KR20220008113A - Plants cultivation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plant cultivation apparatus. The plant cultivation apparatus may comprise: a cabinet which forms a cultivation space; a temperature control device which is provided in the cabinet, and controls a temperature of the cultivation space; a door which opens and closes the cultivation space; a cultivation shelf which is provided in the cabinet to be drawn in and out of the cabinet, and on which a seed package containing plants for cultivation is seated; a lighting device which is provided in the cabinet, and emits light to the cultivation shelf; a water supply pipe which supplies water to the cultivation shelf from above the cultivation shelf; an opening/closing member which opens and closes a drain hole opened in the cultivation shelf; and a drainage pipe which is provided below the cultivation shelf, and guides water drained by the opening of the opening/closing member. According to the present invention, the plant cultivation apparatus has the effect of preventing contamination of the cultivation space.

Description

Plant cultivation apparatus { Plants cultivation apparatus }

The present invention relates to a plant cultivation apparatus.

A general plant cultivation apparatus forms a predetermined cultivation room having an environment suitable for plant growth, and stores the plants in the predetermined cultivation room. The plant cultivation apparatus is provided with a configuration for supplying nutrients and light energy necessary for plant growth, and the plant grows by the supplied nutrients and light energy.

Recently, a plant cultivation apparatus has been developed that includes a cultivation space capable of controlling light, temperature and moisture, and a door for opening and closing the cultivation space, so that plants can be directly grown indoors at home.

In Korean Patent No. 10-1954251, a tray is provided in which a capsule containing seeds is seated inside a case forming a cultivation space that is opened and closed by a door, and light and , a plant growing machine capable of controlling moisture and temperature is disclosed. And, in order to supply water to the plants disposed in the capsule, a culture solution injection unit is provided inside the tray to have a structure capable of supplying the culture solution to the capsule.

However, in the prior art having such a structure, the culture medium is supplied by spraying the capsules arranged on the tray. In this case, it is difficult to supply sufficient water to the capsules, and frequent operation of the spraying unit is required for sufficient water supply.

Accordingly, there is a problem in that it is difficult to supply sufficient water to the plant to be cultivated, so that the cultivation efficiency of the plant is lowered, and the durability of the spray unit is deteriorated due to the repeated operation of the spray unit.

In addition, due to the frequent supply of the culture solution from the spray unit, the culture solution may remain at the bottom of the tray, and the effective drainage of the culture solution inside the tray is not accompanied. There are problems that could be

An object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation apparatus capable of improving plant cultivation performance by supplying sufficient water to crops grown on a cultivation shelf.

An object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation apparatus capable of effectively watering and draining a cultivation shelf arranged to be withdrawable.

An object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation apparatus in which drainage performance of a cultivation shelf is improved.

An object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation apparatus capable of preventing contamination of a cultivation space through effective drainage in a cultivation shelf.

A plant cultivation apparatus according to this embodiment includes: a cabinet forming a cultivation space; a temperature control device provided in the cabinet and configured to control the temperature of the cultivation space; a door for opening and closing the cultivation space; a cultivation shelf provided in the cabinet so as to be withdrawable and on which a seed package containing plants for cultivation is seated; a lighting device provided in the cabinet and irradiating light to the cultivation shelf; a water supply pipe for supplying water from above the cultivation shelf to the cultivation shelf; an opening/closing member for opening and closing the drain hole opened in the cultivation shelf; It is provided below the cultivation shelf, and may include a drain pipe for guiding the water drained by the opening of the opening and closing member.

Shelf rails may be provided on both sides of the cultivation space to support the cultivation shelf to be drawn out and inserted.

A water supply pipe guide recessed to accommodate the water supply pipe is formed on one side of the cultivation space, and a drain pipe guide recessed to accommodate the drain pipe is formed on the other side of the cultivation space, and the water supply pipe and the drain pipe are interposed between the cultivation shelf It may be placed in a position facing each other.

The cultivation shelf may include: a shelf tray in which a plurality of seating parts on which the seed package is mounted are formed; and a shelf base provided below the shelf tray and receiving water supplied from the water supply pipe, wherein the shelf base may include a water supply unit through which water is supplied from the water supply pipe and a drainage unit formed with the drain hole.

The water supply part and the drain part may protrude rearward from the rear end of the shelf base, and may be spaced apart from each other on both left and right sides of the shelf base.

In the cultivation shelf, a plurality of base seating parts partitioned to supply water to each of the plurality of seed packages, and a base flow path connecting the seating part, the water supply part and the drain part to form a passage through which water flows are formed. can be

It may include a driving device provided at one side inside the cultivation space away from the cultivation shelf and selectively contacting the opening and closing member to operate the opening and closing member.

The driving device may maintain the closed state of the opening/closing member for a set time after water is supplied to the inside of the cultivation shelf, and may be operated when the set time elapses to open the opening/closing member.

The opening/closing member may include an opening/closing body mounted at a position corresponding to the drain hole and configured to open and close the drain hole; Shaft coupling parts formed on both sides of the opening and closing body and axially coupled to the cultivation shelf; It extends from one side away from the shaft coupling part toward the driving device, and includes a rotation manipulation unit configured to rotate the opening and closing member according to the operation of the driving device, wherein the opening and closing member can open and close the drain port by rotation. .

The opening and closing body may be provided with a sealing member formed of an elastic material to be in close contact with the drain port according to the rotation of the opening and closing member.

The opening and closing member may be provided with an elastic member provided on one side of the shaft coupling portion to provide an elastic force to be pressed in the closing direction of the opening and closing member.

The driving device includes: a driving motor; a pinion rotated by the drive motor, the pinion gear being formed; The rack gear coupled to the pinion gear is formed in a vertical direction, and includes a rod that is moved up and down by the pinion, and the rod can selectively press the rotation operation unit by vertical movement.

The driving device may be disposed above the cultivation shelf, and may be disposed at a rear surface of the cultivation space to be covered by a blower that circulates air in the cultivation space.

A drain tray that is fixedly mounted below the cultivation shelf and receives water drained through the drain hole is provided, wherein the drain tray communicates with the drain pipe disposed on the side of the cultivation space to guide water drained from the cultivation shelf can do.

The cultivation shelf is located at a height lower than the upper end of the cultivation shelf, and is formed to penetrate through the cultivation shelf in the vertical direction, and a drain part is formed for draining water when the water supplied to the cultivation shelf is above a set water level, the drain tray includes , it may be formed in a size to accommodate both the drain port and the drain part.

A plurality of the cultivation shelves may be disposed in the vertical direction, and the number of the drainage trays may be provided in a number corresponding to the lower portion of each cultivation shelf.

The drain pipe is disposed on the side of the plurality of cultivation shelves, and may be connected to the plurality of drain trays.

The drain pipe may include: a drain guide pipe extending in a vertical direction and into which ends of the plurality of drain trays are inserted; It may include a drain tube connected to the end of the drain guide pipe and having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the drain guide pipe.

A water tank may be provided on a lower surface of the cultivation space, and the water tank may communicate with the drain pipe and the water supply pipe to circulate water between the cultivation shelf and the water tank.

The water tank may be disposed to be withdrawable, and an end of the drain tube may be provided with a drain valve that is opened when the water tank is drawn in to supply water to the water tank.

The plant cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can expect the following effects.

In the plant cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a state in which water is supplied to the cultivation shelf, the opening/closing member maintains a closed state, and thus, it is possible to supply water so that the cultivation shelf is filled to a set water level. Accordingly, a seed package in which a set amount of water is supplied to the inside of the cultivation shelf and plants are disposed can receive a sufficient amount of water from the cultivation shelf.

In addition, when a set time elapses after the completion of water supply to the cultivation shelf, the moisture required by the cultivated plant may be sufficiently provided, and at this time, the opening and closing member is opened to drain the water from the cultivation shelf.

Accordingly, a large amount of water can be maintained in the cultivation shelf to supply sufficient water to the plants, and at the same time, when the plant has sufficiently absorbed water, all the water inside the cultivation shelf is emptied to enter the cultivation space. Prevent mold and green algae from growing and maintain a clean environment.

In particular, since the cultivation shelf has a dual structure of a part on which the seed package is seated and a part on which water is supplied, even if a large amount of water is supplied to the outside of the cultivation shelf, the water supply state is not exposed to the outside, so that it can be managed more hygienically There is this.

In addition, the cultivation shelf has a structure that can be pulled out, and the seed package can be easily seated or removed by pulling out. In addition, harvesting and management of plants may also be easy.

As such, the water supply pipe and the drain pipe have a structure to be spaced apart from the cultivation shelf while having a structure in which the cultivation shelf is drawn out and entered, so that water supply and drainage to and out of the cultivation shelf are possible without interfering with the withdrawal and entry of the cultivation shelf There is an advantage.

In particular, in order to minimize the interference when pulling out and entering the cultivation shelf, a water supply and a drainage part are formed at the rear end of the cultivation shelf, and the water supply pipe and the drain pipe are disposed inside the wall surfaces on both sides of the cultivation space, so that the extraction and entry of the cultivation shelf and This has the advantage that water supply and drainage can be ensured.

In addition, an opening/closing member for opening and closing the drain hole is provided in the drain part of the cultivation shelf, and a driving device is disposed above the opening and closing member to enable opening and closing of the drain hole by the operation of the driving device in a state in which the cultivation shelf is retracted It may be possible. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that it is possible to implement an operation structure for draining the cultivation shelf without interfering with the structure of the cultivation shelf being drawn out.

In addition, a drain tray is provided below the cultivation shelf spaced apart, and water drained from the drain hole through the drain tray or water forcedly drained through the drain unit can be collected. The drain tray is connected to the drain pipe so that collected water can be drained. Therefore, even if the drain pipe is not directly connected to the cultivation shelf, the water drained to the drain pipe can be guided, and there is an advantage in that the shelf can be drawn in and out at the same time.

In particular, in a state in which the cultivation shelf is drawn out, the opening and closing member is closed to prevent water leakage of the cultivation shelf, and effective drainage through the drainage tray and the drain pipe is possible even if drainage is performed in a plurality of cultivation shelves at the same time There is an advantage.

Through the structure of the drainage tray and the drainage pipe as described above, drainage performance may be improved, and water leakage or overflow into the cultivation space may be prevented, thereby preventing contamination of the cultivation space.

1 is a perspective view of a plant cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view showing an open door of the plant cultivation apparatus.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the plant cultivation apparatus.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the plant cultivation apparatus.
5 is a perspective view showing the structure of a machine room of the plant cultivation apparatus.
6 is a cutaway perspective view showing the arrangement of the water supply module inside the cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a perspective view illustrating an arrangement of a drainage module inside a cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a partial partial perspective view illustrating the arrangement of one side of the cabinet and a drain pipe.
9 is a perspective view of the water tank according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the water tank as seen from below.
11 is a perspective view of a cultivation shelf and a water supply and drainage module, which are components of the plant cultivation apparatus.
12 is a perspective view of the water supply module and the drainage module.
13 is a view illustrating a state of water flow between the cultivation shelf and the water tank.
14 is a perspective view of a drain tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.
15 is an exploded perspective view of a drain pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention.
16 is an exploded perspective view of a drain guide pipe constituting the drain pipe.
17 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in which water is supplied from the upper drain tray to the drain guide pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention.
18 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating a state of water supply from the lower drain tray to the drain guide pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention.
19 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating a connection state between the water tank and the drain valve.
20 is a perspective view of the cultivation shelf.
21 is an exploded perspective view of the cultivation shelf.
22 is a perspective view of a shelf base, which is one configuration of the cultivation shelf, as viewed from below.
23 is a plan view of the shelf base.
FIG. 24 is a view showing the overflowing state of the cross section XXIV-XXIV' of FIG. 23 .
25 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling structure of an opening and closing member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
26 is a view of the shelf drain of the shelf base as viewed from the rear.
27 is an exploded perspective view showing the opening and closing member separated from the shelf base;
28 is a cutaway perspective view showing the arrangement of the driving device, the opening/closing member, and the cultivation shelf according to an embodiment of the present invention.
29 is an exploded perspective view of the driving device.
30 is a view showing a state in which the opening and closing member is closed before the operation of the driving device.
31 is a view illustrating a state in which the opening/closing member is opened by the operation of the driving device.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with drawings. However, the present invention cannot be said to be limited to the embodiments in which the spirit of the present invention is presented, and other inventions that are degenerative by addition, change, deletion, etc. of other components or other embodiments included within the scope of the present invention are easy. can suggest

Before the description, the direction is defined. In the embodiment of the present invention described below, unless a separate direction is defined, the direction in which the front of the door shown in FIG. 1 faces is the front, and the direction toward the cabinet based on the front of the door is rearward, and the plant cultivation apparatus A direction toward the floor on which the is installed may be defined as downward, and a direction away from the floor may be defined as upward. And when you want to talk about an undefined direction, you can define the direction based on each drawing and explain it.

1 is a perspective view of a plant cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the open door of the plant cultivation apparatus.

With reference to the drawings, the plant cultivation apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be formed in a hexahedral shape, may be installed alone in an indoor space, and may be built-in in furniture together with other electronic products if necessary. It can have a size and structure that can be mounted. For example, the plant cultivation apparatus 1 may have a relatively low height, and may be installed to form a part of an island dining table or a cabinet installed on a wall. Of course, unlike the present embodiment, the plant cultivation apparatus 1 may have a higher height in the vertical direction, and three or more cultivation shelves 30 may be vertically disposed therein.

In addition, the plant cultivation apparatus 1 may be called a plant cultivation machine, and may be called a plant cultivation refrigerator because the internal temperature can be controlled to have a temperature lower than room temperature if necessary.

The exterior of the plant cultivation apparatus 1 may be formed by a cabinet 10 that forms a cultivation space in which plants are grown, and a door 13 that opens and closes the cabinet 10 . In this case, the cultivated plants are generally edible by the user, such as leaf vegetables and herbs that can be used in wraps or salads, and are easy to cultivate, and it will be preferable that plants that do not occupy a lot of space are grown.

The cabinet 10 forms a cultivation space 100 with an open front, and a door 13 for opening and closing the cultivation space 100 may be provided on the front side of the cabinet 10 . The door 13 has an upper end and a lower end connected to the cabinet 10 by an upper hinge 136a and a lower hinge 136b, and may open and close the cultivation space 100 by rotation.

In addition, the door 13 may form a front exterior of the plant cultivation apparatus 1 in a closed state. A see-through part 132a through which the inside of the cultivation space 100 can be seen through may be provided on the front surface of the door 13 .

In addition, the door 13 includes a front panel 132 and a rear panel 133 forming the front and rear surfaces of the door 13 , and a door frame 131 forming a peripheral surface of the door 13 . may include

The front panel 132 and the rear panel 133 may be formed of a material that can see through the cultivation space 100 . For example, the front panel 132 and the rear panel 133 may be formed of tempered glass or insulating glass material. In addition, a heat insulation panel (134 in FIG. 6 ) may be further provided between the front panel 132 and the rear panel 133 , and the front panel 132 and the rear panel 134 are formed by the heat insulation panel 134 . 133), a gas for thermal insulation may be injected or a vacuum state may be applied to improve the thermal insulation performance of the door 13 .

The door frame 131 may connect the front panel 132 and the rear panel 133 to form a circumferential surface of the door 13 . In addition, the front surface of the door frame 131 may be completely covered by the front panel 132 , and when viewed from the front, the entire front exterior of the door 13 may be formed by the front panel 132 . have. In addition, the upper hinge 136a and the lower hinge 136b may be respectively coupled to the upper end and lower end of the door frame 131 . In addition, a gasket 135 is provided along the rear circumference of the door frame 131 so that the door 13 can be in close contact with the front surface of the cabinet 10 when the door 13 is closed.

Meanwhile, a machine room module 20 may be provided below the cabinet 10 . The machine room module 20 is a space in which components for temperature control inside the cultivation space 100 are disposed, and a plurality of electric components including the compressor 241 and the condenser 242 constituting the refrigeration cycle are provided. can provide The machine room module 20 may be coupled to the lower surface of the cabinet 10 in an assembled state, and may form an exterior integrated with the cabinet 10 as a whole. And, if necessary, the machine room module 20 may be disposed on the inner lower surface of the cabinet 10 .

Since the plant cultivation apparatus 1 may be installed in a built-in manner, the machine room module 20 may have a structure in which air for cooling and heat dissipation inside the machine room 200 can be introduced and discharged to the front. .

That is, the front cover 22 may be formed on the front surface of the machine room 200 . The front cover 22 may be exposed forward from below the door 13 , and forms the front surface of the machine room 200 . The front cover 22 may have a protruding front shape, and may form the same plane as the front surface of the door 13 when the door 13 is closed.

A grill portion 221 having a plurality of openings may be formed in the front cover 22 . The grill part 221 may be formed over the entire front surface of the front cover 22 , and air may be introduced into the machine room 200 , and air inside the machine room 200 may be discharged.

Meanwhile, the cabinet 10 may include an outer case 11 forming an exterior and an inner case 12 forming the cultivation space 100 , and the outer case 11 and the inner case 12 . ) may be provided with an insulating material 101 to insulate the cultivation space 100 and maintain the cultivation space 100 at a set temperature.

The outer case 11 and the inner case 12 may be formed of a metal material, or may be formed by combining a plurality of plate-shaped materials with each other. In particular, the inner case 12 may have both side surfaces, a rear surface, and an upper surface formed in a metal plate shape, respectively, and may be combined with each other to form the cultivation space 100 .

A plurality of cultivation shelves 30 may be vertically disposed inside the cabinet 10 . In this embodiment, two upper and lower cultivation shelves 30 are provided and may have the same structure. The cultivation shelf 30 may be referred to as an upper cultivation shelf 30a and a lower cultivation shelf 30b, respectively, for convenience of explanation and understanding. Of course, two or more of the cultivation shelves 30 may be provided according to the size of the cabinet 10 . In addition, the cultivation shelf 30 may be configured so as to be able to withdraw and withdraw from the inside of the cabinet 10 in the front-rear direction, the installation of the seed package 90 containing the seeds of the plant for cultivation and the management of the plant, It can make harvesting easier.

The cultivation shelf 30 may have a structure in which a plurality of the seed packages 90 are mounted. In addition, the cultivation shelf 30 may have a divided structure such that a plurality of the seed packages 90 are arranged in independent areas, respectively, so that plant cultivation and harvesting are possible.

For example, a plurality of seating parts 320 recessed in a shape corresponding to the seed package 90 may be formed on the upper surface of the cultivation shelf 30 , and a seed package desired by a user may be formed on the seating part 320 . (90) can be settled to grow plants.

In addition, water may be supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 from a water tank 70 , and the water supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 is selectively supplied to the seed package 90 among a plurality of seating units 320 . Water may be supplied to the seed package 90 from the seating portion 320 on which is disposed.

In addition, all of the water supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 may be sufficiently supplied to the seed package 90 and then drained. Accordingly, the cultivation shelf 30 may be emptied of water during the rest of the time except for the watering time to maintain a clean state.

The water tank 70 may be located further below the cultivation shelf 30 , and may be located at the lowermost portion of the cultivation space 100 . The water tank 70 may store water supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 , and water drained from the cultivation shelf 30 may be recovered. That is, a water supply module and a drainage module are provided between the water tank 70 and the cultivation shelf 30 so that water can be circulated.

The water tank 70 is exposed when the door 13 is opened, so that the water level of the water tank 70 can be checked from the outside. In addition, the water tank 70 may be exposed to the front of the cultivation space 100 , and may be drawn out to the front to replenish water. In addition, nutrients necessary for plant growth may be added to the water tank 70 as needed. For example, the nutrients may be provided in a solidified form, and may be gradually dissolved in water for a predetermined time and supplied to the seed package 90 while maintaining an appropriate concentration of the water in the water tank 70 . Accordingly, the water supplied from the water tank 70 may be a culture solution containing nutrients.

In addition, a lighting device 40 for irradiating light toward the upper surface of the cultivation shelf 30 may be provided above the cultivation shelf 30 . In addition, a blower 50 for internal air circulation of the cultivation space 100 may be provided on the rear wall surface of the cultivation space 100 .

A display 14 may be provided in the cultivation space 100 . The display 14 is for displaying the operating state of the plant cultivation apparatus 1, and may be provided at the front end of the lighting apparatus 40 located in the lower part of the plurality of lighting apparatuses 40. Accordingly, the display 14 may be positioned at a position facing the rear surface of the door 13 . Also, information output from the display 14 may be transmitted through the door 13 and may be identified from the outside even when the door 13 is closed.

Meanwhile, the seed package 90 may be selected by the user, and the user may select and purchase a desired type of crop through the aftermarket. In addition, the seed package 90 may be supplied in the form of delivery according to a user's order, or regular supply by an administrator may be possible. Of course, it may be possible for a user to directly place and use seeds for cultivation in the seed package 90 provided as needed.

The seed package 90 may be supplied not only in the form accommodated in the seed, but also in the form of a state in which the seed has germinated and sprouted, or a state in which a plant in a state in which a certain period has elapsed after germination is disposed.

A user can cultivate a seed package 90 in which a desired crop is disposed by being seated on the seating part 320 of the cultivation shelf 30, and different types of seed packages 90 on one cultivation shelf 30. It will also be possible to cultivate heterogeneous plants by placing In addition, when cultivation is completed or replacement with another crop is desired, the seed package 90 may be removed or replaced from the seating unit 320 .

Hereinafter, the internal structure of the plant cultivation apparatus 1 will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

3 is an exploded perspective view of the plant cultivation apparatus. And, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the plant cultivation apparatus.

As shown, an evaporator 243 for generating cold air is provided on the rear wall surface of the cultivation space 100 , and a blower 50 may be provided in front of the evaporator 243 . Accordingly, the air circulation inside the cultivation space 100 may be possible by the operation of the blower 50 , and thus it may be possible to maintain the inside of the cultivation space 100 at a set temperature.

In detail, the internal temperature of the cultivation space 100 may be controlled by a refrigeration cycle. In this case, the evaporator 243 may be disposed on the inner rear wall surface of the cultivation space 100 . The evaporator 243 may be provided with a roll bond type heat exchanger, and may be referred to as a heat exchanger. The evaporator 243 may have a plate-shaped structure that is easily attached to the rear wall of the cultivation space 100 . In addition, the evaporator 243 minimizes the loss of the cultivation space 100 due to the plate-like structure, while being close to the cultivation space 100 to effectively control the temperature of the cultivation space 100 .

A heater 19 may be provided on one side wall of the cultivation space 100 . Accordingly, heating and cooling may be performed in the inner region of the cultivation space 100 . The evaporator 243 and the heater 19 allow the inside of the cultivation space 100 to maintain a temperature suitable for plant growth (eg, 18° C. to 28° C.). Of course, if necessary, a configuration for heating other than the heater 19 may be provided, and various heating methods such as a heating structure using hot gas through direction change of the refrigeration cycle will be possible. The temperature inside the cultivation space 100 may be sensed by an internal temperature sensor, and may be maintained at a temperature suitable for cultivated crops.

As described above, the components including the evaporator 243 , the compressor 241 , and the condenser 242 for controlling the temperature of the cultivation space 100 may be referred to as a temperature control device. The temperature control device may further include the heater 19 .

Meanwhile, the inside of the cultivation space may include an upper blower 50a disposed in an upper space divided by the cultivation shelf 30 and a lower blower 50b disposed in a lower space. The blower 50 disposed up and down differs from each other only in the mounting position, but the structure and shape are the same. That is, the blower 50 may be provided as many as the number corresponding to the number of the cultivation shelves 30 , and may blow air from the rear of the cultivation shelf 30 toward the front. Accordingly, independent air circulation can be achieved in each space inside the cultivation space 100 partitioned by the cultivation shelf 30 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , the air inside the cultivation space 100 is circulated by the blower 50 , and in particular, the circulated air is circulated in the cultivation space by the evaporator 243 or the heater 19 . 100) while having a uniform temperature throughout the interior, it is possible to quickly control the temperature. In addition, the air circulated by the blower 50 may flow while passing the upper surface of the cultivation shelf 30 and the lower surface of the lighting apparatus 40 .

The air flowing by the blower 50 passes over the upper surface of the cultivation shelf 30 to make the breathing of the plants grown on the cultivation shelf 30 smoother and to control the stress by allowing the plants to vibrate appropriately. Thus, it is possible to provide the optimal airflow necessary for growth. And, the air flowing by the blower 50 can prevent overheating of the writing device 40 while passing the lower surface of the writing device 40 .

As a whole, the blower 50 includes a blowing guide 51 mounted on the front of the evaporator 243 , a blowing fan 52 mounted on the blowing guide 51 , and a cover that covers the blowing guide 51 . A plate 53 may be included.

The blowing fan 52 may be mounted in the center of the blowing guide 51 , and when the blowing fan 52 is driven, air can flow smoothly from the bottom to the top. In addition, the lower end of the blowing guide 51 may be spaced apart from the upper surface of the cultivation shelf 30 , and the upper end of the blowing guide 51 may be spaced apart from the lower surface of the lighting device 40 . Accordingly, when the blower fan 52 is driven, air is sucked along the upper surface of the cultivation shelf 30 , and air can be guided to be discharged along the lower surface of the lighting device 40 .

In addition, a deodorizing member 54 may be provided at the lower end of the blowing guide 51 . The deodorizing member 54 may be formed of a filter formed of a deodorizing material or a porous material through which air can pass, and is provided on a path through which air is sucked to reduce odor generating factors in the air of the cultivation space 100 . It may be configured to be removed or captured. By the deodorizing member 54 , odor is not generated in the cultivation space 100 , and a continuous deodorizing action can be achieved when the blower 50 is driven.

The blowing fan 52 may be formed in the shape of a box fan, and may be configured to blow the cooled or heated rear air forward while passing through the evaporator 243 .

In addition, the cover plate 53 may be disposed in front of the blowing guide 51 and may be prevented from being exposed to the outside by shielding the blowing guide 51 . The cover plate 53 may be coupled to the blowing guide 51 , and an upper end and a lower end may be spaced apart from the lighting device 40 and the cultivation shelf 30 , respectively, to form an air intake and an air outlet. .

The cover plate 53 may form an inner surface of the cultivation space 100 exposed when the door 13 is opened. In addition, an additional sub-plate 15 for preventing exposure of the evaporator 243 when the cultivation shelf 30 is withdrawn may be further provided at the rear of the cultivation shelf 30 .

A lighting device 40 may be provided above the cultivation shelf 30 . The lighting device 40 provides light necessary for plants by irradiating light toward the cultivation shelf 30 . In this case, the amount of light irradiated by the lighting device 40 may be set similarly to sunlight, and the amount of light and irradiation time optimized for the plant to be grown may be set.

The number of the lighting devices 40 may correspond to the number of the cultivation shelves 30 , and may be provided above each cultivation shelf 30 . One example. The lighting device 40 may include an upper lighting device 40a provided in an upper space partitioned by the cultivation shelf 30 and a lower lighting device 40b provided in a lower space. The upper lighting device 40a may be mounted on the upper surface of the cultivation space 100 , and the lower lighting device 40b may be mounted on the lower surface of the upper cultivation shelf 30a.

That is, the upper lighting device 40a and the lower lighting device 40b may be positioned vertically above the cultivation shelf 30 disposed below, respectively, and on the upper surface of the partitioned cultivation space 100 , the By irradiating light toward the cultivation shelf 30, it is possible to control the growth of cultivated plants.

The lighting device 40 shields an LED module 42 including a plurality of LEDs (421 in FIG. 17 ), a light case 41 in which the LED module 42 is mounted, and the LED module 42 . and may include a light cover 43 through which light is transmitted. A plurality of the plurality of LEDs 421 may be provided to provide a sufficient amount of light to the cultivation shelf 30 , and may be widely distributed above the cultivation shelf 30 . The LED module 42 may be configured in a state in which a plurality of LED 421 elements are mounted on a substrate, and a plurality of LED modules 42 including a plurality of LEDs 421 may be disposed.

In addition, the plurality of LEDs 421 may be arranged to provide a uniform amount of light to the entire upper surface of the cultivation space 100 in consideration of reflection from the inside of the cultivation space 100 . Therefore, the intervals of the LEDs 421 may not all be the same.

In addition, the plurality of LEDs 421 may be shielded by the light cover 43 , and the light irradiated from the LEDs 421 is diffused while passing through the light cover 43 to the lighting device ( 40) may be emitted in the form of surface light, and it is possible to prevent the formation of bright spots, such as light convergence, in a portion corresponding to the LED 421 .

The water tank 70 may be provided on a bottom surface inside the cabinet 10 . The water tank 70 may store water supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 and water recovered from the cultivation shelf 30 . The water tank 70 may be located below the cultivation shelf 30 positioned at the lowermost position among the plurality of cultivation shelves 30 , and the front end of the cultivation shelf 30 is positioned corresponding to the front end of the water tank 70 . This can be located

The length of the water tank 70 in the horizontal direction may correspond to the width of the inner space of the cabinet 10 . In addition, the vertical length of the water tank 70 may be formed to correspond to the distance between the cultivation shelf 30 positioned at the lowermost position and the bottom surface of the cultivation space 100 . That is, the water tank 70 may be formed to fill the entire space below the lower cultivation shelf 40b located at the bottom, and the space behind the water tank 70 is the water tank 70 . may be covered by

A pump cover 81 may be provided in the space behind the water tank 70 covered by the water tank 70 . Inside the pump cover 81 , a pump 83 for supplying water of the water tank 70 to the cultivation shelf and a sub tank 82 provided between the water tank 70 and the pump 83 . ) may be further provided.

The pump 83 is for supplying water to the cultivation shelf 30 , and may be connected to an outlet of the sub tank 82 . In addition, the number of the pumps 83 corresponding to the number of the cultivation shelves 30 may be provided. That is, the pump 83 may include an upper pump 83a for supplying water to the upper cultivation shelf 30a and a lower pump 83b for supplying water to the lower cultivation shelf 30b. In addition, the upper pump 83a and the lower pump 83b are respectively connected to the water supply pipes 84 facing the upper cultivation shelf 30a and the lower cultivation shelf 30b, so that the upper cultivation shelf 30a and the lower cultivation shelf 30a are connected to each other. (30b) may be capable of independent water supply.

Of course, only one pump 83 may be provided. In this case, the pump 83 is connected to a switching valve so that the water discharged from the pump 83 is disposed on the upper cultivation shelf 30a and the lower cultivation shelf 30b. can be selectively supplied.

The sub tank 82 is disposed on the side of the pump 83 , and may connect the water tank 70 and the pump 83 . The sub tank 82 is disposed on a path through which the water of the water tank 70 is supplied to the pump 83 , and can always maintain a constant water level. Accordingly, it is possible to ensure the correct operation of the pump 83 , and to supply a quantity of water to the cultivation shelf 30 .

The water tank 70 may be disposed to be withdrawable, and thus the water tank 70 and the sub tank 82 may be separated from each other when the water tank 70 is withdrawn. In addition, when the water tank 70 is fully mounted, the water tank 70 and the sub tank 82 are connected to each other to supply water.

In addition, although not shown, a water supply module for supplying water to the cultivation shelf 30 is provided on both sides of the cabinet 10 , and water from the cultivation shelf 30 is drained to the water tank 70 . A module may be deployed. Water circulation between the water tank 70 and the cultivation shelf 30 may be possible by the water supply module and the drainage module.

The water tank 70 may be provided inside the cultivation space 100 to be withdrawn in the front-rear direction. In addition, the water tank 70 may include a tank body 71 that forms a space for storing water, and a tank cover 72 that opens and closes an upper surface of the tank body 71 . Accordingly, the water tank 70 may be opened in a drawn-out state to have a structure in which additional water can be supplied.

In addition, nutrients necessary for plant cultivation can be supplied to the water tank 70 by opening the tank cover 72 , and nutrients can be supplied together with water to the cultivation shelf 30 . Therefore, even if the seed package 90 itself does not contain nutrients, it may be possible to effectively supply nutrients to the seeds. Accordingly, the water circulated between the water tank 70 and the cultivation shelf 30 is water containing nutrients, and may be referred to as a nutrient solution or a culture solution.

The display 14 may be provided on the front surface of the cultivation space 100 . The display 14 may be provided with a manipulation unit for inputting a user's manipulation to set and input the overall operation of the plant cultivation apparatus 1 .

Meanwhile, a machine room module 20 may be provided below the cabinet 10 . The machine room module 20 may be coupled to the lower surface of the cabinet 10 , and components including a compressor 241 and a condenser 242 constituting a refrigeration cycle may be disposed therein.

The machine room module 20 may be coupled to the cabinet 10 in a state in which the compressor 241 and the condenser 242 are mounted therein. In addition, in a state in which the machine room module 20 and the cabinet 10 are coupled, a pipe connecting the evaporator 243 provided inside the cabinet 10 and the compressor 241 may be connected, and the refrigeration cycle this can work

Hereinafter, the structure of the machine room 200 will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

5 is a perspective view showing the structure of a machine room of the plant cultivation apparatus.

As shown, the machine room module 20 is mounted on the lower surface of the cabinet 10 , and forms a machine room 200 space independent from the cultivation space 100 under the cabinet 10 . The machine room module 20 may be configured by a machine room lower surface plate 211 forming a lower surface, a pair of machine room side plates 212 forming both side surfaces, and a machine room rear plate 213 forming a rear surface.

The machine room lower plate 211, the machine room side plate 212, and the machine room rear plate 213 are combined with each other to form a single module, which may be referred to as a machine room frame. The space formed by the machine room frame may be formed so that the upper surface and the front surface are opened. Accordingly, the machine room frame is coupled to the lower surface of the cabinet 10 to form the machine room 200 under the cabinet 10 . That is, the lower surface of the cabinet 10 and the upper surface of the machine room 200 may be shared.

The inside of the machine room module 20 may be partitioned by a barrier 231 . The barrier 231 may extend backward from the opened front end of the machine room module 20 . A condenser 242 may be provided in a space on the left side partitioned by the barrier 231 , and a compressor 241 may be provided on a space on the right side partitioned by the barrier 231 . In addition, a heat dissipation fan 233 for forcibly flowing air from the left to the right may be provided at the rear end of the barrier 231 .

Meanwhile, a front cover 22 may be provided on the opened front surface of the machine room module 20 . The front cover 22 shields the opened front surface of the machine room module 20 , and a grill part 221 may be formed on the front surface of the front cover 22 . The grill part 221 may form an opening through which air enters and exits like a grill.

Therefore, when the heat dissipation fan 233 is driven, external air is sucked and flows through the left side of the grill part 221 into the space on the left side of the machine room module 20 , and the sucked air passes through the condenser 242 . while exchanging heat with the refrigerant inside the condenser 242, the condenser 242 is radiated heat. In addition, the air passing through the heat dissipation fan 233 cools the compressor 241 while passing through the compressor 241 . Also, the air passing through the compressor 241 may be discharged forward through the right side of the grill unit 221 .

That is, in the installed state of the plant cultivation device 1 , the intake of external air and the discharge of the internal air of the machine room module 20 are performed from the front while passing through the front cover 22 . Accordingly, the plant cultivation apparatus 1 can be installed even in a space where the left and right sides and the rear are blocked. In particular, even if the plant cultivation apparatus 1 is installed in a furniture such as a sink, cooling and heat exchange of the compressor 241 and the condenser 242 inside the machine room module 20 can be effectively performed.

On the other hand, the evaporator 243 constituting the refrigeration cycle is provided inside the cabinet 10 , is vertically disposed on the rear surface of the cultivation space 100 , and is formed by the internal components of the machine room module 20 and refrigerant piping. can be easily connected.

A condensed water receiver 232 is provided in the machine room module 20 through which the condensed water generated in the evaporator 243 or the defrost water generated during defrosting is discharged. In addition, at least a portion of the condenser may be disposed inside the condensate receiver 232 , or a refrigerant pipe connected to the condenser 242 may be disposed to evaporate water inside the condensate receiver 232 .

Hereinafter, the internal structure of the cabinet 10 will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

6 is a cutaway perspective view showing the arrangement of the water supply module inside the cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the drainage module inside the cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, FIG. 8 is a partial partial perspective view showing the arrangement of the inner side of the cabinet and the drain pipe.

As shown in the drawing, the cabinet 10 forms the cultivation space 100 by the inner case 12 .

The inner case 12 includes a bottom plate 121 forming the bottom of the cultivation space 100 , a pair of side plates 122 forming both left and right sides of the cultivation space 100 , and the cultivation space ( It may include a top plate 123 forming the upper surface of the 100 , and a back plate 124 forming the rear surface of the cultivation space 100 .

The inner case 12 may be formed of at least one metal plate, for example, the inner case 12 may be formed of an aluminum material. The inner case 12 may be formed by combining the bottom plate 121 with the side plate 122 , the top plate 123 and the back plate 124 .

The bottom plate 121 forms the bottom surface of the cultivation space 100 , and the second half may be formed in a higher step shape. The second half of the bottom plate 121 having a relatively high height corresponds to the arrangement position of the compressor 241 , and it is possible to secure an installation space for the compressor 241 in the machine room 200 .

In addition, the sub tank 82 and the pumps 83 may be disposed in the first half of the bottom plate 121 having a relatively low height, and may be shielded by the pump cover 81 . On the other hand, a ventilation fan 171 may be provided in the space inside the pump cover 81 , and the lower surface of the cultivation space 100 and the machine room 200 are communicated below the ventilation fan 171 . An exhaust duct 172 may be provided. Therefore, the air inside the cultivation space 100 can be exhausted to the machine room 200, and external air is introduced into the inlet formed on the other side wall of the cabinet 10 to supply carbon dioxide necessary for plant growth. can

On the other hand, the water tank 70 may be disposed in front of the pump cover 81 , and the water tank 70 may be disposed inside the cultivation space 100 so as to be able to be drawn in and out. To this end, tank rails 79 for drawing in and out of the water tank 70 may be provided on both sides of the side plate 122 . The tank rail 79 has a structure that can be extended in multiple stages, and when the water tank 70 is completely drawn out, the tank cover 72 can be drawn out by a distance that can be opened and closed. Also, when the water tank 70 is completely retracted, the water tank 70 may be connected to the sub tank 82 and the drain module.

The evaporator 243 may be mounted on the back plate 124 . The evaporator 243 may be formed in a plate shape, and may be arranged to occupy most of the area of the rear wall surface of the cultivation space 100 . In addition, the blower 50 may be provided in front of the evaporator 243 .

In addition, the lighting device 40 may be provided on a lower surface of the top plate 123 . The upper lighting device 40a positioned at the uppermost of the lighting devices 40 may be fixedly mounted on the lower surface of the top plate 123 . In addition, the lower lighting device 40b may be disposed below the upper cultivation shelf 30a.

The cultivation shelf 30 may be disposed so as to be able to be drawn in and out of the side plates 122 on both sides. The side plate 122 may be provided with shelf rails 16 extendable in multiple stages, and both sides of the cultivation shelf 30 may be coupled to the shelf rails 16 . Therefore, the cultivation shelf 30 can be pulled out and pulled out in the front and rear directions, and it is easy to harvest and manage the plants grown on the cultivation shelf 30 , and to facilitate the installation and removal of the seed package 90 . .

A water supply pipe guide 122a may be formed on the right side plate 122 of the side plates 122 . The water supply pipe guide 122a is for guiding the water supply pipe 84 toward the cultivation shelf 30, and is recessed so that the water supply pipe 84 can be accommodated.

The water supply pipe guide 122a may extend rearward along the lower end of the side plate 122 and may extend upward from the rear end of the side plate 122 . In addition, a guide cover 122b for shielding a part of the opened front surface of the water supply pipe guide 122a may be formed in the water supply pipe guide part 122a. The guide cover 122b may be configured to shield the water supply pipe guide 122a extending in the vertical direction along the rear end of the side plate 122, and the water supply pipe 84 accommodated therein is not exposed to the outside. to be shielded so as not to

In addition, a water supply pipe fixing part may be further formed in the guide part cover 122b. The water supply pipe fixing part fixes the ends of the water supply pipe 84 through which water is discharged to be positioned on the water supply part 316 of the upper cultivation shelf 30a and the lower cultivation shelf 30b, respectively. Accordingly, the position of the outlet of the water supply pipe 84 may be fixed, and water supply to the cultivation shelf 30 may be possible at an accurate position.

The water supply pipe 84 may be formed in a metal tube shape, and an upper water supply pipe 84a connected to the upper pump 83a to supply water to the upper cultivation shelf 30a, and the lower pump 83b It may include a lower water supply pipe 84b connected to and supplying water to the lower cultivation shelf 30b.

It can be called a water supply module including the sub-tank 82, the pump 83, and the water supply pipe 84 disposed for supplying water to the cultivation shelf 30, and the water supply module is the pump cover 81. It is provided on the inner space and the side wall of the cultivation space 100 so that it is not exposed to the outside in a general use state.

In particular, the water supply pipe 84 is accommodated in the water supply pipe guide 122a formed on the side surface of the cultivation space 100, and is not exposed to the outside by the guide cover 122b. In addition, an end of the water supply pipe 84 adjacent to the cultivation shelf 30 may be covered by the cover plate 53 of the blower 50 .

In addition, a drainage module may be disposed on one side of the cultivation space 100 in which the water supply module is disposed and the other side facing the other side. That is, the water supply module and the drainage module may be disposed on both left and right sides of the cultivation shelf 30 , respectively.

In detail, a drain pipe 89 may be disposed on the other side (left side in FIG. 7 ) facing the side on which the water supply pipe 84 is disposed among the left and right side surfaces forming the cultivation space 100 . In addition, a drain tray 85 may be provided in a corner region adjacent to the rear surface of the cultivation space 100 adjacent to the drain pipe 89 .

A drain pipe guide 122c recessed inward may be formed on the side plate 122 forming the left side of the cultivation space 100 . The drain pipe guide part 122c may be recessed outwardly from the side surface of the cultivation space 100 . In addition, the drain pipe guide part 122c may extend rearwardly in the space formed by the pump cover 81 , and may extend upwardly from a corner portion in contact with the rear surface of the cultivation space 100 . The drain pipe 89 extends in the vertical direction so that all of the water drained from the upper and lower cultivation shelves 30a and 30b disposed vertically can be drained through the single drain pipe 89 . When a plurality of cultivation shelves 30 are provided, the drain pipe 89 may be disposed to pass through the plurality of cultivation shelves 30 .

Meanwhile, when the drain pipe 89 is mounted on the drain pipe guide 122c, the drain pipe 89 does not protrude to the inside of the cultivation space. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the drain pipe 89 from interfering with the cultivation shelf 30 even when the cultivation shelf 30 is pulled out. In addition, the drain pipe 89 is connected to the drain tray 85 in a state disposed inside the drain pipe guide part 122c to discharge water drained from the cultivation shelf 30 to the inside of the pump cover 81 . can guide you

To this end, the drain pipe 89 may include the drain guide pipe 87 extending in the vertical direction and the drain tube 88 connected to the drain guide pipe 87 .

The drain guide pipe 87 may include an upper drain guide pipe 871 extending in the vertical direction, and a lower drain guide pipe 872 extending from the lower end of the upper drain guide pipe 871 and bent forward. can In addition, the lower drain guide pipe 872 may be connected to the drain tube 88 . In addition, the upper drainage guide pipe 871 is disposed at the rear end of the side of the cultivation space 100 and is mostly covered by the blower 50 so that it is not exposed to the outside. In addition, since the lower drain guide pipe 872 and the drain tube 88 are disposed below the lower culture shelf 30b, they are covered by the lower culture shelf 30b and are not exposed to the outside.

In addition, the drain tray 85 is also disposed below the cultivation shelf 30 and is disposed adjacent to the rear wall of the cultivation space 100 so that it is not exposed to the outside. Accordingly, even when the door 13 is opened, it is possible to prevent external exposure of the drain pipe 89 and the drain tray 85 for draining the inside of the cultivation space 100 .

On the other hand, the drain valve 881 connected to the end of the drain pipe 89 may be exposed to the front of the pump cover 81 , and may be connected to the drain tube 88 disposed inside the pump cover 81 . can The drain valve 881 is exposed forward and is connected to the water tank 70 when the water tank 70 is drawn in and is opened, and when the water tank 70 is drawn out, it is separated from the water tank 70 . and will be closed

Hereinafter, the structure of the water tank 70 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

9 is a perspective view of the water tank according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. And, Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the water tank as seen from below.

As shown in the drawing, the water tank 70 includes a tank body 71 in which water supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 and water drained from the cultivation shelf 30 are stored, and the tank body ( It may include a tank cover 72 for opening and closing the opened upper surface of the 71).

A tank handle 711 that a user can hold may be formed on the front surface of the tank body 71 to take in and out of the water tank 70 , and the tank rails 79 on both left and right sides of the tank body 71 . ) and a rail mounting portion 73 coupled to may be formed. Accordingly, the water tank 70 may be mounted to the inside of the cultivation space 100 so as to be drawn in and out.

A cover connecting portion 712 on which a cover rotation shaft 721 protruding from both sides of the rear end of the tank cover 72 is mounted may be formed at both ends of the rear left and right sides of the tank body 71 . Accordingly, the tank cover 72 may be rotated based on the cover rotation shaft 721 , and the opened upper surface of the tank body 71 may be approached by the rotation of the tank cover 72 . Accordingly, water can be replenished by opening the tank cover 72 while the water tank 70 is drawn out. In addition, it may be possible to control the concentration of the water in the water tank 70 , that is, the culture medium by opening the tank cover 72 and injecting nutrients necessary for plant growth.

Meanwhile, a valve insertion hole 744a may be formed on the rear surface 744 of the tank body 71 . The valve insertion hole 744a may be positioned at a position corresponding to the drain valve 881 , and the drain valve 881 may have a size that can be inserted thereinto. The valve insertion hole 744a may be referred to as a valve inlet because the drain valve 881 is inserted thereinto.

When the water tank 70 is introduced, the drain valve 881 may be inserted into the valve insertion hole 744a, and may be configured to be opened from the inside of the tank water level sensing unit 744a. Accordingly, water drained through the drain pipe 89 may be introduced into the water tank 70 through the drain valve 881 .

In addition, a tank outlet 751 may be formed on the rear surface of the tank body 71 . The tank outlet 751 is a portion through which water supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 is discharged from the inside of the water tank 70 , and is formed in a tubular shape protruding backward from the rear surface of the tank body 71 . can

The tank outlet part 751 may be inserted into the fitting part 811 exposed on the front surface of the pump cover 81 when the water tank 70 is introduced. The fitting part 811 may communicate with the sub tank 82 , and the sub tank 82 may be connected with the pump 83 . Accordingly, the water discharged through the tank outlet 751 can be supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 through the sub tank 82 , the pump 83 , and the water supply pipe 84 .

In addition, the tank sensing member 752 may be provided on the rear surface of the tank body 71 . The tank detection member 752 may be located at a position facing the tank detection device provided inside the pump cover 81 , and may be configured to detect whether the water tank 70 is drawn in.

In a state in which the water tank 70 is not fully drawn in, drainage and water supply work is not smooth, and in particular, the drained water leaks and is discharged into the cultivation space 100 instead of the water tank 70, so that the cultivation space ( 100) may be contaminated. Accordingly, it is possible to detect whether the water tank 70 is fully retracted and control the driving of the driving device 86 and the pump 83 according to the sensing state. In addition, when the water tank 70 is not retracted, this may be notified through the display 14 .

Hereinafter, the arrangement of the cultivation shelf 30 and the water supply module and the drainage module will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

11 is a perspective view of a cultivation shelf and a water supply and drainage module, which are components of the plant cultivation apparatus. And, Figure 12 is a perspective view of the water supply module and the drainage module. And, FIG. 13 is a view showing a state of water flow between the cultivation shelf and the water tank.

As shown in the drawing, a plurality of the cultivation shelves 30 may be arranged vertically. For example, the cultivation shelf 30 may include an upper cultivation shelf 30a disposed above and a lower cultivation shelf 30b disposed below. The upper cultivation shelf 30a may be referred to as a first cultivation shelf, and the lower cultivation shelf 30b may be referred to as a second cultivation shelf.

The upper cultivation shelf 30a and the lower cultivation shelf 30b may be spaced apart by a set interval, and the space above the upper cultivation shelf 30a and the space above the lower cultivation shelf 30b allows plants to grow. They may be spaced apart to ensure sufficient height.

In addition, the water supply module and the drainage module disposed on the left and right sides with respect to the cultivation shelf 30 may be connected to the water tank 70 . Accordingly, as water circulates between the water tank 70 and the cultivation shelf 30 , an appropriate amount of water and nutrients may be supplied to the seed package 90 at the right time.

The water supply module may be located on the right side where the water supply unit 316 is formed with respect to the cultivation shelf 30 . In addition, the water supply module may include the pump 83 and the water supply pipe 84 . The pump 83 and the water supply pipe 84 may be configured to independently supply water to the upper cultivation shelf 30a and the lower cultivation shelf 30b. For example, the pump 83 may include an upper pump 83a and a lower pump 83b, and the water supply pipe 84 may include an upper water supply pipe 84a and a lower water supply pipe 84b.

The pump 83 may control the amount of water supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 through control, and may allow a fixed amount of water to be supplied. For example, the pump 83 may be operated 8 times a day, that is, at intervals of 3 hours, and approximately 1 liter of water can be supplied when water is supplied once. In this case, the amount of supplied water may be controlled through the driving time of the pump 83 . Of course, if necessary, the water supply module may include a flow rate sensor, and the pump 83 may be controlled to drive the pump 83 according to the detection of the flow rate through the flow rate sensor so that a fixed amount of water is supplied.

Meanwhile, at least a portion of the water supply pipe 84 may be formed of a metal pipe. In particular, the end of the water supply pipe 84 on the water outlet side adjacent to the cultivation space 100 can be bent so that its position and shape can be maintained. It is possible to prevent water from leaking or splashing out of the cultivation shelf 30 .

An end of the water supply pipe 84 may extend toward the water supply unit 316 of the rear end of the cultivation shelf 30 . The water supply unit 316 may protrude rearward from the rear end of the cultivation shelf 30 , and an upper surface thereof may be opened. In addition, the end of the water supply pipe 84 is positioned above the open upper surface of the water supply unit 316 , and may be bent to face the open upper surface of the water supply unit 316 .

Meanwhile, the water supply module may include the sub tank 82 . The sub tank 82 may be disposed on the side of the pump 83 , and may be disposed behind the water tank 70 . The sub tank 82 may be connected to the water tank 70 and the pump 83 , and water from the water tank 70 may be supplied to the pump 83 .

In addition, the sub tank 82 may be configured to always maintain a set water level. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inflow of air when the pump 83 is restarted after stopping, and the inlet side of the pump 83 is always filled with water. Accordingly, the pump 83 can ensure that an accurate amount of water is supplied through time control. In addition, reliable operation can be ensured even when the small-sized pump 83 is used repeatedly for a long time.

The drainage module may be located on the left side where the opening and closing member 36 is provided with respect to the cultivation shelf 30 . The drain module may include a drain tray 85 and a drain pipe 89 . The drain tray 85 is disposed below the opening and closing member 36 that opens and closes the drain port 319a of the cultivation shelf 30, and receives the water of the cultivation shelf 30 drained from the drain hole 319a. formed to be

The opening/closing member 36 is formed to open and close the drain port 319a by rotation, and may be operated by a driving device 86 provided above the opening/closing member 36 . The driving device 86 includes an upper driving device 86a for opening the opening/closing member 36 of the upper cultivation shelf 30a, and a lower driving device for opening the opening/closing member 36 of the lower cultivation shelf 30b. device 86b.

For example, the driving device 86 has a structure in which a rod is moved up and down by driving a motor, and when it is moved downward, the opening and closing member 36 is pressed and rotated to open the drain port 319a. And, when the rod is moved upward, the opening/closing member 36 returns to its original position to shield the drain port 319a again.

That is, the water of the cultivation shelf 30 may be drained by the operation of the driving device 86 . The driving device 86 may be operated after a set time elapses after water is supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 . The set time may be set to a time in which the water supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 and supplied to the seed package 90 can be sufficiently supplied to the seeds. The seeds or plants inside the seed package 90 may absorb a sufficient amount of water within a set time after water is supplied into the seed package 90 .

For example, the set time may be set to 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. Therefore, the cultivation shelf 30 can maintain a water supply state for at least a set time, and after the set time elapses, all the water inside the cultivation shelf 30 is drained by driving the driving device 86 . do. Therefore, the inside of the cultivation shelf 30 and the seed package 90 is kept emptied of water until re-watering is started, and mold or algae is not generated inside the cultivation space 100 .

In particular, the blower 50 is driven inside the cultivation space 100 , and the water inside the cultivation shelf 30 can be more effectively removed by air circulation by the blower 50 . During the period from the completion of drainage until the start of re-watering, the contaminated environment of the cultivation space 100 can be eliminated.

The set time may be adjusted according to the type of crop. If the amount of water suitable for the plant to be grown is large, it will be possible to lengthen the watering time or to water more frequently by adjusting the set time.

On the other hand, when the water level inside the cultivation shelf 30 exceeds the appropriate water level, the driving device 86 is driven to forcibly drain the water from the cultivation shelf 30 regardless of a set time to drain the cultivation shelf 30 . It can prevent the water from overflowing inside.

The drain tray 85 may be connected to the drain pipe 89 . The drain tray 85 may serve as a buffer for primarily accommodating the water discharged from the cultivation shelf 30 . In addition, the drain tray 85 may be formed to have a predetermined area, and it is possible to prevent water falling during the draining process from splashing or overflowing. In addition, the water discharged from the cultivation shelf 30 may be guided toward the drain pipe 89 without overflowing.

The drainage tray 85 may include an upper drainage tray 85a provided below the upper cultivation shelf 30a and a lower drainage tray 85b provided below the lower cultivation shelf 30b. In addition, the upper drain tray 85a and the lower drain tray 85b may be connected to the drain pipe 89 .

The drain pipe 89 guides water from the drain tray 85 to the water tank 70 , and includes a drain guide pipe 87 connected to the drain tray 85 , and the drain guide pipe 87 . and a drain tube 88 connecting the water tank 70 to the water tank 70 .

The drain guide pipe 87 is connected to both the upper drain tray 85a and the lower drain tray 85b, and may extend in the vertical direction. The drain guide pipe 87 may be formed to have a sufficient internal space to prevent overflow or backflow even when a large amount of water is supplied from the drain tray 85 , and has a larger cross-sectional area than the drain tube 88 . can be formed to

The upper end of the drain guide pipe 87 is connected to the upper drain tray 85a and may extend further downward than the lower drain tray 85b. In addition, the lower end of the drain guide pipe 87 may be bent forward, and may extend forward.

The drain guide pipe 87 may be disposed inside the side surface of the cultivation space 100 . That is, the drain guide pipe 87 is accommodated in the recessed portion of the side plate 122 so that the drain guide pipe 87 protrudes inside the cultivation space 100 or is not exposed when viewed from the front.

The drain tube 88 may be connected to a lower end of the drain guide pipe 87 . The drain tube 88 may be formed in a tube shape having a smaller diameter than the cross-sectional area of the drain guide tube 87 , and may be formed of a flexible material. Accordingly, the drain tube 88 may extend from the end of the drain guide pipe 87 to the water tank 70 , and may be disposed inside the pump cover 81 .

Meanwhile, a drain valve 881 may be provided at the extended end of the drain tube 88 . The drain valve 881 may be exposed to the outside of the pump cover 81 , and may be connected to the valve insertion hole 744a of the water tank 70 when the water tank 70 is mounted.

In detail, the drain valve 881 has the same structure as a check valve, and may be opened while being inserted into the valve insertion hole 744a when the water tank 70 is installed. Due to the opening of the drain valve 881 , the drain pipe 89 and the water tank 70 may communicate, and the water drained from the cultivation shelf 30 may flow into the water tank 70 . can

And, when the water tank 70 is withdrawn, the drain valve 881 is closed by releasing contact with the water tank 70, thereby preventing the water inside the drain pipe 89 from being drained. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inside of the cultivation space 100 from being contaminated by drainage while the water tank 70 is drawn out.

In this way, the water tank 70 may be connected to the water supply module and the drainage module, and the water of the water tank 70 is supplied to the upper cultivation shelf 30a and the lower cultivation shelf 30b by the water supply module. The water in the upper cultivation shelf 30a and the lower cultivation shelf 30b may be recovered to the water tank 70 by the drainage module. That is, as shown in FIG. 13 , it may have a structure in which water can be circulated between the water tank 70 and the cultivation shelf 30 .

Hereinafter, the structure of the drain tray 85 will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. The drain tray 85 may include an upper drain tray 85a and a lower drain tray 85b, respectively, and the upper drain tray 85a and the lower drain tray 85b may have the same shape. Therefore, hereinafter, the upper drain tray 85a and the lower drain tray 85b will be described without distinction.

14 is a perspective view of a drain tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the drain tray 85 may include a plate-shaped tray bottom surface 851 and a tray perimeter 852 extending upward along the perimeter of the tray bottom surface 851 . .

The tray bottom surface 851 may be configured to form an area in which at least the drain part 318 of the cultivation shelf 30 , the drain hole 319a , and the drain guide pipe 87 can be included. That is, the water drained from the drain part 318 and the drain port 319a may be formed to have a predetermined area toward the drain guide pipe 87 . In addition, the tray bottom surface 851 may be inclined so that water discharged from the cultivation shelf 30 flows more smoothly toward the drain guide pipe 87 . In addition, it is possible to prevent the water flowing along the drain tray 85 from overflowing by the tray peripheral portion 852 .

In addition, a portion of the front part adjacent to the rear end of the cultivation shelf 30 of the tray perimeter 852 may be formed with a tray cutout 853 cut downward. The tray cutout 853 may be formed to extend upwardly lower than the height of the tray perimeter 852 , and may be formed over the front end of the drain tray 85 and a portion of the right end in contact with the front end. Accordingly, interference between the lower surface of the cultivation shelf 30 and the drain tray 85 can be prevented while the cultivation shelf 30 is pulled out.

Meanwhile, an overflow prevention part 854 may be formed on the tray bottom surface 851 corresponding to the tray cutout 853 . The overflow prevention part 854 is formed to protrude from the bottom surface of the tray 851 , is formed along the front and side ends of the drain tray 85 , and is formed at a position somewhat spaced apart from the outer end of the drain tray 85 . can be A plurality of the overflow prevention parts 854 may be formed, and may be spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. Therefore, even if the plant cultivation apparatus 1 is shaken by vibration, the water drained along the drain tray 85 flows forward and overflows through the tray cutout 853 can be prevented.

In addition, the tray bottom surface 851 may be formed such that the portion where the overflow prevention portion 854 is disposed is formed higher and gradually lowered toward the portion where the tray drain portion 856 is formed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent overflow of water from the drain tray 85 and to facilitate drainage from the drain tray 85 .

Meanwhile, a tray mounting part 855 may be formed on a lower surface of the left end of the tray bottom surface 851 , and a screw hole 855a may be formed on an upper surface of the tray mounting part 855 . The screw 855b may pass through the screw hole 855a and may be coupled to the tray bracket 859 mounted on the tray mounting part 855 . In addition, a screw hole 859a to which the screw 855b is fastened may be further formed in the tray bracket 859 . If necessary, the tray mounting unit 855 may be coupled to components below the drain tray 85 such as the writing device 40 instead of the tray bracket 859 .

A tray drain portion 856 protruding outward may be formed at the left end and rear end of the drain tray 85 . The tray drain part 856 may protrude outside the drain tray 85 and be inserted into the drain guide pipe 87 . In addition, the tray perimeter 852 may be formed to extend along the perimeter of the tray drain 856 , so the water guided to the tray drain 856 does not overflow. can be turned inward.

In addition, the tray drain 856 extends downward so that all of the water flowing into the tray drain 856 flows into the drain guide pipe 87 without leaking or splashing to the outside. In addition, the tray drain port 856a may be opened at the extended lower end of the tray drain part 856 .

Hereinafter, the drain pipe 89 will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

15 is an exploded perspective view of a drain pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view of the drain guide pipe constituting the drain pipe.

As shown in the drawing, the drain pipe 89 is a drain connecting between the drain guide pipe 87 connected to the drain tray 85 as a whole and the water tank 70 in the drain guide pipe 87 . tube 88 .

In detail, the drain guide pipe 87 guides water supplied from the drain tray 85 downward. It may be formed in a tubular shape having a cross-sectional area.

In this case, the drain pipe guide part 122c to which the drain guide pipe 87 is mounted may be formed by bending the side plate 122, and may have a rectangular cross-sectional area. Accordingly, the drain guide pipe 87 may be formed to have a rectangular cross-section that can be inserted into the drain pipe guide part 122c.

In addition, the drainage guide pipe 87 has a structure connected to a plurality of drainage trays 85 for guiding water drained from the plurality of cultivation shelves 30 when a plurality of the cultivation shelves 30 are arranged vertically. can have Accordingly, the upper end of the drain guide pipe 87 may extend to at least a position corresponding to the position of the cultivation shelf 30 positioned at the uppermost position, and the lower end of the drain guide pipe 87 is located at the lowermost position. It may be positioned below the positioned cultivation shelf 30 .

For example, the cultivation shelf 30 may include two upper cultivation shelves 30a and a lower cultivation shelf 30b, and the drain tray 85 also includes an upper drain tray 85a and a lower drain tray 85b. may be provided respectively. In addition, the drain guide pipe 87 may include an upper drain guide pipe 871 connected to the upper drain tray 85a and a lower drain guide pipe 872 connected to the lower drain tray 85b. .

The upper drainage guide pipe 871 may extend long in the vertical direction, and may extend from the upper cultivation shelf 30a to the lower cultivation shelf 30b in a straight line. In addition, an upper opening 871a may be formed on the upper surface of the upper drain guide pipe 871 . The upper opening 871A is opened so that the tray drain 856 of the upper cultivation shelf 30a is inserted, and thus may be referred to as an upper inlet. The area of the upper opening 871a may correspond to the cross-sectional area of the drain guide pipe 87 and may be formed so that a large amount of water can be introduced at once.

Meanwhile, a guide pipe protrusion 873 protruding inward of the upper drainage guide pipe 871 may be formed in the upper drain guide pipe 871 . The guide pipe protrusion 873 is such that the water drained along the upper drain guide pipe 871 collides while falling, and at least one or more may be formed along the vertical extension direction of the upper drain guide pipe 871 . can

The water drained along the upper drain guide pipe 871 may be hit by the guide pipe protrusion 873 , and the speed of the water drained downward can be adjusted and the water falling distance can be divided into a plurality of times. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent noise generated when water falling through the drain guide pipe 87 falls from the upper end to the lower end of the drain guide pipe 87 at once. In addition, by adjusting the flow rate of water flowing downward along the inner wall surface of the upper drain guide pipe 871 by the guide pipe protrusion 873 , the sound of flowing water can be minimized.

A plurality of guide pipe protrusions 873 may be formed along the length of the upper drain guide pipe 871 , and one guide tube protrusion 873 may be formed at an upper portion and a lower portion of the upper drain guide tube 871 , respectively.

The inner surface of the upper drain guide pipe 871 corresponding to the guide pipe protrusion 873 may be recessed, and the upper drain pipe guide part 122c corresponding to the recessed outer surface of the guide pipe protrusion 873 ) A guide tube mounting portion 873a may be formed on one side (right side in FIGS. 15 and 16) of the . The guide pipe mounting part 873a may be formed in the planar shape, and may be in close contact with the inner surface of the drain pipe guide part 122c while in surface contact. In addition, a screw hole 873b may be formed in the guide pipe mounting part 873a, and a screw passing through the screw hole 873b is fastened to the side wall surface of the drain pipe guide part 122c, and the drain guide pipe ( 87) to maintain a state of being fixedly mounted inside the drain pipe guide 122c.

A guide pipe insertion part 874 may be formed at a lower end of the upper drain guide pipe 871 . The lower end of the guide pipe insertion part 874 is opened so that water flowing along the upper drain guide pipe 871 can be discharged downward. In addition, the guide tube insertion portion 874 may be formed to have a smaller cross-sectional area toward the bottom. That is, the outer surface of the guide pipe insertion part 874 may be inclined or stepped, and may be inserted into the lower opening 872a of the lower drain guide pipe 872 .

Meanwhile, the lower drain guide pipe 872 may be formed in a bent shape to correspond to the lower shape of the drain guide part 122c. In detail, the lower drain guide pipe 872 is connected to the upper drain guide pipe 871 and extends forward from the lower end of the guide pipe vertical part 872c and the guide pipe vertical part 872c extending in the vertical direction. It may include a guide tube horizontal portion 872d.

The lower drain guide pipe 872 has an upper surface and may form the lower opening 872a. In addition, the upper end of the lower drain guide pipe 872 in which the lower opening 872a is formed may have a guide tube receiving portion 877 into which the guide tube insertion portion 874 is inserted. The guide tube receiving portion 877 may be formed to have a larger cross-sectional area than the guide tube insertion portion 874 , and may be formed to have a size corresponding to the upper opening 871a. Accordingly, the upper drain guide pipe 871 and the lower drain guide pipe 872 may be formed to have a sense of unity in a state in which they are coupled to each other.

In addition, a side opening 876 may be formed below the guide tube receiving portion 877 , that is, in the guide tube vertical portion 872c. The side opening 876 is opened so that the tray drain portion 856 of the lower drain tray 85b is inserted, and thus may be referred to as a lower inlet. In addition, the side opening 876 is located upwardly away from the lower end of the guide pipe vertical part 872c, so that water flowing in through the tray drain part 856 of the lower drain tray 85b is easy. It can be guided forward.

Meanwhile, the guide pipe horizontal portion 872d may extend forward, and may extend to the front end of the drain pipe guide portion 122c. In addition, a tube connection part 875 may protrude from the front end of the guide tube horizontal part 872d, and the drain tube 88 may be connected to the tube connection part 875 . In this case, the position of the tube connection part 875 may be located inside the space shielded by the pump cover 81 . Accordingly, the drain tube 88 may be connected to the drain guide pipe 87 from the inside of the pump cover 81 and may extend to the valve insertion hole 744a of the water tank 70 .

The drain tube 88 may be configured as a flexible tube, so it is easy to bend into the inner (rear) space of the pump cover 81, and is effectively disposed inside the pump cover 81 with a complicated interior. can be

In addition, a drain valve 881 may be provided at an end of the drain tube 88 . The drain valve 881 may be located at a position facing the valve insertion hole 744a , may be fixed to the front surface of the pump cover 81 , and may protrude toward the water tank 70 .

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the connection structure of the drain tray 85 and the drain guide pipe 87 and the water supply state will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

17 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in which water is supplied from the upper drain tray to the drain guide pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the opening/closing member 36 of the cultivation shelf 30 is opened, or the water of the cultivation shelf 30 is drained from the drain tray 85 through the drain part 318 of the cultivation shelf 30. can be dropped into In this case, the drain tray 85 is disposed vertically below the drain port 319a and the drain unit 318 , and is located adjacent to each other to stably receive water discharged from the cultivation shelf 30 .

The water introduced into the drain tray 85 flows toward the tray drain 856 along the slope of the tray bottom surface 851, and the drain guide pipe 87 through the tray drain 856a. ) can flow inward.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 17 , the tray drain part 856 of the upper drain tray 85a may be inserted into the upper surface opening 871a formed at the upper end of the upper drain guide pipe 871 . That is, the tray drain portion 856 of the upper drain tray 85a protrudes laterally from the upper side of the upper drain guide pipe 871 , and the extended lower end of the upper drain guide pipe 871 has an upper opening 871a of the upper drain guide pipe 871 . ) can be inserted into the

Accordingly, water discharged through the tray drain 856a of the upper drain tray 85a may be introduced into the upper drain guide pipe 871 . On the other hand, the upper surface opening 871a of the upper drain guide pipe 871 is formed to have a size that can accommodate the upper drain tray 85a, and can be formed to be significantly larger than the size of the tray drain port 856a. . Accordingly, even when a large amount of water is introduced through the upper drain tray 85a, water is smoothly discharged downward through the upper drain guide pipe 871 without backflowing through the upper opening 871a.

Water introduced into the upper drain guide pipe 871 may fall downward, and some of the falling water may collide with the guide pipe protrusion 873 . At this time, the guide pipe protrusion 873 formed at the uppermost of the guide pipe protrusions 873 is disposed adjacent to the tray drain 856 and may be disposed to face the tray drain 856a. have.

Accordingly, water falling from the tray drain 856a may fall downward after colliding with the guide tube protrusion 873 . When water falls while colliding with a plurality of guide pipe protrusions 873, noise generated when water droplets directly fall from the upper end of the drain guide pipe 87 to the lower end of the drain guide pipe 87 can be prevented, and the drain The sound of water flowing along the wall of the guide tube 87 can also be prevented.

As such, the water flowing into the upper drain guide pipe 871 through the upper drain tray 85a flows downward, and passes through the lower drain guide pipe 872 and the drain tube 88 to the water tank 70 . can be introduced into

18 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating a state of water supply from the lower drain tray to the drain guide pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the guide pipe insertion part 874 formed at the lower end of the upper drain guide pipe 871 is inserted through the open upper surface of the lower drain guide pipe 872, and the upper drain guide pipe 871 and the lower drain guide pipe 872 may communicate with each other. Accordingly, the water drained along the upper drain guide pipe 871 flows into the lower drain guide pipe 872 , and is merged with the water flowing through the lower drain tray 85b to the drain tube 88 . ) is directed to

Accordingly, the drain guide pipe 87 may provide a flow path having a cross-sectional area of sufficient size so that water simultaneously discharged through at least the upper drain tray 85a and the lower drain tray 85b can be effectively discharged without backflow. have.

On the other hand, the water drained from the lower cultivation shelf 30b may be collected in the lower drain tray 85b, and the water of the lower drain tray 85b is transferred from the tray bottom surface 851 to the tray drain part ( 856), and may be introduced into the lower drain guide pipe 872 through the tray drain 856a.

At this time, the tray drain portion 856 of the lower drain tray 85b may protrude laterally, and may be inserted into the side opening 876 opened in the side of the lower drain guide pipe 872 . Accordingly, the tray draining part 856 is inserted into the lower drain guide pipe 872 through the side opening 876 , and the extended lower end of the tray draining part 856 is the side opening 876 . and locking, so that the lower drain tray 85b and the lower drain guide pipe 872 maintain a coupled relationship with each other. and. The tray drain 856a is opened downward from the inside of the lower drain guide pipe 872 so that all of the water drained from the lower drain tray 85b flows into the lower drain guide pipe 872 .

In addition, the water discharged through the tray drain 856a of the lower drain tray 85b is redirected together with the water flowing through the upper drain guide pipe 871 to the front along the guide pipe horizontal portion 872d. , and may be introduced into the drain tube 88 connected to the lower drain guide pipe 872 .

The drain tube 88 is the inner side of the cultivation space 100 on the side wall surface of the cultivation space 100, more specifically, a pump z cover 81 in which the pump 83 and the sub tank 82 are disposed. can be extended to the rear space of In addition, a drain valve 881 disposed at the end of the drain tube 88 may be connected to the water tank 70 so that water discharged through the drain pipe 89 may be directed to the water tank 70 . have.

19 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating a connection state between the water tank and the drain valve.

As shown, the water tank 70 may be disposed on the bottom surface of the cultivation space 100 , and may be disposed in front of the pump cover 81 . The water tank 70 may have a height corresponding to the height of the upper surface of the pump cover 81 when the tank cover 72 is closed. In addition, the lower cultivation shelf 30b may be disposed above and adjacent to the water tank 70 and the pump cover 81 .

In addition, when the water tank 70 is fully retracted and is in a state adjacent to the front surface of the pump cover 81 , it is possible to supply water to the cultivation shelf 30 and recover the water discharged from the cultivation shelf 30 . will do

A drain valve 881 connected to an end of the drain tube 88 may be mounted on the front surface of the pump cover 81 . The end of the drain valve 881 may protrude forward through the front surface of the pump cover 81 . can be inserted into

In detail, the drain valve 881 may have an external shape by a rear case 881a connected to the drain tube 88 and a front case 881b coupled to the opened front surface of the rear case 881a. have. The front case 881b may protrude forward through the pump cover 81 , and the protruding end may be inserted into the valve insertion hole 744a of the rear surface of the water tank 70 .

In addition, the valve opening/closing member 881c may be supported by an elastic member 881 o inside the coupling of the rear case 881a and the front case 881b. The valve opening/closing member 881c may be formed in the same shape as a poppet, and a rod may be formed in the front-rear direction, and a shade may be formed around the rod to contact the inner surface of the front case 881b to open and close the flow path. Accordingly, the valve opening/closing member 881c may open and close the drain valve 881 while moving in the front-rear direction inside the drain valve 881 .

The valve opening/closing member 881c is supported at the rear by the elastic member 881d to maintain the drain valve 881 in a closed state. Also, in a state in which the valve opening/closing member 881c is closed, the front end of the valve opening/closing member 881c may protrude through the front case 881b. In this case, the outer diameter of the front end of the valve opening/closing member 881c may have a smaller diameter than the opening of the front end of the front case 881b. In addition, the valve opening/closing member 881c may protrude further than the front end of the front case 881b protruding forward of the pump cover 81 when the drain valve 881 is closed.

Meanwhile, a valve insertion hole 744a may be formed in the rear surface 744 of the water tank 70 corresponding to the drain valve 881 . The valve insertion hole 744a may be formed at a corresponding position so that the front case 881b of the drain valve 881 can be inserted when the water tank 70 is introduced.

A water level indicator 741 may be formed at a portion into which the front end of the drain valve 881 is inserted. The water level indicator 741 indicates the water level of the water tank 70 , and may be formed inside the water tank 70 spaced apart from the rear surface 744 of the tank body 71 . The water level indicator 741 may extend from a bottom surface of the tank body 71 to an upper end of the tank body 71 . In addition, the display unit opening 741a cut in the vertical direction may be formed in the water level display unit 741 . Water inside the tank body 71 may be introduced into a space spaced apart between the water level indicator 741 and the tank body 71 through the display opening 741a.

In addition, a display unit floater 742 may be formed in a space spaced apart between the water level display unit 741 and the tank body 71 . The display unit floater 742 may be formed of the foamable material that floats in water, and may be formed to have an identifiable color. Accordingly, the display unit floater 742 may move up and down according to the water level of the tank body 71 , and the water level of the tank body 71 may be intuitively displayed through the display unit opening 741a.

In addition, the display unit plotter 742 may include a magnet, and a tank water level detection device 743 may be provided on the front surface of the pump cover 81 corresponding to the water level display unit 741 . The tank water level detecting device 743 may sense a change in the magnetic field of the magnet of the display part plotter 742 to detect the water level of the water tank 70 . As an example, the tank water level detecting device 743 may be disposed at the lower end of the pump cover 81, so that when the magnet is positioned at a position corresponding to the tank level detecting device 743, the water tank ( 70) can be detected that the water level is low. When it is sensed that the water level of the water tank 70 is low, the control unit of the plant cultivation apparatus 1 may notify the user of replenishment of water, and if necessary, stop the water supply to the cultivation shelf 30. may be

On the other hand, when the water tank 70 is fully retracted, the front case 881b is inserted into the valve insertion hole 744a, and the front end of the opening/closing member 36 is the water level indicator 741 of the It comes into contact with the back and is pressed. At this time, the opening/closing member 881c is moved rearward to open the drain valve 881 , and a space spaced apart between the water level indicator 741 and the tank body 71 through the drain valve 881 . Water may be introduced into the inside of the 740 . And, the water introduced into the space 740 spaced apart between the water level indicator 741 and the tank body 71 flows into the internal space of the tank body 71 through the indicator opening 741a. can

The drain valve 881 has a structure that is inserted into the tank body 71 to open and close, but the drain valve 881 may be covered by the water level indicator 741 , and thus the drain valve 881 ) and exposure of a portion through which water flows into the water tank 70 can be prevented.

In this way, in a state in which the water tank 70 is fully retracted and mounted, the front end of the valve opening/closing member 881c is pressed from the inside of the water tank 70, and thus the drain valve 881 is opened. Water of the cultivation shelf 30 discharged through the drain pipe 89 may be recovered into the water tank 70 . In a state in which the water tank 70 is closed, the front end of the valve opening/closing member 881c is continuously pressed by the water tank 70, and thus the drain valve 881 is maintained in a closed state.

And, when the water tank 70 is withdrawn for water replenishment or nutrient solution, the front end of the valve opening/closing member 881c and the water tank 70 are spaced apart from each other, and the elastic force of the elastic member 881d Accordingly, the valve opening/closing member 881c may block the flow path inside the drain valve 881 , and the drain valve 881 may be in a closed state. When the drain valve 881 is closed, the drain through the drain pipe 89 is not performed. Accordingly, water drained from the drain pipe 89 is prevented from leaking into the cultivation space 100 .

In addition, although not shown in detail, in the water tank 70 , the state of drawing in and out of the water tank 70 may be detected by a sensing device that detects drawing in and out of the water tank 70 . In addition, the control unit for controlling the operation of the plant cultivation device 1 restricts the operation of the driving device 86 when the water tank 70 is withdrawn so that the water of the cultivation shelf 30 is not drained. Alternatively, the pump 83 may be stopped to prevent water supply from the cultivation shelf 30 .

Hereinafter, the structure of the cultivation shelf 30 will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Meanwhile, since the cultivation shelf 30 has the same structure irrespective of the vertical position, only one cultivation shelf 30 will be described below, and the upper cultivation shelf 30a and the lower cultivation shelf 30b are can have exactly the same structure.

20 is a perspective view of the cultivation shelf. And, FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the cultivation shelf.

As shown in the drawing, the cultivation shelf 30 is configured so that a plurality of the seed packages 90 can be seated, and water supplied from the water tank 70 is supplied to the seed packages 90 . can have a structure that

In detail, the cultivation shelf 30 may include a shelf tray 32 on which the seed package 90 is mounted, and a shelf base 31 in which water supplied to the seed package 90 is accommodated. In addition, the shelf tray 32 may be seated on the shelf base 31 to form an outer appearance of the upper surface of the cultivation shelf 30 .

The shelf tray 32 may be formed of a metal material so that it has an excellent appearance and looks clean. For example, the shelf tray 32 may be made of a stainless material to be resistant to contamination and to be easy to clean and manage.

The shelf tray 32 may be mounted to be superimposed on the top surface of the shelf base 31 , and may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the top surface of the shelf base 31 . In addition, in a state in which the shelf tray 32 is mounted, the front and left and right side surfaces of the shelf base 31 may be exposed, and the water supply part 316 and the opening and closing member 36 on the rear side of the shelf base 31 . Also, it may protrude to the rear of the shelf tray 32 .

The shelf tray 32 may have a rectangular shape when viewed from above. In addition, the shelf tray 32 may include a tray upper surface 321 forming an appearance of the upper surface as a whole, and a seating part 320 recessed from the tray upper surface 321 . The seating part 320 may be referred to as a tray seating part in order to be distinguished from the base seating part 310 of the shelf base 31 .

The upper surface of the tray 321 may be formed in a planar shape while forming the outer appearance of the remaining upper surface of the shelf base 31 excluding the seating part 320 . In addition, a bent or bent tray rim 321a in a round shape may be formed around the upper surface of the tray 321 .

Meanwhile, the seating part 320 may be depressed in a shape corresponding to the seed package 90 so that the seed package 90 may be seated. A plurality of the seating parts 320 may be formed so that the plurality of seed packages 90 can be respectively seated in independent spaces. For example, three of the seating units 320 may be arranged side by side in the left and right directions.

The seating part 320 may accommodate the entire lower surface of the seed package 90 , and may be recessed to accommodate at least a portion of the upper and lower heights. In this case, the bottom surface 321 of the seating part may have a size and shape corresponding to that of the container bottom surface 911 of the seed package 90 . Accordingly, when the seed package 90 is seated on the seating portion 320 , the container bottom surface 911 may be in surface contact with the seating portion bottom surface 321 with each other. In such a state, even if water is supplied by opening the shutter 33 , water does not penetrate between the bottom surface of the container 911 and the bottom surface of the seating part 322 .

In addition, a shutter 33 may be provided at the center of the bottom surface 322 of the seating part. One shutter 33 may be provided for each of the plurality of seating units 320 . In addition, the shutter 33 may be mounted on a plate mounting hole 323 penetrating the bottom surface 322 of the seating part. The shutter 33 may selectively allow water accommodated in the shelf base 31 to be selectively introduced by vertical movement. The shutter may be referred to as a water supply member because it enables the selective supply of water to the seating part 320 .

The shutter 33 may be operated according to the mounting of the seed package 90 , and is closed inside the seating part 320 in which the seed package 90 is not mounted among the plurality of seating parts 320 . The state is maintained so that water is not introduced, and water is introduced into the seating part 320 on which the seed package 90 is mounted while maintaining an open state, so that water can be supplied to the seed package 90 .

That is, the shutter 33 selectively supplies water to the seating part 320 on which the seed package 90 is mounted among the plurality of seating parts 320 according to whether the seed package 90 is mounted. It can be configured to

The shutter 33 may be disposed at a position facing the water inlet recessed in the bottom of the seed package 90 . When the seed package 90 is seated on the seating part 320, the lower surface of the seed package 90 may press the upper surface of the shutter 33 to operate the shutter 33, and the seating part ( 320) The water flowing inside may be supplied to the seed package 90 .

Meanwhile, the shelf base 31 may be provided below the shelf tray 32 . The shelf base 31 allows water supplied from the water tank 70 to flow and store, and has a shape corresponding to the lower surface of the shelf tray 32 so that the shelf tray 32 can be seated. It may be formed to have an upper surface shape.

The shelf base 31 may be formed of a plastic material, and may have a rectangular shape corresponding to the shelf tray 32 when viewed from above. In addition, the shelf base 31 may include a base upper surface 311 on which the shelf tray 32 is mounted and a base mounting part 310 . In addition, a handle 312 for taking out and taking out the cultivation shelf 30 is formed on the front surface of the shelf base 31 , and shelf rails for taking in and out of the cultivation shelf 30 are formed on both left and right sides of the shelf base 31 . A base side 313 coupled to the 16 may be formed.

And, inside the shelf base 31, a shutter accommodating part 315 for accommodating the shutter 33, a base flow path connecting the shutter accommodating part 315, the water supply part 316, and the drain hole 319a ( 317) may be formed. In addition, the shelf base 31 may include an opening/closing member 36 for opening and closing the drain port 319a and the water level sensing member 34 for sensing the water level of the shelf base 31 .

Hereinafter, the structure of the shelf base 31 will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

22 is a perspective view of a shelf base, which is one configuration of the cultivation shelf, as viewed from below. And, FIG. 23 is a plan view of the shelf base. And, FIG. 24 is a view showing the overflowing state of the cross section XXIV-XXIV' of FIG. 23 .

As shown in the drawings, the shelf base 31 may have an upper surface formed by the base upper surface 311 . In addition, the base upper surface 311 supports the tray upper surface 321 of the shelf tray 32 .

In addition, the handle 312 may be formed on the front surface of the shelf base 31 . The handle 312 may form the front surface of the shelf base 31 , and extend from the front left end to the right end of the shelf base 31 , and may extend downward from the base upper surface 311 . .

The handle 312 may be formed to protrude downward so that a user can pull the handle by inserting a hand into the lower front end of the shelf base 31 . A user may hold the handle 312 and operate the in/out of the cultivation shelf 30 .

In addition, base side surfaces 313 may be formed on both left and right sides of the shelf base 31 . The base side surface 313 may be formed to extend downwardly from both left and right ends of the base upper surface 311 .

A front coupling part 313a and a rear coupling part 313b coupled to the shelf rail 16 may be formed on the base side surface 313 . The front coupling part 313a may be formed in the front part of the base side surface 313 and may be formed in a groove shape with a recessed lower end thereof. In addition, the rear coupling part 313b is formed at the rear end of the base side surface 313 and may be formed in a groove shape recessed forward.

A shelf sensing member 35 may be provided on one side of the bottom surface of the shelf base 31 . The shelf sensing member 35 is configured to detect that the cultivation shelf 30 is fully retracted, and may be provided at a position corresponding to the shelf detection device 49 disposed below the cultivation shelf 30 . can For example, the shelf sensing member 35 may be formed of a magnetic material, and may be exposed below the cultivation shelf 30 .

In this embodiment, the lower lighting device 40b may be provided below the upper cultivation shelf 30a, and the shelf sensing device 49 may be disposed in the lower lighting device 40b. In addition, a water tank 70 and a pump cover 81 are provided below the lower cultivation shelf 30b, and the shelf is located on the upper surface of the pump cover 81 corresponding to the shelf sensing member 35 . A sensing device 49 may be arranged. That is, the shelf sensing device 49 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the shelf sensing member 35 in the configuration under the cultivation shelf 30 .

The shelf detection device 49 may be configured as a hall sensor that detects a magnet, and is configured to detect the shelf detection member 35 when the cultivation shelf 30 is completely retracted. The cultivation shelf 30 must be arranged in a state drawn into the correct position. Due to the nature of the cultivation shelf 30 having a structure that is drawn in and out, if the cultivation shelf 30 is not positioned at the correct position, the water supply pipe 84 and the water supply unit 316 are not aligned with each other, so that water is discharged during the water supply process. It may leak or overflow. In addition, a problem such as water leakage to the outside of the drain tray 85 may occur during the draining process.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is detected whether the cultivation shelf 30 has reached the correct position by the shelf detection device 49, and when the cultivation shelf 30 is not located at the correct position, it is notified to the outside so that the user can It may induce manipulation of the cultivation shelf 30 to be positioned at an accurate position.

A base seating part 310 may be formed inside the base upper surface 311 . The base seating part 310 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the seating part 320 , and the lower surface of the base seating part 310 , that is, the base bottom surface 314 is the seating part bottom surface 322 . and may be formed to be in face-to-face contact with each other. Accordingly, the bottom surfaces of the base seating part 310 and the seating part 320 are in close contact with each other to maintain a stable mounting state, and effective water supply to the seed package 90 can be achieved.

In addition, a shutter accommodating part 315 may be formed in the inner center of the base seating part 310 . The shutter accommodating part 315 may be formed at a position corresponding to the shutter 33 mounted on the shelf tray 32 , and the shutter accommodating part 315 is provided for each of the plurality of the base mounting parts 310 . can be formed.

In addition, the shutter accommodating part 315 may be formed to have a size that the shutter 33 can be accommodated therein. The shutter accommodating part 315 may be formed in a circular shape so that a lower portion of the shutter 33 can be accommodated. In addition, the shutter accommodating part 315 may be formed to have a recessed space of a height that can ensure the vertical movement of the shutter 33 without interfering with the shutter 33 when the shutter 33 moves up and down. can The shutter accommodating part 315 may be recessed to a height enough to be in contact with the lower end of the shutter 33 when the shutter 33 is moved most downward. For example, the recessed height of the shutter accommodating part 315 may be about 14 mm.

Meanwhile, a water supply part 316 may be formed on one side (the right side in FIG. 23 ) of both left and right sides of the rear end of the shelf base 31 . The water supply part 316 may protrude rearward, and is formed to be recessed to receive water supplied through the water supply pipe 84 .

In addition, a drain port 319a and an opening/closing member 36 for opening and closing the drain hole 319a may be provided on the other side (left side in FIG. 23 ) of the left and right sides of the rear end of the shelf base 31 . The opening/closing member 36 has a shape capable of enclosing and shielding the drain hole 319a and an area adjacent to the drain hole 319a, protruding backward, and rotating according to the operation of the driving device 86 to rotate the drain hole 319a ) has a structure that can be opened and closed.

Meanwhile, a base flow path 317 for water flow on the shelf base 31 may be formed in the shelf base 31 . The base flow path 317 may be formed to connect all of the water supply part 316 , the shutter receiving part 315 , the water level sensing part 317f , the drain port 319a , and the drain part 318 . In addition, the base flow path 317 guides the water supplied to the shelf base 31 to be effectively supplied to the seed package 90 and to be drained after completion of the supply of water.

The base flow path 317 may include a water supply guide part 317a, a branch part 317b, a connection part 317c, and a drainage guide part 317d.

In detail, the water supply guide 317a is for connecting the water supply part 316 and the branch part 317b, and may extend from one end of the water supply part 316 to the branch part 317b. In this case, the water supply part 316 and the water supply guide part 317a may be located at a higher position than the branch part 317b. In addition, the water supply guide part 317a may be formed to have an inclination that decreases as the bottom surface faces the branch part 317b. Accordingly, water supplied to the water supply part 316 may flow toward the branch part 317b.

In addition, the branch portion 317b may be formed along the rear ends of the seating portions 320 formed on the shelf base 31 . The branch portion 317b may be formed to pass all of the plurality of seating portions 320 formed on the shelf base 31, and one end of the branch portion 317b is connected to the drain port 319a. It may be connected to the guide part 317d.

In addition, the drain guide part 317d may be connected from one end of the branch part 317b to the drain port 319a. The drain hole 319a may be formed at an end of the drain guide part 317d, and the drain hole 319a may be formed at the lowest position on the bottom of the drain guide part 317d. Accordingly, the water passing through the branch part 317b may be naturally discharged to the drain port 319a through the drain guide part 317d.

Meanwhile, a plurality of connecting portions 317c may be formed in the branch portion 317b. The plurality of connection parts 317c may be formed for each of the base seating parts 310 , and may be connected to the shutter receiving part 315 of the base seating part 310 . Accordingly, the water supplied to the water supply part 316 sequentially flows to the water supply guide part 317a and the branch part 317b, and through a plurality of the connection parts 317c connected to the branch part 317b, the All of the shutter accommodating parts 315 on the shelf base 31 may be supplied to the inside.

While water is supplied to the water supply unit 316 and until a set time elapses before the start of drainage, the opening/closing member 36 is closed to keep the drain port 319a blocked. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain a state in which water is filled in the base flow path 317 including the shutter receiving part 315 .

Meanwhile, the base flow path 317 may further include a water level sensing unit 317f. The water level sensing unit 317f is to prevent water supply above the full water level into the shelf base, and may be configured such that the water level sensing member 34 is disposed in the water level sensing unit 317f.

The water level sensing member 34 may be formed of a material that floats on water, and may include a magnet therein. In addition, a water level sensing device (not shown) may be disposed below the cultivation shelf 30 . Although the position of the water level detection device is not shown, it may be provided on the lighting device 40 and the pump cover 81 like the shelf detection device 49 . In a state in which the cultivation shelf 30 is fully retracted, the water level sensing device may be located below the water level sensing member 34 .

The amount of water supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 is controlled by the driving time of the pump 83, but when the water level sensing device detects that the water level of the cultivation shelf 30 is above the full water level, the It is also possible to control to stop the water supply to the cultivation shelf (30).

The base passage 317 may further include a drain guide 317e. The drain guide 317e is formed on one side of the shelf base 31 and is configured to prevent the water level of the shelf base 31 from being higher than the threshold water level H2.

As shown in the drawing, the base passage 317 may include the drain guide 317e. The drain guide part 317e may connect the branch part 317b and the drain part 318 .

The height of the drain guide 317e may be the same as the threshold water level H2. The threshold water level H2 may be higher than the abnormal water level detected by the water level detecting member 34 and lower than the base upper surface 311 of the shelf base 31 . For example, the threshold water level H2 may be set to 38 mm.

The drain guide 317e may be positioned upward from the bottom of the branch 317b by the limit water level H2. Also, the drain guide 317e may extend rearward, and the drain 318 may be formed at a rear end of the drain guide 317e.

The drain part 318 may extend downwardly from the rear end of the drain guide part 317e, and may be formed in a tubular shape with upper and lower surfaces open. The drain part 318 may extend downward and may extend toward the drain tray 85 . At this time, the lower end of the drain unit 318 is formed higher than the lower surface of the shelf base 31 so that the lower end of the drain unit 318 interferes with the drain tray 85 when the cultivation shelf 30 is pulled out and inserted. it can be prevented

Therefore, even if the water level detection device 48 fails to detect the abnormal water level H3 due to a failure, the pump 83 operates abnormally, or the drainage inside the cultivation shelf 30 is not smooth. When the water level inside the shelf base 31 reaches the limit water level H2, water is naturally discharged through the drain unit 318.

The water level of the cultivation shelf 30 does not rise above the limit water level H2 in any case, and the water supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 overflows and flows down or contaminates the cultivation space 100. can be prevented.

As described above, even if a water supply situation occurs unless the normal water supply condition to the cultivation shelf 30 occurs, an overflow situation in the cultivation shelf 30 can be prevented by the water level sensing device and the drain unit 318. can

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 24 , in a normal water supply situation, when the pump 83 is driven for a set time or longer, the water supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 is the shutter receiving part having the set height H1 ( 315) is completely filled, and water can be supplied until it reaches the full water level (H2). At this time, the water supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 may be approximately 1L.

When water is supplied to the full water level (H2), the water level is higher than the bottom surface 322 of the seating part, and when the seed package 90 is mounted in this state, the shutter of the seating part 320 ( 33) is opened so that water can be supplied into the seed package 90 . In addition, among the plurality of seating parts 320 , the seating part 320 on which the seed package 90 is not mounted is blocked by the shutter 33 , so that water is not supplied to the seating part 320 .

In addition, even if an excessive water supply situation occurs due to an abnormal operation of the pump 83 or an erroneous detection of the water level detection device 48 during the water supply process, the cultivation shelf 30 is forced to drain through the drain unit 318. The water level does not exceed the threshold water level H2.

In addition, the water forcibly drained through the drain part 318 falls into the drain tray 85 . In addition, water drained through the drain port 319a by opening the opening/closing member 36 may also fall into the same drain tray 85 .

The opening and closing member 36 is located at the rear end of the cultivation shelf 30 , and may be located above the drain tray 85 . The drain port 319a may be opened by opening and closing the opening/closing member 36 . Accordingly, the opening and closing member 36 may be opened and closed at the rear end of the shelf base 31 on which the drain hole 319a is formed. The detailed structures of the opening and closing member 36, which have not been described, will be described below.

Hereinafter, the opening and closing member 36 will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

25 is an exploded perspective view showing the coupling structure of the opening and closing member according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, Figure 26 is a view of the shelf drain of the shelf base viewed from the rear. 27 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the opening and closing member separated from the shelf base;

As shown, a shelf drain 319 having a rear edge and a downwardly protruding shape may be formed at the rear end of the shelf base 31 . The shelf drain 319 may form at least a portion of the recessed drain guide 317d.

The shelf drain 319 may protrude toward the drain tray 85 , and at least a lower rear end of the shelf drain 319 in which the drain 319a is formed is located above the drain tray 85 . make it possible Accordingly, the opening and closing member 36 does not interfere with the drain tray 85 even when the cultivation shelf 30 is pulled out and inserted, and at the same time, when the opening and closing member 36 is opened, water from the cultivation shelf 30 is discharged. It may be drained while falling to the drain tray 85 .

The shelf drain part 319 may protrude in a shape that becomes narrower as it goes down as a whole, and the rear surface is formed in a rounded shape so that the inner surface of the opening and closing member 36 is the rear surface of the shelf drain part 319 . It may be formed so as to be in close contact with the surrounding.

In addition, the drain hole 319a may be formed at the lower end of the rear surface of the shelf drain part 319 . The drain port 319a may be formed in the center of the sealing part 319e protruding from the lower rear surface of the shelf drain part 319 . The sealing part 319e may be formed in a planar shape, and may slightly protrude from the outer surface of the shelf drain part 319 having a curved shape. Accordingly, when the opening and closing member 36 is closed, the entire sealing part 319e including the drain port 319a is in close contact with the inner surface of the opening and closing member 36 so that the drain port 319a can be closed.

The opening/closing member rotation shaft 319b protruding outwardly may be formed on both left and right side surfaces of the shelf drain 319 . It may be coupled to the shaft coupling portion 366 of the opening and closing member 36 to the opening and closing member rotation shaft 319b, and the opening and closing member 36 is rotated based on the opening and closing member rotation shaft 319b to rotate the drain hole 319a ) can be opened and closed. The position of the opening and closing member rotation shaft 319b may be located in front of the drain hole 319a, and may be disposed on the same extension line as the drain hole 319a. The drain port 319a can be effectively sealed.

In addition, the opening and closing member rotating shaft 319b may further protrude through the shaft coupling portion 366 , and may extend so that an elastic member 364 providing elastic force to the opening and closing member 36 is mounted. In addition, a first fixing part 319c on which one end of the elastic member 364 is supported may be formed on both side surfaces of the shelf drain part 319 .

In addition, a drain rim 319d may be formed along the upper end of the rear surface of the shelf drain 319 . The drain rim 319d may be seated on a step 367 formed in the opening and closing member 36, and the drain rim 319d and the stepped part 367 in the closed state of the opening and closing member 36 ) may be coupled to each other so that the opening/closing member 36 is engaged with the shelf drain 319 to maintain a closed state.

The opening/closing member 36 may be provided on a rear surface of the shelf drain part 319 . The opening and closing member 36 may be formed to surround the shelf drain part 319 from the rear, and may be formed to open and close the drain hole 319a by rotation.

In detail, the opening/closing member 36 may include an opening/closing body 361 surrounding the shelf drain unit 319 from the rear, and a rotation manipulation unit 362 pressed by the driving device 86 .

The opening and closing body 361 may be formed to correspond to the shape of the rear surface of the shelf drain 319 . The opening/closing body 361 may extend from a lower end to an upper end of the shelf drain unit 319 . The opening/closing body 361 may form a recessed space 360 to accommodate a portion of the rear and both sides of the shelf drain 319, and adjacent to the drain 319a including the drain 319a. It may be formed to surround the area.

In addition, the front side of the opening and closing body 361 may be opened to form a recessed space to the rear, and the shelf drain 319 may be inserted through the opened front surface of the opening and closing body 361 . . Meanwhile, a sealing member 363 may be provided on the inner surface of the opening/closing body 361 .

The sealing member 363 may be provided on an inner surface of the opening and closing body 361 facing the drain port 319a. In addition, the sealing member 363 may be formed to be larger than the size of the drain hole 319a, and the opening and closing member 36 is in close contact with the shelf drain part 319, the opening of the drain hole 319a. The drain hole 319a may be shielded by being in close contact with the periphery of the drain hole 319a including the rear surface of the drain hole 319a.

The sealing member 363 may be formed of a material having elasticity, such as rubber or urethane, and may completely airtight between the opening and closing member 36 and the shelf drain 319, and the opening and closing member 36 ) may prevent water from being drained through the drain port 319a in the closed state.

On the other hand, the sealing member 363 may include a sealing portion 319e for shielding the drain port 319a, and a fixing portion 363a extending from the sealing portion 319e and fixed to the opening/closing body 361. can The sealing part 319e may be formed in a plate shape, and is formed to shield the drain hole 319a and the sealing part 319e. The sealing part 319e may be formed of a material having elasticity, and may be effectively attached to the circumference of the shelf drain part 319 having a curved shape, and a gap may not be generated between the sealing part 319a and the drain hole 319a. have.

The fixing part 363a may protrude rearward from the rear surface of the sealing member 363 and may be formed to pass through the fixing member 361a formed in the opening/closing body 361 . In addition, the fixing part 363a may be press-fitted into the fixing part 361a, and at least a portion of the fixing part 363a may be formed to be larger than the diameter of the fixing part 363a so that the sealing member 363 can be fixedly mounted. . In addition, the fixing part 363a may have a portion protruding to the outside after the sealing member 363 is mounted on the opening/closing body 361 may be removed. Of course, the sealing member 363 may be fixed by omitting the fixing part 363a and being attached to or inserted into the inner surface of the opening/closing body 361 .

In addition, shaft coupling portions 366 to which the opening and closing member rotation shaft 319b is coupled may be formed on both sides of the opening and closing body 361 . The shaft coupling part 366 may be recessed at the opened front end of the opening/closing body 361 , and may be formed such that the opening/closing member rotation shaft 319b is press-fitted. In this case, the position of the shaft coupling part 366 may be formed at the same height as the height of the sealing member 363 and the drain hole 319a.

The opening and closing member 36 may be rotatably mounted to the shelf base 31 by inserting the opening and closing member rotating shaft 319b into the shaft coupling part 366 . In addition, the opening/closing member rotating shaft 319b may pass through the shaft coupling portion 366 and further protrude. The elastic member 364 may be mounted on the opening/closing member rotating shaft 319b protruding to the outside of the shaft coupling portion 366 . For example, the elastic member 364 may be formed in the same structure as a torsion spring. In addition, the elastic member 364 may be provided on each of the pair of rotation shafts 319b of the opening and closing member disposed on both sides of the opening and closing member 36 .

The elastic member 364 includes a winding portion 364a through which the opening and closing member rotation shaft 319b passes, and a first extension portion 364b and a second extension portion 364c extending from both ends of the winding portion 364a. may include In this case, the first extension part 364b may be latched and fixed to the first fixing parts 319c provided on both sides of the shelf drain part 319 .

In addition, the second extension portion 364c may be fixed to the second fixing portion 365 formed on both sides of the opening and closing body 361 . The second fixing part 365 may be formed at the front end of both sides of the opening and closing body 361 , and may be formed above the shaft coupling part 366 .

Therefore, the elastic member 364 can be elastically deformed when the opening and closing member 36 is rotated, and the elastic member 364 provides an elastic force for restoring to the original state that shields the drain hole 319a. can And, the elastic member 364 presses the opening and closing member 36 in the closing direction so that the opening and closing member 36 shields the drain port 319a in a state where no external force is applied. can be adhered to.

Meanwhile, the rotation manipulation unit 362 may extend rearwardly on the upper end of the opening/closing body 361 . The rotation manipulation unit 362 forms an upper surface of the opening and closing member 36 , and may be formed in a plate shape extending rearward from the upper end of the opening and closing body 361 . The rotation manipulation unit 362 may have a larger area on the side where the driving device 86 is disposed based on the center of the opening/closing body 361 , and a more effective connection when the driving device 86 is operated action can be made.

The rotation manipulation unit 362 may extend rearward so that the rod 862 of the driving device 86 may come into contact. The rotation manipulation unit 362 is positioned upwardly and backwardly away from the opening/closing member rotation shaft 319b, and may be formed at the uppermost side and the rear side of the opening/closing member 36 . Accordingly, even when the driving device 86 is pressed with a small force during operation, the opening/closing member 36 is rotatable about the opening/closing member rotation shaft 319b. In addition, the rotation manipulation unit 362 may be formed to have a sufficiently large area to ensure contact with the rod 862 .

In addition, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 362a connecting the rear surface of the opening and closing body 361 and the lower surface of the rotation operation unit 362 may be formed on a lower surface of the rotation manipulation unit 362 . Accordingly, even if the driving device 86 repeatedly presses the rotation operation unit 362 downward, it is possible to prevent the rotation operation unit 362 from being damaged or deformed.

A front end of the rotation manipulation unit 362 may be connected to an upper end of the opening/closing body 361 , and a stepped portion 367 recessed along the upper end of the opening/closing body 361 may be formed. In a state in which the driving device 86 is not operated, the opening/closing member 36 shields the drain port 319a, and the drain part edge 319d of the shelf drain part 319 is attached to the step part 367. can be seated

Meanwhile, a driving device 86 for selectively rotating the opening/closing member 36 may be provided inside the cultivation space 100 .

Hereinafter, the structure of the driving device 86 will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

28 is a cutaway perspective view showing the arrangement of the driving device, the opening and closing member, and the cultivation shelf according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, Figure 29 is an exploded perspective view of the driving device.

As shown in the drawing, the driving device 86 is for determining the number of drainage of the cultivation shelf 30 and may be configured to rotate the opening/closing member 36 . The driving device 86 may be disposed at the corners of the side and rear surfaces of the cultivation space 100 , and may be covered so as not to be exposed to the front of the cultivation space 100 when the blower 50 is mounted. .

The driving device 86 may be positioned above each of the upper and lower cultivation shelves 30 , and may be positioned vertically above the opening/closing member 36 . In addition, the driving device 86 may be configured to rotate the opening/closing member 36 by pressing the rotation manipulation unit 362 of the opening/closing member 36 .

The driving device 86 is equipped with a driving device case 861 forming an external appearance, a driving motor 863 provided inside the driving device case 861 , and a rotating shaft 863b of the driving motor 863 . It may include a pinion 864 that is used, and a rod 862 that is vertically moved inside the driving device case 861 to selectively press the rotation manipulation unit 362 .

In detail, the driving device case 861 may be formed in a box shape with an open rear surface, and an accommodating space 861b in which the driving motor 863 , the pinion 864 , and the rod 862 can be accommodated. ) can be formed. In addition, at least a part of the driving device case 861 may have an opening on a side surface on which the driving motor 863 is mounted and a lower surface on which the rod 862 enters and exits.

The driving motor 863 may be disposed inside the driving device case 861 , and a part of the driving motor 863 may be configured to be exposed through an open surface of the driving device case 861 . . In addition, a motor coupling part 863a for fixing the driving motor 863 to the inside of the driving device case 861 may be formed in the driving motor 863 . Accordingly, the driving motor 863 may be fixedly mounted inside the driving device case 861 by fastening a screw passing through the motor coupling part 863a.

The driving motor 863 is disposed such that a rotation shaft 363b faces inward, and the pinion 864 may be coupled to the rotation shaft 863b. A pinion gear 864a coupled to the rack gear 862b of the rod 862 may be formed at an end of the pinion 864 .

In addition, the driving device case 861 may be provided with a pinion supporter 865 for supporting the pinion 864 . One surface of the pinion supporter 865 is coupled to the driving device case 861, and a through groove 865b through which the pinion 864 is disposed is recessed in one surface to which the driving device case 861 is coupled. can Accordingly, the pinion 864 passes through the pinion supporter 865 to pass through the through groove 865b, and the pinion supporter 865 guides the pinion 864 to maintain an accurate mounting position.

The rod 862 may be mounted to be movable up and down inside the driving device case 861 . In addition, an opening 861c corresponding to the upper surface of the rod 862 may be formed on the upper surface of the driving device case 861 . In addition, an opening corresponding to the lower surface of the rod 862 may be further formed on a lower surface of the driving device case 861 . In addition, a guide groove 861c is formed inside the driving device case 861, and one surface of the rod 862 is formed in a shape corresponding to be inserted into the guide groove 861c, so that Up and down movement can be guided.

The rod 862 may extend long in the vertical direction, and extend downward from the lower end of the rod upper portion 865a disposed inside the driving device case 861 and the rod upper portion 865a, and the opening and closing of the rod 865a. It may include a rod lower portion 865c in contact with the member 36 .

The rod upper portion 865a may be formed to have a cross-sectional area corresponding to the opening 861c of the upper surface of the driving device case 861 , and guided by the guide groove 861c of the driving device case 861 . It can be moved up and down from the inside.

In addition, a rack gear 862b may be formed on one surface of the rod upper portion 865a. The rack gear 862b may be formed along one side of the rod upper portion 865a facing the pinion gear 864a, and in a state in which the rod 862 is mounted to the driving device case 861 It may be formed to mesh with the pinion gear 864a. Accordingly, the rod 862 may be moved in the vertical direction by the pinion 864 rotated when the driving motor 863 is driven.

Further, the lower rod 865c may protrude downward, and may be formed to have a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the upper rod 865a. The lower portion of the rod 865c may be formed to press the rotation manipulation unit 362 of the opening/closing member 36 from above when the rod 862 moves downward. The length of the rod lower portion 865c and the downward movement stroke of the rod 862 may be set to such an extent that the opening/closing member 36 is rotated to sufficiently open the drain port 319a.

For example, the rod 862 may be moved downward by a set distance when the driving device 86 is operated for drainage of the cultivation shelf 30, and the opening/closing member ( 36) can be rotated. Then, the drain port 319a is opened by the rotation of the opening/closing member 36 to drain the water from the cultivation shelf 30 .

And, when the drainage of the cultivation shelf 30 is not performed, the driving device 86 is not operated, and in this case, the rod 862 is located inside the driving device case 861 or the lower rod The lower end of the 862 may be positioned at the lower end of the driving device case 861 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the rod 862 from being exposed to the outside and to prevent interference with components inside the cultivation space 100 .

Hereinafter, the operating state of the driving device 86 and the opening and closing member 36 will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

30 is a view showing a state in which the opening and closing member is closed before the operation of the driving device.

As shown in the drawing, in the cultivation shelf 30 for plant cultivation, the water in the water tank 70 is driven through the water supply pipe 84 by the pump 83 to the cultivation shelf 30. It can be supplied in a set amount. In addition, the cultivation shelf 30 may be filled with water at a set water level.

While water is supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 and after water supply is completed, the driving device 86 is not operated until the water is started to be drained, and the opening/closing member 36 also blocks the drain port 319a. will keep Accordingly, the cultivation shelf 30 can be kept filled with water, and a necessary amount of water can be absorbed by the seed package 90 . In this case, the water of the cultivation shelf 30 is supplied from the water tank 70 , and may be a culture solution containing nutrients necessary for plant growth. Of course, when nutrients are included in the seed package 90 itself, only pure water may be supplied from the water tank 70 .

In an initial state in which the driving device 86 is not operated, most of the rod 862 may be located inside the driving device case 861 . Accordingly, when viewed from the front, the driving device 86 and the rod 862 may be configured not to be substantially exposed because they are covered by the blower 50 . In addition, the lower end of the rod 862 may protrude downward from the lower surface of the driving device case 861 , but may be kept away from the opening and closing member 36 and covered by the blower 50 . It would be desirable to protrude only as much as there is.

In a state in which an external force is not applied to the opening and closing member 36 by the driving device 86 , the opening and closing member 36 may maintain a closed state. In a state in which the opening and closing member 36 is closed, the inner surface of the opening and closing member 36 may be in a state to surround and accommodate the shelf drain part 319 .

At this time, the sealing member 363 may be in a state of being in close contact to shield the shelf draining part 319 . In addition, the opening and closing member 36 can be pressed by the elastic force provided by the elastic member 364 to maintain a closed state, and the sealing member 363 is the shelf draining part ( 319) may be pressed into contact with the outer surface.

Accordingly, the water supplied to the inside of the cultivation shelf 30 is not drained to the drain tray 85 under a normal water supply situation, but maintains a set water level or a state in which water can be supplied to the seed package 90 . . Also, the drain tray 85 may remain empty.

31 is a view illustrating a state in which the opening/closing member is opened by the operation of the driving device.

As shown, when water is supplied to the seed package 90 after a set time elapses in a state in which water is supplied to the cultivation shelf 30 , the water inside the cultivation shelf 30 may be drained.

In order to drain the water of the cultivation shelf 30, the driving device 86 is first operated. In detail, the pinion 864 may be rotated by the forward rotation of the driving motor 863 , and the rod 862 coupled to the pinion 864 may be rotated downward.

At this time, the rod 862 is positioned vertically above the rotation operation part 362 of the opening and closing member 36, and when the rod 862 is continuously moved downward, the rotation operation part 362 is pressed to press the opening and closing member 36 will rotate The rod 862 is moved to at least a height lower than the initial height of the rotation manipulation unit 362, and the opening/closing member 36 is rotated and lowered to a height at which the drain port 319a can be sufficiently opened. . When the rod 862 descends to a set height, the driving motor 863 stops rotating.

When the rotation manipulation unit 362 is pressed due to the lowering of the rod 862 , the opening/closing member 36 rotates based on the opening/closing member rotating shaft 319b. The opening/closing member 36 is rotated counterclockwise (as seen in FIG. 31), and when the opening/closing member 36 is rotated more than a set angle, the sealing member 363 opens the drain port 319a.

And, while the opening and closing member 36 rotates counterclockwise to open, the elastic member 364 may be elastically deformed, and the opening and closing member 36 returns to the initial position as in the state of FIG. It can be in a state with elastic force for

When the drain port 319a is opened by the rotation of the opening/closing member 36 , the water inside the cultivation shelf 30 may be drained through the drain hole 319a and into the drain tray 85 . fall down

In addition, the water that has fallen into the drain tray 85 may flow along the bottom surface 851 of the tray toward the tray drain 856 , and may flow into the drain pipe 89 . The water introduced into the drain pipe 89 may be recovered to the water tank 70 , and may be stored to be re-watered to the cultivation shelf 30 .

On the other hand, when all the water contained in the cultivation shelf 30 is discharged, the driving motor 863 may rotate in reverse, and the rod 862 moves upward to return to its initial state.

At the same time, the opening and closing member 36 is rotated clockwise by the elastic force provided by the elastic member 364, and the opening and closing member 36 can be closed again. When the opening and closing member 36 is closed, the sealing member 363 may be in the state of FIG. 30 that shields the drain port 319a again, and maintains a state in which water can be supplied to the cultivation shelf 30. .

This process of watering and draining may be repeated at set time intervals, and an appropriate amount of water may be supplied to the plants grown on the cultivation shelf 30 in a timely manner. And, although not described in detail, light is supplied by the lighting device 40 during the process of repeating water supply and drainage, and the temperature control device and the blower 50 control the temperature of the cultivation space and form an airflow. This can be done.

Claims (20)

cabinets forming a growing space;
a temperature control device provided in the cabinet and configured to control the temperature of the cultivation space;
a door for opening and closing the cultivation space;
a cultivation shelf provided in the cabinet so as to be withdrawable and on which a seed package containing plants for cultivation is seated;
a lighting device provided in the cabinet and irradiating light to the cultivation shelf;
a water supply pipe for supplying water from above the cultivation shelf to the cultivation shelf;
an opening/closing member for opening and closing the drain hole opened in the cultivation shelf; and
and a drain pipe provided under the cultivation shelf and guiding water drained by opening of the opening and closing member.
The method of claim 1,
A plant cultivation apparatus having shelf rails on both sides of the cultivation space to support the cultivation shelf to be withdrawn and inserted.
The method of claim 1,
A water supply pipe guide recessed to accommodate the water supply pipe is formed on one side of the cultivation space,
On the other side of the cultivation space, a drain pipe guide part recessed to accommodate the drain pipe is formed,
The water supply pipe and the drain pipe are disposed at positions facing each other with the cultivation shelf interposed therebetween.
The method of claim 1,
The cultivation shelf,
a shelf tray on which a plurality of seating portions on which the seed packages are mounted are formed;
and a shelf base provided below the shelf tray and accommodating water supplied from the water supply pipe;
The shelf base is provided with a water supply unit to which water is supplied from the water supply pipe and a drainage unit having the drain port formed therein.
5. The method of claim 4,
The water supply part and the drainage part are formed to protrude rearward from the rear end of the shelf base, and are disposed to be spaced apart from each other on both left and right sides of the shelf base.
5. The method of claim 4,
On the cultivation shelf,
A plurality of base seating parts partitioned to supply water to each of the plurality of seed packages,
A plant cultivation apparatus in which a base flow path is formed by connecting the seating part and the water supply part and the drainage part to form a passage through which water flows.
The method of claim 1,
and a driving device provided on one side inside the cultivation space away from the cultivation shelf and selectively contacting the opening and closing member to operate the opening and closing member.
8. The method of claim 7,
The driving device maintains the closed state of the opening and closing member for a set time after water is supplied to the inside of the cultivation shelf,
A plant cultivation device that operates when the set time elapses to open the opening and closing member.
8. The method of claim 7,
The opening and closing member,
an opening/closing body mounted at a position corresponding to the drain hole and configured to open and close the drain hole;
Shaft coupling parts formed on both sides of the opening and closing body and axially coupled to the cultivation shelf;
and a rotation operation unit extending from one side away from the shaft coupling unit toward the driving device and rotating the opening and closing member according to the operation of the driving device,
The opening and closing member is a plant cultivation device for opening and closing the drain port by rotation.
10. The method of claim 9,
The opening and closing body is provided with a sealing member formed of an elastic material to be in close contact with the drain port according to the rotation of the opening and closing member.
11. The method of claim 10,
The opening and closing member,
Plant cultivation apparatus provided with an elastic member provided on one side of the shaft coupling part to provide an elastic force so that the opening and closing member is pressed in a closing direction.
10. The method of claim 9,
The driving device is
a drive motor;
a pinion rotated by the drive motor, the pinion gear being formed;
A rack gear coupled to the pinion gear is formed in an up-down direction, and includes a rod that moves up and down by the pinion,
The rod is a plant cultivation device for selectively pressing the rotation operation unit by vertical movement.
13. The method of claim 12,
The driving device is disposed above the cultivation shelf,
A plant cultivation apparatus provided at a rear surface of the cultivation space to be covered by a blower for circulating air in the cultivation space.
The method of claim 1,
A drain tray that is fixedly mounted below the cultivation shelf and receives water drained through the drain hole is provided;
The drainage tray is in communication with the drainage pipe disposed on the side of the cultivation space to guide the water drained from the cultivation shelf.
15. The method of claim 14,
The cultivation shelf is located at a height lower than the top of the cultivation shelf,
A drain part is formed so as to penetrate the cultivation shelf in the vertical direction to drain water when the water supplied to the cultivation shelf is above a set water level,
The drain tray is a plant cultivation apparatus formed to a size to accommodate both the drain port and the drain part.
15. The method of claim 14,
A plurality of the cultivation shelves may be arranged in the vertical direction,
The drainage tray is a plant cultivation apparatus provided as many as the number corresponding to the bottom of each cultivation shelf.
17. The method of claim 16,
The drain pipe is disposed on the side of the plurality of cultivation shelves, and is connected to the plurality of drain trays.
18. The method of claim 17,
The drain pipe is
a drain guide pipe extending in the vertical direction and into which ends of the plurality of drain trays are inserted;
and a drain tube connected to an end of the drain guide pipe and having a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the drain guide pipe.
19. The method of claim 18,
A water tank is provided on the lower surface of the cultivation space,
The water tank is in communication with the drain pipe and the water supply pipe to circulate and supply water between the cultivation shelf and the water tank.
20. The method of claim 19,
The water tank is arranged to be withdrawable,
A plant cultivation apparatus having a drain valve at an end of the drain tube that is opened when the water tank is drawn in to supply water to the water tank.

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