JP5696848B2 - Plant cultivation shelf equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a plant cultivation shelf apparatus for cultivating various leafy vegetables and the like on a shelf, and more specifically, air supply means for supplying a space adjustment gas to the shelf cultivation space, and gas in the space from the shelf cultivation space The present invention relates to a plant cultivation shelf device provided with an exhaust means for discharging.

  Conventionally, as seen in Patent Document 1, as a plant cultivation shelf apparatus as described above, a vertical wall having a double wall structure is provided in a cultivation room that accommodates a plurality of upper and lower cultivation shelves, and a large number of blowing walls are provided on the vertical wall. The thing which provided the exhaust port which forms an exit and opens with respect to the indoor area | region between the cultivation shelves in a cultivation room in the ceiling is proposed.

  That is, in this apparatus, the gap between the double walls in the vertical wall is used as an air supply path, and conditioned air (space adjustment air) is cultivated on the cultivation shelf at each stage through the gaps between the walls and the numerous outlets in the vertical wall. In parallel with this, the room air in the cultivation room is discharged from the exhaust port of the ceiling.

Japanese Patent No. 3787655

  In the above-described conventional apparatus, conditioned air is supplied to the cultivation space on each stage cultivation shelf from a large number of outlets in the vertical wall, so that the conditioned air can be evenly supplied to the cultivation space on each stage shelf. Thus, the temperature adjustment state (air conditioning temperature distribution) in the shelf cultivation space can be made uniform in the height direction from the upper side to the lower side.

  However, in order to ventilate conditioned air horizontally from a large number of outlets on one side to the shelf cultivation space on each stage, and from the ceiling exhaust port only on the other side in the shelf cultivation space on each stage. Since the exhaust action is extended, if the width of the shelf cultivation space is increased, the temperature adjustment state in the shelf cultivation space of each stage becomes a difference in the horizontal direction (width direction), which causes the growth of the cultivated plant There was a problem such as a difference in the growth rate and a growth failure rate.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, since the indoor area | region between the cultivation shelves which an exhaust port opens also becomes an area | region of air conditioning object, there also existed a problem that the energy and operating cost which air conditioning requires increased.

  In addition, if the blowing speed of air-conditioning air at a large number of outlets is increased, the difference in the temperature adjustment state in the horizontal direction described above can be reduced. However, since the wind speed has a great influence on the growth of plants, the blowing speed is reduced. There is a limit to increasing the size, which also contributes to a difference in the horizontal direction in the temperature adjustment state in the shelf cultivation space.

  In view of this situation, the main problem of the present invention is to effectively solve the above problems by adopting a rational air supply / exhaust structure.

The first characteristic configuration of the present invention is:
An air supply means for supplying a space adjustment gas to the shelf cultivation space, and a plant cultivation shelf device comprising an exhaust means for discharging the gas in the space from the shelf cultivation space,
Form a ceiling part of the shelf-mounted cultivation space with a thick plate block made of resin,
While forming an internal air supply path and an internal exhaust path extending in the surface direction of the thick plate block body in the thick plate block body,
A plurality of ceiling air supply holes for communicating the internal air supply path and the shelf cultivation space, and a plurality of ceiling exhaust holes for communicating the internal exhaust path and the shelf cultivation space, respectively, Dispersed in the surface direction of the block body to form the thick plate block body,
The air supply means is configured to supply a space adjustment gas to the shelf cultivation space through the internal air supply path and the ceiling air supply hole,
The exhaust means is configured to exhaust the gas in the space from the shelf cultivation space through the internal exhaust path and the ceiling exhaust hole.

  According to this configuration, the space adjustment gas is supplied to the shelf cultivation space from the plurality of ceiling air holes dispersed in the ceiling portion formed by the thick plate-like block body, and the plurality of ceilings are also dispersed in the ceiling portion. Since the state of the shelf cultivation space is adjusted by exhausting the gas in the space of the shelf cultivation space from the exhaust hole, the adjustment state such as the temperature of the shelf cultivation space can be effectively made uniform in the horizontal direction. It is possible to reduce the growth difference and the growth failure rate of the cultivated plants in the shelf cultivation space.

  In addition, it is possible to suppress unnecessary adjustment of the temperature conditions around the shelf cultivation space, and only the state of the shelf cultivation space can be adjusted intensively and efficiently. The energy required for the state adjustment, the operating cost, etc. can be effectively reduced.

  And, since the internal air supply passage and the internal exhaust passage are formed in parallel inside the resin-made thick plate-like block body forming the ceiling part of the shelf cultivation space, the thick plate-like block is also formed accordingly. Since the resin material forming the body can also function as a heat insulation layer for each of the internal air supply passage and the internal exhaust passage, the air supply passage and the exhaust passage are formed by separate ducts, and each of these ducts is formed. Compared to extending the heat-insulated, the equipment can be made compact and the required installation space for the equipment can be reduced. It can also be increased.

  In addition, in implementation of this structure, various gas can be employ | adopted for the space adjustment gas supplied to shelf cultivation space according to the content of the state adjustment given to shelf cultivation space by supply / exhaust.

  That is, the state adjustment applied to the shelf cultivation space by air supply / exhaust can be any content such as temperature adjustment by cooling or heating, humidity adjustment by humidification or dehumidification, concentration adjustment of cultivation gas such as carbon dioxide gas, etc. Well, depending on the contents, any gas such as cooling gas, heating gas, dehumidification gas, humidification gas, etc. may be adopted as the space adjustment gas supplied to the shelf cultivation space. However, it is not limited to air, and may be a cultivation gas such as carbon dioxide gas or carbon dioxide gas rich air.

  In order to save energy, some or all of the gas in the space discharged from the shelf cultivation space by the exhaust means is subjected to necessary treatments such as cooling again, and then cultivation on the shelf by the air supply means as a space adjustment gas Although it is desirable to circulate and supply to the space, in some cases, the entire amount of space gas exhausted from the shelf cultivation space is exhausted outside the system, and the space adjustment gas is supplied to the shelf cultivation space by the air supply means. An apparatus configuration that supplies excessively may be used.

The second characteristic configuration of the present invention is:
The thick plate-like block body has a two-part structure composed of a lower plate-like portion and an upper plate-like portion,
The ceiling air supply hole and the ceiling exhaust hole are formed in the lower plate-shaped portion,
By connecting the lower plate-like portion and the upper plate-like portion to form the thick plate-like block body, an air supply channel groove serving as the internal air supply passage is formed as the lower plate-like portion and the upper plate. And forming on one or both of the shaped parts,
The lower plate-like portion and the upper plate-like portion are formed by connecting the lower plate-like portion and the upper plate-like portion to form the thick plate-like block body, thereby forming the exhaust passage groove serving as the internal exhaust passage. It is in the point formed in either or both.

  According to this configuration, the air supply channel groove and the exhaust channel groove are formed in the lower plate-shaped portion or the upper plate-shaped portion, and the ceiling air supply hole and the ceiling exhaust hole are formed in the lower plate-shaped portion. By simply connecting the side plate portion and the upper plate portion, it is possible to easily form a thick plate block body having an internal air supply passage and an internal exhaust passage therein, which makes the resin material generally easy to process. In combination with the light weight, the device can be easily manufactured, and the cost of the device can be reduced.

The third characteristic configuration of the present invention is:
The thick plate block body is made of a foamed resin material.

  According to this configuration, the foamed resin material (typically expanded polystyrene) has high heat insulation provided by a large number of internal bubbles, and has a heat insulating effect on the internal air supply path and the internal exhaust path of the thick plate block body, and on the shelf. The heat insulation effect with respect to cultivation space can be heightened further.

  In addition, the foamed resin material having a large number of internal bubbles is generally an extremely light resin material, and the thick plate-like block body formed thereby becomes lighter, which makes it easier to manufacture the device.

The fourth characteristic configuration of the present invention is:
A plurality of stages of cultivation shelves that provide the shelf cultivation space are arranged up and down, and for the cultivation shelves of each stage, the ceiling part of the shelf cultivation space is formed with the thick plate block body,
The air supply means is configured to supply a space adjustment gas to the cultivation space on the shelf through the internal air supply path and the ceiling air supply hole formed in the thick plate-like block body for the cultivation shelf of each stage,
The exhaust means is configured such that the gas in the space is discharged from the cultivation space on the shelf through the internal exhaust passage formed in the thick plate block body and the ceiling exhaust hole in each stage of the cultivation shelf.

  According to this structure, the effect by a 1st characteristic structure can be acquired about the shelf cultivation space in the cultivation shelf of each step | level.

  Then, for each cultivation shelf at each stage, the shelf cultivation space is adjusted by adjusting the state of the cultivation space on the shelf by supplying and exhausting air to and from the cultivation space on the shelf through the ceiling air supply holes and ceiling exhaust holes distributed on the ceiling. The adjustment state such as the temperature in the upper cultivation space can be effectively uniformed not only in the horizontal direction but also in the height direction from the upper stage side to the lower stage side.

  In addition, if the adjustment state required for each shelf cultivation space is different due to different cultivation plants in the shelf cultivation space of each step, the adjustment state for each shelf cultivation space of each step accordingly It is also possible to adjust the on-shelf cultivation space of each stage to the required state by varying the above, and these can further effectively reduce the growth difference and poor growth rate of the cultivated plants.

  And since the internal air supply passage and the internal exhaust passage are formed compactly in the inside using the thick plate-like block body that forms the ceiling part of the shelf cultivation space, the increase in the required dimension in the height direction Thus, it is possible to secure a large number of upper and lower cultivation shelf levels.

The fifth characteristic configuration of the present invention is:
On the lower surface part of the thick plate-like block body, a downward concave portion that opens downward toward the shelf cultivation space in a shape in which the cross-sectional shape expands downward is formed,
A cultivation lighting lamp is disposed inside the downward recess, and a light reflection layer is provided on the inner surface of the downward recess.

  According to this configuration, in a state where the downward concave portion formed in the thick plate-like block body is used as the illumination reflector, the light generated from the cultivation illumination lamp (cultivation light) disposed inside the downward concave portion is light of the downward concave inner surface. The shelf cultivation space can be efficiently illuminated by being reflected by the reflective layer.

  And by using the downward concave portion formed in the thick plate-like block body as an illumination reflector, an umbrella-like illumination reflector can be installed in a suspended state on the ceiling of the shelf cultivation space. In comparison, it can be a stable illumination reflector without shaking or falling off.

  Moreover, since the downward recessed part used as a storage space for cultivation lighting lamps is formed in the thick plate-like block body so as to function as an illumination reflector, for example, compared with the case where the lighting fixture is arranged below the thick plate-like block body The necessary space in the height direction can also be reduced by the occupied space of, especially when providing a plurality of cultivating shelves to provide the cultivation space on the shelf, in order to secure as many cultivating shelves as possible Become advantageous.

The sixth characteristic configuration of the present invention is:
The ceiling exhaust hole is opened in the downward recess.

  According to this configuration, the generated heat of the cultivation illumination lamp generated inside the downward recess can be quickly discharged together with the gas in the space of the shelf cultivation space from the ceiling exhaust hole opened in the downward recess, When cooling the shelf cultivation space as a state adjustment of the shelf cultivation space, it is possible to reduce the cooling load due to lighting, further reducing the energy and operating costs required for the state adjustment (cooling) of the shelf cultivation space can do.

The seventh characteristic configuration of the present invention is:
A shelf cultivation tank is provided on the floor of the shelf cultivation space,
A vertical wall member extending between a side edge of the shelf cultivation tank and a side edge of the thick plate-like block body is provided on each side of the shelf cultivation space, and the shelf cultivation space is made into a tunnel-like space. It is in a certain point.

  According to this configuration, a part of the space adjustment gas supplied from the ceiling air supply hole to the shelf cultivation space is dissipated around the shelf cultivation space (in other words, the temperature state around the shelf cultivation space, etc. Can be prevented by a vertical wall member spanning the side edge of the shelf cultivation tank and the side edge of the thick plate-like block body. Only the state can be adjusted more intensively and efficiently, and the energy and operating cost required for the state adjustment can be further effectively reduced.

  In addition, the light emitted from the cultivation lamp in the shelf cultivation space is reflected by the vertical wall member to the inside of the shelf cultivation space, so that the required amount of light emitted from the cultivation lamp can be reduced. The operating cost can be reduced.

  In this configuration, if the vertical wall member is formed of a resin material (preferably a foamed resin material typified by foamed polystyrene), the device can be easily manufactured, and the vertical wall member is also made of resin. It can also function as an effective heat insulation layer for the shelf cultivation space along with the thick plate-like block body, and when cooling or heating the shelf cultivation space as a state adjustment of the shelf cultivation space, the cooling load or heating load Can be more effectively reduced.

  In addition, the vertical wall member may be configured to be openable and detachable or detachable so that inspection and maintenance of the shelf cultivation space can be easily performed.

The eighth feature of the present invention is
A shelf cultivation tank is provided on the floor of the shelf cultivation space,
While providing a heat source means for cooling or heating the cultivation nutrient solution supplied to the shelf cultivation tank,
A gas-liquid heat exchanger is provided that cools or heats the space adjustment gas supplied to the shelf cultivation tank by the air supply means by heat exchange with the heat transfer liquid,
The liquid supply means for supplying the cultivation nutrient solution to the shelf cultivation tank is configured to allow the cultivation nutrient solution cooled or heated by the heat source means to pass through the gas-liquid heat exchanger as the heat transfer fluid to exchange heat with the space adjustment gas. Let the culture nutrient solution after this heat exchange be supplied to the shelf cultivation tank,
The said air supply means exists in the point which is set as the structure which supplies the space adjustment gas after heat-exchanging with cultivation nutrient solution with the said gas-liquid heat exchanger to the said shelf cultivation tank.

  According to this structure, about each of the temperature (supply temperature) of the cultivation nutrient solution supplied to a shelf cultivation tank, and the temperature (supply temperature) of the space adjustment gas supplied to a shelf cultivation space, The temperature suitable for growth (that is, the nutrient solution temperature or gas temperature that can maintain the nutrient solution in the shelf cultivation tank or the shelf cultivation space in a temperature state suitable for the growth of the cultivated plant) varies depending on the cultivation conditions. However, if the heat exchange conditions in the gas-liquid heat exchanger (for example, the temperature, flow rate, flow rate, etc. of the cultivation nutrient solution and the space adjustment gas are set according to the situation), cooling or heating is performed by the heat source means. By passing the cultivated nutrient solution first through the gas-liquid heat exchanger as a heat transfer fluid, the space-adjusted gas can be cooled or heated to the required temperature by heat exchange with the cultivated nutrient solution in the gas-liquid heat exchanger. Thus, the temperature of the space adjustment gas supplied to the shelf cultivation space (Air supply temperature) is a temperature suitable for the growth of the cultivated plant (that is, the gas temperature that can process the temperature control load of the shelf cultivation space and keep the shelf cultivation space in a temperature state suitable for the growth of the cultivation plant. ) Can be adjusted.

  At the same time, the temperature of the cultivation nutrient solution is changed by the required temperature range along with the heat exchange in the gas-liquid heat exchanger (that is, the temperature is increased by the required temperature range as the space adjustment gas is cooled, or The temperature can be lowered by the required temperature range with heating), so that the temperature of the cultivation nutrient solution (supply temperature) supplied to the shelf cultivation tank is also suitable for growing the cultivated plant (that is, cultivation on the shelf) The temperature control load of the nutrient solution in the tank can be processed to adjust the nutrient solution in the shelf cultivation tank to a nutrient solution temperature capable of maintaining a temperature state suitable for the growth of the cultivated plant.

  With this configuration, since the cultivation nutrient solution is also used as a gas medium for adjusting the temperature of the heat medium, it is only necessary to provide a heat source means for cooling or heating the cultivation nutrient solution as the heat source means. The heat exchanger for temperature only needs to be equipped with a gas-liquid heat exchanger for gas temperature adjustment, and the connection between the heat source means and the heat exchanger for temperature adjustment can be done with the original nutrient solution piping. be able to.

  Therefore, compared with the case where the heat source means for nutrient solution and the heat source means for gas are separately provided, the heat exchanger for nutrient solution temperature adjustment and the heat exchanger for gas temperature adjustment for the common heat source means Can be effectively simplified and downsized as compared with the case where the two are connected in parallel, the device cost can be greatly reduced, and the space required for installing the device can be greatly reduced. can do.

The ninth feature of the present invention is
A plurality of the thick plate-like block bodies are connected in a line in the surface direction, and the shelf-mounted cultivation space is divided into cultivation areas for the thick plate-like block bodies,
Provide the gas-liquid heat exchanger for each cultivation area,
The liquid supply means is configured to distribute and supply the cultivation nutrient solution cooled or heated by the heat source means in parallel to the plurality of gas-liquid heat exchangers,
The air supply means supplies the space-adjusted gas cooled or heated in each of the gas-liquid heat exchangers to the corresponding cultivation area through the internal supply passage and the ceiling air supply hole of the thick plate-like block body with respect to the corresponding cultivation area. It is in the point which is made the structure to do.

  According to this configuration, since the gas-liquid heat exchanger is equipped for each cultivation area, each of the gas-liquid heat exchangers is used as a space-adjusted gas supply duct cooled or heated by the gas-liquid heat exchanger. It is only necessary to provide an air supply duct that connects to the internal air supply path in the thick plate-like block body, and the air supply duct that supplies the space adjustment gas to each cultivation region from one gas-liquid heat exchanger to the shelf cultivation space Compared with the installation over the entire length, the installation amount of the air supply duct can be reduced, which makes it possible to make the apparatus more compact and to make the apparatus easier to manufacture.

  In addition, by adopting a production form in which one cultivation area is used as a unit configuration of the apparatus, and the number of unit configurations linked in a row is selected as necessary, the length of the cultivation space on the shelf is different. Manufacture can also be facilitated.

The tenth characteristic configuration of the present invention is
Arranging the shelf cultivation tank across the plurality of cultivation areas,
The liquid supply means is configured to supply the cultivation nutrient solution that has passed through each of the gas-liquid heat exchangers to the shelf cultivation tank in the corresponding cultivation region.

  According to this structure, since a cultivation nutrient solution is supplied for every corresponding part of each cultivation field in a shelf cultivation tank, a fresh cultivation nutrient solution can be evenly supplied to each part of a shelf cultivation tank. Thereby, a nutrient solution effect can be given equally with respect to the cultivated plant in a shelf cultivation space, and the growth difference and growth failure rate of a cultivated plant can be reduced more effectively.

  In addition, according to this configuration, as described above, it is possible to further easily adopt a production form in which one cultivation area is used as a unit configuration of the apparatus and the number of unit configurations connected in a row is selected as necessary.

The eleventh characteristic configuration of the present invention is
A plurality of cultivation shelves are provided above and below to provide the cultivation space on the shelf, and the cultivation space for each of the thick plate-like block bodies in which the cultivation space on the shelf is connected in a row for each of the cultivation shelves. ,
The air supply means passes through the internal air supply passage and the ceiling air supply hole of the thick block-like block body for the space-adjusted gas cooled or heated in each of the gas-liquid heat exchangers to the corresponding cultivation region of each stage cultivation shelf It is configured to distribute and supply to the corresponding cultivation area of each stage cultivation shelf,
The liquid supply means is configured to distribute and supply the cultivation nutrient solution that has passed through each of the gas-liquid heat exchangers to the on-shelf cultivation tank of each stage cultivation shelf in the corresponding cultivation region of each stage cultivation shelf. is there.

  According to this structure, in the structure which arrange | positions the cultivation shelf which provides shelf cultivation space in multiple steps up and down, the effect by the said 9th characteristic structure and the effect by the said 10th characteristic structure can be obtained, thereby In addition, while being compact and easy to manufacture, it is possible to provide a device that can secure a large shelf-cultivated space in terms of area and can effectively reduce the difference in growth and the growth failure rate of cultivated plants.

The twelfth feature of the present invention is
The shelf cultivation tank and the thick block block are both made of a foamed resin material.

  According to this configuration, the plank block body that forms the ceiling part of the shelf cultivation space and the shelf cultivation tank that forms the floor part of the shelf cultivation space are both light in weight, thereby producing the device. It can be made easier.

  Moreover, by forming the thick plate-like block body and the shelf cultivation tank with the foamed resin material, the thick plate-like block body on the ceiling side and the shelf cultivation tank on the floor side are grown in the tank and on the shelf. It can function as an effective heat insulation layer for the space, thereby reducing the cooling load and heating load more effectively when cooling or heating the shelf cultivation space as a state adjustment of the shelf cultivation space. You can also.

Perspective view of plant cultivation shelf device Front view sectional view of plant cultivation shelf device Exploded perspective view of plant cultivation shelf device Exploded perspective view of the ceiling of the shelf cultivation space Disassembled perspective view of thick plate block Plan view sectional view of plant cultivation shelf device Piping system diagram of plant cultivation shelf equipment

  1 and 2 show a plant cultivation shelf device. In this device, as shown in FIG. 3, various horizontal frames 2 are horizontally mounted on a support column 1 to form a shelf lattice 3, and a shelf is placed on the shelf lattice 3. An upper cultivation tank 4 is placed and a cultivation shelf 5 is configured.

  The cultivation shelf 5 is provided with a plurality of stages (three stages in the figure) at the top and bottom, and in the cultivation shelf 5 of each stage, a shelf cultivation space 6 is secured on the shelf cultivation tank 4, and this shelf cultivation space 6. The ceiling part of the plant is equipped with cultivation light 7.

  A cultivation plate 8 is disposed on the surface of the cultivation nutrient solution L stored in the shelf cultivation tank 4, and cultivation plants (not shown) are formed in a number of cultivation holes formed in a matrix arrangement on the cultivation plate 8. By inserting the root part, a large number of cultivated plants such as leafy vegetables represented by lettuce are cultivated in a state in which the root part is immersed in the cultivation nutrient solution L in the tank.

  The ceiling part of the shelf cultivation space 6 equipped with the cultivation lighting lamps 7 is formed by thick plate-like block bodies 9 supported on the upper shelf lattice 3 via metal fittings, and both sides of the shelf cultivation space 6. Is provided with a vertical wall member 10 that extends between the side edge of the shelf cultivation tank 4 and the side edge of the thick plate-like block body 9, and the vertical wall member 10 closes both sides of the shelf cultivation space 6. The shelf cultivation space 6 is a tunnel-like space.

  The shelf cultivation tank 4 that forms the floor portion of the shelf cultivation space 6, the thick plate block 9 that forms the ceiling portion of the shelf cultivation space 6, and the vertical wall that closes both sides of the shelf cultivation space 6 All the members 10 are made of foamed polystyrene, thereby facilitating the production processing and assembly of the shelf cultivation tank 4, the thick plate-like block body 9, and the vertical wall member 10, and high thermal insulation provided by the foamed polystyrene. With this, an effective heat insulation effect for the shelf cultivation space 6 can be obtained.

  As for the cultivation illumination lamp 7, a groove shape that opens downward toward the shelf cultivation space 6 in the lower surface portion (that is, the ceiling surface portion) of the thick plate-like block body 9 and having a cross-sectional shape of a prone shape is spread downward. A downward-facing recess 11 is formed, and the cultivation illumination lamp 7 is arranged on the upper bottom of the groove-shaped downward recess 11 over the entire length of the groove-like structure.

  A light reflecting layer 11a is provided on the inner surface of the groove-like downward recess 11 so that the downward recess 11 serves as an illumination reflector, and the inner surface of the downward recess 11 in the generated light of the cultivation lighting lamp 7 is provided. The shelf cultivation space 6 is efficiently illuminated by reflecting the object facing away.

  The cultivation lamp 7 is supported by a rod-shaped frame 12 that is buried in the lower surface portion of the thick plate-like block body 9 near the upper bottom portion of the downward concave portion 11, and the rod-shaped frame 12 is supported by the thick plate-like block body 9. At the same time, it is supported by the upper shelf grid 3 via metal fittings.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the thick plate-like block body 9 forming the ceiling portion has a comb-teeth-like shape, and the surface direction of the thick plate-like block body 9 (longitudinal in this example) A plurality of internal air supply passages 13 extending in the direction) and a plurality of internal exhaust passages 14 branching in a comb-like shape and extending in the surface direction of the thick plate-like block body 9 are alternately arranged in mesh. An air supply connection port 13a serving as an inlet of the internal air supply path 13 is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction on one side surface of the thick plate-like block body 9, and the other side surface of the thick plate-like block body 9 is formed. An exhaust connection port 14 a serving as an outlet of the internal exhaust passage 14 is formed at the other end in the longitudinal direction.

  The thick plate-like block body 9 has a plurality of ceiling air holes 13b that allow the internal air supply passage 13 and the shelf cultivation space 6 to communicate with each other, and a plurality that allows the internal exhaust passage 14 and the shelf cultivation space 6 to communicate with each other. Each of the ceiling exhaust holes 14b is dispersed in the surface direction of the thick plate-like block body 9 and formed.

  That is, the space adjustment air G (an example of the space adjustment gas) cooled by the gas-liquid heat exchanger 15 described later is uniformly placed on the shelf from the ceiling through the air supply connection port 13a, the internal air supply path 13, and the ceiling air supply hole 13b. In addition to this, the air G 'in the shelf cultivation space 6 is uniformly discharged from the ceiling through the ceiling exhaust hole 14b, the internal exhaust path 14, and the exhaust connection port 14a. Thereby, temperature control (cooling) is performed intensively and uniformly with respect to the shelf cultivation space 6, and the whole shelf cultivation space 6 is adjusted to the uniform temperature state suitable for cultivation of a cultivation plant.

  The ceiling exhaust hole 14b is opened to the inside of the downward recessed portion 11 at the upper bottom portion of the downward recessed portion 11 equipped with the cultivation lighting lamp 7, and thereby, a large amount of generated heat of the cultivation lighting lamp 7 together with the air G 'in the space. By quickly discharging from the shelf cultivation space 6, the temperature control load (cooling load) of the shelf cultivation space 6 is effectively reduced.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, the gas-liquid heat exchanger 15 that cools the space adjustment air G includes the lowermost stage together with the circulation fan 16 that supplies the space adjustment air G to the shelf cultivation space 6 of each stage. The air outlet of the gas-liquid heat exchanger 15 is arranged in a vertical posture and the air supply in the thick block-like block body 9 through the air supply vertical duct 17 extending over the cultivation shelf 5 in each stage in a vertical posture. While connecting to the connection port 13a, the air inlet of this gas-liquid heat exchanger 15 is similarly connected to the exhaust port 14a in the thick block-like block body 9 of each stage through the exhaust vertical duct 18 over the cultivation shelf 5 of each stage in the vertical posture. Is connected to.

  That is, the air-liquid heat exchanger in the aggregated state through the exhaust vertical duct 18 collects the in-space air G ′ discharged from the shelf cultivation space 6 of each stage with the supply of the space adjustment air G cooled by the gas-liquid heat exchanger 15. The cooling air is returned to 15 and cooled, and this cooling air is again distributed and supplied to the on-shelf cultivation space 6 through the supply vertical duct 17 as the space adjustment air G.

  That is, in this example, the circulation fan 16 and the air supply vertical duct 17 constitute an air supply means for supplying the space adjustment air G to the shelf cultivation space 6 through the internal air supply passage 13 of the thick plate-like block body 9.

  Further, the circulation fan 16 and the exhaust vertical duct 18 constitute exhaust means for exhausting the air G ′ in the shelf cultivation space 6 through the internal exhaust path 14 of the thick plate block 9.

  Since the shelf cultivation space 6 at each stage is a tunnel-like space, the outside of the space-conditioned air G supplied to the shelf cultivation space 6 at each stage is effectively suppressed. Only the on-shelf cultivation space 6 can be temperature-controlled (cooled) intensively and energy and operation costs required for the temperature adjustment can be effectively reduced.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the thick plate-like block body 9 has a two-part structure comprising an upper plate-like portion 9a and a lower plate-like portion 9b, and a divided surface portion (lower surface portion) of the upper plate-like portion 9a. Are formed with an air supply channel groove 13c and an exhaust channel groove 14c.

  Further, on the dividing surface portion (upper surface portion) of the lower plate-like portion 9b, an air supply channel groove 13d and an exhaust channel groove 14d are formed, and a ceiling air supply hole 13b and a ceiling exhaust hole 14b are formed. When the upper plate-like portion 9a and the lower plate-like portion 9b are combined to form the thick plate-like block body 9, the air passage groove 13c of the upper plate-like portion 9a and the lower plate-like portion 9b The internal air supply path 13 is formed inside the thick plate-like block body 9 by combining with the air supply path groove 13d, and the exhaust path groove 14c of the upper plate-like portion 9a and the exhaust passage of the lower plate-like portion 9b. The internal exhaust passage 14 is formed inside the thick plate block body 9 together with the groove for use 14d.

  FIG. 1 shows a unit configuration U (in other words, one unit) of a plant cultivation shelf apparatus. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of unit configurations U are arranged in a line to arrange a plant having a required length. Build a cultivation shelf device.

  In this case, the plurality of thick plate-like block bodies 9 are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the device so that the shelf cultivation space 6 on each shelf continuous over the entire length of the device is also formally thick plate. The apparatus is provided with a supply / exhaust system that is divided into cultivation areas 6a for each block 9 and that includes a gas-liquid heat exchanger 15, a circulation fan 16, an air supply vertical duct 17, and an exhaust vertical duct 18 for each of the cultivation areas 6a. It becomes a composition.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 19 denotes a heat source side heat exchanger that cools the cultivation nutrient solution L supplied to the shelf cultivation tank 4 of each stage. In the heat source side heat exchanger 19, cold water is connected to the refrigerator 20. The low temperature cold water C supplied from the refrigerator 20 in the cold water circulation through the circulation path 21 and the cultivation nutrient solution L ′ returning from the shelf cultivation tank 4 of each stage through the return liquid path 22 are subjected to heat exchange, and the cultivation is performed. The nutrient solution L ′ is cooled to a predetermined temperature to (heat source side outlet temperature).

  The return liquid path 22 is provided with a replenishment tank 25 to which a replenishment water path 23 and a replenishment liquid path 24 are connected. In this replenishment tank 25, the cultivation nutrient solution L ′ returns from the shelf cultivation tank 4 of each stage. On the other hand, by supplying the required amount of water W from the replenishing water channel 23 and supplying the required amount of raw nutrient solution LL from the replenishing solution channel 24, the cultivation nutrient solution L having a constant concentration at all times on the shelf cultivation tank 4 at each stage To supply.

  The cultivation nutrient solution L cooled by the heat source side heat exchanger 19 is distributed and supplied to the gas-liquid heat exchanger 15 for each cultivation area 6a through the main liquid supply path 27 by the constant water type circulation pump 26, and these gas-liquid heat exchanges. In the vessel 15, the in-space air G ′ returning from the corresponding cultivation area 6 a of each terraced cultivation space 6 through the corresponding exhaust vertical duct 18 is opposed to the cooled cultivation nutrient liquid L supplied from the main liquid supply path 27. Heat is exchanged by a flow method to cool to a predetermined temperature tgi, and this cooling air is supplied as space adjustment air G to the corresponding cultivation area 6a of the cultivation space 6 on each shelf shelf through the corresponding supply vertical duct 17.

  Further, the cultivation nutrient solution L after the heat exchange that has passed through each of the gas-liquid heat exchangers 15 for each cultivation region 6a (that is, the heat exchange with the space adjustment air G increases by a predetermined temperature width Δt from the heat source side outlet temperature to. Warmed cultivation nutrient solution) is distributed and supplied to the shelf cultivation tank 4 at each stage in the corresponding cultivation area 6a of each stage shelf cultivation space 6 through the vertical liquid supply path 28 for each cultivation area 6a.

  That is, the circulation pump 26, the main liquid supply path 27, and the vertical liquid supply path 28 for each cultivation area 6a constitute a liquid supply means for supplying the cultivation nutrient solution L to the shelf cultivation tank 4.

  The shelf cultivation tank 4 at each stage is equipped with an overflow drain port 29 that keeps the liquid level of the shelf cultivation tank 4 at a predetermined liquid level at one end in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus. As the cultivation nutrient solution L is supplied to the shelf cultivation tank 4 for each cultivation region 6a in the upper cultivation space 6 as described above, the cultivation nutrient solution L ′ in the vessel in the shelf cultivation tank 4 of each step is each stage. The cultivating nutrient solution L ′ discharged from the overflow drain port 29 of each stage is returned to the heat source side heat exchanger 19 through the return liquid path 22.

  That is, if it is this plant cultivation shelf device, the heat exchange conditions (for example, the temperature, flow rate, flow velocity, etc. of the cultivation nutrient solution L and the space adjustment air G, respectively) in each gas-liquid heat exchanger 15 are the cultivation conditions and the temperature control load. The space adjustment air G supplied to the shelf cultivation space 6 on each stage by heat exchange between the cultivation nutrient solution L and the space adjustment air G in the gas-liquid heat exchanger 15 The temperature tgi (air supply temperature) is adjusted to a temperature suitable for the growth of the cultivated plant (that is, the temperature adjustment load of the shelf cultivation space 6 on each stage is processed to grow the cultivation space 6 on each shelf on the shelf. The temperature ti [= to + Δt] (supply temperature) of the cultivation nutrient solution L supplied to the on-shelf cultivation tank 4 is also adjusted to the growth of the cultivated plant. Appropriate temperature (that is, the temperature control load of the nutrient solution L in the shelf cultivation tank 4 at each stage is treated. It can be adjusted to the nutrient solution temperature) which can keep the nutrient solution L to a temperature state suitable for the growth of cultivated plants in the rack on the culture tank 4 of each stage.

  Then, the cultivation nutrient solution L cooled by the heat source side heat exchanger 19 is used for cooling the space adjustment air G in the gas-liquid heat exchanger 15, and the cultivation nutrient solution L is used as a cooling heat medium solution for the space adjustment air G. By adopting the form that also serves as the heat source means N for the nutrient solution composed of the heat source side heat exchanger 19 and the refrigerator 20, and the form that also serves as the heat source means for the air for the space adjustment air G, the apparatus configuration Can be effectively simplified and downsized.

  In addition, when cultivating common leafy vegetables such as lettuce, the heat source side outlet temperature to the cultivation nutrient solution L supplied to the gas-liquid heat exchanger 15 and the cultivation nutrient solution L by heat exchange in the gas-liquid heat exchanger 15 Examples of suitable design values of the temperature rise width Δt (= ti-to) of: to = 10 ° C. to 14 ° C., Δt = 3 ° C. deg to 7 ° C., most preferably to = 12 ° C., Δt = 5 ° C. Can be mentioned.

  30 is a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature tr in the shelf cultivation space 6 of each stage, and V is a cooling of the heat source side heat exchanger 19 by adjusting the flow rate of the cold water C supplied from the refrigerator 20 to the heat source side heat exchanger 19. A flow rate adjusting valve 31 for adjusting the output is a control device 31 for operating the flow rate adjusting valve V based on the temperature tr detected by the temperature sensor 30 in each stage.

  The control device 31 operates the flow rate adjustment valve V based on the temperature tr detected by the temperature sensor 30 at each stage to adjust the cooling output of the heat source side heat exchanger 19, thereby allowing the gas-liquid heat exchanger 15 to By adjusting the heat source side outlet temperature to of the cultivation nutrient solution L to be supplied and adjusting the heat source side outlet temperature to, the temperature tr in the shelf cultivation space 6 on each stage is averaged to the set space temperature trs (that is, the cultivated plant). The temperature is set to a temperature set as a space temperature suitable for the growth of the plant.

  The control device 31 automatically changes the set space temperature trs between when the illumination is turned off as a simulated night and when the illumination is turned on as a simulated daytime. You may make it a day and night simulated experience.

  Further, the set space temperature trs may be automatically changed according to the growth state of the cultivated plant.

[Another embodiment]
In the above-mentioned embodiment, although the example which forms the thick plate-shaped block body 9 with a shelf cultivation tank 4 and the vertical wall member 10 with a polystyrene foam was shown, in implementation of this invention, as a forming material of the thick plate-shaped block body 9 Is not limited to styrene foam, and various resin materials can be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the thick plate-like block body 9 is divided into two parts, and the air supply passage grooves 13c and 13d and the exhaust passage grooves 14c and 14d are formed in the divided portions, so that the internal air supply passages are formed. Although the example which forms 13 and the internal exhaust path 14 was shown, instead of this, the internal air supply path 13 and the internal exhaust path 14 are formed in the resin-made thick plate-like block body 9 by drilling, You may make it form the internal air supply path 13 and the internal exhaust path 14 in the case of resin molding of the block body 9. FIG.

  In the above-mentioned embodiment, although the example which divides the shelf cultivation space 6 into the cultivation area | region 6a for every one thick plate-shaped block body 9 was shown, it replaces with this and the plurality of shelf cultivation spaces 6 which continue to an apparatus longitudinal direction are shown. The thick plate-like block bodies 9 may be divided into cultivation regions 6a.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cultivation nutrient solution L is discharged through the overflow drainage port 29 only from the end in the longitudinal direction of the shelf cultivation tank 4 across the plurality of cultivation regions 6a. Then, the cultivation nutrient solution L in the shelf cultivation tank 4 may be discharged for each cultivation region 6a in correspondence with the supply of the cultivation nutrient solution L for each cultivation region 6a.

  Moreover, it replaces with making a shelf cultivation tank 4 into a series of tank over several cultivation area | regions 6a, and you may make the shelf cultivation tank 4 an independent tank for every cultivation area | region 6a.

  The state adjustment of the shelf cultivation space 6 by the supply of the space adjustment gas G is such as temperature adjustment such as cooling and heating, humidity adjustment such as humidification and dehumidification, concentration adjustment of specific gas for cultivation such as carbon dioxide gas, etc. Depending on the adjustment content, any gas such as cooling gas, heating gas, dehumidifying gas, humidified gas may be adopted as the space adjusting gas supplied to the shelf cultivation space. .

  Further, the gas species is not limited to air, and may be a cultivation gas such as carbon dioxide gas or carbon dioxide rich air.

  The plant cultivation shelf device according to the present invention is not limited to the one having a plurality of upper and lower shelf structures as in the above-described embodiment, and may include only one shelf cultivation space 6.

  The plant cultivation shelf apparatus according to the present invention can be used for shelf cultivation of various plants.

6 On-shelf cultivation space G Space adjustment gas 16, 17 Air supply means G ′ Space gas 16, 18 Exhaust means 9 Thick plate block 13 Internal air supply path 14 Internal exhaust air path 13b Ceiling air supply hole 14b Ceiling exhaust hole 9a Above Side plate-like portion 9b Lower plate-like portion 13c, 13d Air supply channel groove 14c, 14d Exhaust channel groove 5 Cultivation shelf 11 Downward recessed portion 7 Cultivation illumination light 11a Light reflection layer 4 Shelf cultivation tank 10 Vertical wall member L Culture nutrient solution N heat source means 15 gas-liquid heat exchanger 26-28 liquid supply means 6a cultivation area

Claims (12)

An air supply means for supplying a space adjustment gas to the shelf cultivation space, and a plant cultivation shelf device comprising an exhaust means for discharging the gas in the space from the shelf cultivation space,
Form a ceiling part of the shelf-mounted cultivation space with a thick plate block made of resin,
While forming an internal air supply path and an internal exhaust path extending in the surface direction of the thick plate block body in the thick plate block body,
A plurality of ceiling air supply holes for communicating the internal air supply path and the shelf cultivation space, and a plurality of ceiling exhaust holes for communicating the internal exhaust path and the shelf cultivation space, respectively, Dispersed in the surface direction of the block body to form the thick plate block body,
The air supply means is configured to supply a space adjustment gas to the shelf cultivation space through the internal air supply path and the ceiling air supply hole,
The plant cultivation shelf device, wherein the exhaust means is configured to exhaust gas in the space from the shelf cultivation space through the internal exhaust passage and the ceiling exhaust hole. The thick plate-like block body has a two-part structure composed of a lower plate-like portion and an upper plate-like portion,
The ceiling air supply hole and the ceiling exhaust hole are formed in the lower plate-shaped portion,
By connecting the lower plate-like portion and the upper plate-like portion to form the thick plate-like block body, an air supply channel groove serving as the internal air supply passage is formed as the lower plate-like portion and the upper plate. And forming on one or both of the shaped parts,
The lower plate-like portion and the upper plate-like portion are formed by connecting the lower plate-like portion and the upper plate-like portion to form the thick plate-like block body, thereby forming the exhaust passage groove serving as the internal exhaust passage. The plant cultivation shelf device according to claim 1, wherein the plant cultivation shelf device is formed on one or both of the above.   The plant cultivation shelf device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thick plate block body is made of a foamed resin material. A plurality of stages of cultivation shelves that provide the shelf cultivation space are arranged up and down, and for the cultivation shelves of each stage, the ceiling part of the shelf cultivation space is formed with the thick plate block body,
The air supply means is configured to supply a space adjustment gas to the cultivation space on the shelf through the internal air supply path and the ceiling air supply hole formed in the thick plate-like block body for the cultivation shelf of each stage,
The exhaust means is configured to discharge the gas in the space from the shelf cultivation space through the internal exhaust passage formed in the thick plate block body and the ceiling exhaust hole with respect to each stage of the cultivation shelf. 4. The plant cultivation shelf device according to any one of 3 above. On the lower surface part of the thick plate-like block body, a downward concave portion that opens downward toward the shelf cultivation space in a shape in which the cross-sectional shape expands downward is formed,
The plant cultivation shelf device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a cultivation illumination lamp is disposed inside the downward recess, and a light reflection layer is provided on an inner surface of the downward recess.   The plant cultivation shelf apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the ceiling exhaust hole is opened inside the downward concave portion. A shelf cultivation tank is provided on the floor of the shelf cultivation space,
A vertical wall member extending between a side edge of the shelf cultivation tank and a side edge of the thick plate-like block body is provided on each side of the shelf cultivation space, and the shelf cultivation space is made into a tunnel-like space. The plant cultivation shelf apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A shelf cultivation tank is provided on the floor of the shelf cultivation space,
While providing a heat source means for cooling or heating the cultivation nutrient solution supplied to the shelf cultivation tank,
A gas-liquid heat exchanger is provided that cools or heats the space adjustment gas supplied to the shelf cultivation tank by the air supply means by heat exchange with the heat transfer liquid,
The liquid supply means for supplying the cultivation nutrient solution to the shelf cultivation tank is configured to allow the cultivation nutrient solution cooled or heated by the heat source means to pass through the gas-liquid heat exchanger as the heat transfer fluid to exchange heat with the space adjustment gas. Let the culture nutrient solution after this heat exchange be supplied to the shelf cultivation tank,
The said air supply means is set as the structure which supplies the space adjustment gas after heat-exchange with cultivation nutrient solution with the said gas-liquid heat exchanger to the said shelf cultivation tank. Plant cultivation shelf equipment. A plurality of the thick plate-like block bodies are connected in a line in the surface direction, and the shelf-mounted cultivation space is divided into cultivation areas for the thick plate-like block bodies,
Provide the gas-liquid heat exchanger for each cultivation area,
The liquid supply means is configured to distribute and supply the cultivation nutrient solution cooled or heated by the heat source means in parallel to the plurality of gas-liquid heat exchangers,
The air supply means supplies the space-adjusted gas cooled or heated in each of the gas-liquid heat exchangers to the corresponding cultivation area through the internal supply passage and the ceiling air supply hole of the thick plate-like block body with respect to the corresponding cultivation area. The plant cultivation shelf apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the plant cultivation shelf apparatus is configured. Arranging the shelf cultivation tank across the plurality of cultivation areas,
The plant cultivation shelf device according to claim 9, wherein the liquid supply means is configured to supply the cultivation nutrient solution that has passed through each of the gas-liquid heat exchangers to the shelf cultivation tank in the corresponding cultivation region. A plurality of cultivation shelves are provided above and below to provide the cultivation space on the shelf, and the cultivation space for each of the thick plate-like block bodies in which the cultivation space on the shelf is connected in a row for each of the cultivation shelves. ,
The air supply means passes through the internal air supply passage and the ceiling air supply hole of the thick block-like block body for the space-adjusted gas cooled or heated in each of the gas-liquid heat exchangers to the corresponding cultivation region of each stage cultivation shelf It is configured to distribute and supply to the corresponding cultivation area of each stage cultivation shelf,
The liquid supply means is configured to distribute and supply the cultivation nutrient solution that has passed through each of the gas-liquid heat exchangers to the on-shelf cultivation tank of each stage cultivation shelf in a corresponding cultivation region of each stage cultivation shelf. The plant cultivation shelf apparatus of 10.   The plant cultivation shelf apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein both the shelf cultivation tank and the thick plate block body are made of a foamed resin material.

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