JPS6228865Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention is provided with a nutrient solution circulation pump or a pipe for returning the nutrient solution to the front end of the nutrient solution tank, and an upper part of the nutrient solution tank that is provided with a nutrient solution circulating pump or a pipe for returning the nutrient solution to the tank. An inclined plate for dispersing roots in a hydroponic culture device equipped with a supply means and a plurality of cultivation pots located on the left and right sides of the supply means, specifically, for receiving the roots of crops and dispersing them in a plane as the roots grow. The purpose of the inclined plate is to prevent roots from entering the pipes and the like, clogging the nutrient solution circulation system and malfunctioning the pump. Another object of the present invention is to facilitate cleaning of the inside of the tank and the inclined plate used for harvesting cultivated crops.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Slanted plates that disperse the roots of cultivated crops in a plane and effectively supply oxygen to the roots have been well known.

However, in conventional hydroponic cultivation devices, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 52-117732, for example, the nutrient solution that has flowed down on the inclined plate is discharged from the lower end of the inclined plate to the outside of the tank. Because the structure was such that the nutrient solution was supplied to the tank or returned to the nutrient solution circulation pump, as the roots grew, the roots sometimes invaded the drainage path outside the tank, causing problems with the nutrient solution circulation. .

The present invention eliminates this conventional drawback and also makes it easier to clean after harvesting.The present invention has a nutrient solution circulating pump at the front end of the nutrient tank or a pipe for returning the nutrient solution to it. In the hydroponic cultivation device, the bottom of the nutrient solution tank, the cultivation pots, and the nutrient solution supply are provided with a nutrient solution supply means located in the center above and a plurality of cultivation pots located on both left and right sides of the nutrient solution supply means. A sloping plate formed in a substantially mountain shape that is higher in the center and lower toward the left and right sides, and has a rising plate part at the front end that prevents roots from entering, is provided between the means and the lower left and right ends of the plate. The raised plate is detachably attached to the nutrient solution tank so that it is in close contact with the inner surface of the lateral edge of the nutrient solution tank, and both edges of the rising plate portion are in contact with or close to the inner surface of the lateral edge of the nutrient solution tank. It has characteristics.

According to the above configuration, the roots dispersed in a plane by the inclined plate and the nutrient solution flowing down on the inclined plate are prevented from entering the pump or pipe side, and the nutrient solution is prevented from entering the pump or pipe side. The flow is actively guided to the side opposite to where the pump and pipes are located, passing under the inclined plate and reaching the pipes.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent roots from entering the pump or pipes and hindering the circulation of the nutrient solution.Furthermore, since the inclined plate is removable from the nutrient tank, the nutrient solution can be stored below the inclined plate. Despite having a structure that allows liquid to flow, the lower surface of the inclined plate and the bottom of the nutrient tank can be easily cleaned after harvesting the cultivated crops.

As will be made clear in the examples described later, the pipe may be a suction pipe in a pump unit for circulating the nutrient solution installed above the nutrient solution tank, or it may be a suction pipe installed underground separately from the nutrient solution tank. It may also be a drain pipe to a tank or the like.

In addition, the nutrient solution supply means referred to in the present invention refers to a solution supply groove having a small hole in the bottom wall, as well as a means for spraying or showering the nutrient solution by providing a small hole in the pipe wall, as shown in the embodiments described below. This means that it also includes pipes.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of a hydroponic cultivation device A and a germination pack B for seedlings to be planted in the hydroponic cultivation device A. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the germination pack, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the hydroponic cultivation device, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the same, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are longitudinal sectional side views of the same. Figures 7A and 7B are schematic longitudinal side views illustrating the relationship between the growth stage of crop roots and the liquid level.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the germination pack B includes a nutrient solution storage container 1 with a diameter of about 10 cm, and a hole 2b in the bottom 2a, which can be inserted into and removed from the nutrient solution storage container 1. It has an inner container 2, a seedbed member 3 housed in the inner container 2, and a lid 4 of the inner container 2.

As will be described later, the inner container 2 is also used as a cultivation pot for planting in a hydroponic culture device, and has an annular step 2c on the outer periphery near the upper edge.
c is configured to be supported by the opening edge of the nutrient solution storage container 1, and when planting into a hydroponic cultivation device, the annular stepped portion 2c is configured to support the hole 2, which will be described later, provided in the lid of the hydroponic cultivation device.
It is designed to be supported by the edge of 3.

The nutrient solution storage container 1 is made of an opaque material to prevent algae from growing in the nutrient solution when exposed to light. As this opaque material, paper, polystyrene foam, etc., whose inner surface is waterproofed, is used. In particular, when a material with a heat insulating effect such as expanded polystyrene is used, it is very effective in suppressing changes in the temperature of the nutrient solution due to changes in outside temperature.

Although the inner container 2 may be made of an opaque material, in this embodiment, it is manufactured by molding a transparent resin sheet into a predetermined shape. The lid 4 is also made of a similar transparent material, and the interior of the inner container 2 serves as a kind of greenhouse to promote germination in winter, and
Care has been taken to monitor the germination status.

The seedbed member 3 is made of a sponge-like material such as urethane foam having open cells so as to have appropriate air permeability and water retention. This is important not only to eliminate the need for cleaning and disinfection operations, but also to enable mass production at low cost, to reduce the weight of seedbed components, and to avoid inconveniences that may occur during hydroponic cultivation. That is, when the seedbed material 3 is made of gravel, sand, etc., it is not only difficult to obtain a large quantity of homogeneous material, but also cleaning and disinfection (sterilization treatment of pathogenic bacteria in the soil) is required prior to sowing. Also, if you use fibrous materials such as glass wool or rice husk charcoal, when you plant them in a hydroponic culture device, some of the fibers and rice husk charcoal may flow into the nutrient solution and get tangled in the circulation pump or cause clogging. It is caused by the inconvenience of causing something.

All of these inconveniences can be overcome by using a sponge-like material such as urethane foam, as described above.

In addition, on the upper surface of the seedbed member 3, there is a
A notch 3a with approximately twice the depth is provided, and the seed sown in the notch 3a is elastically held in place to achieve the same effect as covering with soil, but this is not necessarily a necessary configuration. isn't it. For example, in the case of three-leafed plants, it is sufficient to simply place the seeds on the upper surface of the seedbed member 3.

The germination pack having the above-mentioned configuration is capable of storing seeds of plants to be hydroponically cultivated, such as fruit vegetables and leafy vegetables, in the seedbed member 3.
Fill the nutrient solution storage container 1 with a nutrient solution (in this case, no nutrients are required until germination, so it may be just water) to the extent that the lower part of the seedbed member 3 is below the liquid level. , the inner container 2 has a lid 4 in winter.
The seeds are germinated while maintaining the temperature.

After germination, the lid 4 is removed, and when the seedlings reach a growth stage suitable for planting, the seedbed member 3 is taken out from the nutrient solution storage container 1 along with the inner container 2, and placed into the hydroponic culture device along with the inner container 2. They will be planted.

Therefore, planting is easy, and since there is no need to pull out the seedlings or grab the seedbed member 3 to deform it, damage to the roots during transplantation can be prevented.

Next, the structure and operation of the hydroponic cultivation device will be explained.

A hydroponic cultivation device is a device that packs all the components necessary for nutrient circulation type hydroponic cultivation into a compact size that can be carried around. A lid 6 that is freely attached, a removable inclined plate 7 arranged between both 5 and 6, a pump unit 8 for circulating nutrient solution removably attached to the lid 6, a float type liquid supply valve 9, and a liquid supply valve 9. Surface meter 1
0. A heater 11 having a waterproof structure, which is an example of a heating element for regulating liquid temperature, and a thermostat 1 for controlling the heater 11
2. Equipped with a thermometer 13, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4 to 6, the nutrient solution tank 5 is formed of a synthetic resin material such as polypropylene into a rectangular shape in plan view, and is located near the upper end of the outer surface of the short side side wall. A heat-insulating inner box 15 made of expanded polystyrene is removably fitted into an exterior main box 14 which has a pair of handles 14a, and a removable and replaceable inner sheet 16 made of a water-impermeable material such as polyethylene is attached to the inner surface of the box. It is constructed by stretching it. The upper edge of the inner box 15 is slightly more protruding than the upper edge of the main box 14, and at the center of the upper edge of the long side wall of the inner box 15, there is a part that is opposite to the part that protrudes from the upper edge of the main box 14. A pair of notches 1
7 is formed.

A reinforcing plate 18 made of hard synthetic resin, stainless steel, etc. is fitted into these notches 17, and includes a band plate portion and a bent plate portion bent downward from both ends at an almost right angle. The cover 6 due to the weight of cultivated crops etc.
This prevents the nutrient solution tank 5 from bending downward and outward from the nutrient solution tank 5. In addition, on the long side side wall of the inner box 15, a pair of left and right holding members 19 for holding the inclined plate 7 are provided at an appropriate height from the bottom wall, and a pair of holding members 19 are provided on the long sides of the inner box 15 at an appropriate height from the bottom wall. The positioning member 20 is integrally bulged and molded. In addition, on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the inner box 15, there are located directly below the installation location of the pump unit 8 and a liquid supply valve 9.
Immediately below the installation location, protrusions 15a and 15b, each having a substantially C-shape in plan view with a portion cut out in the circumferential direction, are integrally formed to bulge.

The lid 6 is made of an opaque synthetic resin material such as styrofoam, and has a rectangular shape with dimensions corresponding to the nutrient solution tank 5. In the center of the lid 6, the lid 6
A liquid supply groove 21 that is elongated in the long side direction and has an upwardly open rectangular shape in plan view is provided, and this liquid supply groove 21
A hole 22 for removably installing the pump unit 8 is provided at a position adjacent to one end in the longitudinal direction.
However, on both the left and right sides of the liquid supply groove 21, a plurality of pairs of holes 23 are provided, respectively, into which a cultivation pot (i.e., the inner container 2 described above) is fitted from above and held in a fixed position. There is. A liquid supply port 24 is provided on one left and right side of the pump unit installation hole 22.
On the other side, a liquid level gauge insertion hole 25, a thermostat insertion hole 26, a heater lead wire insertion hole 27, and a thermometer insertion hole 28 are provided, respectively.

The liquid supply groove 21 includes a bottom wall 30 in which a plurality of small holes 29 penetrating vertically are provided over the entire longitudinal direction, side walls 31 around the four circumferences, and a position offset toward the pump unit installation hole 22 side. bottom wall 3
It consists of a cylindrical weir 33 for overflow that is taller than the side wall 31 and has a drainage hole 32 passing through the top and bottom of the lid 6, and these are integrally molded with the lid 6. 34 is a cover plate made of opaque synthetic resin that is removably placed on the upper opening of the liquid supply groove 21;
It has a hole 34a into which the tip of a liquid discharge pipe 8c, which will be described later, is inserted.

The inclined plate 7 expands the contact area with the atmosphere by distributing the nutrient solution flowing down from the hole 29 of the liquid supply groove 21 and the drain hole 32 of the overflow cylindrical weir 33 in a thin layer. Increase dissolved oxygen concentration,
It is also provided to receive the roots of the crop in the cultivation pot (inner container 2) installed in the lid 6 and to disperse them in a plane as the roots grow, and is placed at a predetermined position in the nutrient solution tank 5. In a state where it is fitted into the holding member 19 between the positioning members 20, there is a storage part for the nutrient solution between the lower surface of the inclined plate 7 and the bottom of the nutrient solution tank 5. A space S is formed that also serves as a place for roots to spread. This inclined plate 7 is made of a synthetic resin material such as PVC, and as shown in FIGS. , is formed in a roughly mountain shape that gets lower towards the left and right sides,
A rising plate part 7a that prevents the nutrient solution and roots from entering is integrally formed at the front end (i.e., the end of the nutrient solution tank 5 on the side closer to the solution supply port 24), and at both rear end corners. A notch 7b is provided for guiding the grown roots to the bottom of the nutrient tank 5. Further, on both left and right edges of the inclined plate 7, gaskets 7c having a substantially U-shaped cross section and made of an elastic material such as rubber or soft synthetic resin are provided.
is fitted.

Therefore, by fitting the inclined plate 7 into a predetermined position in the nutrient solution tank 5 in a state in which the inclined plate 7 is slightly elastically deformed from its center, the gasket 7c can be attached to the upper surface of the holding member 19 and the side wall of the nutrient solution tank 5 along this. It can reliably prevent the nutrient solution and roots on the inclined plate 7 from entering the bottom side of the nutrient solution tank 5 in a short-circuit manner, and in this state, both edges of the rising plate part 7a Since the nutrient solution tank 5 is also in contact with or close to the inner surface of the side wall of the nutrient solution tank 5 facing the nutrient solution tank 5, it is possible to prevent the nutrient solution from freely flowing into or entering the pump unit 8 and the solution supply valve 9 side.

The gasket 7c also serves to prevent the inner sheet 16 from being pulled or torn even if the edges of the inclined plate 7 are not finished smoothly. Although not shown, gaskets 7c may also be fitted to both side edges of the rising plate portion 7a.

The pump unit 8 includes a pump 8a containing an emperor, a liquid suction pipe 8b extending downward from its suction port, and a discharge pipe 8c extending upward from its discharge port and having a downwardly curved tip.
and a pipe 8d containing the rotary shaft of Emperor,
It is composed of a drive motor 8e. Then, the motor 8e is mounted on the lid 6, and the pump 8a, the liquid suction pipe 8b, the lower half of the discharge pipe 8c, and the pipe 8d are passed through the pump unit installation hole 22 provided in the lid 6 into the nutrient solution tank. 5, at least a liquid suction pipe 8b is inserted vertically into the stored nutrient solution.

Note that 35 shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 is a cover made of opaque synthetic resin that protects the motor 8e from rainwater and direct sunlight. It is inserted freely. Further, a recess 36 for fitting and positioning the motor 8e is formed on the upper surface of the lid 6 around the hole 22, and an annular wall 37 is integrally formed on the lower surface of the lid 6 around the hole 22. has been done.

The recess formed by the annular wall 37 includes:
A pump protection cylinder 38 made of a hard synthetic resin is fitted, having a circular cross section and an inner diameter surrounding the pump 8a, the lower half of the liquid suction pipe 8b, the lower half of the discharge pipe 8c, and the pipe 8d. This cylinder 3
8 regulates the inflow path of the nutrient solution to the liquid suction pipe 8b in combination with the raised portion 15a which is approximately C-shaped in plan view, and the roots extending below the inclined plate 7 are connected to the liquid suction pipe 8b. pump 8a
This serves to prevent malfunctions in the operation of the motor, and at the same time serves as a reinforcing column to support the lower surface of the lid 6 on which the motor is mounted.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
6), and a part of the lower end surface is in contact with the upper surface of the bottom of the nutrient solution tank 5, that is, the lower end surface is in the above-mentioned plan view. It is disposed in a state where it is supported by a C-shaped raised portion 15a. Therefore, the motor mounting portion of the lid 6 is reinforced by the cylindrical body 38, and the cylindrical body 38 communicates between the inside and the outside only at the position where the raised portion 15a is not present, and the stored nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank 5 is connected to the communicating portion. Through this, the roots are sucked into the liquid suction pipe 8b, and roots are prevented from entering the liquid suction pipe 8b.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the liquid supply valve 9 has a water level adjustment mark 39a for the nutrient liquid on its outer peripheral surface, and a liquid supply pipe 39 with a valve seat 40 at the lower end is connected to the liquid supply port. The guide rod 41 is inserted into the liquid supply pipe 39 so as to be vertically movable, and is supported by the elastic restoring force and frictional resistance of the lid 6 so as to be vertically adjustable. A valve body 42 and a float 43 are attached to the upper end, and a liquid supply pipe 3 is attached to the upper end.
A stopper 44, which has a smaller diameter than the valve seat 9 and prevents the guide rod 41 from coming off by contact with the valve seat 40, is attached. Note that the upper end of the liquid supply pipe 39 is connected to a nutrient liquid tank (not shown).

Therefore, for example, when the roots of the crop are short, the liquid supply pipe 39 is pulled out to an appropriate height, the liquid level controlled by the liquid supply valve 9 is raised (see Fig. 7A), and the roots are removed. If the water is long, the liquid level can be easily controlled depending on the growth stage and type of the crop by pushing the liquid supply pipe 39 down to a predetermined position to lower the liquid level (see Figure 7 B). Standards can be changed.
Further, around the liquid supply pipe 39, a cylinder 45 similar to the cylinder 38 has its upper end surface in contact with the lower surface of the lid 6, and its lower end surface is supported by a raised portion 15b that is approximately C-shaped in plan view. This prevents roots from entering the liquid supply pipe 39.

The liquid level gauge 10 has a rod 46 having a scale on its outer circumferential surface inserted into the level gauge insertion hole 25 so as to be movable up and down, a float 47 at the lower end of the rod 46, and a stopper 48 at the upper end to prevent the rod from coming off. They are constructed by attaching them to each other.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment, which is characterized in that rising plate portions 7d are provided at both left and right ends of the inclined plate 7.
According to this embodiment, since there are rising plate portions 7a and 7d at the front end and both left and right ends of the inclined plate 7, the roots to the liquid suction pipe 8b and liquid supply valve 9 side of the pump unit 8 can be connected without providing gaskets. It can completely prevent short-circuit intrusion of water and nutrient solution.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment in which the vertical width of the rising plate part 7a at the upper end of the inclined plate 7 is formed slightly wider, and a plate part 7e is provided which is bent rearward from the upper end at a substantially right angle. A feature is that the plate portion 7e is configured to support part of the weight of the lid 6. The other configurations are the same as the embodiments described based on FIGS. 1 to 7 A and B. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the inclined plate 7 is provided at an appropriate height from the bottom of the nutrient solution tank 5 to form a nutrient solution storage section below the inclined plate 7. Figures 10 and 11
As shown in the figure, the inclined plate 7 may be installed directly at the bottom of the nutrient solution tank 5. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, an underground tank 5' and a circulation pump 8a' are provided separately from the nutrient solution tank 5, and a large number of nutrient solutions are supplied from this pump 8a' to a large number of nutrient solution tanks 5. Suitable for large-scale hydroponic cultivation equipment. In the figure, 8b' is a drain pipe that connects the nutrient solution tank 5 and the underground tank 5'.

As described above, in the present invention, between the bottom of the nutrient solution tank, the cultivation pot, and the nutrient solution supply means, a substantially mountain-shaped structure is formed that is higher in the center and lower toward the left and right sides, and the front end is provided with roots. An inclined plate having a rising plate portion that prevents intrusion is brought into close contact with the inner surface of the side edge of the nutrient solution tank at both the left and right lower ends thereof, and the both edges of the rising plate portion are in contact with the inner surface of the side edge of the nutrient solution tank. Since it is detachably attached to the nutrient solution tank so that it is in contact with or close to the nutrient solution tank, the lower left and right ends of the slanted plate are in close contact with the inner surface of the side edges of the nutrient solution tank, thereby creating a flat surface on the slanted plate. It is possible to prevent the roots dispersed in the nutrient solution tank and the nutrient solution flowing down on the inclined plate from entering the bottom of the nutrient solution tank in a short-circuit manner, and also to ensure that both edges of the rising plate portion are on the inner surface of the side edges of the nutrient solution tank. By contacting or being close to each other, it is possible to prevent the free flow of the nutrient solution and the intrusion of roots into the pump unit and the liquid supply valve side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent roots from entering the nutrient solution circulation pump or pipes and interfering with the circulation of the nutrient solution.

In addition, since the inclined plate is removable from the nutrient solution tank, it is difficult to clean the bottom surface of the inclined plate and the bottom of the nutrient solution tank after harvesting the cultivated crops, even though the structure allows the nutrient solution to flow below the inclined plate. It is easy to perform and has practical effects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a hydroponic cultivation device and a germination pack, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the germination pack, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the hydroponic cultivation device. , FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the same as above, FIGS. 5 and 6 are longitudinal sectional side views of the same as above, and FIG. FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of inclined plates showing different embodiments, FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic longitudinal sectional front views and vertical sectional side views of the hydroponic cultivation device showing other embodiments, FIG. 12 is a schematic longitudinal sectional front view of a large-scale hydroponic cultivation device showing another embodiment. 2... Cultivation pot (inner container), 5... Nutrient tank, 7...
... Inclined plate, 7a... Standing plate section, 8... Pump unit, 8a, 8a'... Pump, 8b... Liquid suction pipe, 8b'... Liquid drain pipe.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A nutrient solution circulation pump or a pipe for returning the nutrient solution to the front end of the nutrient solution tank is provided, and a nutrient solution supply means located in the center and a plurality of cultivation pots located on both sides of the nutrient solution supply means are provided above. In the hydroponic cultivation device, a substantially mountain-shaped structure is formed between the bottom of the nutrient solution tank and the cultivation pot and the nutrient solution supply means, with the center being higher and lower toward the left and right sides; A sloping plate on which a rising plate portion that prevents the water from flowing is formed so that its left and right lower end portions are in close contact with the inner surface of the side edge of the nutrient solution tank, and both edges of the rising plate portion are in contact with the inner surface of the side edge of the nutrient solution tank. 1. An inclined plate for dispersing roots in a hydroponic culture device, characterized in that the plate is detachably attached to the nutrient tank so as to be in contact with or in close proximity to the nutrient solution tank.