JPH07194265A - Feeding unit of nutrient fluid for cultivation - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a feeding unit of nutrient fluid for cultivation, having a multiple number of plant cultivating beds and a tank for nutrient fluid feeding, and capable of feeding the nutrient fluid uniformly to the plant cultivating beds, useful for a hydroponic culture, etc., of the plants like vegetables, etc. CONSTITUTION:This feeding unit of a nutrient for cultivation is equipped with a tank for nutrient fluid feeding 3 installed over a plant cultivating beds 2, a multiple number of automatic valves 4 feeding the nutrient fluid to the plant cultivating beds 2, a nutrient recovery tank 5 provided under the plant cultivating beds 2, and a pump 6 feeding the nutrient fluid from the nutrient recovery tank 5 to the nutrient feeding tank 3, and feeds the nutrient fluid by flowing intermittently down to the plant cultivating beds installed in a multiple number.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for hydroponically growing plants such as vegetables, and more particularly to an apparatus for supplying a nutrient solution for cultivation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to hydroponically cultivate plants such as vegetables under an artificial environment, it is necessary to periodically supply a nutrient solution to the plants. The conventional nutrient solution supply in hydroponics is to install a nutrient solution storage tank at the bottom of multiple plant cultivation floors, and to pump the nutrient solution from this nutrient solution storage tank to the main pipe provided at the top of the plant cultivation floor. However, the nutrient solution is generally branched and supplied from the main pipe to each plant cultivation floor.

[0003]

However, in the above-described nutrient solution supply, since the nutrient solution in the main pipe has a flow velocity, it is difficult to make the flow rate of the nutrient solution to each branch pipe uniform, so There is a problem that it is difficult to uniformly supply the nutrient solution to the plant cultivation bed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cultivation nutrient solution supply device for uniformly supplying a nutrient solution to a plurality of plant cultivation beds.

[0005]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention is an apparatus for intermittently flowing down and supplying a nutrient solution to a plurality of plant cultivation beds, which comprises: A nutrient solution supply tank provided in the upper part of the plant cultivation floor, a plurality of automatic valves provided in the nutrient solution supply tank to supply the nutrient solution to the plant cultivation floor, and a nutrient solution provided in the lower part of the plant cultivation floor. The liquid recovery tank and a pump for supplying the nutrient solution from the nutrient solution recovery tank to the nutrient solution supply tank are provided.

[0006]

The nutrient solution supply tank stores a sufficient amount of nutrient solution required for at least one supply, and in this state, a plurality of automatic valves are simultaneously opened so that the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution supply tank is Flow through the automatic valve at the same flow rate towards the plant bed.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a cultivation nutrient solution supply device of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a cultivation nutrient solution supply device 1 is connected to a plurality of plant cultivation floors 2, a nutrient solution supply tank 3 disposed above the plant cultivation floor 2, and a lower portion of the nutrient solution supply tank 3. A plurality of automatic valves 4 for supplying the nutrient solution to the plant cultivation floor 2, a nutrient solution recovery tank 5 arranged below the plant cultivation floor 2, and this nutrient solution recovery tank 5
And a pump 6 for supplying the nutrient solution from the source to the nutrient solution supply tank 3.

The nutrient solution supply tank 3 may be of any capacity as long as it has a capacity capable of storing an amount of nutrient solution required for at least one supply, and its shape and size are not particularly limited.
It is preferable to keep the bottom of the nutrient solution supply tank 3 horizontal in order to equalize the liquid level of the nutrient solution with respect to.

The automatic valve 4 is connected to the lower portion of the nutrient solution supply tank 3 via a supply pipe 11, and from this automatic valve 4, a supply pipe 12 is arranged up to the plant cultivation floor 2. As such an automatic valve 4, a known on-off valve such as a solenoid valve can be used. Further, a control device 8 is connected to these automatic valves 4, and the automatic valve 4 is opened by the control device 8 at predetermined time intervals to intermittently cultivate the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution supply tank 3 for plant cultivation. Supply to floor 2. In this case, the control device 8
The liquid level sensor or the like can detect that the amount of the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution supply tank 3 has reached a predetermined amount, and the automatic valve 4 is opened only when a predetermined time has elapsed.

The plant cultivation bed 2 used in the cultivation nutrient solution supplying device 1 of the present invention is not particularly limited and may be any one including various conventionally known plant cultivation beds. The supplied nutrient solution is supplied to the plant cultivation floor 2 by a nutrient solution recovery tank 5
A recovery pipe 13 for sending to is connected.

The nutrient solution recovery tank 5 guides the nutrient solution recovered from each plant cultivation bed 2 to the pump 6, and has a capacity capable of storing the nutrient solution supplied at least once. The shape and size are not particularly limited.

As the pump 6, a conventionally known liquid feed pump can be used, and the pump 6 and the nutrient solution supply tank 3 are connected by a pipe 7. The supply of the nutrient solution to the nutrient solution supply tank 3 by the pump 6 is such that a predetermined amount of the nutrient solution is constantly fed, while the amount of the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution supply tank 3 is detected by a liquid level sensor or the like. Any method such as a method of supplying until a predetermined amount of nutrient solution is stored may be used.

In the cultivation nutrient solution supply device 1 as described above, a plurality of automatic valves 4 are controlled by the control device 8 while the nutrient solution supply tank 3 stores a sufficient amount of nutrient solution for at least one supply. At the same time, it is opened. At this time, since the liquid level of the nutrient solution in each automatic valve 4 is the same, the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution supply tank 3 passes through each automatic valve 4 at the same flow rate, and then, through each supply pipe 12, plants Since it flows down to the cultivation floor 2, it is possible to uniformly supply the nutrient solution to each plant cultivation floor 2. The nutrient solution supplied to each plant cultivation floor 2 is collected in the recovery pipe 13
It is recovered in the nutrient solution recovery tank 5 via the pump, and then supplied to the nutrient solution supply tank 3 by the pump 6 via the pipe 7.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of a plant cultivation device incorporating the cultivation nutrient solution supply device of the present invention. In FIG. 2, a plant cultivating device 21 includes a plurality of prismatic tubular case bodies 22, a case body 24 and a case body 2 which are connected to and integrated with each other.
6 is provided.

An openable door (not shown) is provided on the front surface of each of the enclosures 22, 24, and 26, and by opening this door, an inlet / outlet port for a plant cultivation panel described later is formed. In addition, by closing the door, the enclosure 22,
The inside of 24 and 26 is isolated from the external atmosphere.

Further, inside each of the enclosures 22, 24, 26, a plant cultivation panel 31 as a plant cultivation floor is provided.
And a nutrient solution supply tank 32 arranged above the plant cultivation panel 31 for supplying the nutrient solution to the plant cultivation panel 31.
And a supply pipe 41 connected to the nutrient solution supply tank 32
An automatic valve 33 provided in the plant, a fluorescent lamp 34 as a lighting device for irradiating the plant P planted on the plant cultivation panel 31 with light, a nutrient solution recovery tank 35, and an air conditioner 3
8 and 8 are stored. Further, the pump 36 and the automatic valve control device 39 are provided only in the casing 22.

Of the nutrient solution supply tanks 32 provided in each enclosure, one end of the nutrient solution supply tank 32 provided in the enclosure 22 is connected to a pipe 37 connected to a pump 36. The other (left) end is an open end. In addition, the nutrient solution supply tank 3 disposed in the casing 24
2 has open ends on both sides, and the nutrient solution supply tank 32 disposed in the housing 26 has an open end on the right side and a closed end on the other end. It is said that.

The casing 2 of the nutrient solution recovery tank 35
The nutrient solution recovery tank 35 disposed in No. 2 is connected to the pump 36 at one end, and the other (left side) end is an open end. Further, both sides of the nutrient solution recovery tank 35 arranged in the casing 24 are open end portions,
Furthermore, the nutrient solution recovery tank 35 provided in the casing 26
Has an open end on the right side and a closed end on the other end.

Of the enclosures 22, 24 and 26 as described above, the enclosure 24 has openings formed on both left and right sides thereof. On the other hand, the case 22 has an opening formed only on the left side, and the case 26 has an opening formed only on the right side.
The housing 22 and the housing 24 are connected to each other at the opening of the housing 22 and the opening on the right side of the housing 24, and the housing of the housing 26 and the left side of the housing 24 are connected to each other. 26 and the housing 24 are connected. In the connection of the casings, in addition to the connection between the casings, the nutrient solution supply tanks 32, the nutrient solution recovery tanks 35, and electrical wiring are connected.

In the plant cultivating apparatus 21 in which the enclosures 22, 24 and 26 are connected and integrated as described above, the nutrient solution supply tank 32 housed in each enclosure is also integrated to form one nutrient solution supply tank. In addition, the nutrient solution recovery tank 35 housed in each housing is also integrated to have a function as one nutrient solution recovery tank.

In the plant cultivating apparatus 21 described above, the plant cultivating panel 31 is placed by a supporting member (not shown) so as to be able to move in and out of each casing. Then, while the nutrient solution is stored in the nutrient solution supply tank 32 in an amount necessary for at least one supply, the automatic valve control device 39 simultaneously opens the plurality of automatic valves 33. At this time, since the liquid level of the nutrient solution in each automatic valve 33 is equal, the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution supply tank 32 passes through each automatic valve 33 at the same flow rate, and the plant cultivation panel 31 is supplied via the supply pipe 41. Since it flows down, it is possible to supply a uniform amount of nutrient solution to each plant cultivation panel 31.

The nutrient solution supplied to each plant cultivation panel 31 flows through the plant cultivation panel 31, then is guided to the recovery pipe 42 and is recovered in the nutrient solution recovery tank 35. That is,
Each enclosure forming the plant cultivation device 21 has a structure in which the nutrient solution flows down from the nutrient solution supply tank 32 to the nutrient solution recovery tank 35 via each plant cultivation panel 31. The nutrient solution collected in the nutrient solution collecting tank 35 by the flow-down method is sent to the pump 36 installed in the housing 22, and is circulated to the nutrient solution supply tank 32 by the pump 36 through the pipe 37. After that, the nutrient solution is supplied by flowing down. In this way, the plant cultivation device 21 is configured to incorporate the cultivation nutrient solution supply device of the present invention.

The fluorescent lamp 34 is used for the plant cultivation panel 3 at the bottom.
It is arranged on the lower surface of each plant cultivation panel except 1 and on the lower surface of the holding panel 34a mounted by a supporting member (not shown) above the uppermost plant mounting panel 31. The number and location of the fluorescent lamps 34 are not particularly limited and can be set appropriately.

The air conditioner 38 is for making the environment inside the enclosure optimal for growing plants. As such an air conditioner 38, a known air conditioner can be used. In the illustrated example, each enclosure is provided with one air conditioner, but for example, only the enclosure 22 is provided with an air conditioner, and an air conditioning duct connectable to this air conditioner is provided in another enclosure. May be.

The above embodiment is one aspect of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when using an automatic valve that can be opened electrically and mechanically by detecting that the liquid level in the nutrient solution supply tank has reached a predetermined water level, use the above control devices 8 and 39. You don't have to.

[0027]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a nutrient solution supply tank equipped with a plurality of automatic valves is provided on the upper part of the plant cultivation bed, and the nutrient solution is collected on the lower part of the plant cultivation bed. A tank is further provided, and a pump for supplying the nutrient solution from the nutrient solution recovery tank to the nutrient solution supply tank is provided, and the amount of nutrient solution required for one-time supply is stored in the nutrient solution supply tank. When the automatic valves are opened at the same time, the nutrient solution level in each automatic valve is the same, so the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution supply tank passes through each automatic valve at the same flow rate and flows down toward the plant cultivation bed. So
It is possible to supply a uniform amount of nutrient solution to each plant cultivation bed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a cultivation nutrient solution supply device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of a plant cultivation device incorporating the cultivation nutrient solution supply device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cultivation nutrient solution supply device 2 ... Plant cultivation floor 3 ... Nutrient solution supply tank 4 ... Automatic valve 5 ... Nutrient solution recovery tank 6 ... Pump 21 ... Plant cultivation device 22, 24, 26 ... Cage 31 ... Plant cultivation panel 32 ... nutrient solution supply tank 33 ... automatic valve 35 ... nutrient solution recovery tank 36 ... pump

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location 9318-2B H

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A device for intermittently flowing down and supplying a nutrient solution to a plurality of plant cultivation beds, the nutrient solution supply tank provided on the upper part of the plant cultivation floor,
A plurality of automatic valves provided in the nutrient solution supply tank for supplying the nutrient solution to the plant cultivation floor, a nutrient solution recovery tank provided at a lower portion of the plant cultivation floor, and the nutrient solution from the nutrient solution recovery tank A cultivation nutrient solution supply device, comprising: a pump for supplying the nutrient solution to the supply tank.