JPS6261525A - Hydroponic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hydroponic cultivation apparatus for cultivating plants hydroponically.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, hydroponic cultivation, which is a method of cultivating plants without using soil, has been popular. To perform hydroponic cultivation, a hydroponic cultivation device is used. Among these, an example of one used for home use is a case in which a plurality of casing-shaped cultivation dishes are stacked in multiple tiers, each having a support on the top surface to support the seedlings so that the roots can grow downward. There are some in which water containing nutrients, that is, a nutrient solution, is circulated within each of these cultivation dishes. The circulation of the nutrient solution involves first supplying the nutrient solution to the top cultivation dish, then sequentially flowing the nutrient solution to the bottom cultivation dish and supplying it to each cultivation dish. This is done by feeding it again to the top cultivation dish.

A device with such a configuration is installed in a location that satisfies the conditions necessary for the growth of seedlings. Then, the roots of the seedlings are supplied with nutrient solution and oxygen, and the entire seedlings are supplied with light, air, and other things necessary for their growth, allowing plants to be cultivated without using soil. On the other hand, since a plurality of cultivation dishes are stacked in a multi-tiered manner, a large variety of plants can be grown in a small space, resulting in excellent space efficiency.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Oxygen is necessary for the growth of roots of seedlings. Here, as described above, there are two types of oxygen supply routes to the roots of the seedlings. One supply route is when oxygen is supplied to roots exposed to the air. Another supply route is when oxygen is mixed into the nutrient solution and supplied to the roots.

However, in the above-mentioned methods, no particular consideration is given to mixing a large amount of oxygen into the nutrient solution.
Depending on the seedlings being cultivated, the amount of oxygen supplied may not be sufficient.

The present invention was made in view of such fish, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a hydroponic cultivation device that can supply a sufficient amount of oxygen to the roots of seedlings.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides a cultivation system in which a plurality of cultivators held by holding members are arranged in a multi-tiered manner on a top-opened nutrient solution tank in which a nutrient solution is stored. A water sink is placed at the upper end of the container and has an opening on the top surface and a water hole on the bottom facing the cultivator. A water distribution body is connected to the lower end of the cultivator, and a discharge hole is formed at the lower end of the water distribution body, which is located above the water flow vessels except for the top one. At the same time, a water distribution section that communicates the cultivation device with the water distribution body was provided at the end opposite to those discharge holes.

As a result, the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank, which has been sucked into the supply section and carried to the uppermost water bowl, flows down from the water flow hole and is supplied to the cultivator located below. The water flows from the cultivator through the water distribution section to the water distribution body, is discharged from the discharge hole, and flows down to the water flow device located below. In this way, the nutrient solution is sequentially supplied to the lower cultivation vessels, returned from the lowest cultivation vessel to the nutrient solution tank, and repeatedly circulated within each cultivation dish. In such a distribution route of the nutrient solution, a large amount of oxygen is mixed into the nutrient solution. In this case, the nutrient solution is from a running water container to a cultivator.

This is because the nutrient solution falls from the water distribution body to the driftwood bowl, flows from the water bowl to the cultivator, and reaches the water bowl below in a zigzag pattern, so the nutrient solution is exposed to air for a long time. . Therefore, a large amount of oxygen is supplied to the roots of the seedlings in the cultivation dish along with the nutrient solution, resulting in good growth of the seedlings.

Embodiment of the Invention A first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. A substrate 2 having casters 1 at the four corners of its lower end is provided parallel to the ground surface 3. The substrate 2 has a fitting hole 4 in the center thereof, into which a base tube 5 is fitted and fixed. Further, a support tube 6 having a smaller diameter than the base tube 5 is rotatably fitted into the base tube 5 and extends upward. and.

At the upper end of the base tube 5, a plurality of rotary tubes 7 rotatably fitted into the support tube 6 are vertically stacked via bearings 8. A wheel-shaped holding member 9 is attached to each of the rotating tubes 7 below. These holding members 9 consist of four support rods 10 protruding from the rotary tube 7 in a cross direction, and rings 11 fixed to the ends of these supports 1O, and are mounted horizontally. Furthermore, an umbrella-shaped ceiling member 12 is attached to the upper end of the support tube 6, and a bowl-shaped cap 14 having a mounting hole 13 in the center portion is fixed to the upper part of the ceiling member 12.

Next, on the substrate 2, a donut-shaped nutrient solution tank 16 that stores the nutrient solution 15 therein is arranged with its axis aligned with the base tube 5. The nutrient solution tank 16 has a support 17 on its upper surface that supports a large number of seedlings (not shown), and has a heater 18 and a porous air generator 19 inside. or,
A filter 20 is also provided inside the nutrient solution tank 16 to cover one corner of the inside.

A plurality of cultivators 21 and a plurality of water flowers 22 are arranged on the nutrient solution tank 16 in a staggered manner. That is, two retaining plates 23 are attached to each retaining member 9 on the circumference around the rotary tube 7, and the cultivator 21 is attached to each of the retaining members 9. is placed on top. On the other hand, the water flow device 22 is a donut-shaped housing having an opening on the top surface and two water flow holes 24 positioned on the circumference on the bottom surface at equal intervals, and is fitted and fixed to the top of each of the rotary tubes 7. ing. The water flow holes 24 are formed at positions facing the inner end of the cultivator 21, respectively.

Here, the holding plate 23 has a depression in the center, and this part serves as a water distribution body 25. These water distribution bodies 25
A discharge hole 26, which can be opened and closed, is formed on the lower surface of the inner end of the drain hole 26, and is located opposite to the opening on the upper surface of the water flower 22 directly below. Further, inside the outer end of the distribution body 25, a lower end of a water distribution device 27 as a water distribution section attached to the cultivation device 21 is located. That is, cylindrical supports 28 are formed at the outer end of the cultivation dish 21 and project vertically from the bottom surface, and cylindrical adjustment tubes 29 are rotatably fitted into the inner peripheral surfaces of these supports 28. The ends of these adjusting pipes 29 are located within the water distribution body 25. Here, a vertically long water distribution hole 30 is formed in the support 28,
The adjustment pipe 29 is formed with an oblique adjustment hole 31 at a position overlapping with the water distribution holes 30 . Therefore, when the regulating pipe 29 rotates, the water distribution hole 30
The height of the overlapped portion between the adjustment hole 31 and the cultivation plate 21 is
The level adjustment mechanism 32 is configured here. FIG. 4 shows this level adjustment mechanism 32 with the support column 28 and the adjustment pipe 29 expanded, and the cultivation dish 21 is provided with a cutoff filter 33 that surrounds the water pipe 29 inside. The support body 17 is arranged on the upper surface.

Regarding the cultivation dish 21 and the holding plate 23, those held by the lowermost holding member 9 are called a cultivation dish 21a and a holding plate 23a, respectively. and others are basically the same, but differ in the following points. That is, (1) the cultivation dish 21a has the porous support 1 inside;
7 are arranged, and these supports 17 are not present on the upper surface.

(2) The holding plate 23a has a donut shape that fits into the rotary tube 7, and the discharge hole 26 is connected to the nutrient solution tank 1.
6 (the shape of the holding plate 23a is shown in FIG. 5).

It is different from others in this respect.

Next, the board 2 has a control box 3 on the side.
4 is installed. This control box 34
has a built-in air pump 35 and a liquid supply pump 36,
An operation plate 37 containing a circuit (not shown) is attached to the top surface. here.

For the circuit, the heater 18, the air pump 35
and the liquid supply pump 36 are connected.

Furthermore, for the air pump 35, the air generator 1
9 is connected. The control box 34 is formed with an insertion hole 38 through which wiring to the heater 18 and piping to the air generator 19 are inserted. This insertion hole 38 is covered with a flexible waterproof cover 39 to which only the upper end is fixed. Further, a cover 40 is attached to the control box 34 to cover the operation panel 37 located on the upper surface. This cover 40 is made of a transparent material. The ends are fixed with pins 41 and can be opened and closed.

On the other hand, the liquid supply pump 36 has a water supply side and a drainage side. The water supply side is connected to the nutrient solution tank 16 via a solution supply pipe 42 . What is the connection position?

This is a corner within the nutrient solution tank 16 that is covered with the filter 20. Further, a nutrient solution supply pipe 43 is connected to the drainage side. This nutrient solution supply pipe 43 is guided to a path that passes through the inside of the base pipe 5 from below the substrate 2 and exits to the upper end of the support pipe 6. The end of the nutrient solution supply pipe 43 is disposed opposite to the upper opening of the water flower 22 located at the uppermost stage. A supply section 44 for supplying the nutrient solution 15 in the nutrient solution tank 16 to the water flower 22 at the uppermost stage is formed here.

Next, a cooling fan 45 is provided below the bottom opening of the base tube 5 . This cooling fan 45 is
It is placed on the ground surface 3 and placed in a position where air can be blown upward. Further, a blower fan 46 is also disposed above the upper opening of the support tube 6. This blower fan 4
6 is held by a hook 47 provided at a predetermined position on the ceiling member 12, and is positioned at a position where air can be blown downward. The cooling fan 45 and the blower fan 46 are the same and have a built-in drive unit and power source (not shown). Incidentally, since the cooling fan 45 and the blowing fan 46 are the same, it is also possible to provide only one of them and replace them with each other depending on the situation.

Next, a transparent heat-insulating cover 48 that completely covers the cultivation dish 21, the water flower 22, etc. is removably provided.

The heat retaining cover 48 is a bag-like member with an opening at the bottom, which is attached from the ceiling member 12 side, positioned and held by the holding member 9 and the cap 14, and whose lower end is fixed in the nutrient solution tank 16. Note that the above-mentioned mounting hole 1 is provided at the top.
A hole is drilled at a position that fits 3.

In such a configuration, each support 17 holds a seedling, and the supply unit 44 supplies the nutrient solution tank 16.
The nutrient solution 15 inside is supplied to the uppermost water sink 22. This is achieved by driving the nutrient solution tank 16 by driving the solution supply pump 36.
This is done by supplying the nutrient solution 15 inside to the solution supply pump 36, and sending the supplied nutrient solution 15 through the nutrient solution supply pipe 43 to the water dispenser 22 at the top stage. Then, the nutrient solution 15 flows down from the water hole 24 in the water sink 22, and the nutrient solution 15 is supplied to the cultivation dish 21 on the uppermost stage. Here, the nutrient solution 15 is supplied to the roots of the seedlings existing in those cultivation dishes 21, and the nutrient solution 15 flows through the water distributor 27 to the water distribution body 25, and is discharged from the discharge hole 26 to the driftwood directly below. It flows down into the vessel 22. In this way, the nutrient solution 15 sequentially flows downward along the same path, and the nutrient solution 15 discharged from the discharge hole 26 located at the lowest stage returns to the nutrient solution tank 16. The nutrient solution 15 returned to the nutrient solution tank 16 is filtered by the filter 20 to remove impurities, and is again supplied to the uppermost streamer 22 by the supply section 44. In this way, the nutrient solution 15 is It is constantly circulated within the cultivation dish 21 and the like. Therefore, the circulating nutrient solution 15 is supplied to the roots of the seedlings together with oxygen, thereby promoting growth. Furthermore, as the seedlings grow, the area occupied by the roots of the seedlings in the cultivation dish 21 increases, but even if the roots grow, they are blocked by the cut-off filter 33 and are prevented from entering the water distributor 27. Therefore, normal circulation of the nutrient solution 15 is always achieved.

Here, the heat insulating cover 48 is attached or removed depending on the outside temperature, and is attached during the cold season. If necessary, the nutrient solution 15 is heated with a heater 18. On the other hand, if the outside temperature is high, the heat insulating cover 48 is removed. If necessary, the cooling fan 45 cools the nutrient solution 15 falling from the lowest water distribution body 25 to lower the temperature of the nutrient solution 15. This keeps the area around the seedlings at an appropriate temperature, creating a good cultivation environment.

In addition, when seeds are sown on the support 17 and seedlings are grown from one seed, the nutrient solution 15 is placed in the cultivation dish 21 where the support 17 where the seeds are sown is located.
This is because fresh water is better than the nutrient solution 15 for germination of the 0 species.

At this time, if other water holes 24 are open, other cultivation dishes 2
1 is supplied with a nutrient solution 15, so that seedlings and seeds can be grown at the same time.

Furthermore, by rotating the cultivation dish 21 as a whole or individually, each image can be exposed to sunlight evenly.

The entire rotation is performed by rotating the support tube 6 and rotating all the holding members 9 as a unit.
Individual rotation is performed by rotating any holding member 9. Moreover, each cultivation dish 21 can be easily attached and detached by simply being placed on the holding plate 23.
The positions of the cultivation dishes 21 can be exchanged even within one holding member 9. As a result, even if the seedlings grow, the cultivation tray 21
By changing the position of the leaves, it is possible to prevent the leaves from interfering with each other. Moreover, the cultivation dish 21 can also be taken out individually to an arbitrary location.

On the other hand, a large amount of a element is mixed into the nutrient solution 15 during its distribution process. This is because the nutrient solution 15 is exposed to air for a long time. That is, the nutrient solution 15 is
Kara cultivation dish 21. The water falls from the water distribution body 25 to the water sink 22. At this time, the nutrient solution 15 is exposed to air. Moreover, the shock of the fall also generates water bubbles, further increasing the amount of oxygen mixed in. Further, in the distribution path of the nutrient solution 15, the flow from the water hole 24 to the water distributor 27 to the discharge hole 26 is in a zigzag pattern. Therefore, the time spent in contact with the air becomes longer. In this way, if a large amount of m-element is mixed into the nutrient solution 15, the roots of the seedlings will be supplied with a large amount of oxygen along with the nutrient solution 15, and the seedlings will grow well.

Further, the water level of the nutrient solution 15 supplied into the cultivation dish 21 can be adjusted to an arbitrary level by the level adjustment mechanism 32 of the water distributor 27. That is, the nutrient solution 15 in the cultivation dish 21 flows into the water distribution body 25 through the overlapping portion of the water distribution hole 30 and the adjustment hole 31. Therefore, by changing the height of the overlapping portion, the water level of the nutrient solution 15 can be varied.The height of the overlapping portion is adjusted by rotating the adjustment tube 29. In this way, by setting the water level to an appropriate level depending on the growth state of the roots of the seedlings, the roots can be exposed to air, and a large amount of oxygen is supplied to the roots along with the nutrient solution 15.

Therefore, when the heat insulating cover 48 is attached, if the blower fan 46 is driven, an air flow will be generated inside each cultivation dish 2.
1) The surrounding temperature becomes uniform, and the boundary layer of still air on the leaves of plants is removed, promoting their growth.

On the other hand, since the control box 34 is provided with a waterproof cover 39 and a cover 40, waterproofness is maintained and the device can be installed both indoors and outdoors.

In addition, in implementation, a support column 50 that protrudes in the outer circumferential direction may be attached to the holding member 9. As an example for connecting the support columns 5o, the support columns 50 are sandwiched between W-shaped members 51. The connected state is shown in FIG. 7, and as a result, grown plants can be entangled around the support column 50.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 8 and 9. The same parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and explanations will be omitted. In this embodiment, the cap 14 is attached to the hole 1.
A cylindrical connecting rod 60 is bolted to 3, and this connecting rod 6
a cover frame 6 surrounding the entire device at the upper end of the device;
1 was bolted on. This cover frame 61 is covered with a large heat-insulating cover 63 having an entrance/exit 62 which can be opened and closed.

Effects of the Invention The present invention provides a method in which a plurality of cultivation dishes held by a holding member are arranged in a multi-tiered manner on a top-opened nutrient solution tank in which a nutrient solution is stored, and the upper end of each of these cultivation dishes is A water tank is placed on the side of the tank and has an opening on the top and a water hole on the bottom facing the cultivation dish. A housing-like water distribution body is connected to the lower end of the cultivation dish, and a discharge hole is formed at the lower end of the water distribution body to be located above the water basins except for the uppermost one. Since a water distribution part that communicates the cultivation dish and the water distribution body is provided at the end opposite to the discharge hole, the nutrient solution circulating in each cultivation dish contains a lot of oxygen due to falling and circulation, and the water inside the cultivation dish is mixed with oxygen. It is possible to supply a large amount of oxygen to the roots of the seedlings along with the nutrient solution, thus promoting good growth of the seedlings. The seedlings in the cultivation dish can be exposed to sunlight evenly, thus promoting the uniform growth of each image, and the holding member has a structure that supports a heat-insulating cover that covers the entire cultivation dish. The heat insulating cover can be attached and detached, and the area around the seedlings can always be kept at an appropriate temperature regardless of changes in outside temperature. Therefore, a good cultivation environment can be provided. When a support column 50 is attached for plants to wrap around, even if the seedlings in the cultivation dish grow large, they can be held by wrapping around the support column 50;
If the water distribution section is equipped with a level adjustment mechanism that changes the level of the nutrient solution in the cultivation dish, the level of the nutrient solution in the cultivation dish can be adapted to the growth state of the seedlings being grown, and therefore the seedlings By exposing the roots to the air, it is possible to supply a large amount of oxygen to the roots, contributing to the good growth of the seedlings.In addition, if a cooling fan is installed in a part of the nutrient solution distribution route, The nutrient solution can be cooled, and the area around the seedlings can always be kept at an appropriate temperature regardless of changes in outside temperature, thus providing a good cultivation environment.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall side view with a part cut away showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holding member and a holding plate,
Figure 3 is a longitudinal side view of the water distributor, Figure 4 is an expanded side view of the water distributor showing the level shoulder mechanism, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the lowest retaining plate, and Figure 6 is a plan view of the control box. , 7th
The figure is a plan view showing the connected state of the support columns, FIG. 8 is a side view of the entirety of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view thereof. 9. Holding member, 15. Nutrient solution, 16. Nutrient solution tank, 18. Heater, 19. Air generator, 21.. Cultivation dish. 22 - Water flow device, 24... Water flow hole, 25... Water distribution body,
26...Discharge hole, 27...Water distribution section, 32...Level adjustment mechanism, 34...Control box, 37...Operation panel, 38...Insertion hole, 39...Waterproof cover, 40...
·cover. 44 Supply unit, 45... Cooling fan, 48... Heat insulation cover, 50... Support column, 61... Cover frame,
63...Large thermal cover Applicant: Shingo Daiwa Co., Ltd. Komatsu Ltd., %, 3 [F]

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of cultivation dishes held by a holding member are arranged in a multi-tiered manner on a top-opened nutrient solution tank in which a nutrient solution is stored, and above each of these cultivation dishes. A water sink is disposed at the end side and has an opening on the top surface and a water hole on the bottom surface facing the cultivation dish, and the topmost one of these water sinks is used to drain the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank. A housing-like water distribution body is connected to the lower end of the cultivation dish, and a discharge hole is provided at the lower end of the water distribution body located above the water flow basin except for the uppermost one. A hydroponic cultivation apparatus characterized in that a water distribution section is provided at an end opposite to the discharge hole for communicating the cultivation dish and the water distribution body. 2. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding members are rotatable as a whole or individually. 3. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is a support member for a heat-insulating cover that covers the entire cultivation dish. 4. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a support column for entangling the plants in the cultivation dish is attached to the holding member. 5. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cover frame that surrounds the entire cultivation dish, and this cover frame supports a large heat-insulating cover having an entrance and exit that can be opened and closed. 6. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the water flow hole of the water flow device can be opened and closed freely. 7. A plurality of cultivation dishes held by a holding member are arranged in a multi-tiered manner on a top-opened nutrient solution tank in which a nutrient solution is stored, and the cultivation dishes are positioned at the upper end side of each of the cultivation dishes. A water basin having a top opening and a water hole facing the cultivation dish on the bottom surface is arranged, and a supply unit for supplying the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank to the uppermost one of these water basins. A housing-shaped water distribution body is connected to the lower end of the cultivation dish, and a discharge hole is formed at the lower end of the water distribution body to be located above the water flow basin except for the uppermost one. A water distribution section for communicating the cultivation dish and the water distribution body is provided at an end facing the discharge hole, and a level adjustment mechanism for changing the level of the nutrient solution in the cultivation dish is provided in these water distribution sections. A hydroponic cultivation device characterized by: 8. A plurality of cultivation dishes held by a holding member are arranged in a multi-tiered manner on a top-opened nutrient solution tank in which a nutrient solution is stored, and the cultivation dishes are positioned at the upper end side of each of the cultivation dishes. A water basin having a top opening and a water hole facing the cultivation dish on the bottom surface is arranged, and a supply unit for supplying the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank to the uppermost one of these water basins. A housing-shaped water distribution body is connected to the lower end of the cultivation dish, and a discharge hole is formed at the lower end of the water distribution body to be located above the water flow basin except for the uppermost one. Hydroponics, characterized in that a water distribution part is disposed at an end facing the discharge hole to communicate the cultivation dish and the water distribution body, and a cooling fan is disposed in a part of the distribution path of the nutrient solution. Cultivation equipment. 9. A plurality of cultivation dishes held by a holding member are arranged in a multi-tiered manner on a top-opened nutrient solution tank in which a nutrient solution is stored, and the cultivation dishes are positioned at the upper end side of each of these cultivation dishes. A water sink having an opening on the top surface and a water hole facing the cultivation dish on the bottom surface is disposed, and a supply unit for supplying the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank to the topmost one of these water sinks. A housing-like water distribution body is connected to the lower end of the cultivation dish, and a discharge hole is formed at the lower end of the water distribution body to be located above the water flow basin except for the uppermost one. A water distribution part that communicates the cultivation dish and the water distribution body is disposed at an end facing the discharge hole, a heater and an air generator are disposed in the nutrient solution tank, and the heater and the air generator A control box is provided with a built-in circuit that controls the operation of the control box and has an operation panel on the top surface, and a transparent cover is attached to the top surface of the control box so that it can be opened and closed freely, and the wiring and piping of the heater and the air generator are inserted through the control box. A hydroponic cultivation device characterized in that the insertion hole of the control box is covered with a waterproof cover.