KR20190104811A - An environmental condition control system based on plant activity index for controlled horticulture and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a facility horticulture complex environment control system which comprises: an environmental factor detection unit for detecting predetermined environmental factors related to crop activities; an activity index calculation unit for calculating a crop activity index representing the crop activity based on the environmental factors; and a complex environment control unit which controls the growth environment of the crop based on the crop activity index. A target crop activity band is set to respond to changes in the crop activity or to be tailored to control purposes, and the customized crop growth index is able to control the growth environment to follow in real time. Accordingly, crop yield increase and quality improvement by the complex environment control optimized for crops are expected.

Description

Crop Activity Index Based Facility Horticulture Complex Environment Control System and Method {AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION CONTROL SYSTEM BASED ON PLANT ACTIVITY INDEX FOR CONTROLLED HORTICULTURE AND METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a facility horticulture complex environment control system and method, and more particularly, to a facility horticulture complex environment control system and method for controlling the facility horticulture crop cultivation environment based on the crop activity index.

Smart Farm is a farm that can manage the growth environment of crops remotely or automatically by integrating information and communication technology into agriculture. It is a representative icon in the field of facility horticulture, which is attracting attention as a part of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Smart farms provide the environment necessary for crop growth and control the environment in the greenhouse to achieve maximum yield of crops. Specifically, various environmental factors in the greenhouse are controlled to create an environment where plants can grow well based on temperature, humidity, insolation, and carbon dioxide concentration information in the greenhouse.

Currently, the greenhouse control of smart farm facilities is controlled by using information considering only the external environmental conditions of crops, and thus it is not possible to control the environment customized to the crop conditions. That is, the current greenhouse control system evaluates whether the crop is ill, lacks moisture, is well-synthesized, and how the transpiration occurs during the growth of the crop, and does not reflect it in the greenhouse environment control.

Greenhouse environmental factors have a great impact on crop yield and quality, and thus, a new greenhouse control solution is needed that actively reflects the growth of crops compared to conventional greenhouse control solutions. This is expected to increase crop yields and to obtain high quality crops.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication KR20160086079A1 (published July 19, 2016)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a system and method for controlling environmental horticulture, which provides an optimal greenhouse environment tailored to a growing or active state of crops. .

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facility horticultural complex control system according to an aspect of the present invention, comprising: an environmental factor sensing unit configured to sense a predetermined environmental factor associated with crop activity; An activity index calculator for calculating a crop activity index representative of the crop activity based on the environmental factors; And it can be achieved by the facility horticulture complex environment control system comprising a complex environment control unit for controlling the growth environment of the crop based on the crop activity index.

Here, the environmental factors include the surface temperature of the crop and the ambient temperature of the crop, the active index calculator may determine the crop activity index to a value proportional to the difference between the surface temperature and the ambient temperature The environmental factor may further include an internal temperature and an internal humidity of the plant horticulture, and the activity index calculator may be configured to determine a difference between a humidity deficiency (HD) determined by the internal temperature and the internal humidity and a predetermined target HD. The crop activity index may be adjusted by reflecting an inverse value. The environmental factor may include the solar radiation amount of the plant horticulture, and the active index calculator may adjust the crop activity index by reflecting a value proportional to the solar radiation amount. Accordingly, the active index calculation unit is a value proportional to the difference between the surface temperature and the ambient temperature, a value inversely proportional to the difference between the humidity deficiency and the target HD, and a value proportional to the solar radiation amount to each predetermined weight. Therefore, it can be reflected in the crop activity index.

The facility horticulture complex environment control system further includes a band setting unit that provides a band having an upper limit value and a lower limit value as a target activity index band for the crop activity index, wherein the complex environment control unit is configured to calculate the crop calculated from the activity index calculation unit. The growth index of the crop may be adjusted to maintain an activity index between the upper limit value and the lower limit value. The complex environment controller may control the supply of nutrient solution supplied to the crop according to the crop activity index.

In addition, the facility horticulture complex environment control system further includes a shading screen for controlling the amount of solar radiation, a window opening and closing device for controlling the opening and closing of the window, a heating and cooling device for controlling the temperature, a water spray fogging device for controlling the temperature and humidity, and a nutrient supply device The complex environment controller selectively selects at least one of the light shielding screen, the window opening and closing device, the air conditioning and heating device, the fogging device, and the nutrient supply device in consideration of the environmental factors used to determine the crop activity index. Can be controlled.

In addition, the above object is a method for controlling the horticulture environment according to another aspect of the present invention, comprising the steps of: detecting a predetermined environmental factor associated with crop activity; Calculating a crop activity index representative of the crop activity based on the environmental factors; And it can be achieved by a facility horticulture environmental control method characterized in that it comprises a complex environment control step of adjusting the growth environment of the crop based on the crop activity index.

The environmental factor may include a surface temperature of the crop and an ambient temperature of the crop, and the active index calculator may determine the crop activity index by a value proportional to the difference between the surface temperature and the ambient temperature. .

According to the present invention, a target crop activity band provided to correspond to a change in crop activity or to be customized for a control purpose is set, and the growth environment can be controlled so that the customized crop growth index can be followed in real time. Accordingly, crop production increase and quality improvement by the complex environment control optimized for crops are expected.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a facility horticultural complex control system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a view for explaining the installation utilization of the thermal imaging camera and the ambient temperature sensor for measuring leaf temperature according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a daily graph for explaining the band form of the target activity index according to the embodiment of the present invention and the crop activity index following control according to the present invention; And
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a facility horticulture complex environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a facility horticultural complex control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the facility horticulture complex environment control system according to an embodiment of the present invention is an environmental factor detection unit 10, an active index calculation unit 20, a band setting unit 30, a complex environment control unit 40, A light shielding screen 51, a fogging device 52, a window opening and closing device 53, a nutrient solution supply device 54, and a cooling and heating device (55).

The environmental factor detecting unit 10 is for detecting a predetermined environmental factor having an association with crop activity. Here, the crop activity indicates a physiological state indicating the degree of crop health, such as photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration, etc. The environmental factors related to this are the surface temperature of the crop, in particular, the surface temperature and ambient temperature of the leaves, the amount of carbon dioxide / oxygen gas, and the amount of insolation. , Temperature, humidity, chlorophyll, (second) spectroscopic data, and the like.

Environmental factor detection unit 10 for measuring such environmental factors is a thermal imaging camera for measuring the surface temperature of the crop, a contact thermometer for measuring the surface temperature, a thermometer for measuring the ambient temperature of the leaves, carbon dioxide / oxygen gas meter It may be implemented as a solar radiation measuring sensor, a humidity sensor, a hyperspectral sensor, or the like.

The activity index calculation unit 20 calculates a crop activity index representing crop activity based on environmental factors. Since the crop activity index is representative of crop activity, it can be calculated from a crop activity estimation model that quantifies the physiological activity of photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration as environmental factors.

The difference in crop surface temperature and ambient temperature is related to the transpiration of the crop. Active transpiration lowers the surface temperature of the leaves and increases the difference from the ambient temperature. Therefore, crop activity estimation model can be modeled to be proportional to the difference between leaf temperature and leaf ambient temperature.

As the amount of insolation increases, photosynthesis and transpiration become more active. However, when the amount of insolation directly in the crop increases, the leaf temperature increases, and even when the crop is sick, the leaf temperature increases so that the difference between the ambient temperature does not increase significantly.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the distance between the thermal imaging camera 11 and the temperature sensor 12 for measuring the leaf temperature may cause a difference in the surface temperature and the ambient temperature of the leaves, and thus from the crop activity estimation model. The accuracy of the calculated crop activity index will be less reliable.

Therefore, it is desirable to improve the accuracy of the crop activity estimation model by reflecting external factors such as various pathological conditions and insolation.

For example, as the amount of insolation increases, the crop activity index is increased, and as the Humidity Deficit calculated on the basis of temperature and humidity is deviated from the target humidity deficiency HD, which is known to have high crop activity, that is, the crop environment. A crop activity estimation model can be set as shown in Equation 1 below to reflect a value inversely proportional to the difference between the lack of humidity based on temperature / humidity and the target HD.

Here, CAI is the crop activity index, T is the ambient temperature, Rad is the internal solar radiation (except 1/3 of the external solar radiation), HD is insufficient humidity, 8 is the target HD, and d is the exponential function. Constant for the degree of dispersion centered on the target HD.

And a, b, and c are weights that contribute to determining the crop activity index. For example, each of the three terms has a value in the range of 0-100% and the effect of the crop activity index is 5: 2: 3. It can be chosen to be a weighted ratio of levels.

In sum, according to the crop activity estimation model presented in [Equation 1], the value is proportional to the difference between the crop ambient temperature and the surface temperature, the value is inversely proportional to the absolute value of the difference between the lack of humidity and the target HD, and the value is proportional to the amount of internal and external solar radiation. Each will be referred to as an exemplary model reflected in the crop activity index according to each predetermined weight. Therefore, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by [Equation 1].

Referring back to FIG. 1, the band setting unit 30 provides a band having an upper limit value and a lower limit value as a target activity index band for the crop activity index.

Figure 3 is a daily graph for explaining the band form of the target activity index according to the embodiment of the present invention and the crop activity index following control according to.

Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the target activity index forms a long band along the horizontal time axis, and is divided into sections of L1-L5 according to the shape.

 L1 is the time from night to dawn, L2 is the morning and morning hours, L3 is the crop activation time including noon, L4 is the afternoon time and L5 is the evening and night time zones. From the point of view of crop activity, L2 is the time when crop activity increases with increasing insolation, L3 is the period where crop activity is maximum, L3 is the time when crop activity decreases, and L5 and L1 are evenings when crop activity is low. , Night time, dawn time.

The target activity index band is designed to be customized to this daily crop activity, and the upper and lower limits of the crop activity index allow the user to use less energy in the crop at the beginning of the small phase and to maximize the energy of the crop in the latter half of the crop. The crop activity index is provided as a percentage.

The shape of the band disclosed in FIG. 3 depends on the time of crop growth after planting, and other types of bands may be provided for young seedlings after planting. For example, by providing intermittent amounts of nutrient solution, several square bands may be formed so as to be discretely distributed at a constant height.

The complex environment control unit 40 is for controlling the growth environment of the crop based on the crop activity index, so that the crop activity index calculated from the activity index calculation unit 20 is maintained between the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the target activity index band. Control the temperature, humidity, insolation, etc., which are the growing environment of crops.

That is, the complex environment control unit 40 includes a light shielding screen 51 for adjusting the amount of solar radiation, a window opening and closing device 53 for temperature control, an air conditioning and heating unit 55 for heating and cooling the greenhouse internal temperature, and water spraying. The growth environment may be adjusted by selectively controlling at least one of a fogging device 52 capable of adjusting temperature and humidity, and a nutrient supply device 54 for supplying nutrient solution to the crop.

For example, in the estimation model presented in [Equation 1], if the amount of insolation is small and the crop activity index is less than the lower band limit, the screen may be opened to reduce the light shielding area of the light shielding screen 51 to increase the crop activity index. In addition, if irrigation is not possible, additional irrigation may be performed, and if irrigation, the crop activity index may be increased by adding a certain ratio of irrigation time.

As another example, if the temperature is high and the humidity is low, the fogging device 52 can be sprayed and fogged to set the humidity deficit to a target value, and if the temperature is high but the humidity is appropriate, the side window is opened for ventilation or air conditioning. The temperature can be lowered to 55.

As described above, crop activity can be controlled by controlling the growth environment control device for changing the environmental factors, which are variables of the crop activity index, so that the calculated crop activity index follows the target activity index band.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a facility horticulture complex environment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the operation of the facility horticulture complex environment control system disclosed in FIG. 1 will be described.

First, the band setting unit 30 sets the target activity index band corresponding to the daily crop activity according to the growth time of the crop (S1). As described above, a variety of bands are provided for the young seedlings that have just been planted or crops that have passed a certain growth period, and can be set or modified by the user.

In addition, the band setting unit 30 may generate a target activity index band customized to the desired crop growth state. The directed crop growth state sets a target activity index band tailored to the reproductive growth state, for example, when switching from the nutrient growth state to the reproductive growth state. In the nutrient growth state, a large amount of nutrient solution may be supplied, and in reproductive growth, a small amount of nutrient solution may be supplied so as to be a stress condition, and thus, the shape of the band, the width of the band, the nutrient supply rate, and the number of nutrient solutions may be adjusted.

Next, the environmental factor detecting unit 10 detects the environmental factor (S2), and the crop activity index calculation unit 20 calculates the crop activity index from the crop activity estimation model based on the environmental factor (S3).

The crop activity index is compared with the set target activity index band (S4).

If the crop activity index is out of the target activity index band, the complex environment control unit 40 selects the most important control method for the crop activity index to fall within the target activity index band range, so that the shading screen 51, the fogging device At least one of the 52, the window opening and closing device 53, the nutrient solution supply device 54, and the air conditioner 55 is selectively controlled (S5).

Next, the complex environment controller 40 or the band setting unit 30 may determine whether to change the band (S6). If you want to switch to the control for nutritional growth / reproductive growth switching for the crop state, or when the band change by user input is requested, the band setting unit 30 changes the band again.

If continuous monitoring of the crop activity index is required (S7), or if the crop activity index is within the target activity index band, iterative control is provided to detect environmental factors and to verify that the crop activity index derived from it follows the band for control purposes. Is performed (S2-S5).

As described above, according to the present invention, the target crop activity band provided to correspond to the change in crop activity or to be customized for the control purpose is set, and the growth environment can be controlled to follow the customized crop growth index in real time.

Accordingly, crop production increase and quality improvement by the complex environment control optimized for crops are expected.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments can be easily modified without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention will be understood to affect the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims (10)

In the facility horticulture complex environment control system,
An environmental factor sensing unit for sensing a predetermined environmental factor associated with crop activity;
An activity index calculator for calculating a crop activity index representative of the crop activity based on the environmental factors; And
Facility horticultural complex control system, characterized in that it comprises a complex environment control unit for controlling the growth environment of the crop based on the crop activity index.
The method of claim 1,
The environmental factors include the surface temperature of the crop and the ambient temperature of the crop,
And the active index calculator determines the crop activity index as a value proportional to the difference between the surface temperature and the ambient temperature.
The method of claim 2,
The environmental factors include internal temperature and internal humidity of the plant horticulture,
The activity index calculator adjusts the crop activity index by reflecting a value inversely proportional to the difference between the humidity deficit (HD) determined according to the internal temperature and the internal humidity and a predetermined target HD. Control system.
The method of claim 3,
The environmental factors include insolation of the plant horticulture,
The active index calculation unit is a facility horticulture complex environment control system, characterized in that for adjusting the crop activity index by reflecting a value proportional to the amount of insolation.
The method of claim 4, wherein
The active index calculation unit is a value proportional to the difference between the surface temperature and the ambient temperature, a value inversely proportional to the difference between the humidity deficiency and the target HD, and a value proportional to the insolation amount according to each predetermined weight Facility horticultural complex control system, characterized in that reflected in the activity index.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
And a band setting unit for providing a band having an upper limit value and a lower limit value as a target activity index band for the crop activity index.
The complex environment control system is a facility horticulture complex environment control system, characterized in that for controlling the growth environment of the crop such that the crop activity index calculated from the activity index calculation unit is maintained between the upper limit and the lower limit.
The method of claim 6,
The complex environment control system is a facility horticulture complex environment control system, characterized in that for controlling the supply of nutrient solution supplied to the crop in accordance with the crop activity index.
The method of claim 6,
It further includes a shading screen for adjusting the amount of solar radiation, a window opening and closing device for controlling window opening and closing, an air conditioning and heating device for temperature control, a water spray fogging device for temperature and humidity control, and a nutrient supply device,
The complex environment controller selectively controls at least one of the light blocking screen, the window opening and closing device, the air conditioning and heating device, the fogging device, and the nutrient solution supply device in consideration of the environmental factors used to determine the crop activity index. Facility horticulture complex environment control system, characterized in that.
In the facility horticulture complex environment control method,
Detecting a predetermined environmental factor associated with crop activity;
Calculating a crop activity index representative of the crop activity based on the environmental factors; And
And a complex environment control step of controlling a growth environment of the crop based on the crop activity index.
The method of claim 9,
The environmental factors include the surface temperature of the crop and the ambient temperature of the crop,
And the active index calculator determines the crop activity index as a value proportional to the difference between the surface temperature and the ambient temperature.

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