WO2011080489A1

WO2011080489A1 - Device for growing plants

Info

Publication number: WO2011080489A1
Application number: PCT/FR2010/052933
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurice Faveyrial
Original assignee: Favinco
Priority date: 2009-12-30
Filing date: 2010-12-29
Publication date: 2011-07-07
Also published as: FR2954674A1; FR2954674B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for growing plants, which includes a frame provided with at least one driving member (9), at least one plant-growing tray attached by at least one retaining member (13) to a drive member, the latter being suitable for moving each growing tray in a closed circuit between a low dead centre and a high dead centre of the frame. The device also includes at least one safety member (10, 15), one portion (10) of which is attached to the frame and another portion (15) of which is pivotably mounted on the retaining member (13) for each growing tray, the safety member (10, 15) being suitable for moving from a first inoperative position in which said member allows the tray to be moved by the drive member (9) into a second operative position in which the safety member blocks the movement of the tray when the drive member (9) is broken.

Description

DEVICE FOR CULTIVATION OF PLANTS

The invention relates to a device for growing plants, whether plants for decorative purposes such as flowers or for food purposes such as vegetables, vine fruit trees or shrubs with berries.

In order to optimize the cultivation of plants, it is interesting that the cultivated area is maximum for a minimal floor area. For this purpose, FR-A-2,828,060 discloses a device comprising a chassis provided with two chains. These two chains maintain, on the height of the frame, several culture tanks and can drive them in a looped movement on the chassis between a bottom dead center and a top dead center. In other words, this device allows, with a minimum floor area, to have a large culture area, by the use of culture tanks whose sum of the unit area is greater than the floor area of the device. Other devices, such as that described in EP-A-1 359 795, are suitable for a hydroponic culture, also carried out in culture tanks adapted to be moved on a structure.

Nevertheless, these various devices are intended for use on structures of relatively low heights, advantageously less than 5 m, since these devices are particularly intended for use inside a building or in a laboratory.

If it is desired to have large devices for outdoor use, with a large culture area, that is to say with bins of large dimensions and / or in large numbers, this induces a weight of the bins relatively high when these are filled with culture substrate. In this configuration, in case of breakage of the drive member, generally a chain, a fall of one or more bins is potentially dangerous. However, none of these devices is adapted to avoid such a risk.

It is these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a height culture device whose operation is secure.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a plant-cultivation device comprising a chassis equipped with at least one drive member, at least one plant-culture tank fixed, by at least one holding member, to the plant. driving member, the latter being adapted to move, in closed circuit, each culture tank between a bottom dead center and a top dead center of the frame, characterized in that the device further comprises at least one safety member part of which is attached to the chassis and one of which another part is pivotally mounted on at least one holding member of each culture tank, the safety member being able to move from a first inactive position where it allows the movement of the tray under the action of the body of driving to a second active position where it prohibits any movement of the tray when the drive member is broken.

Each tray is thus equipped with a safety device to prevent its fall in case of breakage of the drive member.

According to advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention, such a device may incorporate one or more of the following features:

- The safety member comprises a member mounted to rotate freely on a shaft, the latter forming a holding member of a tray on the drive member.

- The part is configured in Y or T and interposed between the tray and the drive member.

- The safety member comprises a rack fixed on a portion of the frame. - The drive member is a chain and the holding member is a shaft mounted in the extension of a pin connecting two links of the chain.

- The leg of the T-shaped piece forms a counterweight promoting the pivoting of the workpiece around the shaft when the safety member is in its second position.

- The ends of the crossbar of the part are adapted to be inserted, when the safety member is in its second position, between two consecutive teeth of the rack.

- A transverse bar of the piece is maintained in its first position ie parallel to the direction of the chain, by pressing an end of an arm of the bar against a pin connecting two links of the chain.

- The device is equipped with a means of stopping the drive of the chain in case of breakage thereof.

- Longitudinal reinforcement bars are inserted in the bins.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a device made according to the invention, given solely by way of example and made with reference to in the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention, the bins being represented without plants for more legibility, the safety devices being in the inactive position, operators being represented to indicate the proportions of the device,

FIG. 2 is a section on plane II in FIG. 1, on a larger scale, of the device of FIG. 1,

- Figures 3 and 4 are views, on a larger scale, the detail D in Figure 2, a portion of a safety member being shown, respectively, when the safety member is in the inactive position and in the active position ,

FIG. 5 is a front view, on another scale, of a culture tank, the inside of the tank being represented in phantom lines and

- Figure 6 is a partial section, on a larger scale, of one end of another part of the safety member, this part being intended to receive the portion of the safety member illustrated in Figure 4.

The device 1 shown in Figure 1 is in section, of triangular shape. Alternatively, it can be configured in a rectangle, a square or another form. The device 1 comprises a frame 2, advantageously metallic, formed of two pairs 3, 4 of beams 30. Four beams 30 are thus associated two by two, at one end, and configured to form an inverted V, as shown in FIGS. 2. The beams 30 of the same pair 3 or 4 are interconnected by spacers 5 also metal. Spacers 6 connect pairs 3 and 4. The dimensions of such a device 1 vary from 3 m to 25 m high by 2.5 m to 1 1, 5 m wide and 3 m to 8 m deep.

The device 1 rests on a flat surface. Advantageously, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it rests on a turntable 7 allowing, in a controlled manner, a rotation of the device 1 around a vertical axis A. Such a rotation can be programmed to be performed only on a given angular sector and not on 360 °. This rotation makes it possible, for example, to orient the culture tanks in the direction of the sun. The rotation of the plate 7 is provided by known and not shown means, for example an electric motor.

In a non-illustrated embodiment, the base 8 of the device 1 is arranged to receive various equipment. These include, for example, gardening tools, plant protection products or maintenance equipment. For this, a structure, advantageously closed as a cabin, is inserted between the pairs 3, 4 of the beams of the device.

The beams 30 constituting the two pairs 3 and 4 are hollow and open over the entire length of a face. They each form a rail defining a clean housing to receive a driving member 9, visible in particular in Figure 2. A wall 31 of each beam 30 receives, by screwing, welding or gluing, a rack 10 extending over the entire length of the beam 30.

This rack 10 forms part of the safety member. Alternatively, the rack 10 is fixed on the frame 2, independently of the beams 30. In another embodiment, not shown, it is on a face of a beam that the teeth of the rack are formed, the latter being then monobloc with the wall of the beam.

The teeth January 1 of each rack 10 are oriented towards the outside of the device. In the example, each pair 3, 4 of beams 30 forms a receiving housing of a chain 9, conveyor chain type. Each chain 9 is arranged parallel to the rack 10, above it with respect to the wall 31 of the beam and without touching the rack 10.

A toothed wheel 12 is mounted at each vertex of the two triangles T defined by the pairs 3, 4 of beams and the plate 7. Thus, each pair 3 or 4 of beams is connected to three wheels 12 which allow the return of each chain 9 and its training, in a loop path, according to the double arrow Fi. The rotation of the gears 12, and thus the drive of the chains 9, is synchronized between the two triangles T. Advantageously, the rotation of the wheels 12 is performed by at least one electric motor M, illustrated in the upper part of the device in FIG. 2. It is located, alternatively, at the base 8 of the device, which facilitates access for maintenance operations. In another embodiment, each gearwheel 12 is provided with a drive motor. In this case the motors are arranged at the vertices of the triangles T.

This or these electric motors are powered via the network or, in some cases, by batteries connected to panels of photovoltaic cells. In any case, this or these motors allow a rotation of the gear wheels 12 clean to drive the chains 9 at a speed, adjustable, between 0.01 m / s and 2 m / s.

Some of the links 90 constituting each chain 9 are connected to a shaft 13 extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis B of a link 90, so the chain 9 when it is in place in the beams 30. Advantageously, these The shafts 13 are connected to the chain 9 by attachment to the pins 91 connecting two links 90, in the extension thereof. Alternatively, they are fixed on a link 90, substantially in the central position thereof.

The shafts 13 allow the attachment of culture tanks 14 on the chains 9. These trays 14 are, for example, plastic. They have dimensions between 2 m and 10 m long over 0.2 m to 0.8 m wide for a height between 0.2 m and 0.6 m. The shafts 13 are fixed on the lateral walls, of smaller dimensions, of the tanks 14. Such a fastening, advantageously in the central position of the walls, makes it possible to maintain the trays 14 between the triangular sets T by only two points. attached. These tanks 14 are advantageously double-skinned. They can thus be provided with an individual water reserve.

Given the length of the tanks 14, they are provided with longitudinal reinforcing bars, not shown, ensuring the rigidity of the tanks 14 when they are filled with culture substrate. Advantageously, these reinforcing bars allow the attachment of spray nozzles. In other words, these bars, whose ends allow the mounting of the bins on the shafts 13, serve as watering ramps.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, these tanks 14 are advantageously provided with stakes 141 fixed on members 142 inserted in the tanks 14.

The tanks 14 are mounted on the chains so that their openings 140 are permanently oriented towards the top of the device 1 and located in a horizontal plane P, regardless of their positions on the device 1. Thus, when the chains 9 cause, in one direction or the other, the tanks 14, they move alternately in translation, upwards or downwards of the device, always having the plants they receive oriented to the top of the device 1.

During the passage of trays 14 at the base 8 of the device, a user can stop the movement of the drive member 9 to perform certain plant maintenance or maintenance of the device. Stopping, starting or changing the speed of movement of the tanks 14 are advantageously made from a control unit, not shown, installed at the base 8 of the device. As a variant not illustrated, a module provides management of the movement of the bins 14 automatically, for example depending on the time, sunshine or atmospheric conditions.

At least one, advantageously the two shafts 13 for fixing each tray 14 on the chains 9 support another constituent part of the safety member. It is a part 15 interposed between the tray 14 and the pin 91 receiving the shaft 13. This part 15 has a high mechanical strength and is rotatably mounted on the shaft 13. The part 15, advantageously metal, is generally configured in Y or T with curved crossbar, as is particularly visible in Figures 3 and 4.

The main leg 150 of Y, or T, forms a counterweight for pivoting the part 15 around the shaft 13 on which it is mounted. Each piece is, mounted, with the possibility of rotation on a shaft 13 at the junction zone between the leg 150 of the T and remote crossbar 151 of the latter. In other words, the attachment is remote from the center of gravity of the part 15.

In said inactive configuration, as shown in Figure 3, the part 15 does not interfere with the movement of the chain 9 on which it is mounted. Thus, the piece 15 moves in concert with the tray 14 to which it is connected. In this configuration, the main leg 150 of the part 15 has its longitudinal axis C slightly inclined towards the open face 140 of the tray 14. To maintain in this position the leg 150, the part 15 is locked, removably, against part of the chain 9.

For this, one of the arms of the crossbar 151 of the part 15, in this case the arm 152 facing upwards of the device 1 by looking at FIGS. 1 to 4, bears against the end of a pin 91. . In this case, the end 1520 of the arm 152 is in abutment against the pin 91 connecting two links 90 located in the vicinity of the arm 152. This is one of the pins 91 located closest to the shaft 13. The length of the arm 152 is substantially equal to the length of a link 90, so that the end 1520 bears only against a single pin 91. The counterweight leg 150 and the shape of the arm 152 provide a blocking support of the end 1520 of the arm 152 against the pin 91.

In this position, the transverse bar 151 of the part 15 is substantially aligned in the direction B of the chain 9 and the rack 10.

When the movement of the chain 9 causes the tray 14 and the part 15 on the other side of the device 1, it is the other arm 153 of the cross bar 151 which bears against a pin 91 ', the piece 15 having rotated about 180 °. The arms 152 and 153 being identical, the support is similarly carried out on two sides of the device 1.

A break in the chain 9 may occur either on a link 90 or, more likely, at a pin 91, 91 'connecting between two links 90. In both cases, the chain 9 is no longer in tension and at least at the level of the rupture zone, it is no longer parallel to the rack 10.

The leg 150 located near the rupture zone, in this case immediately below, departs from the chassis 2, by gravity, the link 90 to which it is attached, a distance corresponding generally to the relaxation of the chain 9. From In this case, the pin 91 is moved away from the end 1520. The arm 152 is released from its support and the transverse bar 151 is no longer locked in a position where it is aligned with the rack 10. The main leg 150, of by its weight, accentuates the pivoting, downwards, according to the arrow F ₂ , of the piece 15. During this movement, the arm 153, opposite the arm 152, also pivots, along the arrow F ₃ in Figure 4, towards the rack 10. The length of the arm 153 is such that the end 154 of the arm 153 is, before the pivoting of the part 15 is 180 °, bearing against the rack 10. In the position shown in Figure 4, the end 1520 is preferably supported against a plate against, not shown. The crossbar 151 is then locked in position by pressing its ends 1520 and 154.

During the pivoting of the arm 153, the free end 154 of the arm 153 is positioned between two teeth January 1 of the rack 10. The end 154 is rounded and of such dimensions that it easily fits into the space E available between two consecutive teeth 1 1 of the rack 10.

Furthermore, the rounded shape of the end 154 allows it to be placed between the teeth January 1, even when the pivoting of the safety member 15 brings the latter to the level of a tooth 1 1. In this case, the end 154 slides on the tooth 1 1, until it is inserted into the inter-dental space E.

In this position, the arm 153 is locked against the rack 10 by the weight of the tray 14 which tends to pull down the part 15. The mechanical strengths of the part 15 and the rack 10 are adapted to maintain the tray in position 14, in the vicinity of its initial position, just upstream of the breaking point of the chain 9. The tray 14 is retained all the more efficiently that it is heavy, its weight increasing the blocking support of the arm 153 against the rack 10. The fall of a bin 14 is no longer possible with such a safety device.

It is also necessary to stop the movement of the chain 9 in case of breakage. This stop is advantageously performed automatically by an electrical break contact, known per se. Such contact is provided at the end of the rack 10. For this, at least one, preferably each end of the rack 10 is mounted on a guide rod 16 provided with a spring 17 in order to produce a suspension system of the rack 10, as shown in Figure 6. Advantageously, the stroke of the spring 17 is adjustable. Thus, when there is contact between the end 154 and the rack 10, the latter moves, to be in contact with a portion 160 of the frame. This contact induces the cutting, in the manner of a punch-type switch, of the power supply of the motor driving the chain 9.

The device then being stopped, it is possible to access the bins 14 and to carry out the necessary repairs of the chain 9. In a non-illustrated embodiment, the ends of the pins 91, 91 'are removable, for example they are unscrewable. It is thus possible to remove these ends, even in the absence of breakage of the chain 9, to cause the tilting of the part 15 and block in position the tray 14. Such a possibility is advantageous for carrying out maintenance operations on the device 1, while securing the tray 14 located above the operator.

Advantageously, the device is equipped with a tarpaulin, removable, not shown, for example to protect the cold, heat or weather, plants. Such a tarpaulin can be covered with decorative or advertising motifs. For this, the sheet is wound, for example on a shaft mounted on one of the vertices of the device. After fixing on a tray, the cover takes place during the movement of the tray induced by the drive member, until its full deployment to protect all bins.

The watering, either of the drop-by-drop type or by the watering nozzles, is carried out, alternatively, in the lower part of the device. This watering, either at the bottom of the device or from the reinforcement bars mounted on the tanks 14, is adapted to ensure recovery, in the lower part of the device, the overflow of water and to store and reuse the water and recovered.

Such a safety device is also applicable to a belt-type drive member, provided that it is equipped with pins for maintaining inactive configuration of the safety members.

Claims

Plant culture device comprising a frame (2) equipped with at least one drive member (9), at least one fixed plant culture tray (14), by at least one holding member (13). ), on the drive member (9), the latter being adapted to move, in a closed circuit, each culture tank between a bottom dead center and a top dead center of the frame, characterized in that the device comprises in in addition to at least one safety member (10, 15) of which a part (10) is fixed on the frame (2) and of which another part (15) is pivotally mounted on at least one holding member (13) of each tray (14) culture, the safety member (10, 15) being adapted to move from a first inactive position where it allows the movement of the tray (14) under the action of the drive member (9) a second active position where it prohibits any movement of the tray (14) when the drive member (9) is broken.

2. - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the safety member (10, 15) comprises a part (15) rotatably mounted on a shaft (13), the latter forming a holding member of a tray (14) on the drive member (9).

3. - Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the part (15) is configured in Y or T and interposed between the tray (14) and the drive member (9).

4. - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the safety member (10, 15) comprises a rack (10) fixed on a portion (30) of the frame (2).

5. - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive member is a chain (9) and in that the holding member is a shaft (13) mounted in the extension of a pin (91) connecting two links (90) of the chain (9).

6. - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the leg (150) of the part (15) configured in T forms a counterweight promoting the pivoting of the workpiece (15) around the shaft (13) when the safety member (10, 15) is in its second position.

7. - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the ends (154) of the crossbar (151) of the piece (15) are adapted to be inserted when the safety member (10, 15). is in its second position, between two consecutive teeth (1 1) of the rack (10).

8. - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transverse bar (151) of the workpiece (15) is maintained in its first position namely parallel to the direction (B) of the chain (9), by pressing one end (1520) of an arm (152) of the bar (151) against a pin (91) connecting two links (90) of the chain (9).

9. - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with a stop means (16, 17, 160) of the chain drive (9) in case of breakage of that -this.

10. - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that longitudinal reinforcement bars are inserted into the tanks (14).