JP2945783B2 - Hydroponic cultivation equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hydroponic cultivation apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In hydroponic cultivation of plants, it is preferable to control the growth of plants by changing the supply amount and supply frequency of the culture solution in accordance with the growth conditions of the plants. Conventional hydroponic cultivation devices include, for example,
Nos. 1-54348 and 60-149962. In other words, the actual opening 61-5434
No. 8 discloses a nutrient solution cultivation apparatus, which includes a reservoir for a culture solution, a support for supporting a cultivated plant so as not to come into contact with the reservoir, and a cultivation device mounted on the support. It comprises a water-permeable member capable of preventing penetration of plant roots and a suction member for sucking up the culture solution stored in the storage portion.
In this hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the plant is grown in moisture on a water-absorbing member with the roots laid on the bottom surface. In a system for supplying water from a water-absorbing member laid on the bottom surface, that is, a bottom-water supply system, the vigor of a plant can suppress the tree vigor.

[0003] Further, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 60-149962 is a long hydroponic cultivation bed formed so that a culture solution can be supplied onto a bed base member. A bed base member having an inclined surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and having a plurality of concave grooves formed on the upper surface along the inclined direction, and a bed base member disposed above the vicinity of a high edge of the bed base member; A supply unit, a liquid collecting unit disposed below a lower end edge of the bed base member, a water-permeable member laid on the upper surface of the bed base member and not allowing root to penetrate; And a water-retentive medium to be placed. In this hydroponic cultivation apparatus, the nutrient solution is not supplied and is supplied around the root of the plant to grow the plant. In a nutrient solution cultivation apparatus of such a type that nutrient solution is unbearably supplied, that is, a nutrient solution circulating system, the vigor of a plant can be enhanced.

[0004]

The growth of a plant is based on leaves,
It can be classified into vegetative growth in which the growth of vegetative organs such as stems and roots is mainly performed, and reproductive growth in which the growth of reproductive organs such as flowering and fruiting is mainly performed. Plants grow with this vegetative growth and reproductive growth mixed, and the balance varies depending on the growing season. That is, in the early growth stage, vegetative growth is mainly performed, in the middle growth stage, vegetative growth and reproductive growth progress at approximately the same ratio, and in the late growth stage, reproductive growth is mainly performed. It is known that in nutrient cultivation, a large amount of nutrient solution is required for vegetative growth, and so little nutrient solution is required for reproductive growth. For this reason, in plant cultivation, it is desirable to appropriately change cultivation conditions such as the supply amount and supply frequency of the nutrient solution according to the growth stage.

[0005] However, in the conventional hydroponic cultivation apparatus described above, the method of supplying the nutrient solution is limited to one. For this reason, the nutrient solution cultivation apparatus of the solid-liquid circulation type is suitable for a period when the vigor of the tree in the early stage of growth is vigorous, but is not so preferable in the middle stage to the late stage of growth in which reproductive growth is mainly performed. On the other hand, the hydroponic cultivation device of the bottom water absorption type,
It is suitable for late growth, but has the disadvantage of suppressing tree vigor in early growth.

[0006] The optimum conditions for supplying the nutrient solution also differ depending on the type of plant to be cultivated. In particular, the nutrient solution cultivation device of the bottom water supply method has a large amount of nutrient solution absorption per plant, and cultivation of cucumber and melon cannot supply sufficient nutrient solution necessary for nutrient growth. Could not be applied.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a nutrient solution cultivation apparatus capable of easily changing a nutrient solution supply condition according to a plant growth period and a plant type. It is.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a first liquid storage section for storing a nutrient solution, and one end of the first liquid storage section,
A water-retaining medium mounting table for mounting the water-retaining medium at a position higher than the first liquid storage part; and a nutrient solution supply device provided on the opposite side of the water-retention medium mounting table from the first liquid storage part. A groove, a nutrient solution supply unit for supplying the nutrient solution to the nutrient solution supply groove, and a second liquid storage unit provided at the other end of the first liquid storage unit for storing the nutrient solution. A water level adjusting means connected to the second liquid storage part for adjusting the water level of the nutrient solution stored in the second liquid storage part; the nutrient liquid supply groove, the water-retaining medium mounting table, and the Laid over one reservoir and the end thereof is
And a water absorbing sheet inserted into the liquid storage section.

[0009] Here, a groove for supplying a nutrient solution is provided on the upper surface of the water absorbing sheet.
A permeable root-prevention sheet can also be laid over the water-retaining medium mounting table, the first liquid storage part, and the second liquid storage part. A sensor for detecting the level of the nutrient solution stored in the second liquid storage unit; and a nutrient solution supply control unit for controlling the supply of the nutrient solution from the nutrient solution supply unit in accordance with an output signal from the sensor. Can also be provided.

[0010]

According to the nutrient solution cultivation apparatus of the present invention, when the nutrient solution is supplied from the nutrient solution supply means, the nutrient solution passes through the nutrient solution supply groove, passes over the water-retaining medium mounting table, and enters the first storage portion. The supplied nutrient solution flows into the second liquid storage portion. On the other hand, when there is no or little supply of the nutrient solution from the nutrient solution supply means, the nutrient solution is supplied to the first liquid storage unit via the water absorbing sheet whose end is inserted into the second liquid storage unit. At this time, the water level of the nutrient solution stored in the second liquid storage unit is controlled by the water level adjustment device. The amount of the nutrient solution supplied from the second liquid storage unit to the first liquid storage unit is proportional to the water level of the nutrient solution stored in the second liquid storage unit. By adjusting
The amount of nutrient solution supplied from the second liquid storage unit to the first liquid storage unit is adjusted.

Further, the sensor detects the level of the nutrient solution stored in the second liquid storage unit, and activates and stops the nutrient solution control means in response to the output signal of the sensor. By starting and stopping the supply of the nutrient solution, the amount of the nutrient solution stored in the first storage unit can be automatically controlled.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an example of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a main part of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a first liquid storage part 12 and a water storage medium 14 provided at one end of the first liquid storage part 12 for mounting the medium at a higher position than the first liquid storage part 12. The bed has a water-retaining medium mounting table 13 and a nutrient solution supply groove 16 that is provided on the opposite side of the water-retaining medium mounting table 13 from the first liquid storage unit 12. The height of the flat portion of the water retention medium mounting table 13 on which the water retention medium 14 is placed from the first liquid storage part 12 is such that the bottom surface of the water retention medium 14 directly contacts the nutrient solution stored in the first liquid storage part 12. Without
And it is set to such an extent that the nutrient solution can be sucked up by the water absorbing sheet 15 described later. On the other hand, a second liquid storage part 17 having a depth deeper than that of the first liquid storage part 12 is connected to the other end of the first liquid storage part 12. A sheet fixing groove 29 is provided on an outer edge of the nutrient solution supply groove 16.

Further, a bed 18 having a first liquid storage portion 19, a water-retaining medium mounting table 20, and a nutrient solution supply groove 21 is provided symmetrically with respect to the second liquid storage portion 17, and the nutrient solution supply groove 21 is provided. A sheet fixing groove 30 is formed on the outer edge of the outer bed 18.

A waterproof sheet 31 is provided so as to cover the surfaces of the nutrient solution supply grooves 16 and 21, the water holding medium mounting tables 13 and 20, and the first liquid storage sections 12 and 19. Waterproof sheet 3
1 is made of, for example, polyethylene, vinyl, or the like.

The water-absorbent sheet 15 is placed on the waterproof sheet 31.
Is laid. The end of the water-absorbent sheet 15 on the side of the second liquid storage 17 is connected to the nutrient solution 10 stored in the second liquid storage 17.
It is inserted so that it is immersed in. Water absorbing sheet 15
Is capable of sucking up a nutrient solution by a capillary action, and is, for example, a nonwoven fabric, a rock wool sheet, a felt, or a urethane.

In the nutrient solution supply grooves 16 and 21 on which the waterproof sheet 31 and the water-absorbing sheet 15 are laid, nutrient solution supply tubes 37 and 38 having a number of small holes formed therein are arranged, respectively. . The nutrient solution supply tubes 37 and 38 are connected to a nutrient solution tank 41 via a supply pump 42.

Further, one of the sheet fixing grooves 29, the water storage medium mounting table 13, the first liquid storage section 12, the second liquid storage section 17, the opposite first liquid storage section 19, the water storage medium mounting table 20, and the sheet A permeable root-proof sheet 32 is laid so as to cover the fixing groove 30. The permeable root-prevention sheet 32 is laid so as to be in close contact with the water-absorbing sheet 15 on at least the water-retaining medium mounting tables 13 and 20 and the first liquid storage sections 12 and 19. The water-permeable root-prevention sheet 32 can prevent the plant roots 33 from reaching the water-absorbent sheet 15 and has water absorbency.
For example, Luton (trade name: manufactured by Seiwa Chemical Co., Ltd.), root-proof permeable sheet (trade name: manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.) and the like.

A water retention medium support plate 34 is provided so as to cover the upper portions of the beds 11 and 18. As shown in FIG. 2, holding holes 51 for holding the water holding medium 14 placed on the water holding medium mounting tables 13 and 20 are formed in the water holding medium supporting plates 34 and 20. At corresponding locations, they are provided at a predetermined interval from each other. In addition, convex portions 3 are provided at both end portions of the water retention medium support plate 34.
5, 36 are provided. The protrusions 35 and 36 are fitted into the sheet fixing grooves 29 and 30 so as to sandwich the ends of the waterproof sheet 31 on the sheet fixing grooves 29 and 30 side and both ends of the water-permeable root protection sheet 32. .

On the other hand, the second liquid reservoir 17 communicates with a water level adjusting tank 23 via a pipe 22 connected to the bottom.
The inside of the water level adjusting tank 23 is separated from the second liquid storage part to which the pipe 22 is connected by a partition plate 25 having a plurality of drain holes 24 of different heights, and a nutrient solution tank through a drain pipe 39. The liquid is connected to a drainage side communicating with the drain 41. Partition plate 2
5 are fitted with plugs 27... According to the water level of the nutrient solution 26 to be stored in the second storage portion side of the water level adjusting tank 23. In addition, on the second liquid storage side of the water level adjusting tank 23,
A sensor 28 for detecting the water level of the nutrient solution 26 is inserted. The lowermost end of the sensor 28 is located at the lowermost drain hole 2.
4, a predetermined distance (for example, 1 to 10 m) from the height of the lower edge
m) Set in the lowered position. The sensor 28 is electrically connected to the input side of the nutrient solution supply control means 40. A supply pump 42 is electrically connected to an output side of the nutrient solution supply control means 40.

Nutrient cultivation apparatus 5 having the above configuration
According to No. 0, when the nutrient solution is supplied from the nutrient solution tank 41 to the nutrient solution supply grooves 16 and 21 via the nutrient solution supply tubes 37 and 38 by the supply pump 42, the supplied nutrient solution is supplied to the water-retaining medium. The first liquid storage units 12 and 19 extend over the mounting tables 13 and 20.
It flows into and is stored. The excess nutrient solution is supplied to the second reservoir 17
Flows into. The infused nutrient solution is stored in the water level adjusting tank 23 through the pipe 22, and is stored in the second storage unit 17.
Is stored. At this time, the stoppers 27 are fitted into the partition plate 25 to the drainage holes 24 having a predetermined height. Therefore, when the water level of the nutrient solution 26 rises to the lowest drain hole 24 into which the stopper 27 is not fitted, the nutrient solution 26 is discharged from the drain hole 24 to the drain side. The water level of the nutrient solution 26 is set at the height of the lower edge of the drainage hole 24 in which the stopper 27 is not fitted. Since the second liquid storage part 17 and the bottom of the water level adjusting tank 23 communicate with each other, the water level of the nutrient solution 10 stored in the second liquid storing part 17 and the water level adjusting tank 23
The water level of the nutrient solution 26 inside is the same.

When the level of the nutrient solution 10 in the second reservoir 17 falls due to the absorption of the nutrient solution by the plant or the natural evaporation thereof, the level of the nutrient solution 26 in the water level adjusting tank 23 also drops. .
At this time, when the water level of the nutrient solution 26 falls below the sensor 28, the nutrient solution supply control means 40 outputs a control signal in accordance with the output signal from the sensor 28, and the supply pump 4
2 is operated to supply the nutrient solution. A 24-hour timer may be connected to the supply pump 42 to supply the nutrient solution for a predetermined time.

When the supply of the nutrient solution by the supply pump 42 is stopped, the nutrient solution is hardly stored in the first liquid storage portions 12 and 19. In this case, the water absorbing sheet 15 is
The nutrient solution stored in the liquid storage unit 17 is sucked up and supplied to the first liquid storage unit.

According to the waterproof sheet 31, the nutrient solution is supplied to the bed 1
1, 18 can be prevented from penetrating into the water-permeable root-proof sheet 32
Thereby, it is possible to prevent the roots of the plant from invading the water absorbing sheet 15.

According to the nutrient solution cultivation apparatus 50 described above, the method of supplying the nutrient solution can be changed as necessary as follows. That is, in the initial stage of the growth of a plant requiring a large amount of nutrient solution, the supply pump 42 constantly supplies the nutrient solution to the nutrient solution supply grooves 16 and 21, and the first liquid storage portions 12 and 19 and the By circulating the nutrient solution in the second liquid storage unit 17 or by operating the supply pump 42 intermittently by a 24-hour timer or the like, a large amount of the nutrient solution is stored in the first liquid storage units 12 and 19, so-called, A nutrient solution can be supplied by a solid solution circulation system. As a result, the vegetative growth of the plant in the early growth stage is promoted, and the vigor of the plant is increased.

In the middle stage of plant growth, the supply of nutrient solution by the supply pump 42 is stopped. Then, the nutrient solution 10 stored in the second liquid storage unit 17 is sucked up by the water absorbing sheet 15 and supplied to the first liquid storage units 12 and 19. The amount of the nutrient solution to be sucked up depends on the amount of the nutrient solution 10 stored in the second reservoir 17.
Is proportional to the water level. That is, the amount of the nutrient solution to be sucked up is determined by the length of the end of the water-absorbing sheet 15 immersed in the nutrient solution 10. Therefore, by adjusting the water level of the nutrient solution 10 in the second liquid storage unit 17 by the water level adjustment tank 23 as described above, the amount of the nutrient solution that can be sucked up can be adjusted. In this way, during the middle stage of growth, the level of the nutrient solution in the first storage portions 12 and 19 is reduced by gradually lowering the level of the nutrient solution 10 in the second storage portion 17, thereby reducing the first storage portion. By exposing the roots 33 of the plants in the liquid parts 12 and 19 to a humid atmosphere, it is possible to easily switch to a so-called bottom-water-absorption type nutrient solution supply.

Furthermore, since the latter half of the growth mainly consists of reproductive growth, it does not require much nutrient solution.
The water level of the nutrient solution 10 in the first storage unit 1 is further lowered.
The plants are cultivated in 2 and 19 so that the nutrient solution does not accumulate for a long time. At this time, the supply pump 42 may be operated for a while to intermittently supply the nutrient solution.

As described above, according to the nutrient solution cultivation apparatus 50, the method of supplying the nutrient solution can be easily changed, and the supply amount of the nutrient solution can be easily adjusted. This makes it possible to easily set the most suitable nutrient solution supply conditions according to the plant growth time. Further, since the most suitable nutrient solution supply conditions can be set according to the type of plant, the applicable range of plants that can be nutrient cultivated can be expanded.

[0029]

As described above, according to the nutrient solution cultivation apparatus of the present invention, the method of supplying nutrient solution can be easily changed, and the supply amount of nutrient solution can be easily adjusted. . As a result, the present invention has a remarkable effect, such as the condition for supplying the nutrient solution can be easily changed according to the growth period of the plant and the type of the plant.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an example of a hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a main part of the hydroponic device of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 18: bed, 12, 19: first liquid storage unit, 13,
Reference numeral 20: Retaining medium mounting table, 15: Water-absorbing sheet, 16, 21
... Nutrient solution supply groove, 22 ... Pipe, 23 ... Water level control tank, 2
8 Sensor, 31 Waterproof sheet, 32 Water-permeable root-proof sheet, 34 Water-retaining medium support plate, 40 Nutrient solution supply control means,
41: nutrient solution tank, 42: supply pump, 50: nutrient solution cultivation device.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first liquid storage unit for storing a nutrient solution, and a water storage medium provided at one end of the first liquid storage unit for mounting the water retaining medium at a position higher than the first liquid storage unit. A water-retaining medium mounting table, a nutrient solution supply groove continuously provided on the opposite side of the water-retention medium mounting table from the first liquid storage section, and a nutrient solution for supplying the nutrient solution to the nutrient solution supply groove; A liquid supply unit, a second liquid storage unit provided at the other end of the first liquid storage unit for storing the nutrient solution, and a second liquid storage unit connected to the second liquid storage unit. A water level adjusting means for adjusting a water level of the stored nutrient solution; and a nutrient solution supply groove, the water-retaining medium mounting table and the first liquid storage part are laid over the end of the second liquid storage part. And a water-absorbing sheet inserted into the cultivation apparatus. 2. The water-absorbent sheet is provided with a nutrient solution supply groove, a water-holding medium mounting table, a water-permeable root-prevention sheet laid over the first liquid storage part and the second liquid storage part on the upper surface. Item 7. The hydroponic device according to Item 1. 3. A sensor for sensing the level of the nutrient solution stored in the second liquid storage unit, and a nutrient solution for controlling the supply of the nutrient solution from a nutrient solution supply unit in accordance with an output signal from the sensor. The hydroponic cultivation device according to claim 1, further comprising a supply control unit.