configuration may be such that air is sent to each of the plurality of cultivation chambers 2220 from the corresponding air circulation device 2230 . In this case, the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, flow velocity (flow rate), etc. of the air being circulated can be changed for each cultivation chamber 2220 .

Also, one cultivation apparatus 2200 may include a plurality of cultivation chambers 2210 , and each of the plurality of cultivation chambers 2210 may include a plurality of cultivation chambers 2220 and one air circulation device 2230 .
Furthermore, one cultivation apparatus 2200 may include a plurality of cultivation chambers 2210, and each of the plurality of cultivation chambers 2210 may include a plurality of cultivation chambers 2220 and a plurality of air circulation devices 2230 corresponding to the respective cultivation chambers 2220. .
As shown in FIG. 23, the nutrient solution circulation device 2240 is arranged below the cultivation chamber 2210, and supplies the nutrient solution adjusted to predetermined conditions at a predetermined flow rate to the nutrient solution tray 2310 of each cultivation chamber 2220, The nutrient solution that has passed through each nutrient solution tray 2310 is collected and adjusted to a predetermined condition, and this is repeated to circulate and supply the nutrient solution.

In the cultivation apparatus 2200 described above, as in the case of conventional plant cultivation, it is necessary to thin out the plants in accordance with their growth in order to widen the intervals between individual plants.
In the cultivation apparatus 2200 described above, the thinning is performed so as to avoid tangling or colliding of the roots of individual plants under the pot, excessive overlap of leaves of individual plants on the pot, and the like. will be Thereby, the growth of the plants remaining after thinning is favorably promoted.

However, the roots of thinned plants (plants pulled out from fields, pots, etc.) are often damaged or deformed, and the thinned plants are usually discarded as they are. Moreover, even if it is transplanted to another cultivation area, it is often the case that the planned growth cannot be expected due to the damage or deformation of the roots or the change in the environment.
For example, in the case of plants that are the source of valuable medicinal ingredients or highly functional plants (vegetables and fruits) that have been found to have improved nutritional value compared to conventional plants, the disposal of plants accompanying thinning is reasonably economical. loss.

In order to solve the problem that the amount of light received per area of each leaf decreases as the leaves overlap as the plant grows, it is conceivable to widen the gap in advance, assuming that the plant will grow. , This is because the plants are small in the early stage, so vacant lots are generated and the area utilization efficiency is deteriorated.
Furthermore, as described above, it is difficult to prevent roots and leaves from breaking or cutting during the work, as mentioned above, by adjusting the spacing by transplanting after growing for a certain period of time while thinning out the plants, thereby achieving both light reception and area utilization efficiency. , along with which the growth rate decreases. In addition, since the transplant work is carried out outside the cultivation environment, nutrient absorption and photosynthesis during that time are delayed.

These problems are solved by the planting apparatus of this embodiment. In particular, in the cultivation apparatus as described above, thinning is performed to avoid tangling or colliding of the roots of individual plants under the pot and excessive overlapping of leaves of individual plants on the pot. The work can be done quickly and easily while transporting the planting device. As a result, the growth of plants after the thinning operation is favorably promoted.

In the above, specific examples of a cultivation apparatus having a configuration similar to that of a plant factory, a cultivation apparatus, and the like, which are particularly suitable for use of the planting apparatus of the present embodiment, have been described, particularly regarding parameter control and the like in the cultivation apparatus. However, the planting apparatus of this embodiment can also be used in other environments.
The planting apparatus of the present embodiment can be used, for example, in greenhouse cultivation facilities such as vinyl greenhouses and glass greenhouses, and in cultivation facilities exposed to the outdoor environment.
The planting apparatus of this embodiment can provide the user with a mechanism for quickly and easily changing the distance between the pot holes as the planting apparatus is moved in any environment.

FIG. 1 is an example of a perspective view of a cultivation device to which the planting device is applied.
FIG. 1(a) is an example of a perspective view of the cultivation device 100. FIG.
FIG.1(b) is an example of the figure explaining the state of the space|interval of the beam member 302 of the planting apparatus 301 within the cultivation apparatus 100 of Fig.1 (a).

In the cultivating apparatus 100, the growing and planting apparatus 301 moves on a nutrient solution pool, which will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. At that time, the plant accommodated in the pot hole 703 (see FIG. 7) of the beam member 302 of the planting device 301 extends its roots to the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution pool, and even during movement within the cultivating device 100 , can absorb the nutrient solution.
The cultivation apparatus 100 manages and supplies light/air/water/nutrients necessary and sufficient for plant growth, and realizes an appropriate plant growth rate. In addition, the spacing function of the planting device according to the present embodiment can reduce plant damage and growth inhibition during the growing period.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1(a), a planting device 301 having a plurality of beam members 302 is conveyed through the entrance area 110 of the cultivation device 100 into the exterior covered cultivation device 100 (FIG. 1(a)). 3). The growing and planting device 301 is transported along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation device 100 and transported to the outside of the cultivation device 100 through the outlet region 120 on the opposite side of the inlet region 110 .

While the planting apparatus 301 moves between the entrance area 110 and the exit area 120, the cultivation apparatus 100 controls the light wavelength of the light source, the direction of the light source, the photon flux density of the light source, Cultivation atmosphere temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, wind direction, wind volume, amount of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potassium and other simple fertilizer ions) in water or nutrient solution, especially nitrogen ions, phosphate ions, potassium Amount of ions, magnesium ions, manganese ions, boron ions, iron ions, copper ions, zinc ions or molybdenum ions, electrical conductivity of water or nutrient solution, pH value, temperature, flow rate of water or nutrient solution, flow rate, etc. By controlling at least one of them, the plant planted in the pot hole 703 of the beam member 302 can be cultivated with parameter values suitable for cultivating the plant.

As a result, the cultivation apparatus 100 can grow plants with high reproducibility and much better than conventional cultivation apparatuses and outdoor or indoor cultivation without worrying about weather such as rainy season, typhoon, and long rain. It can be grown and cultivated.

In addition, although only one cultivation apparatus 100 is shown in FIG. 1(a), the cultivation apparatus 100 may be used in a state where at least two cultivation apparatuses 100 are stacked one above the other in the cultivation facility. . In such a cultivation facility, the plant cultivation amount per unit area can be doubled according to the total number of cultivation devices 100 that use it.
Furthermore, for example, by cultivating different plants for each of the plurality of cultivation apparatuses 100 used in the cultivation facility, the production rate for each type of plant to be cultivated (cultivated plant species with respect to the total number of plants to be cultivated) per percentage) can be flexibly changed.

In the cultivation apparatus 100 in the embodiment of FIG. 1(a) and the cultivation equipment described above, it is also possible to flexibly change the total production number and production ratio of plants to be cultivated according to market demand forecasts, climate forecasts, and the like. be. For example, when a long period of long rain or cloudy weather is expected, it is possible to grow a large proportion of vegetables that are expected to grow poorly in general farmers, etc., or conversely, such If favorable weather is expected to continue for the growth of healthy vegetables, a larger proportion of value-added plants, such as those with higher nutritional value than ordinary plants, may be cultivated.
By doing so, it is possible to flexibly respond to market trends caused by, for example, the amount of plants supplied to the market caused by climatic conditions, etc. In addition, when only one type of plant is cultivated, In comparison, risks arising from such market movements and the like can be spread out.

In the cultivation apparatus 100 of FIG. 1(a), the planting apparatus 301 is driven by driving force transmitted from a drive line 200 (see FIG. 2) extending in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation apparatus 100, such as a chain or a belt. Moved through the device 100 .
In addition, the driving force transmitted from the drive line 200 is generated by a power machine source (power machine, prime mover) such as a motor, as will be described later. Also, the power source may be an independent device that can be connected to and detached from the drive line 200 of the cultivation device 100, or may be a device that is fixedly attached to the cultivation device 100.

For example, the power source may be attached to a plant picking device with an elevator that can move up and down to pick plants from growing devices 100 that are stacked one on top of the other. Thereby, the movement of the beam member 302 in each cultivation apparatus 100 can be performed according to the collection of the plant in the corresponding cultivation apparatus 100 .

As shown in FIG. 1(b), the beam members 302 that constitute the planting device 301 are separated from each other by intervals of different lengths.
FIG. 1B shows a first drive line section 101, a second drive line section 102, a third drive line section 103, a fourth drive line section 104, and a fifth drive line section 105. Illustrated. These drive line sections 101 - 105 collectively form a drive line 200 . The planting device 301, and thus the beam member 302 constituting the planting device 301, move in the cultivation device 100 along the drive line 200 while changing over the respective drive line sections 101-105.

In each driveline segment 101-105, adjacent beam members 302 of the growing device 301 are spaced apart by different distances. More specifically, the interval between the adjacent beam members 302 of the planting device 301, and accordingly the interval between the pot holes of the adjacent beam members 302 of the planting device 301, is from the drive line section 101 to the drive line section 101. As it progresses to 105, it spreads.

The spacing between the beam members changes to different lengths for each drive line section during transport within the cultivation apparatus 100 .
Specifically, in the first driveline segment 101, adjacent beam members 302 of the breeding device are closest to each other, and adjacent beam members 302 of the breeding device are in the second driveline segment. From section 102 toward the fifth driveline section 105, the spacing increases each time the next section is moved.

Thereby, the interval of the pot holes 703 provided in the beam member 302 for accommodating the plant can be adjusted according to the growing condition of the plant, particularly the root condition of the plant below the beam member 302 and the condition of the plant above the beam member 302. can be adjusted or changed to be more suitable for the overlapping state of the leaves of the plant. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the amount of light received per leaf area from decreasing due to the overlapping leaves of the plant.

In addition, small plants can be arranged densely at the initial stage, and when the plants grow larger, a wider space suitable for the size of the plants can be secured, so the area efficiency of each plant growth stage can be maintained at a high level. can do.
In addition, since there is no need to move the plants out of the cultivation apparatus, pull them out of the pots, and in some cases transplant them in order to adjust the spacing between the plants, roots and leaves that may occur during these operations are eliminated. It is possible to prevent breakage, cutting, nutrient absorption, and delay in photosynthesis, and maintain a desired growth rate.

In other words, since the interval between the pot holes 703 is variable, it is not necessary to pull out the plants from the pot holes 703 for thinning. Deformation can be avoided.
In other words, the thinning operation by changing the interval of the pot holes 703 of the beam member 302 can be performed without extracting the plants from the pot holes 703 . Therefore, the conventional problem caused by extracting the plant from the pot hole 703 can be fundamentally avoided.
In addition, since the plants are not brought out of the cultivation apparatus, it is possible to maintain nutrient absorption and photosynthesis in the conditions set in the cultivation apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an example of a top view for explaining intervals between planting devices conveyed within the cultivation device of FIG.
2, the first drive line segment 101, the second drive line segment 102, the third drive line segment 103, the fourth drive line segment 104, and the fifth drive line segment of FIG. The change in spacing between beam members 302 in section 105 can be seen.
The length of the space between adjacent beam members 302 increases as one moves from the entrance region 110 to the exit region 120 .

The lengths of the first drive line segment 101, the second drive line segment 102, the third drive line segment 103, the fourth drive line segment 104, and the fifth drive line segment 105, and the feed rates therein , can be adjusted as appropriate according to the scale of the cultivation apparatus and the plants to be cultivated.
The cultivation apparatus has a mechanism for appropriately expanding the space at the target timing according to the growth of the plant. can be spread out to prevent slowing of growth due to broken roots and leaves.
Since the spacing between plants is changed within the device according to the growth of the plants, it is possible to eliminate the work steps and the time required for the plants to be placed outside the cultivation device for spacing and transplantation.

The first drive line section 101 , the second drive line section 102 , the third drive line section 103 , the fourth drive line section 104 , and the fifth drive line section 105 are the overall driving force of the cultivation apparatus 100 . line 200 is constructed.

1 and 2, for purposes of illustration, the first drive line segment 101, the second drive line segment 102, the third drive line segment 103, the fourth drive line segment 104, and the fifth drive line segment The length of each of the sections 105 and the spacing of the beam members 302 within each of those drive line sections are illustrated for clarity.
The length of each drive line section, the interval between the beam members 302 in each drive line section, and the transport speed of the planting device 301 depend on the scale of the cultivation device 100, the total length of the drive line 200, the type of plant to be cultivated, and the like. , can be changed as appropriate.

In another embodiment, if the reference length is 1 unit length, for example, the first drive line section 101 is 1.5 units long, the second drive line section 102 is 1 unit long, and the third drive line section 102 is 1 unit long. Line section 103 may be 2.5 units long, fourth drive line section 104 may be 2 units long, fifth drive line section 105 may be 2 units long, and so on.

When the total length of the cultivation apparatus 100 is predetermined, the number of days required for the planting apparatus 301 to pass through the cultivation apparatus 100 is set to, for example, 10 days. The length of the drive line section, the interval between the beam members 302 in each drive line section, the transport speed of the planting device 301, and the like may be set and designed.
The configuration in which the length of each drive line section, the interval between the beam members 302 in each drive line section, the conveying speed of the planting device 301, and the like can be changed for each plant to be cultivated is suitable for the type of plant to be cultivated. It is advantageous in that it can be changed flexibly.

In the case of cultivating with priority given to the growth of a specific plant, the length of each drive line section and the spacing of the beam members 302 in each drive line section are set so that the plant grows best in the cultivation apparatus 100. are specified, a full-length cultivation apparatus 100 that satisfies them may be designed and manufactured.
Cultivation apparatus 100 that prioritizes the growth of such specific plants is more advantageous when intensively cultivating plants with high unit prices, such as plants containing medicinal ingredients and plants with high added value.

A power source (power machine) for driving force for transporting the planting device 301, such as a motor, can be provided to the cultivation device in different configurations and methods. As described below, the power source may be an independent device that can be connected to and removed from the cultivation device 100 or a device that is fixedly attached to the cultivation device 100 .

In one embodiment, the power source may be fixedly attached to driveline 200 . This embodiment is advantageous, for example, when the growing device 301 is transported continuously on the drive line 200 .

In another embodiment, a power source configured to be separable from drive line 200 may be attached to a harvester that is connected to cultivation apparatus 100 during plant harvesting operations. In this embodiment, the power source is connected to the driving line 200 of the cultivating apparatus 100 and the driving force is sent to the driving line 200 to move the planting apparatus 301 while the plants are being harvested from the cultivating apparatus 100 or when the spacing is changed. . After removing the planting device 301 including the plants to be harvested from the cultivating device 100 or after performing the desired spacing change, the harvester disconnects the power source from the drive line 200 of the cultivating device 100 and the planting device 301 is removed. movement can be stopped. This embodiment is advantageous, for example, when cultivating plants where continuous migration can be a growth inhibitor.

In yet another embodiment, the drive power of drive line 200 may be provided by human power. As such, drive line 200 may include a manual drive, such as a manually rotatable handle. This embodiment is advantageous, for example, if a simpler construction is desired. Also, a manual drive may be additionally provided in the two previous embodiments. In this case, it is possible to move the planting device 301 even in the event of a power failure or failure, and the stability of the operation of the cultivation device 100 can be improved.

In any of the above three embodiments, the structure on the drive line 200 side, particularly the structure of the speed change mechanism, can be designed in common, so that design costs and manufacturing costs can be suppressed.
In other embodiments, one fixed power source may be shared by a plurality of drive lines 200, and a mechanism (such as a clutch) for controlling connection/disconnection may be provided in each drive line section. A power source may be installed for each line section.
In the above embodiments, individual powering of each drive line or each drive line segment allows for adjustment of local spacing changes.

In yet another embodiment, a separate power source may be provided for each driveline segment. In particular, if each individual power source is independently electronically controllable, the amount of variation in spacing between beam members 302 can be adjusted with greater flexibility.
In this embodiment, in the transition area between the adjacent drive line sections, for example, a camera provided on the roof portion of the cultivation apparatus 100 photographs the state of the plant on the adjacent beam members 302, and the control unit of the cultivation apparatus 100 photographs. Based on the measured plant growth, in particular based on the predictive leaf overlap between plants based on current or future growth predictions of adjacent beam members 302. By varying the magnitude of the output, adjustments can be made to the scheduled spacing changes between adjacent drive line sections.

A plurality of cultivation apparatuses 100 shown in FIG. 1( a ) can be stacked vertically in a cultivation facility having a plurality of cultivation apparatuses 100 . With such a configuration, the drive lines 200 of the one-stage cultivation device 100 provided in the cultivation facility can all be simultaneously moved by the driving force from one drive source.
In another embodiment, in a cultivation facility having a plurality of cultivation apparatuses 100, the drive lines 200 of the cultivation apparatuses 100 of a plurality or all stages are simultaneously moved by a driving force from one drive source. good too.

FIG. 3 is an example of an explanatory diagram for explaining the inlet region of the cultivation apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 3( a ) illustrates how the planting device 301 is carried into the entrance area of the cultivation device 100 of FIG. 1 .

The reflective plate 303 partially closes the entrance area and suppresses the inflow of outside air into the cultivation apparatus 100 to a low level. Ventilation inside the cultivation apparatus 100 is mainly performed through a plurality of air ducts provided in the ceiling portion 304 or the side wall portion 305 .

The inside of the cultivation apparatus 100 is isolated from the outside by a ceiling portion 304 and side wall portions 305 made of a highly reflective material.
The light emitted from the light source 307 provided inside the cultivation apparatus 100 illuminates the plants inside the cultivation apparatus 100 with high efficiency through the reflection plate 303 , the ceiling portion 304 and the side wall portions 305 .

FIG. 3(b) illustrates a state in which the reflecting plate 303, the ceiling part 304, one side wall part 305 and one air duct 306 are removed from the cultivation apparatus 100 of FIG. 3(a).
Inside the cultivation apparatus 100 , a plurality of light sources 307 are evenly arranged on or near the ceiling portion 304 . As a result, the plants placed in the pot holes 703 (see FIG. 7) of the beam member 302 of the planting device 301 moving within the cultivation device 100 can be evenly irradiated with light.

FIG. 4 is an example of an enlarged top view for explaining intervals between planting devices conveyed within the cultivation device of FIG.
The planting device 301 is moved continuously or intermittently by driving force transmitted from a drive line 200 composed of a plurality of drive line sections 101-105. As a result, the interval between the adjacent beam members 302 of the planting device 301 gradually increases.

Figures 4(a) to 4(d) illustrate the variation in spacing between beam members 302 of the planting device 301 between respective adjacent driveline segments.
FIG. 4( a ) illustrates the variation in spacing between the first drive line segment 101 and the second drive line segment 102 .
FIG. 4( b ) illustrates the variation in spacing between the second drive line segment 102 and the third drive line segment 103 .
FIG. 4( c ) illustrates the variation in spacing between the third drive line segment 103 and the fourth drive line segment 104 .
FIG. 4(d) illustrates the variation in spacing between the fourth drive line segment 104 and the fifth drive line segment 105. FIG.

4(a) to 4(d) are only examples, and these intervals may vary depending on the scale of the cultivation apparatus, the type of plant to be cultivated, and various settings. , can be changed.
Further, the total number of drive line sections 101 to 105 forming the drive line 200 is not limited to five. For example, even if the length of the cultivation apparatus 100 is the same, if finer spacing adjustment is desired, the length of each drive line section 101 to 105 is shortened, and the total number of drive line sections 101 to 105 is reduced. It is good also as the structure which was made to increase.

Since the drive line 200 is composed of a plurality of drive line sections 101 to 105, it is possible to appropriately widen the space between the plants at the desired timing.
As a result, the planting device 301 is periodically moved by a predetermined amount by a feeding mechanism (chain, belt, roller, etc.) installed in the cultivating device 100, for example, from the seedling input stage to the harvesting stage. Thus, it is possible to select at which position in the cultivation apparatus 100 the spacing between the individual beam members 302 should be changed.

In addition, plants can be arranged at desired spacing intervals by changing the feeding speed of the feeding mechanism from place to place. By making it possible to adjust the amount of change in the feed speed for each location, in other words, the amount of change in the feed speed between the drive line sections 101 to 105, the amount of change in the plant spacing interval is flexibly adjusted. is also possible.
By adopting the beam members 302 that are strip-shaped cultivation plates formed as planting panels, the spacing of the plants housed in the planting device 301 can be individually changed for each beam member 302 .

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the plant transplanting operation can be eliminated by changing the spacing while planted on the beam member 302 (cultivation plate).
The previously described spacing or thinning operations between plants that do not require a transplanting step or a removal step from the cultivation apparatus are illustrated in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(d). , by moving the planting device 301 between the drive line sections 101 to 105 with different feed speeds.

FIG. 5 is an example of an explanatory diagram for explaining the nutrient solution flow path in the cultivation apparatus of FIG. In the cultivation device 100, a plurality of nutrient solution channels 500 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. When the cultivation apparatus 100 is used, the nutrient solution is periodically or continuously circulated through the nutrient solution channel 500 .
FIG. 5A is an example of a perspective view of a nutrient solution channel 500. FIG.
FIG. 5B is an example of a cross-sectional view of the nutrient solution channel 500. FIG.

The nutrient solution channel 500 includes channel wall portions 501 and 505 extending in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation apparatus 100, an intermediate wall portion 503 provided approximately in the middle of the channel wall portions 501 and 505, and respective channel wall portions. 501 , 505 and channel bottoms 502 , 504 between the intermediate wall 503 .
The height of the intermediate wall portion 503 protruding from the channel bottoms 502 and 504 corresponds approximately to the height of the nutrient solution surface when the cultivation apparatus 100 is in use.

The nutrient solution supplied to the nutrient solution channel 500 near the inlet region of the cultivation device 100 flows from the first drive line section 101 toward the fifth drive line section 105, and then near the outlet region of the cultivation device 100. It should be collected.
The channel walls 501 and 505 and the channel bottoms 502 and 504 of the nutrient solution channel 500 may be provided with additional nutrient solution supply portions (not shown). The additional nutrient solution supply unit adjusts the composition of the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution channel 500 of each drive line section 101-105 to the plant present in the drive line section 101-105 where the additional nutrient solution supply unit is provided. can be adjusted to a composition more suitable for

FIG. 6 is an example of a cross-sectional view of the planting device, the nutrient solution flow path, the drive lane, and the light source in the cultivation device of FIG. 1 as viewed from the conveying direction.
The planting device 301 (beam member 302 ) moves in the cultivation device 100 on or above the nutrient solution channel 500 based on the driving force transmitted from the drive lane 600 .

When the planting device 301 moves on the nutrient solution channel 500 , the planting device 301 slides on at least one of the channel walls 501 , 505 or the intermediate wall 503 . The configuration in which the planting device 301 slides on the channel walls 501 and 505 and the intermediate wall 503 is advantageous because the stability of the planting device 301 is improved.
When the planting device 301 moves above the nutrient solution channel 500, the planting device 301 moves while being held by the drive lane 600 at both ends.

While moving in the cultivation apparatus 100, the plants housed in the pot holes 703 of the beam member 302 of the planting apparatus 301 extend their roots to the nutrient solution pools 601 and 602 of the nutrient solution channel 500, , 602 absorb water and nutrients from the nutrient solution.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating two drive line sections and a drive mechanism therebetween.
In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the line member 701R forming the third drive line section 103 and the line member 701L forming the fourth drive line section 104 are driven by the drive mechanism 700 in a state of transmission. connected to each other.
The drive mechanism 700 is composed of, for example, gears, pulleys, sprockets, etc., and the line members 701 (701R, 701L) are composed of belts, chains, and the like. The drive mechanism 700 determines the feed speed between the adjacent drive line sections 101 to 105, and automatically changes the spacing between the adjacent beam members 302 in the process of being fed by the feed mechanism within the cultivation apparatus 100. can run to

The drive mechanism 700 also functions as a transmission mechanism for changing the transport speed of the planting device 301 in the third drive line section 103 and the fourth drive line section 104 .
In the example of FIG. 7, the transport speed v104 in the fourth drive line segment 104 is higher than the transport speed v103 in the third drive line segment 103. In the example of FIG.

The interval between the pot holes 703 of two adjacent beam members 302 of the planting device 301 is such that the leading beam member 302 of the two beam members 302 is located between the third drive line section 103 and the fourth drive line section 104. and while the trailing beam member 302 of the two beam members 302 is still moving through the third driveline segment 103, the transport velocity v104 in the fourth driveline segment 104 and the third from the interval D701 in the third drive line section 103 to the interval in the fourth drive line section 104 based on the speed difference dv (dv = v104 - v103) Expands to D702.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7 and the embodiments that follow, each drive line section 101-105 is constructed from one line member 701 (701R, 701L), although their construction is simplified for purposes of illustration. Illustrated.
The beam member 302 of the planting device 301 has a connecting member 1000 placed on the line member 701 . A connecting member 1000 (see FIGS. 8 and 10) includes two engaging elements 1300 (engaging parts, engaging claws). By engaging one of the two engaging elements 1300 with the line member 701R or 701L, the driving force for moving the line member 701 is transmitted to the planting device 301.

Each individual drive line section 101-105 may be composed of two or more line members 701, namely two or more 701R and two or more 702L. Further, in that case, the connection member 1000 (see FIGS. 8 and 10) responsible for transportation and transfer in the individual drive line sections 101 to 105 has four or more engaging elements 1300. FIG.

8 is an example of an enlarged view of the drive mechanism of FIG. 7. FIG.
In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the drive mechanism 700 includes a first transmission gear 801, a second transmission gear 803, an intermediate gear 802 connecting the first transmission gear 801 and the second transmission gear 803, and a first drive gear. 804, a first shaft 806 connecting the second drive gear 805, the first transmission gear 801 and the first drive gear 804, and a second transmission gear 803 and the second transmission gear 803. 2 shafts 807 .
Intermediate gear 802 can also be eliminated depending on the design. In that case, the first transmission gear 801 and the second transmission gear 803 are directly meshed with each other.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the gear ratio between the first transmission gear 801 and the second transmission gear 803 is unitary, but the first transmission gear 801 and the second transmission gear 803, and optionally Different gear ratios can be introduced by replacing the intermediate gear 802 with the
In another embodiment, the drive mechanism 700 may be configured to switch between multiple gear ratios.

Advantageously, the drive mechanism 700 should be able to change its mounting position along the transport path of the cultivation device 100 . Thereby, the degree of freedom in adjusting the spacing between the beam members 302 can be improved.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the line member 701R forming the third driveline section 103 is ridden by the first connecting member 1000a. Also, the second connecting member 1000b rides on the line member 701L forming the fourth drive line section 104. As shown in FIG.
The first connecting member 1000a and the second connecting member 1000b have first engaging elements 1300R1, 1300R2 and second engaging elements 1300L1, 1300L2, respectively.
Although the line member 701 is not specifically illustrated in FIG. 8 for the sake of simplification, the first engaging elements 1300R1 and 1300R2 and the second engaging elements 1300L1 and 1300L2 are, for example, a chain. It has features that can be engaged, such as holes or grooves.

At the time shown in FIG. 8, the first engaging element 1300R1 of the first connecting member 1000a is engaged with the line member 701R, and the driving force from the line member 701R causes the traveling direction to move at the conveying speed v103. pushed towards. Meanwhile, the second engaging element 1300L1 of the first connecting member 1000a is in a free state.

At the time illustrated in FIG. 8, the first engaging element 1300R2 of the second connecting member 1000b is in a free state. On the other hand, the second engaging element 1300L2 of the second connecting member 1000b is engaged with the line member 701L, and is pushed in the advancing direction at the conveying speed v104 by the driving force from the line member 701L.

As the first connecting member 1000a shown in FIG. 8 continues to move and the second engaging element 1300L1 of the first connecting member 1000a that was in the free state engages the line member 702, the first The second engaging element 1300L1 of the connecting member 1000a is pushed toward the traveling direction at a speed v104 by the driving force from the line member 701L.
Along with this, the first engaging element 1300R1 that has been engaged with the line member 701R up to that point is moved between the conveying speed v104 in the fourth drive line section 104 and the conveying speed v103 in the third drive line section 103. is pushed in the direction opposite to the traveling direction at the speed of the speed difference dv (dv=v104-v103). As a result, the engagement between the first engaging element 1300R1 and the line member 701 is released, and the first engaging element 1300R1 becomes free.

A specific configuration of the engaging elements 1300R1, 1300R2, 1300L1 and 1300L2 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

9 is an example of a front view of the drive mechanism of FIG. 7. FIG.
The difference in transport speed between the line members 701 (701R, 701L) adjusts the gear ratio gr between the first transmission gear 801 and the second transmission gear 803 in the drive mechanism 700, which also functions as a transmission mechanism. It is possible to design by
The relationship between the diameter D901 of the first transmission gear 801 and the diameter D903 of the second transmission gear 803 and the gear ratio gr is represented by gr=D901/D903. , 701L, and thus the desired spacing difference between the beam members 302, can be achieved.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the degree of change in feedrate between each driveline section 101-105 of driveline 200 depends solely on the configuration of drive mechanism 700, which also functions as a transmission mechanism, as described above. Therefore, when changing the speed difference of the feed speed between the drive line sections 101 to 105, the change to the desired speed difference can be realized only by changing the configuration of the drive mechanism 700. FIG.
Therefore, it is advantageous that the cultivation device 100 has a structure in which only the components of the drive mechanism 700 can be replaced. As a result, it is possible to change the difference in feed speed between the drive line sections 101 to 105 simply by replacing the parts of the drive mechanism 700 without making a large-scale mechanical design change of the cultivation apparatus 100. It becomes possible.
The above configuration makes it easier and faster to change the feed speed difference between the drive line sections 101 to 105, and reduces the cost of parts.

Cultivation device 100 advantageously has a drive mechanism 700 that is repositionable within drive line 200 . In addition, the cultivation apparatus 100 is more advantageous if the drive mechanism 700 can be added to any position within the drive line 200 and the drive mechanism 700 can be removed from any position within the drive line 200 . Therefore, if the drive mechanism 700 has a module configuration independent of the basic framework of the cultivation apparatus 100, it is advantageous because the module can be replaced, added, or removed.
The above configuration makes it easier and faster to change the arrangement of the drive line sections 101 to 105 of the drive line 200, and reduces the cost of parts.

FIG. 10 is an example of a top view for explaining the state of engagement between the beam member and the drive line.
Unlike the embodiment already described in FIG. 8, the plurality of connecting members 1000 (corresponding to the first connecting member 1000a and the second connecting member 1000b in FIG. 8) in the embodiment of FIG. When the beam member 302 is conveyed in the direction of , the state of engagement with the outer line member 701L changes to the state of engagement with the inner line member 701R.
In the example of FIG. 10, the inner engagement elements (the first engagement elements in FIG. 8) 1300R3, 1300R4, 1300R5 are in a free state, and the inner engagement element 1300R6 moves from the free state to the inner line. Outer engagement elements (second engagement elements in FIG. 8) 1300L3, 1300L4, 1300L5 that have changed into engagement with member 701R are in engagement with outer line member 701L and are engaged with outer engagement elements. The mating element 1300L6 has been disengaged from the outer line member 701L and turned free.

FIG. 11 is an example of a perspective view from above of an engaging member for engaging the beam member and the drive line.
FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a specific structure of the first connecting member 1000a and the second connecting member 1000b of FIG. 8 and the connecting member 1000 of FIG.
The connecting member 1000 has a first connecting portion 1101 and a second connecting portion 1102 .

Two engaging elements 1300 (1300R, 1300L) described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10 are attached to the connection area (second connection portion) 1102 on the drive line member side. More specifically, a first engaging element 1300R is provided on the right side and a second engaging element 1300L is provided on the left side in the conveying direction (forward feeding direction) of the drive line 200. .
In the connection area (first connection portion) 1101 on the beam member side, a beam portion having a plurality of pot holes 703 and the first connection portion, which is a beam member body (not shown), is provided for supporting and fixing. , two engaging pieces 1103 and two supporting pieces 1104 are formed.

The first connecting portion engages with the engaging piece 1103 by inserting the beam portion having a plurality of pot holes and the first connecting portion between the engaging piece 1103 and the supporting piece 1104 in the direction of arrow 1110 . do. This engaged state is brought about by engaging the engaging claw portion 1106 of the engaging piece 1103 with an opening, recess, or the like provided in the first connecting portion.
With such a structure, when the beam member 302 is put in, the work is completed simply by setting the first connecting portion of the beam member 302 between the engaging piece 1103 and the supporting piece 1104 of the connecting member and pushing it in. be able to.

The engagement between the first connecting portion and the engaging piece 1103 cannot be released by simply pulling the beam member 302 backward in the direction opposite to the arrow 1110, but the engaging piece 1103 is lifted and then the beam member 302 is pulled in the direction opposite to the arrow 1110. It can be easily released by pulling backwards.
Such a structure prevents the beam member 302 from being detached from the drive line 200 when the beam member 302 is transported, and prevents the beam member 302 from being removed from the drive line 200 when the beam member 302 is removed from the cultivation apparatus 100. It is guaranteed that it can be easily removed from the

The connection member 1000 is provided with a mark 1105 indicating the transport direction (forward direction) of the drive line 200 . The mark 1105 facilitates confirmation when attaching the beam member 302 to the cultivation apparatus 100 .

12 is an example of a perspective view from below of the engaging member of FIG. 11. FIG.
From FIG. 12, it can be confirmed that there is a space between the engaging piece 1103 and the supporting piece 1104 at the first connecting portion 1101 on the beam member side. In the engaged state of beam portion and connecting member 1000, a first connecting portion (not shown) of beam member 302 is received within this space. The engaging claw portion 1106 of the engaging piece 1103 engages with the opening, recess, or the like of the first connecting portion received in this space.

It can also be seen from FIG. 12 that the first engagement element 1300R and the second engagement element 1300L are at different inclinations.
The possible states of engagement element 1300 are described in more detail in connection with FIG.

11 and 12, the drive line 200 (conveyance line, feed mechanism) and the beam member 302 (cultivation plate) can be easily attached and detached. Connecting the drive line 200 and the beam member 302 via a snap fit or a small number of fasteners is particularly advantageous because it facilitates attachment and detachment.
As a result, it is possible to improve the work efficiency of daily cleaning work, to perform maintenance when the cultivation apparatus 100 malfunctions, and to replace parts of the drive line 200 and the planting apparatus 301 easily and inexpensively. becomes.

FIG. 13 is an example of a specific configuration of the engaging element of the connecting member.
FIG. 13(a) is an example of a perspective view of an engaging element.
FIG. 13(b) is an example of an explanatory diagram illustrating the respective states of the engaging elements during forward feeding and reverse feeding.

As described in connection with FIG. 8, the connecting member engagement elements 1300 (e.g., first engagement elements 1300R1, 1300R2 and second engagement elements 1300L1, 1300L2 in FIG. 8) can be connected to the drive line at different feed rates. Even when the sections (feed mechanisms) 101 to 105 are engaged at the same time, the beam member 302 can be fed smoothly.
When multiple driveline sections 101-105 are engaged at the same time, the drive force from the fastest driveline section 101-105 is driven, and the connection with the slow driveline section 101-105 slip occurs at the engagement element 1300. , and as a result, a smooth shift is performed.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the connecting member is also reversible.

It is preferable that the connecting member has a one-way mechanism that transmits the driving force in only one direction regardless of whether it is forward feeding or reverse feeding. The one-way mechanism can prevent the connection member of the beam member 302 from flipping when transferring between driveline sections with different feed speeds. In other words, the one-way mechanism ensures that the beam member 302 transfers from one driveline segment 101-105 to the other driveline segment 101-105 even if the two driveline segments 101-105 have different feed rates. Guarantee.

In order to achieve a one-way function for both forward and reverse feeding, in the embodiment of FIG. A force receiving surface 1303 for force (driving force for conveying in the direction opposite to the forward feeding direction in the forward feeding setting), a reverse feeding engaging convex portion 1304, a force receiving surface 1305 for the reverse driving force, and a counter-reverse driving force (reverse It has a force receiving surface 1306 and a slide slit 1307 for driving force for conveying in the direction opposite to the reverse feeding direction in the feed setting.

The engaging element 1300 is attached to the connecting member via a shaft member (not shown) passing through the slide slit 1307 . Engagement element 1300 is supported so as to be swingable around the shaft member and slidable along slide slit 1307 .

FIG. 13( b ) schematically illustrates three links 1310 forming a chain as driveline member 701 of driveline 200 . During forward feeding, the engaging element 1300 engages with the chain gap formed by the link 1310 with the forward feeding engaging convex portion 1301 .
The forward driving force F1 transmitted by the chain is transmitted to the forward driving force receiving surface 1302 of the forward driving engaging convex portion 1301 via the pins, bushes, rollers, etc. of the chain. If the forward driving force receiving surface 1302 is designed to abut on the roller surface of the chain substantially perpendicular to the direction of the forward driving force F1, the forward driving force F1 can be reliably transmitted to the entire beam member 302. It is advantageous because it can

During forward feeding, when the reverse forward driving force F2 acts on the reverse forward driving force receiving surface 1303 of the forward feeding engaging convex portion 1301, the engaging element 1300 is moved by the reverse forward driving force receiving surface 1303. While being pushed by the rollers of the chain, it slides along the slide slit 1307 until the forward-feeding engagement protrusion 1301 comes off the chain.
Such a design achieves a one-way mechanism during forward feeding.

At the time of reverse feed, the engaging element 1300 is lifted by a predetermined amount, for example, about 5 mm with respect to the drive line section, and the engaging element 1300 engages with the chain at the engaging protrusion 1304 for reverse feeding. At that time, the engaging element 1300 may be lifted by lifting the main body of the strip-shaped beam member 302, or by an electronically controlled lift provided on the connecting member.

The reverse feed driving force F3 transmitted by the chain is transmitted to the reverse feed driving force receiving surface 1305 of the reverse feed engaging convex portion 1304 via pins, bushes, rollers, etc. of the chain. If the force-receiving surface 1305 of the reverse feed driving force is designed to abut on the roller surface of the chain substantially perpendicular to the direction of the reverse feed driving force F3, the reverse feed driving force F3 can be reliably applied to the beam member 302. It is advantageous because it can be transmitted to the whole.

During reverse feed, when the counter-reverse feed driving force F4 acts on the counter-reverse feed driving force receiving surface 1306 of the reverse feed engaging projection 1304, the engaging element 1300 moves to the counter-reverse feed driving force receiving surface 1306. At 1306, while being pushed by the rollers of the chain, it slides along the slide slit 1307 until the reverse feed engaging protrusion 1304 is released from the chain.
Such a design achieves a one-way mechanism when reversing.

Since the beam member 302 can be fed forward and backward, it is possible to easily and flexibly deal with unexpected situations. For example, when a defect is found in the beam member 302 near the entrance area of the cultivation apparatus 100, the cultivation apparatus 100 is switched to the reverse feed mode, and the defective beam member 302 is removed to remove all the plants from the apparatus. It eliminates the need to take out and re-insert from the input side, so the problem can be solved efficiently.
Moreover, if it can be fed back, it can be easily returned to the desired position even if it deviates from the desired position. This is advantageous if the beam member 302 is to be moved intermittently, eg, every fixed time (eg, 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, etc.).

FIG. 14 is an example of a perspective view of the first cover member attached to the planting device.
The first cover member 1400 is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the beam member 302 and the extending direction of the drive line, in other words, the direction of viewing the top view of FIG. direction), it is attached to the growing device 301 so as to cover the upper surface of the beam members 302 and the spaces between the plurality of beam members 302 .
By attaching the first cover member 1400 to the planting device 301 and covering the gaps between the adjacent beam members 302, it is possible to prevent light from entering the nutrient solution through the gaps.

In the embodiment of FIG. 14, the first cover member 1400 has a plurality of circular openings 1401 in a portion that abuts and covers the upper surface of the beam member 302 .
It is assumed that the first cover member 1400 in FIG. 14 is attached to a planting device 301 consisting of four beam members 302 and used. The first cover member 1400 includes four rows of contact surfaces 1402 each having a plurality of circular openings 1401, first mountain-folded surfaces 1403 existing between adjacent rows of contact surfaces 1402, and , and first mountain-folded surfaces 1404 connected to the abutting surfaces 1402 of the rows at both ends.
The first cover member 1400 further has connecting portions 1405, 1406 and is connected to, for example, the connecting member 1000 of FIG. 10 using the connecting portions 1405, 1406.

In the embodiment of FIG. 14, the openings 1401 are staggered apart by a distance D14 in adjacent rows, but the openings 1401 may be similarly aligned in adjacent rows.
The first cover member 1400 is attached to the planting device 301 so that the opening 1401 overlaps the opening of the pot hole 703 of the beam member 302 covered by the first cover member 1400 . Therefore, light is not blocked from entering the plant housed in the pot hole 703 .

The first cover member 1400 is constructed from a collapsible and expandable member. Specifically, the first cover member 1400 comprises a foldable and unfoldable sheet member.
The first cover member 1400 expands and contracts according to the change in the spacing between the beam members 302, as will become clear from FIGS. 15 and 16 as well.

Advantageously, the first cover member 1400 is made of a highly light-tight, light-fast, reflective and fold- or bend-resistant material, particularly in sheet form. In particular, it is preferable to have high light resistance against light of the expected photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of the light source 307 .

FIG. 15 is an example of a perspective view explaining a state in which the first cover member of FIG. 14 is expanded.
The first cover member 1400 shown in FIG. 15 is in a more expanded state than the first cover member 1400 shown in FIG. As the first mountain fold surface 1403 widens, the interval D15 between adjacent rows of openings 1401 shown in FIG. 15 is wider than the interval D14 shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is an example of a perspective view illustrating a state in which the spread first cover member of FIG. 15 is further spread.
The first cover member 1400 shown in FIG. 16 is in a more expanded state than the first cover member 1400 shown in FIG. Due to the further widening of the first mountain fold surface 1403, the spacing D16 between adjacent rows of openings 1401 shown in FIG. 16 is further widened than the spacing D15 shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is an example of a side view of reinforcing members attached to both side edges of the cover member.
The reinforcing member 1700 illustrated in FIG. 17 is made of a material having a higher rigidity than the sheet material of the first cover member 1400, such as metal or reinforced plastic.
Both side edges of the first cover member 1400 reinforce the first cover member 1400 . The reinforcing member 1700 has a reinforcing beam 1701 and connecting portions 1405 attached to both ends of the reinforcing beam 1701 .

Since the reinforcing beams 1701 reinforce the first cover member 1400 at the side edges on both sides of the first cover member 1400, when the first cover member 1400 is attached to the planting device 301 or when the first cover member 1400 is It is possible to prevent the first cover member 1400 from being bent or distorted when the member 1400 is stored or moved.
In addition, when attaching or moving the first cover member 1400, the operator can hold the reinforcement beam 1701 while performing the work. You can work stably.

FIG. 18 is an example of a planting device having four beam members.
In FIG. 18, a planting device 301 having four beam members 302 and two reinforcing members 1700 is shown. The planting device 301 further has a first cover member 1400 (not shown (indicated by dashed lines in FIGS. 19 and 20)).
Reinforcing members 1700 are attached to adjacent beam members 302 . Accordingly, even when the planting device 301 moves or the interval between the beam members 302 widens, the first cover member 1400 can stably maintain the state of covering the planting device 301 .
Fixed attachment is performed by, for example, tape having adhesive surfaces on both sides, an adhesive, a screw, a hook-and-loop fastener, or the like.

FIG. 19 is an example of a side view for explaining a planned mounting state of the first cover member.
In the embodiment of Figure 19, the planting device 301 has four beam members 302 on which the first cover member 1400 rests.

The first mountain-folded surface 1403 of the first cover member 1400 enters between the beam members 302 below the upper surface of the beam member 302 . As a result, even when the distance between the beam members 302 is narrow, the first mountain fold surface 1403 can stably maintain its upright state.
In addition, by entering between the beam members 302 to below the upper surface of the beam members 302, the length of the first cover member 1400 in the conveying direction of the planting device 301 can be designed to be longer, that is, Since the first cover member 1400 can increase the area covering the planting device 301, it is possible to further widen the interval between the beam members 302 of the planting device 301. FIG.

Adjacent beam members 302 are separated by a distance D19. The first mountain fold surface 1403 expands by a fold angle α19 according to the interval D19.
Since the first cover member 1400 covers the gap D19 between them, it is possible to prevent light from entering the nutrient solution through the gap (the gap D19) between the adjacent beam members 302 . As a result, the generation of algae in the nutrient solution can be greatly reduced.

In the cultivation device 100, a plurality of light sources 307 are provided above the transport section of the planting device 301, as also illustrated in FIG. In embodiments with a first cover member 1400, light from the light source 307 not only directly hits the plants held by the growing device 301, but also indirectly after reflecting off the first cover member 1400. In fact, it can also hit plants.
This makes it possible to illuminate the plants not only from above, but also from the sides and even from below.

FIG. 20 is an example of a perspective view explaining another planned mounting state of the first cover member.
FIG. 20 illustrates the planting device 301 of the embodiment of FIG. 19 with the beam members 302 having a wider spacing D19.

The planting device 301 is transported by driving force from the drive line 2003 . A plurality of light sources 307 are arranged side by side along the direction in which the drive line 2003 extends above the planting device 301 being transported. Although the linear light source 307 is shown in FIG. 20, it can be designed to have a surface shape or a point shape.

In the embodiment of Figure 20, adjacent beam members 302 are separated by a distance D20. The interval D20 shown in FIG. 20 is wider than the interval D19 shown in FIG. As the interval D20 between the adjacent beam members 302 increases, the folding angle α20 of the mountain-folded surface 1403 becomes wider than the folding angle α19 of the mountain-folded surface 1403 in the embodiment of FIG.
Since the first cover member 1400 can continue to cover the space D20 between the beam members 302 even if the space between the beam members 302 increases, the space between the adjacent beam members 302 (the space D20 ) to prevent light from entering the nutrient solution.

19, the light from the light source 307 not only directly hits the plants held by the planting device 301, but also indirectly after reflecting off the first cover member 1400. can also hit plants.

It should be noted that in the embodiment of FIG. 20, the spaces near both ends of the beam member 302 are widened between the mountain fold surfaces 1403 forming the fold angle α20. Light from the light source 307 can enter the back side of the first cover member 1400 from the spaces near both ends of the beam member 302 and impinge on the nutrient solution.

Advantageously, the planting device 301 further comprises a second cover member in order to reduce the incidence of light on the nutrient solution as described above.

FIG. 21 is an example of a side view for explaining the attachment range of the second cover member attached to the planting device.
The second cover member covers the spacing between the plurality of beam members 302 when viewed in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the beam members 302, in other words when viewed in the direction of viewing the side view of FIG.
As a result, light entering the nutrient solution from both sides of the first cover member 1400 on the drive line side, which cannot be completely blocked by the first cover member 1400, can be effectively blocked.

In FIG. 21, the coverage range of the second cover member 2100 is indicated by dashed lines. In the embodiment of FIG. 21 each connecting member 1000 has two first retaining bars 2101 and each reinforcing member 1700 has one second retaining bar 2102 .
Both of the second holding rods 2102 are attached with a second cover member 2100 that is stretchable in the conveying direction of the planting device 301 and has, for example, a roll screen shape, a curtain shape, a bellows shape, or the like. If the planting device 301 does not have the reinforcing member 1700 of the first cover member 1400, it can be attached to the first holding rods 2101 at the frontmost and rearmost positions in the transport direction.

The first holding bar 2101 can prevent deflection or the like when the second cover member 2100 expands and contracts.
The second cover member 2100 expands as the spacing between the beam members 302 of the planting device 301 expands and covers the coverage area indicated by the dashed line.

20, near both ends of beam member 302, light from light source 307 enters the nutrient solution through an expanded space at fold angle α20. can be prevented or reduced.

Further, like the first cover member 1400, the second cover member 2100 is advantageously made of a sheet material having high light-shielding properties, reflectivity, light resistance, folding resistance, and bending resistance. .
The second cover member 2100 can reflect light from the light source 307 laterally toward the plant. In addition, the leaves of the plant spread in the horizontal direction with respect to the conveying direction of the planting device 301 within the cultivation device 100, and collision and friction with the side wall of the cultivation device 100 can be prevented.

The cultivation device 100 is, for example, a curtain-like, roll-screen-like, or other partitioning member, and at least one drive line section 101 to 105 is separated from the adjacent drive line sections 101 to 105 in the lateral direction of the cultivation device 100. You may have a partition member which separates by . Thereby, the cultivation device 100 can at least temporarily separate two adjacent drive line sections 101-105. As a result, environmental settings of the cultivation apparatus 100 such as temperature, humidity, and amount of light in the separated drive line sections 101-105 can be changed from the environmental settings of the adjacent drive line sections 101-105.
In this context, "isolated" means that adjacent drive line sections 101-105 are at least partially separated in space.

As a result, within the cultivation apparatus 100, for example, environmental settings from sowing to germination, environmental settings from flowering to pollination, etc. can be changed from other growth stage settings.

The partition member may be movable together with the planting device 301, or may be fixedly attached at a predetermined position within the cultivation device 100, for example, a position where the two drive line sections 101 to 105 are switched. .
If the partition member is movable with the growing device 301, it is possible to transport the growing device 301 and increase the spacing between the beam members 302 while keeping the drive line sections 101-105 to be separated. be.
When the partition member is fixedly attached within the cultivation apparatus 100, the planting apparatus 301 is transported intermittently, for example, at regular intervals (eg, 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, etc.). , the driveline section 101-105 to be separated can be separated from its adjacent driveline section 101-105 while the grower 301 is at rest.

As a result, even if the ideal values of temperature, humidity, light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, etc. differ depending on the stage of plant growth, that is, the ideal values of temperature, humidity, light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, etc. are different for each drive line section 101 to 105. Even if they are different, the cultivation apparatus 100 creates different environments for the plants present in the respective drive line sections 101 to 105, in other words, according to the growth states and growth stages of the plants in the respective drive line sections 101 to 105. It is also possible to provide

In particular, the cultivation apparatus 100 is configured for each drive line section 101 to 105, for each of the drive line sections 101 to 105, the light wavelength of the light source, the direction of the light source, the photon flux density of the light source, the electrical conductivity, the pH value, the temperature, the humidity, the carbon dioxide concentration, the wind direction, the wind volume, the water Or the amount of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potassium and other simple fertilizer ions) in the nutrient solution, especially nitrogen ions, phosphate ions, potassium ions, magnesium ions, manganese ions, boron ions, iron ions, copper It is advantageous to be able to at least partially control the amount of ions, zinc ions or molybdenum ions, the temperature of the water or nutrient solution, the flow rate of the water or nutrient solution, and the like.

In the above embodiments, the driveline segments 101-105 that are separable from adjacent driveline segments 101-105 may be utilized, for example, as pollinator segments for pollinating plants or treatment segments for pests and diseases.
Since plants in the same driveline segment 101-105 are close in growth stage to each other, it is advantageous to be able to collectively apply treatments to plants within one driveline segment 101-105.

When the separable drive line sections 101 to 105 are used as the pollination section, the cultivation device 100 guides the pollinator to the pollination section from the entrance for pollinators such as insects provided in the cultivation device 100, Pollination is performed by a pollinator, and the pollinator is guided out of the pollination section from the pollinator exit provided in the cultivation apparatus 100 . Alternatively, the cultivating apparatus 100 blows air from the air blower provided in the cultivating apparatus 100 toward the flower of the plant with an air volume and air direction suitable for pollination. Alternatively, the cultivation apparatus 100 shakes the plant using a vibrating section provided in the cultivation apparatus 100 . A direction-adjustable sound wave generator, for example, can be used as the vibrator.
As a result, the cultivation apparatus 100 can assist pollination of plants within the cultivation apparatus 100, and thus the cultivation apparatus 100 can assist fruiting of vegetables such as strawberries and tomatoes.

When the separable drive line sections 101 to 105 are used as the treatment sections, the cultivation apparatus 100 concentrates on the drive line sections 101 to 105 where the plants requiring treatment exist from the chemical supply unit provided in the cultivation apparatus 100. drug delivery.
As a result, it is possible to minimize the amount of medicine to be supplied.

The beam member 302 may have a guide structure in the lower range of the beam member 302 for guiding the growing direction of plant roots extending from the pot hole 703 into the nutrient solution. Thereby, it is possible to guide the plant roots of adjacent pot holes 703 and adjacent pot holes 703 so as not to interfere with each other.

The guide structure is, for example, a plate-shaped member, and the plate-shaped member guides the roots of plants planted side by side in the pot holes 703 on the front, rear, left, and right sides of the planting device 301, for example, in different directions. It is advantageous to guide them in directions, in particular in such a way that the directions of extension of the roots do not cross each other. This further reduces the possibility that the roots of plants planted in adjacent pot holes 703 will get entangled.
Further, when the plate-shaped member is arranged so that the plate surface is parallel to the conveying direction of the planting device 301, the resistance that the plate-shaped member receives from the flow of the nutrient solution can be minimized. Therefore, it is advantageous.

As the plate-shaped member, it is possible to use a plate member having a U-shaped (or U-shaped) cross section. Also in this embodiment, the open portion of the U-shape (U-shape) is directed toward the beam member 302 and the plate surface is arranged parallel to the conveying direction of the planting device 301 . As a result, contact with and entanglement with the roots of plants planted in adjacent pot holes 703 can be reliably prevented while minimizing the supply received from the nutrient solution.

Beam member 302 may further include a resiliently extendable or collapsible and unfoldable cleaning member below beam member 302 .
When the beam member 302 is transported onto the nutrient solution flow path 500, the cleaning member comes into contact with the nutrient solution pools 601 and 602 on the basis of elastic force or by a guide from the contracted state when it is carried into the cultivation apparatus 100. Move to the expanded state. The cleaning member can remove algae, dirt, etc. adhering to the bottom and side surfaces of the nutrient solution pools 601 and 602 while the planting device 301 is moving.
Before the beam member 302 comes out of the cultivating apparatus 100, the driving line or the guide provided in the nutrient solution flow path 500 causes the cleaning member to be contracted again, so that the cleaning member can be smoothly carried out of the cultivating apparatus 100. FIG.

In yet another embodiment, the beam member 302 may be split along the length of the beam member 302 . More specifically, the beam member 302 is comprised of two beam member halves, each beam member half having an array of semi-circular pothole halves. Individual potholes 703 of beam member 302 are formed by combining the respective pothole halves of the two beam member halves.
In this embodiment, by dividing the beam member 302 of the planting device 301 taken out of the cultivation device 100, the plant planted in the pot hole 703 can be removed from the pot hole 703 without pulling out the root of the plant. The plant can be taken out from the planting device 301 or the beam member 302 without passing through the pot hole 703 .

As a result, even when the cultivation of the plant that has passed through the cultivation apparatus 100 is continued thereafter, the plant can be grown by the growing apparatus 300 or the planting apparatus 300 without causing damage or stress to the roots of the plant, or with only minimal damage or stress. It can be removed from the beam member 302 .

This embodiment requires particularly delicate environmental control during the growth stage from sowing to germination, for example, for about 3 to 4 weeks. When cultivating a plant that can grow, when shipping or selling a plant taken out from the cultivation apparatus 100 with roots still attached, when using a combination of different cultivation apparatuses 100 according to the growth stage of the plant, for example It is advantageous when combining the 1st cultivation apparatus 100 which cultivates a plant from sowing to the 4th week, and the 2nd cultivation apparatus 100 which cultivates a plant from the 4th week to the 8th week.

In this embodiment, the burden on the plants can be minimized, and the plants can be transplanted, for example, between cultivation apparatuses 100 of different scales. When cultivating plants for pharmaceutical production such as required, without wasting expensive pharmaceutical plants and without damage or stress to the roots of the plants or with little damage or stress to the roots of the plants. , making it possible to grow those plants in good overall condition. As a result, it is possible to avoid waste and damage (and poor growth associated therewith) due to thinning work, so that the cultivation efficiency of plants for pharmaceutical production can be significantly improved, and therefore the production efficiency of manufactured pharmaceuticals can be improved. can be improved.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations. In addition, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Moreover, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.
It should be noted that the above embodiments disclose at least the structures described in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... Cultivation apparatus, 101... 1st drive line section, 102... 2nd drive line section, 103... 3rd drive line section, 104... 4th drive line section, 105... 5th drive line section, 200... Drive line, 301... Planting device, 302... Beam member (beam member)

Claims (19)

A planting device for hydroponics,
having a plurality of pot holes for planting and having a plurality of beam members that move over the water or nutrient solution based on movement of the driveline;
changing the spacing between a plurality of said beam members;
planting equipment. changing the spacing between the plurality of beam members according to movement of the drive line;
The planting device according to claim 1. The drive line is composed of a plurality of drive line sections with different feed speeds,
each of the plurality of drive line sections having a drive line member that moves along the drive line;
The planting device according to claim 2. the amount by which the spacing of the plurality of beam members is changed varies based on the difference in the different feed rates of two successive drive line sections;
The planting device according to claim 3. a plurality of the drive line sections connected via a drive mechanism that determines the amount by which the spacing of the plurality of beam members is changed;
The planting device according to any one of claims 3 to 4. the drive mechanism has at least one of a gear, pulley, or sprocket;
the driveline member comprises a belt or chain;
The planting device according to claim 5. The beam member comprises a beam portion having a plurality of pot holes and a first connection portion, and a second connection portion detachably connected to the first connection portion,
said second connecting portion including an engaging portion having at least one engaging element for engaging said drive line member;
said at least one engagement element engages said drive line member while said beam member moves over said water or said nutrient solution;
The planting device according to any one of claims 3 to 6. the engaging portion includes at least one first engaging element and at least one second engaging element;
said first engagement element and said second engagement element respectively engage said driveline members of different said driveline sections;
The planting device according to claim 7. the first engagement element transitioning from a free state in which the drive line section is not engaged with the drive line to an engaged state in which the drive line section is engaged with the drive line;
An engaged state in which the second engaging element is engaged with another drive line of another drive line section different from the drive line of the drive line section engaged by the first engaging element. to a free state of said another drive line section not engaged with said another drive line from
The beam member changes over between two continuous drive line sections with different feed speeds.
The planting device according to claim 8. a power machine fixedly connected to the driveline or a power machine removably connected to the driveline moves the driveline;
A planting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. including at least one first cover member;
the first cover member covers the space between the plurality of beam members when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the beam members and the extending direction of the drive line;
The planting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. wherein the first cover member changes length in a direction in which the beam members move according to a change in the spacing between the plurality of beam members;
The planting device according to claim 11. the first cover member gradually or continuously transitions from a folded state to an unfolded state in response to changes in the spacing between the plurality of beam members;
The planting device according to claim 12. wherein the first cover member gradually or continuously transitions from a contracted state to an extended state in response to changes in the spacing between the plurality of beam members;
The planting device according to claim 12. including at least one second cover member;
the second cover member covers the spacing between the plurality of beam members when viewed in the extending direction of the beam members;
A planting device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. the plurality of pot holes of two adjacent beam members are arranged in a staggered manner;
A planting device according to any one of claims 1 to 15. The beam member moves on the water or the nutrient solution while sliding on the wall of the channel or pool for the water or the nutrient solution.
17. The planting device according to any one of claims 1-16. having the drive line, a drive source for driving the drive line, and a channel or pool for the water or the nutrient solution;
The planting device according to any one of claims 1 to 17 is moved along the drive line on the channel or the pool based on the movement of the drive line driven by the drive source. let
cultivation equipment. In the space in which the planting device according to any one of claims 1 to 17 moves,
Light wavelength of the light source, direction of the light source, photon flux density of the light source, temperature of the cultivation atmosphere, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, wind direction, wind volume, electrical conductivity of the water or the nutrient solution, pH value, the water or the nutrient solution. amount of nitrogen ions, phosphate ions, potassium ions, magnesium ions, manganese ions, boron ions, iron ions, copper ions, zinc ions or molybdenum ions, temperature of the water or the nutrient solution, the water or the nutrient solution liquid flow rate, flow rate of the water or the nutrient solution,
growing a plant planted in the pot hole of the beam member by controlling at least one of
The cultivation device according to claim 18.

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