JP6646975B2 - Plant growing equipment and header equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a plant growing device and a header device .

  In recent years, in order to eliminate the growing shortage of vegetables due to unseasonable weather and the decline in the production capacity of vegetables due to the aging of agricultural producers and the decrease in the number of farmers, vegetables have been planted at factories. Attention has been focused on technologies for mass-producing.

  A plant growing apparatus is installed in a plant that produces vegetables (for example, see Patent Document 1). Such a plant growing apparatus is provided with a growing groove serving as a medium for growing plants such as vegetables, and a nutrient solution supply pipe for supplying a nutrient solution (or liquid fertilizer) to the growing groove. Then, in order to mass-produce plants, a plurality of the above-described growth grooves are provided in parallel in the same plane. Further, the nutrient solution from the nutrient solution supply pipe is individually distributed and supplied to the plurality of growth grooves arranged in the same plane through the plurality of distribution pipes. Note that the plurality of growth grooves can be stacked and installed in multiple stages in the vertical direction.

JP 2015-96048 A

  In order for a plant such as a vegetable to grow uniformly (that is, to keep the quality constant) in the plant growing apparatus, it is particularly important to supply a nutrient solution evenly to each growing groove. For this purpose, a flow rate control valve is individually mounted between each growth groove and each distribution pipe, and the supply amount of the nutrient solution to each growth groove is individually adjusted. However, individually adjusting the supply amount of the nutrient solution to each growing groove requires a large number of flow control valves, which increases equipment costs, and requires a great deal of labor and time to adjust each flow control valve. There were problems such as difficulty in managing and operating the breeding equipment.

  Therefore, the present invention has as its main object to solve the above-mentioned problems.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
A nutrient solution supply pipe for supplying a nutrient solution,
A plurality of growth grooves arranged side by side in the same plane ,
A plurality of distribution pipes supplying distribute pair Shi nutrient solution to the growing groove,
A plant growing device comprising a nutrient solution supply pipe and a header device provided between the plurality of distribution pipes and capable of distributing a nutrient solution ,
The header device, and the nutrient solution can supply opening connected to the supply pipe, and a plurality of outlet portion connectable individually to each of the distribution pipe,
Among outlet portion of the plurality of the diameter of the outlet portion situated at the end of the header device, and wherein increased to such Rukoto than the diameter of the outlet portion located in the middle portion.

According to the present invention, by providing the header device, the flow control valve is eliminated, and the trouble of adjusting the supply amount of the nutrient solution for each growing groove by the flow control valve is eliminated, and only the amount of the flow control valve is eliminated. Equipment costs can be reduced. In addition, by making the discharge port located at the end of the header device a large-diameter hole, the nutrient solution can be evenly distributed to each distribution pipe as a whole.

1 is an overall side view of a plant growing device according to an embodiment. It is an end elevation which shows the part of the water supply side of the plant growing apparatus of FIG. It is an end elevation which shows the part of the drainage side of the plant growing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. 2. (A) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the header device (of the two-port type) viewed from the lateral direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view in a direction orthogonal to (a). FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the header device of FIG. 5. It is a side view of a one-sided type header device. It is a perspective view of the header apparatus which has the non-distribution area | region for stabilization in which the discharge port part is not formed. It is a figure which shows the state which connected several small-sized header apparatuses, and closed the discharge port located in an edge part, and set it as the non-distribution area | region for stabilization. It is an end view by the water supply side of the plant growing apparatus provided with the header apparatus which has a diameter expansion hole part as a uniform supply means. It is an end elevation which shows the part on the water supply side of the plant growing apparatus provided with the header apparatus which has an orifice as an equal supply means. It is an enlarged side view which shows the connection part of a distribution pipe and a growth groove | channel when an elbow-shaped connection member is used. It is an end elevation which shows the part of the water supply side of the plant growing apparatus similar to FIG. 2 at the time of using a flow control valve as a comparative example. It is an enlarged side view which shows the connection part of a distribution pipe and a growth groove | channel when a straight tubular connection member is used. It is an expanded sectional view of the broken line part of FIG.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 to 15 are for explaining this embodiment.

  <Configuration> The configuration will be described below.

  A plant growing apparatus 1 as shown in the side view of FIG. 1, the end view on the water supply side in FIG. 2, and the end view on the drain side in FIG. 3 is installed inside a factory or the like that produces plants such as vegetables (mainly). , See FIG. 1). The plant growing device 1 includes at least a growing groove 2 serving as a medium for growing plants such as vegetables, a nutrient solution supply pipe 4 for supplying a nutrient solution 3 (or a liquid fertilizer) to the growing groove 2, Is provided. Then, in order to mass-produce plants, a plurality of the above-described growth grooves 2 are arranged in parallel in the same plane. Further, the nutrient solution 3 from the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 is separately distributed and supplied to the plurality of growth grooves 2 arranged in the same plane through the plurality of distribution pipes 5. The plurality of growth grooves 2 can be stacked and installed in multiple stages (for example, several to ten and several stages) in the vertical direction as needed.

  Here, the plant growing apparatus 1 includes a shelf frame-shaped growing apparatus main body, and the plurality of growing grooves 2 are installed in parallel with each shelf 12 of the growing apparatus main body. The shelf steps 12 have at least the number of steps corresponding to the number of setting steps of the growth grooves 2 or more. The growth groove 2 allows the nutrient solution 3 to circulate, and can be constituted by a narrow gutter-shaped container or the like. A support plate is attached to the opening on the upper surface side of the growing groove 2, and the growing plant is supported by the supporting plate. The plurality of growth grooves 2 are basically set to the same size for each shelf 12. However, it is structurally possible to mix the growth grooves 2 of different sizes partially in the same shelf 12. Each shelf 12 is provided with a plant growing lamp, a temperature adjusting device, and the like.

  A pump 18 for feeding the nutrient solution 3 is provided in the middle of the nutrient solution supply pipe 4. The nutrient solution 3 sent to the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 is distributed to each distribution pipe 5 at the position of each shelf 12, and is sent from each distribution pipe 5 to one end of each growth groove 2. A drainage pipe 19 for discharging the nutrient solution 3 is connected to the other end of each growth groove 2.

  In addition, with respect to the overall configuration as described above, this embodiment has the following configuration.

(1) A header device 31 capable of distributing the nutrient solution 3 is provided between the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and the distribution pipes 5 as shown in FIG.
The header device 31 includes a supply port 32 connectable to the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and a plurality of discharge ports 33 individually connectable to the distribution pipes 5.

  Here, the header device 31 has the above-described supply port 32 at an end thereof and a plurality of discharge ports 33 on a side surface thereof, with respect to an elongated cylindrical metal or resin header body. It is assumed. The supply port portion 32 and the discharge port portion 33 have substantially the same diameter as the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and the distribution pipe 5, respectively.

  The header device 31 has a two-port type having two supply ports 32 at both ends of the header main body as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and one end of the header main body as shown in FIG. There is a one-sided type having only one supply port 32 for each part. In the case where the header device 31 is a double-mouth type, for example, the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 is provided in a pair (two), and the nutrient solution 3 is supplied to the header device 31 from both sides (see FIG. 2). When the header device 31 is a one-sided type, for example, at least one or more nutrient solution supply pipes 4 are provided, and the nutrient solution is supplied to a pair of header devices 31 attached to the distal end of the nutrient solution supply tube 4. 3 are supplied simultaneously.

  In addition, the discharge port 33 includes one formed directly in the header body (FIGS. 5 and 6) and one formed so as to protrude from the header body (FIG. 7). It may be.

  The nutrient solution supply pipe 4 (main pipe) is branched into a branch pipe (branched nutrient solution supply pipe 34, see FIG. 2) at the position of each shelf step 12 when there are a plurality of shelf steps 12. Is also good. A valve 35 is attached to a branch between the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and the branch nutrient solution supply pipe 34. For example, the valve 35 is used (opening / closing operation) such that the shelf 12 to be used is fully opened and the shelf 12 not to be used is fully closed. Alternatively, the high shelf 12 tends to give out the nutrient solution 3 and the low shelf 12 tends to give the nutrient solution 3 better. In order to do so, it is also possible to use a method in which the flow rate of each shelf 12 is adjusted by the valve 35. The above-described header device 31 is provided in the middle of the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 or the branch nutrient solution supply pipe 34, for example, at the center. It should be noted that when simply referred to as the nutrient solution supply pipe 4, it can include the branch nutrient solution supply pipe 34.

  A joint member 36 as shown in FIG. 5 is used at a connection portion between the header device 31 and the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 or the branch nutrient solution supply pipe 34. In this case, the joint member 36 includes at least a spout portion 36a on one end side on which the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and the branch nutrient solution supply tube 34 are externally fitted, and a branch nutrient solution supply externally fitted to the spout portion 36a. It has a compression ring 36b for closing the tube 34 from the outside, and a screwing portion 36c at the other end for screwing to the supply port 32 formed into a screw hole.

  At this time, the ends of the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and the branch nutrient solution supply pipe 34 are fitted into the spigot portion 36a until they pass over the packing 37, and then the compression ring 36b is reduced in diameter with a compression tool to be tightened and fixed. Is done. With this structure, the header device 31 has a portion 39 (a spigot 36a or the like) having a reduced flow path cross section at a connection portion (joint member 36) with the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 or the branch nutrient solution supply tube 34. A peripheral portion D2 <D1) will occur. In this case, the inner peripheral portion of the screwing portion 36c has substantially the same diameter as the central portion of the header device 31, but may have a smaller diameter than the central portion of the header device 31. In the compression ring 36b, a confirmation hole is provided in the portion on the screwing portion 36c side so that the end of the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 or the branch nutrient solution supply pipe 34 can be visually confirmed that it has passed the packing 37. Is formed.

  (2) As shown in FIG. 8, a uniform supply means 41 capable of uniformly supplying the nutrient solution 3 to each of the growth grooves 2 is provided on or around the header device 31.

  Here, the equal supply means 41 may be of any type, but is preferably mechanical rather than electrical or control. It should be noted that whether or not “equal” is used is based on whether or not a plurality of plants cultivated simultaneously in different growing grooves 2 on the same shelf 12 can be grown to an extent that can be regarded as having substantially the same quality. . Hereinafter, a specific equal supply means 41 will be described.

(3) The uniform supply means 41 is a stabilization distribution prohibited area 51 set at the end of the header device 31 to which the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 is connected.
The outlet port 33 is connected to each distribution pipe 5 at a portion (for example, an intermediate portion 52) of the header device 31 other than the stabilization distribution prohibition region 51.

  The stabilization distribution prohibited area 51 is an area having a length necessary to stabilize the flow of the nutrient solution 3 supplied from the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 inside the header device 31. This is an area that should be regulated so that the nutrient solution 3 is not distributed to the user. The header device 31 has a portion 39 (an inner peripheral portion such as the spigot portion 36a) where the cross section of the flow path is reduced at a connection portion (joint member 36) with the nutrient solution supply tube 4 (branch solution supply tube 34). Due to the formation, a portion where the flow of the nutrient solution 3 becomes unstable occurs around the end of the header device 31 due to the influence or the like.

  Therefore, as described above, the portion where the flow becomes unstable is designated as an area for stabilizing the flow of the nutrient solution 3, and the nutrient solution 3 is taken out from the stabilization distribution inhibition area 51. Don't do it. The length of the distribution prohibition region 51 for stabilization is specifically set after examining the flow characteristics of the header device 31. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, it is desirable to use the header device 31 in which the outlet 33 is not provided from the beginning with respect to the distribution prohibition region 51 for stabilization.

  Then, the intermediate portion 52 of the header device 31 having the stabilization distribution forbidden region 51 and the like are defined as the stabilized region, the discharge port 33 is formed intensively at this position, and the distribution pipes 5 are connected. The nutrient solution 3 is distributed. In the case where the header device 31 is of a one-sided type or of a plurality connected as described later, the end opposite to the end to which the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 or the branch nutrient solution supply pipe 34 is connected is connected. It is not necessary to set the stabilization distribution prohibition area 51, and the discharge port 33 may be provided, the distribution pipe 5 may be connected, and the nutrient solution 3 may be distributed.

  (4) At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the distribution prohibition region 51 for stabilization is formed by closing at least the discharge port 33a located at the end of the header device 31 to make it unusable. You may.

  Here, the outlet 33a located at the end is an end on the side to which the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and the branch nutrient solution supply pipe 34 are connected. The use of the existing header device 31 as it is for the plant growing device 1 is used to close the discharge port portion 33a located at the end and make it unusable. This is because in the existing header device 31, the discharge port 33a is often formed close to the supply port 32. The number of outlets 33a located at the end is at least two if the header device 31 is a two-port type and is a two-sided supply, and at least one if the header device 31 is a one-sided type and a one-sided supply. A closing member 55 such as a water stop cap is attached to the discharge port 33a located at the end so as to be closed. Depending on the size of the stabilization distribution prohibition area 51, the outlet 33 to be closed can be expanded to a portion adjacent to the outlet 33a located at the end.

  Since the outlets 33a and the like located at the end of the header device 31 are closed, the header device 31 has a larger number of outlets 33 than the number used for the growing grooves 2 by the amount of closing. Use something like that. Alternatively, a plurality of small header devices 31 may be connected and used so that the number of the outlets 33 is as described above. For connection between the small header devices 31, a pipe joint 56 (nipple) having male threads cut at both ends of a linear shaft is used. If there is a portion where the flow of the nutrient solution 3 becomes unstable at a connection portion between the header devices 31 and other portions, the discharge port 33 located at that portion is closed and stabilized as described above. For example, the distribution forbidden area 51 may be used.

  (5) Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, the uniform supply unit 41 sets the diameter of the discharge port 33 a located at the end of the header device 31 to be larger than the diameter of the discharge port 33 located at the intermediate section 52. May be a large-diameter hole portion 61 having a larger diameter.

  Here, the outlet 33a located at the end is an end on the side to which the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and the branch nutrient solution supply pipe 34 are connected. The large-diameter hole 61 is formed at least for the discharge port 33a provided in the area corresponding to the above-described stabilization distribution prohibition area 51. In other words, by increasing the distribution amount from within the area corresponding to the stabilization distribution prohibition area 51 in the large-diameter hole 61, the setting of the stabilization distribution prohibition area 51 becomes unnecessary, and the stabilization distribution prohibition is prohibited. The distribution from within the area corresponding to the area 51 is enabled. The size of the large-diameter hole 61 is set as appropriate after specifically examining the flow characteristics of the header device 31. Although different depending on the situation, the large-diameter hole portion 61 has a diameter that is approximately 15% to 30% larger than the other discharge port portions 33.

  (6) Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, the uniform supply means 41 may be an orifice 71 provided between the header device 31 and the growth groove 2 and capable of regulating the flow rate of the nutrient solution 3. .

  Here, as the orifice 71, a ring-shaped plate with a hole can be used. By using the orifice 71, the setting of the above-mentioned stabilization distribution prohibition area 51 becomes unnecessary, and distribution from the stabilization distribution prohibition area 51 becomes possible. The position at which the orifice 71 is provided, the size of the hole, and the like are determined as appropriate after specifically examining the flow characteristics of each distribution pipe 5 when the plant growing apparatus 1 is prepared or used. In the drawing, the orifices 71 are attached to all the discharge ports 33.

  A plurality of types of orifices 71 having different sizes of holes are prepared in advance, and the orifices 71 can be appropriately selected and used depending on the result of the investigation of the flow characteristics so that the flow is uniform. At least one orifice 71 can be provided for a connection portion of the distribution pipe 5 to the outlet 33 of the header device 31 or a connection portion (such as a connection member 81 described later) of the distribution pipe 5 to the growth groove 2. .

  The above-described uniform supply means 41 (such as the stabilization distribution prohibition area 51, the large-diameter hole 61, and the orifice 71) can be used in an appropriate combination depending on the situation.

(7) As shown in FIG. 12, a connection member 81 having an elbow shape is used for a connection portion of each distribution pipe 5 to the growth groove 2.
The connecting member 81 has a vertical pipe portion 82 attachable to the bottom 2 a of the growth groove 2 and a horizontal pipe portion 83 extending along the bottom 2 a of the growth groove 2.
A portion 92 where the distribution pipe 5 has a downward slope toward the horizontal pipe 83 between the discharge port 33 of the header device 31 and the horizontal pipe 83 of the connecting member 81 (FIG. 14, FIG. 15) is connected.

  Here, the connecting member 81 is attached to the bottom 2a, the side portion, or the upper portion of the growing groove 2. In this case, the connecting members 81 are arranged so that the growing grooves 2 can be arranged close to each other in the lateral direction. At the same time, the connection member 81 is attached to the bottom 2a of the growth groove 2 so that water splash or the like is hardly generated when the nutrient solution 3 is supplied.

  The header device 31 is installed at a position lower than (the horizontal tube portion 83 of) the connection member 81 (that is, a position below the bottom 2 a of the growth groove 2). The horizontal pipe portion 83 of the connection member 81 is installed so as to face the discharge port 33 connecting the distribution pipe 5 of the header device 31. Then, each distribution pipe 5 has an upwardly sloped portion (a steeply sloped portion 84 and a gentlely sloped portion 85) or a horizontal portion (horizontally) from the discharge port 33 of the header device 31 toward the horizontal pipe 83 of the connection member 81. ), And is installed in a state where no downwardly sloped portion 92 occurs. A flexible pipe material can be appropriately used for each distribution pipe 5, and for example, a polyethylene pipe, a cross-linked polyethylene pipe, a polybutene pipe, an aluminum three-layer pipe in which aluminum and a cross-linked polyethylene pipe are laminated, or the like is used. Is preferred.

  It is preferable that all the distribution pipes 5 have the same length so that the pressure loss is equal. In this case, since the distance between the header device 31 and each growth groove 2 is different, each distribution pipe 5 is unified according to the longest distance. Therefore, a surplus length 86 is generated in the distribution pipe 5 at the position where the distance is short. Accordingly, the excess length 86 is absorbed by forming the above-described steep slope portion 84 and gentle slope portion 85 in order from the header device 31 side in the distribution pipe 5 where the extra length 86 is generated.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the distribution pipe 5 at a position where the extra length 86 does not occur does not need to particularly form the steeply sloped portion 84, and may include only the gentlely sloped portion 85 and the horizontal portion. Further, each distribution pipe 5 can be set to a length that does not cause the extra length 86 (that is, a length corresponding to the distance between the header device 31 and each growth groove 2). In this case, Since the pressure loss of each distribution pipe 5 is different, for example, the pressure loss of each distribution pipe 5 is adjusted using the uniform supply means 41 such as the orifice 71 so that the nutrient solution 3 is evenly distributed.

  <Operation> The operation of this embodiment will be described below.

  The nutrient solution 3 is sent to the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and the branch nutrient solution supply pipe 34 via the pump 18. The nutrient solution 3 sent to the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and the branch nutrient solution supply pipe 34 is distributed to each distribution pipe 5 at the position of each shelf 12, and from each distribution pipe 5 to one end of each growing groove 2. Sent. The nutrient solution 3 sent to one end of each growing groove 2 is flowed toward the other end in each growing groove 2, and nutrients are supplied to the plants along the way, and used for growing the plants. The nutrient solution 3 used for growing the plant is discharged from the other end of each growing groove 2 through a drain pipe 19. The discharged nutrient solution 3 can be recycled.

  <Effects> According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(Function and Effect 1)
A header device 31 having a supply port 32 and a plurality of discharge ports 33 was provided between the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and each distribution pipe 5. Then, the nutrient solution 3 was distributed to each pipe 5 at a time by the header device 31. Thereby, for example, as shown in the comparative example of FIG. 13, a flow rate adjusting valve 91 is individually provided for each distribution pipe 5, and the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and each distribution pipe 5 are connected to a large number of joint members. Since it is not necessary to use and branch, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the flow rate adjusting valve 91 and the joint member.

  In addition, by using the header device 31, it is possible to eliminate the need to individually adjust the supply amount of the nutrient solution 3 to each breeding groove 2 by attaching the flow rate adjusting valve 91 to each distribution pipe 5 individually.

  As a result, it is possible to reduce the equipment cost by simplifying the structure of the plant growing apparatus 1 and to eliminate the trouble of individually adjusting the supply amount of the nutrient solution 3 to each distribution pipe 5. Therefore, the management and operation of the plant growing device 1 can be greatly facilitated. In addition, since the header device 31 does not involve power consumption or the like, energy can be saved.

(Function and Effect 2)
In the header device 31, the flow rate around the end is not stabilized due to the formation of the portion 39 where the flow channel cross section is reduced structurally at the connection portion of the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and the branch nutrient solution supply pipe 34, and the like. There is a tendency that the flow rate of the nutrient solution 3 is smaller at the discharge port 33a located at the lower position than at the other discharge ports 33. As described above, when the supply amount of the nutrient solution 3 to each of the growing grooves 2 is unstable and uneven, the plants may not grow evenly, and the quality of products may vary.

  Therefore, a uniform supply means 41 is provided on or around the header device 31. In this way, when individual flow rate adjustment is not required by using the header device 31, the flow of the nutrient solution 3 in or around the header device 31 is stabilized by the uniform supply means 41, so that each growth groove 2 is formed. To supply the nutrient solution 3 evenly. Therefore, it is possible to grow plants evenly and to stabilize the quality. Further, since only the equal supply means 41 is provided, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost.

(Function and effect 3)
As a uniform supply means 41, a stabilizing distribution prohibited area for stabilizing the flow of the nutrient solution 3 is provided at an end of the header device 31 to which the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 and the branch nutrient solution supply pipe 34 are connected. 51 (undistributed area) were set. Then, the outlet 33 was connected to each distribution pipe 5 at a portion other than the stabilization distribution prohibition region 51 (a stabilized region such as the intermediate portion 52).

  In this manner, the flow of the nutrient solution 3 from the nutrient solution supply pipe 4 is stabilized in the stabilization distribution prohibition region 51, and the nutrient solution 3 whose flow is stabilized is provided in the intermediate portion 52 of the header device 31 or the like. By distributing the nutrient solution 3 from the respective outlets 33 to the distribution pipes 5, it is possible to obtain a substantially uniform distribution of the nutrient solution 3.

(Effect 4)
In general, the header device 31 is often provided with a discharge port 33a located at an end in the immediate vicinity of the supply port 32 due to space limitations or the like. Therefore, the discharge port 33a located at the end is located in the above-mentioned stabilization distribution prohibition area 51. Therefore, at least the discharge port 33a located at the end of the header device 31 is closed and cannot be used.

  In this way, at least the discharge port 33a located at the end of the header device 31 is intentionally closed to be unusable, so that the header device 31 in which the distribution prohibition region 51 for stabilization is not set is provided. On the other hand, the stabilization distribution prohibited area 51 can be set. As a result, the distribution prohibition region 51 for stabilization can be secured using the existing header device 31 having the discharge port 33a at the end as it is, and the nutrient solution 3 can be evenly distributed.

(Function and Effect 5)
As the uniform supply means 41, the discharge port 33a located at the end of the header device 31 is a large-diameter hole 61. As a result, as described above, the amount of the nutrient solution 3 discharged from the outlet 33 at the end where the flow of the nutrient solution 3 becomes unstable and the flow rate tends to decrease is partially increased by the large-diameter hole 61. Therefore, the nutrient solution 3 can be evenly distributed to the distribution pipes 5 as a whole. In addition, since the large-diameter hole 61 allows all the outlets 33 to be used, the (existing) header device 31 can be used efficiently.

(Function and Effect 6)
As the uniform supply means 41, an orifice 71 is provided between the header device 31 and the growing groove 2. This makes it possible to equalize the supply amount of the nutrient solution 3 to each growing groove 2 by optimally adjusting the amount of the nutrient solution 3 passed through the orifice 71. The orifice 71 allows all the outlets 33 to be used, so that the (existing) header device 31 can be used efficiently.

(Function and Effect 7)
Each distribution pipe 5 was connected to the bottom 2 a of the growth groove 2 by using an elbow-shaped connection member 81 having a vertical pipe part 82 and a horizontal pipe part 83. The distribution pipe 5 is connected between the discharge port 33 of the header device 31 and the horizontal pipe 83 of the connecting member 81 without having a portion 92 having a downward slope toward the horizontal pipe 83. It was to so. In the case where the extra length 86 is present in the distribution pipe 5, for example, the extra length 86 of the distribution pipe 5 is circulated at random, so that a portion 92 having a downward slope in the middle of the distribution pipe 5 is formed. (See FIGS. 14 and 15), and it is possible to prevent the air pool 93 from being generated inside the portion 92 having the downward slope.

  In particular, as shown in the comparative example of FIGS. 14 and 15, the connecting member 81a is a straight tube having only a vertical tube extending in the vertical direction. When they are connected in the shape, the intermediate portion 52 of the distribution pipe 5 hangs down by its own weight, so that a portion 92 having a downward slope is likely to be formed in the distribution pipe 5, but the air pool (the air pool 93 in FIG. 15). Is likely to occur at the top of the portion 92 having such a downward slope.

  On the other hand, by connecting the distal end portion of the distribution pipe 5 to the horizontal pipe portion 83 of the elbow-shaped connecting member 81 with the steep slope portion 84 and the gentle slope portion 85, a portion having the extra length 86 is provided. Since the pipe 5 becomes substantially S-shaped when viewed from the side, the pipe 5 is appropriately routed so as not to generate the downwardly sloped portion 92. Therefore, the extra length 86 naturally settles in a shape in which the air pool 93 is hardly generated. Become like Therefore, the generation of the air pool 93 inside the distribution pipe 5 can be prevented, and the problem that the supply amount of the nutrient solution 3 to the growth groove 2 is reduced by the air pool 93 can be prevented.

  Furthermore, the connecting member 81 is formed in an elbow shape, and the distribution pipe 5 is arranged between the horizontal pipe portion 83 of the connecting member 81 and the discharge port portion 33 of the header device 31 in a substantially S-shape or the like in a side view. Since the height difference between the header device 31 and the growth groove 2 can be reduced, the number of steps in which the shelf steps 12 can be installed can be increased accordingly.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the embodiments are merely examples of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited only to the configuration of the embodiment, and it is a matter of course that the present invention includes any design change or the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. Further, for example, in the case where a plurality of configurations are included in each embodiment, it goes without saying that possible combinations of these configurations are included even if not specifically described. Further, in the case where a plurality of examples and modifications are disclosed as those of the present invention in the embodiments, possible combinations of configurations that straddle these are included, even if not particularly described. Needless to say, Further, it is needless to say that the configuration depicted in the drawings is included even if not particularly described. Further, when there is a term such as “etc.”, it is used to mean that it includes the equivalent. Further, when there is a term such as “substantially”, “about”, or “degree”, it is used in a sense that the term includes a range and accuracy recognized by common sense.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Plant growing apparatus 2 Growing groove 2a Bottom part 3 Nutrient solution 4 Nutrient solution supply pipe 5 minute pipe 31 Header device 32 Supply port 33 Discharge port 33a Discharge port located at the end 41 Uniform supply means 51 Prohibition of distribution for stabilization Area 52 Middle part 61 Large-diameter hole 71 Orifice 81 Connecting member 82 Vertical pipe part 83 Horizontal pipe part 84 Steep slope part 85 Slow slope part 92 Downward slope part

Claims (2)

A nutrient solution supply pipe for supplying a nutrient solution,
A plurality of growth grooves arranged side by side in the same plane ,
A plurality of distribution pipes supplying distribute pair Shi nutrient solution to the growing groove,
A plant growing device comprising a nutrient solution supply pipe and a header device provided between the plurality of distribution pipes and capable of distributing a nutrient solution ,
The header device, and the nutrient solution can supply opening connected to the supply pipe, and a plurality of outlet portion connectable individually to each of the distribution pipe,
Among outlet portion of the plurality of the header diameter of the outlet portion located at the end of the apparatus, the plant growing apparatus according to claim Rukoto such to be larger than the diameter of the outlet portion located in the middle portion . It is a header device used for the plant growing device according to claim 1,
A cylindrical main body, a supply port provided at an end of the main body, and a plurality of discharge ports provided on side surfaces of the main body;
A header device, wherein a diameter of a discharge port located at an end of the main body portion among the plurality of discharge ports is larger than a diameter of a discharge port located at an intermediate portion.