JP3919614B2

JP3919614B2 - Plant cultivation equipment

Info

Publication number: JP3919614B2
Application number: JP2002191303A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 栄一本島; 和紀島田; 保明野村; 有美枝井出
Original assignee: Seiwa KK
Current assignee: Seiwa KK
Priority date: 2002-06-28
Filing date: 2002-06-28
Publication date: 2007-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-28
Also published as: JP2004033034A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、植物栽培装置に関し、より詳しくは、植物を植えるための培地を有する栽培手段を少なくとも上下方向に移動可能に支持できる植物栽培装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
各種植物を植えて栽培するための栽培手段としては、各種の培地が充填される鉢やプランターなどがある。また、硬質の栽培容器やプラスチックフィルムなどの軟質の外被部材によって培地が保持され、一般に家庭園芸などで用いるプランター等より大型に形成され、施設園芸などで用いられる植物栽培ベッドなどもある。
【０００３】
従来、これらの栽培手段を複数設置する場合、各栽培手段で栽培されている植物同士の接触を避け、また、それらへの均等な採光を確保するために、所定間隔ごと離間させて配置している。また、イチゴやトマトなどの果菜類の場合には、受粉、収穫、茎の誘引などの各種作業を頻繁に行う必要があるため、隣接する栽培手段間には、これらの作業を円滑に行うことも考慮した作業用スペース（作業用通路）を確保する必要がある。このため、温室などの各種栽培施設において、その全体を栽培面積に割り当てることは実質的に不可能であり、上記した作業用通路など、植物を栽培できないスペースが必然的に生じる。このような中で、限られた栽培施設内において、作業性を損なうことなく、収穫量を上げるための工夫が種々なされている。
【０００４】
例えば、特開２０００−１４２５０号公報には、滑車に巻回した紐状部材の両端に栽培手段を支持し、あるいは、天秤棒の両端に吊り下げた紐状部材に栽培手段を支持すると共に、温室を構成する骨組み材にこの滑車や天秤棒を支持させ、栽培手段を常態においては温室内のかなり高い位置に配置しておく栽培装置が開示されている。作業を行う際には、いずれかの栽培手段を引き下ろして実施するのであるが、作業者の歩行用の通路（作業用通路）は栽培手段の下方に確保されているため、ある一つの滑車や天秤棒を介して支持された一対の栽培手段と、これに隣接する他の滑車や天秤棒を介して支持された他の対の栽培手段との間に作業用通路を設ける必要がなく、温室内の栽培密度を高めることが可能である。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記公報に開示された栽培装置は、滑車や天秤棒などの一つの支持手段によって、２個一対の栽培手段を支持できるため、２個の栽培手段を個別に支持する場合と比較して、装置構成全体の簡素化を図れるという利点はあるものの、上下動させても栽培手段の平面投影面積にほとんど変化がない。従って、歩行用通路ないしは作業用通路は、栽培手段の下方に設けるよりほかない。このため、上記公報に開示された栽培装置では、仮に、栽培手段と地面との隙間を数十ｃｍ程度にした場合には、作業用通路が実質的に皆無になってしまい、栽培装置として適さなくなってしまう。
【０００６】
また、装置構成を簡素化できるといっても、温室内の高所に滑車や天秤棒を配置しなければならないため、温室の天井付近の骨組み材（梁など）にこれらを支持する必要がある。従って、温室の骨組み材は、栽培手段の重量に耐えうるだけの強度が必要となる。しかしながら、施設園芸においては、上記のように所定の長さを有する大型の植物栽培ベッド（鉢やプランター等も含む）を複数用いるのが通常であり、温室の骨組み材にその全重量を支持させることは非常に困難であり、強度の高い温室構造とした場合には、温室自体の製造コストがかなり高くなってしまう。すなわち、上記公報で開示された栽培装置を、ビニルハウスなどの簡易構成の栽培施設において用いることは実質的に不可能なものである。
【０００７】
本発明は上記に鑑みなされたものであり、２列で一対の栽培手段を共通の部材で支持でき、個別に操作することなく各栽培手段の上下動が可能であり、この種の栽培装置特有の装置構成の簡素化という利点を備えると共に、設置高さに拘わらず、必要な場合に、容易に作業用通路を確保できる構成とすることで、栽培密度を高めることができる植物栽培装置を提供することを課題とする。また、本発明は、ビニルハウスなどの簡易構成の栽培施設においても、栽培施設を構成する骨組み材に負荷をかけることなく設置できる植物栽培装置を提供することを課題とする。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記した課題を解決するため、請求項１記載の本発明では、植物を植えるための培地を備えた栽培手段が２列を一組として配置される栽培施設に用いられる植物栽培装置であって、
所定間隔ごとに所定の高さで複数設けられる水平架台部と、
隣接する水平架台部間に架け渡され、該水平架台部上を転動可能に配置される駆動軸と、
前記駆動軸に巻回される駆動用紐状部材と、
前記駆動用紐状部材の駆動軸を挟んだ一方側の紐部と他方側の紐部とが、それぞれ所定間隔をおいた位置に接続され、前記駆動軸の転動により、各紐部との接続位置が上下に異なる方向へと移動する動作部材と、
前記動作部材に所定間隔をおいて設けられ、前記２列の栽培手段のそれぞれを吊り下げ支持する吊り下げ部材と
を具備することを特徴とする植物栽培装置を提供する。
請求項２記載の本発明では、植物を植えるための培地を備えた栽培手段が２列を一組として配置される栽培施設に用いられる植物栽培装置であって、
所定間隔ごとに所定の高さで複数設けられる水平架台部と、
隣接する水平架台部間に架け渡され、該水平架台部上を転動可能に配置される駆動軸と、
各端部が所定の高さに位置する任意の不動部に固定されると共に、略中間部が前記駆動軸に交差して巻回される駆動用紐状部材と、
巻回された前記駆動軸から交差して引き出される前記駆動用紐状部材における一端部と略中間部との間及び他端部と略中間部との間にそれぞれ位置する一方側の紐部と他方側の紐部とが、それぞれ所定間隔をおいた位置に接続され、前記駆動軸の転動により、各紐部との接続位置が上下に異なる方向へと移動する動作部材と、
前記動作部材に所定間隔をおいて設けられ、前記２列の栽培手段のそれぞれを吊り下げ支持する吊り下げ部材と
を具備することを特徴とする植物栽培装置を提供する。
請求項３記載の本発明では、前記動作部材が、所定間隔をおいて回転可能に支持される一対の滑車を具備し、前記駆動用紐状部材の一方側の紐部と他方側の紐部とが、各滑車に掛け回されて接続されていることを特徴とする請求項１又は２記載の植物栽培装置を提供する。
請求項４記載の本発明では、前記各吊り下げ部材が、前記動作部材に対し、回動可能に連結されていることを特徴とする請求項１〜３のいずれか１に記載の植物栽培装置を提供する。
請求項５記載の本発明では、前記駆動用紐状部材の各端部が、前記水平架台部とほぼ同じ高さに位置する前記架台の任意部位に固定されていることを特徴とする請求項２記載の植物栽培装置を提供する。
請求項６記載の本発明では、前記水平架台部が、栽培施設を構成する骨組み材とは別に、独立して立設された脚部により支持されていることを特徴とする請求項１〜５のいずれか１に記載の植物栽培装置を提供する。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面に示した実施の形態に基づき本発明をさらに詳細に説明する。図１は、本実施形態にかかる植物栽培装置１を示す斜視図である。この図に示したように、本実施形態の植物栽培装置１は、架台１１と、この架台１１に支持される駆動軸１２と、駆動軸１２に巻回されて巻き取り又は巻き戻される駆動用紐状部材１３と、各端部付近が上下に異なる方向に移動する動作部材１４と、栽培手段となる各植物栽培ベッド２０を支持する吊り下げ部材１７，１８とを有して構成される。
【００１０】
架台１１は、水平架台部１１ａと、該水平架台部１１ａを所定の高さに保持するために地面に立設される脚部１１ｂとを有してなる。架台１１としては、地面から所定の高さで略水平に保持される水平架台部１１ａを有していればよく、例えば、脚部１１ｂの端部を温室の天井部等に固定して水平架台部１１ａが下側となるように配置してもよいし、温室の天井部等に棒状部材や紐状部材等を吊り下げ、これに略水平に水平架台部１１ａを支持させたものであってもよい。但し、本実施形態は、栽培手段を構成する植物栽培ベッド２０の下方空間に作業用通路を確保する必要はなく、各植物栽培ベッド２０と地面との距離は数十ｃｍ程度でも、上下に異なる方向に動作させることができる。温室の天井部等を構成する骨組み材に支持させた場合には、複数配設される植物栽培ベッド２０の全重量を支持できる強度とする必要があるが、本実施形態の場合には、地面から１〜２ｍの高さの脚部１１ｂに水平架台部１１ａを保持させることができるため、ビニルハウス等の簡易構造の温室に好適に使用することができる。なお、架台１１は、図１に示したように、温室の長手（奥行き）方向又は幅方向に所定間隔ごと、かつ水平架台部１１ａ同士が略平行となるように複数配設される。
【００１１】
駆動軸１２は、本実施形態においては、パイプ部材から形成される。また、少なくとも奥行き方向に隣接する一対の水平架台部１１ａ間に掛け渡されるだけの長さを有し、隣接する水平架台部１１ａ上で転動可能に支持される。このように奥行き方向に隣接する一対の水平架台部１１ａによって支持されるパイプ部材から構成することにより、駆動用紐状部材１３及び吊り下げ部材１７，１８を介して支持される植物栽培ベッド２０の荷重を分散支持することができる。なお、駆動軸１２には、図示しないが、ハンドルを連結しておき、ハンドル操作により容易に回転できる構成とすることが好ましい。また、この場合、ギア機構を介して連結することによりハンドルの操作力を低減することができるが、本実施形態の場合、後述のように、一方の植物栽培ベッド２０を上昇させる際には、他方の植物栽培ベッド２０が下降するため、一方の植物栽培ベッド２０を上昇させる方向へ駆動軸１２に加えるハンドルの操作力は、同時に、他方の植物栽培ベッド２０の重量による駆動軸１２を回転させる力によって補われる構成である。従って、ギア機構として減速比のより小さなものを用いても、あるいは、ギア機構を設けなくても軽い力で駆動軸１２を所望の方向に回転させることができる。また、駆動軸１２は、手動で回転させるのではなく、モータ駆動とすることもできる。
【００１２】
駆動用紐状部材１３は、所定長の紐材、ワイヤ、あるいは所定の幅を有するベルト部材等の長尺帯から構成され、上記駆動軸１２に巻回されると共に、駆動軸１２を挟んだ一方側の紐部１３１と他方側の紐部１３２とが、動作部材１４の所定間隔をおいた位置に、本実施形態では動作部材１４の両端付近に接続される。そして、上記駆動軸１２に巻き取り又は巻き戻されることにより動作部材１４の各端部を上下に異なる方向に移動させる。
【００１３】
より詳細には、動作部材１４は、水平架台部１１ａに略平行に配置される所定長の棒状部材や板状部材等からなり、その両端付近には、それぞれ滑車１５，１６が回転自由に支持されている。そして、上記駆動用紐状部材１３は、その略中間部１３３が駆動軸１２に巻回され、交差して引き出された一方側の紐部１３１は、動作部材１４の一方の滑車１５に掛け回された後、その端部１３１ａが再度斜め上方に引き上げられて、所定の高さであって架台１１の任意部位に、本実施形態では水平架台部１１ａの一方の端部と一方の脚部１１ｂとの連結部付近に固定される。また、他方側の紐部１３２は、動作部材１４の他方の滑車１６に掛け回された後、その端部１３２ａが再度斜め上方に引き上げられて、水平架台部１１ａの他方の端部と他方の脚部１１ｂとの連結部付近に固定される。
【００１４】
この結果、駆動用紐状部材１３は、駆動軸１２、動作部材１４に設けた滑車１５，１６及び水平架台部１１ａの各端部付近との間で、全体として略Ｗ字状に配設され、一方側の紐部１３１において滑車１５に掛け回された部位及び他方側の紐部１３２において滑車１６に掛け回された部位が、それぞれ、動作部材１４と接続される接続部となる。なお、駆動軸１２の転動によって、一方側の紐部１３１と他方側の紐部１３２との相対長さは変化するものであり、それに伴い、動作部材１４との接続部の位置も変化することはもちろんである。
【００１５】
ここで、本実施形態では、駆動用紐状部材１３の略中間部１３３は、駆動軸１２に対し、直接巻回されるのではなく、駆動軸１２のうち、水平架台部１１ａに隣接した付近にドラム１２１を装着し、このドラム１２１を介して駆動軸１２に巻回させる構成となっている。これは、駆動用紐状部材１３を、より少ない回転量で、ずれのないように安定して巻き付け可能とするためのものであり、必ずしも必須ではない。従って、駆動軸１２に直接巻回させることも可能である。
【００１６】
吊り下げ部材１７，１８は、本実施形態では、棒状部材等からなる吊り下げ軸１７ａ，１８ａと、該吊り下げ軸１７ａ，１８ａに連結された吊り紐１７ｂ，１８ｂとから構成される。吊り下げ部材１７，１８は、上記した動作部材１４に、所定間隔をおいて、本実施形態では長手方向各端部付近に設けられている。吊り下げ部材１７，１８は、動作部材１４が、駆動軸１２及び駆動用紐状部材１３の作用により上下動することに伴って、それぞれ異なる方向に上下動する。従って、各吊り下げ部材１７，１８によって吊り下げ支持される植物栽培ベッド２０は、この吊り下げ部材１７，１８を介して、上下に異なる方向に移動することになる。なお、吊り紐１７ｂ，１８ｂとしては、紐材、ワイヤ、あるいは所定の幅を有するベルト部材等の長尺帯などを用いることができる。
【００１７】
また、吊り下げ部材１７，１８は、動作部材１４に対して回動自由に設けられていることが好ましい。これにより、各植物栽培ベッド２０は、動作部材１４の各端部が上下に異なる方向に動作しても、すなわち、傾斜状態となった場合でも、水平状態を維持できる（図３参照）。吊り下げ部材１７，１８を動作部材１４に対して回動自由に連結する手段としては、例えば、吊り下げ部材１７，１８を柔軟な紐材等から構成して、動作部材１４との連結部を支点として各植物栽培ベッド２０の重さにより、左右に回動する構成とすることが挙げられる。また、本実施形態のように、吊り下げ部材１７，１８が棒状部材等からなる吊り下げ軸１７ａ，１８ａを有している場合には、この吊り下げ軸１７ａ，１８ａを動作部材１４に軸支して回動自由にする手段が挙げられる。なお、本実施形態の場合には、吊り下げ軸１７ａ，１８ａが動作部材１４に対して固定連結されていたとしても、この吊り下げ軸１７ａ，１８ａに対して、さらに柔軟な吊り紐１７ｂ，１８ｂを連結しているため、この吊り紐１７ｂ，１８ｂは、各植物栽培ベッド２０の重さにより、動作部材１４に対して間接的に回動自由である。「吊り下げ部材１７，１８が動作部材１４に対して回動自由」とは、このような態様をも含む意味である。
【００１８】
栽培手段を構成する植物栽培ベッド２０は、本実施形態では、所定の長さを有する断面略コ字状のトレー２０ａと、このトレー２０ａに一列に支持された培地が充填される複数個の鉢２０ｂとからなるものを用いている。そして、トレー２０ａの端部における該トレー２０ｂの側板間に支持棒２０ｃを架け渡し、この支持棒２０ｃに、上記した吊り下げ部材１７，１８を構成する吊り紐１７ｂ，１８ｂを連結している。なお、支持棒２０ｃは、各トレー２０ａの長手方向各端部に設けられており、上記した駆動軸１２に装着されるドラム１２１、駆動用紐状部材１３、動作部材１４、滑車１５，１６、及び吊り下げ部材１７，１８が、このトレー２０ｃの長手方向各端部に対応して、隣接する一対の架台１１のそれぞれの付近に設けられることはもちろんである。
【００１９】
また、栽培手段を構成する植物栽培ベッド２０の種類は何ら限定されるものではない。例えば、図１に示したトレー２０ａとほぼ同じ程度の長尺なプランターに培地を充填して構成することもできるし、柔軟なプラスチックシート等からなる袋状の外被部材内に培地を充填したものを用いることもできる。
【００２０】
本実施形態の植物栽培装置１によれば、例えば、図１及び図２に示したように、２列の植物栽培ベッド２０が同じ高さで並んでいる状態から、ハンドル（図示せず）を操作して駆動軸１２を水平架台部１１ａ上で図１の矢印Ａ側に回転させる。これにより、駆動軸１２は、水平架台部１１ａの一方の端部方向に転動していく。この際、駆動用紐状部材１３は、一方側の紐部１３１が駆動軸１２に装着したドラム１２１に巻き取られていき、動作部材１４の一方の滑車１５に接する接続部の位置が一方側の紐部１３１の端部１３１ａ寄りに変化していくため、動作部材１４の一方の端部が上昇していく。同時に、他方側の紐部１３２は、ドラム１２１から巻き戻され、一方の紐部１３１よりも相対長さが長くなる一方、動作部材１４の他方の滑車１６に接する接続部の位置が駆動用紐状部材１３の略中間部１３３寄りにずれていき、動作部材１４の他方の端部が下降していく。
【００２１】
動作部材１４は、図３に示したように、全体として、水平架台部１１ａの一方の端部（一方の脚部１１ｂ）寄りに移動すると共に、一方の端部の位置が高く、他方の端部の位置が低い、傾斜状態となる。動作部材１４がこのように姿勢変化する間、動作部材１４の各端部設けられた吊り下げ部材１７，１８は、動作部材１４に対して回動自由に設けられているため、各植物栽培ベッド２０の重さにより、常にほぼ垂直状態が維持され、各植物栽培ベッド２０は、水平状態を保ったまま上下に異なる方向に移動し、段違い状態となる。これにより、各植物栽培ベッド２０は、図２に示した状態と比較し、図３に示したように左側に寄り、しかも動作部材１４が傾斜するため、平面から見た際の植物栽培ベッド２０同士の相対位置が接近する。この結果、図３の右側には、作業用通路（作業用スペース）が確保される。また、一方の植物栽培ベッド２０を上昇させるに当たって、図１の矢印Ａ側に駆動軸１２を回転させると、相対的に他方の植物栽培ベッド２０が下降方向に移動し、他方の紐部１３２の長さが長くなり、他方の植物栽培ベッド２０の荷重が、ドラム１２１（駆動軸１２）を矢印Ａ側に回転させる力として働くことから、駆動軸１２を回転させるためのハンドルの操作力は軽くて済む。
【００２２】
本実施形態によれば、作業等を行わない間は、図２のように、両者を同じ高さに設定しておくことにより、両者にほぼ均等の採光条件等の栽培環境を設定することができる。しかも、作業を行わない間は作業用通路を確保する必要がないので、並列的に隣接する他の植物栽培装置で支持された２列で一組の植物栽培ベッドとの間のスペースは最小限にすることが可能である。従って、本実施形態によれば、温室等の限られた栽培施設における栽培密度を増加することができる。そして、作業等を行う場合のみ、上記のように駆動軸１２をいずれかに回転させて、図３に示したように、作業用通路を確保すればよい。また、このように作業用通路を確保した状態では、２列で一組の植物栽培ベッド２０が段違い状態となるため、作業者は作業用通路から、一組の植物栽培ベッド２０のそれぞれに対し、薬液散布、受粉その他の必要な作業を施すことができる。段違い状態とならない場合には、作業用通路が確保できたとしても、一方の植物栽培ベッド２０に対し、所定の作業を行った後、作業者は、反対側に作業用通路を確保するように操作して、反対側まで移動して他方の植物栽培ベッド２０に対して所定の作業を行わなければならないが、本実施形態によれば、いずれか一方に作業用通路を確保すれば、いずれの植物栽培ベッド２０に対しても作業を施すことができるため、作業者の労力低減効果が大きい。
【００２３】
なお、図１の矢印Ｂ側に駆動軸１２を回転させた場合には、駆動軸１２、駆動用紐状部材１３、動作部材１４が上記と逆に作用し、図１の手前側の植物栽培ベッド２０が上昇し、奥側の植物栽培ベッド２０が下降することはもちろんである。また、ハンドル操作により駆動軸１２を回転させるに当たって、回転量が少ない場合には、動作部材１４の傾斜角度も小さく、その状態で手等を離しても、各部材間の摩擦等により２列の植物栽培ベッド２０は段違い状態で保たれるが、駆動軸１２の回転量が大きくなり、動作部材１４の傾斜角度が大きくなると、手等を離すことにより、その状態を維持できなくなってしまう。従って、ハンドルを設ける場合には、操作している手等を離した際に、その状態で止まるブレーキ機構やクラッチなどを設けることが好ましい。
【００２４】
【発明の効果】
本発明の植物栽培装置は、一つの駆動軸を回転させることにより、２列の栽培手段を上下に異ならせる方向に移動できる構成である。従って、各栽培手段ごとに、上下動作させる部材などを設ける必要がないため、装置構成が簡易であると共に、駆動軸の回転により、２列の栽培手段を、いずれか一方側に片寄らせ、かつ段違い状態とすることができるため、上下高さを異ならせた際には、平面視での栽培面積を常態と比較して縮小することができる。従来の滑車等を用いた植物栽培装置の場合には、常態と作業時とで平面視における実質的な栽培面積にほとんど変化がないため、予め栽培手段を温室等の栽培施設内の高所に設けるなど、作業用通路を確保するための別途の対策を施す必要があったが、本発明によれば、このような必要はなく、設置高さに拘わらず、必要な場合に容易に作業用通路を確保できるため、常態における栽培密度を高めることができる。
【００２５】
このため、温室等の栽培施設として、大型のものや強度の高いものを用いる必要がなく、小型のものであったり、ビニルハウス等の簡易構造の栽培施設でも、本発明を適用して、栽培密度を高めることが可能である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】図１は、本発明の一の実施形態にかかる植物栽培装置を示す概略斜視図である。
【図２】図２は、上記実施形態にかかる植物栽培装置において、２列の植物栽培ベッドが水平状態で保持されている状態を示す側面図である。
【図３】図３は、上記実施形態にかかる植物栽培装置において、駆動軸を回転させ、２列の植物栽培ベッドが上下に異なる方向に移動して段違い状態で保持されている状態を示す側面図である。
【符号の説明】
１植物栽培装置
１１架台
１１ａ水平架台部
１２駆動軸
１３駆動用紐状部材
１４動作部材
１５，１６滑車
１７，１８吊り下げ部材
２０植物栽培ベッド[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a plant cultivation apparatus, and more particularly to a plant cultivation apparatus that can support a cultivation means having a medium for planting at least vertically.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Examples of cultivation means for planting and cultivating various plants include pots and planters filled with various media. In addition, there is a plant cultivation bed or the like that is maintained in a large cultivation size by a planter or the like generally used in home gardening and the like, and is used in facility gardening, etc.
[0003]
Conventionally, when installing a plurality of these cultivating means, avoid contact between plants cultivated in each cultivating means, and in order to ensure uniform lighting to them, arranged at a predetermined interval apart Yes. In addition, in the case of fruit and vegetables such as strawberries and tomatoes, it is necessary to frequently perform various operations such as pollination, harvesting and attracting stems, so these operations should be performed smoothly between adjacent cultivation means. It is necessary to secure a working space (working passage) that also takes into account the above. For this reason, in various cultivation facilities such as a greenhouse, it is substantially impossible to allocate the whole to the cultivation area, and a space where the plant cannot be cultivated, such as the above-described working passage, is inevitably generated. Under such circumstances, various ideas have been made to increase the yield without impairing workability in a limited cultivation facility.
[0004]
For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-14250 discloses that a cultivation means is supported on both ends of a string-like member wound around a pulley, or a cultivation means is supported on a string-like member suspended on both ends of a balance rod. A cultivation apparatus is disclosed in which the pulley and the balance rod are supported by the frame material constituting the structure and the cultivation means is normally arranged at a considerably high position in the greenhouse. When carrying out the work, one of the cultivation means is pulled down, but since the walking path for the worker (working path) is secured below the cultivation means, a certain pulley or It is not necessary to provide a working path between a pair of cultivation means supported via a balance rod and another pair of cultivation means supported via a pulley or a balance rod adjacent to the pair of cultivation means. It is possible to increase the cultivation density.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the cultivation apparatus disclosed in the above publication can support a pair of cultivation means by one supporting means such as a pulley or a balance rod, the apparatus configuration is compared with a case where two cultivation means are individually supported. Although there is an advantage that the whole can be simplified, there is almost no change in the planar projection area of the cultivation means even if it is moved up and down. Therefore, the walking path or the working path is only provided below the cultivation means. For this reason, in the cultivation apparatus disclosed in the above publication, if the gap between the cultivation means and the ground is set to about several tens of centimeters, there is substantially no working path, which is suitable as a cultivation apparatus. It will disappear.
[0006]
Even if the device configuration can be simplified, pulleys and balance rods must be arranged at high places in the greenhouse, so these must be supported by frame materials (beams, etc.) near the ceiling of the greenhouse. Therefore, the framework material of the greenhouse needs to be strong enough to withstand the weight of the cultivation means. However, in greenhouse horticulture, it is usual to use a plurality of large plant cultivation beds (including pots and planters) having a predetermined length as described above, and support the total weight of the frame in the greenhouse. This is very difficult, and if the greenhouse structure has a high strength, the manufacturing cost of the greenhouse itself is considerably high. That is, it is practically impossible to use the cultivation apparatus disclosed in the above publication in a cultivation facility having a simple configuration such as a vinyl house.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and a pair of cultivation means can be supported by a common member in two rows, and each cultivation means can be moved up and down without being individually operated. A plant cultivation device that can increase the cultivation density by providing a configuration that can easily secure a work path when necessary, regardless of the installation height, has the advantage of simplifying the device configuration. The task is to do. Moreover, this invention makes it a subject to provide the plant cultivation apparatus which can be installed, without applying a load to the frame material which comprises a cultivation facility also in cultivation facilities of simple structures, such as a vinyl house.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, in the present invention according to claim 1, a plant cultivation apparatus used in a cultivation facility in which cultivation means equipped with a medium for planting plants is arranged as a set of two rows,
A plurality of horizontal mounts provided at a predetermined height at predetermined intervals;
A drive shaft that is bridged between adjacent horizontal pedestal parts and arranged to roll on the horizontal pedestal part;
A drive string member wound around the drive shaft;
A string part on one side and a string part on the other side sandwiching the drive shaft of the drive string-like member are connected to positions at predetermined intervals, respectively, and by rolling the drive shaft, An operating member whose connection position moves up and down in different directions;
Provided is a plant cultivation apparatus comprising a suspension member provided on the operation member at a predetermined interval and supporting each of the two rows of cultivation means.
In this invention of Claim 2, the cultivation means provided with the culture medium for planting a plant is a plant cultivation apparatus used for the cultivation facility arrange | positioned as a set of 2 rows,
A plurality of horizontal mounts provided at a predetermined height at predetermined intervals;
A drive shaft that is bridged between adjacent horizontal pedestal parts and arranged to roll on the horizontal pedestal part;
Each end is fixed to an arbitrary immovable portion located at a predetermined height, and a substantially stringent member for driving is wound around the drive shaft,
A string portion on one side located between the one end portion and the substantially intermediate portion and between the other end portion and the substantially intermediate portion of the drive string-like member that is pulled out from the wound drive shaft; The other side string portions are connected to the positions spaced apart from each other, and by the rolling of the drive shaft, the operation members that move in different directions up and down the connection position with each string portion,
Provided is a plant cultivation apparatus comprising a suspension member provided on the operation member at a predetermined interval and supporting each of the two rows of cultivation means.
In this invention of Claim 3, the said operation member comprises a pair of pulley supported rotatably at predetermined intervals, The string part of the one side and the string part of the other side of the said string-like member for a drive And the plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plant cultivation apparatus is connected to each pulley.
In this invention of Claim 4, each said suspension member is connected with respect to the said operation member so that rotation is possible, The plant cultivation apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. I will provide a.
In this invention of Claim 5, each edge part of the said string-like member for a drive is being fixed to the arbitrary site | parts of the said stand located in the substantially the same height as the said horizontal stand part. A plant cultivation apparatus according to 2, is provided.
In this invention of Claim 6, the said horizontal mount part is supported by the leg part set up independently independently of the frame material which comprises a cultivation facility, The Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned. The plant cultivation apparatus of any one of 1 is provided.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a plant cultivation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the plant cultivation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a gantry 11, a drive shaft 12 supported by the gantry 11, and a drive device that is wound around the drive shaft 12 and wound or unwound. The string-like member 13, the operation member 14 in which the vicinity of each end portion moves in different directions up and down, and the suspension members 17 and 18 that support the plant cultivation beds 20 serving as cultivation means are configured.
[0010]
The gantry 11 includes a horizontal gantry portion 11a and leg portions 11b that are erected on the ground in order to hold the horizontal gantry portion 11a at a predetermined height. The gantry 11 only needs to have a horizontal gantry 11a that is held substantially horizontally at a predetermined height from the ground. For example, the gantry 11 is fixed to the ceiling of a greenhouse or the like by fixing the end of the leg 11b. It may be arranged so that the portion 11a is on the lower side, or a rod-like member or string-like member is suspended on the ceiling portion of the greenhouse and the horizontal gantry portion 11a is supported substantially horizontally on this. Also good. However, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to secure a working passage in the lower space of the plant cultivation bed 20 constituting the cultivation means, and the distance between each plant cultivation bed 20 and the ground is different up and down even if it is about several tens of centimeters. Can be operated in the direction. When it is supported by the frame material that constitutes the ceiling of the greenhouse, etc., it is necessary to have a strength that can support the entire weight of the plant cultivation beds 20 that are arranged, but in the case of this embodiment, the ground Since the horizontal base part 11a can be held on the leg part 11b having a height of 1 to 2 m, it can be suitably used for a greenhouse having a simple structure such as a vinyl house. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of the gantry 11 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal (depth) direction or the width direction of the greenhouse and so that the horizontal gantry portions 11 a are substantially parallel to each other.
[0011]
In this embodiment, the drive shaft 12 is formed from a pipe member. Moreover, it has a length that can be spanned at least between a pair of horizontal gantry portions 11a adjacent to each other in the depth direction, and is supported so as to roll on the adjacent horizontal gantry portions 11a. Thus, by comprising from the pipe member supported by a pair of horizontal base part 11a adjacent to the depth direction, the plant cultivation bed 20 supported via the drive string-like member 13 and the suspension members 17 and 18 is provided. The load can be dispersedly supported. Although not shown, the drive shaft 12 is preferably connected to a handle and can be easily rotated by a handle operation. In this case, the operating force of the handle can be reduced by connecting via a gear mechanism, but in the case of this embodiment, when raising one plant cultivation bed 20 as described later, Since the other plant cultivation bed 20 is lowered, the operating force of the handle applied to the drive shaft 12 in the direction of raising the one plant cultivation bed 20 simultaneously rotates the drive shaft 12 due to the weight of the other plant cultivation bed 20. It is a configuration supplemented by force. Therefore, the drive shaft 12 can be rotated in a desired direction with a light force without using a gear mechanism having a smaller reduction ratio or without providing a gear mechanism. Further, the drive shaft 12 can be driven by a motor instead of being manually rotated.
[0012]
The driving string-like member 13 is formed of a long band such as a predetermined length of string material, a wire, or a belt member having a predetermined width, and is wound around the driving shaft 12 and sandwiches the driving shaft 12. The string portion 131 on one side and the string portion 132 on the other side are connected to positions near the both ends of the operation member 14 in the present embodiment, at a predetermined interval of the operation member 14. And each end part of the action | operation member 14 is moved to a different direction up and down by winding or unwinding to the said drive shaft 12. FIG.
[0013]
More specifically, the operation member 14 is composed of a rod-like member, a plate-like member or the like having a predetermined length disposed substantially parallel to the horizontal frame 11a, and pulleys 15 and 16 are rotatably supported near both ends thereof. Has been. The drive string-like member 13 has a substantially intermediate portion 133 wound around the drive shaft 12, and the one-side string portion 131 drawn out in an intersecting manner is hung around one pulley 15 of the operation member 14. After that, the end 131a is again pulled up obliquely upward, and at a predetermined height and at an arbitrary part of the gantry 11, in this embodiment, one end and one leg 11b of the horizontal gantry 11a. It is fixed near the connecting part. Further, after the other string portion 132 is hung around the other pulley 16 of the operation member 14, its end portion 132a is pulled up obliquely upward again, and the other end portion of the horizontal gantry portion 11a and the other It is fixed near the connecting portion with the leg portion 11b.
[0014]
As a result, the drive string-like member 13 is disposed in a substantially W shape as a whole between the drive shaft 12, the pulleys 15 and 16 provided on the operation member 14, and the vicinity of each end of the horizontal mount 11a. The part of the one-side string part 131 that is hung on the pulley 15 and the part of the other-side string part 132 that is hung on the pulley 16 are connected to the operating member 14. In addition, the relative length of the string part 131 on one side and the string part 132 on the other side changes due to the rolling of the drive shaft 12, and the position of the connection part with the operation member 14 also changes accordingly. Of course.
[0015]
Here, in the present embodiment, the substantially intermediate portion 133 of the drive string-like member 13 is not directly wound around the drive shaft 12 but in the vicinity of the drive shaft 12 adjacent to the horizontal gantry portion 11a. The drum 121 is mounted on the drive shaft 12, and the drum 121 is wound around the drum 121. This is for enabling the driving string-like member 13 to be stably wound with a smaller amount of rotation so as not to be displaced, and is not necessarily essential. Therefore, it is possible to wind directly around the drive shaft 12.
[0016]
In the present embodiment, the suspension members 17 and 18 are composed of suspension shafts 17a and 18a made of rod-like members and the like, and suspension strings 17b and 18b connected to the suspension shafts 17a and 18a. The suspension members 17 and 18 are provided in the vicinity of each end portion in the longitudinal direction in the present embodiment at a predetermined interval from the operation member 14 described above. The suspension members 17 and 18 move up and down in different directions as the operation member 14 moves up and down by the action of the drive shaft 12 and the drive string-like member 13. Therefore, the plant cultivation bed 20 suspended and supported by the suspension members 17 and 18 moves up and down in different directions via the suspension members 17 and 18. In addition, as the hanging straps 17b and 18b, a strap material, a wire, or a long band such as a belt member having a predetermined width can be used.
[0017]
Moreover, it is preferable that the suspension members 17 and 18 are provided to be freely rotatable with respect to the operation member 14. Thereby, each plant cultivation bed 20 can maintain a horizontal state even if each end part of the operation member 14 operates in different directions up and down, that is, when it is in an inclined state (see FIG. 3). As means for freely connecting the suspension members 17 and 18 to the operation member 14, for example, the suspension members 17 and 18 are made of a flexible string material, and a connection portion with the operation member 14 is provided. As a fulcrum, depending on the weight of each plant cultivation bed 20, it can be configured to rotate left and right. Further, when the suspension members 17 and 18 have suspension shafts 17a and 18a made of rod-like members or the like as in the present embodiment, the suspension shafts 17a and 18a are pivotally supported by the operation member 14. Thus, there is a means for freely rotating. In the case of this embodiment, even if the suspension shafts 17a and 18a are fixedly connected to the operation member 14, the suspension straps 17b and 18b are more flexible to the suspension shafts 17a and 18a. Therefore, the suspension straps 17 b and 18 b are indirectly rotatable with respect to the operation member 14 due to the weight of each plant cultivation bed 20. “The suspension members 17 and 18 are free to rotate with respect to the operation member 14” means that such a mode is also included.
[0018]
In the present embodiment, the plant cultivation bed 20 constituting the cultivation means is a tray 20a having a predetermined length and a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a plurality of pots filled with a medium supported in a row on the tray 20a. 20b is used. A support bar 20c is bridged between the side plates of the tray 20b at the end of the tray 20a, and the suspension strings 17b and 18b constituting the suspension members 17 and 18 are connected to the support bar 20c. The support bar 20c is provided at each end in the longitudinal direction of each tray 20a. The drum 121, the drive string member 13, the operation member 14, the pulleys 15 and 16, mounted on the drive shaft 12 described above, Of course, the suspension members 17 and 18 are provided in the vicinity of each of the adjacent pair of mounts 11 corresponding to the respective ends in the longitudinal direction of the tray 20c.
[0019]
Moreover, the kind of the plant cultivation bed 20 which comprises a cultivation means is not limited at all. For example, it can be configured by filling a medium in a long planter that is almost the same as the tray 20a shown in FIG. 1, or a medium is filled in a bag-shaped jacket member made of a flexible plastic sheet or the like. Things can also be used.
[0020]
According to the plant cultivation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a handle (not shown) is provided from a state where two rows of plant cultivation beds 20 are arranged at the same height. By operating, the drive shaft 12 is rotated on the horizontal gantry 11a in the direction of arrow A in FIG. Thereby, the drive shaft 12 rolls in the direction of one end of the horizontal gantry 11a. At this time, the drive string-like member 13 is wound around the drum 121 having the one-side string portion 131 attached to the drive shaft 12, and the position of the connection portion of the operation member 14 that contacts the one pulley 15 is one side. Since the string portion 131 changes toward the end portion 131a, one end portion of the operating member 14 rises. At the same time, the other string portion 132 is unwound from the drum 121 and has a longer relative length than the one string portion 131, while the position of the connecting portion of the operating member 14 that contacts the other pulley 16 is the driving string. The other end of the operating member 14 descends as it moves toward the substantially intermediate portion 133 of the member 13.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 3, the operating member 14 moves as a whole toward one end (one leg 11b) of the horizontal gantry 11a, and the position of one end is high, and the other end The position of the part is low and the state is inclined. Since the suspension members 17 and 18 provided at the ends of the operation member 14 are provided so as to freely rotate with respect to the operation member 14 while the operation member 14 changes in posture in this way, each plant cultivation bed The weight of 20 always maintains a substantially vertical state, and each plant cultivation bed 20 moves up and down in different directions while maintaining a horizontal state, and is in a stepped state. Thereby, each plant cultivation bed 20 is shifted to the left side as shown in FIG. 3 as compared with the state shown in FIG. 2, and the operation member 14 is inclined. The relative position of each other approaches. As a result, a work passage (work space) is secured on the right side of FIG. Moreover, when raising the one plant cultivation bed 20 and rotating the drive shaft 12 to the arrow A side in FIG. 1, the other plant cultivation bed 20 relatively moves in the downward direction, and the other string portion 132 Since the length becomes longer and the load of the other plant cultivation bed 20 acts as a force for rotating the drum 121 (drive shaft 12) to the arrow A side, the operation force of the handle for rotating the drive shaft 12 is light. I'll do it.
[0022]
According to this embodiment, while not performing work etc., by setting both to the same height as shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to set a cultivation environment such as substantially uniform lighting conditions for both. it can. In addition, since it is not necessary to secure a work passage while the work is not performed, the space between the pair of plant cultivation beds in two rows supported by other plant cultivation apparatuses adjacent in parallel is minimized. It is possible to Therefore, according to this embodiment, the cultivation density in limited cultivation facilities, such as a greenhouse, can be increased. Then, only when working or the like is performed, the drive shaft 12 may be rotated to any one as described above to secure the working path as shown in FIG. Further, in the state where the work passages are secured in this way, the set of plant cultivation beds 20 in two rows is in a stepped state, so that the worker can make each of the set of plant cultivation beds 20 from the work passage. , Chemical spraying, pollination and other necessary work can be performed. Even if the work passage can be secured if the state does not become different, after performing a predetermined work on one plant cultivation bed 20, the worker secures the work passage on the opposite side. It is necessary to operate and move to the opposite side to perform a predetermined work on the other plant cultivation bed 20, but according to the present embodiment, if a work path is secured in one of the two, Since work can also be performed on the plant cultivation bed 20, the labor reduction effect of the worker is great.
[0023]
When the drive shaft 12 is rotated to the arrow B side in FIG. 1, the drive shaft 12, the drive string-like member 13, and the operation member 14 act in reverse to the above, and the plant cultivation on the near side in FIG. Of course, the bed 20 rises and the plant cultivation bed 20 on the back side descends. In addition, when the drive shaft 12 is rotated by the handle operation, when the rotation amount is small, the tilt angle of the operation member 14 is small, and even if the hand is released in this state, two rows are caused by friction between the members. Although the plant cultivation bed 20 is maintained in a stepped state, when the rotation amount of the drive shaft 12 increases and the inclination angle of the operation member 14 increases, the state cannot be maintained by releasing the hand or the like. Therefore, when the handle is provided, it is preferable to provide a brake mechanism, a clutch, or the like that stops when the operating hand is released.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
The plant cultivation apparatus of the present invention is configured to be able to move in a direction in which two rows of cultivation means are moved up and down by rotating one drive shaft. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a member that moves up and down for each cultivation means, the apparatus configuration is simple, and by rotating the drive shaft, the two rows of cultivation means are shifted to either side, and Since it can be in a stepped state, when the vertical height is varied, the cultivation area in plan view can be reduced as compared with the normal state. In the case of a plant cultivation device using a conventional pulley or the like, there is almost no change in the substantial cultivation area in plan view between the normal state and at the time of work, so the cultivation means is previously placed at a high place in a cultivation facility such as a greenhouse. However, according to the present invention, there is no need for such a measure, and it is not necessary to do so according to the present invention. Since a passage can be secured, the cultivation density in a normal state can be increased.
[0025]
For this reason, it is not necessary to use large-sized or high-strength facilities as greenhouses or other cultivation facilities, and even small-sized or simple-structured cultivation facilities such as vinyl houses can be applied to the present invention for cultivation. It is possible to increase the density.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a plant cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which two rows of plant cultivation beds are held in a horizontal state in the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which, in the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment, the drive shaft is rotated and two rows of plant cultivation beds are moved up and down in different directions and held in a stepped state. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Plant cultivation apparatus 11 Mount 11a Horizontal mount part 12 Drive shaft 13 Drive-like string-like member 14 Operation members 15, 16 Pulleys 17, 18 Hanging member 20 Plant cultivation bed

Claims

A plant cultivation apparatus used in a cultivation facility in which cultivation means equipped with a medium for planting plants are arranged as a set of two rows,
A plurality of horizontal mounts provided at a predetermined height at predetermined intervals;
A drive shaft that is bridged between adjacent horizontal pedestal parts and arranged to roll on the horizontal pedestal part;
A drive string member wound around the drive shaft;
A string part on one side and a string part on the other side sandwiching the drive shaft of the drive string-like member are connected to positions at predetermined intervals, respectively, and by rolling the drive shaft, An operating member whose connection position moves up and down in different directions;
A plant cultivation apparatus comprising: a suspension member that is provided on the operation member at a predetermined interval and that supports each of the two rows of cultivation means.

A plant cultivation apparatus used in a cultivation facility in which cultivation means equipped with a medium for planting plants are arranged as a set of two rows,
A plurality of horizontal mounts provided at a predetermined height at predetermined intervals;
A drive shaft that is bridged between adjacent horizontal pedestal parts and arranged to roll on the horizontal pedestal part;
Each end is fixed to an arbitrary immovable portion located at a predetermined height, and a substantially stringent member for driving is wound around the drive shaft,
A string portion on one side located between the one end portion and the substantially intermediate portion and between the other end portion and the substantially intermediate portion of the drive string-like member that is pulled out from the wound drive shaft; The other side string portions are connected to the positions spaced apart from each other, and by the rolling of the drive shaft, the operation members that move in different directions up and down the connection position with each string portion,
A plant cultivation apparatus comprising: a suspension member that is provided on the operation member at a predetermined interval and that supports each of the two rows of cultivation means.

The operating member includes a pair of pulleys rotatably supported at a predetermined interval, and a string portion on one side and a string portion on the other side of the drive string member are wound around each pulley. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plant cultivation apparatus is connected.

The plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the suspension members is rotatably connected to the operation member.

The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each end of the driving string-like member is fixed to an arbitrary part of the gantry that is located at substantially the same height as the horizontal gantry.

The plant cultivation according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the horizontal frame part is supported by a leg part that is independently provided separately from the frame material constituting the cultivation facility. apparatus.