WO2007069797A2

WO2007069797A2 - A device for glass culture

Info

Publication number: WO2007069797A2
Application number: PCT/KR2005/004342
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gi Hwan Tae
Original assignee: Ecosprout Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2005-12-12
Filing date: 2005-12-16
Publication date: 2007-06-21
Also published as: KR100736272B1; WO2007069797A3; KR20070062038A

Abstract

The present invention provides a plant cultivation device which can achieve a maximum harvest with a minimum space requirement. In the plant cultivation device, a support shaft (110), in which a water supply pipe (160) and a power supply wire (180) are provided, is fastened to the support surface. A plurality of rows of rotary trays (150a), (150b) and (150c) is provided around the support shaft at predetermined intervals so as to be independently rotatable. Water and electricity are respectively supplied to the rotary trays through water distribution lines (164a), (164b) and (164c) branching from the water supply pipe and through the power distribution lines (184a), (184b) and (184c) branching from the power supply wire. Furthermore, each rotary tray includes a water distribution part (170) and a power distribution part (190), which have structures such that each water distribution line and each power distribution line are integrally rotatable along with the related rotary tray.

Description

A DEVICE FOR GLASS CULTURE Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to plant cultivation devices which are used to achieve a maximum harvest with a minimum space requirement when cultivating plants in closed places, such as a greenhouse, and, more particularly, to a plant cultivation device, in which a cylindrical support shaft, in which a water supply pipe and a power supply wire are provided, is fastened to a support surface, and a plurality of rows of rotary trays, each having a multi-tiered structure, is provided around the support shaft at predetermined intervals so as to be independently rotatable, and in which a water distribution line and a power distribution line are provided in each rotary tray to supply water and electricity to the rotary tray, and water distribution parts and power distribution parts are provided on the outer surface of the upper end of the support shaft such that the water distribution lines and the power distribution lines are integrally rotatable along with the rotary trays. Background Art

[2] Generally, the growth of plants is easily influenced by atmospheric conditions, such as temperature and humidity, and by other natural conditions. The above conditions must meet certain requirements in order to ensure the good growth of plants.

[3] In the natural environment of areas such as Korea, where there are four distinct seasons, there are various changes in the environment. Therefore, an environment inappropriate for the growth of plants exists. Particularly, in the winter, most plants cannot grow.

[4] Recently, greenhouses which are made of vinyl or glass and are isolated from the outside environment have been widely used to provide an environment in which plants can grow well even in poor natural conditions. Such a greenhouse makes it possible to cultivate a variety of plants regardless of the outside environment.

[5] Greenhouse cultivation has advantages in that it is possible to cultivate plants regardless of changes in temperature, so that a stable harvest is ensured over a long period, and the use of agricultural chemicals which prevent damage from disease and harmful insects can be minimized by controlling the environmental conditions.

[6] However, in greenhouse cultivation, the work of heating or cooling air in the greenhouse should be conducted depending on changes in the outside temperature. For this, a boiler and an air conditioner must be installed in the greenhouse, so that a separate installation space for the boiler and air conditioner is required. Furthermore, because a separate space to allow a worker or agricultural appliance to move for sowing or harvesting is required it is difficult to implement greenhouses in narrow areas such as suburban areas.

[7] Meanwhile, there is a cultivation method in which plants are set in cultivation containers. In this case, if the cultivation containers are disposed on the support surface in one plane, excessive space is required. Therefore, to increase space utilization, the cultivation containers are typically disposed using shelves in a multi-tiered or staircase arrangement.

[8] That is, the cultivation containers are placed on each tier of angle shelves, which are arranged in multiple tiers using frames. However, the cultivation containers placed on the shelves have neither water supply system, which supplies water to cultivated plants, nor a water drain system, which discharges water outside. Therefore, there is a disadvantage in that it is difficult to use the cultivation containers indoors. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in nind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation device which makes it possible to arrange plants in a three- dimensional arrangement, thus solving a problem of inefficient space utilization occurring when plants are arranged in one plane.

[10] Another object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation device which does not require a separate space for the installation of a boiler for heating air or an air conditioner for cooling air, and does not require a separate space to allow a worker or agricultural appliance to move for sowing or harvesting, thus being manageable in a ranirrum space.

[11] A further object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation device which includes a water supply system, which supplies water required for plant cultivation, and a water drain system, which discharges water, having been used for cultivation.

[12] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation device which makes it possible to conduct greenhouse cultivation even in narrow areas such as suburban area, thus quickly providing fresh vegetables and fruit to consumers. Technical Solution [13] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a plant cultivation device, comprising: a hollow support shaft vertically extending a predetermined length, with a water supply pipe and a power supply wire installed in the support shaft; and a plurality of rows of rotary trays, in which plants are set. The rotary trays are provided around the support shaft at predetermined intervals so as to be independently rotatable while maintaining intervals therebetween. Water and electricity are respectively supplied to the rotary trays through water distribution lines branching from the water supply pipe and through the power distribution lines branching from the power supply wire. Each of the rotary trays includes a water distribution part and a power distribution part, which have structures such that each of the water distribution lines and each of the power distribution lines are rotatable with respect to the support shaft.

[14] When viewing a plan sectional view, each of the rotary trays may have a ring shape, and openings, through which a user may gain access, may be formed in the respective rotary trays, other than the innermost rotary tray, in a radial direction of the support shaft.

[15] When viewing a side sectional view, each of the rotary trays may form a multi- tiered structure. A post may be coupled between adjacent tiers of each rotary tray, and a handle may be provided on each rotary tray.

[16] The plant cultivation device may further comprise a drain pipe vertically mounted at a predetermined position to each of the rotary trays.

[17] The support shaft may be fastened on a base plate. The plant cultivation device may further comprise: a roller provided under the lower end of each of the rotary trays so as to be rotatable on the base plate; and a guide rail provided on the base plate to guide the roller of each rotary tray.

[18] The plant cultivation device may further comprise a water collector provided on the base plate, to collect water from the drain pipes to the water collector. The water collector may be connected to a water discharge pipe provided under the base plate, to discharge the water collected in the water collector outside the device through the water discharge pipe.

[19] Each of the power distribution parts may include: a stationary member fastened to the outer surface of the support shaft and having an insulation ring, which is an insulator, and a slip ring which is an electric conductor; and a rotary member, which is rotatable around the stationary member, with a brash provided on an end of the rotary member and electrically contacting the slip ring. The slip ring has a ring shape, so that, even if the rotary member rotates 360°, the slip ring remains in contact with the brush. The insulation ring and the slip ring may respectively comprise a plurality of insulation rings and a plurality of slip rings, which alternate with each other, so that electricity can be independently supplied to the rotary trays without interference between the rotary trays.

[20] Each of the water distribution parts may include: a stationary branch perpendicularly branching from the water supply pipe and passing through a sidewall of the support shaft; and a rotary ring, having a ring shape, provided on an outer surface of the support shaft and rotating around the support shaft. The rotary ring is connected at a first side thereof to the end of the stationary branch and connected at a second side thereof to the related water distribution line, so that, even if the stationary branch is misaligned with the related water distribution line, water is continuously supplied from the water supply pipe to a drain line through the rotary ring.

[21] The plant cultivation device may further comprise a shaft cover provided outside the support shaft by a predetermined distance, with a plurality of air vents formed through a circumferential outer surface of the shaft cover, so that cold air is supplied through the air vent.

[22] In the plant cultivation device of the present invention having the above-mentioned construction, there are advantages in that the prime cost is reduced and productivity is enhanced. Brief Description of the Drawings

[23] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a plant cultivation device, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[24] Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the plant cultivation device according to the present invention;

[25] Fig. 3 is a side view showing the plant cultivation device according to the present invention;

[26] Fig.4 is a side sectional view showing the plant cultivation device according to the present invention;

[27] Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing an enlargement of part of the plant cultivation device according to the present invention;

[28] Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views taken along line A-A' of Fig. 5;

[29] Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional views taken along line B-B' of Fig. 5; and

[30] Figs. 10 and 11 are views showing usage of the plant cultivation device according to the present invention. [31] **Description of the elements in the drawings**

[32] 102: base plate 110: support shaft

[33] 112: roller 150a, 150b, 150c: rotary tray

[34] 150b', 150c' : opening 152: post

[35] 154: lamp 160: water supply pipe

[36] 162: water pump 164a, 164b, 164c: water distribution line

[37] 170: water distribution part 170a: stationary branch

[38] 170b: rotary ring 172: sealing member

[39] 180: power supply wire 184a, 184b, 184c: power distribution line

[40] 190: power distribution part 192: stationary member

[41] 192a: insulation ring 192b: slip ring

[42] 194: rotary member 196: brush

[43] 200: drain pipe 202: water collector

[44] 204: drain pump

Mode for the Invention

[45] Hereinafter, a plant cultivation device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[46] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the construction of the plant cultivation of the present invention. Figs. 2 and 3 respectively are a plan view and a side view showing the construction of the plant cultivation device. Fig. 4 is a side sectional view showing the construction of the plant cultivation device. Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a water distribution part and a power distribution part of the plant cultivation device. Figs. 6 through 9 are sectional views taken along lines A-A' and B- B' of Fig. 5. Figs. 10 and 11 are views showing usage of the plant cultivation device.

[47] As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the plant cultivation device of the present invention includes a cylindrical support shaft 110, which is fastened to a base plate 102 and vertically extends a predetermined length, and a rotary tray unit 150, which has a plurality of rollers 112 under a lower end thereof and is provided around the support shaft 110 so as to be rotatable on the base plate 102 around the support shaft 110.

[48] The base plate 102 may include thereon guide rails (not shown), which guide the rollers 112 of the rotary tray unit 150 such that the rollers 112 are movable in desired directions. Furthermore, drive motors (not shown) may be provided on the guide rails, to automatically rotate the rotary tray unit 150.

[49] As shown in Fig. 4, a water supply pipe 160 and a power supply wire 180, which respectively supply water and electricity to the rotary tray unit 150, are provided in the support shaft 110. The water supply pipe 160 is coupled at a first end thereof to a water pump 162 through a lower end of the base plate 102. Furthermore, water distribution lines 164a, 164b and 164c are coupled to a second end of the water supply pipe 160 in parallel through water distribution parts 170.

[50] The power supply wire 180 is connected at a lower end thereof to an outside transformer (not shown) through the lower end of the base plate 102 and connected at an upper end thereof to power distribution parts 190 in parallel, so as to supply elasticity to power distribution lines 184a, 184b and 184c of the rotary tray unit 150.

[51] The rotary tray unit 150 includes a first row, second row and third row of rotary trays 150a, 150b and 150c which are provided around the support shaft 110 and spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. The present invention is characterized in that the rotary trays 150a, 150b and 150c can independently rotate around the support shaft 110 without interfering with each other. As shown in FIG. 2, when viewing the plan view, the rotary tray unit 150 has a ring shape. The second row and third row of trays 150b and 150c respectively have openings 150b' and 150c' at predetermined positions to allow a user to gain access to the rotary tray unit therethrough.

[52] As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 4, the rotary tray unit 150 has a multi-tiered structure. The tiers are connected to each other using a plurality of posts 152. A plurality of lamps 154, which irradiate plants, is provided on each tier of the rotary tray unit 150, that is, under the bottom of each of the corresponding tiers. As described above, the lamps 154 are connected to the power distribution lines 184, so that electricity is supplied to the lamps 154 through the power distribution lines 184. The user may hold the posts 152 to rotate the rotary tray unit 150. Furthermore, to enable the user to rotate the rotary tray unit 150 more easily, a separate handle (not shown) may be mounted to the rotary tray unit 150.

[53] Meanwhile, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a drain pipe 200 is vertically mounted at a predetermined position to the rotary tray unit 150. The drain pipe 200 is connected to a water collector 202, which is provided on the base plate 102, so that water may enter the water collector 202 through the drain pipe 200. The water collector 202 extends to a lower part of the base plate 102 to discharge water outside the device. To discharge water more smoothly, a drain pump 204 may be provided on an end of the drain pipe 200.

[54] As shown in Fig. 5, each water distribution part 170 includes a stationary branch

170a, which branches from the water supply pipe 160 in a perpendicular direction, and a rotary ring 170b, which is rotatably provided around the support shaft 110. A sealing member 172 is provided between the support shaft 110 and each rotary ring 170b to prevent water from leaking. The stationary branch 170a has a pipe shape with a predetermined diameter and extends at an end thereof to the outside through the sidewall of the support shaft 110. The rotary ring 170b is connected at a first side thereof to each stationary branch 170a and communicates at a second side thereof with each of the water distribution lines 164a, 164b and 164c.

[55] Therefore, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, water is supplied from the water supply pipe

160 to the water distribution lines 164a, 164b and 164c after passing both through the stationary branches 170a and through the rotary rings 170b of the water distribution part. Even if the stationary branches 170a are not aligned with the water distribution lines 164a, 164b and 164c by rotation of the rotary rings 170b, because the rotary rings 170b have ring shapes and surround the entire circumference of the support shaft including the stationary branches 170a, water can be supplied from the water supply pipe 160 to the water distribution lines 164a, 164b and 164c regardless of the rotational position of the rotary rings 170b.

[56] As shown in Fig. 5, each power distribution part 190 includes a stationary member

192, which is fastened to the outer surface of the support shaft 110, and a rotary member 194, which rotates around the stationary member 192. The stationary member 192 includes an insulation ring 192a, which is an insulator, and a slip ring 192b, which is an electric conductor. The rotary member 194 has at an end thereof a connection brush 196, which electrically contacts the slip ring 192b, which is an electric conductor. The brush 196 is made of copper or carbon such that electricity can be transmitted between the brush 196 and the slip ring 192b. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, because the connection brush 196 of each rotary member 194 electrically contacts the slip ring 192b of each stationary member 192, even if the rotary tray unit 150 rotates, electricity is reliably transmitted from the power supply wire 180 of the support shaft 110 to the power distribution lines 184a, 184b and 184c of the rotary tray unit.

[57] Meanwhile, not shown in the drawings, a cylindrical shaft cover may be provided outside the support shaft 110 at a position spaced apart from the support shaft 110 by a predetermined distance. A plurality of air vents (not shown) is formed in the circumferential outer surface of the shaft cover, so that cold or hot air is discharged through the air vents, thus controlling the temperature and humidity in a greenhouse. In the case that temperature and humidity in the greenhouse are controlled using an air conditioning system, discharged air may not reach the central portion of the greenhouse. In this case, differences in temperature and humidity between the central portion of the greenhouse and a portion adjacent to the air conditioning system result. However, in the present invention, because air is discharged from the central portion of the device, the above-mentioned problem is solved. Furthermore, a protective cover (not shown), which covers each set of water distribution parts and power distribution parts, may be provided.

[58] Hereinafter, the operation of the plant cultivation device of the present invention having the above-mentioned construction will be explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[59] Not shown in the drawings, the lamps 154 are manually controlled by an on/off switch or are automatically controlled by a controller. Furthermore, electricity and water are supplied to the rotary trays 150a, 150b and 150c by controlling switches of the power distribution lines 184a, 184b and 184c.

[60] The rotary trays 150a, 150b and 150c are independently rotated around the support shaft 110. When it is desired to take care of plants set in the first row rotary tray 150a, the user reaches into the opening 150b' of the second row rotary tray to gain access to the plants. Furthermore, as required, the user holds the posts 152 or the handle (not shown) of the first row rotary tray 150a and rotates the first row rotary tray 150a such that desired plants are located in front of him/her.

[61] When it is desired to take care of plants planted in the second row rotary tray 150b, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the user reaches into the opening 150c' of the third row rotary tray 150c to gain access to the plants set in the second row rotary tray 150b. As required, the user holds the posts 152 or the handle of the second row rotary tray 150b and rotates the second row rotary tray 150b. Then, the rollers 112 rotate and move along the rail (not shown), so that desired plants are located in front of the user.

[62] When it is desired to take care of plants planted in the third row rotary tray 150c, the user works outside the device without reaching into the opening 150b' or 150c' of the rotary tray unit. As required, the user holds the posts 152 or the handle of the third row rotary tray 150c and rotates the third row rotary tray 150c such that desired plants are located in front of him/her.

[63] As such, the user is able to move between the interior and exterior of the rotary tray unit 150 through the opening 150b' and 150c', thus conveniently cultivating plants set in the rotary tray unit 150.

[64] Meanwhile, when the user rotates the rotary tray unit 150, each rotary tray 150a,

150b, 150c is integrally rotated both with a corresponding water distribution line 164a, 164b, 164c and with a corresponding power distribution line 184a, 184b, 184c by rotation of the related water distribution part 170 and by rotation of the related power distribution part 190.

[65] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9, even if each rotary tray 150 is rotated, because the brush 196 of each power distribution part 190 maintains a state of contact with the circumferential outer surface of the associated slip ring 192b, electricity can be supplied from the power supply wire 180 to the power distribution lines 184a, 184b, 184c through the brushes 196 and the slip rings 192b.

[66] In the same manner, as shown in Fig. 6, when the rotary trays are rotated, the rotary rings 170b of the water distribution parts 170 are rotated around the stationary branches 170a, so that water can be continuously supplied from the water supply pipe 160 to the water distribution lines 164a, 164b and 164c through the stationary branches 170a after being temporarily stored in the rotary rings 170b. Industrial Applicability

[67] The plant cultivation device of the present invention having the above-mentioned construction has the following advantageous.

[68] First, trays, on which plants are cultivated, are vertically and horizontally arranged in a multi-tiered and multi-layered structure. Therefore, the present invention improves space utilization.

[69] Second, each tray has a circular or ring shape, and rollers are provided under the tray. Therefore, the user can rotate the trays while remaining in place, so that the user can conveniently take care of desired plants without moving to the plants.

[70] Third, cold or hot air for cooling air or for keeping warmth is discharged outside the device through air vents, which are formed in a support shaft disposed at the center of the device. Therefore, a separate cooling or heating duct is not required in a greenhouse. Furthermore, there is an advantage in that the difference in temperature between a central portion and an edge portion of the greenhouse is nininized.

[71] Fourth, water for cultivation is supplied to the plants through a water supply pipe, which is provided in the support shaft. Furthermore, water is discharged outside the device through a drain pipe and a water collector which are provided at predetermined positions in the rotary tray unit. As such, the present invention provides a plant cultivation device having both a water supply system and a water discharge system.

[72] Fifth, greenhouse cultivation using the present invention can be conducted even in suburban areas, so that fresh fruit or vegetables can be quickly supplied to city- dwellers.

Claims

[1] A plant cultivation device, comprising: a hollow support shaft vertically extending a predetermined length, with a water supply pipe and a power supply wire installed in the support shaft; and a plurality of rows of rotary trays, in which plants are set, the rotary trays being provided around the support shaft at predetermined intervals so as to be independently rotatable while maintaining the intervals therebetween, wherein water and electricity are respectively supplied to the rotary trays through water distribution lines branching from the water supply pipe and through the power distribution lines branching from the power supply wire, each of the rotary trays comprising: a water distribution part and a power distribution part, which have structures such that each of the water distribution lines and each of the power distribution lines are rotatable with respect to the support shaft.

[2] The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein each of the rotary trays has a ring shape in a plan sectional view, and openings, through which a user gains access, are formed in the respective rotary trays, other than an innermost rotary tray, in a radial direction of the support shaft.

[3] The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein, when viewing a side sectional view, each of the rotary trays forms a multi-tiered structure, and a post is coupled between adjacent tiers of each rotary tray, and a handle is provided on each rotary tray.

[4] The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a drain pipe vertically mounted at a predetermined position to each of the rotary trays.

[5] The plant cultivation device according to claim 4, wherein the support shaft is fastened on a base plate, the plant cultivation device further comprising: a roller provided under a lower end of each of the rotary trays so as to be rotatable on the base plate; and a guide rail provided on the base plate to guide the roller of each rotary tray.

[6] The plant cultivation device according to claim 5, further comprising: a water collector provided on the base plate, so that water is collected from the drain pipes into the water collector, wherein the water collector is connected to a water discharge pipe provided under the base plate, so that the water collected in the water collector is discharged outside the device through the water discharge pipe.

[7] The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein each of the power distribution parts comprises: a stationary member fastened to an outer surface of the support shaft and having an insulation ring which is an insulator, and a slip ring which is an electric conductor; and a rotary member being rotatable around the stationary member, with a brush provided on an end of the rotary member and electrically contacting the slip ring.

[8] The plant cultivation device according to claim 7, wherein the insulation ring and the slip ring respectively comprise a plurality of insulation rings and a plurality of slip rings, alternating with the insulation rings, a number of which corresponds to a number of rows.

[9] The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein each of the water distribution parts comprises: a stationary branch perpendicularly branching from the water supply pipe and passing through a sidewall of the support shaft; and a rotary ring provided on an outer surface of the support shaft and rotating around the support shaft.

[10] The plant cultivation device according to claim 9, wherein the stationary branch has a pipe shape with a predetermined diameter and extends outside at an end thereof through the sidewall of the support shaft, and the rotary ring has a ring shape and is connected at a first side thereof to the end of the stationary branch and connected at a second side thereof to a corresponding water distribution line, so that even when the stationary branch is misaligned with the related water distribution line, water is supplied from the water supply pipe to a drain line through the rotary ring.

[11] The plant cultivation device according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising: a sealing member provided between the support shaft and the rotary ring thus preventing water leakage.

[12] The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a shaft cover provided around the support shaft and spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined distance, with a plurality of air vents formed through a circumferential outer surface of the shaft cover, so that cold and/or hot air is discharged through the air vents.