KR102513296B1 - Temperature control apparatus of multistage type plant cultivating system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to provide a temperature control device for a multi-stage plant factory that can uniformize the temperature of a multi-stage cultivation space and effectively control the appropriate temperature required for plant growth. The present invention for this purpose is a body frame having a bed frame spaced apart in the vertical direction so as to have a multi-stage cultivation space; A planting bed installed on the top of the bed frame and in which plants are planted; And it is installed in the lower part of the bed frame, and transmits the thermal energy of the working fluid circulating inside to the lower cultivation space to form the temperature required for the growth of plants planted in the lower planting bed and is movable according to the position of the plant's growth point. Discloses a feature including a temperature control unit having a radiation panel to be.

Description

Temperature control system for multi-level plant factories {TEMPERATURE CONTROL APPARATUS OF MULTISTAGE TYPE PLANT CULTIVATING SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a temperature control device for a multi-stage plant factory, and more particularly, to control the temperature of a multi-stage plant factory capable of equalizing the internal temperature of a multi-stage cultivation space and efficiently regulating the proper temperature required for plant growth. It's about the device.

We are facing food shortages due to global warming and abnormal climate, and securing safe food has emerged as a new issue due to environmental destruction caused by fine dust and heavy metal pollution and the spread of diseases such as viruses.

Accordingly, the so-called plant factory, which is out of the limited open space, has developed into a completely controlled plant factory using artificial lighting devices through a plant factory using sunlight in the early days. This is a technology field that is expected to develop continuously in the future.

A plant factory cultivates a large amount of plants in large quantities, and in order to increase space efficiency, a cultivation space in which plants are grown may be provided in multiple layers.

However, since the air flow is uneven for each stage in the multi-stage cultivation space with such a rack structure, and the rack structure and cultivated crops interfere with the air flow, the multi-stage cultivation space has a temperature different from the set temperature of the central temperature controller. Temperature can be set. Accordingly, there is a problem in that quality differences occur in plants growing in multi-tiered cultivation spaces. In addition, the temperature of the plant growth point is important for smooth plant growth, and the conventional temperature control device is operated based on the interior space of the plant factory, resulting in waste of heating and cooling energy.

On the other hand, in the plant factory, an artificial lighting device for irradiating light necessary for plant growth is installed above the cultivation space in which plants are grown in order to create an environment suitable for plant growth. Such artificial lighting devices inevitably generate heat, and this heat generation not only damages the lighting device or shortens its lifespan, but also unnecessarily increases the temperature of the cultivation space. Accordingly, a temperature control device for cooling the temperature raised by the lighting device as well as preventing damage and life reduction of the lighting device is required.

As described above, even when the temperature raised by the lighting device is cooled, the air flow is non-uniform in each stage, and the rack structure and cultivated crops obstruct the air flow, so the multi-stage cultivation space has a central temperature control device. A temperature different from the temperature set in may be set. In addition, there is a problem in that the temperature in the cultivation space cannot be effectively lowered due to the heating phenomenon caused by the lighting device installed in each multi-stage cultivation space.

In addition, heating is required to control the internal temperature during the non-operating hours of artificial lighting devices in winter. Even in this case, as described above, excessive energy consumption and the inability to maintain a uniform temperature at the plant growth point due to the non-uniform air flow problem there is

Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 2043749 (2019.11.12. notice)

An object of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems, and the present invention provides a temperature control device for a multi-stage plant factory that can uniformize the temperature of a multi-stage cultivation space and effectively control the appropriate temperature required for plant growth. is in providing

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, the temperature control device of a multi-stage plant factory according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body frame having a bed frame spaced apart in the vertical direction so as to have a multi-stage cultivation space; A planting bed installed on the top of the bed frame and in which plants are planted; And a temperature control unit installed at the lower part of the bed frame and having a radiation panel for transferring the thermal energy of the working fluid circulating therein to the lower cultivation space to form a temperature required for the growth of plants planted in the lower planting bed. The radiation panel is coupled to the lower portion of the planting bed, has a pipe installation groove that is open downward, and blocks heat radiation in other directions except for the open lower direction of the pipe installation groove. A block, a circulation pipe installed in the pipe installation groove, through which the working fluid circulates, and coupled to the lower portion of the insulation block so that the pipe installation groove is closed, and heat energy or cold energy transmitted from the circulation pipe is converted into the cultivation A guide connecting the radiation panel driving unit, which includes a heat sink for dissipating heat into space, and the temperature control unit moves the radiation panel to be closer to or apart from each other in the direction of the plant planted on the planting bed, and the bed frame neighboring in the vertical direction unit, a guide block coupled to the radiation panel and guiding movement by the guide unit, a growth point position detecting unit for capturing an image of plants planted on the planting bed, and a plant detected by the growing point position detecting unit. A control unit controlling the radiation panel driving unit so that the height of the radiation panel with respect to the growing point of the plant is maintained constant based on the position of the growing point, wherein the control unit extracts a growing point image from an image captured by the growing point position detection unit It includes an image detector, and calculates the height of the growing point from the planting bed from the extracted growing point image.

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In the temperature control device of a multi-stage plant factory according to an embodiment of the present invention, it may further include a lighting unit for irradiating light necessary for growth of plants planted on the planting bed, in which case the lighting unit is located under the heat dissipation plate. can be installed on

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According to the present invention, the target temperature required for the growth of plants planted in the lower planting bed can be effectively controlled through the temperature control unit including the radiant panel that transmits the heat or cold energy of the working fluid circulating inside to the lower cultivation space. there is.

According to the present invention, by installing the lighting unit on the radiation panel, it is possible to effectively cool the heat generated from the lighting unit, thereby preventing damage due to heat generation and reduction in lifespan. In addition, the structure is simple and occupies a small space, so the space efficiency of the cultivation space can be increased.

According to the present invention, since the radiation panel and the lighting unit are movably installed in the direction of the planting bed, temperature and light can be more accurately and precisely controlled and supplied according to the degree of growth of the plants planted in the planting bed. In addition, it has an effect of reducing energy consumed for temperature control and lighting through efficient temperature control and light supply.

1 is an exemplary view for explaining a temperature control device of a multi-stage plant factory according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1 .
3 is an exemplary cross-sectional view for explaining a radiation panel of a temperature control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a working fluid supply unit of a temperature controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an exemplary view for explaining a temperature control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention in which the above-described problem to be solved can be realized in detail will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present embodiments, the same name and the same reference numeral may be used for the same configuration, and additional description accordingly may be omitted.

Figure 1 is an exemplary view for explaining a temperature control device of a multi-stage plant factory according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a temperature control according to an embodiment of the present invention It is a cross-sectional example for explaining the radiation panel of the device.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , the temperature control device of a multi-stage plant factory according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a body frame 10, a planting bed 20, and a temperature control unit.

The body frame 10 may have a multi-stage cultivation space S, and may have a multi-stage bed frame 11 spaced apart in the vertical direction. Therefore, the body frame 10 may have a cultivation space S for each space between the bed frames 11 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction.

The planting bed 20 is a portion where the plant F is planted, and may be installed on the upper surface of the bed frame 11 . Therefore, the plants F planted on the planting bed 20 can grow in the cultivation space S.

The temperature control unit can continuously and uniformly maintain an appropriate temperature required for the growth of the plant F planted on the planting bed 20 .

The temperature controller may include a radiation panel 30 .

The radiation panel 30 transmits thermal energy toward the cultivation space S to maintain the temperature of the cultivation space S at an appropriate temperature required for the growth of the plant F.

The radiation panel 30 may include a heat insulation block 31, a circulation pipe 32, and a heat sink 33.

The insulation block 31 may be coupled to the lower surface of the planting bed 20 and may have a pipe installation groove 31a open downward. This heat insulating block 31 can block heat dissipation in other directions except for the open lower direction of the pipe installation groove 31a.

The circulation pipe 32 may be installed in the pipe installation groove 31a, and a working fluid may be filled and circulated therein. And, the circulation pipe 32 may have a working fluid entrance at both ends, and the working fluid entrance may be connected to a working fluid supply unit 34 to be described later. The working fluid transported to the working fluid supply unit 34 may circulate through the circulation pipe 32 and then be returned to the working fluid supply unit 34 again.

The heat sink 33 may be coupled to the lower portion of the heat insulation block 31 so that the pipe installation groove 31a is closed, and heat energy transmitted from the circulation pipe 32 may be radiated to the lower cultivation space S.

In addition, a heat transfer medium may be filled in the pipe installation groove 31a in which the circulation pipe 32 is installed. Due to this heat transfer medium, thermal energy of the circulation pipe 32 can be more effectively transferred to the heat sink 33 .

4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a working fluid supply unit of a temperature controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the temperature control unit may further include a working fluid supply unit 34 .

The working fluid supply unit 34 may include a supply pipe 34a and a recovery pipe 34b connected to the working fluid entrance of the circulation pipe 32, a working fluid supply source 34c, and a pump 34d.

The working fluid supply source 34c may be installed to connect the supply pipe 34a and the recovery pipe 34b. The working fluid supply source 34c may be a tank filled with a working fluid.

The pump 34d may be installed on the supply pipe 34a, and pressurize the working fluid of the working fluid supply source 34c to circulate the working fluid along the circulation pipe 32. For example, as the pump 34d, a heating source and a pumping unit may be integrally configured, such as a heat pump. In this case, the aforementioned working fluid supply source 34c may be excluded.

Therefore, the working fluid stored in the working fluid supply source 34c can continuously circulate through the circulation pipe 32 by the pressing force of the pump 34d.

Also, the working fluid supply unit 34 may further include a heating device for heating the working fluid of the working fluid supply source 34c or a cooling device for cooling the working fluid of the working fluid supply source 34c. Accordingly, the temperature of the cultivation space S may be increased using the thermal energy of the working fluid, and the temperature of the cultivation space S may be lowered using the cold energy of the working fluid.

As described above, as the radiation panel 30 is installed on the lower surface of the bed frame 11 forming the multi-stage cultivation space S, a uniform temperature can be formed for each multi-stage cultivation space S, , Accordingly, it is possible to continuously maintain a uniform temperature for the plants planted in the multi-stage cultivation space (S).

Meanwhile, the temperature controller of the multi-stage plant factory according to the present embodiment may further include a lighting unit 40 .

The lighting unit 40 irradiates light required for plant growth, and may be disposed above the planting bed 20, and may be installed on the radiation panel 30 according to the present embodiment.

Specifically, the lighting unit 40 may be installed on the lower surface of the heat dissipation plate 33 . For example, a lighting installation recess may be provided on the lower surface of the heat sink 33, and the lighting unit 40 may be detachably installed in the lighting installation recess. The detachable design facilitates partial repair and replacement of consumables, thereby facilitating maintenance and reducing costs.

As the lighting unit 40 is installed on the heat sink 33 as such, heat generated from the lighting unit 40 can be effectively cooled through the heat sink 33 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent damage and reduction in lifespan of the lighting unit 40 due to heat generation, and it is possible to increase the space efficiency of the cultivation space (S) by having a simple structure and occupying a small space.

As the lighting unit 40, a lighting device using a light emitting diode (LED) having high power efficiency and durability as a light source may be used.

5 is an exemplary view for explaining a temperature control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the radiation panel 30 according to the present embodiment may be movably installed to be close to or spaced apart in the direction of plants planted on the planting bed 20 .

That is, by adjusting the height of the radiation panel 30 with respect to the planting bed 20, while varying the height of the radiation panel 30 according to the growth degree of the plant F planted on the planting bed 20, the plant ( The appropriate temperature required for the growth of F) can be more precisely controlled.

In addition, since the lighting unit 40 can be moved together with the radiation panel 30 when the lighting unit 40 is provided in the radiation panel 30, the temperature depends on the degree of growth of the plants planted on the planting bed 20. And the light can be more accurately and precisely controlled and supplied.

In addition, even if there is no change in the output of the temperature control unit and the lighting unit 40, an appropriate temperature can be set according to the degree of growth of the plant F by varying the height of the radiation panel 30.

Meanwhile, the temperature controller may further include a linear transport structure for guiding vertical movement of the radiation panel 30 , and the linear transport structure may include a guide unit 36 and a guide block 37 .

The guide unit 36 may be installed to connect adjacent bed frames 11 in the vertical direction, and may guide the movement of the radiation panel 30 in the vertical direction. Also, the guide block 37 may be coupled to the heat insulation block 31 of the radiation panel 30 and may have a guide hole penetrating the guide part 36 . Accordingly, the guide block 37 can be stably moved along the vertical length of the guide part 36 .

Meanwhile, the temperature control unit may further include a radiation panel driving unit 35 for moving the radiation panel 30, and through the radiation panel driving unit 35, the radiation panels 30 are brought closer to or separated from each other in the direction of the planting bed 20. It can be. A cylinder or a motor may be used as the radiation panel driver 35 .

It can be manually driven by an operator through the radiation panel driving unit 35, or can be automatically driven using a separate control system.

To this end, the temperature control unit may further include a growth point position detection unit 38 and a control unit 39.

The growth point position detection unit 38 may detect the position of the growth point GP of the plant F planted on the planting bed 20 .

A camera or various displacement sensors may be used as the growth point location detector 38 . Sensing information (image or displacement information) collected from the camera or displacement sensor may be transmitted to the controller 39 .

The control unit 39 may control the radiation panel driving unit 35, and controls the radiation panel driving unit 35 based on the location of the growing point (GP) of the plant F detected by the growing point position detection unit 38 to radiate radiation. The height of the panel 30 can be adjusted. That is, the control unit 39 may maintain the height h1 of the radiation panel 30 and the lighting unit 40 with respect to the growth point GP of the plant F at a constant level.

When a camera is used as the growth point position detection unit 38, the control unit 39 may include an image detection unit. The image detection unit may extract a growing point image from an image captured by the camera, and calculate the height of the growing point from the actual planting bed 20 from the extracted growing point image. In this way, various known image extraction programs may be used to extract a specific image from all images.

In this way, the height h1 of the radiation panel 30 and the lighting unit 40 for the growing point GP is adjusted by adjusting the height of the radiation panel 30 as the height of the growing point GP of the plant F varies. By always keeping constant, it is possible to more accurately and uniformly control and supply appropriate temperature and light required for plant growth.

In addition, by independently controlling the heights of the radiation panels 30 and lighting units 40 arranged for each stage of the multi-stage cultivation space S, optimal growth of plants F planted in each cultivation space S is achieved. Temperature and light can be more accurately and uniformly controlled and supplied.

As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, but those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the present invention within the scope not departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the claims below. may be modified or changed.

10: body frame
11: Bed frame
20: planting bed
30: radiation panel
40: lighting unit

Claims (7)

Body frame having a bed frame spaced apart in the vertical direction to have a multi-stage cultivation space;
A planting bed installed on the top of the bed frame and in which plants are planted; and
A temperature control unit installed at the bottom of the bed frame and having a radiant panel for transferring the thermal energy of the working fluid circulating therein to the lower cultivation space to form the temperature required for the growth of plants planted in the lower planting bed; including do,
The radiation panel is coupled to the lower portion of the planting bed, has a pipe installation groove that is open in a downward direction, and blocks heat dissipation in other directions except for the open lower direction of the pipe installation groove; A circulation pipe installed in the pipe installation groove, through which the working fluid circulates, coupled to the lower part of the insulation block so that the pipe installation groove is closed, and dissipates heat energy or cold heat energy transferred from the circulation pipe to the cultivation space. Including a heat sink that
The temperature control unit is coupled to a radiation panel driving unit that moves the radiation panel in a direction toward or away from the plants planted on the planting bed, a guide unit that connects the bed frames adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, and the radiation panel. A guide block whose movement is guided by the guide unit, a growth point location detection unit that captures an image of a plant planted on the planting bed, and a plant growth point detection unit based on the position of the plant's growth point detected by the growth point location detection unit. A control unit controlling the radiation panel driving unit so that the height of the radiation panel is maintained constant,
The control unit includes an image detection unit that extracts a growing point image from an image taken by the growing point location detector, and calculates the height of the growing point from the planting bed from the extracted growing point image. . delete According to claim 1,
Further comprising a lighting unit for irradiating light necessary for the growth of plants planted on the planting bed,
The temperature control device of the multi-stage plant factory, characterized in that the lighting unit is installed below the heat sink. delete delete delete delete

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