JP6279693B2 - Cultivation container and hydroponic cultivation device - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a cultivation container and a hydroponic cultivation apparatus for growing a plant with a culture solution.

  There is a hydroponic cultivation apparatus that holds plants so that roots are immersed in a culture solution stored in a culture tank. This hydroponic cultivation apparatus has a panel in which planting holes are opened in accordance with the number of plants to be cultivated so as to cover the culture solution. In each planting hole, a nursery bed holding plant seedlings is installed and fixed with restraints. The roots extending from the seedling are immersed in the culture solution. In the case of this hydroponic cultivation apparatus, since an operator has to reach for the harvesting of plants, a floating culture container in which a plant is floated on a culture solution has been proposed.

JP-A-3-187325

  If the plant is in a fixed state, the development will be biased depending on the irradiation direction, irradiation amount, irradiation time, and the like. In order to apply light evenly to the leaves of fixed plants, light sources must be prepared in various directions.

  In hydroponic cultivation having a water channel through which a culture solution flows, there is a hydroponic cultivation device that floats and conveys a cultivation container holding a plant on the culture solution. This hydroponic cultivation apparatus circulates and moves the cultivation container so as to meander along the water channel. However, even in this case, the orientation of the cultivation container does not always change so that light is evenly applied to the leaves of the plant.

  In the case of a floating cultivation container, the cultivation container may tilt when the growth of the plant is uneven and the position of the center of gravity is uneven. And it becomes easy to hold | maintain the direction of a cultivation container in a specific direction further by tilting, and the growth of a plant will be biased. As a result, the inclination of the cultivation container increases, and the bias in growth is accelerated. In order to reduce the inclination of the cultivation container, it may be possible to stabilize the buoyancy by increasing the cultivation container relative to the plant. However, when a cultivation container is enlarged, the harvest rate with respect to the occupation area as a hydroponic cultivation apparatus will fall.

  In addition to light, it is also important for plants to grow properly in photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration. Therefore, in order to prevent the air surrounding the plant from being energized, air with temperature and humidity must be supplied in addition to carbon dioxide and oxygen.

  Then, the objective of this invention provides the cultivation container which ventilates the air around a plant in hydroponics, and shines light uniformly on the leaf of a plant, and a hydroponic cultivation apparatus using the same.

The cultivation container concerning one embodiment is provided with a base, a supporting member, a planting part, a cylinder part, a plurality of wings, and a float . The base is supported above the liquid level of the culture solution by a cultivation panel disposed at the top of the cultivation tank that stores the culture solution. The support member holds at least one plant that grows in the culture medium. Planting unit, the roots of plants to fix the supporting member so immersed in the culture solution are provided in the central portion of the base. The tube portion extends downward from the planting portion and binds the roots of the plant. The plurality of blades are fixed to the cylindrical portion, providing a rotating force to the base by the airflow. A float is attached to the lower end of a wing | blade and a cylinder part, or the intermediate part of a wing | blade and a cylinder part.

The perspective view of the cultivation container and hydroponic cultivation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view of the cultivation container and cultivation plate of FIG. The perspective view which looked at the cultivation container and cultivation plate of FIG. 2 from the bottom. The perspective view which looked at the cultivation container and cultivation plate of 2nd Embodiment from the bottom. The perspective view which looked at the cultivation container and cultivation plate of 3rd Embodiment from the bottom. The perspective view which looked at the cultivation container and cultivation plate of 4th Embodiment from the bottom. The side view of the cultivation container of 5th Embodiment. The perspective view of the cultivation container and hydroponic cultivation apparatus of 6th Embodiment. The perspective view of the cultivation container and hydroponic cultivation apparatus of 7th Embodiment. The perspective view of the cultivation container and hydroponic cultivation apparatus of 8th Embodiment. The perspective view which looked at the cultivation container of FIG. 10 from the bottom. The perspective view which looked at the cultivation container of 9th Embodiment from the bottom. The bottom view of the cultivation container of FIG. The perspective view of the cultivation container and hydroponic cultivation apparatus of 10th Embodiment. The perspective view of the cultivation container and hydroponic cultivation apparatus of 11th Embodiment. The perspective view of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of 12th Embodiment. The perspective view of the cultivation container and hydroponic cultivation apparatus of 13th Embodiment.

  The cultivation container 10 of 1st Embodiment and the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 which uses this are demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 1-3. The hydroponics apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 holds the cultivation container 10 on the cultivation tank 2 that stores the culture solution B, at least one cultivation container 10, and the culture solution B stored in the cultivation tank 2. A cultivation panel 20 is provided. In order to manage and maintain the quality of the culture solution B, the hydroponic cultivation device 1 includes a pump 21 that circulates the culture solution B, a filter 22 that removes impurities in the culture solution B recovered from the cultivation tank 2, A supply device 23 for adding nutrients to the culture solution B and an adjustment device 24 for adjusting the water quality such as the pH of the culture solution B are provided.

  The hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 includes a lighting device 3 that supplies light to the plant P planted in the cultivation container 10, a blower 51 that generates a uniform air flow (air flow) around the cultivation container 10, and And a control device 4 connected to these devices including the pump 21 and the like. The cultivation panel 20 has a mounting hole 201 shown in FIG. 3 in order to hold the plurality of cultivation containers 10 at predetermined positions.

  The cultivation container 10 is provided with the base 11, the supporting member 12, the planting part 13, and the wing | blade 14 as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. The base 11 is supported above the liquid level of the culture medium B. The base 11 is at least in a range in contact with the cultivation panel 20, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene so that the friction coefficient between the cultivation panel 20 and the base 11 disposed in the upper part of the cultivation tank 2 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 is small. Resin should be attached or coated. Moreover, you may arrange | position a slip ring made from said polytetrafluoroethylene resin between a base 11 and the cultivation panel 20, or may arrange | position a bearing, a ball caster, etc. The outer shape of the base 11 is set to approximately the same size as the range in which the leaves spread when the plant P planted in the cultivation container 10 grows.

  The support member 12 holds at least one plant P grown by the culture solution B. Here, “one strain” does not mean only seedlings grown from one seed, but also includes a plurality of seedlings bundled together. As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 12 is formed of a sponge-like member into which the culture solution B is soaked, and sandwiches and holds one plant P. It is preferable to use an antibacterial material for the support member 12 so that various bacteria are not easily propagated by the soaked culture solution B. The support member 12 may be cut so as to easily sandwich the plant P, or may hold the plant P by bending or rounding a rectangular parallelepiped as shown in FIG. Moreover, the supporting member 12 may not be comprised only by one member, for example, may hold | maintain the plant P on both sides of two members.

  The planting part 13 is provided in the center part of the base 11, and fixes the support member 12. As shown in FIG. The planting part 13 is a hole penetrating the base part 11 in the vertical direction as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, so that a part of the support member 12 is immersed in the culture solution B, that is, cultured on the root R of the plant P. The support member 12 may be fixed so that the liquid B is supplied. In the case of this embodiment, the cultivation container 10 has the cylinder part 15 extended from the planting part 13 below. The support member 12 is filled from the planting part 13 to the cylinder part 15, and a part of the support part 12 is immersed in the culture medium B together with the lower end of the cylinder part 15. Supply to root R. Moreover, the cylinder part 15 is bundled so that the root R of the grown plant P and the support member 12 do not spread too much. The cultivation container 10 keeps the shape of the portion immersed in the culture broth B in a fixed shape by the cylindrical portion 15 so that it does not hinder the rotation. Furthermore, the cylinder part 15 suppresses that the airflow A1 is disturbed by the root R of the plant P.

  The wing 14 receives a fluid that uniformly flows around the base 11 and gives a rotational force to the base 11 around a vertical rotation axis. When the rotational force is applied to the base 11, the cultivation container 10 rotates on the spot together with the plant P planted. In the case of this embodiment, the airflow A1 which is the flow of the air produced with the air blower 51 is utilized as the fluid which flows uniformly. Therefore, the wing 14 is disposed above the liquid level of the culture solution B. Moreover, the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 has the wind tunnel 5 surrounded by the cultivation tank 2 and the cultivation panel 20 on the culture solution B. That is, the wing | blade 14 in 1st Embodiment is arrange | positioned between the cultivation panel 20 and the liquid level of the culture solution B. FIG. Note that the lower end of the wing 14 may be immersed in the culture solution B. If the lower end of the wing | blade 14 is immersed in the culture solution B, while the rotation speed of the cultivation container 10 can be made slow, the culture solution B can be stirred because the cultivation container 10 rotates. The airflow A1 flows in the horizontal direction in the wind tunnel 5 along the liquid surface of the culture solution B. Therefore, the wing | blade 14 should just have a shape suitable for rotating the cultivation container 10 with this airflow A1.

  In the case of this embodiment, the cultivation container 10 is provided with the five wing | blades 14 fixed to the lower surface of the base 11, and extended below in the perpendicular direction, as shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3. The shape of each wing 14 is an asymmetric wing in which an arc is gently drawn from the outer peripheral side of the base 11 toward the center. The wing 14 is attached so that the front edge 141 is located on the outer peripheral side, and the wing 14 located on the upstream side with respect to the airflow A1 generates lift, so that it is counterclockwise when viewed from the top (left The base 11, that is, the entire cultivation container 10 is gently rotated.

  The direction in which the cultivation container 10 is rotated is not limited to the counterclockwise direction, but may be clockwise (clockwise). Therefore, when rotating the cultivation container 10 clockwise, it should just be attached so that rotational force may be generated in the opposite direction to the present embodiment, and the wings 14 may be made in a shape and angle suitable for it. The number of wings 14 is not limited to five, and may be four or less or six or less. The shape of each wing 14 may be a spherical surface or a triangular prism as long as it can generate a driving force that rotates the cultivation container 10 in one direction, and is not limited to those shown in FIGS.

  In the first embodiment, the wing 14 is formed of the same member continuously from the base 11. The wing 14 may be made of a separate member and attached to the base 11. Further, the wing 14 is separated from the cylindrical portion 15, and the airflow A1 passes through this. Therefore, the airflow A1 having a sufficient flow rate can be provided also to the cultivation container 10 located on the downstream side. Furthermore, the upper end part of the wing | blade 14 is loosely fitted in the mounting hole 201 of the cultivation panel 20, and has positioned the cultivation container 10 with respect to the mounting hole 201. FIG. In order to reduce the sliding resistance between the blade 14 and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 201, a rolling element such as a roller or a roller (roller) may be installed on the front edge 141 of the blade 14.

  The cultivation container 10 configured as described above gives a rotational force to the base 11 by receiving the airflow A <b> 1 flowing in the wind tunnel 5 by the blower 51 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 with the wings 14. Thereby, the cultivation container 10 whole rotates slowly. By flowing the airflow A1 through the wind tunnel 5, the direction and flow velocity of the airflow A1 can be stabilized, and the rotation speed of the cultivation container 10 can be easily controlled.

  Moreover, the illuminating device 3 is arrange | positioned above the cultivation tank 2, The light required in order to promote the growth of the plant P hold | maintained at the cultivation container 10, for example, the light of a wavelength required in order to carry out photosynthesis Radiate. Depending on the growth process of the plant P, the wavelength of the emitted light may be changed. Since the cultivation container 10 rotates, it is not necessary for the lighting device 3 to be positioned directly above each cultivation container 10.

  The control device 4 drives the pump 21 to circulate the culture solution B in the cultivation tank 2. The control device 4 monitors the components and pH of the culture broth B, and feeds nutrients from the supply device 23 and chemicals for adjusting pH from the adjustment device 24, either periodically or as needed. Thus, the state of the culture solution B is conditioned. Moreover, the light quantity of the illuminating device 3 and the flow rate of the blower 51 are controlled in accordance with the growth of the plant P so that light is uniformly applied to each leaf L of the plant P.

  Therefore, if this hydroponics apparatus 1 and the cultivation container 10 are used, it will be easy to grow evenly from the position where the plant P was initially hold | maintained in the state of a seedling, and there is little bias. Since the sliding resistance generated between the cultivation panel 20 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 and the base 11 of the cultivation container 10 is averaged, the rotation speed of the cultivation container 10 is also stabilized. As a result, it is possible to continue to shine light uniformly while the plant P grows.

  The cultivation container 10 and the hydroponics apparatus 1 of 1st Embodiment demonstrated the case where the cultivation container 10 rotated with the airflow A1 as an example. The cultivation container 10 includes a wing 14 that receives a fluid that flows uniformly around the base 11 and applies a rotational force to the base 11. In other words, the fluid can be rotated by the flow of the culture solution B circulating in the cultivation tank 2. In that case, at least the lower end of the wing 14 is disposed in a state of being submerged in the culture medium B.

  In addition, since hydroponics grows the plant P with the culture solution B, it does not touch the agrochemical which exists in the soil and the agrochemical for weeding and pest control. In addition, since it can be prevented from touching as much as possible, hygiene management is easy. Therefore, it is suitable for cultivation of vegetables that are harvested and used for food after washing as they are.

  Below, the cultivation container 10 and the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 of 2nd to 13th embodiment are demonstrated. In each embodiment, the structure which has the same function as the cultivation container 10 and hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 of 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol in description of each embodiment, and its corresponding figure, and is detailed description. Is omitted, and the corresponding description of the first embodiment is referred to as necessary. In addition, the cultivation container 10 in each of the following embodiments or the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 using the same has at least the same effects as those of the first embodiment, and exhibits the same effects between components that are common to each other. To do.

  The cultivation container 10 of 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. In the cultivation container 10 of 2nd Embodiment, although the wing | blade 14 is the same in the point extended below from the lower surface outer peripheral part of the base 11, it is circular rather than the wing | blade 14 of the cultivation container 10 of 1st Embodiment. The width of the wing 14 is small in the radial direction of the base 11. Instead of the small width of each wing 14, the number of wings 14 is increased. The lower end of each wing 14 is connected by a stabilizer 16 arranged substantially parallel to the plane perpendicular to the center of rotation of the base 11, that is, the liquid level of the culture broth B, so that the wings 14 having a reduced width do not vibrate. The stabilizer 16 also contributes to stabilize the posture of the base 11. The stabilizer 16 may be joined to the cylindrical portion 15. The stabilizer 16 may be submerged in the culture medium B. Since the stabilizer 16 is positioned in the vicinity of the liquid level, the liquid level of the culture solution B can be suppressed from being disturbed by the airflow A1 of the blower 51.

  In addition, the cultivation container 10 is rotated by receiving a flow of air flowing in the horizontal direction along the wind tunnel 5 as in the first embodiment, that is, the air flow A1, and installed in the bottom of the cultivation tank 2 in the culture solution. It has a function of rotating by a flow of air supplied from an aeration nozzle that feeds air into the air, that is, an air flow A2. The airflow A2 passes between the blades 14 radially from the lower side through the inside of the stabilizer 16 with the cylindrical portion 15 as the center.

  Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, when installing at least the lower end of the blade 14 so as to be submerged, the rotational force can also be obtained by the flow of the culture broth B (liquid flow B1, B2). In that case, like the flow of air (air flow A1, A2), the cultivation container 10 is not only driven by the horizontal flow (liquid flow B1) but also by forced convection (liquid flow B2) rising toward the cultivation container 10. Can be rotated. At this time, forced convection may be generated by disposing the nozzle of the culture solution B circulated in the cultivation tank 2 below each of the cultivation containers 10, or an aeration nozzle for supplying air to the culture solution B It may be caused by rising air bubbles coming out of.

  The cultivation apparatus 10 of 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. The cultivation container 10 of 3rd Embodiment is provided with the same wing | blade 14 and stabilizer 16 as the cultivation container 10 of 2nd Embodiment, as shown in FIG. This cultivation container 10 differs in the shape of the cylinder part 15 extended below from the planting part 13 from the case of 2nd Embodiment. In the cultivation container 10 of 3rd Embodiment, the cylinder part 15 is longer than the wing | blade 14, is extended below to the position immersed in the culture solution B, and the air flow A1 and the culture solution B pass through to radial direction. It has pores 151. Instead of providing the vent hole 151, the cylindrical portion 15 may be formed of a net-like member.

  By having the air vent 151, the airflow A1 hits the root R of the plant P extending inside the cylindrical portion 15, and oxygen in the air is easily supplied. In addition, since the culture broth B easily flows into the inside of the cylindrical portion 15 through the vent hole 151, the nutrients of the culture broth B are spread evenly over the roots R of the plant P. In addition to the fact that the cultivation container 10 is rotated and light is uniformly applied to the leaves L of the plant P, the culture medium B and oxygen are sufficiently supplied to the root R, so that it is difficult to cause a bias in the process of growing the plant P. Growth is promoted.

  The cultivation container 10 of 4th Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. In the cultivation container 10 of 4th Embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the wing | blade 14 is attached to the outer periphery of the cylinder part 15 in parallel with the rotation center. The lower part of the base 11 has a guide 111 that fits rotatably in the mounting hole 201 of the cultivation panel 20. In FIG. 6, the guide 111 is formed by the entire lower portion of the base 11 protruding.

  Since the cultivation container 10 only needs to be positioned with respect to the mounting hole 201, the guide 111 may only project in an annular shape, or a plurality of locations may partially project. A rolling element may be disposed to reduce sliding resistance. Further, the upper end of the wing 14 may be connected to the lower surface of the base 11. In that case, the guide 111 may not be provided. The guide 111 may be provided on the cultivation panel 20 side instead of being provided on the base 11.

  As in the case of the first embodiment, the cultivation container 10 of this embodiment receives the airflow A1 flowing through the wind tunnel 5 along the liquid surface of the culture solution B with the wings 14 and rotates the base 11, that is, the cultivation container 10 itself. Get the rotational force to make. Since each blade 14 is connected to the cylindrical portion 15, the rotational force in this case is not the lift generated in the blade 14 positioned on the upstream side with respect to the air flow A 1, but the wing 14 in a position orthogonal to the air flow A 1. This occurs mainly due to the difference in flow resistance with respect to the airflow A1.

  Further, the cultivation container 10 may receive a horizontal flow of the culture solution B as a fluid in order to obtain a rotational force by the wings 14. That is, the lower end of the wing 14 is installed in a state where it is immersed in the culture medium B.

  The cultivation container 10 of 5th Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. The cultivation container 10 of the fifth embodiment includes a float 101 at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 15 and the wing 14. A central portion of the float 101 located on the extension line of the tube portion 15 is opened to supply the culture solution B to the root R of the plant P. The float 101 has a buoyancy that supports at least a part of the weight of the plant P grown on the base 11 and the planting part 13. By obtaining buoyancy, sliding resistance generated between the cultivation panel 20 of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 and the base 11 of the cultivation container 10 is reduced.

  If the buoyancy is too large, that is, if the base 11 is completely lifted from the cultivation panel 20, the buoyancy is rather unstable. Therefore, the buoyancy is preferably slightly smaller than the buoyancy that offsets the weight of the cultivation container 10. In order to increase the buoyancy of the float 101 in accordance with the growth of the plant P, the liquid level of the culture solution B stored in the cultivation tank 2 may be raised. When the lower ends of the wings 14 and the cylinder part 15 are provided so as to be immersed in the culture medium B, the float 101 is attached to an intermediate portion between the wings 14 and the cylinder part 15 located on the liquid surface of the culture medium B. When the wing 14 extends below the float 101, that is, into the culture broth B, the cultivation container 10 of the fifth embodiment also flows in the horizontal direction of the culture broth B as described in the fourth embodiment ( The rotational force may be obtained by receiving the liquid flow B1).

  The cultivation container 10 and the hydroponics apparatus 1 of 6th Embodiment are demonstrated with reference to FIG. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 of the sixth embodiment includes a blower 51 that generates a uniform air flow (airflow A1) along the upper surface of the cultivation panel 20. Therefore, this hydroponics apparatus 1 does not require the wind tunnel 5 like 1st Embodiment. Moreover, the wing | blade 14 of the cultivation container 10 is arrange | positioned above the cultivation panel 20 and the upper part of the base 11 in this embodiment, receives airflow A1 of the air blower 51, and gives rotational force to the base 11, ie, the cultivation container 10. FIG. Each blade 14 extends parallel to the rotation axis. A nozzle that supplies wind to the wings 14 on the cultivation panel 20 or a wind tunnel that is almost the same height as the upper end of the wings 14 may be provided so that the airflow A1 does not diffuse.

  The cultivation container 10 of this embodiment further includes a cultivation stage 17 that is expanded in a funnel shape or a trumpet shape so as to be gently connected from the planting portion 13 to the upper end of each wing 14. The support member 12 is fixed to the planting portion 13 and the cylindrical portion 15 extending downward. Since the plant P grows inside the cultivation stage 17, the leaves L of the plant P do not disturb the air flow A <b> 1 flowing between the wings 14. Since the wing | blade 14 receives the stable airflow A1, the rotational speed of the cultivation container 10 is stabilized. The cultivation stage 17 may have a large number of air holes so that a part of the airflow A1 passes through it, or may be composed of a mesh-like one. Moreover, it becomes possible to supply sufficient light to the back side of the leaf L of the plant P by configuring the cultivation stage 17 with a transparent member.

  The cultivation container 10 of 7th Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the cultivation container 10 of 7th Embodiment has arrange | positioned the wing | blade 14 on the upper side of the cultivation panel 20, the base 11 in this embodiment. Each wing 14 extends in parallel with the rotation axis, and is disposed at an outer peripheral position surrounding the plant P to be grown on the support member 12. The upper ends of the wings 14 are connected to each other by a ring 142.

  This cultivation container 10 receives the air flow A1 flowing along the upper surface of the cultivation panel 20 as a fluid flowing around the base like the cultivation container 10 of the sixth embodiment by the wings 14 and receives the base 11, that is, the cultivation container 10 itself. Get the rotational force to rotate. Moreover, the cultivation container 10 of this embodiment can obtain rotational force not only by the airflow A1 which flows horizontally along the cultivation panel 20, but also by the airflow A2 that blows down from above as shown in FIG. The airflow A2 blown down toward the cultivation container 10 passes between the wings 14 through the inside of the ring 142 and radially around the planting part 13. The wing 14 and the ring 142 may be made of a transparent member so that the shadow of the wing 14 and the ring 142 is not applied to the plant P.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 using the cultivation container 10 configured as described above, the root R of the plant P is easily immersed in the culture solution B as much as the wind tunnel is not provided. Naturally flowing wind can also be used. When the airflow A1 and the airflow A2 are artificially generated by the blower 51, a duct may be arranged in accordance with a position where each cultivation container 10 is arranged, and a nozzle may be individually installed. In this case, since the blower 51 and the duct can be arranged separately from the cultivation tank 2, they can be provided in common with or part of the air conditioning equipment. The air conditioning equipment is installed, for example, to adjust the temperature and humidity of air and the concentration of oxygen and nitrogen or carbon dioxide to grow the plant P.

  Since the blower 51 and the duct for generating the airflows A1 and A2 can be prepared separately from the cultivation tank 2, the facility cost of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 can be suppressed at a low cost, and the number of the cultivation containers 10 can be reduced. From the large-scale hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 to the small-scale hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 with a small number of cultivation containers 10 can be handled with the same configuration.

  The cultivation container 10 and the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 of 8th Embodiment are demonstrated with reference to FIG.10 and FIG.11. In the cultivation container 10 of 8th Embodiment, the wing | blade 14 is arrange | positioned at the lower part of the base 11, and is joined to both the base 11 and the cylinder part. The wings 14 of the cultivation container 10 are arranged in a so-called propeller shape that is straight in the radial direction of the base portion 11 and has an elevation angle with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical portion 15. Moreover, this cultivation container 10 is equipped with the cyclic | annular support ring 18 so that the outer peripheral part of the lower end of each wing | blade 14 may be connected. This support ring 18 positions the cultivation container 10 with respect to the attachment hole 201 by fitting the reinforcement ring 202 around the reinforcement hole 202 formed around the attachment hole 201 of the cultivation panel 20. Therefore, the wing 14 is positioned further above the cultivation panel 20 above the liquid level of the culture solution B.

  This cultivation container 10 rotates by receiving airflow A3 blown from below with the wings 14. Therefore, in the case of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 according to the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the cultivation container 10 is not formed by the airflow A1 flowing through the wind tunnel 5 but by the airflow A3 blowing from below through the mounting hole 201. Rotate. That is, in the case of this hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1, it is only necessary to have the air chamber 50 instead of the wind tunnel 5. The air chamber 50 is continuously supplied with air by the blower 51 so that the internal pressure becomes slightly higher than the external pressure, that is, the air flows through the mounting hole 201 as an outlet. When the airflow A3 passing through the mounting hole 201 hits the blade 14, it is discharged in a centrifugal direction from between the support ring 18 and the base 11. Since the airflow A3 is blown onto the wings 14 and the base 11 from below, the weight of the cultivation container 10 is reduced, so that the cultivation container 10 is easily rotated.

  The flow of fluid that contributes to rotating the cultivation container 10 is an airflow A3 passing through the mounting hole 201, and the flow velocity and flow rate are determined by the differential pressure inside and outside the air chamber 50 and the opening diameter of the mounting hole 201. . Therefore, it is not necessary to accurately control the direction and the flow velocity like the airflow A1 that flows in the wind tunnel 5. Since the control of the airflow A3 for rotating the cultivation container 10 is easy, the rotation speed of the cultivation container 10 can be easily adjusted.

  The cultivation container 10 of 9th Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. Similarly to the cultivation container 10 of the eighth embodiment, the cultivation container 10 of the ninth embodiment receives the air flow A3 passing through the mounting hole 201 of the cultivation panel 20 so as to blow up from below, and is applied to the base 11, that is, the cultivation container 10. Gives rotational force. The wings 14 of the cultivation container 10 are arranged between the base 11 and the cultivation panel 20 and extend radially from the cylinder part 15 so as to discharge the airflow A3 to the opposite side with respect to the direction in which the cultivation container 10 rotates. Draws a gentle arc.

  The wing 14 includes a main wing 14A connected to the cylindrical portion 15 and a sub wing 14B disposed between the main wings 14A. The lower ends of the main wing 14A and the sub wing 14B are connected to each other by a support ring 18 along the cultivation panel 20. A polytetrafluoroethylene resin having a small sliding resistance may be adopted as the support ring 18. A slip ring or a bearing may be installed. A lower portion of the main wing 14 </ b> A near the cylinder portion 15 extends inside the mounting hole 201. The cultivation container 10 is positioned with respect to the mounting hole 201 by the outer peripheral edge of the main wing 14 </ b> A extending inside the mounting hole 201 hitting the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 201. The edge of the main wing 14 </ b> A may be surrounded by a cylindrical sleeve loosely fitted in the mounting hole 201 so that the cultivation container 10 rotates smoothly with respect to the cultivation panel 20. You may be positioned by the support ring 18 like the cultivation container 10 of 8th Embodiment.

  The cultivation container 10 of the ninth embodiment configured as described above rotates when the airflow A3 passing through the mounting hole 201 is discharged in the centrifugal direction as shown in FIG. As in the case of the eighth embodiment, since the weight of the cultivation container 10 is reduced by the flow of air (air flow A3) discharged from the mounting hole 201 serving as the discharge port, the cultivation container 10 is easily rotated. Moreover, since the direction of the air chamber 50 is easier to control than the wind tunnel 5 in which the direction and flow rate of the airflow A1 must be controlled, the rotation speed of the cultivation container 10 can be easily stabilized.

  Moreover, the hydroponics apparatus 1 which employ | adopts the cultivation container 10 of 8th and 9th embodiment should just have the air chamber 50 instead of the wind tunnel 5, and the apparatus which supplies air to this air chamber 50 is. Since the direction of the airflow does not need to control the flow rate, the air blower 51 may not be used. That is, the air supplied by the aeration apparatus prepared in order to send air into the culture solution B stored in the cultivation tank 2 may be used. Since the apparatus can also be used, the capital investment cost is reduced and the entire system as the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 is simplified.

  The cultivation container 10 and the hydroponics apparatus 1 of 10th Embodiment are demonstrated with reference to FIG. The cultivation container 10 of this embodiment is above the liquid level of the culture solution B, and further has the wings 14 disposed above the cultivation panel 20. As shown in FIG. 14, outside the outer periphery of the base 11. It extends. Each blade 14 has an elevation angle with respect to the rotation center axis. The cultivation panel 20 has fumarole holes 203 around the base 11 separately from the mounting holes 201 in which the base 11 is positioned by the guides 111. This fumarole 203 communicates the air chamber 50 formed on the culture solution B of the cultivation tank 2 to the side where the base 11 of the cultivation container 10 is disposed. The air chamber 50 will be in the state pressurized from the outside with the air supplied with the air blower 51 similarly to the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 of 8th and 9th embodiment. Since the mounting hole 201 is blocked by the base 11 of the cultivation container 10, the air in the air chamber 50 is discharged from the fumarole hole 203 to generate an air flow A <b> 3.

  The cultivation container 10 is rotated by receiving the airflow A3 discharged from the fumarole 203 with the blades 14. In addition, since the airflow A3 discharged from the blow hole 203 is also generated by the air supplied by the blower 51, the blade 14 of this embodiment receives a flow of air generated by the blower 51 and receives a rotational force on the base 11. It can be said that.

  The wing | blade 14 of this embodiment is arrange | positioned at the outer periphery of the base 11 furthest from the rotation center of the cultivation container 10. FIG. Therefore, the wing 14 of this embodiment can apply a larger rotational force (torque) to the base 11. Further, by providing the fumarole holes 203 at a plurality of locations, it is possible to simultaneously generate a rotational force on the plurality of blades 14. Since the airflow A3 discharged from the fumarole 203 acts on the wing 14 so as to blow up from below, the weight of the cultivation container 10 is reduced, and the sliding resistance between the base 11 and the cultivation panel 20 is reduced. Furthermore, since the internal pressure of the air chamber 50 received by the base 11 through the mounting hole 201 is applied, the sliding resistance of the cultivation container 10 is further reduced.

  Further, the mounting hole 201 is made smaller than that shown in FIG. 14 to increase the facing area between the base 11 and the cultivation panel 20, and the air discharged from the mounting hole 201 is passed between the base 11 and the cultivation panel 20. You may make it discharge | emit uniformly. Thereby, a so-called “air cushion” of air is formed between the base 11 and the cultivation panel 20, and the base 11 is lifted from the cultivation panel 20, so that the sliding resistance of the cultivation container 10 can be almost eliminated.

  The cultivation container 10 of 11th Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. The cultivation container 10 of 15th Embodiment has the planting part 13 which fixes the some support member 12. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the planting part 13 fixes the four support members 12 as shown in FIG. Each support member 12 holds one seedling or one strain of plant P. The planting part 13 has the cylindrical part 15 in the lower part corresponding to each support member 12. These four cylinder parts 15 may be one cylinder part 15 surrounding the root R of the plant P extending from all the support members 12 instead of being provided individually.

  In this embodiment, arrangement | positioning and structure of the wing | blade 14 of the cultivation container 10, the structure of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1, and the flow of the fluid around the base 11 of the cultivation container 10 are the same as the case of 10th Embodiment. . The planting part 13 that fixes the plurality of support members 12 is not only applied to the cultivation container 10 of the tenth and eleventh embodiments, but also applied to the cultivation container 10 of the first to ninth embodiments. can do.

  Since the cultivation container 10 according to the eleventh embodiment configured as described above is provided with the cylindrical portion 15 individually, the roots R of the plant P are entangled with each other when the plant P is harvested from the cultivation container 10. Therefore, it is easy to separate the plant P for each support member 12.

  A hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 according to a twelfth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 has a plurality of cultivation panels 20 that arrange the cultivation containers 10 in a matrix. Although the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 of this embodiment has the four cultivation panels 20 which arrange | position the cultivation container 10 in 5 rows and 10 columns, it is not limited to this. The number and arrangement of the cultivation containers 10 supported by each cultivation panel 20 are preferably a quantity and arrangement that are easy to handle as a minimum unit when the grown plant P is harvested.

  Considering that the plants P grown by the cultivation container 10 of one cultivation panel 20 are handled at the same time, that is, those plants P are in the same growth stage, the lighting device 3 and the blower 51 correspond to each cultivation panel 20. Provided. The air flow generated by the blower 51 is uniformly flowed into the wind tunnel 5 by the distribution pipe 52. In addition, in order to stabilize the direction of the airflow A1 which hits the wing | blade 14 of the cultivation container 10 inside the wind tunnel 5, you may install the partition plate along the airflow A1 inside the wind tunnel 5. FIG. The wind tunnel 5 has an exhaust port 53 at the end opposite to the side to which the distribution pipe 52 is connected. The air discharged from the exhaust port 53 may be opened to the atmosphere as it is or may be collected. A blower that sucks out air in the wind tunnel 5 may be attached to the exhaust port 53 in order to stabilize the flow velocity of the air flow A1 in the wind tunnel 5.

  The culture solution B stored in the cultivation tank 2 is circulated by the pump 21. In order to remove impurities and the like in the collected culture broth B, a filter 22 is arranged. The culture medium B is returned to the cultivation tank 2 after the necessary nutrients are added from the supply device 23 and the pH is adjusted by the adjusting device 24. The pump 21, the filter 22, the supply device 23, the adjustment device 24, the lighting device, and the blower 51 are connected to the control device 4 and controlled according to the growth stage of the plant P.

  The cultivation container 10 employed in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 may be the cultivation container 10 according to the first to fifth embodiments. Moreover, when employ | adopting the cultivation container 10 of 8th and 9th embodiment, the exhaust port 53 is plugged and the airflow A3 is generated in the mounting hole 201 in which the cultivation container 10 is installed. When the cultivation container 10 according to the tenth and eleventh embodiments is employed, the exhaust port 53 is blocked and the fumarole hole 203 is provided around the mounting hole 201 of the cultivation panel 20. Furthermore, when employ | adopting the cultivation container 10 of 6th and 7th embodiment, the distribution pipe 52 of the air blower 51 is connected to the duct arrange | positioned above a cultivation container, and airflow is along the cultivation panel 20 with a nozzle. An air flow A2 that generates A1 or blows down toward the cultivation container 10 with a nozzle is generated.

  In the hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 of the twelfth embodiment configured as described above, the cultivation container 10 is lifted from the cultivation tank 2 with the cultivation panel 20 as one unit, and the plant P grown in the cultivation container 10 is harvested. This hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 is easy to perform production management by collecting and harvesting plants P having the same growth stage.

  A cultivation container 10 according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This cultivation container 10 employs a culture solution B that is a liquid as a fluid that flows uniformly around the base 11. The culture solution B is circulated by the pump 21 so that the culture solution B flows uniformly in the cultivation tank 2. In this embodiment, the cultivation tank 2 arrange | positions the partition plate 27 in order to flow the culture solution B uniformly. The cultivation panel 20 is bridged over the partition plate 27.

  The cultivation container 10 shown in FIG. 17 has substantially the same structure as the cultivation container 10 of the first embodiment. In the case of the cultivation container 10 of 13th Embodiment, since the liquid level of the culture solution B is close to the base 11, the cylinder part 15 is shorter than the cultivation container 10 of 1st Embodiment by that much. In order to bundle the root R of the plant P, the cylinder part 15 may be the same length as the cultivation container 10 of 1st Embodiment.

  The cultivation container 10 that employs the culture solution B as a fluid that flows uniformly around the base 11 may be the cultivation container of the second to fifth embodiments. As shown in FIG. 17, the wings 14 of the cultivation container 10 may be immersed in the culture solution B and used. Moreover, the air chamber 50 is left between the liquid level of the culture solution B and the cultivation panel 20, and air is sent in by the blower 51 so that the internal pressure becomes higher than the outside. Thereby, since pressure is applied to the base 11 of the cultivation container 10 from below through the mounting hole 201 in which the cultivation container 10 is installed, the weight of the cultivation container 10 is reduced and the cultivation container 10 is easily rotated.

  A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. These embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Other technical features of the above-described embodiment will be described below.
[1] A base portion supported above the liquid level of the culture solution, a support member for holding at least one plant grown by the culture solution, and a root of the plant provided at a central portion of the base portion A planting portion for fixing the support member so as to be immersed in the culture medium, and a wing for receiving a fluid flowing uniformly around the base portion and applying a (constant) rotational force to the base portion around a vertical rotation axis And a cultivation container.

  [2] The cultivation container according to [1], wherein the wing is disposed above the liquid level of the culture solution.

  [3] The cultivation container described in [1], which has a tube portion that extends downward from the planting portion and bundles roots of the plant.

  [4] The wing is fixed to at least one of the base and the cylindrical portion between the base and the liquid level of the culture solution, and receives an airflow flowing between the base and the liquid level of the culture solution. The cultivation container according to [3], wherein a rotational force is applied to the base.

  [5] The wing is disposed at the base portion on the outer periphery than the plant, and receives at least a horizontal air flow to apply a rotational force to the base portion, according to any one of [1] to [3]. Cultivation container.

  [6] The wing is disposed on the base portion on the outer periphery than the plant, and receives at least a flow of air to blow down and applies a rotational force to the base portion, according to any one of [1] to [3]. Cultivation container.

  [7] The culture vessel according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the wing receives an air flow generated by air supplied into the culture solution and applies a rotational force to the base.

  [8] The cultivation container according to [4], wherein the wing has at least a part that is submerged in the culture solution.

  [9] Any one of [1] to [3], wherein the wing is disposed at a position where at least a part of the wing is submerged in the culture medium, and receives a flow of the culture medium in a horizontal direction to apply a rotational force to the base. The cultivation container described in one.

  [10] The wing is disposed at a position where at least a part of the wing is submerged in the culture solution, and receives a flow of the culture solution forcedly convected to give a rotational force to the base. [1] to [3] The cultivation container described in any one.

  [11] The cultivation container according to any one of [1] to [10], further including a float having a buoyancy that supports at least a part of the weight of the base and the plant.

  [12] The cultivation container according to [3], wherein the cylindrical portion has a plurality of ventilation holes penetrating the cylindrical surface.

  [13] A hydroponic cultivation apparatus comprising: a cultivation tank in which a culture solution is stored; at least one cultivation container; and a cultivation panel that supports the cultivation container on the culture solution; Is provided on the center part of the base, the base supported above the liquid level of the culture solution by the cultivation panel, the support member holding at least one plant grown by the culture solution, A planting portion for fixing the support member so that a plant root is immersed in the culture solution; and a wing for receiving a fluid that flows uniformly around the base portion and applying a rotational force to the base portion about a vertical rotation axis And the said cultivation panel is a hydroponics cultivation apparatus which has the attachment hole which the range corresponding to the said planting part opened at least.

  [14] A wind tunnel surrounded by the cultivation tank and the cultivation panel and formed on the culture solution, and a blower that generates a uniform air flow in the wind tunnel; It has a cylindrical part that extends downward from the planting part through the mounting hole of the cultivation panel and bundles the plants, and the wing of the cultivation container is located between the cultivation panel and the liquid level of the culture solution. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to [13], which is fixed to at least one of the base and the cylindrical part, receives airflow flowing through the wind tunnel, and applies rotational force to the base.

  [15] The apparatus further includes a blower that generates a uniform air flow along the upper surface of the cultivation panel, and the wings of the cultivation container are arranged above the cultivation panel to generate air generated by the blower. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus described in [13], in which a rotational force is applied to the base by receiving a flow.

  [16] An air chamber surrounded by the cultivation tank and the cultivation panel and formed on the culture solution, and a blower for supplying air to the air chamber; The hydroponic cultivation apparatus described in [13], which receives a flow of air passing through the mounting hole of the cultivation panel and applies a rotational force to the base.

  [17] An air chamber surrounded by the cultivation tank and the cultivation panel and formed on the culture solution, and a blower that supplies air to the air chamber; the cultivation panel includes the air chamber There is a fumarole that communicates with the base side of the cultivation container around the base, and the wing of the cultivation container is disposed on the outer periphery of the base, and receives the flow of air that is blown out of the fumarole. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to [13], in which a rotational force is applied to the.

  [18] The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to [13], wherein the wing is disposed in the culture solution and receives a flow of the culture solution to apply a rotational force to the base.

  [19] An air chamber surrounded by the cultivation tank and the cultivation panel and formed on the culture solution; and a blower that supplies air to the air chamber; and the cultivation container includes the air chamber The hydroponics apparatus described in [13], wherein the air is exhausted from the mounting hole of the cultivation panel through the base and the cultivation panel, thereby rising from the cultivation panel.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hydroponic cultivation apparatus, 2 ... Cultivation tank, 20 ... Cultivation panel, 201 ... Mounting hole, 203 ... Fume hole, 5 ... Wind tunnel, 50 ... Air chamber, 51 ... Blower, 10 ... Cultivation container, 101 ... Float, 11 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Base part, 12 ... Supporting member, 13 ... Planting part, 14 ... Wing, 15 ... Cylindrical part, 151 ... Vent, A1 ... Airflow (horizontal air flow), A2 ... Airflow (air flow to blow down) A3 ... Airflow (flow of air through the mounting hole and fumarole), B ... culture liquid, B1 ... liquid flow (flow of culture liquid in the horizontal direction), B2 ... liquid flow (flow of culture liquid forced to convection) , P ... plants, R ... roots.

Claims (8)

A base that is supported above the liquid level of the culture solution by a cultivation panel arranged at the top of the cultivation tank for storing the culture solution;
A support member holding at least one plant grown by the culture solution;
Roots before Symbol plant securing the support member so immersed in the culture solution, and a planting unit provided at the center portion of the base,
A tube part extending downward from the planting part and bundling the roots of the plant;
Is fixed to the cylindrical portion, and a plurality of vanes to provide a rotational force to the base by the airflow,
A float attached to a lower end of the wing and the cylinder part, or an intermediate part of the wing and the cylinder part;
A cultivation container comprising A cultivation tank for storing the culture solution ;
A cultivation panel disposed at the top of the cultivation tank ;
The base supported above the liquid level of the culture solution by the cultivation panel, a support member for holding at least one plant grown by the culture solution, and the plant root soaked in the culture solution A support member is fixed, a planting portion provided in a central portion of the base portion, a cylindrical portion extending downward from the planting portion to bundle the roots of the plant, fixed to the cylindrical portion, and rotated to the base portion by an air flow A plurality of wings for applying force, and a lower end of the wing and the cylinder part, or a cultivation container having a float attached to an intermediate part of the wing and the cylinder part,
Hydroponic cultivation apparatus comprising:   A base that has an air outlet and is supported above the liquid level of the culture solution by a cultivation panel disposed at the top of the cultivation tank that stores the culture solution;
  A support member holding at least one plant grown by the culture solution;
  A planting part provided in a central part of the base, fixing the support member so that the roots of the plant are immersed in the culture solution;
  A plurality of wings fixed to the base, receiving an airflow discharged to the outside through the discharge port, and giving a rotational force to the base;
A cultivation container. The cultivation container according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of wings are fixed to a lower surface of the base portion with respect to the discharge port. The cultivation container according to claim 3 with which said a plurality of wings are fixed to the perimeter of said base to said discharge mouth.   A cultivation tank for storing the culture solution;
  A cultivation panel that has an air outlet and is arranged at the top of the cultivation tank;
  An air chamber formed on the culture solution, which is surrounded by the cultivation tank and the cultivation panel, and has air at a pressure higher than an external pressure inside.
  A base supported above the liquid level of the culture solution, a support member holding at least one plant grown by the culture solution, and fixing the support member so that the roots of the plant are immersed in the culture solution A planting portion provided in a central portion of the base portion, and a plurality of wings fixed to the base portion that receive airflow discharged to the outside through the discharge port and give a rotational force to the base portion A cultivation container;
Hydroponic cultivation apparatus comprising: The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of wings are fixed to a lower surface of the base portion with respect to the discharge port. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of wings are fixed to an outer periphery of the base portion with respect to the discharge port.