JPH0638643A - Plant cultivation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a plant cultivation system capable of collectively controlling a plurality of plants (trees, flowers, foliage plants, etc.) dispersedly arranged in a room such as atrium. CONSTITUTION:A plurality of growth tanks 401-4016 for the hydroponic culture of plants are dispersedly arranged in a showroom 1. Each growth tank 401-4016 is connected to an aeration pump 30 through a water-feeding pipe 41 for each tank and each water-feeding pipe 41 is provided with a solenoid valve 321-3216 corresponding to each growth tank 401-4016. Water discharged from each growth tank 401-4016 is recovered and circulated through a circulation system. The solenoid valve 321-3216 corresponding to each growth tank 401-4016 is periodically opened and closed by a controller 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plant cultivation system for cultivating and managing trees, flowers, ornamental plants, etc.
The present invention relates to a plant cultivation system capable of centrally managing a large number of plantings dispersedly arranged in an indoor atrium space or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Indoors, such as hotel lobbies, exhibition halls, showrooms, convention halls, entrance halls, restaurants, offices, etc., have plants such as trees, flowers or ornamental plants in order to enhance the living environment for humans. Often placed. These plants are usually
It can be planted in pots or planters, or in pits or flower beds associated with structures. Regardless of which plant is planted, since it is indoors, regular watering is indispensable.

As a method suitable for indoor plant cultivation, there is a method called hydroponics.
This method uses inorganic foam bricks instead of soil, and attempts to grow plants by supplying water regularly. Fertilizer components may be mixed in the supplied water. Since the soil is not used in hydroponics, it is possible to prevent the accumulation of salt in the soil, the occurrence of pests and diseases, and the scattering of dust into the room, and the same water can be continuously used.
Foamed brick has an apparent specific gravity of about 1/3 that of soil, so there is also an advantage that even if a large flower pot or planter is used, the building will not be overloaded.

In hydroponics, it is necessary to prevent water rot and root rot of plants due to excessive water supply. In order to prevent root rot, the water supplied and retained in the flowerpot is aerated, and the water level in the flowerpot is periodically changed so that water does not reach the root part intermittently. By doing so, some efforts have been made to actively supply oxygen to the roots. There are also flowerpots that incorporate a pump for aeration, and automated flowerpots that incorporate a water tank and a pump so that water is intermittently supplied to the roots of plants. It is commercially available.

[0005]

According to the above-described conventional method for cultivating plants, when the plants are distributed and arranged in a plurality of places such as in the lobby of the hotel, each of the distributed flower pots, planters, and pits is distributed. However, there is a problem that it is necessary to manage the amount of water and fertilizer, and it takes time to manage and maintain. That is, even if the above-mentioned automated flower pot for hydroponic cultivation is used, it is necessary to manually replenish the water in each plant pot. In addition, when the environment of the space where the plant is placed (that is, temperature and humidity) changes, it is possible to respond to these changes in temperature and humidity by collectively changing the amount and temperature of water supplied. There is a problem that is difficult.

An object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation system capable of collectively managing a plurality of distributed plantings.

[0007]

The plant cultivation system of the present invention includes a plurality of growing tanks having a water supply section, a drain section and a foam brick layer, a supply means for supplying water, and each of the growing tanks. And a water supply pipe having one end connected to the water supply section of the corresponding growing tank and the other end connected to the supply means, and water distribution in the water supply pipe provided for each water supply pipe. Control valve, a drainage unit of each of the growing tanks and the supply means are connected, and circulation means for circulating water discharged from each of the growing tanks to the supply means, and opening and closing of each valve are concentrated. The plant is planted in the foam brick layer and grown by hydroponics.

[0008]

[Function] A plurality of growing tanks having a foam brick layer, water supply pipes provided corresponding to each growing tank, valves provided for each water supply pipe, and opening and closing of each valve are concentrated. Since it has a control device for management, it is possible to control the water supply for each growing tank by opening and closing the valve, and it is possible to collectively manage a plurality of distributed plants.

It is desirable that the water supplied to each growth tank be mixed with air. Therefore, if the supply means is provided with an aeration pump or each growth tank is equipped with an aeration pump. Good. Further, in order to reduce the labor of individually supplying fertilizer to each growing tank and to facilitate plant management, the circulation means may be provided with a fertilizer mixing machine for mixing fertilizer into circulating water. As the control device, it is desirable to use a control device that opens and closes a valve corresponding to the growth tank in accordance with a cycle determined for each growth tank. The determined cycle is appropriately determined depending on the type of plant planted in the growing tank.

Further, in order to increase the degree of freedom of use of the space in which the growing tanks in the building are dispersedly arranged, a hole is provided in advance on the floor surface of the building, and the growing tank is provided in the hole. Good to do. At this time, the upper surface of the growing tank should be approximately on the same plane as the floor surface of the building, and the growing tank can be closed with a lid when no plant is planted in the growing tank, and the lid when closed with the lid. It is advisable that there be no step or gap between the floor and the floor.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a plant cultivation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This plant cultivation system centrally manages planting distributed in a plurality of places, and includes 16 growing tanks 4 in which plants are planted.
0 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ . Here, the showroom 1 is taken as an example of the indoor space, and the growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40
A case where ₁₆ are provided in the showroom 1 will be described. A machine room 2 is provided adjacent to the showroom 1, but the machine room 2 is invisible to a person in the showroom 1. One-dot chain line A in FIG.
Indicates that the showroom 1 and the machine room 2 are separated. As is clear from the description below,
The machine room 2 may be provided in a place apart from the showroom 1.

First, the structure of these growth tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ will be described with reference to FIG. These growing tanks 40 ₁
Since the constructions of ˜40 ₁₆ are the same, the suffix is omitted and it is referred to as a growth tank 40 except when a specific growth tank is designated.

The growing tank 40 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped container having a bottom, the entire upper surface of which is open, and a water supply port 42 is provided at the bottom.
And a drainage port 51 are provided. The water supply port 42 is connected to a water supply pipe 41 described later, and the drainage port 51 is connected to a circulating water pipe 45 via a drainage pipe 52. A tubular water supply nozzle 54 is inserted into the water supply port 42 from the inside of the growing tank 40. The water supply nozzle 54 supplies the water supplied from the water supply pipe 41 from the relatively upper side of the growing tank 40 to the growing tank 4.
It is for supplying within 0. The upper end of the water supply nozzle 54 is below the upper surface of the growing tank 40, and in the example shown in FIG. 2, about 3/4 of the height from the bottom surface of the growing tank 40. Water from the water supply pipe 41 passes through the water supply port 42 and the water supply nozzle 54, and is supplied into the growing tank 40 from the upper end of the water supply nozzle 54.

On the other hand, a tubular overflow member 53 is removably inserted into the drain port 51 from the inside of the growing tank 40. The overflow member 53 is for keeping the water level in the growing tank 40 constant by moving the drainage position substantially upward. That is, by mounting the overflow member 53 on the drainage port 51, the water in the growing tank 40 passes through the inside of the overflow member 53 from the upper end of the overflow member 53, and is drained from the drainage port 51 via the drainage pipe 52. Become. In this case, the water below the upper end position of the overflow member 53 will not be drained. Overflow member 5
The length of 3 is set according to the desired water level in the growing tank 40 (shown by the wavy line in FIG. 2), and in the example shown in FIG. 2, about 1/4 of the height of the growing tank 40. Is. Upbringing tank 4
When it is desired to completely drain the inside of the growing tank 40, such as when removing plants from 0, the overflow member 53 may be removed from the drain port 51.

As described above, the water supply port 42 and the water supply nozzle 54 form the water supply part of the growing tank 40, and the drainage port 51 and the overflow member 53 form the draining part of the growing tank 40. .

The growing tank 40 is filled with foam brick 58. The foam brick 58 is a porous granular material obtained by firing an inorganic material, and is used in place of soil in hydroponics. The inner pot 70 is removably inserted into the layer of the foamed brick 58 from above.

The inner bowl 70 is an inverted frustoconical container having a trumpet-shaped upper opening, and is made of a gas-permeable and water-permeable material. The inner bowl 70 is made of, for example, a stainless steel plate having a large number of holes or a plastic plate having a large number of holes. The inner pot 70 is a portion where plants 71 such as trees and flowers are actually planted, and is filled with foamed brick 59. The root part of the plant 71 is inside the layer of foam brick 59.

As is clear from the above description, the inner bowl 70
The plant 71 can be easily replaced by replacing the entire plant 71. The plants transplanted to or from the growing tank 40 are transported and stored together with the inner pot 70. In this case, if a large-scale storage tank for storage is prepared separately, plants that are not used for the time being are grown together with the inner pot 70 in the storage tank so that the plants can be stored according to the season and use. It can be used at any time. If it is not intended to replace the plant 71 or if the plant 71 can be easily transplanted to the foam brick layer, the inner pot 70 may not be provided. In this case, the whole growing tank 40 is filled with the foam brick, and the plant is directly planted in the layer of the filled foam brick.

In hydroponic cultivation, compared to cultivation in soil,
The root shape of the plant becomes compact and the root shape can be freely set. That is, when a plant is grown by hydroponic culture using a pot of a desired shape, roots are densely populated according to the shape of this pot. The shape of the root may be, for example, a prismatic shape or a pyramidal shape in addition to the cylindrical shape. The roots grow near the center of the pot with the same density as the outer periphery of the pot. (On the other hand, if you grow it using soil,
Roots grow only on the outer circumference of the pot. ) Here, the plant is taken out of the pot (because it is planted in the foam brick layer, it can be easily taken out of the pot without damaging the roots), and when this plant is shaken, the foam bricks held between the roots are shaken. The stone falls off. Then, the part of the plant body that was planted in the pot has only the root and the air layer. In this state, the plant can be transported, and by appropriately supplying aerated water to the root portion, it becomes possible to store the plant while growing it. Since this plant is not accompanied by soil or foam brick, it is extremely lightweight, and can be imported and exported without causing phytosanitary problems. Then, when this plant is planted in the growing tank 40 of the present embodiment, since there is no inner pot, first, part of the foam brick layer of the growing tank 40 is removed, and after that, the root of this plant is inserted. And then backfill with foam brick.

Next, returning to FIG. 1, the details of the plant cultivation system of this embodiment will be described.

The raw water tank 11 is installed and the raw water tank 1
1 is provided with an outlet 12 to which a float 13 for controlling the liquid level is attached. Raw water such as tap water or well water is supplied to the raw water tank 11 from the outlet 12. A raw water pump 14 for pumping raw water from the raw water tank 11 is provided, and a fertilizer mixing machine 20 is provided on the discharge side of the raw water pump 14. The fertilizer mixing tanks 20 and 22 are connected to the fertilizer mixing machine 20.
Fertilizer can be mixed into the raw water that passes through. On the outlet side of the fertilizer mixing machine 20, a circulation tank 25 for storing water mixed with fertilizer is provided.

Two water level sensors 26, 27 for detecting the water level of the stored water and an electric conductivity sensor 28 for measuring the electric conductivity of the stored water are attached to the circulation tank 25. One of the two water level sensors is attached to a position corresponding to the lower limit position of the water level of the circulation tank 25, and the other water level sensor 27 is slightly closer to the position corresponding to the upper limit position of the water level of the circulation tank 25. It is attached below. Each of these water level sensors 26, 27,
Each of the electric conductivity sensors 28 is connected to the fertilizer mixing machine 20. The fertilizer mixing machine 20 has an electric conductivity sensor 28.
When the electric conductivity detected in 1 becomes a certain value or less, the liquid fertilizer from each fertilizer liquid tank 21, 22 is mixed into the raw water. Further, the fertilizer mixing machine 20 supplies the raw water to the circulation tank 25 when the water level of the circulation tank 25 is lower than that of the water level sensor 26 on one side. To drive.

An aeration pump 30 is provided for sucking up the water in the circulation tank 25 and supplying the water to each of the ₁₆ growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ . The aeration pump 30 sucks water and mixes air into the water. The aeration pump 30 constitutes a supply means. As a method of mixing air, for example, there is a method of sucking water and simultaneously sucking air from the pores to disperse fine air bubbles in the water. The discharge side of the aeration pump 30 is branched into 16 water supply pipes 41 via ₁₆ electromagnetic valves 32 _{1 to} 32 ₁₆ corresponding to the respective growth tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ . Each of the water supply pipes 41 has the above-mentioned 16
It is connected to any of the individual growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ .
The 16 solenoid valves 32 _{1 to} 32 ₁₆ are the solenoid valve boxes 31.
It is stored in batch inside. For example, by opening and closing the _first solenoid valve 32 ₁ , it is possible to supply or stop water supply to the _first growing tank 40 ₁ .

The control device 10 is connected to the solenoid valve box 31. This control device 10 is configured so that each solenoid valve 32 ₁
To 32 ₁₆ at an arbitrary cycle every solenoid valve 32 _{1 to} 32 ₁₆
To open and close. As a result, the controller 10 can be used to control the water supply to each of the growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ by centralized management. In this case, it is possible to keep the specific solenoid valve always closed. Further, it is possible to individually set the period for each of the solenoid valves 32 _{1 to} 32 ₁₆ and the time during which the solenoid valve is open in one period.
Such a control device 10 can be realized by, for example, a hardware configuration using a timer or a software configuration using a microcomputer.

The circulating water pipe 45 is commonly connected to the drainage pipes 52 of the growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ as described above, and the drainage water from the growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ is collectively circulated. It is for sending to the pit 35. The circulation pit 35 temporarily stores these drainages. Circulation pit 35
A submersible pump 36 for supplying the water collected in the circulation tank 25 to the circulation tank 25 is provided inside the circulation pit 35.

Among the components described above, raw water tank 11, raw water pump 14, fertilizer mixing machine 20, fertilizer liquid tanks 21, 22, circulation tank 25, aeration pump 30, solenoid valve box 31, circulation pit 35, underwater. The pump 36 is provided inside the machine room 2. Therefore, the growing tanks 40 ₁ to 4 provided in the showroom 1
0 ₁₆ and the one provided in the machine room 2 are connected by a water supply pipe 41 and a circulating water pipe 45. If the length of these pipes can be extended, the machine room can be provided at a place apart from the showroom. In this plant cultivation system, the portion from the circulating water pipe 45 to the circulating tank 25, the raw water tank 11, the raw water pump 14, the fertilizer mixing machine 20, and the like constitute a circulating means. Further, as is clear from the above description, the water supplied as the raw water is the circulation tank 25, the aeration pump 30, the solenoid valves 32 _{1 to} 32 ₁₆ , the water supply pipe 41, the growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ , and the circulating water pipe. 45, the circulation pit 35, will be returning again to the circulation tank 25 around the water pump 36, development tank 40 _{1-40 1} by those components
_The water circulation system for ₆ was formed.

Next, the growing tank 40 ₁ in the showroom ₁
The arrangement of ˜40 ₁₆ will be described. Each training tank 40 _1-4
0 ₁₆ is arranged on the floor of the showroom 1, for example, with its opening exposed. In this case, it provided commensurate with the development tank 40 _{1-40 16} on a part of the floor surface size of the hole, respectively, to place the development tank 40 _{1-40 16} into the hole. That is, the opening surfaces of the growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ are substantially aligned with the floor surface of the showroom 1, and the water supply pipe 41 and the circulating water pipe 45 are hidden under the floor surface. As will be described later, since the water supply to each of the growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ is compulsory by the aeration pump 30, the height of each of the growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ is within the range of the capacity of the aeration pump 30. And each may be different.

Of course, the growing tank may be directly installed on the floor, or the lower half of the growing tank may be hidden in the floor and the upper half may protrude from the floor surface. When the side wall of the growing tank is visible from the outside, the outer peripheral surface of the side wall can be designed. Recently, in order to store a large amount of wiring such as power lines, telephone lines, and local area networks (LAN) under the floor, a floor for people to actually walk and furniture to be installed on the floor surface of each floor of the building. Raise it
Free access floors (so-called OA floors) are widely used. When such a free-access floor is used, a growing tank may be installed on the base surface of each floor of the building. In this case, the height of the growing tank is smaller than the distance between the base surface and the floor surface. The water supply pipe and the circulating water pipe are stored in the space between the base surface and the floor surface, like the wiring such as the power supply line and the telephone line.

In the plant cultivation system of this embodiment,
It is not necessary that plants are planted in all of the ₁₆ growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ . As described above, this growing tank allows the plant to be easily replaced, and can be in a state where no plant is planted if necessary. In the example shown in FIG. 1, plants are planted in four growth tanks 40 ₁ , 40 ₃ , 40 ₆ , 40 ₈ which are not shaded (the hatched portions indicate water-containing portions). Has not been done. The reason why plants are not planted in some growing tanks in this way is to secure an exhibition space for display items in the showroom 1, for example.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the growing tank 40 in a state where no plant is planted. As shown in this figure, the upper surface (opening) of the growing tank 40 is covered with a removable lid 60. When covered with the lid 60, the lid 60 and the floor surface 62 are integrated so that no step or gap is formed between them. With this configuration, it becomes possible to freely walk on the growing tank 40 covered with the lid 60. Also, the lid 6
It becomes possible to place an article on 0 or on the lid 60 and the floor surface 62. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the growing tank in which the plant is planted and the growing tank in which the lid 60 is not planted, the arrangement of the plants in the showroom 1 can be freely set, and the inside of the showroom 1 can be set freely. The space can be used for multiple purposes. In FIG. 3, the base surface 64 of each floor of the building and the floor surface 62 of the floor are provided separately (for example, a free access floor structure), and the growing tank 40 is installed so as to be suspended from the floor surface 62. However, even if the growing tank is directly embedded in the floor, the same effect can be obtained by covering the upper surface of the growing tank with a removable lid. You can

Growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 in the showroom 1
_{The 16} will be described in more detail. FIG. 4 illustrates a part of the showroom 1, and in the figure, five growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₅ among the above 16 growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ are shown. There is. Inside the showroom 1, there is provided a stand 72 that is one step higher than the others, and this stand 72 is provided with a growing tank 40 ₅ .
An opening surface of the growing tank 40 ₅ is substantially aligned with the upper surface of the base 72, and a plant 75 is planted.

On the other hand, the showroom of the portion excluding the base 72
4 growth tanks 40 on one floor 62 ₁~ 40_FourIs provided
Has been shown. The floor surface 62 and the base surface 64 are
Spaced apart, with a free access floor structure
Has become. The space 66 between the floor 62 and the base surface 64 is
It is the installation space for the water supply pipe 41 and the circulating water pipe 45.
It Of course, the space 66 below the floor 62 is
It is also used to store electrical and communication wiring. Up
4 growth tanks 40 mentioned above₁~ 40_FourIs the opening face of each
Are installed so as to substantially match the floor surface 62. this
Two of them are 40₂, 40_FourPlants 76 and 77 are planted in
The remaining two growing tanks 40₁, 40₃A plant
Is not planted. Raising people who have not been planted
Tank 40₁, 40₃A lid 60 is attached to the floor
Make sure there are no steps or gaps between the surface 62 and the lid 60.
Has become. As a result, these two growth tanks 40₁, 40
₃Use showroom 1 as not existing
be able to. Also, the growing tank 40₂, 40_Four, 40_FivePlanted in
The plants 75 to 77 may be of the same type.
Can be of different types, as shown
it can.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

Raw water such as tap water or well water is supplied to the raw water tank 11 through the outlet 12. Since the float 13 is attached to the outlet 12, the raw water tank 11 always stores a fixed amount of raw water. The raw water stored in the raw water tank 11 is sent to the fertilizer mixing machine 20 by the raw water pump 14. The raw water pump 14 is not always operating, but its operation is controlled by the fertilizer mixing machine 20.

As described above, the fertilizer mixing machine 20 has the fertilizer liquid tanks 21 and 22 when the electric conductivity detected by the electric conductivity sensor 28 attached to the circulation tank 25 becomes a certain value or less. Mix liquid fertilizer from raw water.
Further, when the water level of the circulation tank 25 is lower than the water level sensor 26 of one of the circulation tanks 25 (corresponding to the lower limit water level of the circulation tank 25), the fertilizer mixing machine 20 changes the water level of the other water level sensor 27 (circulation). The raw water pump 14 is driven until the water level reaches a level slightly lower than the upper water level of the tank 25. As a result, the water level in the circulation tank 25 is always above the lower limit water level. In addition to the water from the fertilizer mixing machine 20, water from the circulation pit 35 also flows into the circulation tank 25 as described later, but the volume of the circulation tank 25 is made larger than the volume of the circulation pit 35, and the other water level is increased. Since the mounting position of the sensor 26 is devised, even if the water from the circulation pit 35 flows in, the circulation tank 2
The water level of No. 5 does not exceed the upper limit water level, and the water does not overflow from the circulation tank 25. Also, the concentration of fertilizer in water is generally proportional to the electrical conductivity of water,
The fertilizer mixing machine 20 mixes the fertilizer liquid into the raw water so that the electric conductivity of the water in the circulation tank 25 does not fall below a certain value, so that the concentration of the fertilizer component in the water in the circulation tank 25 is kept above a certain value. You will be drunk.

The water stored in the circulation tank 25 and containing the fertilizer of a certain value or more is sucked up from the circulation water tank 25 by the aeration pump 30, mixed with air, and passed through the solenoid valves 32 _{1 to} 32 ₁₆ to the respective growth tanks 40. It is sent to a _{1-40 16.} Each of the electromagnetic valves 321 _to 323 _{1 6, 2} foster tank 40 are planted plants, 40 _4, 40 _5, 40 _7, 40 ₉ to 40 ₁₆
Corresponding to the solenoid valves 32 ₂ , 32 ₄ , 32 ₅ , 32 ₇ , 32 _{9 to} 3
2 ₁₆ is opened / closed periodically by the control device 10. These solenoid valves 32 ₂ , 32 ₄ , 32 ₅ , 32 ₇ , 32 ₉
.About.32 ₁₆ opening / closing cycles, or the time during which the solenoid valve is open in one cycle, corresponds to the corresponding growth tanks 40 ₂ , 40 ₄ , 4.
Depending on the types of plants planted in 0 ₅ , 40 ₇ , 40 ₉ to 40 ₁₆ , they are individually set to be optimum. In addition, growing tanks 40 ₁ and 4 in which no plant is planted
0 ₃ , 40 ₆ , 40 ₈ corresponding solenoid valves 32 ₁ , 32 ₃ ,
32 ₆ and 32 ₈ are controlled to be normally closed.

Here, the second growth tank 40₂(The plant
Explain the water supply operation for (planted)
However, another growing tank 40 in which plants are planted_Four, 40_Five, 40
₇, 40 ₉~ 40₁₆Is the same.

[0038] in accordance with a predetermined period for this development tank 40 _2, the control unit 10 makes the second solenoid valve 32 ₂ opened, includes a fertilizer and air through a water supply pipe 41 to the development chamber 40 ₂ The supply of water is started. This water stays in the growing tank 40 _{2 and} is discharged from the drainage port 51. The water level in the development vessel 40 ₂ is defined by the length of the overflow member 53 provided on the development tank 40 _2,
Excess water flows out from the upper end of the overflow member 53 through the drain port 51. Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the solenoid valve 32 ₂ is closed by the control device 10, and the supply of water to the growing tank 40 ₂ is shut off.

The water discharged from the growth tank 40 ₂ is collected in the circulation pit 35 via the circulation water pipe 45. The water collected in the circulation pit 35 is used for each of the growing tanks 40 ₁ to 40 _16.
To be supplied again to the circulation tank 25 by the submersible pump 36. Since dust or the like may be mixed in the water collected by the circulating water pipe 45, a filter or the like may be attached to the submersible pump 36. Further, since the water quality may deteriorate when the number of times of water circulation increases, the operation of the submersible pump 36 may be periodically stopped and the water in the circulation pit 35 may be discarded. The amount of water corresponding to the amount of water that has been absorbed by the plants or evaporated during the circulation and has been reduced, and the amount of water that has been discarded from the circulation pit 35 are always supplied from the raw water tank 11 to the circulation system. The amount of water in it is kept almost constant.

As described above, the growing tanks 40 ₂ , 40 ₄ , 4 are periodically arranged.
By supplying water to 0 ₅ , 40 ₇ , 40 ₉ to 40 ₁₆ , water and fertilizer are supplied to the roots of the plants when the water is supplied. Further, since the water is aerated, it is possible to prevent water rot and root rot, and it is possible to grow plants permanently.

The growing tank 40₂, 40_Four, 40_Five, 40₇, 4
0₉~ 40₁₆Water is supplied to the roots of plants planted in
When the water level in the growing tank is in a steady state, the planting
Depending on the type of thing, the root tip may be in water
However, the tip of the root may not be soaked in water.
Growth tank 40 in which no plant is planted₁, 40₃, 40₆, 40
₈About, please remove the overflow member 53
The solenoid valve 32₁, 32₃, 32₆, 32₈Breakdown
Even if water is accidentally supplied by
It is good practice to do. Periodically each solenoid valve
32₁~ 32₁₆When opening and closing the individual solenoid valves 32₁
~ 32₁₆Adjust the opening and closing schedule of many at the same time
If the solenoid valve is not opened,
A small capacity pump can be used as the pump 30.

In the plant cultivation system of this embodiment, the growing tanks 40 ₂ , 40 ₄ , 40 ₅ , 40 ₇ , 40 ₉ in which plants are planted.
˜40 ₁₆ corresponding solenoid valves 32 ₂ , 32 ₄ , 32 ₅ , 3
2 ₇ , 32 _{9 to} 32 ₁₆ are normally opened, and the growing tank 40 ₂ ,
It is also possible to continuously supply water to 40 ₄ , 40 ₅ , 40 ₇ , 40 ₉ to 40 ₁₆ . However, in hydroponics, it is also important to supply oxygen to the root part, and it is desirable to supply water periodically, that is, intermittently. actually,
Although depending on the type of plant to be planted, the operation program is set so that water is supplied to each of the growing tanks once every several hours to every few days for several minutes.

Next, the case of changing the design in the showroom 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 described above, the plant 71 planted in the growing tank 40 can be easily replaced by replacing the whole inner pot 70. At this time, if the type or size of the plant 71 is changed, the opening / closing cycle of the overflow member 53 or the corresponding solenoid valve is adjusted as necessary. Since the inner pot 70 is to be replaced together, it is desirable to establish a standard for the shape of the inner pot 70 and improve compatibility. In addition, when removing the plant 71 due to the change of pattern, the inner pot 7
The plant 71 may be removed every 0, and the growing tank 40 may be covered with the lid 60 as needed. Growing tank 40 without plants planted
When a new plant 71 is planted in the
Are planted in the inner pot 70, and the growing tank 40 is covered with the lid 60.
If so, the lid 60 may be removed, and the inner pot 70 may be inserted into the growing tank 40.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
The present invention is capable of various modified embodiments.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the fertilizer concentration of the water in the circulation system is set to a certain value or more by the fertilizer mixing machine, but the fertilizer component is previously added to the foamed brick in the growing tank (or the inner pot). If it can be mixed and fixed, it is not necessary to mix the fertilizer into the circulating water using a fertilizer mixing machine.

Further, the growing tank itself may be removably placed on the floor surface. In this case, for example, a water supply pipe and a circulating water pipe are previously arranged under the floor of the showroom, and a water supply plug and a drainage plug are provided in a pair at a place where a growing tank is expected to be placed. The water tap as used herein is located at the end of the water pipe, and the water tap and the water inlet of the growing tank are detachably connected. When the faucet and the growing tank are connected, water is supplied from the water supply pipe to the growing tank. Of course, when the growing tank is not connected, water will not leak from the faucet. On the other hand, the drain plug is for collecting drainage from the growing tank and is detachably connected to the drainage port of the growing tank). A check valve or the like may be provided on the drain plug so that the water from the circulating water pipe does not flow backward.

In this case, casters or the like may be attached to the growing tank. Since foam bricks are used in place of soil for growing plants, the weight of the whole growing tank is small and the growing tank can be easily moved by attaching casters. By configuring in this way, the growing tank is moved to the place where the water tap and the drain tap are provided,
By connecting the water tap and drain tap to the growth tank,
The plant can be grown in the growing tank at the moved place. This may be similar to using an electrical appliance connected to an outlet, as some of the faucets and drains may not be connected to a growth tank.

Further, it is possible to provide an aeration pump for each growing tank. FIG. 5: is a schematic cross section which shows the structure of the growth tank 40 provided with the aeration pump. The difference from the growing tank shown in FIG. 1 is that the aeration pump 56 is provided in the layer of the foamed brick 58. As the aeration pump 56, a commercially available aeration pump for hydroponics can be used. The lower end of the aeration pump 56 has an overflow member 5
It is below the water level surface determined by the length of 3, and water can be circulated in the aeration pump 56 from this lower end. Inside the aeration pump 56, aeration, that is, air is mixed into the circulating water. The aeration pump 56 is
For example, a commercial power supply of 100 V or a power supply having a lower voltage than that of the power supply operates, but the wiring of the power supply to the aeration pump 56 can coexist in the piping space of the water supply pipe 41 and the circulating water pipe 45. Thus, the growth tank 4
When the aeration pump 56 is provided on the 0 side, the aeration pump 30 on the machine room 2 (FIG. 1) side can be replaced with a normal circulation pump. When using a very large growth tank 40, the growth tank 4 is
Providing the aeration pump 56 for every 0 is particularly effective in preventing water rot and root rot.

In each of the above embodiments, a plurality of growing tanks are distributed and arranged in the showroom. However, in the present invention, the arrangement of the growing tanks is not limited to the showroom. For example, a hotel lobby, It is possible to place a growing tank in an exhibition hall, convention hall, entrance hall, restaurant, office, etc. It is also possible to disperse and arrange the growing tanks in each of the plurality of rooms, and to supply and manage the growing tanks collectively from one machine room. Further, the place for installing the growing tank is not limited to being indoors, and may be outdoors.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the shape of the growing tank is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, but the shape of the growing tank is not limited to this, and any shape is possible. For example, a cylindrical shape, a prismatic shape, an inverted truncated cone shape, or the like is possible.

In this embodiment, an electromagnetic valve is provided for each growing tank, but in the present invention, a plurality of growing tanks are integrated into one system, and the water supply is controlled for each system with respect to the plurality of systems. It is also possible to provide each valve. In this case, it is desirable that the growing tanks belonging to the 1st line are close to each other, have the same height at the places where they are installed, and have similar plants planted. In a large-scale system having an extremely large number of growing tanks, it is generally considered that the water supply is controlled not for each growing tank but for each system. The present invention is extremely effective even in such a large-scale system.

The plant cultivation system of the present invention is combined with other centralized control systems such as security, disaster prevention, air conditioning, and lighting in a building to which the system is applied, and operates in cooperation with these centralized control systems. By so doing, it is possible to exert even more effects. For example, by providing a means for adjusting the temperature of the water supplied to the growing tank and linking the air conditioning management system with the means for adjusting this temperature, the effect of the air conditioning can be enhanced without impairing the growth of plants. You can It is also possible to control from a remote location using a communication line.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of growing tanks, water supply pipes provided for each growing tank,
By providing a valve provided for each water supply pipe and a control device that opens and closes each valve by centralized management, it is possible to collectively manage a plurality of distributed plantings, This has the effect of reducing the labor required for training.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a plant cultivation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a growing tank.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a growing tank in a state where no plant is planted.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cutaway perspective view showing the arrangement of a growing tank in a showroom.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a growth tank equipped with an aeration pump.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Control Device 11 Raw Water Tank 12 Outlet 13 Float 14 Raw Water Pump 20 Fertilizer Mixer 21,22 Fertilizer Liquid Tank 25 Circulation Tank 26,27 Water Level Sensor 28 Electric Conductivity Sensor 30 Aeration Pump 31 Solenoid Valve Box 32 _{1 to} 32 ₁₆ Electromagnetic The valve 35 circulates the pit 36 water pump 40, 40 ₁ to 40 ₁₆ development tank 41 feed water pipe 42 feed water inlet 45 feed water pipe 51 drain outlet 52 discharge pipe 53 overflow member 54 water supply nozzle 56 aeration pump 58, 59 foam practitioners stone 60 lid 62 Floor 64 Base 70 Inner pot 71,75-77 Plant 72

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A plant cultivation system for cultivating and managing plants, comprising a plurality of growing tanks having a water supply section, a drain section and a foam brick layer, a supply means for supplying water, and each of the growing tanks. Water supply pipes that are provided corresponding to each other, one end of which is connected to the corresponding water supply unit of the growing tank and the other end of which is connected to the supply means, and the water in the water supply pipe that is provided for each of the water supply pipes. A valve that controls the flow, a drainage unit of each of the growing tanks and the supply means are connected, a circulating means that circulates the water discharged from each of the growing tanks to the supply means, and the opening and closing of each valve. A plant cultivation system having a control device for centralized management, wherein the plant is planted in the foam brick layer and grown by hydroponic cultivation. 2. The plant cultivation system according to claim 1, wherein the supply means includes an aeration pump capable of mixing air into the water supplied to each water supply pipe. 3. The plant cultivation system according to claim 1, wherein the growing tank is provided with an aeration pump capable of mixing air into the water in the growing tank. 4. The plant cultivation system according to claim 2, wherein the drainage part of the growing tank can maintain a predetermined water level in the growing tank. 5. The plant cultivation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device opens and closes a valve corresponding to the growing tank according to a cycle determined for each growing tank. . 6. The plant cultivation system according to claim 1, wherein the circulation means is provided with a fertilizer mixing machine for mixing fertilizer with circulating water. 7. The growing tank is installed in a hole provided in the floor so that its upper surface is substantially flush with the floor of the building, and is removable when no plant is planted. 7. It can be closed by a lid, and when it is closed by the lid, a step and a gap are not formed between the lid and the floor surface.
The plant cultivation system according to item.