JP6462867B2 - Artificial hydroponics equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus for artificially cultivating plants such as vegetables and fruit vegetables with an LED light source. In particular, the present invention relates to an artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus that enables so-called three-dimensional cultivation in which a plant is supported substantially vertically or inclined.

In recent years, there have been attempts to industrialize agriculture through mechanization. Agriculture is an important industrial field with an important mission of supplying food to the people. However, the reality is that agriculture still relies heavily on traditional manual farming. However, the conventional labor-centric farming work itself can be automated through various mechanizations. However, the major limitations in the industrialization of agriculture are the point that depends on natural conditions such as the weather and the need for vast land.
Cultivation in the field depends on the weather, even if there is an enclosure like a greenhouse. For example, the yield is often not stable depending on natural conditions such as damage such as long rain, cold damage, and damage caused by pests.

  Therefore, in order to remove restrictions such as natural conditions such as the weather, a so-called “plant factory” in which crops are cultivated not in the outdoors but in the building is beginning to appear. Buildings are not simply surrounded by open-field fields like vinyl houses, but there are cases where buildings completely separated from the outdoor environment are used, such as buildings for factories. Hydroponics and artificial lighting are important points in operating this “plant factory”. That is, supply technology for moisture, nutrients, oxygen, etc. to the roots, and sunshine supply technology to the leaves.

  In the traditional planting method, the supply of moisture, sales, oxygen, etc. to the roots was supplied through “soil”. However, since it is difficult to handle soil by depositing it indoors, a technique called “hydroponics” that supplies only water containing nutrients and oxygen without using the soil is suitable. Hydroponics usually involves planting a plant on a sponge, and the root of the plant is always immersed in the nutrient solution. This nutrient solution contains moisture, nutrients, oxygen and the like. There are many types in which this nutrient solution is appropriately circulated.

  In traditional planting methods, sunshine is supplied to the leaves by cultivating them in the open field and directing natural light directly on the leaves, or indirectly by using the ceiling as a translucent substance even indoors such as in a greenhouse. Either by hitting the leaves. However, since natural light depends on the weather, it is preferable to substitute stable artificial lighting. In recent years, LED lighting has been widely used as stable lighting. Then, the cultivation method using LED illumination is proposed (patent document 1: JP, 2010-178682, A).

JP 2010-178682 A

As mentioned above, planting technology in buildings called “plant factories” that are not restricted by natural conditions such as the weather has been researched and developed. The problem is that the required area is large.
In other words, a large planting area is required to obtain a sufficient yield of agricultural products, but the cost of procuring land and the cost of building a building are significant. As for the land, it is difficult to secure a sufficient land area in the suburbs of the city, and the procurement cost of the land becomes considerably large. Furthermore, if the building is large-scale, the construction cost of the building will be high.

In particular, planting techniques in buildings called “plant factories” are required for strawberry cultivation.
Strawberry cultivated in the open space has the following problems.
Strawberries are classified as “one-season strawberry varieties” that bear fruit from winter to spring, and “four-season strawberry varieties” that bear fruit from summer to autumn.
The varieties that are formed in one season are varieties that do not flower unless the temperature is low. Seedlings of seasonal varieties do not grow and bloom after low temperature and day length dormancy after flower bud differentiation. For this reason, strawberries are harvested in early spring in outdoor cultivation.
Here, a cultivation method called “dormant treatment” is adopted to adjust the harvest time of strawberries in the field cultivation of strawberry varieties of seasonal varieties. For example, in the summer, seedlings are refrigerated in a refrigerator, or grown in a cool area such as a plateau, allowing them to experience low-temperature treatment (spring treatment) and dormancy (forced winter) by shading. The harvest time can be adjusted from late October to around the following May.
On the other hand, it is said that it is difficult to reach the harvest time after May for the sexual varieties. So in fact, most of the strawberries sold at that time depend on imports. In order to harvest strawberries during this period, it is necessary to cultivate strawberry cultivars that can produce flower buds even under relatively high temperatures and long hours of sunshine. However, since the seasonal varieties currently being cultivated are vulnerable to the heat itself, the cultivation of strawberry of the seasonal varieties is cool even in the summer if it is open-sealed cultivation, for example, cooling above 700 meters above sea level. Land is suitable, and cultivation is limited.
Even a strawberry made in one season can be expected to be harvested year-round if it is a so-called “plant factory” that controls temperature and sunshine.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method capable of economically cultivating agricultural products with limited land area and building area. Moreover, it aims at providing the apparatus and method which can control the sunlight conditions suitable for a cultivation plant also about sunlight.

  In order to achieve the above object, an artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to the present invention includes a plant support frame for supporting a plant and a group of LED light sources arranged to face the plant support frame. An artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus comprising a support frame and cultivating the plant with an LED light source, wherein the plant support frame is arranged side by side with substantially vertical or inclined, and is supplied from near the top A plurality of columnar pipe bodies that flow the culture solution downward; a plurality of openings that provide openings in a portion of the wall surfaces of the columnar pipe bodies that face the LED light source group support frame; and the opening bodies The plant includes a planting filler for fitting and stabilizing the plant with respect to the opening provided, and the LED light source group support frame is fitted into the opening of the plant support frame. To face the plant A plurality of LED light source groups provided, and a slide mechanism that allows one or both of the plant support frame and the LED light source group support frame to slide, the plant and the LED light source group It is an artificial hydroponic cultivation device characterized in that the relative position can be changed.

  The artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention is capable of planting a necessary number of strains by enabling planting in a substantially vertical or inclined structure in a building, and for moisture and nutrients necessary for roots. It supplies oxygen necessary for the leaves as well as supplying oxygen, and it can be called a so-called vertical artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus. Moreover, switching control between the pseudo sunshine state and the pseudo night state for the plant is possible by the change in the relative position between the plant and the LED light source using the slide mechanism.

  The inventor believes that for plants, simulated sunshine conditions are important for photosynthesis of starch in the leaves, and simulated night conditions are important for the starch synthesized in the leaves to be transported and stored in the fruit. As we proceeded with our research, we found out that it is important to control switching between "pseudo sunshine state" and "pseudo night state" efficiently.

In order to introduce efficient switching control between “pseudo sunshine state” and “pseudo night state”, when the length in the slide direction by the slide mechanism of the support area of the plant support in the plant support frame is 2L, It is preferable that the length in the sliding direction of the support region of the LED light source group on the LED light source group support frame side is L. In other words, if the support area of the plant is divided into two in the length direction and considered as the first planting area and the second planting area, the LED light source group supports the plant by slide movement by the slide mechanism. While facing the first planting region of the frame, the first planting region is in the pseudo sunshine state, and since the LED light source group does not face the second planting region, it is in the pseudo night state. ing. If the LED light source group support frame is moved by the slide movement, the LED light source group is opposed to the second planting area of the plant support frame, and it is switched to the pseudo sunshine state. Since the LED light source groups do not face each other, the state is switched to the pseudo night state. In this way, the two can be switched alternately and efficiently.
In the artificial cultivation of strawberries described in the above problem, management of sunshine hours is also important. However, in the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, management of sunshine hours can be easily performed.

Here, it is necessary that an appropriate amount of the culture solution is supplied to the roots.
The first supply method includes a culture solution supply device that introduces a culture solution into the columnar pipe body, and the culture solution supply device sprays or sprays the culture solution onto the columnar pipe body at a predetermined pressure. With this configuration, an appropriate amount of the culture solution is sprayed or sprayed, and the supply amount can be stably controlled.
In the second supply method, a dropping hole is provided above the columnar pipe body, the periphery of the dropping hole is formed in a funnel shape, and the culture solution pumped from the culture solution supply apparatus is guided to the dropping hole, The culture solution is dropped into the columnar pipe body. With this configuration, an appropriate amount of the culture solution is accumulated in the funnel, and the dripping amount is more stable and easier to control than simply piercing.

Next, in the above-described vertical type artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus, it is possible to plant on both sides of the plant support frame in order to achieve a more efficient arrangement.
The first type has a columnar pipe body provided substantially vertically in a plant support frame, and the first LED light source group support frame and the second LED light source group support frame are sandwiched between the plant support frames. The structure is arranged so as to face each other. If the columnar pipe body is erected vertically, the front and back surfaces have the same conditions, and so-called both surfaces are used as a planting area. Therefore, it is assumed that the opening has openings on both sides. That is, it is possible to employ a joint having an opening having two openings, an opening facing the first LED light source group support frame and an opening facing the second LED light source group support frame.
The second type is a plant support frame, in which the columnar pipe body is provided so as to be inclined in a substantially vertical plane, and the first LED light source group support frame and the second so as to sandwich the plant support frame. The LED light source group support frames are arranged facing each other.
In the third type, two so-called single-sided planting areas are arranged so-called back to back. That is, in the planting support frame, the columnar pipe body is provided to be inclined outward from the substantially vertical surface, and the LED light source group support frame is provided to be inclined so as to face the inclination of the columnar pipe body. It is a so-called single-sided type, and the combination of this single-sided type plant support frame and LED light source group support frame is set as one set, and the two sets are arranged in combination so that the back faces face each other in a mountain shape. Is.

  Next, in order to solve the above problem, the artificial hydroponic cultivation method of the present invention was disposed so as to face the plant support frame for supporting the plant and the plant support frame. An artificial hydroponic cultivation method for cultivating the plant with an LED light source using an LED light source group support frame, and culturing from the upper part of a plurality of columnar pipe bodies arranged side by side with a substantially vertical or inclined shape The liquid is allowed to flow downward, an opening is attached to a part of the wall surface of the columnar pipe body that faces the LED light source group support frame, an opening is provided, and a planting filler is filled in the opening body. The plant is fitted together, and the LED light source group support frame is provided with a plurality of LED light source groups so as to face the plant, and the plant support frame and the LED light source group support frame. Either The slide mechanism that allows one or both of them to slide is capable of changing the relative position of the plant and the LED light source group, and gives an interval between the pseudo sunshine state and the pseudo night state for the plant. It is an artificial hydroponics method characterized by this.

  If artificial hydroponics is carried out by the above method, the necessary number of strains can be planted by making it possible to plant a substantially vertical or inclined structure in the building, so that it can be cultivated in a so-called vertical type. .

  According to the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to the present invention, the necessary number of strains can be planted by enabling planting in a substantially vertical or inclined structure in a building, and moisture necessary for roots can be increased. In addition to supplying nutrients and oxygen, it supplies the necessary lighting to the leaves, enabling so-called vertical artificial hydroponics. Moreover, the change control of the relative position of the plant and the LED light source using the slide mechanism enables switching control between the pseudo sunshine state and the pseudo night state for the plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the figure which showed simply the example of a structure of the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 concerning Example 1 of this invention. It is the figure which extracted the part centering on a columnar pipe body from the planting support frame 100, and showed the mode of circulation of an internal culture solution in a cross-section clearly. It is a figure which takes out the opening body 130 and demonstrates simply. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the example of the wavelength range of the light which the LED element of LED light source group 210 irradiates, and the sugar content of a strawberry. It is a figure explaining a mode that the planting support frame 100 and the LED light source group support frame 200 are relatively moved by the slide mechanism. It is the figure which showed simply the example of a structure of the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1a concerning Example 2. FIG. It is the figure which extracted the part centering on the columnar pipe body 120a among the planting support frames 100a concerning Example 2, and showed the state of circulation of an internal culture solution in an easy-to-understand manner. It is the figure which took out and showed the opening body 130a. It is FIG. (1) explaining a mode that both of LED light source group support frame 200a1 and 200a2 are moved relatively. It is FIG. (2) explaining a mode that both of LED light source group support frame 200a1 and 200a2 are relatively moved. It is the figure which showed simply the example of a structure of the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1b concerning Example 3 of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of a structure of the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1c concerning Example 4 simply. It is the figure which extracted the part centering on columnar pipe body 120c1 and 120c2 among the planting support frames 100c concerning Example 4, and showed the mode of circulation of an internal culture solution in a cross-section clearly. It is FIG. (1) explaining a mode that both the LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2 are relatively moved. It is FIG. (2) explaining a mode that both the LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2 are relatively moved. It is a figure which shows the artificial water culture apparatus of the prior art disclosed by Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2014-212701.

The artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples.
Hereinafter, a planting area of a so-called single-sided type will be described as Example 1, a planting area of a so-called double-sided type and a columnar pipe body being substantially vertical will be described as Example 2, and planting as Example 3 The planting area will be described as a so-called double-sided type and columnar pipe bodies are combined with an inclination.

FIG. 1 is a diagram simply showing a configuration example of an artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 according to Example 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing the inside of the planting support frame 100 in an easy-to-understand manner by extracting a part centered on the columnar pipe body.
As shown in FIG. 1, the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 includes a plant support frame 100, an upper support frame 110, a columnar pipe body 120, an opening body 130, a plant filling 140, a lower horizontal pipe body 150, and a culture solution. A supply device 160, an LED light source group support frame 200, an LED light source group 210, and a slide mechanism 300 are provided. A plant 400 is also illustrated. Each member is shown in a range necessary for understanding the present invention, and mechanical parts and the like are simply illustrated or omitted in some parts. Other accessory members are not shown.

  The planting support frame 100 is a frame for planting and supporting a plant, and includes an upper support frame 110, a columnar pipe body 120, an opening body 130, and a planting filling 140 as components. Yes. As a whole, it stands upright in a so-called vertical type, and is disposed so as to face the LED light source group support frame 200.

  The upper support frame 110 is located above the planting support frame 100 and is disposed substantially horizontally, and supports the columnar pipe body 120.

The columnar pipe body 120 is a pipe body that communicates with the upper support frame 110 and is arranged side by side with a substantially vertical or inclined direction downward. In this example, they are provided substantially vertically, and a plurality of them are arranged in parallel.
In this configuration example, the horizontal width of the entire planting region in which the columnar pipe bodies 120 are arranged in parallel and the planted object 400 is planted is “2L”.
The inside of the columnar pipe body 120 has a pipe shape, and the culture solution supplied from the culture solution supply device 160 to the columnar pipe body 120 is dropped. As shown in FIG. 2, the culture solution pumped up by the culture solution supply device 160 slowly flows down from the top to the bottom in the columnar pipe body 120.
Moreover, it is preferable that the inside of the columnar pipe body 120 is filled with not only the culture solution but also air. Since roots can contact not only the culture solution but also air, roots and leaves grow better.

  FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C are diagrams showing examples of introducing the culture solution from the culture solution supply device 160 to the columnar pipe body 120. The example of FIG. 2B is an example in which a drip hole 111 is provided and dropped in the supply from the culture solution supply device 160 to each columnar pipe body 120. The periphery of the hole is finished in a funnel shape so that a certain amount of culture solution can be surely dropped, so that a certain amount of culture solution is always collected in the dropping hole 111. In the example of FIG. 2C, the culture solution supply device 160 includes a spray injection device 112 instead of the dropping hole 111, and the culture solution is supplied from the spray injection device 112 to each columnar pipe body 120. It is also possible to adopt a mechanism. The culture solution can be supplied at a predetermined pressure through the spray injection device 112, and the culture solution becomes a shower and goes down in the columnar pipe body 120, so that the fall time can be kept long.

  The opening body 130 is attached to a part of the wall surface of the columnar pipe body 120 facing the LED light source group support frame 200, and provides the opening 133. In this example, a plurality of openings 130 are provided in each columnar pipe body 120 on the front side in FIG. FIG. 2D shows a cross section from the side so that the state of the opening 130 can be easily understood, and the right side in the figure is the front side.

  The planting filling 140 is a filling member for fitting and stabilizing the planting 400 with respect to the opening which the opening body 130 provides, as shown in FIG.2 (d). Any material can be used as long as it can be supported while penetrating the roots of the plant, for example, a sponge-like material, a net-like material, a foamed material, a porous material, or the like.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the opening 130 taken out. In the configuration example of FIG. 3, the opening 130 serves as a part of the columnar pipe body 120 and is a so-called joint-shaped member. In the configuration example of FIG. 3, there are a main pipe 131 that forms a part of the columnar pipe body 120, a side pipe 132 that branches from the main pipe 131 to the side, and an opening 133. The inside of the opening 133 is filled with a planting filling 140.
The plant 400 is planted in the plant filling 140, but leaves are planted so that the leaves go out from the openings 133 and the roots extend toward the columnar pipe body 120. To do.

  The lower horizontal pipe body 150 is located below the plant support frame 100 and is supported substantially horizontally. The inside is in the form of a pipe and communicates with the lower side of each columnar pipe body 120, accepts the culture solution dropped from the columnar pipe body 120, and circulates it to the culture solution supply device 160. In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the received culture solution slowly flows into the culture solution supply device 160 from the left side to the right side in the drawing.

  The culture fluid supply device 160 circulates the culture fluid, is a device that pumps the culture fluid and flows it into the columnar pipe body 120 and receives the culture fluid collected in the lower horizontal pipe body 150. In addition, since the culture solution is gradually consumed by being absorbed from the roots of the planted plants or partially evaporated, it must be appropriately supplied from the outside. Although the place which supplies the culture solution adjusted from the outside is not limited, in this structural example, it can supply by injecting with respect to the culture solution supply apparatus 160. FIG.

  The LED light source group support frame 200 is a frame that supports the LED light source group. As a constituent member, an LED light source group 210 is provided. As a whole, it is erected in a so-called vertical type, and is disposed so as to face the plant support frame 100.

The LED light source group 210 includes a plurality of LEDs, and an irradiation surface is provided to face the plant support frame 100. A number of LED elements are arranged in the LED light source group to form an irradiation surface, and the width of the irradiation surface is “L”.
The LED element of the LED light source group 210 is preferably one that emits light in a wavelength band effective for photosynthesis.
Further, a configuration in which a lens is attached to the front surface of the LED light source group 210 is also preferable. It is preferable that the irradiated light is efficiently irradiated to the leaves of the plant without diffusing the light outward, so if the structure is accompanied by a lens, the light spreading outward is refracted to increase the amount of light on the opposite surface. can do.

  When adjusting irradiation light using an LED light source, it is preferable to use synthetic light obtained by mixing irradiation light of three types of LED elements, a red LED element, a green LED element, and a blue LED element. The present inventor studied how to adjust the wavelength and intensity of irradiation light of three types of LED elements as irradiation light suitable for plant photosynthesis.

A strawberry was studied as an example of planted matter.
Even when strawberry grows by sunlight in an open field, it does not use light of all wavelengths contained in natural light evenly, and it seems that there are multiple wavelength bands of light that are required. The biological reaction that occurs in the plant called strawberry and its causal relationship are complicated and not all have been elucidated, but there is also the necessary light in the wavelength band of the light emitted by the red LED element, green There is also necessary light in the wavelength band of light emitted by the LED element, and there is also necessary light in the wavelength band of light emitted by the blue LED element. Generally, the wavelength range of irradiation light of a red LED element is about 640-700 nm, the wavelength range of irradiation light of a green LED is about 520-560 nm, and the wavelength range of irradiation light of a blue LED is about 440-480 nm.

Hereinafter, the relationship between the relative ratio of the wavelength of each LED element and the sugar content in the strawberry fruit was examined. As an experiment, a red LED element irradiates a wavelength of about 640 nm, a green LED element irradiates a wavelength of about 530 nm, and a blue LED element irradiates a wavelength of about 460 nm.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an example of a wavelength band of light irradiated by the LED elements of the LED light source group 210 and sugar content of strawberries.
In FIG. 4, a numerical value is the relative light quantity of the color which occupies the light quantity of irradiation light. For example, if there is a red LED element 50%, a green LED element 30%, and a blue LED element 20%, the included red (wavelength of about 640 nm) is 50% of the light amount of the irradiation light 100%, This means that green (wavelength of about 530 nm) is 30% and blue (wavelength of about 460 nm) is 20%.
As a result of the experiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the composition of light with the highest sugar content of the strawberry fruit is 50% for red, 25% for green, and 25% for blue. Irradiation light included in proportions has been found to be preferred.
Referring to FIG. 4, in the LED light source group 210, it is preferable that the amount of irradiation light of the red LED element is at least 40% or more in consideration of a certain margin. Moreover, it is preferable that the light quantity of the irradiation light of a green LED element is ensured 10% or more. The amount of light emitted from the blue LED element is preferably greater than the amount of light from the green LED element, preferably 20% or more.
Here, as a configuration example of the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 of Example 1, as the LED elements of the respective colors included in the LED light source group 210, the respective light amounts are 50% red light amount, 25% green light amount, and blue color. It is assumed that the number and arrangement of each element are devised so that the ratio is 25%.

Next, the slide mechanism 300 will be described.
The slide mechanism 300 is a device that allows one or both of the plant support frame 100 and the LED light source group support frame 200 to be slidable. In this example, the LED light source group support frame 200 side slides relative to the plant support frame 100.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the planting support frame 100 and the LED light source group support frame 200 are relatively moved by the slide mechanism 300.
In FIG. 5, the planting region that supports the plant of the plant support frame 100 is divided into two regions along the slide direction so that the effect of the slide movement is easily understood. The length of the entire planting area of the plant support frame 100 is set to “2L”, and is divided into two areas of the first planting area 101 and the second planting area 102, and each length is divided into two areas. “L”.
On the other hand, the width of the LED light irradiation surface of the LED light source group 210 in the LED light source group support frame 200 is “L”.

In the state of FIG. 5A, the LED light source group support frame 200 is on the left side in the drawing, and the LED light irradiation surface of the LED light source group 210 faces the first planting region 101. On the other hand, the LED light source group 210 is not opposed to the second planting region 102 and is not irradiated with LED light.
5B is a state in which the LED light source group support frame 200 is slid to the right side by the operation of the slide mechanism 300 from the state of FIG. 5A, and the LED light source group support frame 200 is on the right side in the drawing. The LED light irradiation surface of the LED light source group 210 is opposed to the second planting region 102. On the other hand, the LED light source group 210 is not opposed to the first planting region 101 and is not irradiated with LED light.
Note that the above operation is a reversible operation, and conversely, it is possible to return from the state of FIG. 5B to the state of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, if the slide mechanism 300 is used, the plant 400 planted on the plant support frame 100 and the LED of the LED light source group support frame 200 are used. The relative position with respect to the light source group 210 can be changed, and the irradiation state and non-irradiation state of the LED irradiation light with respect to the plant 400 can be switched. The irradiation state of the LED irradiation light is a “pseudo sunshine state”, and the non-irradiation state of the LED irradiation light is a “pseudo night state”.

  In this way, by adjusting the width of the plant support frame 100 and the width of the LED light source group support frame 200, LED light is easily irradiated to a part of the planting region of the plant support frame 100. However, the other planting region can be controlled not to irradiate the LED light, and if the slide mechanism 300 is used, the planting region where the LED light source group support frame 200 is easily slid to irradiate the LED light. Can be switched.

Next, the effect of switching the planting area where the LED light source group support frame 200 is slid and irradiated with the LED light as described above will be described.
A strawberry was studied as an example of planted matter.
The sugar content of strawberries is made from starch synthesized by photosynthesis, but the sugar content does not increase simply by irradiating with intense light continuously for 24 hours. The biological reactions that occur in the plant called strawberry and its causal relationship are complicated and not all have been elucidated, but the leaves are irradiated with light of the required wavelength to synthesize the starch by photosynthesis. In addition to the period to do so, it was found that there was a need for a period in which starch synthesized in the leaves and nutrients absorbed by the roots were transported to the fruit and accumulated in the fruit. It was found that the former was mainly performed during daylight hours and the latter was mainly performed during nighttime non-sunshine periods. That is, when artificially cultivating strawberries using the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1, not only the creation of “pseudo-sunshine” using LED elements, but also the darkness that does not actively apply the irradiation light of LED elements. It was found that the accumulation of sugar and nutrients in the strawberry fruit would not increase unless a “pseudo-night state” was created.

The creation of the “pseudo sunshine state” and the creation of the “pseudo night state” may be controlled by switching the LED elements to be turned on all at once and the state to be turned off all at once, but the slide mechanism 300 described in the first embodiment is used. If the slide movement used is performed, the number of LED elements required for the same amount of planted material is only half, which is advantageous.
As described above, as the first embodiment, the planting area is a so-called single-sided type.

As a second embodiment, a planting area having a so-called double-sided type and a columnar pipe body being substantially vertical will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram simply illustrating a configuration example of the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the section of the circulation of the culture medium inside the plant support frame 100a according to the second embodiment in an easy-to-understand manner by extracting a portion centering on the columnar pipe body 120a.
6 is a front view of the apparatus, and a lower stage of FIG. 6 is a rear view of the apparatus. In addition, since this apparatus uses both sides as a plant, there is no particular difference between the front and the back, and the front and back in FIG. 6 are directions for convenience. FIG. 7A is a view from the front, but FIG. 7B shows a cross section from the side so that the inside can be easily understood.

As shown in FIG. 6, the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1a includes a plant support frame 100a, an upper support frame 110, a columnar pipe body 120, an opening body 130a, a plant filling 140, a lower horizontal pipe body 150, and a culture solution. A supply device 160, LED light source group support frames 200a1 and 200a2, an LED light source group 210, and a slide mechanism 300a are provided. Compared with the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 shown in Example 1, two LED light source group support frames 200a1 and 200a2 are provided, and the opening 130a has openings 133a1 and 133a2 on both sides, and both sides thereof. Planted object 400 is planted. The slide mechanism 300a is also a mechanism that can slide both the LED light source group support frames 200a1 and 200a2.
Here, as in the first embodiment, each member is shown in a range necessary for understanding the present invention, and mechanical parts and the like are simply shown or omitted in the drawing itself. There is also. Other accessory members are not shown.

  The upper support frame 110, the columnar pipe body 120a, the planting filler 140, the lower horizontal pipe body 150, and the culture solution supply device 160, which are the members of the planted support frame 100a, are the same as those in the first embodiment. The description in is omitted.

  The columnar pipe body 120a is a pipe body that is supported by the upper support frame 110 and arranged side by side substantially vertically downward, as in the first embodiment, and is supplied from the culture solution supply device 160 to the columnar pipe body 120a. The mechanism of dropping the culture solution is the same, but in this example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the opening body 130a is different, and the openings 133a1 and 133a2 are provided on both sides. In the process of slowly flowing down from the top to the bottom of the figure, the culture solution is supplied to each plant 400 in the openings 133a1 and 133a2.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing the opening 130a taken out. In the configuration example of FIG. 8, the opening 130 a also serves as a part of the columnar pipe body 120 a and is a so-called joint-shaped member. In the configuration example of FIG. 8, there are a main pipe 131a that forms part of a columnar pipe body 120a, a side pipe 132a1 and a side pipe 132a2 that branch from the main pipe 131a to both sides, and an opening 133a1 and an opening 133a2. . The inside of each of the opening 133a1 and the opening 133a2 is filled with the planting filling 140, and the planting thing 400 is planted respectively. Thus, the planted material is planted on both surfaces of the columnar pipe body 120.

Next, the arrangement of the LED light source group support frames 200a1 and 200a2 will be described.
The LED light source group support frames 200a1 and 200a2 are arranged to face each other so as to sandwich the plant support frame 100a. Thus, if two LED light source group support frames 200a1 and 200a2 are arranged on both sides so as to sandwich the plant support frame 100a, both surfaces of the plant support frame 100a are irradiated from the LED light source group 210. And the area of the planting area can be doubled.
The slide mechanism 300a is a mechanism that slides both the LED light source group support frames 200a1 and 200a2.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating a state in which both the LED light source group support frames 200a1 and 200a2 are moved relative to the plant support frame 100a by the slide mechanism 300a. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a change on the front side, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a change on the back side.
Similarly to Example 1, also in FIGS. 9 and 10, the length of the entire planting region of the plant support frame 100a is “2L”, and the first planting is performed so that each length becomes “L”. A planting area 101 and a second planting area 102 are formed. The width of the LED light irradiation surface of the LED light source group 210 in the LED light source group support frames 200a1 and 200a2 is “L”.

  9 (a) and 10 (a) show that the LED light source group support frames 200a1 and 200a2 are on the left side, and the LED light source of the LED light source group support frame 200a1 with respect to the first planting region 101a1. The group 210 faces and the LED light source group 210 of the LED light source group support frame 200a2 faces the first planting region 101a2. On the other hand, neither LED light source group 210 is opposed to the second planting region 102a1 and the second planting region 102a2, and the LED light is not irradiated.

9B and 10B, the LED light source group support frame 200a1 and the LED light source group support frame 200a2 are moved from the states of FIGS. 9A and 10A by the operation of the slide mechanism 300a. Both are slid to the right. The LED light source group 210 of the LED light source group support frame 200a1 faces the second planting region 102a1, and the LED light source group 210 of the LED light source group support frame 200a2 faces the second planting region 102a2. It has become. On the other hand, neither LED light source group 210 is opposed to the first planting region 101a1 and the first planting region 101a2, and the LED light is not irradiated.
Note that the above operation is a reversible operation, and conversely, it is possible to return to the state shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, if the slide mechanism 300a is used, the plant 400 planted on both sides of the plant support frame 100a, the LED light source group 210 of the LED light source group support frame 200a, The relative position can be changed, and the irradiation state and non-irradiation state of the LED irradiation light with respect to the plant 400 can be switched.

  The artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1a according to Example 2 has a so-called double-sided planting area, and can radiate light from the LED light source group 210 on both sides of the plant support frame 100a. The area of the planting region can be doubled while suppressing the increase, and the yield can be increased.

In Example 3, the planting region is a so-called double-sided type, and the columnar pipe body is provided so as to be inclined substantially vertically, and the first LED light source group support frame and the second so as to sandwich the plant support frame. An example in which the LED light source group support frames are arranged to face each other will be described.
FIG. 11 is a diagram simply showing a configuration example of the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1b according to Example 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram simply illustrating a configuration example of the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1b according to the third embodiment.
The upper part of FIG. 11 is a front view of the apparatus, and the lower part of FIG. 11 is a rear view of the apparatus. In addition, since this apparatus uses both sides as a plant, it is an example in which there is no difference between the front and the back. The front and back of FIG. 11 are directions for convenience.

As shown in FIG. 11, the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1b includes a plant support frame 100b, an upper support frame 110, a columnar pipe body 120b, an opening body 130b, a planting filling 140, a lower horizontal pipe body 150, and a culture solution. A supply device 160, LED light source group support frames 200b1 and 200b2, an LED light source group 210, and a slide mechanism 300b are provided.
This Example 3 is different from the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1a shown in Example 2 in that the columnar pipe body 120b is inclined from the upper right direction to the lower left direction in the drawing. In this example, as shown in FIG. 11, the columnar pipe body 120b is inclined in the vertical plane.

The opening surface of the opening 130b may be inclined in accordance with the inclination of the columnar pipe body 120b, and the opening surface may be opened obliquely or horizontally. There are two openings 133b1 and 133b2 of the opening body 130b, which are provided on both surfaces of the columnar pipe body 120b, and the planted object 400 is planted on both surfaces.
Further, the LED light source group support frame may be the same as that of the second embodiment, and is equipped with two LED light source group support frames 200b1 and 200b2, and the slide mechanism 300b also includes both the LED light source group support frames 200b1 and 200b2. It is a mechanism that can be slid.
Except these, it may be the same as that of Example 1 or Example 2, and description here is abbreviate | omitted.

Since the columnar pipe body 120b is provided in the planted support frame 100b so as to be inclined in the plane through which the upper support frame 110 passes, the passage time and the opening of the culture solution are compared with those in the first or second embodiment. The arrangement direction of the body 130b is different from the growth direction of the planted matter.
Since the columnar pipe body 120b is provided with an inclination, the culture liquid supplied from the culture liquid supply device 160 flows down in an oblique direction along the wall surface of the columnar pipe body 120b, so that the passage time becomes longer and planting is performed. It becomes easy to be supplied to the roots of things.

  In addition, the growth direction of the root of the plant is affected by the direction of gravity, but if the openings 130b are arranged vertically, if the root of the plant on the top grows, the root of the plant grows easily. However, in this Example 3, since the columnar pipe body 120b is provided with an inclination, even if the root of the upper plant is extended, the plant is directly below because it is displaced from the lower plant. It becomes difficult to get on.

In addition, there is an effect that a pseudo slope can be provided while the floor installation area is the same as in the first and second embodiments. In the natural world, it is difficult for natural plants to propagate naturally on cliffs, but it is preferable to provide pseudo-slopes where slopes and banks are naturally breeding. If the pseudo-slope is provided outward by inclining the columnar pipe body 120b from the surface of the upper support frame 110 to the outside, the floor installation area becomes larger than those in the first and second embodiments. End up. However, when the columnar pipe body 120b is inclined in the plane of the upper support frame 110 to provide a pseudo-slope as in the third embodiment, the floor installation area is the same as that in the first and second embodiments. Yes, it can be installed compactly.
The third embodiment is an example in which the columnar pipe body 120b is inclined in the left-right direction in the vertical plane, but a configuration in which the columnar pipe body 120b is inclined in the left-right direction in the inclined plane is also possible. It is.

  As Example 4, the planting area is a so-called double-sided type and the columnar pipe bodies are combined with an inclination. The artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus of Example 4 is provided such that the columnar pipe body is inclined in the planting support frame, and the LED light source group support frame is inclined so as to face the inclination of the columnar pipe body. These opposing plant support frames are the backs together.

FIG. 12 is a diagram simply illustrating a configuration example of the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1c according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 shows the arrangement of the constituent members and the culture medium inside the columnar pipe bodies 120c1 and 120c2 and the LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2 in the plant support frame 100c according to the fourth embodiment. It is the figure which showed the mode of circulation.
The upper part of FIG. 12 is a front view of the apparatus, and the lower part of FIG. 12 is a rear view of the apparatus. In addition, since this apparatus uses both surfaces as a plant, there is no particular difference between the front and the back, and the front and back in FIG. 12 are directions for convenience. FIG. 13B shows a side cross section.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1c includes a planting support frame 100c, upper support frames 110c1 and 110c2, columnar pipe bodies 120c1 and 120c2, openings 130c1 and 130c2, and a planting filling 140. , Lower horizontal pipe bodies 150c1 and 150c2, a culture solution supply device 160, LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2, an LED light source group 210, and a slide mechanism 300c. Compared to the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1 shown in Example 1, there are two sets of columnar pipe bodies, 120c1 and 120c2, which are inclined so that the back faces face each other, and are combined in a mountain shape as a whole. . In this example, the upper support frame 110 is combined back to back so as to be a ridgeline of a mountain. There are also two sets of lower horizontal pipe bodies 150c1 and 150c2 that receive the culture solution.

  Two LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2 are also provided. The slide mechanism 300c is also a mechanism that can slide both the LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2.

  Here, as in the first embodiment, each member is shown in a range necessary for understanding the present invention, and mechanical parts and the like are simply shown or omitted in the drawing itself. There is also. Other accessory members are not shown.

  The upper support frames 110c1 and 110c2, the openings 130c1 and 130c2, the plant filling 140, the lower horizontal pipe bodies 150c1 and 150c2, and the culture solution supply device 160, which are members of the plant support frame 100c, are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, explanation here is omitted.

  The columnar pipe bodies 120 c 1 and 120 c 2 are pipe bodies that are arranged side by side while being inclined and communicating with the upper support frame 110, as in the first embodiment, and the culture medium supplied from the culture medium supply device 160. However, in this example, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, columnar pipe bodies 120c1 and 120c2 are provided with an inclination, and both face each other so as to face each other. Are combined.

  The culture fluid flows along the inclined surfaces of the columnar pipe bodies 120c1 and 120c2. The culture solution is supplied to the plant 400 in the openings 133c1 and 133c2 in the process of slowly flowing down from the top to the bottom in the figure. In addition, since a culture solution flows along an inclined surface, it is preferable to insert the planting filler 140 relatively deeply so that the root of the planted object 400 can easily reach the inclined surface.

Next, the LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2 will be described.
The LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2 are disposed with an inclination so as to face the plant support frames 100c1 and 100c2. In this way, if the two LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2 are arranged on both sides so as to face the plant support frames 100c1 and 100c2, both surfaces of the plant support frames 100c1 and 100c2 are provided. Both can irradiate irradiation light from the LED light source group 210, and can double the area of a planting area | region.

  The slide mechanism 300c is a mechanism that slides both the LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2 as in the second embodiment.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams illustrating a state in which both of the LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2 are moved relative to the planting support frames 100c1 and 100c2 by the slide mechanism 300c.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state of slide movement as viewed from the front side of the apparatus. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state of slide movement as seen from the back side of the apparatus.
As in Example 2, the length of the entire planting region of the planting support frames 100c1 and 100c2 is “2L”, and the first planting region 101 and the second planting region have a length of “L”. This is the planting area 102 of the plant. The width of the LED light irradiation surface of the LED light source group 210 in the LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2 is “L”.

  14 (a) and FIG. 15 (a), the LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2 are on the left side in the drawing, and the LED has the same inclination with respect to the inclined first planting region 101c1. Similarly, the LED light source group 210 of the light source group support frame 200c1 faces the LED light source group 210 of the LED light source group support frame 200c2 with the same inclination with respect to the inclined first planting region 101c2. It has become. On the other hand, neither LED light source group 210 is opposed to the second planting region 102c1 and the second planting region 102c2, and the LED light is not irradiated.

14 (b) and 15 (b), the LED light source group support frame 200c1 and the LED light source group support frame 200c2 are both operated from the state of FIGS. 14 (a) and 15 (a) by the operation of the slide mechanism 300c. It is in a state of sliding to the right. Here, in the third embodiment, the LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2 are inclined, but slide sideways while maintaining the inclination.
As a result of the slide movement, as shown in FIGS. 14B and 15B, the LED light source group 210 of the LED light source group support frame 200c1 has the same inclination with respect to the inclined second planting region 102c1. Are opposed to each other, and the LED light source group 210 of the LED light source group support frame 200c2 is opposed to the inclined second planting region 102c2 with the same inclination. On the other hand, neither LED light source group 210 is opposed to the first planting region 101c1 and the first planting region 101c2, and the LED light is not irradiated.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, if the slide mechanism 300c is used, the plant light 400 planted in the plant support frames 100c1 and 100c2 and the LED light source groups of the LED light source group support frames 200c1 and 200c2. The relative position with respect to 210 can be changed, and the irradiation state and non-irradiation state of the LED irradiation light to the plant 400 can be switched.

  The artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus 1c according to Example 4 has a so-called double-sided planting area, and both the plant support frames 100c1 and 100c2 can receive irradiation light from the LED light source group 210. The area of the planting region can be doubled while suppressing the increase, and the yield can be increased.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment in the example of composition of the artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention was illustrated and explained, it is understood that various changes are possible without departing from the technical scope of the present invention. I will.

  The artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention can be widely applied to an artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus that artificially cultivates plants such as vegetables and fruit vegetables suitable for hydroponics with an LED light source. In particular, it can be applied as an artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus that enables so-called three-dimensional cultivation that can secure a large area of the planting area while keeping the floor area small.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Artificial hydroponics apparatus 100 Planting support frame 110 Upper support frame 120 Columnar pipe body 130 Opening body 140 Planting filling 150 Lower horizontal pipe body 160 Culture solution supply apparatus 200 LED light source group support frame 210 LED light source group 300 Slide Mechanism 400 Planted material

Claims (12)

Artificial water comprising a plant support frame for supporting a plant and an LED light source group support frame disposed so as to face the plant support frame and growing the plant with an LED light source A cultivation apparatus,
The plant support frame is
A plurality of columnar pipe bodies that are arranged side by side with substantially vertical or inclined, and flow the culture solution supplied from the upper part downward,
Among the wall surfaces of the columnar pipe body, a plurality of opening bodies that provide openings in a part of the wall surface facing the LED light source group support frame;
A planting filler for fitting and stabilizing the planted product with respect to the opening provided by the opening body,
The LED light source group support frame,
A plurality of LED light source groups arranged to face the planted matter fitted in the opening of the planted support frame;
In the planting support frame, the columnar pipe body is provided so as to be inclined outward from a substantially vertical plane, and the LED light source group support frame is inclined so as to face the inclination of the columnar pipe body. An artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus characterized by being provided . The combination of the plant support frame and the LED light source group support frame that face each other is set as one set, and the two sets are arranged in combination so that the entire back surface becomes a mountain shape while facing each other. The artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to 1. Provided with a slide mechanism that allows one or both of the plant support frame and the LED light source group support frame to be slidable, and enables the relative position of the plant and the LED light source group to be changed. The artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1. By changing the relative position of the slide mechanism the planting栽物and the LED light source using, in claim 3, characterized in that allowed the switching control of the pseudo sunlight conditions and the pseudo nighttime conditions for the plant栽物The described artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus. The length of the plant support area in the plant support frame in the slide direction by the slide mechanism is set to 2 L, and the plant support area is divided into two in the length direction for the first planting. The area and the second planting area,
The length in the sliding direction by the slide mechanism of the support region of the LED light source group in the LED light source group support frame is L,
While the LED light source group support frame is opposed to the first planting region of the plant support frame, the second planting region is not opposed by the slide movement by the slide mechanism, and the LED to claim 3 or 4 between is characterized in that it is switched to the first planting栽領region does not face the light source group supporting frame faces the second planting栽領area of the plant栽物support frame The described artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus. A culture solution supply device for introducing the culture solution near an upper portion of the columnar pipe body, wherein the culture solution supply device sprays or sprays the culture solution onto the columnar pipe body at a predetermined pressure. Item 6. The artificial cultivation apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 5 . A dropping hole is provided in the vicinity of the upper portion of the columnar pipe body, the periphery of the dropping hole is formed in a funnel shape, the pumped culture medium is guided to the dropping hole, and the culture medium is introduced into the columnar pipe body through the dropping hole. The artificial cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein a dripping structure is employed.   In the LED light source group, the amount of irradiation light of the red LED element is 40% or more, the amount of irradiation light of the blue LED element is 25% or more, the amount of irradiation light of the green LED element is 10% or more and 25% or less, The amount of light emitted from the red LED element ≧ the amount of light emitted from the blue LED element ≧ the amount of light emitted from the green LED element, and the total amount is 100%. The artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   The LED light source group is configured such that the amount of irradiation light of the red LED element is 50%, the amount of irradiation light of the blue LED element is 25%, and the amount of irradiation light of the green LED element is 25%. The artificial hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 8. An artificial plant for growing the plant with an LED light source using a plant support frame for supporting the plant and an LED light source group support frame arranged so as to face the plant support frame. Hydroponic cultivation method,
Flow the culture solution downward from the vicinity of the upper part of the plurality of columnar pipe bodies arranged side by side with substantially vertical or inclined,
Of the wall surface of the columnar pipe body, an opening is attached to a part of the wall surface facing the LED light source group support frame to provide an opening,
Filling the opening with the planting filling and fitting the planting,
While arranging a plurality of LED light source groups on the LED light source group support frame so as to face the planted plant,
In the planting support frame, the columnar pipe body is provided to be inclined outward from a substantially vertical plane, and the LED light source group support frame is provided to be inclined so as to face the inclination of the columnar pipe body. An artificial hydroponics method characterized by the above. The combination of the plant support frame and the LED light source group support frame that face each other is set as one set, and the two sets are arranged in combination so that the whole is in a mountain shape with the back surfaces facing each other. 10. The artificial hydroponic cultivation method according to 10. Provided with a slide mechanism that allows one or both of the plant support frame and the LED light source group support frame to be slidable, and enables the relative position of the plant and the LED light source group to be changed. The artificial hydroponic cultivation method according to claim 1, wherein:

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