JP7195468B1 - Cultivation equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a cultivation facility capable of securing a degree of freedom in the height of a cultivation unit and flexibly coping with changes in the height of the cultivation unit. SOLUTION: The cultivation equipment of the present invention has a shelf, a first cultivation unit, and a second cultivation unit, and the shelf includes two support columns and a plurality of support portions spaced apart in the height direction. Prepare. The first cultivation unit includes a first housing having a height smaller than the interval and first projections projecting from both side surfaces of the first housing, and the first projections are supported by one support. is stored in the space. The second cultivation unit includes a second housing having a height greater than the interval and second projections projecting from both side surfaces of the second housing, and the second projections are supported by one support. is stored in the space. When the second cultivation unit is accommodated in the space, among the plurality of support portions, the unused support portion is within the range in which the second housing exists in the height direction and does not support the second projecting portion. and the second housing are not in contact with each other. [Selection drawing] Fig. 7

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a cultivation facility, and more particularly, to a cultivation facility configured to cultivate plants in a housing of a cultivation unit housed in a shelf.

A technique for cultivating plants in a housing of each cultivation unit with one or more box-shaped cultivation units housed in a shelf has already been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the cultivation facility described in Patent Literature 1, a plurality of cultivation units are stored in a storage shelf having a plurality of stages. Each cultivation unit includes a cultivation tank for holding plants and a cultivation solution, and a light source for plant cultivation. The storage shelf is a shelf elongated in one horizontal direction, and storage spaces are provided for each stage in the shelf, and one cultivation unit is stored in each storage space. Further, in the cultivation equipment described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to take out the cultivation unit in the shelf from one longitudinal end side of the storage shelf.

JP 2020-010645 A

In the cultivation facility described in Patent Literature 1, the height and size of each of the plurality of cultivation units housed in the shelf are unified (aligned) among the units from the viewpoint of versatility.

On the other hand, the height of plants cultivated within a cultivation unit varies depending on the variety and growth conditions thereof, and thus may vary between cultivation units. Therefore, it can be assumed that the height of the housing of each cultivation unit is set relatively high in accordance with tall plants. However, as the height of the cultivation unit increases, it is necessary to secure a wider storage space, so the number of cultivation units that can be stored in the storage shelf decreases, and the cultivation efficiency in the cultivation facility decreases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and specifically, it is possible to secure a degree of freedom regarding the height of the cultivation unit and to flexibly respond to changes in the height of the cultivation unit. The purpose is to provide a suitable cultivation facility.

In order to achieve the above object, the cultivation facility of the present invention includes a group of pillars including two pillars adjacent to each other, and two pillars spaced apart from each other in the height direction. a shelf provided with a plurality of support portions extending toward the space; a first housing having a height smaller than the interval; a first cultivation unit that is housed in a space by supporting one projection on one of a plurality of support portions provided on each of the two pillars; a second housing that is taller than the space; second protrusions protruding from both side surfaces of the second housing, each of the second protrusions being supported by one of a plurality of support portions provided on each of the two pillars, so that the and a second cultivation unit to be accommodated, and in a state in which the second cultivation unit is accommodated in the space, the plurality of support portions provided on each of the two pillars are arranged in the second housing in the height direction. and includes an unused support portion that does not support the second projecting portion within the range where the second housing exists, and the second housing is not in contact with the unused support portion.

In the cultivation equipment of the present invention configured as described above, the first cultivation unit and the second cultivation unit having different heights can be accommodated in the shelf. Specifically, the second cultivation unit, which is taller, has a structure that can be accommodated in the shelf while avoiding interference with the support portions provided on the support columns of the shelf. Thereby, even if the height of the cultivation unit to be used is changed according to the variety or growth stage of the plant, the cultivation unit can be appropriately stored in the shelf. As a result, a cultivation facility capable of flexibly adapting to changes in the height of the cultivation unit is realized.

Further, in the cultivation facility described above, the shelf may store a plurality of first cultivation units or a plurality of second cultivation units arranged in a cross direction crossing the height direction. In this case, two first cultivation units adjacent in the cross direction or two second cultivation units adjacent in the cross direction may be connected.
According to the above configuration, two adjacent units among the plurality of cultivation units stored in the shelf arranged in the cross direction are connected to each other. As a result, a plurality of cultivation units arranged in the cross direction can be moved integrally within the shelf, and as a result, storage and removal of the cultivation units are facilitated.

Further, in the cultivation equipment described above, each of the plurality of supporting portions provided on one of the two supporting columns may be paired with each of the plurality of supporting portions provided on the other supporting column. In this case, it is preferable that the paired supporting portions are arranged at the same position in the height direction.
According to the above configuration, since the support portions that support the cultivation unit on both sides of the housing of each cultivation unit are arranged at the same position in the height direction, the cultivation unit is held in an appropriate posture within the shelf. Become so.

Moreover, in the cultivation equipment described above, each of the first cultivation unit and the second cultivation unit may have a light source.
According to the above configuration, since each cultivation unit has a light source for plant cultivation, the plant can be appropriately cultivated within the housing.

Moreover, in the cultivation equipment described above, each of the first cultivation unit and the second cultivation unit may have a blower fan.
According to said structure, the environment in the housing|casing of each cultivation unit, especially temperature and humidity, can be adjusted with a ventilation fan, and a plant can be cultivated appropriately within a housing|casing.

Further, in the cultivation equipment described above, each of the first cultivation unit and the second cultivation unit may have a nutrient solution tank in which the plant is immersed, and an agitating device for agitating the nutrient solution in the tank.
According to the above configuration, when a plant (more specifically, plant roots) is cultivated in a state in which the plant is immersed in the nutrient solution in the tank, the nutrient solution is agitated by the agitating device. The concentration of components in the liquid can be made uniform. As a result, the plant can be properly cultivated within the housing.

Moreover, in the cultivation equipment described above, each of the first cultivation unit and the second cultivation unit may have a power receiving mechanism.
According to said structure, the electric equipment (for example, a light source, a ventilation fan, a stirring apparatus, etc.) with which each cultivation unit was equipped can be operated appropriately.

Further, in the cultivation equipment described above, the width of the second housing is shorter than the distance from the unused support portion provided on one of the two columns to the unused support portion provided on the other column. may
Alternatively, concave portions may be provided on both side surfaces of the second housing, and the concave portions may face the unused support portions when the second cultivation unit is housed in the space.
Alternatively, the shape of the second housing may be a tapered shape in which the lateral width of the second housing changes from the upper end to the lower end of the second housing in the height direction. In this case, the second protrusion may protrude from both side surfaces of the second housing at the upper end of the second housing.
According to any of the above configurations, the housing (second housing) of the second cultivation unit is configured to appropriately avoid interference with the unused support portion when the second cultivation unit is housed in the shelf. can be designed.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the cultivation equipment which can ensure flexibility about the height of a cultivation unit, and can respond flexibly to the change of the height of a cultivation unit is implement|achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a front view of the cultivation equipment which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a side view of the cultivation equipment which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a 1st cultivation unit. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a 2nd cultivation unit. It is a sectional view showing the internal structure of each cultivation unit. It is the figure which looked at several cultivation units located in a line with the predetermined direction from the upper direction. It is the elements on larger scale of a shelf. It is a figure which shows the state where the 2nd cultivation unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment was accommodated in the shelf, and is the figure which looked at the 2nd cultivation unit from the front. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the second cultivation unit according to the second embodiment is accommodated in the shelf, and is a front view of the second cultivation unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the second cultivation unit according to the third embodiment is accommodated in the shelf, and is a front view of the second cultivation unit.

The present invention will be specifically described with reference to preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiment described below is an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. That is, the present invention can be changed or improved from the embodiments described below without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention also includes equivalents thereof.

In the drawings referred to in this specification, for convenience of illustration, a part of the equipment or device may be omitted or simplified. In addition, in some figures (for example, FIGS. 5, 7 to 9), the dimensions and scale of each device (part) are not actual values from the viewpoint of facilitating illustration of the connection structure between devices (between parts). are set to different values.

In addition, in this specification, when describing the position, direction, orientation, etc. of a device, unless otherwise specified, the position, direction, orientation, etc., will be described while the device is being used.

Further, in this specification, a numerical range represented using "to" means a range including the numerical values described before and after "to" as lower and upper limits.
In addition, in this specification, "horizontal", "perpendicular", "perpendicular" and "parallel" include the range of errors generally accepted in the technical field of the present invention, and strict horizontal, vertical, perpendicular and It also includes a state in which it is deviated within a range of less than several degrees (for example, 2 to 3 degrees) from parallel.
In this specification, the meanings of "same", "identical" and "equal" may include the margin of error generally accepted in the technical field to which the present invention belongs.
In addition, in the present specification, the meanings of "all", "any" and "all" include the range of error generally accepted in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, in addition to the case of 100%. for example, 99% or more, 95% or more, or 90% or more.
In this specification, "protruding" means a state of protruding outward from the periphery, and in addition to the state of protruding outward from the plane, the It also includes a state in which the protrusion is relatively outward from the recess.

<Basic configuration of cultivation equipment>
A cultivation facility (hereinafter referred to as cultivation facility 100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is used to grow plants in a building using a hydroponics method. The number of cultivation facilities 100 installed in the building is not particularly limited, and can be set to any number.

The cultivation facility 100 has a shelf 10 and a plurality of cultivation units 30, as shown in FIGS. In addition, in FIG. 2, the second cultivation unit 30B is hatched for the reason of making it easy to distinguish between the first cultivation unit 30A and the second cultivation unit 30B, which will be described later.

The shelf 10 is a long structure extending in one horizontal direction, and as shown in FIG. 1, has a space (storage space S) for storing the cultivation unit 30 therein. The configuration of the shelf 10 will be described later in detail.
Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the shelf 10 is called the X direction, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the X direction is called the Y direction, and the vertical direction is called the Z direction. The Z direction corresponds to the height direction of the shelf 10 . The Y direction corresponds to the cross direction crossing the height direction of the shelf 10 and corresponds to the width direction of the shelf 10 .

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, each of the plurality of cultivation units 30 is a device having a substantially box-shaped outer shape, and inside thereof, as shown in FIG. 4, plants P are cultivated in a hydroponic manner. be. By cultivating the plants P in each cultivation unit 30 in this way, the management of equipment and the like becomes easier than, for example, the case of cultivating a large number of plants P on a float in a wide nutrient solution pool. For example, when a failure or the like occurs in one cultivation unit 30 among the plurality of cultivation units 30, only that unit may be replaced. The number of plants P (number of strains) cultivated in each cultivation unit 30 is not particularly limited, and may be one or more.

A plurality of cultivation units 30 can be arranged in the Z direction (that is, up and down) in the shelf 10 as shown in FIG. 1, and can be arranged and stored in the X direction as shown in FIG. Moreover, the cultivation unit 30 stored in the shelf 10 can be taken out from the front side of the shelf 10 in the X direction. For example, at a work station (not shown) for transplanting/attracting, the seedling of the plant P is transplanted into the cultivation unit 30, or the stem of the plant P is attracted, and then the cultivation unit 30 is transported to the shelf 10 and placed on the shelf. Store in 10. When the plants in the unit have grown to the desired stage, the cultivation unit 30 is removed from the rack 10 and carried to a harvesting work station (not shown) to harvest the plants in the unit.

<Detailed configuration of the cultivation unit>
Next, a detailed configuration of the cultivation unit 30 will be described. The cultivation facility 100 includes a plurality of cultivation units 30, and the plurality of cultivation units 30 are roughly divided into a first cultivation unit 30A shown in FIG. 3A and a second cultivation unit 30B shown in FIG. 3B. That is, the cultivation facility 100 includes a first cultivation unit 30A and a second cultivation unit 30B.

In the present specification, "comprising the first cultivation unit 30A and the second cultivation unit 30B" means a state in which each of the first cultivation unit 30A and the second cultivation unit 30B can be used in the cultivation facility 100. means a state in which a plant can be cultivated in the unit while being housed in the shelf 10. In other words, the first cultivation unit 30A and the second cultivation unit 30B do not necessarily have to be housed in the shelf 10 at the same time. of cultivation units 30 are provided.

Each structure of the 1st cultivation unit 30A and the 2nd cultivation unit 30B is common except that height differs. The height of the first cultivation unit 30A is a standard height (indicated by symbol H in FIG. 3A). The height of the second cultivation unit 30B is greater than the height of the first cultivation unit 30A, for example, k times the standard height H (k is a natural number of 2 or more). The height of the second cultivation unit 30B (specifically, the above multiple k) may have a plurality of types. A cultivation unit 30B may be provided.

Each of the first cultivating unit 30A and the second cultivating unit 30B includes a housing 31, a support plate 34, a light source 35, an agitating device 36, three blowing fans 37, 38, as shown in FIGS. 39. Here, the housing 31 of the first cultivation unit 30A corresponds to the first housing 31A, and the housing 31 of the second cultivation unit 30B corresponds to the second housing 31B.

The housing 31 is a substantially closed container having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and has a bottom wall, a ceiling wall, and four side walls. Materials for the bottom wall and side walls of the housing 31 are not particularly limited, but are preferably materials having excellent heat insulating properties and light shielding properties (reflecting properties). The planar size of the housing 31 can be arbitrarily determined. For example, the width may be approximately 600 mm and the depth may be approximately 600 mm.

When the cultivation unit 30 is stored in the shelf 10, the depth of the housing 31 is along the X direction, and the width of the housing 31 is along the Y direction. In addition, of the housing 31 of the cultivation unit 30 in the housed state, the end positioned on the front side of the shelf 10 in the X direction corresponds to the "front end", and the end positioned on the opposite side (back side) corresponds to the " Equivalent to "rear end".

In one embodiment of the present invention, the lower end of the housing 31 forms a tank 32 for the nutrient solution and is separable from the housing main body 33 (the portion of the housing 31 other than the tank 32). The tank 32 is a tray-shaped portion with an open upper end and has a depth, and the nutrient solution L is stored in the tank 32 as shown in FIG. For the purpose of allowing plants to efficiently absorb oxygen, oxygen-containing nanobubbles of 1 nm or less may be blown into the nutrient solution L to dissolve oxygen in the nutrient solution L in a supersaturated state.

At a position slightly lower than the upper end of the tank 32 , protrusions 42 are provided that protrude from both side surfaces (Y-direction end surfaces) of the tank 32 . The protrusions 42 are ribs that horizontally protrude from each side surface of the tank 32 and are continuously provided from the front end to the rear end of the tank 32 . Here, the protrusion 42 provided in the first cultivation unit 30A corresponds to the first protrusion 42A (see FIG. 3A), and the protrusion 42 provided in the second cultivation unit 30B corresponds to the second protrusion 42B. (see FIG. 3B).

The housing body 33 has an open lower end, and the open end is shaped to fit the outer edge of the upper end of the tank 32 . Thus, the housing main body 33 is configured to be fitted into the upper end of the tank 32 in a state of covering the upper end of the tank 32 (specifically, the portion positioned above the projecting portion 42). Further, the upper end wall of the housing body 33, that is, the ceiling wall of the housing 31 is light transmissive, and is composed of, for example, a transparent or translucent plate.

Moreover, the side walls provided at both ends in the width direction of the housing body 33 protrude upward from the ceiling wall of the housing body 33 as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 . When the distance between the inner wall surfaces of the two projecting side walls is defined as a first distance w1, the distance from one end to the other end of the tank 32 in the Y direction, that is, the width wt of the tank 32, is approximately the first distance w1. It has the same length or is slightly smaller than the first spacing w1 (see FIG. 4).

Further, side walls provided at both ends in the width direction of the housing body 33 protrude rearward from the rear wall of the housing body 33 (the side wall disposed on the rear end side of the housing 31) (see FIG. 5). Assuming that the distance between the inner wall surfaces of the two projecting side walls is the second distance w2, the distance from one end to the other end of the housing body 33 in the Y direction at the front end of the housing body 33, that is, the housing body The width wu of 33 is approximately the same length as the second spacing w2 or slightly smaller than the second spacing w2 (see FIG. 5).

The support plate 34 is a plate made of expanded polystyrene or the like, and as shown in FIG. Specifically, the support plate 34 is formed with one or more through-holes, and the urethane-made medium I holding the roots of the plant P is fitted into the through-holes. As a result, the support plate 34 supports the plant P through the medium I, and the plant P is held with its roots immersed in the nutrient solution L.

The light source 35 is composed of, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an electroluminescence element, a semiconductor laser element, or the like, and irradiates the inside of the housing 31 with light. In one embodiment of the present invention, the light source 35 is installed on the upper surface of the ceiling wall of the housing 31, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the light from the light source 35 is transmitted through the ceiling wall of the housing 31 and radiated into the housing 31 .

The agitating device 36 is an electric device that agitates the nutrient solution in the tank 32, and is composed of, for example, a stirrer that rotates in the tank 32, a circulation pump that circulates the nutrient solution, or an air pump that blows air into the nutrient solution. be.

One of the three blower fans 37 , 38 , 39 is a device for circulating the air inside the housing 31 . The remaining two blowing fans 38 and 39 are arranged inside or around a through hole formed in the side wall of the housing body 33, and take in air outside the housing 31 into the housing 31, or blow air into the housing 31. It operates for the purpose of discharging the air inside to the outside of the housing 31 . The installation position of each of the two blower fans 38 and 39 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of efficiently ventilating the air inside the housing 31, the two blower fans 38 and 39 are opposed to each other in the housing body 33. It is preferably attached to the side walls.
As the blower fan, a known fan can be used, and for example, a propeller fan, a sirocco fan, a turbo fan, a mixed flow fan, and a line flow fan (registered trademark) can be used.

Moreover, each of the 1st cultivation unit 30A and the 2nd cultivation unit 30B has the receiving mechanism 40, as shown to FIG. 3A and 3B. The power receiving mechanism 40 receives power from a power source (power supply equipment) (not shown), and supplies power to each of the electric devices (specifically, the light source 35, the stirring device 36, and the blower fans 37, 38, and 39) provided in the cultivation unit 30. supply power. In one embodiment of the present invention, the power receiving mechanism 40 is a connector, and power can be received by connecting a power feeding plug (not shown) to the connector. However, the power receiving mechanism 40 is not limited to this, and the power receiving mechanism 40 receives power by coming into contact with an overhead wire (not shown) provided on the shelf 10 while each cultivation unit 30 is stored in the shelf 10. It may be a device (trolley). Alternatively, the power receiving mechanism 40 may receive power by a wireless power supply system such as a wireless power transmission system.

The cultivation unit 30 configured as described above is used while being housed in the shelf 10 . Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2 , within the shelf 10 , each of the plurality of cultivation units 30 can be used in a state in which the plurality of cultivation units 30 are arranged in the X direction. For example, a plurality of first cultivation units 30A can be stored in the shelf 10 at the same position (height) in the Z direction and arranged in the X direction within the shelf 10 . Similarly, a plurality of second cultivation units 30B (strictly speaking, a plurality of second cultivation units 30B having a common height) are stored on the shelf 10 at the same position (height) in the Z direction, and within the shelf 10 They can be arranged in the X direction.

A plurality of cultivation units 30 arranged in the X direction form a row (hereinafter referred to as a cultivation unit row). Two cultivation units 30 adjacent to each other in the cultivation unit row are connected to each other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, of the two cultivation units 30, the housing 31 provided in the cultivation unit 30 on the back side is attached to the rear end portion of the housing 31 provided in the cultivation unit 30 on the front side. The front end is fitted.

More specifically, side walls provided at both ends in the width direction of the housing body 33 of the cultivation unit 30 on the front side protrude rearward from the rear wall of the housing body 33 . The front end portion of the housing main body 33 provided in the cultivation unit 30 on the far side enters the inside of the two projecting side walls, and the housing main bodies 33 are fitted to each other. Thereby, two cultivation units 30 adjacent in the X direction are connected. As a result, the cultivation unit row 30 is integrated and can be moved integrally within the shelf 10 .

Moreover, in one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of cultivation units 30 can be arranged in the Z direction, and two cultivation units 30 adjacent in the Z direction can be connected. Specifically, the lower end of the housing 31 of the upper cultivation unit 30 is fitted into the upper end of the housing 31 of the lower cultivation unit 30 of the two cultivation units 30 .

More specifically, side walls provided at both ends in the width direction of the housing body 33 of the lower cultivation unit 30 protrude upward from the ceiling wall of the housing body 33 . The lower ends of the housing bodies 33 provided in the upper cultivation unit 30 enter into the insides of the two protruding side walls, and the housing bodies 33 are fitted to each other. Thereby, two cultivation units 30 adjacent in the Z direction are connected.

The structure for connecting two adjacent cultivation units 30 in the X direction or Z direction may be a structure other than the above. may

<Detailed structure of the shelf>
Describing the detailed configuration of the shelf 10, the shelf 10 has, as shown in FIGS. A storage space S for the cultivation unit 30 is formed in the shelf 10, and the support 12 and the extension member 16 form a frame of the storage space S. As shown in FIG.

Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, the storage space S in the shelf 10 is not divided into spaces for one cultivation unit 30, but is formed continuously in the X direction and the Z direction. It has a void type structure. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of cultivation units 30 can be accommodated in the shelf 10 in a state of being arranged in the X direction and the Z direction.

The strut 12 is a member extending in the Z direction and configured by a metal rod or plate. The support column group 14 is configured by arranging two or more rows of support columns each including two or more support columns 12 arranged at regular intervals along the X direction along the Y direction at regular intervals. The number of pillar rows included in the pillar group 14 and the base number of the pillars 12 included in the pillar row are not particularly limited, and can be determined to any number.

In the support column group 14, the positions of the support columns 12 included in each support column row are aligned in the X direction between the support column rows. 6, the column group 14 includes two columns 12 adjacent to each other in the Y direction. Hereinafter, one of the two columns 12 (for example, the column 12 located on one side in the Y direction) will be referred to as a first column 12A, and the other column (for example, the column located on the other side in the Y direction). The column 12) will be referred to as a second column 12B.

Note that the first support column 12A and the second support column 12B are relative concepts, and which support column corresponds depends on the positional relationship between the two columns 12 of interest. For example, of the three columns 12 arranged in the Y direction, the column 12 arranged in the middle corresponds to the second column 12B when viewed from the column 12 arranged on one side of the column 12. On the other hand, when viewed from the support 12 arranged on the other side of the support 12, it corresponds to the first support 12A.

The space positioned between the first support 12A and the second support 12B in the Y direction corresponds to the storage space S of the cultivation unit 30, as shown in FIGS. be done. That is, the first support 12A and the second support 12B are separated in the Y direction, and the distance between the support in the Y direction is wider than the width of the housing 31 of the cultivation unit 30.

The extending member 16 is an elongated metal body (horizontal beam) fixed to each of the plurality of struts 12 in a state of intersecting with each of the plurality of struts 12 forming the row of struts. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of extension members 16 are arranged at regular intervals in the Z direction. The number of extending members 16 arranged in the Z direction is not particularly limited, and may be determined according to the height of the support 12, for example.

Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, each extension member 16 extends from one end to the other end of the row of columns and is continuous in the X direction. It is installed on each strut 12 . Note that each extension member 16 is not limited to this, and each extension member 16 is divided in the middle in the X direction. may be

A plurality of extension members 16 (hereinafter referred to as extension member groups) arranged at regular intervals in the Z direction are provided for each column row, as shown in FIG. That is, extension member groups are fixed to the first support 12A and the second support 12B, respectively. Here, each extension member 16 in the extension member group fixed to the first support 12A and each extension member 16 in the extension member group fixed to the second support 12B form a pair with each other. . Also, the paired extension members 16 are arranged at the same position in the Z direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the positions of the paired extending members 16 may be slightly shifted in the Z direction.

Each extension member 16 has a portion that extends in the Y direction while being fixed to the support 12 . Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, each extension member 16 is configured by an L-shaped angle. Of the two L-shaped sides of each extension member 16, one side is fixed to the support column 12, and the other side extends horizontally in the Y direction.

More specifically, the extension member 16 fixed to each of the first struts 12A and the second struts 12B has a portion extending toward the space between the struts (that is, the storage space S). That is, each of the group of extension members fixed to the first support 12A has a portion extending toward the side of the second support 12B, and each of the group of extension members fixed to the second support 12B is It has a portion extending toward the first support 12A side. Each of the portions extending so as to face each other corresponds to the support portion 18 .

The cultivation unit 30 stored in the storage space S is supported by the support portions 18 of the extension members 16 fixed to the first support 12A and the second support 12B. Specifically, the cultivation unit 30 includes rib-like protruding portions 42 that horizontally protrude from both side surfaces (both end surfaces in the Y direction) of the housing 31 . When the cultivation unit 30 is housed in the housing space S, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the projecting portion 42 on the one end side in the Y direction is provided on one extending member 16 fixed to the first support 12A. It faces the support portion 18 in the Z direction and is placed on the support portion 18 . Similarly, the projecting portion 42 on the other end in the Y direction faces in the Z direction the support portion 18 provided on one extension member 16 fixed to the second support 12B and is placed on the support portion 18. be. The cultivation unit 30 stored in the storage space S in this manner is supported by the support portions 18 located on both sides thereof.

As described above, the shelf 10 is provided with a plurality of support portions 18 extending from each of the first support columns 12A and the second support columns 12B toward the storage space S at regular intervals in the Z direction (FIG. 6). reference). The cultivating unit 30 is supported by one of the plurality of support portions 18 extending from the first support 12A and one of the plurality of support portions 18 extending from the second support 12B. held in S. The two support portions 18 that support the cultivation unit 30, that is, the support portion 18 on the side of the first support 12A and the support portion 18 on the side of the second support 12B are located at the same position in the Z direction and arranged at positions facing each other. Being paired.

When the cultivation unit 30 in the storage space S is taken out of the shelf 10 , the cultivation unit 30 is pulled out in the X direction so that the projecting portion 42 slides along the support portion 18 . Thereby, the cultivation unit 30 can be taken out smoothly.

In addition, since the cultivation units 30 adjacent to each other are connected to each other, the plurality of cultivation units 30 arranged in the X direction (that is, the cultivation unit row) moves in the shelf 10 integrally. At this time, the projecting portion 42 of each of the plurality of cultivation units 30 slides on the same support portion 18 (that is, on the support portion 18 supporting the projecting portion 42 of each cultivation unit 30).

<Regarding the relationship between the structure of the shelf and the shape of the cultivation unit>
Next, the relationship between the structure of the shelf 10 and the shape of the cultivation unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG.
A plurality of extension members 16 are fixed to each of the columns 12 of the column group 14 provided in the shelf 10 at regular intervals in the Z direction. out. Here, the interval between the support portions 18 in the Z direction is hereinafter referred to as "support pitch".

Also, between the first support 12A and the second support 12B adjacent to each other in the support group 14, two support portions 18 arranged at the same position in the Z direction form a pair. The two supporting portions 18 forming a pair are spaced apart in the Y direction, and the distance from one supporting portion 18 to the other supporting portion 18 is hereinafter referred to as the "separation distance".

The height of the housing 31 (first housing 31A) of the first cultivation unit 30A is smaller than the support pitch, for example, slightly smaller than the support pitch. On the other hand, the height of the housing 31 (second housing 31B) of the second cultivation unit 30B is larger than the support pitch as shown in FIG. 7, for example, m times the support pitch (m is a natural number of 2 or more). slightly smaller than the length Here, the height of the housing 31 is determined from the uppermost portion of the housing 31 (for example, the upper end of the side wall of the housing body 33) to the lowest portion (for example, the bottom surface of the tank 32). Equivalent to the distance to

In addition, the width of the housing 31 of the first cultivation unit 30A (first housing 31A) and the width of the housing 31 of the second cultivation unit 30B (second housing 31B) are both shorter than the separation distance, For example, it is several mm to several cm shorter than the separation distance.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the shelf 10 (specifically, the support pitch and the separation distance) and the shape of the cultivation unit 30 have the relationship described above. Accordingly, when the cultivation unit 30 is housed in the shelf 10, the housing 31 of the cultivation unit 30 is located between the use supports in the Y direction, as shown in FIG. The supporting portion for use means the supporting portion 18 that supports the protruding portion 42 of the cultivation unit 30 among the plurality of supporting portions 18 extending from each of the first support 12A and the second support 12B. It is the support part 18 which is holding.

In addition, when the second cultivation unit 30B is housed in the shelf 10, the housing 31 (second housing 31B) of the second cultivation unit 30B is positioned in the Y direction as shown in FIG. and between unused supports. In other words, when the second cultivation unit 30B is stored in the storage space S, the plurality of support portions 18 provided on each of the first support columns 12A and the second support columns 12B include unused support portions. The unused support portion is the support portion 18 that is within the range where the housing 31 of the second cultivation unit 30B exists in the Z direction and that does not support the projecting portion 42 of the second cultivation unit 30B. .

The housing 31 of the second cultivation unit 30B stored in the storage space S is not in contact with the unused support portion as shown in FIG. This is because the width of the housing 31 of the second cultivation unit 30B is the distance from the unused support provided on the first support 12A to the unused support provided on the second support 12B (that is, the separation distance). because it is shorter.

Since the housing 31 of the second cultivation unit 30B does not come into contact with the unused support portion as described above, the second cultivation unit 30B can be easily placed in the shelf 10 while avoiding interference between the housing 31 and the support portion 18. Also, the second cultivation unit 30B in the shelf 10 can be easily taken out. According to such a configuration, the variety of cultivation units 30 that can be stored in the shelf 10 is increased, and in particular, the degree of freedom of the height of the housing 31 is improved. That is, the first cultivation unit 30A and the second cultivation unit 30B having different heights can be stored at arbitrary places within the shelf 10 .

<Other embodiments>
Although the cultivation equipment of the present invention has been described above with specific examples, the above-described embodiment is merely an example for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and embodiments other than the above are also conceivable. obtain.

In the above-described embodiment, as an example of a configuration in which the housing 31 of the second cultivation unit 30B stored in the storage space S does not contact the unused support portion, a configuration in which the width of the housing 31 is shorter than the separation distance. mentioned. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and a second example shown in FIG. 8 can be considered as a configuration in which the housing 31 of the second cultivation unit 30B does not come into contact with the unused support portion.

In the second example, concave portions 50 are provided on both side surfaces of the housing 31 (second housing 31B) of the second cultivation unit 30B. The recessed portion 50 is provided at a position facing the support portion 18 (more specifically, the unused support portion) when the second cultivation unit 30B is stored in the storage space S. As shown in FIG.

In the second example, when the second cultivation unit 30B is stored in the storage space S, as shown in FIG. The side on which the recess 50 is formed) is away from the unused support. That is, in the second example, the housing 31 of the second cultivation unit 30B housed in the housing space S does not come into contact with the unused support part due to the provision of the recess 50 described above. As a result, even in the second example, it is possible to easily store the second cultivation unit 30B in the shelf 10 and take it out from the shelf 10 while avoiding interference between the housing 31 and the support portion 18. .

In addition, the shape of the housing 31 (second housing 31B) of the second cultivation unit 30B may be any shape as long as it can avoid contact with the unused support portion. A width of a portion may be longer than the separation distance. In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the housing 31 of the second cultivation unit 30B has a tapered shape in which the width of the housing 31 gradually widens from the upper end to the lower end of the housing 31 in the Z direction. is longer than the separation distance.
In addition, in the second cultivation unit 30B having the housing 31 having the shape shown in FIG. 9, the projecting portion 42 (second projecting portion 42B) is located at the upper end of the housing 31 at the Y position of the housing 31 as shown in FIG. It is good to protrude from the direction both sides.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the plurality of cultivation units 30 can be accommodated in the shelf 10 in a state of being arranged in the X direction, but the arrangement is not limited to this. For example, the number of cultivation units 30 that can be accommodated in the shelf 10 at each height, that is, the number of cultivation units 30 that can be arranged in the shelf 10 in the X direction, may be only one.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the protrusions 42 are provided on both side surfaces of the housing 31 of the cultivation unit 30, and the protrusions 42 protrude outward from the housing 31 like ribs. did. However, the shape of the projecting portion 42 is not limited to the shape described above. You may utilize as the protrusion part 42. FIG.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, in the plurality of cultivation units 30 arranged in the X direction, adjacent cultivation units 30 are connected to each other. Thereby, the plurality of cultivation units 30 can be integrally moved in the X direction within the shelf 10 . However, it is not limited to this, and the plurality of cultivation units 30 arranged in the X direction within the shelf 10 may be separated from each other without being connected. That is, each of the plurality of cultivation units 30 may be individually moved within the shelf 10 .

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the plurality of support portions 18 extending from each of the columns 12 included in the column group 14 are provided at regular intervals in the Z direction, and the support pitch is constant. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the support pitch may not be constant, and the intervals between the support portions 18 in the Z direction may be uneven.

10 shelf 12 support 12A first support 12B second support 14 support group 16 extension member 18 support part 30 cultivation unit 30A first cultivation unit 30B second cultivation unit 31 housing 31A first housing 31B second housing 32 tank 33 Case body 34 Support plate 35 Light source 36 Stirring device 37, 38, 39 Blower fan 40 Power receiving mechanism 42 Protruding part 42A First protruding part 42B Second protruding part 50 Recess 100 Cultivation equipment I Culture medium L Nutrient solution P Plant S Storage space

Claims (10)

A column group including two columns adjacent to each other, and a plurality of support portions provided at intervals in the height direction and extending from each of the two columns toward a space between the two columns. a shelf;
A first housing having a height smaller than the distance and first protrusions protruding from both side surfaces of the first housing, each of the first protrusions being provided on each of the two columns. a first cultivation unit accommodated in the space by being supported by one of the plurality of support parts;
a second housing having a height greater than the interval; and second protrusions protruding from both side surfaces of the second housing, each of the second protrusions being provided on each of the two columns. a second cultivation unit that is accommodated in the space by being supported by one of the plurality of support parts;
When the second cultivation unit is housed in the space,
The plurality of support portions provided on each of the two columns includes unused support portions that are within a range in which the second housing exists in the height direction and that do not support the second projecting portion. including
Cultivation equipment, wherein the second housing is not in contact with the unused support section. The shelf stores a plurality of the first cultivation units or a plurality of the second cultivation units arranged in a cross direction crossing the height direction,
The cultivation facility according to claim 1, wherein two of the first cultivation units adjacent in the cross direction or two of the second cultivation units adjacent in the cross direction are connected. The cultivation facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of said first cultivation unit and said second cultivation unit has a light source. Each of said 1st cultivation unit and said 2nd cultivation unit is a cultivation installation as described in any one of Claims 1 thru|or 3 which has a ventilation fan. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the first cultivation unit and the second cultivation unit has a nutrient solution tank in which plants are submerged, and an agitating device for agitating the nutrient solution in the tank. Cultivation equipment as described. Each of said 1st cultivation unit and said 2nd cultivation unit is a cultivation installation as described in any one of Claims 3 thru|or 5 which has a receiving mechanism. 2. The lateral width of the second housing is shorter than the distance from the unused support portion provided on one of the two columns to the unused support portion provided on the other column. 7. Cultivation equipment according to any one of items 1 to 6. Both side surfaces of the second housing are provided with recesses,
The cultivation equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the concave portion faces the unused support portion when the second cultivation unit is accommodated in the space. 7. The shape of the second housing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the shape of the second housing is a tapered shape in which the lateral width of the second housing changes from the upper end to the lower end of the second housing in the height direction. Cultivation equipment described in paragraph. The cultivation facility according to claim 9, wherein the second protrusion protrudes from both side surfaces of the second housing at the upper end of the second housing.

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