KR20240053175A - Device For Plant Cultivation - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a nutrient solution tank that supports a nutrient solution, has an open upper surface and an empty space is formed inside, and includes a first cover that covers the upper surface and is openable and closed, and is installed inside the nutrient solution tank in the form of a plate to be placed in the nutrient solution tank. A hydroponic cultivator including a plant planting unit that is detachable or capable of opening and closing at least a portion of the nutrient solution tank in the form of a plate-shaped cover, and a filter installed in the space between the bottom of the nutrient solution tank and the plant planting unit to filter the nutrient solution. This is about a plant cultivator that can be used as an aquaponics system.

Description

{Device For Plant Cultivation}

The present invention is a plant cultivator for cultivating plants indoors with a nutrient solution without soil, and is characterized in that it can be used by selecting a general hydroponic grower or an aquaponics system depending on the indoor situation.

A device that grows plants with nutrient solution without soil is called a hydroponic grower. Additionally, aquaponics is a compound word of aquaculture and hydroponics, and refers to a method of raising fish in an aquarium and using the water to grow plants hydroponically.

The aquaponics system requires both a fish tank and a nutrient solution tank, making it difficult to install in a small space. On the other hand, hydroponic growers only need to hold the nutrient solution, so they do not take up much space, but there is the problem of having to replenish the nutrient solution regularly.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0145617 (published on December 2, 2021)

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems and provides a plant cultivator that can be used in both hydroponic cultivation and aquaponics systems as a single device.

The plant cultivation device of the present invention is a nutrient solution tank that supports the nutrient solution, has an open upper surface and an empty space is formed inside, and includes a first cover that covers the upper surface and is openable and closed, and is installed inside the nutrient solution tank in the form of a plate. It includes a plant planting unit that can be separated from the nutrient solution tank or open and close at least a part of the nutrient solution tank in the form of a plate-shaped cover, and a filtering unit installed in the space between the bottom of the nutrient solution tank and the plant planting unit to filter the nutrient solution. can do.

In addition, the filter includes a partition wall portion that divides the interior of the filter into a plurality of sectors, and the partition wall portion is formed to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from a first partition wall extending in a first length from the lower surface of the filter toward the upper surface of the filter. , It may include a second partition extending a second length from the upper surface of the filter to the lower surface of the filter.

The first length and the second length may be shorter than the distance between the upper surface of the filter and the lower surface of the filter.

In addition, the filter has a first side formed with a second inlet through which the nutrient solution flows into the filter, and a second outlet through which the nutrient solution, in which wastes are removed and inorganic nutrients supplemented, is discharged through the filter. It may include a second side including.

Additionally, the partition wall portion includes first to third partition walls, so that the inside of the filter can be divided into four sectors.

In addition, a first sector is formed between the first surface and the first partition wall, a second sector is formed between the first partition and the second partition, and the second partition and the third partition are formed. A third sector is formed between the partition walls, and a fourth sector is formed between the third sector and the second surface, and the first sector is filled with a filter material made of resin or sponge so that waste products of the nutrient solution precipitate. , the second sector is filled with fluid filter media and aerobic microorganisms, the third sector is filled with anaerobic microorganisms, red clay balls and phyllite, and the fourth sector can be filled with sericite and charcoal.

Additionally, the plant cultivator may be placed on top of the fish tank.

Additionally, the inside of the fish tank may contain water in which fish can grow and a nutrient solution containing excrement excreted from the fish.

A storage space may be formed in the lower part of the nutrient solution tank to accommodate an extension plate for adjusting the lower cross section of the nutrient solution tank.

In addition, a first inlet and a first outlet may be formed in the nutrient solution tank, a second inlet and a second outlet may be formed in the filter, and a third inlet and a third outlet may be formed in the fish culture tank.

In addition, the nutrient solution containing excrement from the fish is delivered from the fish tank to the nutrient solution tank through the third outlet, and the nutrient solution delivered from the fish tank through the first inlet flows into the nutrient solution tank. , the nutrient solution delivered into the nutrient solution tank through the first inlet through the second inlet is filtered through the filter, and the filtered nutrient solution flows into the nutrient solution tank through the second outlet, and into the nutrient solution tank. The introduced nutrient solution is delivered toward the third inlet through the first outlet, and when based on the bottom of the nutrient solution tank, the height of the first inlet is higher than the second outlet, and the height of the second outlet is higher than the first outlet. It may be higher than the height of the outlet.

The present invention has the advantage of providing a plant cultivator that can be used in both hydroponic cultivation and aquaponics systems as a single device by housing both a plant planting unit and a filter capable of filtering fish excrement inside the nutrient solution tank.

Additionally, the present invention has the advantage of providing a plant cultivation device that does not require water change or can reduce the number of water changes.

In addition, the present invention has the advantage of providing a nutrient solution tank that can be adjusted according to the cross section of the fish tank by installing an expansion plate in the nutrient solution tank.

Figure 1 shows a plant cultivator of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the plant planting section of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows the process of filtration by a filter inside the nutrient solution tank of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a filter fixing groove formed on the bottom of the inside of the nutrient solution tank of the present invention.
Figure 5 shows an extension plate installed in the nutrient solution tank of the present invention.
Figure 6 shows the flow of nutrient solution between the nutrient solution tank and the fish farming tank of the present invention.
Figure 7 shows a plant cultivator installed at the top of the fish tank of the present invention.

A plant cultivation system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plant cultivator and a fish tank 500.

The plant cultivation device may include a nutrient solution tank 100, a lighting unit 200, a plant planting unit 300, and a filter 400.

In the present invention, the dotted arrow indicates the flow of nutrient solution.

(One) Nutrient solution tank (100)

The nutrient solution tank 100 of the present invention has an open upper surface, and a first cover 130 covering the upper surface may be installed. The nutrient solution tank 100 can be opened and closed through the first cover 130.

In addition, the nutrient solution tank 100 has an empty space formed therein to accommodate the plant planting unit 300.

After opening the first cover 130 of the nutrient solution tank 100 to open the upper surface of the nutrient solution tank 100, the filter 400 can be stored inside the nutrient solution tank 100.

Conversely, after opening the first cover 130 on the upper surface of the nutrient solution tank 100, the filter 400 can be taken out of the nutrient solution tank 100.

Nutrient solution is supported in the nutrient solution tank 100. The nutrient solution contained in the nutrient solution tank 100 may be a pre-prepared nutrient solution containing nutrients necessary for hydroponic cultivation, or it may be a nutrient solution containing excrement from fish growing in the fish culture tank 500.

A first inlet 110 is formed in the nutrient solution tank 100, and the nutrient solution containing the excrement of the fish can be delivered from the fish culture tank 500 through the first inlet 110.

In addition, a first connection pipe 10 may be installed to connect the first inlet 110 of the nutrient solution tank 100 and the third outlet 520 of the fish tank 500, which will be described later. Referring to FIG. 6, the nutrient solution containing the fish excrement flows into the first inlet 110 through the third outlet 520 and the first connection pipe 10 in order, and enters the nutrient solution tank 100. It can be carried in .

Additionally, referring to FIG. 6 , a first outlet 120 may be formed in the nutrient solution tank 100 to discharge the nutrient solution filtered through the filter 400 to the fish culture tank 500. For this purpose, a second connection pipe 20 connecting the nutrient solution tank 100 and the fish farming tank 500 may be installed. The nutrient solution filtered through the filter 400 sequentially passes through the first outlet 120 and the second connection pipe 20 of the fish tank 500 and then passes through the third inlet 510 to the fish tank 500. ) can be passed internally.

The nutrient solution tank 100 can be placed on top of the fish tank 500 and used as an aquaponics system. Alternatively, the nutrient solution tank 100 can be used as a general plant cultivator including a general nutrient solution as described above. Therefore, the present invention can be used by selecting a general plant grower or an aquaponics system depending on plant cultivation conditions.

The lower cross section of the nutrient solution tank 100 is the same as or slightly wider than the upper surface of the fish culture tank 500, so that the nutrient solution tank 100 can be placed on top of the fish culture tank 500. To this end, a storage space 150 may be formed at the bottom of the nutrient solution tank 100 to accommodate an extension plate 160 that can expand the lower cross section of the nutrient solution tank 100. The expansion plate 160 can be installed at the top of the fish tank 500 without being restricted by the cross-section of the fish tank 500 by expanding or narrowing the lower cross-sectional area as it is blown into or taken out of the storage space 150. The storage space 150 may be formed on only one side of the nutrient solution tank 100 or on both sides.

In addition, the first water inlet 110 and the second water inlet 120 are equipped with stoppers (not shown) to prevent the nutrient solution from leaking out of the nutrient solution tank, so that they can be used as general hydroponic growers.

(2) lighting department (200)

A lighting unit 200 that supplies light to plants planted in the plant planting unit 300 may be installed on the cover.

The lighting unit 200 may be an LED dedicated to plant growth. A plurality of LEDs emitting different lights are installed in the lighting unit 200 to emit light in various wavelength ranges suitable for plants.

Additionally, the lighting unit 200 may control the on/off of the LED by a predetermined timer or automatically control the on/off of the LED by a light quantity detection sensor (not shown).

(3) Plantation Department (300)

Plants can be planted in the plant planting section 300.

The plant planting unit 300 is installed inside the nutrient solution tank 100 in a plate shape, and may be detachable from the nutrient solution tank 100.

Alternatively, the plant planting unit 300 may open and close at least a portion of the nutrient solution tank 100 in the form of a plate-shaped cover.

Additionally, the plant planting unit 300 may be made of synthetic resin material for easy cleaning.

When the plant planting unit 300 is installed in the nutrient solution tank 100, a portion of the nutrient solution tank 100 is closed to create an empty space between the inner bottom of the nutrient solution tank 100 and the plant planting unit 300. The nutrient solution can be stored in the . That is, the above-described general nutrient solution may be previously contained in the empty space between the inner bottom of the nutrient solution tank 100 and the plant planting unit 300. Alternatively, nutrient solution containing fish excrement supplied from the fish tank 500 may be supplied and stored in the empty space between the inner bottom of the nutrient solution tank 100 and the plant planting unit 300.

Additionally, a filter 400 that processes waste products contained in the nutrient solution may be accommodated in the empty space between the inner bottom of the nutrient solution tank 100 and the plant planting unit 300.

Additionally, a plurality of portholes 310 may be formed in the plant planting section 300. Plants can be planted in the pothole 310. In addition, the porthole 310 is formed to penetrate the plate-shaped plant planting portion 300, and supplies the nutrient solution stored inside the nutrient solution tank 100 to the plants through the porthole 310 so that the roots of the plants receive nutrients. It can be absorbed smoothly.

In addition, the nutrient solution supplied to the porthole 310 is delivered from the fish tank 500 and contains fish excrement. The nutrient solution flows into the filter 400 and passes through the filter 400. It may be a nutrient solution in which waste products have been filtered and inorganic nutrients have been supplemented.

Alternatively, as described above, the solution supplied to the porthole 310 may be a pre-prepared nutrient solution containing nutrients to enable plants to grow.

Additionally, the plant planting unit 300 may be a second cover that can open and close at least a portion of the upper surface of the nutrient solution tank 100. After opening the plant planting unit 300 to insert the filter 400, the plant planting unit 300 can be closed to store the filter 400 inside the nutrient solution tank 100.

(4) Filter (400)

The filter 400 may be placed inside the nutrient solution tank 100. As described above, the filter 400 may be installed in the empty space between the nutrient solution tank 100 and the plant planting unit 300.

Preferably, the filter 400 is placed at the bottom of the nutrient solution tank 100. As described above, the filter 400 may be inserted into the filter 400 fixing groove 140 formed on the bottom of the nutrient solution tank 100 and fixed to the inner bottom of the plant planting section 300.

Preferably, a filter 400 fixing groove 140 for fixing the filter 400 may be formed on the bottom of the nutrient solution tank 100. The filter 400 fixing groove 140 may be formed in a 'ㄷ' shape with a depth of 10 mm to 20 mm to fix the filter 400.

Additionally, a second inlet 410 may be formed on the first surface of the filter 400, which communicates with the first inlet 110 and delivers the nutrient solution into the filter 400.

Additionally, a second outlet 420 may be formed on the second surface of the filter 400 to discharge the nutrient solution from which waste products have been removed through the filter 400.

Additionally, the filter 400 may include a partition wall portion 430 that divides the interior of the filter 400 into a plurality of sectors.

The partition 430 is formed to face the first partition 430a and to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from the first partition 430a, which extends in a first length from the lower surface of the filter 400 toward the upper surface, and the filter ( It may include a second partition 430b extending a second length from the upper surface of the 400) toward the lower surface.

At this time, the first length and the second length are formed shorter than the distance between the upper surface of the filter 400 and the lower surface of the filter 400, so that the first length is an empty space between the first partition 430a and the upper surface of the filter 400. A space may be formed, and a second empty space may be formed between the second partition 430b and the bottom of the filter 400.

The nutrient solution flowing into the filter 400 may pass through the first partition 430a, through the first space, between the first partition 430a and the second partition 430b, and through the second space.

Through this process, the time for which the nutrient solution stays inside the filter 400 can be increased, thereby increasing the filtration efficiency of the filter 400.

Preferably, a plurality of partition walls 430 are formed so that the filtration efficiency of the filter 400 can be further increased.

Referring to FIG. 3, the partition wall part 430 includes a first partition wall part 431 to a third partition wall part 433, so that the filter 400 can be divided into a total of four sectors 441 to 444. there is.

The filter 400 may include a first surface on which a second inlet 410 through which the nutrient solution flows into the filter 400 is formed, and a second surface opposing the first surface. A second water outlet 420 may be formed on the second surface through which the nutrient solution filtered through the filter is discharged to the outside of the filter 400.

A first sector 441 is formed between the first surface and the first partition wall part 431, and a second sector 442 is formed between the first partition wall part 431 and the second partition wall part 432. A third sector 443 is formed between the second partition wall part 432 and the third partition wall part 433, and a fourth sector is formed between the third sector 443 and the second side of the filter 400. A sector 444 may be formed.

Like the first partition wall 431, the second to fourth partition walls 432 to 434 also include the above-described first partition wall 430a and second partition wall 430b.

The first sector 441 may be filled with a filter material made of resin or sponge so that waste products of the nutrient solution settle.

The second sector 442 may be filled with an even mixture of fluid filter media and aerobic microorganisms.

The third sector 443 may be filled with an even mixture of anaerobic microorganisms, red clay balls, and phyllite. The red clay balls and the phyllite can supplement the inorganic nutrients lacking in the nutrient solution and deliver them to the plants by supplying the minerals necessary for plants to grow.

The fourth sector 444 may be filled with an even mixture of sericite and charcoal. The sericite can also supplement the inorganic nutrients lacking in the nutrient solution by supplying minerals necessary for plants to grow and deliver them to the plants.

Based on the inner bottom surface of the nutrient solution tank 100, the height of the first water inlet 110 is the highest, the height of the first water outlet 120 is the lowest, and the height of the second water outlet 420 is the highest. It is formed lower than the first water inlet 110 and higher than the first water outlet 120. Through this structure, even without using separate power, the nutrient solution containing fish excrement passes through the inside of the filter 400 and the nutrient solution tank 100 due to the height difference and is then delivered to the fish farming tank 500, There is an advantage that the fish in the fish tank 500 can survive even if the water in the fish tank 500 is not exchanged.

The nutrient solution containing fish excrement supplied from the fish farming tank 500 flows into the nutrient solution tank 100 through the first inlet 110 and into the filter 400 through the second inlet 410. flows into. The nutrient solution flowing into the filter 400 passes through the first to fourth partition walls 431 to 434, where waste products are removed and nutrients are replenished, and then again through the second outlet 420 to the nutrient solution tank ( 100) It flows inside. The nutrient solution that flows into the nutrient solution tank 100 through the filter 400 is discharged to the outside of the nutrient solution tank 100 through the first outlet. Preferably, the nutrient solution discharged through the first outlet flows into the third inlet port 510 of the fish tank 500 through the second outlet port 420 and is supported inside the fish tank 500.

In addition, when it is desired to replace or repair the filter 400, open both the second cover, which is the plant planting unit 300, and the first cover 130, which is the upper surface of the nutrient solution tank 100, to remove the filter 400. Can be taken out of the nutrient solution tank (100). Conversely, after installing the filter 400 inside the nutrient solution tank 100, both the first cover 130 and the second cover can be covered to store the filter 400 inside the nutrient solution tank 100. You can.

(5) fish tank (500)

The fish farming tank 500 is disposed below the nutrient solution tank 100.

The fish tank 500 contains water so that fish can grow. The water is supplied with nutrients necessary for the growth of fish. Additionally, the water also includes excrement from fish. In this way, the fish tank may contain a nutrient solution containing water and fish excrement.

The fish tank 500 has a third outlet port 520 that supplies the nutrient solution containing the fish excrement to the nutrient solution tank 100 and a third inlet port 510 that receives the nutrient solution filtered from the nutrient solution tank 100. ) includes.

The third outlet 520 and the third inlet port 510 may be formed on the upper surface of the fish tank 500.

The nutrient solution discharged through the third outlet 520 flows into the nutrient solution tank 100 through the first connection pipe 10 and the first inlet 110.

The nutrient solution discharged through the first outlet 120 flows into the fish farming tank 500 through the third inlet 510 through the second connection pipe 20.

In this way, waste materials are removed from water contaminated with feces, etc. through the filter 400 in the fish tank 500 and returned to the fish tank 500, so there is an advantage that a water exchange process is unnecessary or the number of water changes is reduced compared to the existing water exchange process.

Claims (4)

A nutrient solution tank containing a nutrient solution, having an open upper surface and an empty space formed therein, and a first cover that covers the upper surface and is openable and closed;
A plant planting unit installed inside the nutrient solution tank in the form of a plate and detachable from the nutrient solution tank, or capable of opening and closing at least a portion of the nutrient solution tank in the form of a plate-shaped cover; and
It includes a filtering unit installed in the space between the bottom of the nutrient solution tank and the plant planting unit to filter the nutrient solution,
The filter includes a partition wall portion that divides the interior of the filter into a plurality of sectors, and the partition wall portion is formed to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from a first partition wall extending in a first length from the lower surface of the filter toward the upper surface of the filter. It includes a second partition extending a second length from the upper surface of the filter toward the lower surface of the filter,
The first length and the second length are formed shorter than the distance between the upper surface of the filter and the lower surface of the filter. According to paragraph 1,
The filter has a first side formed with a second inlet through which the nutrient solution flows into the filter, and a second outlet through which waste products are removed and the nutrient solution supplemented with inorganic nutrients is discharged. Includes page 2
The partition wall portion includes first to third partition walls and divides the interior of the filter into four sectors,
A first sector is formed between the first surface and the first partition wall,
A second sector is formed between the first partition wall portion and the second partition wall portion,
A third sector is formed between the second partition wall portion and the third partition wall portion,
A fourth sector is formed between the third sector and the second surface,
The first sector is filled with a filter material made of resin or sponge so that waste products of the nutrient solution settle,
The second sector is filled with fluid filter media and aerobic microorganisms,
The third sector is filled with anaerobic microorganisms, red clay balls, and phyllite,
A plant cultivator, characterized in that the fourth sector is filled with sericite and charcoal.
According to paragraph 1,
The plant cultivator is placed at the top of the fish tank,
The inside of the fish tank contains water in which fish can grow and a nutrient solution containing excrement excreted from the fish,
A plant cultivator characterized in that a storage space is formed in the lower part of the nutrient solution tank to accommodate an extension plate for adjusting the lower cross section of the nutrient solution tank.
According to paragraph 3,
A first inlet and a first outlet are formed in the nutrient solution tank,
A second inlet port and a second outlet port are formed in the filter,
A third inlet and a third outlet are formed in the fish tank,
Nutrient solution containing excrement from the fish is delivered from the fish tank to the nutrient solution tank through the third outlet,
The nutrient solution delivered from the fish tank through the first inlet flows into the nutrient solution tank,
The nutrient solution delivered into the nutrient solution tank through the first inlet through the second inlet is filtered through the filter, and the filtered nutrient solution flows into the nutrient solution tank through the second outlet,
The nutrient solution flowing into the nutrient solution tank is delivered to the third inlet through the first outlet,
A plant cultivator, characterized in that, based on the bottom of the nutrient solution tank, the height of the first water inlet is higher than the second water outlet, and the height of the second water outlet is higher than the height of the first water outlet.