JP6318343B2 - Plant cultivation system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lifting device having a pantograph structure, a lifting system capable of simultaneously driving a plurality of lifting devices by arranging and connecting a plurality of the lifting devices, and a lighting fixture installed in the lifting system below the lifting device. The present invention relates to a plant cultivation system that can freely change the distance between a lighting fixture and a plant cultivation shelf by installing a plant cultivation shelf.

Conventionally, in the growth of plants in a limited space such as a plant factory, when the light necessary for photosynthesis is irradiated by artificial lighting, uniform light irradiation to all plant individuals and the optimal amount of light for plant growth Irradiation needed to be realized. Among these, for uniform light irradiation, it is necessary to dispose a light source, a reflector, and the like having an area that covers the plant to be irradiated. Further, since the light irradiation amount from the light source is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the light source, the optimum amount of light irradiation can be performed efficiently as the distance is kept closer.
However, a structure that can adjust the height of a light source composed of multiple lights and reflectors according to the growth of the plant to enable the optimal amount of light irradiation to the plant should be realized simply and at low cost. There was a problem that it was difficult.
In addition, not only in plant factories, but also in general factories, when assembling precision parts or assorting food, there is a height of lighting fixtures along the process, and power is supplied. Although there is a need to change the position of the tap to change depending on the type of electrical product, it is easy to adjust the height, or it is not easy to adjust the height at the same time for the whole line or part of the line. There was a problem that it was difficult to realize at a cost.
Therefore, in order to solve such problems, in recent years, the height of horizontal shelves and the like can be freely adjusted with a simple configuration such as a plant cultivation device or a lifting platform that can change the distance between the light source and the plant in the vertical direction. A mechanism for adjustment has been developed, and some inventions have already been disclosed in connection therewith, and the invention is also disclosed as a lifter structure in addition to the use for plant cultivation.

Patent Document 1 discloses an invention related to a household plant cultivation apparatus capable of adjusting the distance between a plant cultivation bed and an artificial light source under the name “household plant cultivation apparatus”.
Hereinafter, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be described. The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided above and below each cultivation bed arranged and held substantially horizontally in a plurality of upper and lower stages, and is moved up and down according to the growth of cultivated plants. A ceiling part having an artificial light source, and a spout that is moved up and down in conjunction with the artificial light source, and blows out air whose temperature, CO ₂ concentration, etc. are adjusted toward the cultivated plant and artificial light source that are planted on the cultivation bed And an air supply part having a drive part for suspending the ceiling part above each ceiling part, and a drive part extending to the front and rear, respectively, and a shaft bolt provided to rotate It is characterized by comprising a pair of left and right arms that are formed in a free-to-go-round shape and screwed to the shaft bolt so as to form a rhombus shape in plan view, and a suspension member connected to the arms.
In a plant cultivation device for home use having such a feature, the arm extends and contracts in the left-right direction along with the rotation of the shaft bolt, so that the ceiling portion is moved up and down via a suspension member connected to the arm. It has the effect | action that it can move freely. Therefore, since the distance between the artificial light source and the plant can be adjusted, the growth of the plant can be promoted and cultivation can be performed efficiently.

Next, Patent Document 2 discloses an invention related to a low-vibration electric lifter having a name “low-vibration electric lifter” that reduces the swing and vibration of the lifting platform during the raising and lowering process.
In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, a pair of arms, one arm of which is a drive arm, between a fixed base and a lifting base are pivotally attached to the center of each to form an X-shaped cross link. In the scissors-type lifter, each end of each arm is pivotally attached to the base and the lifting platform, and each free end is slidable or slidable on the base and the inner surface of the lifting platform. The drive roller that is in rolling contact with the inner surface of the base and the support roller that rolls on the base under the full load of the link arm, etc., make a pair on both ends of the horizontal moving shaft with a fixed pair of nuts. The arm fall device mounted rotatably and the respective rotation screw shafts screwed to the pair of nuts are fixed to a base that is horizontally supported along the base surface, and further, a pair of motors Equipped with a transmission mechanism that transmits power to the rotating screw shaft and a screw shaft drive device Characterized in that it comprises.
In the low-vibration electric lifter having such characteristics, the screw shaft rotates forward and backward, so that the horizontal moving shaft of the arm collapse device reciprocates synchronously and horizontally with respect to the base. Drive rollers pivoted on both sides of the shaft raise or lower the drive arm, while the support rollers have the effect of supporting the full load of the cross link and the lifting platform. Accordingly, since the rotating screw shaft is supported horizontally in parallel with the base and the drive system is fixed to the base, the rigidity can be increased, and the arm lodging device also rotates and moves in contact with the base surface. Therefore, the lifting operation is stable and low vibration can be realized. In addition, the series connection lifter can be easily configured by extending the screw shaft, and the parallel connection and series-parallel composite lifter can be easily configured by changing the transmission drive mechanism. It can be widely used as a device in multiple directions.

Further, Patent Document 3 discloses an invention relating to a multi-tuning lifter that is named “multi-tuning lifter” and that can be designed compactly with a simple structure.
The invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a plurality of lifters that move up and down while expanding and contracting the pantograph while keeping the lift base parallel to the base, and each lift base of the lifter has a uniform height. In the multiple-tuned lifter that moves up and down, the gear rail member provided on the upper surface of the base, the connecting shaft that connects the pantographs of the lifter in parallel, and the connecting shaft that is engaged with each of the gear rail members Each of the gear members rolls while meshing with each of the gear rail members, so that the connecting shaft moves along the gear rail member, and the movement of the connecting shaft causes each of the pantographs to have a height. It is characterized by expanding and contracting so that they are aligned.
The multi-tuned lifter having such a feature has an action that the pantograph can be expanded and contracted in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by the hydraulic jack, and the width and height thereof change. Therefore, the lifting platform of each lifter can be lifted and lowered with the same height. In addition, since the multi-tuned lifter is obtained by adding a connecting shaft, a gear member, and a gear rail member to a conventional lifter, the structure becomes simple and a compact design can be achieved.

JP 2010-154791 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-252093 JP 2007-276916 A

  However, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, the distance between the plurality of ceiling portions and the cultivation bed changes independently by operating the operation handle. Therefore, in a plant factory for the purpose of efficiently growing a large number of plants, the operation is complicated only by the manual operation described above. Therefore, there is a high possibility that it is not suitable for such a plant factory.

Next, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is possible to easily configure a parallel connection and a series-parallel composite lifter in addition to a series connection lifter. It is what is done. Therefore, since a large installation area is required in a large-scale plant factory, it may be unsuitable for such a plant factory as in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1.
Further, the parallel connection shown in FIG. 10 requires a design such as a shaft length each time the arrangement of the lifting device is changed, and also requires a worm gear box for 17A and 17B in addition to 17C. Further, because of the uniaxial connection, when the conduction device of any of the lifting devices is released, the interlocking of the lifting device far from the motor is released with the lifting device interposed therebetween. Therefore, it is impossible to make fine adjustments such as releasing the interlocking of only an arbitrary lifting device.

  Furthermore, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 3, since each pantograph is connected in parallel by a connecting shaft, a number of elevators are arranged in the vertical direction as in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2. This may be difficult and may be inappropriate for large plant factories. Moreover, although the hydraulic jack which expands and contracts a pantograph is described that the hydraulic pressure is adjusted by the hydraulic power unit, there is no specific structure showing the relationship between the hydraulic jack and the hydraulic power unit. Therefore, the structure of an efficient hydraulic power unit for operating a plurality of hydraulic jacks is not clear, and the applicability to a plant factory is unknown.

  The present invention has been made in response to such a conventional situation, and has a simple configuration and can be easily raised and lowered steplessly, and the lifting device is connected at the same time. An elevating system that enables driving of a plurality of elevating devices or a selection of elevating devices that can be driven simultaneously by releasing the connection of desired elevating devices, and this elevating system is applied to plant cultivation using a lighting device Therefore, it is possible to irradiate light of an optimal amount for uniform growth to all plant individuals according to the growth status of each plant individual, and at the same time different from other individuals for a specific plant individual An object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation system that allows a large amount of plants to grow efficiently by allowing the light amount to be customized and irradiated.

To achieve the above object, the plant cultivation system of the invention according to claim 1, in plant factories, plant cultivation having a lifting system for lifting devices at predetermined intervals to a plurality arranged horizontally and / or vertically The lifting device includes a lifting pedestal, a mounting pedestal, and two pairs of link mechanisms that are loosely attached to the pedestals so that their end portions can move horizontally. The pantograph structure that intersects with each other through joints is formed , and the distance between the elevating pedestal and the mounting pedestal can be changed. The mounting pedestal includes a rotating member having a surface threaded thereon, and a screw threaded on the rotating member. And a horizontal movement member that is suspended at one end of the two pairs of link mechanisms and converts the rotation of the rotation member into a horizontal movement, and the lifting system includes a plurality of rotation members. A connecting member suspended in a ring; And a driving member capable of simultaneously rotating a plurality of rotating members. The plant cultivation system fixes the mounting base of the lifting device to the ceiling surface, and illuminates the lifting base. And installing a plant cultivation shelf below the lifting pedestal, and simultaneously adjusting the distance between the plant cultivation shelf and the lighting device with a plurality of lifting devices, and for the plants grown on the lighting device and the plant cultivation shelf in advance A detection unit that detects an interval between the predetermined part, a driving member is driven such that a reference value of a predetermined interval and an interval detected by the detection unit coincide, and the rotation member is driven by driving of the driving member; And a control unit that rotates and raises and lowers the pedestal, and the detection unit includes a laser element and a light receiving unit that receives laser light emitted from the laser element along the horizontal direction. Part of the plant is a laser beam When the laser beam is not obstructed, the laser beam is received and a signal is output. The control unit determines whether or not the signal from the light receiving unit is received. And outputting a signal for starting driving to raise the lift base .
In the lifting device having such a configuration, when the rotating member is rotated, the horizontal moving member suspended on the rotating member moves in the horizontal direction. The horizontal movement member is suspended on one of the ends of the two pairs of link mechanisms, and the other end of the link mechanism is loosely attached to the lifting base so that the other end of the link mechanism can be rotated. It acts to perform horizontal movement by the rotation of the moving member. Further, the end of the link mechanism is also attached to the mounting base so that it can move horizontally, and the two pairs of link mechanisms form a pantograph structure. The distance between the mounting base and the lifting base is changed steplessly.
In the lifting device having such a configuration, for example, a lead screw is used as the rotating member, and a member including a nut is used as the horizontal moving member. Note that either the lift base or the mounting base may be disposed above.

In the following, in the constructed elevator system as this, the coupling member of the suspended annular plurality of rotating members, act to connect the plurality of the rotating member, the drive member this connection The member is driven to act so as to simultaneously rotate the rotating members related to the plurality of units. In the lifting system configured as above, in addition to the lead screw described above, a member such as a timing pulley or a worm gear is used as the rotating member, a motor is used as the driving member, and a motor is used as the connecting member. A member such as a timing belt for transmitting driving is used.

Furthermore, in the plant cultivation system of such a structure, the lighting fixture installed in the raising / lowering base acts so that light may be irradiated to the plant cultivation shelf provided in the downward direction. In addition, since a plurality of lifting devices are connected, and the driving member drives the connecting members to simultaneously rotate the rotating members related to the plurality of devices, the lifting base on which the lighting fixture is installed moves up and down at the same time. It acts to adjust the amount of light by adjusting the distance to the lighting fixture at the same time with respect to the cultivation shelf. In addition, by selectively releasing the drive of the drive member with respect to the connecting member, an effect that some of the rotation members according to the plurality of units rotate at the same time may be exhibited. That is, rotating the rotating members related to a plurality of units at the same time in this application means that all of the rotating members are simultaneously rotated and that some of the rotating members are simultaneously rotated. It is a concept that also includes
Since a plurality of lifting devices are arranged horizontally and / or vertically at an arbitrary interval, in a plant cultivation system, plant cultivation shelves are arranged in a horizontal row, a vertical row, or a mixture of a horizontal row and a vertical row. However, it will be arranged appropriately.
In the present application, the “ceiling surface” may be, for example, the ceiling surface of a building, and the lifting device may be arranged vertically, so that the lifting device is also arranged below the lifting device. In addition, the lower surface of the plant cultivation shelf illuminated by the lighting device installed in the upper lifting device may be the ceiling surface, and when there is a structural material on which the plant cultivation shelf is placed, the structural material The lower surface of the screen may be a ceiling surface, and is not limited to any one of these, but is a concept that encompasses it.

Furthermore, in the plant cultivation system having such a configuration, the “predetermined part” refers to, for example, the uppermost part of the plant. In addition, for example, it may indicate the uppermost part of the plant strain as a reference among the plant strains present on the plant cultivation shelf. In addition, the “reference value of a preset interval” is an interval between a plant and a lighting fixture set for the purpose of irradiating the plant with an appropriate amount of light, and is a value detected by the detection unit. A value that serves as a reference for determining the magnitude of L (hereinafter referred to as L ₀ Say).

As the detection unit, a laser sensor or a camera that monitors and detects an interval (hereinafter, referred to as L) between the illuminating device and a site predetermined for the plant from the side of the plant is used.
In the laser sensor and the camera, for example, a configuration in which the control unit drives the drive member to raise and lower the lifting base only when the output signal of the detection unit that has been constantly transmitted to the control unit is blocked by the plant can be considered.
In the plant cultivation system having the above configuration, when the detection unit detects the interval (L), the interval (L) is the reference value (L ₀ ) Is automatically moved up and down to match. For this reason, the plant is prevented from excessively approaching the lighting device, and the distance between the lighting device and the plant is appropriately maintained so that the amount of light is optimal for the plant.

And the plant cultivation system which concerns on invention of Claim 2 is a plant cultivation system of Claim 1, WHEREIN: A detection part is equipped with the laser distance meter instead of a laser element and a light-receiving part, This laser distance The meter is attached to the illuminator, detects the interval and outputs it to the control unit, and the control unit outputs the interval output from the laser distance meter instead of determining whether or not the signal from the light receiving unit is received. And (1) interval <reference value, (2) interval = reference value, (3) interval> reference value, and determine which of the three values is applicable. If applicable, it outputs a command to drive the elevating pedestal in a direction that raises from the current height to the drive member, and if applicable to (2), drives to maintain the elevating pedestal at the current height. Stop the member, and if it falls under (3), move up and down And outputs an instruction for driving the direction to the drive member such that lower the seat from the current height.
As the detection unit, a laser distance meter or the like that monitors and detects an interval (L) between a lighting fixture and a predetermined part for the plant from above the plant is used. In the laser distance meter, for example, when the interval (L) detected directly as numerical data by the detection unit is output to the control unit, the control unit compares the interval (L) with a reference value (L ₀ ) and calculates the result. Output to the drive member. According to the result, the drive member can be configured to raise and lower the lift base. Note that, depending on the result of the control unit, the lifting platform may not move up and down, so “lifting” includes the case where the height of the lifting platform is maintained.

And the plant cultivation system which concerns on invention of Claim 3 is a plant cultivation system which has a raising / lowering system which arranges a plurality of raising / lowering devices horizontally and / or vertically at a fixed interval in a plant factory, The elevating device has an elevating pedestal, an attachment pedestal, and two pairs of link mechanisms whose ends are loosely attached to these pedestals so as to be horizontally movable, and the two pairs of link mechanisms are respectively connected via joints. Are formed so that the distance between the elevating pedestal and the mounting pedestal can be changed. The mounting pedestal is provided with a rotating member whose surface is threaded, and a rotating member screwed on the rotating member. A horizontal movement member that is suspended at one end of the pair of link mechanisms and converts the rotation of the rotation member into a horizontal movement, and the lifting system is annularly suspended by the plurality of rotation members. Connecting member and drive this connecting member And a drive member that can simultaneously rotate the rotating members related to the plurality of units, the plant cultivation system fixes the mounting base of the lifting device to the floor surface, and installs the plant cultivation shelf on the lifting base, A lighting fixture is provided above the lifting pedestal, and the distance between the plant cultivation shelf and the lighting fixture is simultaneously adjusted by a plurality of lifting devices, and the lighting fixture and a predetermined part for the plant grown on the plant cultivation shelf The drive unit is driven so that the detection unit for detecting the interval and the reference value of the preset interval and the interval detected by the detection unit coincide with each other, and the rotary member is rotated by the drive of the drive member to move up and down A control unit that raises and lowers the pedestal, and the detection unit includes a laser element and a light receiving unit that receives laser light emitted from the laser element along a horizontal direction. Blocked by plant parts If not, the control unit receives a laser beam and outputs a signal, and the control unit determines whether or not the signal from the light receiving unit is received. A signal for starting driving to be raised is output .
In the plant cultivation system having such a configuration, the invention described in claim 1 , and the case where the positional relationship between the lighting fixture and the plant cultivation shelf is reversed, and the mounting base of the lifting device on the floor surface is defined. It fixes and it acts so that the lighting fixture provided in the upper direction may irradiate light to a plant cultivation shelf with respect to the plant cultivation shelf installed in the raising / lowering base. The other operation is the same as that of the first aspect of the invention.
In the present application, the “floor surface” may be, for example, the floor surface of a building, or the lifting device may be arranged vertically, so that the lifting device is also arranged below the lifting device. The upper surface of the lighting fixture that illuminates the plant cultivation shelf installed in the lower lifting device may be the floor surface, and when there is a structural material that installs the lighting fixture, the upper surface of the structural material May be a floor surface, and is not limited to any of these, but is a concept that encompasses it.

According to the lifting device constituting the plant cultivation system according to claim 1 of the present invention, is screwed horizontal movement member rotating member, two pairs of link mechanisms are each of the horizontal movement member elevating pedestal Since the end portion is loosely attached, the distance between the elevating pedestal and the mounting pedestal can be changed gradually and steplessly with the rotation of the rotating member.
In addition, the temperature descending device includes a mounting base, a lifting base composed of a 2 pair of linkages forming the pantograph structure, since it is a relatively simple configuration, it is possible to inexpensively manufacture and installation.

According to elevator systems in the plant cultivation system according to claim 1 of the present invention, since it is possible to simultaneously rotate the rotating member in accordance with a plurality of lifting device, the lifting base of a plurality of lifting device It can be raised and lowered at the same time. Further, since the connecting member that connects the plurality of rotating members is formed in an annular shape, it is only necessary to adjust the length of the connecting member in order to increase or decrease the number of connecting rotating members. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with a change in the lifting system due to increase / decrease of the lifting device, and a flexible system can be configured.

According to the plant cultivation system of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the height of the lighting device in accordance with the growth of the plant, and to perform light irradiation with an optimal amount and uniformity for the plant. Further, if the irradiator is detached from the lifting platform, it is also possible to adjust the irradiator so that light having a wavelength suitable for the plant being cultivated is appropriately irradiated. Therefore, since it is possible to adjust the height and the type of light according to the growth of the plant, extremely efficient cultivation is possible in the cultivation of a large-scale plant. In addition, the fact that the distance between the plant and the lighting device can be easily changed is that, for example, the lighting device can be immediately moved away from the plant or the cultivation shelf at the maximum when harvesting the plant or cleaning or replacing the cultivation shelf. Etc., and work efficiency is good. Since the length of the connecting member can be adjusted according to the number of rotating members suspended, it is possible to easily cope with the scale of the plant cultivation system. Even flexibility is high. The increase in driving torque associated with the length of the connecting member can be easily dealt with by a driving member having a large torque capacity, and the number of installed driving members can be easily increased.
Moreover, since the connection member and the drive member are provided, the distance between the plants and the lighting fixtures in the plurality of plant cultivation shelves can be changed at once, so that a large number of plants can be simultaneously added without increasing the work burden. It has the effect that it can be produced.
Furthermore, since the amount of light can be adjusted freely, it is possible to irradiate by setting various optimal irradiation conditions for each type of plant to be cultivated. Therefore, plant growth can be effectively promoted.
In addition, according to the plant cultivation system using the raising / lowering system provided with the urging | biasing member, according to the difference in arrangement | positioning of an urging | biasing member, driving | running | working of a rotation member can be selectively performed and cancelled | released collectively. It becomes possible. Therefore, plants of different types and growth conditions can be mixed in one array, and all of them can be grown smoothly. Therefore, for example, since it is possible to cultivate many kinds of plants little by little, it is possible to respond precisely to market demand. Further, since any desired one of the plurality of rotating members can be rotated, for example, only the rotating member whose rotation is released is manually rotated to be different from the other rotating members. It is possible to make fine adjustments such as setting the illuminator at a height and interlocking with another rotating member again. Therefore, different types of plants can be grown adjacent to each other at the same time, so that cost reduction and energy efficiency can be improved.

Furthermore, according to the plant cultivation system according to claim 1 of the present invention, to automatically lift the pedestal with the detection interval by the detection unit (L) is raised and lowered, the trouble of working compared with the elevation of the manually increased Can be reduced. Furthermore, since an optimal amount of light can be irradiated to the plant, the light use efficiency is good, and harvesting in a short period is possible.

According to the plant cultivation system according to claim 2 of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1 , the interval (L) detected by the detector is compared with the reference value (L ₀ ). Each time, the distance between the luminaire and the top of the plant can be adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent contact between the lighting device and the plant.

Also by the plant cultivation system according to claim 3 of the present invention, the same effect as the invention according to claim 1 can be exhibited. However, in the plant cultivation system according to claim 3 , since it is the plant cultivation shelf that is installed on the elevating member, the plant cultivation shelf corresponds to the lighting device moved according to the invention according to claim 1. Therefore, the effect is based on the difference.

1 is an external perspective view of an elevating device according to a first embodiment. It is a front view of the raising / lowering system which concerns on Example 2. FIG. (A) And (b) is a front view of the rotation part of the raising / lowering apparatus in the raising / lowering system which concerns on Example 2, respectively, (c) is the AA arrow directional view of (a), (d) is. It is a BB arrow line view of (b). It is an external appearance perspective view of the raising / lowering apparatus in the plant cultivation system which concerns on Example 3. FIG. (A) And (b) is a front view of the plant cultivation system which concerns on Example 3, and its modification, respectively. It is a front view of the plant cultivation apparatus concerning Example 3. It is a front view of the plant cultivation apparatus concerning Example 4. (A) And (b) is a front view of the rotation part of the raising / lowering apparatus in the plant cultivation system which concerns on Example 4, respectively. It is a system block diagram of the plant cultivation apparatus which concerns on Example 4. FIG. (A) And (b) is a flowchart which shows the front view of the plant cultivation apparatus which concerns on the modification of Example 4, and its operation | movement, respectively. (A) And (b) is an experimental result of the plant cultivation apparatus which concerns on Example 4, respectively. (A) And (b) is an experimental result of the plant cultivation apparatus which concerns on Example 4, respectively.

  Example 1 of the lifting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the lifting device according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a lifting device 1 includes a mounting base 2 fixed to a ceiling surface of a building or a structure, lifting bases 4, 4 disposed below the mounting base 2, a mounting base 2, a lifting base 4, and the like. The link mechanism composed of a pair of left and right link mechanism arms 6a to 6d forming a pantograph structure 5 whose upper and lower ends are connected to and intersecting with each other, and the elevating pedestals 4 and 4 can be raised and lowered in the direction of a double arrow in the figure. Elevating mechanism 7 is provided. The elevating mechanism 7 is for elevating the elevating pedestals 4 and 4 by attaching a manual handle 12 and operating it. Since the mounting base 2 is fixed, it does not move. Further, in the drawing, the mounting base 2 is a flat plate shape, and the lifting bases 4 and 4 are angled shapes provided in parallel. However, the mounting base 2 is not limited to these shapes, and any of plate shape, rod shape, angle shape, etc. It may be a pedestal having a shape.

Next, the mounting base 2 that constitutes the lifting device 1 according to the first embodiment includes support frames 8 and 8 that support the mounting base 2 with a front end face 8a and side end faces 8b and 8c. The side end faces 8b and 8c are respectively provided with slide holes 9a and 9b that are elongated along the horizontal direction on the front end face 8a side.
The elevating mechanism 7 includes a rotating unit 10 installed in the vicinity of the back surface of the mounting base 2 and a horizontal moving unit 11 that converts a rotating motion from the rotating unit 10 into a horizontal motion along the front-rear direction. The The rotating portion 10 is disposed outside the substantially central portion of the front end surface 8a and passes through the front end surface 8a, a leading end portion 10a for mounting the manual handle 12, a lead screw 10b disposed inside the front end surface 8a, and the front end surface 8a. The tip 10a and the rotation shaft 10c for connecting the lead screw 10b are integrally formed. The lead screw 10b has a structure in which a helical thread groove is formed, and the nut 11a is detented by frictional resistance with the nut 11a described later.
Further, the horizontal moving portion 11 is engaged with the lead screw 10b and slides horizontally extending along the longitudinal direction of the lead screw 10b and extending in the direction of the side end faces 8b and 8c with the nut 11a interposed therebetween. The plates 11b and 11c are integrally formed. The outer ends of the slide plates 11b and 11c each have a cylindrical shape (bar shape) and are fitted into slide holes 9a and 9b provided in the side end surfaces 8b and 8c.

Furthermore, slide holes 13a and 13b having the same shape as the slide holes 9a and 9b and being vertically below the slide holes 9a and 9b are formed at the front ends of the elevating pedestals 4 and 4.
Of the pair of left and right link mechanism arms 6a to 6d, the link mechanism arms 6a and 6b constituting the pantograph structure 5 are connected to each other so as to be rotatable about a joint 14a. The link mechanism arm 6a is loosely attached to the side end face 8b and the lift base 4 via joints 14b and 14c, and the link mechanism arm 6b is loosely attached to the side end face 8b and the lift base 4 via joints 14d and 14e. Similarly, the link mechanism arms 6c and 6d are loosely attached to the side end face 8c and the lift base 4.

In the lifting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment configured as described above, the lead screw 10b is rotated and screwed into the manual handle 12 by attaching the manual handle 12 to the distal end portion 10a of the rotating unit 10 and rotating the manual handle 12. The nut 11a moves horizontally along the axial direction of the lead screw 10b. Since the nut 11a and the slide plates 11b and 11c are integrally formed, when the nut 11a moves horizontally, the slide plates 11b and 11c move horizontally.
The outer ends of the slide plates 11b and 11c are fitted into the slide holes 9a and 9b, respectively, and are loosely attached to the link mechanism arms 6a and 6c via the joint 14b, and the link mechanism arm 6a and the link mechanism arm 6b are connected to the joint 14b. The link mechanism arm 6b is loosely attached to the lift base 4 via a joint 14e, and the link mechanism arms 6a and 6b are respectively connected to the lift base 4 via joints 14c and 14d. Since it is loosely attached to the side end face 8b, the joint 14b with the link mechanism arms 6a and 6c moves horizontally in the slide holes 9a and 9b with the horizontal movement of the slide plates 11b and 11c. The joint 14e between 6b and 6d and the elevating base 4 moves horizontally in the slide holes 13a and 13b. It has the effect of distance between the support frame 8 and the lifting seat 4 is changed in the vertical direction. The link mechanism arms 6c and 6d have the same structure, and the mounting base 2 does not move, so that the lifting base 4 moves up and down while maintaining its horizontal state.

The movable range of the horizontal movement described above depends on the lengths of the long slide holes 9a, 9b, 13a, and 13b. The larger the length, the larger the maximum separation distance between the mounting base 2 and the lifting base 4 is. Become. The maximum separation distance also depends on the lengths of the link mechanism arms 6a to 6d. Therefore, by adjusting the length of the slide hole and the length of the link mechanism arms 6a to 6d, the maximum separation distance between the mounting base 2 and the lift base 4 is determined. Further, the slide plates 11b and 11c and the joints 14b and 14e of the link mechanism arms 6a to 6d are stationary even in the middle of the length of the slide holes 9a, 9b, 13a and 13b. Therefore, it has the effect | action that the distance of the mounting base 2 and the raising / lowering base 4 is maintained in the desired position by adjusting rotation of the rotating shaft 10c.
From the above description, by installing the mounting base 2 on the ceiling surface of a building or structure, the lifting bases 4 and 4 can be freely raised and lowered steplessly.
In addition, the lifting device 1 according to the first embodiment has a relatively simple configuration including the mounting base 2, the lifting base 4, and two pairs of link mechanisms forming the pantograph structure 5. Introduction becomes possible.

Next, a lifting system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the lifting system according to the second embodiment. The same components as those described in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the lifting system 1 a according to the present embodiment, three lifting devices 1 shown in the first embodiment are connected to form a horizontal row. Further, in these three lifting devices 1, the mounting base 2 is fixed to the ceiling surface 24 of the beam member 23. The mounting base 2 is provided with connecting members 15 and 15 for connecting the mounting base 2 and the support frames 8 and 8 at a predetermined interval.
In the elevating system 1a that connects these three elevating devices 1, a timing pulley 17 is provided at the distal end portion 10a of the rotating portion 10 (see FIG. 1), and an annular (endless) timing belt 16 suspended from these timing pulleys. Are connected to the rotating portions 10 of the three lifting devices 1.
The timing belt 16 is formed with a plurality of continuous recesses 16a (see FIG. 3) that mesh with the timing pulley 17. Similarly, the timing belt 16 receives the driving force of the motor 18 including the timing pulley 17 and is indicated by a white double arrow in the figure. To move.
Further, a tensioner 19 is provided between the mounting base 2 and the support frames 8 and 8 in order to ensure the engagement of the timing belt 16 with the timing pulley 17. The tensioner 19 is attached to the mounting base 2 by a mounting member (not shown) so as to be fixed and movable in multiple stages along the vertical direction. That is, the tensioner 19 is configured so that the timing belt 16 can be pressed against or separated from the timing belt 16. In addition, all of these tensioners 19 are manually moved up and down, but the configuration may be such that all or any desired tensioners 19 are moved up and down simultaneously by electric drive.
In this embodiment, the tensioner 19 is provided on the upper side of the timing pulley 17. However, the tensioner 19 may be provided on the lower side of the timing pulley 17 as long as meshing can be performed / released. Further, the number of the lifting devices 1 to be connected is not limited to three, but may be two as long as it is plural, or a number of lifting devices 1 may be connected.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the rotating unit of the lifting / lowering device 1 constituting the lifting / lowering system 1a will be described in more detail. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are front views of the rotating portion of the lifting device in the lifting system, FIG. 3 (c) is a view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3 (a), and FIG. It is a BB arrow line view of (b).
As shown in FIG. 3A, the timing pulley 17 is provided with a plurality of convex portions 17 a that project in the outer peripheral direction, and meshes with the concave portions 16 a of the timing belt 16. At this time, a pair of rollers 19a and 19a provided on the tensioner 19 presses the timing belt 16 from above. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, the timing pulley 17 is formed with a groove portion 17b on the inner periphery, into which the protruding portion 22 protruding on a part of the peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 10c can be fitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the tensioner 19 moves upward (in the direction of the black arrow in the figure) and the pair of rollers 19a and 19a are separated from the timing belt 16, the recess 16a of the timing belt 16 is provided. The meshing of the convex portion 17a of the timing pulley 17 is released.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3D, the timing pulley 17 is slightly pulled out from the front end face 8a along the rotation shaft 10c in the direction of the front end 10a (indicated by the white arrow in the figure), and the protrusion 22 is extended from the groove 17b. Removed. Subsequently, the manual handle 12 is attached to the distal end portion 10a of the rotation shaft 10c, and the rotation shaft 10c is manually rotated, whereby the distance between the support frame 8 and the lift base 4 can be changed independently. It is possible.
In the second embodiment, the tensioner 19 is press-contacted to perform meshing and separated to release the meshing. However, the tensioner 19 is press-contacted to release meshing and separated to perform meshing. May be. That is, the connection with the timing belt 16 may be executed when the tensioner 19 is energized, and the connection may be released when there is no energization. Conversely, the timing belt 16 is energized when the tensioner 19 is energized. It is also possible to cancel the connection with and execute the connection when there is no bias. Also in the following operations and effects, the operations and effects at the time of connection and release are the same except that the timing of execution / release of energization and connection is reversed.

Next, the operation of the lifting system 1a according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described. In the lifting system 1a, when the driving force of the motor 18 is transmitted to the timing pulley 17 via the timing belt 16, the lead screw 10b rotates simultaneously with the rotation of the rotating shaft 10c. Therefore, when all the timing pulleys 17 of the plurality of lifting devices 1 forming the horizontal row arrangement are connected via the timing belt 16 and all the tensioners 19 are pressed against this, the drive of the motor 18 is all driven. It is transmitted to the link mechanism arms 6a to 6d, and has the effect that all the lift bases 4 move up and down at the same time while always maintaining the horizontal state.
On the other hand, when any one of the tensioners 19 in the plurality of lifting devices 1 moves upward and is separated from the timing belt 16, the drive of the motor 18 is released, and the rotation shaft 10c does not rotate. Therefore, the lifting / lowering of the lifting / lowering base 4 is stopped only in the lifting / lowering device 1 whose transmission has been canceled.

In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 3, when the protruding portion 22 of the rotating shaft 10c is removed from the groove portion 17b of the timing pulley 17, the power transmission from the timing pulley 17 to the rotating shaft 10c is completely performed. Will be blocked. In other words, the timing belt 16 and the timing pulley 17 are released from meshing, and the drive of the motor 18 is reliably prevented from being transmitted to the timing pulley 17 due to the bending of the timing belt 16 or the like.
On the other hand, even if the above-described meshing is released, if the protruding portion 22 remains fitted in the groove portion 17b, the transmission is once released by rotating the rotating shaft 10c using the manual handle 12. The lifting platform 4 of the lifting device 1 is lifted and lowered again. In addition, it has the same operation as the lifting device 1 of the first embodiment.

In the elevating system 1a according to the second embodiment configured as described above, the rotating units 10 according to the plurality of elevating devices 1 can be simultaneously rotated, so that the elevating pedestal 4 of the plurality of elevating devices 1 is provided. It can be raised and lowered at the same time. Further, since the timing belt 16 that connects the plurality of rotating units 10 is formed in an endless shape, the length can be easily adjusted to increase or decrease in the number of the rotating units 10 to be connected. In addition, it is possible to reduce the cost with respect to the increase / decrease of the lifting device 1 and to configure a flexible system.
Furthermore, the tensioner 19 can selectively execute or release the suspension of the timing pulley 17 and the timing belt 16 of the rotation unit 10 of the desired lifting device 1, so that any of the plurality of rotation units 10 can be rotated simultaneously. It is possible to have a system configuration in which it is possible to flexibly select whether to cancel the simultaneous rotation.
In addition, by providing the protruding portion 22 of the rotating shaft 10c and the groove portion 17b of the timing pulley 17, it is possible to reliably transmit or block the rotation of the timing pulley 17 to the rotating shaft 10c. Malfunctions can be avoided.

  Further, the motor 18 is used as a protection means against overheating and breakage, and the current is monitored in the motor 18 so that the torque required for the rotation of the timing belt 16 exceeds the desired allowable torque. It is preferable to provide a torque limiter function that detects and automatically stops the power from the duration. The cause of such an event is that the height of the mounting bases 4 and 4 reaches the upper or lower limit of the lifting / lowering operation of the lifting / lowering device 1 or the lead screw of the rotating part 10 of the lifting / lowering device 1 constituting the lifting / lowering system 1a. It is conceivable that friction is increased by the nut 11a of the horizontal moving part 11 screwed with 10b, or that friction is increased due to engagement between the timing belt 16 and the timing pulley 17, but in any case the motor 18 is automatically By stopping, the cause of the lifting system 1a can be investigated and the cause can be investigated, so that the maintenance of the lifting system 1a can be facilitated and the cost and time for repair can be saved while extending the service life. Is possible.

Next, a plant cultivation system according to Example 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The components shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals in these drawings, and description of the configuration is omitted.
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the lifting device constituting the plant cultivation system according to the third embodiment. The difference from the lifting apparatus described with reference to FIG. 1 is that three lighting fixtures 3 are provided on the lifting bases 4 and 4, and the other configurations are the same. Therefore, the illuminator 3 moves up and down as the elevating pedestals 4 and 4 move up and down. In this figure, three lighting fixtures 3 are installed in a rod shape, but the shape and the number are not particularly limited as long as the lighting fixture 3 can generate light.
In the elevating apparatus 1 constituting the plant cultivation system 1b (see FIG. 5) configured as described above, the elevating pedestal 4 installed below the mounting pedestal 2 is immediately raised and lowered only by manual operation of the manual handle 12. The Therefore, by installing a shelf or the like for cultivating a plant to be cultivated below the elevating pedestal 4 in one elevating device 1, the distance between the lighting device 3 and the plant to be cultivated can be freely changed. Therefore, it is possible to perform an optimal amount of light irradiation corresponding to various growth stages of plants.
Furthermore, although the raising / lowering apparatus 1 is comprised from the attachment base 2, the raising / lowering base 4, the link mechanism arms 6a-6d which form the pantograph structure 5, and the raising / lowering mechanism 7, these are all general members. And since it is a simple structure, the raising / lowering apparatus 1 can be manufactured easily and cheaply. Moreover, since the lighting fixture 3 can change the attachment number and kind suitably, the fine adjustment for uniform light irradiation with respect to the cultivation object plant | planting can be easily performed in combination with the raising / lowering mechanism 7. FIG.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, a description will be given of a plant cultivation system in which the lifting device 1 is connected to form a lifting system, which is used for light irradiation with respect to a plant cultivated on a cultivation shelf. FIG. 5A is a front view of the plant cultivation system according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a front view of a modified example of the third embodiment. Components that are the same as those shown in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
As shown to Fig.5 (a), the plant cultivation system 1b which concerns on the present Example 3 has the three raising / lowering apparatuses 1 similarly forming the horizontal row | line | column similarly to the raising / lowering system 1a demonstrated using FIG. It is installed on the ceiling surface 24 of the beam member 23. The lighting fixture 3 is installed in the raising / lowering bases 4 and 4 of each raising / lowering apparatus 1, The cultivation shelf 20 for cultivating the plant 21 is provided in the downward direction.
The other configuration is the same as that of the lifting system 1a according to the second embodiment. As the operation thereof, the lighting fixture 3 is installed on the lifting base 4 in this embodiment, so that the lifting base 4 moves up and down. It is the same as that of the raising / lowering system 1a which concerns on Example 2 except having the effect | action that the distance of the lighting fixture 3 and the cultivation shelf 20 provided in the downward direction changes.

In the third embodiment configured as described above, the height of the lighting fixture 3 installed on the lifting platform 4 is adjusted in accordance with the growth state of the plant 21, and light having an optimal amount and uniformity with respect to the plant 21. Irradiation is possible. Furthermore, by attaching and detaching the irradiator 3 from the elevating pedestal 4 and exchanging it, it is possible to adjust such that light having a wavelength suitable for the plant 21 being cultivated is appropriately irradiated. Therefore, since the kind of light can also be adjusted, efficient cultivation is possible in the cultivation of the large-scale plant 21.
In addition, the fact that the distance between the plant 21 and the lighting device 3 can be easily changed means that the lighting device 3 can be immediately moved away from the plant as much as possible at the time of harvesting the plant 21 or replacing the cultivation shelf. The work efficiency is good. Since the length of the timing belt 16 can be adjusted according to the number of the rotating parts 10 of the lifting device 1 suspended, the timing belt 16 can be easily adapted to the scale of the plant cultivation system 1b. Flexibility is high for 20 additional floors. The increase in the driving torque associated with the length of the timing belt 16 can be easily handled by increasing the number of motors 18 as shown in FIG. Correspondence is possible.
In addition, since the motor 18 having the timing belt 16 and the timing pulley 17 is provided, the distance between the plants 21 and the lighting fixture 3 in the plurality of cultivation shelves 20 can be shortened at the same time by simply turning on and off the motor 18. It is possible to produce a large amount of plants at the same time without increasing the burden on the operator. Further, by introducing the timing belt 16 and the timing pulley 17, in addition to the horizontal row using the plurality of lifting devices 1, a vertical row, a horizontal row and a vertical row which will be described later with reference to FIG. Such an arrangement can be freely formed. Furthermore, by adopting the timing belt 16 and the timing pulley 17, the distance between the arrangements of the lifting devices 1 can also be set as desired (arbitrary). The arrangement of the lifting devices 1 according to the length of the lighting fixture 3 and the illumination It is possible to deal with the arrangement of the elevating device 1 required from the irradiation unevenness etc. on the plant 21 accompanying the raising and lowering of the tool 3, and it is possible to provide a plant cultivation system 1b that is easy to design and highly flexible. It is.

Furthermore, since the light quantity from the illuminator 3 can be adjusted freely, it is possible to irradiate by setting various optimal irradiation conditions for each type of plant 21 to be cultivated. Therefore, plant growth can be effectively promoted.
In addition, since the tensioner 19 is provided, the driving of the rotating unit 10 can be selectively executed / released or can be executed / released collectively depending on the arrangement of the tensioner 19. That is, since only the desired lifting device 1 can be engaged with or separated from the timing belt 16, plants 21 of different types and growing conditions are mixed in the arrangement of one cultivation shelf 20, and all of these are smoothly operated. It is possible to control and manage fine light quantity, such as being able to grow. For example, since it is possible to cultivate a wide variety of plants 21 little by little, it is possible to respond precisely to market demand.
Furthermore, since any desired one of the plurality of rotating units 10 can be rotated, for example, only the rotating unit 10 whose rotation is released is rotated by the manual handle 12 to perform other rotations. Fine adjustment is possible such that the lighting fixture 3 is set to a height different from that of the unit 10 and is linked to another rotating unit 10 again. Therefore, different types of plants can be grown adjacent to each other at the same time, so that cost reduction and energy efficiency can be improved.
In the present embodiment, the three lifting devices 1 constituting the plant cultivation system 1b are each fixed to the ceiling surface 24 of the beam member 23. However, the present invention is not limited to the beam member 23. If the lighting fixture 3 can be installed and moved up and down, the installation location may be the ceiling surface of the building, or the ceiling surface 24 may be the lower surface of any shelf instead of the beam member 23. Needless to say.

Moreover, the structure of the raising / lowering apparatus which concerns on Example 1 demonstrated so far, the raising / lowering apparatus of the raising / lowering system 1a which concerns on Example 2, and the raising / lowering apparatus of the plant cultivation system 1b which concerns on Example 3 is limited to what is shown to these Examples. Not. For example, the elevating pedestal 4 may be fixed to the ceiling surface of a building or a structure upside down, and the mounting pedestal 2 may move up and down, and the lighting fixture 3 may be installed on this.
Or the mounting base 2 of the raising / lowering apparatus of the plant cultivation system 1b is fixed to a floor surface, the cultivation shelf 20 is installed in the raising / lowering base 4, the lighting fixture 3 is fixed above this cultivation shelf 20, and the cultivation shelf 20 And the distance between the lighting fixtures 3 may be adjusted simultaneously by a plurality of lifting devices 1. In this case, the raising / lowering device 1 of the plant cultivation system 1b of Example 3 is the same in terms of the action and effect relating to the distance between them, except that the raising / lowering relationship between the cultivation shelf 20 and the lighting fixture 3 is reversed. . However, in this case, it is necessary to move the cultivation shelf 20 by the elevating pedestal 4, and since the cultivation shelf 20 is generally heavier than the lighting fixture 3, it is considered that it is not efficient.

Then, the plant cultivation system which concerns on the modification of the present Example 3 is demonstrated, referring FIG.5 (b). As shown in FIG.5 (b), in the plant cultivation system 1b which concerns on a modification, 6 units | sets of the raising / lowering apparatus 1 are connected, a horizontal row | line | column and a vertical row | line | column are formed, one timing belt 16 and two motors 18 is driven. Accordingly, the six lifting devices 1 can simultaneously change the distance between each lighting device 3 and the plant 21 cultivated on the cultivation shelf 20.
In the six lifting devices 1 configured as described above, the upper three units are provided with the mounting base 2 on the ceiling surface 24 of the beam member 23, but the lower three units are the cultivation shelves 20 for growing the plants 21. The mounting base 2 is installed with the lower surface as the ceiling surface 24.
In addition, the timing belt 16 suspended on the six rotating portions 10 is wound around the outside via a timing pulley 17, which matches the screwing direction of the thread groove of the lead screw 10b. For example, the lower three units may be engaged with each other on the upper side of the timing pulley 17, and in this case, the screwing direction of the thread groove of the lead screw 10b may be reversed. In this case, the timing belt 16 contacts the timing pulleys 17 of the upper three units on the back surface and contacts the timing pulleys 17 of the lower three units on the front surface. It is necessary to provide the recess 16a (see FIG. 3A).
Further, since the timing belt 16 is wound around the timing pulley 17, the lower three tensioners 19 are configured to urge the timing belt 16 from below. Of course, when the timing belt 16 is meshed on the upper side of the timing pulley 17, it is desirable that the urging direction of the tensioner 19 is directed from the upper side to the lower side in the same manner as the upper three units.
Also in the modified example of the third embodiment configured as described above, the operation and effect are the same as those of the third embodiment already described.

Next, changes in the distance between the support frame 8 of the lifting device 1 and the lifting platform 4 according to the plant cultivation system 1b will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the plant cultivation system according to the third embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, the three lifting devices 1 that form a horizontal row in the plant cultivation system 1 b have different distances between the support frame 8 and the lifting platform 4. In this state, the timing belt 16 and the timing pulley 17 are disengaged at different points in time, or in addition, after the rotating shaft 10c is rotated by the manual handle 12, the timing belt 16 and the timing pulley are again rotated. This is realized by meshing 17. By rotating the timing belt 16 using the motor 18 from the state shown in FIG. 6, the distance between the lighting device 3 and the plant 21 can be changed at the same time in the three lifting devices 1 while maintaining the difference in the distance. It is possible to exert an excellent effect of being able to.
In addition, when the several lifting apparatus 1 of the plant cultivation system 1b of a present Example forms a vertical row other than a horizontal row | line | column, or a horizontal row | line | column and a vertical row | line | column, by using the tensioner 19, the above-mentioned independent The distance between the support frame 8 and the lift base 4 can be changed.

Furthermore, a plant cultivation system according to Example 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a front view of the plant cultivation apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. In addition, about the component shown in FIG. 1 thru | or 6, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected also in these figures, and description about the structure is abbreviate | omitted.
As shown in FIG. 7, the plant cultivation system 1 c includes a detection unit 25 that detects an interval (L) between the lighting device 3 and a predetermined part of the plant 21 cultivated on the cultivation shelf 20, and a preset interval. Motor 18 is driven such that the reference value (L ₀ ) and the interval (L) detected by the detection unit 25 coincide with each other, and the rotation unit 10 is rotated by driving the motor 18 to move the lift bases 4, 4. And a control unit 26 that moves up and down. In addition, in a present Example, the predetermined site | part of the plant 21 is the uppermost part.

The detection unit 25 includes a laser element 25a and a light receiving unit 25b that receives laser light 25c emitted from the laser element 25a along the horizontal direction. The laser element 25 a and the light receiving unit 25 b are respectively fixed to hanging portions 29 a and 29 b facing each other of the detection unit support frame 29 attached to the illuminator 3. The laser element 25a and the light receiving unit 25b are in a state in which the laser beam 25c is emitted and received at a predetermined time interval, respectively. This time interval may be appropriately set in consideration of the variety and accuracy so as not to affect the growth of the plant. Therefore, it is good also as the state which always emits and receives light. The distance from the upper surface of the detection unit support frame 29 to the laser element 25a or the light receiving unit 25b is set to the same length as the reference value (L ₀ ).
The control unit 26 is installed adjacent to the light receiving unit 25b, and is electrically connected to the light receiving unit 25b so that an output signal of the light receiving unit 25b can be always input. The control unit 26 is electrically connected to the motor 18 so that the output signal can be transmitted to the motor 18.
Moreover, the plant cultivation system 1c is provided with a tensioner 27 instead of the tensioner 19 constituting the lifting system 1a according to the second embodiment. The tensioner 27 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

Next, the tensioner 27 constituting the plant cultivation system 1c according to the fourth embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are front views of the rotating portion of the lifting device in the plant cultivation system according to Example 4, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the tensioner 27 is formed in a substantially L shape, and rollers 27a to 27c and tilting shafts 28d that are pivotally attached to the tensioner 27 via rotation shafts 28a to 28c, respectively. Provided. Among these, the roller 27a and the tilting shaft 28d are attached to the front end surface 8a (see FIG. 4) of the support frame 8 via the attachment member 8d, so that the tensioner 27 is supported by the support frame 8. The attachment member 8d is provided with locking holes C ₁ and C ₂ so that the tilting shaft 28d can be locked. That is, the tilting shaft 28d is locked in one of the locking holes C ₁ and C ₂ so that the tensioner 27 can be tilted about the roller 27a.
Among them, in the case where the tilting shaft 28d is locked to the locking hole _{C 1,} the timing belt 16, the roller 27a, while being pressed from above by 27b, it is pressed from below by the roller 27c. Thereby, the concave portion 16a of the timing belt 16 and the convex portion 17a of the timing pulley 17 are engaged with each other. When tilting the tensioner 27 by manually or electrically to figure outline arrows direction, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the tilting axis 28d is locked to the locking hole C ₂ moves above the mesh The state is completely released.
Also, remove the tilt shaft 28d from the locking hole _{C 1,} even when allowed to slightly move in the direction of the locking hole _{C 2} (tilt shaft 28d is not engaged with the locking hole _{C 2),} and the recess 16a The convex portions 17a are slightly separated from each other and the meshing with each other is released.

Next, the structure which concerns on the plant cultivation system 1c is demonstrated in detail using FIG. FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram of the plant cultivation apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, the output signal of the light receiving unit 25 b is input to the determination unit 26 a that constitutes the constant control unit 26. The control unit 26 determines whether or not the signal from the light receiving unit 25b is received by the determination unit 26a, and drives to raise the elevating pedestals 4 and 4 with respect to the motor 18 only when this signal is not received. Outputs a signal to start. In addition, the case where the signal from the light-receiving part 25b is not received means the case where the laser beam 25c is interrupted by the uppermost part of the plant 21 in which it has grown.

Next, the effect | action of the plant cultivation system 1c which concerns on a present Example is demonstrated. In the plant cultivation system 1c, the control unit drives the motor 18 only when the signal from the light receiving unit 25b is not received, so that the lift bases 4 and 4 start to rise. In this case, the interval (L) and the reference value (L ₀ ) are not directly compared as numerical data in the determination unit 26a, but the interval from the upper surface of the detection unit support frame 29 to the laser element 25a or the light receiving unit 25b. Is set to the same value as the reference value (L ₀ ), the interval (L) is indirectly compared with the interval (L ₀ ), and at the same time, the interval (L) is detected.
Next, when the signal from the light receiving unit 25b is received by the raising of the elevating pedestals 4 and 4, the raising stops. Therefore, the space | interval (L) of the uppermost part of the lighting fixture 3 and the plant 21 expands, and the plant 21 is prevented from contacting the lighting fixture 3 automatically. The lift bases 4 and 4 can be lifted when the timing belt 16 and the timing pulley 17 are engaged with each other by the tensioner 27 (see FIG. 8A). Other actions related to the plant cultivation system 1c are the same as those of the plant cultivation system 1b according to the third embodiment.

Then, the effect | action of the plant cultivation system 1d which concerns on the modification of Example 4 of this invention is demonstrated, referring FIG. FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are a front view of a plant cultivation apparatus according to a modification of Example 4 and a flowchart showing the operation thereof.
As shown to Fig.10 (a), the plant cultivation system 1d which concerns on the modification of Example 4 of this invention is replaced with the laser element 25a and the light-receiving part 25b which comprise the plant cultivation system 1c which concerns on Example 4. A laser distance meter 25d is provided. The laser distance meter 25d is attached to the luminaire 3 and emits a laser beam 25c toward the plant 21 vertically downward. Then, the laser distance meter 25d measures the time from when the laser beam 25c is emitted until it hits the top of the plant 21 and is reflected and reaches the laser distance meter 25d again. The interval (L) until is detected.
A reference value (L ₀ ) parallel to the interval (L) is set in advance and stored in the control unit 26. This reference value (L ₀ ) is used as a criterion for determination when the control unit 26 determines ascending / descending of the elevating pedestals 4 and 4 as will be described later with reference to FIG.
In this modification, the detection unit support frame 29 may not be provided, and the number of the laser distance meters 25d and the installation distance between the laser distance meters 25d are appropriately adjusted according to the type of the plant 21, the cultivation density, and the like. The As described above, when a plurality of laser distance meters 25d are installed, the control unit 26 may calculate an average value of the interval (L) and compare the average value with the reference value (L ₀ ).

As shown in FIG. 10B, when the start signal is input manually or automatically at the start, the interval (L) is detected by the laser distance meter 25d of the detection unit 25 in step S1, and the value (L). Is output to the control unit 26.
Then, in step S2, the control unit 26 compares the size of the interval (L) with the size of the reference value (L ₀ ) in the determination unit 26a, and (1) interval (L) <reference value (L ₀ ). , (2) interval (L) = reference value (L ₀ ), and (3) interval (L)> reference value (L ₀ ), which of the three types is determined. Next, in the case of (1), the control unit 26 outputs a command for driving the elevating pedestals 4 and 4 in a direction to ascend from the current height to the motor 18. Further, in the case of (2), a command for stopping the motor 18 is output so as to maintain the elevating pedestals 4 and 4 at the current height. Further, in the case of (3), a command for driving the motor 18 in a direction to lower the elevating pedestals 4 and 4 from the current height is output.
Further, in step S3, the motor 18 is driven or stopped in accordance with a command from the control unit 26.
When the above steps S1 to S3 are completed, the process returns to the start after a certain time has elapsed, and these steps are repeated again. Other actions related to the plant cultivation system 1d are the same as those of the plant cultivation system 1b according to the third embodiment.

Moreover, the effect of the plant cultivation system 1c which concerns on a present Example is demonstrated. According to the plant cultivation system 1c, since it is not necessary to visually monitor the plant 21 at regular intervals, it is greatly simplified and the operation of a larger plant factory is facilitated. Moreover, since the plant 21 is automatically prevented from being irradiated with light excessively by the illuminator 3, or the leaf is automatically prevented from coming into contact with the surface of the light source that has become high temperature, it is possible to prevent damage such as leaf burning. Therefore, the planned shipment amount can be secured. Furthermore, since an optimal amount of light can be irradiated according to the degree of growth of the plant 21, the growth rate of the plant 21 is increased, and harvesting in a short period is possible.
Further, since the tilting shaft 28d is locked by the locking holes C ₁ and C ₂ , the tensioner 27 reliably switches the engagement or disengagement of the timing belt 16 and the timing pulley 17 even in the case of manual or electric operation. It can be carried out. Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the plant cultivation system 1c. Also, only by removing the tilt shaft 28d from the locking hole C _1, since the meshing of the timing belt 16 and the timing pulley 17 is unlockable, easily and quickly performed to switch the engagement or disengagement particular manual be able to.

  Furthermore, the experimental result showing the effect of the plant cultivation system 1c is demonstrated in detail, referring FIG.11 and FIG.12. 11 (a) and 11 (b) and FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) show the experimental results of the plant cultivation apparatus according to Example 4, respectively.

First, specific test conditions of Experimental Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 will be described.
The test conditions of Experimental Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are as described in the following (1) to (7).
(1) The cultivar of the plant was a fried ice of a leaf lettuce variety.
(2) Cultivation in a fully artificial light plant factory using hydroponics.
(3) The temperature of the air conditioning was 20 ° C., a commercially available nutrient solution was used, the electrical conductivity was set to 2.0 mS / cm, and the pH was set to 5.5 to 6.5.
(4) The lighting fixture 3 was set to four 40W type high frequency lighting system (HF) fluorescent lamps per test section (area 60 cm × 90 cm).
(5) The cultivation period was set until the fresh weight of Experiment Example 1 (weight g / strain at the time of harvest) became a general shipping standard (about 80 g / strain).
(6) Dry matter weight (anabolic weight g of carbohydrate by photosynthesis / strain) was measured by drying for 48 hours or more until it became constant weight using an air dryer set at 90 ° C.
(7) The intervals from the cultivation surface (upper edge of the cultivation shelf 20) to the lower end of the lighting fixture 3 are as follows.
Experimental Example 1: The elevating pedestals 4 and 4 were raised until the distance from the cultivation surface (upper edge of the cultivation shelf 20) to the lower end of the lighting fixture 3 became 14 cm to 20 cm. The distance (L ₀ ) between the lower end of the lighting fixture 3 and the top of the plant 21 was set to 4 cm.
Comparative example 1: The space | interval from a cultivation surface to the lower end of the lighting fixture 3 was fixed to 25 cm. In addition, such a space | interval is 10 cm shorter than 35 cm which is a general space | interval in a plant factory, and is said that workability | operativity is bad.
Comparative Example 2: The distance from the cultivation surface to the lower end of the lighting fixture 3 was fixed to 35 cm. In addition, such an interval is a general interval in a plant factory and is said to have good workability.

Next, specific test conditions of Experimental Examples 2 and 3 and Comparative Example 3 will be described.
Test conditions of Experimental Examples 2 and 3 and Comparative Example 3 are as described in the following (8) and (9) in addition to the above (1) to (4) and (6).
(8) The cultivation period was set until the fresh weight of Comparative Example 3 became a general shipping standard (about 80 g / stock).
(9) The intervals from the cultivation surface to the lower end of the lighting fixture 3 are as follows.
Experimental Example 2: Setting was performed in the same manner as Experimental Example 1.
Experimental Example 3: The elevating pedestals 4 and 4 were raised until the distance from the cultivation surface to the lower end of the lighting fixture 3 was 19 cm to 25 cm. Distance to the top of the lighting fixture 3 lower and Plant 21 (L ₀₎ was set to be 9cm.
Comparative Example 3: The distance from the cultivation surface to the lower end of the lighting fixture 3 was fixed to 35 cm.

As shown in FIG. 11 (a), the fresh weight of Experimental Example 1 is 92.3 (g / strain). On the other hand, the percentages of fresh weight of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 with respect to Experimental Example 1 are about 60% and 50% or less, respectively, and neither of them reaches the general shipping standard weight of 80 g.
Moreover, each dry matter weight is shown in FIG.11 (b). The dry weight of Experimental Example 1 is 4.09 (g / strain). On the other hand, the percentage of dry matter weight with respect to Experimental Example 1 of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 was about 65% and 50%, respectively. That is, in Experimental Example 1, it can be seen that the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the illuminator 3 is improved as compared with Comparative Examples 2 and 3, and photosynthesis is further promoted.

As shown to Fig.12 (a), the fresh weight of Experimental example 2 and Experimental example 3 is 146.6 (g / strain) and 107.9 (g / strain), respectively. On the other hand, the percentage of fresh weight with respect to the comparative example 3 of the experimental example 2 and the experimental example 3 became about 200% and 140%, respectively. In addition, the fresh weight exceeding 100 (g / strain) is comparable to an open field cultivation lettuce.
Moreover, each dry matter weight is shown in FIG.12 (b). The dry weights of Experimental Example 2 and Experimental Example 3 are 5.54 (g / strain) and 4.33 (g / strain), respectively. On the other hand, the percentage of dry matter weight with respect to Comparative Example 3 of Experimental Example 2 and Experimental Example 3 was about 170% and 140%, respectively.
As described above, in Experimental Example 2 and Experimental Example 3, a yield comparable to that of open field cultivated lettuce can be obtained in the cultivation period of the plant factory standard, and the light utilization efficiency and the product competitiveness can be improved. Is possible.

Finally, the effect of the plant cultivation system 1d according to the present embodiment will be described. According to the plant cultivation system 1d, each time the interval (L) detected by the detection unit 25 is compared with the reference value (L ₀ ), the interval between the lighting device 3 and the uppermost part of the plant 21 can be adjusted. Therefore, in addition to being able to prevent the lighting device 3 and the plant 21 from coming into contact with each other, for example, even when a seedling of the plant 21 is newly installed on the cultivation shelf 20, the elevating pedestals 4 and 4 are automatically lowered and illuminated. The distance between the tool 3 and the seedling can be finely adjusted so that the amount of light is optimal for growth. On the other hand, in the plant cultivation system 1c, the elevating pedestals 4 and 4 can only be raised. Therefore, in the plant cultivation system 1d, it can be said that the automation is more advanced and the production efficiency is improved as compared with the plant cultivation system 1c.

Moreover, the structure of the detection part 25 which comprises the plant cultivation system 1c which concerns on Example 4 demonstrated so far is not limited to what is shown in these Examples. For example, an image processing unit may be provided instead of the laser element 25a and the light receiving unit 25b. In this case, the lighting fixture 3, the plant 21, and a reference piece with a known length are photographed at regular intervals, and the interval (L) is calculated by comparison with the reference piece. Moreover, the contact sensor arrange | positioned at mesh shape or branch shape may be provided under the lighting fixture 3, and it may detect that the plant 21 contacted this sensor.
Furthermore, an ultrasonic distance sensor may be provided instead of the laser distance meter 25d constituting the plant cultivation system 1d according to the modification of the fourth embodiment. Further, such a laser distance meter 25d or an ultrasonic distance sensor may be configured to be able to measure a distance by scanning along a rail provided in the illuminator 3, for example. If it is such composition, not only will it measure the distance with reference parts, such as the uppermost part of a plant 21 but also the average distance will be calculated by the determination unit, etc. It is thought that uniform lighting and training will be possible.
In addition, for the detection unit 25 configuring the plant cultivation systems 1c and 1d, for example, a detection unit using electromagnetic waves or sound waves such as infrared rays and radio waves may be used. At this time, the type of electromagnetic wave is not particularly limited.
In addition, in the plant cultivation system 1c which concerns on Example 4, and the plant cultivation system 1d which concerns on the modification of Example 4, although all demonstrated the case where the lighting fixture 3 was installed in the raising / lowering base 4, the cultivation shelf 20 was used. You may install in the raising / lowering base 4. In that case, in the plant cultivation system 1c, even if the detection unit 25 is installed on the elevating pedestal 4 and cannot follow the growth of the plant 21, it cannot be established. By providing the laser element 25a and the laser distance meter 25d in the vicinity of the lighting fixture installed above the cultivation shelf 20 installed on the lifting platform 4, it is possible to control in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. It is. In this case, the elevating pedestal 4 is initially installed upward, and is controlled so that the elevating pedestal 4 descends as the plant 21 grows.
In addition to the plant cultivation system 1d according to the modified example of the fourth embodiment, the cultivation shelf 20 can be similarly installed on the lifting platform 4 when image processing means or an ultrasonic distance sensor is used. As described above, not only when the lighting fixture 3 is placed on the movable lifting platform 4 and fixed above the cultivation shelf 20 fixed, the cultivation shelf 20 is placed on the lifting platform 4 and above it. The plant cultivation system 1d according to the modified example is considered to be superior to the plant cultivation system 1c according to the fourth embodiment from the viewpoint of enabling both cases of raising and lowering below the fixed lighting fixture 3. .

Invention described in claims 1 to 3 is also available as a system in farmers plant cultivation device and plant factory was attached to the inside plastic greenhouse is placed in a large plant factory.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Elevating apparatus 1a ... Elevating system 1b-1d ... Plant cultivation system 2 ... Mounting base 3 ... Illuminating tool 4 ... Elevating base 5 ... Pantograph structure 6a-6d ... Link mechanism arm 7 ... Elevating mechanism 8 ... Support frame 8a ... Front end surface 8b, 8c ... side end surface 8d ... mounting member 9a, 9b, 13a, 13b ... slide hole 10 ... rotating part 10a ... tip part 10b ... lead screw 10c ... rotating shaft 11 ... horizontal moving part 11a ... nut 11b, 11c ... Slide plate 12 ... Manual handle 14a-14e ... Joint 15 ... Coupling body 16 ... Timing belt 16a ... Recess 17 ... Timing pulley 17a ... Convex 17b ... Groove 18 ... Motor 19 ... Tensioner 19a ... Roller 20 ... Cultivation shelf 21 ... Plant 22 ... Projection part 23 ... Beam material 24 ... Ceiling surface 25 ... Detection part 25 a ... laser element 25b ... light receiving unit 25c ... laser beam 25d ... laser distance meter 26 ... control unit 26a ... determining unit 27 ... tensioners 27a-27c ... rollers 28a-28c ... rotating shaft 28d ... tilting shaft 29 ... detecting unit support frame 29a, 29b ... hanging part

Claims (3)

In a plant factory, a plant cultivation system having a lifting system that arranges a plurality of lifting devices horizontally and / or vertically with a certain interval,
The lifting device includes a lifting pedestal, a mounting pedestal, and two pairs of link mechanisms that are loosely attached to these pedestals so that their end portions can move horizontally,
The two pairs of link mechanisms, each forming a pantograph structure intersecting via a joint, is capable of changing the distance between the mounting base and the elevating pedestal,
The mounting pedestal has a rotating member whose surface is threaded, and is screwed to the rotating member and suspended on one end of the two pairs of link mechanisms, and the rotating member rotates horizontally. A horizontal motion member that converts motion ,
The elevating system includes a connecting member that is annularly suspended by the rotating members related to a plurality of units, and a driving member that drives the connecting members to simultaneously rotate the rotating members related to the plurality of units. And
The plant cultivation system fixes the mounting base of the lifting device to a ceiling surface, installs a lighting tool on the lifting base, provides a plant cultivation shelf below the lifting base, the plant cultivation shelf and the lighting tool And simultaneously adjusting the distance with a plurality of the lifting devices,
A detection unit that detects an interval between a predetermined part for the plant grown on the lighting fixture and the plant cultivation shelf, and a preset reference value of the interval and the interval detected by the detection unit match. A controller that drives the driving member to rotate the rotating member by driving the driving member to move the lifting base up and down.
The detection unit includes a laser element and a light receiving unit that receives laser light emitted from the laser element along a horizontal direction. The light receiving unit blocks the laser light by the part of the plant. If not, it receives the laser beam and outputs a signal,
The control unit determines whether or not the signal from the light receiving unit is received, and a signal for starting driving to raise the lift base with respect to the driving member only when the signal is not received. Plant cultivation system characterized by outputting The detection unit includes a laser distance meter instead of the laser element and the light receiving unit,
This laser distance meter is attached to the illuminator, detects the interval and outputs it to the control unit,
Instead of determining whether or not the signal from the light receiving unit is received, the control unit compares the interval output from the laser distance meter with the reference value, and (1) the interval <the interval A reference value, (2) the interval = the reference value, and (3) the interval> the reference value.
In the case of (1) above, a command for driving the drive base in a direction to rise from the current height is output to the drive member, and in the case of (2), the lift base is The drive member is stopped so as to maintain the current height, and in the case of (3), a command to drive the drive member in a direction to lower the lifting base from the current height is output. The plant cultivation system according to claim 1, wherein: In a plant factory, a plant cultivation system having a lifting system that arranges a plurality of lifting devices horizontally and / or vertically with a certain interval,
The lifting device includes a lifting pedestal, a mounting pedestal, and two pairs of link mechanisms that are loosely attached to these pedestals so that their end portions can move horizontally,
  The two pairs of link mechanisms each form a pantograph structure that intersects via a joint, and is configured to be able to change the distance between the lift base and the mounting base,
  The mounting pedestal has a rotating member whose surface is threaded, and is screwed to the rotating member and suspended on one end of the two pairs of link mechanisms, and the rotating member rotates horizontally. A horizontal motion member that converts motion,
The elevating system includes a connecting member that is annularly suspended by the rotating members related to a plurality of units, and a driving member that drives the connecting members to simultaneously rotate the rotating members related to the plurality of units. And
In the plant cultivation system, the mounting base of the lifting device is fixed to a floor surface, a plant cultivation shelf is installed on the lifting base, a lighting tool is provided above the lifting base, the plant cultivation shelf and the lighting tool And simultaneously adjusting the distance between the plurality of lifting devices,
A detection unit that detects an interval between a predetermined part for the plant grown on the lighting fixture and the plant cultivation shelf, and a preset reference value of the interval and the interval detected by the detection unit match. A controller that drives the driving member to rotate the rotating member by driving the driving member to move the lifting base up and down.
The detection unit includes a laser element and a light receiving unit that receives laser light emitted from the laser element along a horizontal direction. The light receiving unit blocks the laser light by the part of the plant. If not, it receives the laser beam and outputs a signal,
The control unit determines whether or not the signal from the light receiving unit is received, and a signal for starting driving to raise the lift base with respect to the driving member only when the signal is not received. Plant cultivation system characterized by outputting