JPH02215321A - Diluted nutrient solution detection with microcomputer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable to prepare and feed diluted nutrient solutions respectively optimal for plural different cultivation media by detecting the levels of the solutions with electrodes capable of being freely moved with a microcomputer in the preparation of the diluted nutrient solutions to be fed into the cultivation media. CONSTITUTION:Electrodes [a liquid level-detecting means DF and a diluted nutrient solution-preparing, feeding or stopping means (a mixing tank C)] having driving means for freely changing the positions of the electrodes with the output signals of a microcomputer is brought into contact with liquids to detect the liquid levels and the detected signals are fed into the microcomputer. Thus, diluted nutrient solutions having different components in different mixing ratios and amounts are continuously automatically effectively fed in plural independent media or same media at the most necessary times and data such as the feeding times for the media, feeding periods, the components of the diluted nutrient solutions, mixing ratios and amounts are recorded and treated, thereby permitting to prepare a support software required for a complex environmental control system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a detection method for controlling diluted nutrient solution that allows creation of support software necessary for a complex environmental control system using a microcomputer.

<Conventional technology> Currently, with the transition from soil cultivation to hydroponic cultivation to plant factories, a complex environmental control system using a microcomputer has been established that controls the environment by having microcomputers do as much of the work that has been done by humans as possible. It is being done.

By the way, it is necessary to accumulate data over a certain period of time in order to develop the optimal cultivation method suitable for the plant using culture media, equipment, nutrient solutions, etc. To do this, diluted nutrient solutions with different components, mixing ratios, amounts, etc. are supplied to multiple independent culture media or to the same culture medium under the same conditions such as solar radiation, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration, and then Data such as the time of supply to the culture medium, supply time, components of the diluted nutrient solution, mixing ratio, amount, etc. are stored and processed together with data such as moisture per day of the culture medium, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide gas immersion level, etc., and the growth state is determined. The task of comparatively analyzing
It will inevitably become necessary.

Furthermore, if a single device can supply nutrient solutions with different components, mixing ratios, amounts, etc. to a plurality of independent culture media for different plants, it is possible to share facilities and equipment, which is economical.

Many publications have been published regarding diluted nutrient solution control using a mixing tank, such as Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-40455, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 61-67418, and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 61-185135.

<Problems and Means to be Solved by the Invention> Conventionally, a diluted nutrient solution control device using a mixing tank has generally had a configuration as shown in FIG. 1, for example.

That is, A-1 and A-2 are stock solution storage water supply stop means, B-1
, B-2 is a means for stopping the measurement and supply of raw solution, C is a means for stopping the supply of diluted nutrient solution (mixing tank), D is a means for stopping the supply of diluted nutrient solution storage water, and E is a means for stopping the supply of raw water, each of which is electrically connected to the control box. It is connected to the. Each of the means except the raw water supply stop means E includes water level detection means (circuits) DA-, 1, DA-2, DB-1, DB.
-2DC and DD are provided and electrically connected to the control box.

The mechanism for creating diluted nutrient solution is to stop the supply of diluted nutrient solution (
When the liquid level in the mixing tank (C) reached a certain water level, preparation started, and the process ended after the stock solution and water were supplied in an appropriate amount. In this case, the above configuration does not have the precision to mix multiple raw solutions and raw water in the diluted nutrient solution preparation and supply stop means (mixing tank) C, and the mixing time becomes longer and extra equipment is required. requires
In addition, the amount of diluted nutrient solution created is not arbitrary, and there is a drawback that diluted nutrient solutions with different components, mixing ratios, and amounts cannot be created continuously.

As described above, one function or performance was insufficient to make it possible to soften the optimum cultivation method using a complex environmental control system.

By the way, in the present invention, an electrode having a drive means for freely changing its position by an output signal from a microcomputer comes into contact with the liquid, detects the water level, and sends a detection signal to the microcomputer. The liquid volume can be determined from the area above the liquid surface determined by the shape of the container and the position of movement of the electrode, that is, the liquid level. If this principle is applied to the above example using the water level detection means DF, the result will be as shown in FIG. It consists of a production supply stop means (mixing tank) C1 and a raw water supply stop means E, each of which is electrically connected to a microcomputer.

In addition, the diluted nutrient solution preparation and supply stop means (a-combination tank) C
Inside is DF, raw solution metering supply stop means 8-1, A-2 is DA-1, DA-2, and if necessary, raw water supply stop means is DE water level detection means (circuit). and is electrically connected to the microcomputer. The accuracy of each means is set within a range of error that is practically acceptable for each function.

The diluted nutrient solution preparation method is as follows: 1. Set the starting point for diluted nutrient solution preparation at one fixed location, and use the water level (liquid level) or position at that point as a reference to create the diluted nutrient solution with arbitrary components and mixing ratio once. Create only the minimum amount of
After the medium is supplied, the system returns to the starting point. Therefore, diluted nutrient solutions with different components, mixing ratios, and amounts are prepared each time with a fixed starting point.

2. After supplying the diluted nutrient solution with arbitrary components and mixing ratio to the culture medium, with the diluted nutrient solution creation starting point set as the water level (liquid level) of the residual diluted nutrient solution created last time, the diluted nutrient solution creation and supply stop means (Mixing tank) The remaining diluted nutrient solution created this time in C is always created in an arbitrary amount within the range that can be created next time. Therefore, diluted nutrient solutions with different components, mixing ratios, and amounts are prepared each time without fixing the preparation starting point within the range that can be prepared next time.

etc., or use a combination of two.

By the way, FIG. 2(A) shows a pocket Pt-
The electrodes of the water level detection means DF are arranged on a plurality of liquid surfaces (in this case, the pockets) having different areas above the liquid surface.
Liquid level in P and means for stopping supply of diluted nutrient solution (mixing tank)
Constructed so that it comes into contact with the entire liquid surface in C), increasing detection accuracy and detecting minute amounts of undiluted solution,! ! An example of adding a mechanism that can measure X water will also be posted. Such a mechanism is particularly suitable for the method 1 for preparing a diluted nutrient solution.

Moreover, in FIG. 2(b), in place of the water level detection means DF, a drive means for freely changing the position according to the output signal of a microcomputer is provided, and the dilution nutrient solution production and supply stop means (
In order to detect the water level by contacting the liquid and send a detection signal to the microcomputer by installing a pocket P that has the function of measuring a small amount of the raw liquid or raw water in the lid that can seal the mixing tank) C. The water level detection means FF, which has a plurality of electrodes, detects the liquid level in the plurality of liquid surfaces (in this case, the pockets) P with different areas above the liquid surface and the diluted nutrient solution preparation and supply stop means (mixing tank). By making it possible to measure the entire liquid level in C, increasing the detection accuracy and
Such a mechanism, which is an example of a case where a mechanism capable of measuring raw water is added, is particularly suitable for the method 2 for preparing the diluted nutrient solution.

Therefore, it is possible to continuously and automatically create diluted nutrient solutions with different arbitrary components, mixing ratios, and amounts at the most necessary time without any waste. Further, data such as the time of supply to the culture medium, the supply time, the components of the diluted nutrient solution, the mixing ratio, and the amount can also be stored and processed. As described above, the present invention is extremely versatile, economical, and convenient, and can be flexibly adapted to all cultivation methods.

Function> In Fig. 3, for example, the microcomputer M has an input/output circuit (I1
0 interface) Ilo, the water level detection circuit (means) D of the stock solution storage water supply stop means A-, 1, A-2
A-1, DA-2, water level detection circuit (means) DF (FF) of the diluted nutrient solution creation and supply stop means (mixing tank) C;
Other solar radiation detection circuit (means) DS, temperature detection circuit (means) DT, humidity detection circuit (means) DPl, culture medium moisture detection circuit (means) DW, carbon dioxide concentration detection circuit (means) D
A detection circuit is constituted by G, etc., and means A-1 for stopping supply of raw solution stored water.
, A-2 drive circuit (supply stop means) MA-1, MA-
2, Fi nutrient solution preparation supply stop means (mixing tank) drive circuit (supply stop means) MC1 raw water supply stop means E drive circuit (supply stop means) ME, other window ventilation drive circuits (means) MW, Boiler drive circuit (means) MB, heater drive circuit (means) MH, curtain drive circuit (means) MK, watering drive circuit (means) MS, diluted nutrient solution stirring in the diluted nutrient solution creation and supply stop means (mixing tank) C Drive circuit (means) M
A drive circuit is constituted by M, a cleaning drive circuit (means) MG, etc., and are connected to each other.

The microcomputer may be a controllable pocket computer (hereinafter referred to as "bokecon") that has recently been commercially available, and the drive circuit (supply stop means) MA-1, MA-2, MC,
The ME, etc. may be a pump or a solenoid valve if it is located at a high level.In addition, a breakwater plate or breakwater pipe may be installed as necessary to prevent errors caused by waves when supplying undiluted raw water when detecting the water level. do. The capacity of the diluted nutrient solution production and supply stop means (mixing tank) C is approximately 1.1 to 1.3 times the general amount required for one time supply of the diluted nutrient solution to a unit culture medium, and its shape is similar to that of the bottom. Make the height greater than the length of each side. In the undiluted solution storage water supply stop means A-1 and A-2, the concentration of the undiluted solution is such that the preparation of diluted nutrient solution functions with sufficient accuracy, and the capacity thereof is the amount necessary for the entire growth period of cultivated plants or for a certain period of time. The amount required each time (for example, once a month),
The water level detection circuits (means) DA-1 and DA-2 are for detecting the lower water level of the raw solution, and the water level detection circuit (means) DB is for detecting the raw water.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the present invention. First, all the drive circuits (supply stop means) are set to the initial state, and the remaining diluted nutrient solution, stock solution, raw water, amount of solar radiation, temperature, humidity, moisture in the medium, carbon dioxide, etc. Check the gas concentration, past data, etc. if necessary, and determine the components of the diluted nutrient solution that should be created using logical means.
Setting the mixing ratio, amount, etc.Next, the liquid level of the first stock solution is set in the diluted nutrient solution preparation and supply stopping means (mixing tank) C, and the first stock solution is supplied up to that level. If the stock solution becomes low during the process, the room solution will drop to its lowest level. J will be displayed and the program will continue. Subsequently, the second raw axillary, the third raw solution, 9, Φsha, and raw water are supplied and stirred after preparation. Subsequently, in this case, the water level and timing of the medium supply are set again based on the water content data of the medium, and in this case, the moisture detection means DW is provided at several locations in one unit of the medium, and the average value or The lowest value is taken, and if the diluted nutrient solution runs out during the process, the initial setting is performed to compensate for the shortage. lastly,
The diluted nutrient solution supply data (supply time, supply time, supply amount, components, mixing ratio, etc.) is stored and processed. Then, the initial settings are returned and the process is repeated again.

<Example> FIG. 5 is an example for one unit of culture medium from sunrise to sunset. In other words, in an environment where temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, etc. are kept constant within a certain range, when the solar radiation curve in the figure reaches the set level, supply of diluted nutrient solution is started to reduce the moisture content of the culture medium to 80%. %, then 60% or F-
) After replacing the supply within a range of 80%, the supply is stopped after sunset to promote photosynthesis, translocation, and respiration of plants.

In such control, for example, the first medium is a standard diluted nutrient solution for the A plant, the second medium is a diluted nutrient solution of a different strength for the A plant, and the third medium is a diluted nutrient solution of a different mixing ratio for the A plant. 4. The present invention is applied to culture media such as diluted nutrient solutions with different components, mixing ratios, and amounts for B plants, and some examples thereof are displayed on a microcomputer as shown in FIG. 6 and Table 1. In this case, NO in Table 1 indicates the order of supply to the culture medium, time indicates the start time of supply,
The medium is medium J'II#r, the ingredients and mixing ratio are stock solution A,
The standard unit for BC is 1.0, and the amount (%) is the rated capacity of the diluted nutrient solution production and supply stop means (mixing tank) C of 10.
In this case, in Table 1, the feeding methods to the culture medium are as follows: 1, No1-1, No1-2, No1-3.
8°1-4, Washing, No.2-1, No.2-2, N.

3-1. Washing, No. 4-1, a method of preparing and supplying a unit of culture medium.

2. Create the total amount of No1-1 and Not-2, N.

Creating the total amount of 1-3 and No. 1-4, cleaning, creating the total amount of No. 2-1, No. 2-2, and No. 3-1, cleaning, No. 4-
As shown in step 1, the diluted nutrient solution required for the next preparation is predicted based on past data and the ever-changing culture medium moisture data.
After creating the maximum amount allowable by the capacity and accuracy of the diluted nutrient solution creation and supply stop means (mixing tank) C at one time, create diluted nutrient solutions with the components, mixing ratio, and amount necessary for each culture medium. How to supply.

3. Method of creating and supplying by setting the previous day's supply data.

4. Only those whose patterns are known in advance are prepared using the most efficient method, and those whose patterns are not known are prepared and supplied for each unit of culture medium.

There are various methods, such as, and you can also create and supply the information by manually inputting it from the microcomputer's keyboard during the process.

Furthermore, the present invention is not applicable only to an open system in which the medium is simply supplied to the culture medium, but the data on the used culture medium diluted nutrient solution is measured and inputted to a microcomputer, so that the used medium diluted nutrient solution is It is possible to create a diluted nutrient solution using a nutrient solution, and therefore it is also applicable to a circulation system.

<Effects of the Invention> From the above, it is possible to continuously and automatically supply diluted nutrient solutions with different components, mixing ratios, and amounts to a plurality of independent culture media or to the same culture medium at the most needed time without waste. Data such as the amount of sunlight, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, moisture in the medium, etc., as well as the time and duration of supply to the medium, the components, mixing ratio, and amount of the diluted nutrient solution are stored and processed to determine the growth state. Through comparative analysis work, it is possible to develop software in a complex environmental control system. Therefore, it is possible to create unique support software that best suits the culture medium, equipment, plants, etc. at the site.

Further, the undiluted solution in the undiluted solution storage water supply stop means A-1, A-2 may be a diluted nutrient solution as long as the components and mixing ratio are known; , the raw water supply stop means E, etc. are compatible with the existing diluted nutrient solution control device and can be easily incorporated into the existing equipment.

In addition, this device alone can supply diluted nutrient solutions with different components, mixing ratios, amounts, etc. to a plurality of independent culture media of different plants, making it economical.

In this way, the present invention not only creates and supplies a diluted nutrient solution optimal for multiple different media, but also creates and supplies a single diluted nutrient solution for a single medium, as well as provides complex environmental control. This is an innovative method for creating the support software necessary for the system.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional diluted nutrient solution device, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a diluted nutrient solution device of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the same as above. System circuit diagram, Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the same operation as above, Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of diluted nutrient solution supply as above, Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of diluted nutrient solution supply to multiple culture media as above, Table 1 is same as above This is a table explaining the supply of harvested nutrient solution to multiple culture media. A-1, A-2-・Store solution storage water supply stop means B-1, 8-
2-.Measurement and supply stop means for stock solution C..Means for stopping supply of diluted nutrient solution (mixing tank) DΦsha diluted nutrient solution storage water supply stop means Ee e.Means for stopping supply of raw water P..Pocket DA-1
, DA-2, I) B-1, DB-2, DCDD, DE,
DF, FF・Middle water level detection means (circuit) M8・Microcomputer Ilo・・Input/output circuit (I10 interface DS・
・Solar radiation detection circuit (means) DT・φ temperature detection circuit (means) DH・fist humidity detection circuit (means) DW・mid moisture detection circuit (means) DG・・carbon dioxide concentration detection circuit (means) MA-1, M.A.
-2, MC, ME-・Drive circuit (supply stop means) MW MB・MH・K−MS・MM・MG・Window ventilation drive circuit (means) Boiler drive circuit (means) Heater drive circuit (means) Curtain drive Circuit (means) Watering drive circuit (means) Diluted nutrient solution stirring drive circuit (means) Cleaning drive circuit (means) for diluted nutrient solution creation and supply stop means (mixing tough) N Table

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) An electrode having a drive means for freely changing its position in response to an output signal from a microcomputer comes into contact with the liquid to detect the water level and send a detection signal to the microcomputer. Accordingly, the diluted nutrient solution having different components, mixing ratios, and amounts can be automatically and efficiently supplied to multiple independent culture media or to the same culture medium at the time when it is most needed, and,
For diluted nutrient solution control, data such as supply time and supply time to the culture medium, components of the diluted nutrient solution, mixing ratio, amount, etc. are stored and processed to create support software necessary for a complex environmental control system. Detection method. 2) The detection method for controlling diluted nutrient solution according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is configured to contact a plurality of liquid surfaces having different areas on the liquid surface.