JP6011969B2 - Hydroponics apparatus and hydroponics method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydroponic cultivation apparatus and a hydroponic cultivation method.

  Conventionally, as a hydroponic cultivation device, water is poured into the cultivation container by flowing water from one side of the tray-shaped cultivation container and water is flowing out from the other side, and the roots of the placed plants are immersed in water. What was made to perform cultivation is known (for example, refer to patent documents 1).

JP 2009-039001 A

  However, in the above conventional technique, since water is introduced from one side of the cultivation container and water is caused to flow out from the other side, the water quality is uneven on the upstream side and the downstream side in the cultivation container. There is a risk of it.

  Then, an object of this invention is to obtain the hydroponic cultivation apparatus and hydroponic cultivation method which can make the water quality of the water which flows through the cultivation container more uniform.

A first feature of the present invention is a hydroponic cultivation apparatus for cultivating plant roots by immersing plant roots in water in a cultivation container, and an inflow portion for flowing water into the cultivation container, and water from the cultivation container And a water flow direction control unit for controlling the water flow direction of the water in the cultivation container, the inflow portion includes a plurality of inflow lines that can be opened and closed, and the outflow portion can be opened and closed. The water flow direction control unit switches and controls at least one of the plurality of inflow lines and the plurality of outflow lines, and the water flow direction control unit adjusts the inclination of the cultivation container. and gist to have a tilt adjustment means.

  The second feature of the present invention is a storage part for storing water introduced from the outflow part, and a circulation part for circulating water between the storage part, the inflow part, the cultivation container and the outflow part, It is a summary to provide.

A third feature of the present invention is a hydroponic cultivation method for cultivating a plant root by immersing the root of the plant in water in a cultivation container, wherein the cultivation is performed from at least one inflow line formed among a plurality of inflow lines formed to be openable and closable. An inflow process for allowing water to flow into the container, an outflow process for allowing water to flow out into at least one outflow line among the plurality of outflow lines formed to be openable and closable from the cultivation container, the plurality of inflow lines and the plurality It has a water flow direction changing step of switching the opening and closing of at least one of the outflow lines of the water and moving the water in the cultivation container in different directions, and an inclination adjustment step of adjusting the inclination of the cultivation container. And

  According to the present invention, the opening and closing of at least one of the plurality of inflow lines and the plurality of outflow lines is switched. Thus, by switching the opening and closing of at least one of the plurality of inflow lines and the plurality of outflow lines, the water in the cultivation container can be moved in a direction different from the water flow direction before the line switching. Become. And by moving the water in the cultivation container in different directions, the water quality flowing in the cultivation container can be made more uniform.

It is a figure which shows typically the hydroponic cultivation apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the state which switched the line of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the hydroponic cultivation apparatus concerning the modification of one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, an example in which a plurality of (six) plants are placed on a cultivation container will be exemplified. Further, an example in which four lines are formed as a plurality of inflow lines and a plurality of outflow lines is illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an elongated tray-shaped cultivation container 20, and a cultivation plant 80 is placed in the cultivation container 20. It has become. In the present embodiment, six plants 80 are placed in a horizontal row in the cultivation container 20.

  This hydroponic cultivation apparatus 10 allows water to flow into the cultivation container 20 and immerses the roots of the plant 80 in the water flowing through the cultivation container 20 so that nutrients in water, dissolved oxygen, etc. can be absorbed from the roots. 80 grows.

  In this embodiment, water is allowed to flow into the cultivation container 20 from the water supply channel 51 as an inflow portion. That is, water is supplied into the cultivation container 20 through the water supply channel 51. Thus, the water supply channel 51 functions as a water supply unit that supplies water into the cultivation container 20.

  On the other hand, the water flowing in the cultivation container 20 flows out of the cultivation container 20 from a drainage channel 52 as an outflow part. That is, the water in the cultivation container 20 is drained to the outside through the drainage channel 52. Thus, the drainage channel 52 functions as a drainage unit that drains the water in the cultivation container 20 to the outside.

  And while supplying water into the cultivation container 20 through the water supply channel 51, water is drained outside the cultivation container 20 through the drainage channel 52, so that the cultivation container 20 has a water supply channel 51 side. A water flow toward the drainage channel 52 side is generated.

  Thus, by making a water flow generate in the cultivation container 20, it is suppressed that water retains in the cultivation container 20, and the root rot of a plant etc. can be suppressed now.

  In this embodiment, the water supply channel 51 includes a plurality (four) of inflow lines 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, 51 d, and the respective inflow lines 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, 51 d are opened and closed by the electromagnetic valve 61. It is made possible. That is, water can be supplied into the cultivation container 20 from the inflow line where the electromagnetic valve 61 is opened, and water supply is stopped from the inflow line where the electromagnetic valve 61 is closed. The electromagnetic valve 61 is electrically connected to a circuit unit (not shown) through wiring.

  In the present embodiment, the inflow lines 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d are formed by branching the water supply channel 51. And the inflow lines 51a and 51d are formed in the longitudinal direction both ends of the elongate tray-shaped cultivation container 20, and the inflow lines 51b and 51c are formed in the center part. By arranging the inflow lines 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, 51 d in this way, three regions are formed in the cultivation container 20. In each region, two plants 80 are placed.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, inflow line 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d is arrange | positioned so that a water inlet may face downward above the cultivation container 20, and water is supplied in the cultivation container 20 from upper direction. It is like that.

  On the other hand, the drainage channel 52 includes a plurality (four) of outflow lines 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d, and the respective outflow lines 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d are formed to be openable and closable by an electromagnetic valve 62. Yes. That is, the water in the cultivation container 20 is drained from the outflow line where the electromagnetic valve 62 is opened, and the water is not drained (the drainage is stopped) from the outflow line where the electromagnetic valve 62 is closed. I have to. The electromagnetic valve 62 is also electrically connected to a circuit unit (not shown) via wiring.

  In this embodiment, the outflow lines 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d are formed with outflow lines 52a, 52d at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated tray-shaped cultivation container 20, and outflow lines 52b, 52c at the center.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, outflow line 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d is connected to the lower surface of the cultivation container 20, and drains the water in the cultivation container 20 below.

  Moreover, the outflow lines 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d join the drainage channel 52 on the way.

  Furthermore, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 10 includes a storage unit 30 that stores water, and water is introduced into the storage unit 30 from a drainage channel 52.

  In this embodiment, the storage part 30 is arrange | positioned under the drainage channel 52 which merged the outflow lines 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, and the water of the drainage channel 52 is introduce | transduced into the storage part 30 from upper direction. It is like that.

  Moreover, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 10 includes a nutrient supply unit 70, and the nutrient supply unit 70 can supply nutrients necessary for the growth of the plant 80 to the water in the storage unit 30.

  In the present embodiment, the nutrient supply means 70 is disposed so that the supply port is located above the storage unit 30, and supplies nutrients to the water in the storage unit 30 by opening and closing a plug 71 that can be opened and closed. Or stop the supply of nutrients.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 10 includes a circulation unit, and circulates water between the storage unit 30, the water supply channel 51, the cultivation container 20, and the drainage channel 52.

  In the present embodiment, the circulation unit includes a circulation path 53 that connects the storage unit 30 and the water supply channel 51, and a pump 40 that introduces water in the storage unit 30 into the water supply channel 51.

  By setting it as this structure, water will be introduce | transduced into the circulation path 53 from the storage part 30, will be introduced into the water supply path 51 from the circulation path 53, and will be supplied to the cultivation container 20 from the water supply path 51. FIG. And the water in the cultivation container 20 will be introduce | transduced in the storage part 30 through the drainage channel 52. FIG.

  Thus, in this embodiment, water flows and circulates in order of the storage part 30, the circulation path 53, the water supply path 51, the cultivation container 20, the drainage channel 52, and the storage part 30. That is, a closed circulation path 50 is formed in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 10, and this circulation path 50 is configured by the storage unit 30, the circulation path 53, the water supply path 51, the cultivation container 20, and the drainage path 52. Yes. In addition, it is preferable that the storage unit 30 has a configuration that allows the water in the storage unit 30 to be appropriately replaced with new water.

  In addition, an illumination 90 as a light source unit is provided above the cultivation container 20 and the plant 80 so that the plant 80 can be irradiated with light. In addition, as the illumination 90, well-known things, such as a light bulb, a fluorescent lamp, LED, can be used. Moreover, you may make it irradiate sunlight, without providing illumination.

  Next, the effect | action of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 10 of this structure is demonstrated.

  First, nutrients are supplied to the water in the reservoir 30 by the nutrient supply means 70. By carrying out like this, the water mixed with the nutrient suitable for plant growth and dissolved oxygen, ie, the solution, is stored in the storage part 30.

  Then, the pump 40 is driven to introduce the solution in the reservoir 30 into the circulation path 53, and is introduced from the circulation path 53 into the water supply path 51. And the solution introduce | transduced into the water supply channel 51 is supplied in the cultivation container 20 from the at least 1 inflow line of the four inflow lines 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d.

  And water in cultivation container 20 is drained outside via at least one outflow line of four outflow lines 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d.

  In FIG. 1, the electromagnetic valve 61 of the inflow line 51a arranged at one end in the width direction (the right end of FIG. 1) is opened, and the electromagnetic valve 61 of the other inflow line is closed to supply the solution from the inflow line 51a. ing. Then, the electromagnetic valve 62 of the outflow line 51d disposed at the other end in the width direction (the left end in FIG. 1) is opened, and the electromagnetic valve 62 of the other outflow line is closed, so that the solution is drained from the outflow line 51d. Yes. Therefore, in the cultivation container 20, the water flow which flows from the right of FIG. 1 to the left will arise.

  And the plant 80 mounted in the cultivation container 20 becomes able to grow by supplying light from the illumination 90 while supplying nutrients and dissolved oxygen through the solution flowing from the right to the left in FIG. ing.

  The solution drained from the outflow line 51 d is introduced into the storage unit 30 from the drainage channel 52. At this time, it is preferable to arrange the drainage channel 52 so that the inlet of the drainage channel 52 is located at the end of the storage unit 30. If it carries out like this, when a solution is introduce | transduced in the storage part 30, the convection of the water in the storage part 30 will be accelerated | stimulated, and a nutrient can be spread | diffused so that it may become more uniform water quality.

  Moreover, the solution introduced from the drainage channel 52 can be brought into contact with air by making the introduction port of the drainage channel 52 located above the water surface in the storage unit 30, and more efficiently The amount of dissolved oxygen can be increased. In addition, the water inlets of the inflow lines 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d are also made higher than the water surface in the cultivation container 80, and the same effect can be obtained when supplying the solution into the cultivation container 80 from the inflow line. Is to be obtained. Note that the position of the suction port and the introduction port does not need to be higher than the water surface, and the suction port and the introduction port may be opened in water.

  The hydroponic cultivation apparatus 10 repeats this operation so that the plant 80 can be grown by circulating the solution while appropriately supplementing the nutrients.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 1, the water flow may be non-uniform between the upstream side and the downstream side of the cultivation container 20 only by flowing the solution from one of the cultivation containers 20 to the other. Moreover, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, etc. are absorbed by the plant 80 placed on the upstream side, so that there is a possibility that the amount of nutrients and dissolved oxygen contained in the downstream solution will be less than that on the upstream side. .

  That is, if only the solution is flowed from one of the cultivation containers 20 to the other, the water quality may be non-uniform between the upstream side and the downstream side. As described above, when the water quality becomes uneven, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and the like supplied to the plant 80 are unevenly distributed between the upstream side and the downstream side, resulting in a difference in the growth status of the plant 80. There was a possibility that the size and quality of the product would vary.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 10 is provided with a water flow direction control unit 100 that controls the flow direction of the water in the cultivation container 20 so that the water in the cultivation container 20 can be moved in different directions. I made it.

  Specifically, the water flow direction control unit 100 opens / closes at least one of the plurality of openable / closable inflow lines 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d and the plurality of openable / closable outflow lines 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d. The switching is controlled.

  And the water flow direction control part 100 is made to move the water in the cultivation container 20 to a different direction by switching control of opening and closing of a line.

  For example, when the water flow direction control unit 100 switches the opening and closing of the line from the state shown in FIG. 1 to the state shown in FIG. 2, the cultivation container 20 has a left-to-right state as shown in FIG. 2. A stream of water flowing into

  That is, the water flow direction control unit 100 switches the opening and closing of the line, opens the electromagnetic valve 61 of the inflow line 51d disposed at the other end in the width direction (the left end of FIG. 2), and closes the electromagnetic valves 61 of the other inflow lines. Then, the solution is supplied from the inflow line 51d. And the electromagnetic valve 62 of the outflow line 51a arrange | positioned at the width direction one end (right end of FIG. 2) is opened, and the solution is drained from the outflow line 51a by closing the electromagnetic valve 62 of another outflow line. By carrying out like this, in the cultivation container 20, the water flow which flows from the left of FIG. 2 to the right will arise.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the electromagnetic valve 61 provided in each of the inflow lines 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d and the electromagnetic valve 62 provided in each of the outflow lines 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d include the water flow direction control unit 100. It is equivalent to.

  In addition, regarding the opening / closing of the inflow lines 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d and the outflow lines 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, which line is to be switched according to the state of the water flow or the growth state of the plant 80, etc. Is preferably determined.

  By setting it as this structure, in this embodiment, the hydroponics cultivation of the plant 80 is performed with the following method.

  First, water is caused to flow into the cultivation container 20 from at least one inflow line among a plurality of inflow lines 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d formed to be openable and closable (inflow process).

  On the other hand, the water in the cultivation container 20 is caused to flow out from at least one outflow line among the plurality of outflow lines 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d formed to be openable and closable (outflow process).

  Thus, a water flow in a predetermined direction (water flow from right to left in FIG. 1) is generated in the cultivation container 20.

  And when predetermined time passes and a difference more than a predetermined value arises in the water quality on the upstream side and the downstream side, the plurality of inflow lines 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d and the plurality of outflow lines 52a, 52b, 52c , 52d, switching between opening and closing of at least one line. In the present embodiment, the electromagnetic valve 61 of the inflow line 51a is switched from open to closed, the electromagnetic valve 61 of the inflow line 51d is switched from closed to open, and the electromagnetic valve 62 of the outflow line 52a is switched from closed to open. The electromagnetic valve 62 is switched from open to closed.

  Thus, the water in the cultivation container 20 is moved in different directions (from the direction of FIG. 1 to the direction of FIG. 2) (water flow direction changing step).

  The line switching by the water flow direction control unit 100 may be performed after a predetermined time has elapsed, or may be appropriately performed using a water quality sensor or the like.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the water flow direction control unit 100 opens / closes at least one of the plurality of inflow lines 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d and the plurality of outflow lines 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d. To switch. Thus, by switching the opening and closing of the line by the water flow direction control unit 100, it becomes possible to move the water in the cultivation container 20 in a direction different from the water flow direction before the line switching. And by moving the water in the cultivation container 20 in different directions, the water quality flowing through the cultivation container 20 can be made more uniform. As a result, uneven distribution of nutrients and dissolved oxygen supplied to the plant 80 between the upstream side and the downstream side can be suppressed, and variations in the size and quality of the plant 80 can be suppressed. .

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 10 is provided with the storage part 30 which stores water, and the circulation part, and is enabling it to circulate the water in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 10. FIG. . As a result, there is no need to provide a device for introducing water from a supply source such as tap water, the configuration of the device can be simplified, and the degree of freedom in arrangement of the device can be improved. .

  In addition, in the said description, although what changed only the line of the longitudinal direction both ends of the cultivation container 20 was illustrated, as shown in FIG. 3, the water in the cultivation container 20 is changed by switching the center part line. It is also possible to move in different directions.

  For example, in the case of switching the opening and closing of the line from the state shown in FIG. 1, the water flow direction control unit 100 opens the electromagnetic valve 61 of the inflow line 51a from open to closed, and opens the electromagnetic valve 61 of the inflow lines 51b and 51c from closed. Will be switched to. Then, the solenoid valve 62 of the outflow line 52a is switched from closed to open.

  By carrying out like this, water will be supplied in the cultivation container 20 from the inflow lines 51b and 51c of a center part, and water will be drained from the outflow lines 52a and 52d of both ends, and it will end in the cultivation container 20 from a center part. There is a water flow that flows to the section.

  In addition, in FIG. 3, the water flow direction control part 100 has the inclination adjustment means 110 which adjusts the inclination of the cultivation container 20, and makes the cultivation container 20 incline so that the right side may become upper by the inclination adjustment means 110. Yes. By doing so, the water between the inflow line 51b and the inflow line 51c is suppressed from staying. That is, it is possible to prevent the nutrients from being distributed to the plant 80 placed between the inflow line 51b and the inflow line 51c.

  In addition, it is preferable to adjust the inclination direction and inclination angle of the cultivation container 20 so that it may become a more suitable direction and angle according to the state of a water flow, the growth condition of the plant 80, etc.

  The apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be provided with the inclination adjusting unit 110, or the switching control illustrated in FIG. 3 may be performed without the inclination adjusting unit 110.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which both the inflow line and the outflow line are switched is illustrated, but only one of the inflow line and the outflow line may be switched.

  In the above embodiment, the solenoid valve is used to control the opening and closing of the inflow line and the outflow line. However, for example, the inflow line and the outflow line can be manually opened and closed using a stopper (faucet). You may make it control opening and closing of a line.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although what formed each four inflow lines and outflow lines was illustrated, the number of inflow lines and outflow lines should just be two or more, and each line number becomes a different number. You may do it.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although what used the elongate cultivation container and arranged the plant in the horizontal line was illustrated, you may arrange in a planar form so that a some plant may be located on a lattice point, for example. Further, the arrangement positions of the respective lines may be flat. That is, the shape of the cultivation container, the arrangement method of the plants, and the like can be set as appropriate.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, while arrange | positioning an inflow line above a cultivation container and arrange | positioning an outflow line below a cultivation container, what performs water supply / drainage using gravity is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cultivation container, the inflow line, and the outflow line can be arranged on a plane by connecting the inflow line and the outflow line to the side of the cultivation container.

  In addition, the specifications (shape, size, layout, etc.) of the inflow portion, the outflow portion, and other details can be changed as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Hydroponic cultivation apparatus 20 Cultivation container 30 Water storage part 40 Pump (circulation part)
51 Water supply channel (inflow part)
51a Inflow line 51b Inflow line 51c Inflow line 51d Inflow line 52 Drainage channel (outflow part)
52a Outflow line 52b Outflow line 52c Outflow line 52d Outflow line 53 Circulation path (circulation part)
61 Solenoid valve 62 Solenoid valve 100 Water flow direction control unit 110 Tilt adjusting means

Claims (3)

A hydroponic cultivation apparatus for cultivating plant roots by immersing them in water in a cultivation container,
An inflow part for flowing water into the cultivation container;
An outflow part for flowing out water from the inside of the cultivation container;
A water flow direction control unit for controlling the water flow direction of the water in the cultivation container;
With
The inflow portion includes a plurality of inflow lines that can be opened and closed, and the outflow portion includes a plurality of outflow lines that can be opened and closed,
The water flow direction control unit switches and controls opening and closing of at least one of the plurality of inflow lines and the plurality of outflow lines ;
The flow direction control unit, hydroponic culture apparatus characterized by have a tilt adjusting means for adjusting the inclination of the culture vessel. A storage section for storing water introduced from the outflow section;
A circulation part for circulating water between the storage part, the inflow part, the cultivation container and the outflow part;
The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: A hydroponics method of cultivating a plant root by immersing it in water in a cultivation container,
An inflow step of allowing water to flow into the cultivation container from at least one inflow line among the plurality of inflow lines formed to be openable and closable;
An outflow step of causing water to flow out to at least one outflow line among the plurality of outflow lines formed to be openable and closable from within the cultivation container; and
A water flow direction changing step of switching the opening and closing of at least one of the plurality of inflow lines and the plurality of outflow lines to move the water in the cultivation container in different directions,
An inclination adjustment step for adjusting the inclination of the cultivation container;
A hydroponics method characterized by comprising:

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