KR20210049856A - Vertical cultivation tower for automated horticulture and agriculture - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for continuous automated cultivation of crops uses a vertical array of crop support arms extending radially from a central column. The device is placed near an external light source in natural or artificial lighting. Each arm has a plurality of trough members for receiving crop seedlings and nutrient solutions and water. The crop support arms are motor driven and rotate on a hollow column supported on a bearing mounted on a fixed central tube at the top of the height, which is fixed to a concrete foundation or post embedded in the support surface. Water drains from the radially inner end of each arm to the central column.

Description

Vertical cultivation tower for automated horticulture and agriculture

The present invention relates to the fields of horticulture, hydroponics and agriculture, and in particular, to an apparatus and method of automated commercial growth and production of crops in a controlled environment. About.

Traditionally, commercial horticulture and farming of crops has been carried out in nurseries and greenhouses, where the crops are placed horizontally and stationary. More efficient methods have been developed more recently, some of which are referred to as'vertical farming'. For example, the inventors of U.S. Patent Nos. Plant cultivation methods using a rotating vertical carousel of spheres have been disclosed to improve. However, harvesting mature crops from these systems can be complex and time consuming. In U.S. Patent No. 10070594, the inventor also has a tower of rotating potting arms suspended on a frame that supports light fixtures used where natural light is insufficient or no separate light source is provided. (tower) also started. Accordingly, such devices are less suitable for use in places that depend entirely on natural light or a separate light source.

The above examples of the related art and the limitations related thereto are illustrative and not intended to be exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent upon reading this specification and reviewing the drawings by a person skilled in the art.

The following embodiments and their aspects will be described and illustrated in connection with systems, tools, and methods that are exemplary and illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned problems are mitigated or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed towards other improvements.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for continuous automated growing of crops. A plurality of vertically spaced, approximately horizontal arrays of plant supporting arms extend radially from a central supporting hollow column, each crop supporting arm It has a trough element that opens upward to accommodate crop seeds, seedlings, or growing plants in a plant growth medium. The hollow column is rotatable around a central axis. A plurality of liquid supply lines communicate with each gutter member and are fed by a liquid feed line to provide water and a liquid nutrient to each gutter member. A motor that rotates the hollow column around a central axis thus rotates the crop growing arms around the central axis. The inside of each gutter member communicates with the hollow column to support each gutter member, and liquid flows from each gutter member to the hollow column through crop support arms extending into the hollow column.

The invention also provides a method of using the above-described device as follows: a) placing the device in the vicinity of an external light source of natural or artificial lighting; b) positioning a plurality of seedling plants within the plurality of gutter members; c) rotating the crop support arms by rotating the hollow column on a fixed central support; d) adjusting the rotational speed of the hollow column and the duration of exposure of the device to an external light source of natural or artificial lighting according to the degree of maturity of the crop seedlings; e) periodically supplying water and nutrient solution to each gutter member; f) increasing the frequency of feeding as crop seedlings grow over time; And g) harvesting and/or removing the mature crops once the crop seedlings are ripe for harvest.

Further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by referring to the drawings and reviewing the detailed description below, in addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above.

Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, and the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
1 is a perspective view of a cultivation unit disclosed in US 10070594, with bulbs omitted for convenience of illustration;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cultivation unit shown in Fig. 1 with the lighting fixtures pivoted out of the operating position;
Figure 3 is a front view of the cultivation unit shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a side view of the cultivation unit shown in Figure 1;
Fig. 5 is a front view of the cultivation unit shown in Fig. 1 with the lighting fixtures pivoted out of the operating position;
Figure 6 is a detailed view of the perspective view shown in Figure 1;
7 is a perspective view of a vertical cultivation tower according to an embodiment using natural light or a separate light source;
Figure 8 is a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7;
9 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7
10, 11, and 12 are detailed views of the water supply means shown in FIG. 7;
13 is a perspective view of the vertical cultivation tower shown in FIG. 7 in which the water transfer system is omitted for convenience of illustration;
Fig. 14 is a top view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 13;
15 is a detailed view of the drive motor shown in FIGS. 7 and 13;
Fig. 16 is a front view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 13 showing a drive motor;
17A is a detailed view of the column segment subassembly of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, and FIG. 17B is an exploded view thereof;
Fig. 18A is a detailed view of the trough subassembly shown in Fig. 13, and Fig. 18B is an exploded view thereof;
19 is a detailed perspective view of a top plate area of the vertical cultivation tower shown in FIG. 7; And
20-22 are exploded views of the detailed view of FIG. 19;
23 is a perspective view of a lower bearing cap;
24 is a perspective view of a stabilizing plunger assembly;
25 is a partially cut-away perspective view showing the stabilizing plunger assembly;
26 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a drive system;
Fig. 27 is a front view of the first embodiment of the drive system shown in Fig. 26; And
28 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a bearing housing assembly.

Throughout the following description, specific details are presented to provide a more thorough understanding to those of ordinary skill in the art. However, well-known members have not been shown or described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the disclosure. Accordingly, these descriptions and drawings should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

In Fig. 1, a growing unit for automated vertical cultivation and harvesting as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 100070594 is generally designated 10. It has a horizontal beam (14) and a frame (12) comprising vertical posts (16) with flanges or feet (18) fixed to the floor of the cultivation facility at the bottom thereof.

A rotating planter assembly 20 (FIG. 3) is suspended on a fixed beam 14. It includes a central drainage tube 22 to which a plurality of potting arms 24 are attached and extending radially. The central drain pipe 22 has tubing sections 26, 28, 30 fixedly coupled to each other. The plant pot support arms 24 are closed at one end 32 and attached to the central drain pipe 22 at the opposite end, so that the liquid from the inside of the plant pot support arms 22 passes through the central drain pipe 22 (not shown). Flows out of the bottom 34 of the central drain pipe 22 through the drain outlet. Each pot support arm 24 has a plurality of pot receptacles 36, each of which is sized to accommodate a seedling plant in a soil cylinder (pot). Each planter stand is perforated to allow fluid flow from the recess 36 to the inside of the planter support arm 24. The pot support arms 24 are supported on brackets 38.

The horizontal light fixtures 40 shown in Fig. 2 are hingedly connected to the vertical post 16 at the hinge 42, pivoting into the operative position shown in Fig. 1 and entering Fig. 2 It can be pivoted out of the operating position as shown in FIG. The lighting fixture 40 has a frame composed of an inner arc 44, an outer arc 46, and a radial frame member 48. Each luminaire may carry electrical connections between a ballast and a fluorescent lamp, the electricity being controlled by a remotely controlled electrical switch and supplied via a connection 42 from the vertical post 16. have.

The central radial frame member 48 of each luminaire 40 has a mechanical pollinator arm 50 formed of a suspended strip of micro-fibre strands 52. Attached (see Fig. 6). The luminaires 40 can be individually raised or lowered by means of electric activators, which can also provide the power to pivot each luminaire 40 in and out of its operating position, as described above. have. The mechanical pollinator is maintained at a certain height so that the bottom 2 inches of the fiber yarn 52 is brushed over the crops supported by the pot support arms 24. As the crop grows, the luminaires 40 are raised higher on the posts 16. An ultrasonic vibrator on or connected to each luminaire 40 may also be further provided to enhance the water activity of the mechanical water dispenser 50. On the frame member 48 of each luminaire 40, ^{an air discharge nozzle arm (not shown) for discharging CO 2} -enriched air onto the pot support arm 24 is further provided. Compressed air is supplied through a hinge member 42 and piping extending upward along the vertical post 16 to release ^{CO 2 -enhanced air on the crops in the pot support arm 24.}

In FIG. 6, water and food are provided to the crops in the pot holder 36 by a drip emitter 36 connected to the supply piping 72 to be watered. A common type of droplet ejector 70 used in greenhouses, hydroponics, and other horticultural applications provides a slow drip feed. The liquid supply pipe 72 supplies a liquid nutrient solution to the pot holders 36 of each level through the droplet ejector 70.

In FIG. 6, the drive system 60 has an electric motor 62 and a sprocket 64 for driving a chain 66 for driving a sprocket 68 attached to the central drain pipe 22. Accordingly, the drive system 60 rotates the central drain pipe 22 and the pot support arms 24 attached thereto at a low rotational speed during operation. Depending on the stage of growth and the type of crop, the typical rotation speed is 4 revolutions per hour. Rotation can be done in any direction.

The next embodiment is shown in FIG. 7. It uses natural light or a separate light source (rely on). Vertical growing towers for automated cultivation and harvesting of crops are indicated at approximately 80. In this embodiment, instead of using a frame for support, the cultivation tower is supported by a hollow segmented central column 82 (FIG. 8). The column 82 is seated on, supported and rotated on a cylindrical fixed tube 86 in the middle of a hollow which can be a 6 inch diameter steel tube. The column 82 is rotated on a bearing assembly above the central (fixed) tube 86. As will be described later in more detail with reference to FIGS. 19-22, the central column 82 is a top plate 84 fixed to the upper side of the upper column segment 81 with a plurality of bolts 83, for example. Is supported by The top plate 84 is also fixed to the top mounting boss 85, for example by means of a bolt 87, which is frictionally seated on the upper surface of the inner race 89 of the bearing 91, The outer ring 93 of the bearing 91 is supported on the shoulder 97 of the lower bearing cap 95 (FIG. 23), which is mounted on the upper end of the fixing tube 86. Accordingly, the upper plate 84 and the column 82 attached thereto rotate on the fixing tube 86.

A second embodiment of the bearing assembly is shown in Fig. 28, the top plate 84 is also fixed to the upper mounting boss 85, which is a one-piece thrust ball bearing 160 The thrust ball bearing is frictionally seated on the upper race of the wheel, which can be a roller thrust ball bearing that supports high axial loads at low speed. The thrust bearing 160 may be located within a bearing housing 162 that is fixed to a pipe flange 164. The tube flange may be located on the top of the top of the fixed tube (86). Accordingly, the upper plate and the column 82 attached thereto rotate on the fixing tube 86.

The lower end of the fixing tube 86 may itself be set in the ground or concrete, or mounted in or on a support post (not shown). For example, the support post can be a solid cylindrical post embedded in the ground or concrete. The lower end of the fixing tube 86 may be supported on a base of concrete or steel, preferably free standing on or buried in the ground.

The column 82 is rotated on a central (fixed) tube 86 by an electric motor 88, through a motor sprocket 90 driving a tower sprocket 92 through a roller chain 94. As described above in the first embodiment, the drive motor 88 rotates the central column 82 and the crop trough 96 at a low rotational speed during operation, and this rotational speed is a rotational speed of 4 rotations per hour, etc. It will depend on the stage and type of growth. Rotation can be done in any direction. Four adjustable stabilizer rods 140 are provided on the lowermost column segment 142 so that the central column is centered on the central (fixed) tube 86 (FIGS. 24, 25 ). Each of the stabilizing rods is screwed which can be adjusted radially so that the cylindrical rubber bumper 150 contacts the outer surface of the central (fixed) tube 86 by being adjusted through the plate 146 by the nut 148. It has a bolt 144.

The second embodiment of the drive system is the direct drive system shown in Figs. 26 and 27. The electric motor 88 drives a lantern gear 152 that engages and drives a lantern cage assembly 154 fixed to the lower column segment 142.

In Figures 7, 8, 17, and 18, cultivated crops are supported in a plurality of plant troughs 96 in various levels or tiers. In the example shown in Figures 7-9, there are 6 horizontal layers with 8 crop troughs within each layer with 45 degree spacing. In this arrangement, for example, the tower could be 9 2/3 feet (3 m) in diameter and 13 1/4 feet (4 m) high. Each layer of column 82 is formed of column segments 120 (FIGS. 17A, B). The gutters 96 are supported on a gutter drain (pipe) and a bracket 98 connected to radial collection tubes 100 connected to apertures 102 in the central column 82, respectively. do. Tangential connection braces 104 (FIG. 9) connect adjacent troughs 96 in each floor to provide rigidity.

Water and nutrients are provided to the crops in the crop trough 96 by means of a droplet ejector 106 connected to and fed to the supply piping 108. The droplet ejector 106 is similar to that described above, and is of a general method of supplying droplets at a low rate for use in greenhouses, hydroponics, and other horticultural applications. The liquid supply pipe 108 is supplied by a central supply pipe (FIG. 11) extending upward from the inside of the hollow of the central (fixed) pipe 86 and connected to the circular pipe 112 on each horizontal layer. Intermediate piping 114 (FIG. 10) extends between piping 112 on adjacent horizontal layers. A pipe 108 connects the droplet ejector 106 to circular pipes on each floor to supply water and nutrient solution to the crops in each crop trough 96. Water and nutrient solution are supplied in a pressurized state to the central liquid supply pipe 110 through the central (fixed) pipe 86 from supply tanks (not shown).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, drainage from the crop troughs 96 is made downward through the center of the hollow of the column 82. 18A and 18B, the trough 96 has an opening 118 through which liquid flows to the trough drain (pipe) 122 and then flows into the collection pipe 100 and the hole 102. Has a central bottom channel 116. The liquid is then drained down the interior of the column 82 through a drain outlet (not shown) to the ground or to a subsequent drainage system.

In this example, the luminaires are not connected to the vertical tower, if the cultivation tower is used in a greenhouse or other indoor environment, e.g. a fluorescent lamp, or an adjusted lighting cycle for the crop according to the specific crop at each stage of growth. Artificial lighting, such as other growth promoting lights programmed to provide, may be provided separately. Alternatively or in addition, the crop may be grown in natural sunlight.

In operation, each crop gutter 96 is open from the top and is each a seed, crop seedling, seeded starting plug or soil containing, porous ) And a water-permeable cloth bag, or a plurality of crop growing units such as a crop growing medium. Seedlings, crops, or germination puck are prepared at separate locations, and each crop undergoes a first germination step before being loaded into the cultivation unit 80. After a sufficient germination period, after the crops are ready to be transferred to the cultivation unit 80, a wheeled scissor lift is used to put the crops in the troughs 96 on each floor of the cultivation unit 80. ) Can be used. One end of the conveyor is connected to a scissor lift and crops can be loaded onto the other end of the conveyor. The scissor lift can be motorized so that the scissor lift can service a plurality of cultivation units 80. The crops remain in each cultivation unit 80 until they are ready to be harvested. Once the crops have matured sufficiently, they can be harvested on a scissor lift manually in each layer and loaded onto a conveyor. Preferably, as the crops are harvested, new seedlings replace each harvested crop. Crops can also be packaged and then stored in cold storage when harvested on a scissor lift before being placed on a conveyor.

The cultivation facility may be open to natural light and/or operated using both natural and artificial lighting. (The cultivation facility) may accommodate a plurality of cultivation units 80, and may also include a germination area, a packaging area, a cold storage area, a washing area, a seeding area, and a supply tank storage area.

Embodiment-Strawberry

An embodiment in which the (invention) example is applied to the production of strawberries will be described below. Examples of nutrient mixtures are as follows:

i) 1.6 pounds (700 g) bacterial compost or vermicompost

3-4 teaspoons (45-60 ml) liquid black strap molasses

4 teaspoons (23 g) dry soluble kelp or 2 tablespoons liquid kelp

3-4 teaspoons (15-20 ml) of fish emulsion

Bacterial Compost Tea added and mixed with every 20L of filtered water

^{ii) As fertilizer/nutrient solution, PURA VIDA TM} GROW manufactured by Technaflora Plant Products of Mission, BC, Canada is used. EDTA Iron is added at 20 ppm to the final solution. One gallon of compost tea is added per 50 gallons of feed solution for each new batch mixture.

In the germination stage, strawberry seeds are planted in a cultivation medium which may contain a ^{germination plug-in Jiffy™ peat puck (preferably item number 70000591).} After about a week, the crops are sprayed with full strength compost tea at a pH of 5.8. During the second week, the medium is soaked with 400 ppm nutrient solution at 5.8 pH once a day. After about 15 days, seedlings are ^{transplanted into molded plastic pots 85 filled with 75% Botanicare™} Cocogro® Coir Fiber medium and 25% perlite. Botanicare ZHO ^TM Root Inoculant was added according to the label directions and 1 tablespoon of dolomite lime per gallon of medium saturated in the same compost tea mixture as used in the sowing process Is added. Subsequently, the pots are located in the trough 96 on each floor of the cultivation unit 80. Ideally, the temperature is kept at 62 degrees F, the humidity is kept at 68%, and the lighting cycle stays 18 hours on and 6 hours off when external artificial lighting is used. The unit's rotation can be about 4 revolutions per hour. During days 15-30, the droplet ejector is operated once a day with a nutrient solution of 5.8 pH and 540 ppm. After about 30 days, the medium is saturated at 1 EC (electrical conductivity), and the crops are sprayed with a total concentration of compost tea solution of 5.8 pH. It works twice a day with 640 ppm nutrient solution. The crops are harvested on day 45.

Using the system disclosed in this way, automated and controlled continuous production of crops can be achieved. Different external lighting, temperature, humidity, and nutrient solutions can be programmed for different growth stages of the crop and also for different crops. This can be done remotely by a computer. The land space required for the production of crops is significantly reduced, which can be further reduced by increasing the height of the cultivation unit 80. The whole process can be automated using robots to transport crops in different stages.

While these systems are well suited for strawberry production, many other types of crops, such as lettuce, spinach, grape seedlings and tomato seedlings, can also be efficiently produced using these systems and methods.

Various aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize any modifications, substitutions, additions, and subcombinations thereof. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention be construed as including all such modifications, substitutions, additions, and subcombinations thereof as are within its true concept and scope.

Claims (16)

With a continuous automated cultivation device for crops:
a) a vertically extending central support member having a central vertical axis;
b) a hollow column mounted on the central support member and rotatable around the central axis of the support member;
c) Vertically spaced, approximately horizontal arrays of a plurality of crop support arms extending radially from the hollow column, each of which is a crop seed, crop seedling, seed germination or cultivation in the crop cultivation medium. Said arrays of said crop support arms having an upwardly open trough member to receive a crop;
d) a plurality of water supply pipes communicating with each of the trough members and supplying water and nutrient solution to each of the trough members by supplying water to the liquid supply pipe; And
e) a motor for rotating the crop support arms around the central axis of the support member by rotating the hollow column around the central axis of the support member;
An automated cultivation apparatus wherein the inside of the trough member communicates with the hollow column so that the liquid from each trough member flows into the hollow column through associated crop support arms supporting the respective trough members. The method of claim 1,
Automated cultivation apparatus wherein the vertically extending support member has a hollow tube. The method of claim 1,
An automated cultivation apparatus in which the hollow column has a sprocket and the motor drives the sprocket through a chain to rotate the hollow column. The method of claim 1,
An automated cultivation apparatus in which the hollow column is rotated on a bearing assembly mounted on or near the central support member. The method of claim 4,
An automated cultivation apparatus in which the hollow column has a top plate contacting the bearing assembly at its upper end, thereby allowing rotation of the central support member around the central vertical axis of the hollow column. The method of claim 1,
Automated cultivation apparatus in which the lower end of the central support member is embedded in the base surface or fixed on a support base or post that is self-standing thereon. The method of claim 1,
Automated cultivation apparatus wherein the lower end of the central support member is fixedly supported on or within the base surface by being embedded in the base surface or concrete installed on the base surface. The method of claim 1,
An automated cultivation apparatus having a drive connection in which the hollow column rotates with respect to the central support member by a motor fixed to the central support member, and the motor engages with a gear mounted on the hollow column. The method of claim 1,
The hollow column is provided with a plurality of adjustable radial rods, each of which is located radially inward and engaged with the radially outer surface of the central member so that the lower end of the hollow column is centered on the central support member Automated cultivation device. The method of claim 1,
The liquid supply pipe for supplying water to the plurality of water supply pipes in communication with each of the trough members extends upward in the central support member and communicates with the water supply pipes on each of approximately horizontal arrays of vertically spaced crop support arms Automated cultivation device with piping. The method of claim 10,
Automated cultivation apparatus comprising a droplet ejector for transferring a controlled amount of water and nutrient solution to each of the plurality of water supply pipes in communication with each of the gutter members. The method of claim 10,
Each radially outer end of the plurality of gutter members is vertically higher than each of the plurality of gutter members in a radial direction, so that the liquid is radially inwardly along the gutter member into the hollow column by gravity. Automated cultivation device drained. The method of claim 1,
Automated cultivation apparatus in which the central support member is a cylindrical tube. The method of claim 1,
Automated cultivation apparatus in which the hollow column is composed of a plurality of vertical segments. The method of claim 1,
The automated cultivation apparatus wherein each of the vertically spaced approximately horizontal arrays of crop support arms are approximately in the same plane. The method of continuous automated cultivation of crops:
a) vertically spaced, approximately horizontal arrays of a plurality of crop support arms extending radially from the hollow column, each of the crop support arms being sized to accommodate crop seedlings in the soil medium and each Providing the automated cultivation apparatus of claim 1 comprising the arrays of said crop support arms comprising a trough member having a source of nutrient solution and water;
b) placing the device near an external light source of natural or artificial lighting;
c) positioning a plurality of crop seedlings within the plurality of trough members;
d) rotating the crop support arms by rotating the hollow column on a fixed central support member;
e) adjusting the rotational speed of the hollow column and the duration of exposure of the device to an external light source of the natural or artificial lighting according to the maturity of the crop seedling;
f) periodically supplying water and nutrient solutions to each of the trough members;
g) increasing the frequency of watering as the crop seedlings grow over time;
h) Once the crop seedling has become a mature crop ready to be harvested, the step of harvesting and/or removing the mature crop is carried out.
Equipped with automated cultivation method.

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