WO2012014536A1

WO2012014536A1 - Plant culture container and plant culture system

Info

Publication number: WO2012014536A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/059416
Authority: WO
Inventors: 俊輔宮内; 太田　敏博; 央子大浦
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2010-07-28
Filing date: 2011-04-15
Publication date: 2012-02-02
Also published as: JPWO2012014536A1

Abstract

A plant cartridge (10), wherein a plant (5) is cultured using a culture liquid (17), comprises: a culture liquid storage part (12) for storing the culture liquid (17); a sponge (16) serving as a base for culturing the plant (5); a plant raising part (11), which is positioned in parallel to the culture liquid storage part (12), for providing the sponge (16); and a partition wall (13) for separating the culture liquid storage part (12) from the plant raising part (11), said partition wall having an opening in a part thereof. Owing to this structure, a small-sized plant culture container, wherein the culture liquid (17) can be surely supplied to the plant being cultured, can be provided.

Description

Plant cultivation container and plant cultivation system

The present invention relates to a plant cultivation container and a plant cultivation system for growing a plant by hydroponics.

Traditionally, cultivating plants at home has been popular. However, in the cultivation of plants using soil, it is necessary to prepare and use tools such as shovels, scoops, work gloves, watering cans, etc., which is troublesome. Moreover, for example, when soil is put in a container such as a planter and a plant is cultivated, problems occur in terms of weight and hygiene, and it is not particularly suitable for indoor cultivation.

Therefore, in recent years, plant cultivation methods using a culture solution have been developed. However, in such a plant cultivation method, since nutrients are obtained from the culture solution, the influence of the culture solution is large, and it is necessary to adjust the amount of the culture solution firmly. For this reason, it is necessary to frequently replenish the culture solution, which causes a problem that it takes time to adjust the culture solution.

In Patent Document 1, a culture soil for cultivating plants is arranged above a stored culture solution, and the culture solution is sucked up by a water-absorbing member or a water-absorbing string, thereby supplying the culture solution to the culture soil. A formula solution cultivation container is disclosed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the simple solution cultivation container of Patent Document 1.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the simple solution cultivation container of Patent Document 1, a cultivated plant is provided in a container outer shell portion 103 having a storage portion 102 for storing a culture solution 110 therein and an upper portion in the container outer shell portion 103. A cultivation bed 104 in which a culture soil 112 for planting or sowing 111 is accommodated is detachable.

Furthermore, the cultivation bed 104 has a protrusion 104i that protrudes downward and accommodates a water-absorbing member 113 such as a natural resin chip or peat moss. The culture soil 112 is disposed so as to cover the water absorbing member 113. The protrusion 104i is soaked to the vicinity of the root of the protrusion 104i when the culture medium 110 is stored in the container outer shell 103 to the top.

Thereby, the culture solution 110 can be supplied to the culture soil 112 through the water absorbing member 113 of the protrusion 104i.

Moreover, the cultivation bed 104 is provided with a water absorption string 105 inserted therethrough. By means of this water-absorbing string 105, the culture solution 110 is supplied to the culture soil 112 accommodated in the cultivation bed 104 by the action of osmotic pressure. Thereby, even when the water level of the culture solution 110 is low, the culture solution 110 can be supplied to the culture soil 112.

Furthermore, the water that flows down from the bottom surface of the cultivation bed 104 flows into the bowl-shaped portion 103 c that supports the cultivation bed 104 without falling into the storage portion 102. Thereby, the water flowing down from the cultivation bed 104 is prevented from flowing into the culture solution 110 stored in the storage unit 102.

Japanese Patent Publication “Patent No. 41131820 (published on August 12, 2004)”

However, in the simple solution cultivation container of Patent Document 1, the culture solution 110 disposed below is pumped up by absorbing water with the water absorbing member 113 or the water absorbing string 105 accommodated in the protruding portion 104i, and the culture soil. Since the structure is supplied to 112, the culture solution 110 cannot be sufficiently distributed to the culture soil 112.

Furthermore, in addition to the culture soil 112 for cultivating plants and the culture solution 110, it is necessary to provide a culture solution supply means including a water absorbing member 113 for supplying the culture solution 110 to the culture soil 112 and a water absorption string 105. And the subject that a simple-type solution cultivation container enlarges arises.

The present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose thereof is a plant cultivation container that can be reduced in size and can reliably supply a culture solution to a plant that is cultivated, And a plant cultivation system provided with the same.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the plant cultivation container of the present invention is a plant cultivation container for cultivating a plant with a culture solution, and a culture solution storage unit for storing the culture solution and the above-mentioned plant is grown Part of the plant growing part, the culture solution storing part, and the plant growing part, which are arranged side by side with the porous member serving as a foundation to be arranged, and for arranging the porous member And a partition wall for partitioning each.

According to the above configuration, the partition wall is provided to open the culture solution storage part and the plant growing part and to partition each of them. And the said culture solution storage part and the said plant growth part are arrange | positioned side by side. For this reason, the culture solution stored in the culture solution storage unit is supplied to the porous member disposed in the plant growing unit through the opening by water pressure. Thereby, the culture solution is absorbed by the porous member.

Furthermore, a porous member is arranged in the plant growing part as a base for growing the plant. Thereby, the said porous member can be made to diffuse in the said porous member while being able to hold | maintain the absorbed culture solution with capillary force.

Here, the capillary force (capillary force) is a force generated by a capillary phenomenon. A large number of minute holes are formed in the porous member. Capillary force acts on the culture solution absorbed by the porous member by the large number of holes. Note that the capillary force increases as the capillary diameter decreases, that is, as the pore size (pore diameter) of the porous member decreases.

For this reason, the nutrient of a required culture solution can be supplied to the plant cultivated on the basis of the porous member.

Moreover, according to the said structure, the said culture solution storage part and the said plant growth part are arrange | positioned side by side, and the culture solution stored in the said culture solution storage part through the said opening is in the said plant growth part. Led. For this reason, for example, it is not necessary to provide supply means for supplying the culture solution to the porous member, and the plant cultivation container can be downsized. In addition, the culture solution can be sufficiently distributed to the porous member.

Thus, according to the above configuration, the size can be reduced, and the culture solution can be reliably supplied to the plant being cultivated.

The present invention is a plant cultivation container for cultivating a plant with a culture solution, a culture solution storage unit for storing the culture solution, a porous member serving as a foundation for growing the plant, and the culture solution storage unit A partition wall that is arranged side by side, and that partly opens the plant growing part for arranging the porous member, the culture medium storage part, and the plant growing part, and partitions each of them. Yes.

This makes it possible to reduce the size and to reliably supply the culture solution to the cultivated plant.

(A) is a perspective view showing the structure of the plant cartridge of 1st Embodiment, (b) is an arrow view of A of (a), (c) is a BB line arrow of (b) FIG. (A) is a perspective view showing the structure of the plant cultivation system of 1st Embodiment, (b) is a side view showing the structure of the plant cultivation system of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the structure of a domestic growing machine. (A) is a figure explaining the mode which is cultivating a plant with the plant cartridge of a 1st embodiment, and (b) is a section of a plant cartridge connected to a connection part of a domestic cultivation machine. FIG. (A) is a figure explaining the case where the water level of the culture solution in the sponge of a plant cartridge is high, (b) is a figure explaining the case where the water level of the culture solution in the sponge of a plant cartridge is low. It is sectional drawing showing the structure of the plant cartridge which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure showing the structure of a plant cartridge provided with the porous member which consists of a material with a low density of an upper layer and a high density of a lower layer. It is a figure showing the structure of a plant cartridge provided with the porous member where the density of a middle layer is low and the density of an upper layer and a lower layer is high. It is a figure showing the structure of the conventional simple type solution cultivation container.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(Configuration of plant cultivation system)
First, the structure of the plant cultivation system of this invention is demonstrated using (a) and (b) of FIG.

2A is a perspective view showing the configuration of the plant cultivation system of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a side view showing the configuration of the plant cultivation system of the present invention.

The plant cultivation system 1 is for cultivating plants by hydroponics without using soil, and particularly for cultivating plants at home.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the plant cultivation system 1 includes a household cultivation machine (external device) 2 and a plant cartridge (plant cultivation container) 10 that can be attached to and detached from the household cultivation machine 2. I have.

The domestic cultivator 2 is provided so as to be connectable to the plant cartridge 10 and is supplied with the culture solution from the connected plant cartridge 10 or replenishes the connected plant cartridge 10 with the culture solution. Is for.

The plant cartridge 10 can store a culture solution for cultivation of the plant 5 and serves as a simple cultivation container. The plant cartridge 10 is not connected to the household cultivator 2 and is configured so that it can be cultivated for a certain period without causing the plant 5 to die. The detailed configuration of the plant cartridge 10 will be described later.

A plurality of connecting portions 3 for connecting the plant cartridge 10 are arranged on the surface of the home-grown machine 2. By fitting the plant cartridge 10 into the connection unit 3 and placing the plant cartridge 10 on the surface of the household cultivation machine 2, the domestic cultivation machine 2 and the plant cartridge 10 can be connected.

The connecting portion 3 is formed so as to be fitted with an opening provided in a bottom plate of the plant cartridge 10 described later by using a tube shape or an O-ring. Thereby, the exchange of a culture solution can be performed between the domestic cultivation machine 2 and the plant cartridge 10 without causing liquid leakage.

For example, general rubber or silicone rubber can be used as the tube or O-ring constituting the connecting portion 3.

Thus, by connecting the plant cartridge 10 to the domestic cultivator 2, the culture solution can be supplied from the domestic cultivator 2 to the plant cartridge 10. Thereby, management of the liquid volume of the culture solution of the plant cartridge 10 can be performed easily.

Alternatively, the culture solution can be supplied from the plant cartridge 10 to the domestic cultivator 2 by connecting the plant cartridge 10 to the domestic cultivator 2. Thereby, a culture solution can be supplied to the other plant cartridge 10 connected to the household cultivation machine 2 via the household cultivation machine 2. Thereby, since the several plant 5 can be cultivated by connecting the several plant cartridge 10 to the household cultivation machine 2, the plant 5 can be cultivated efficiently.

In the plant cultivation system 1, a plurality of plant cartridges 10 are provided, and the plurality of plant cartridges 10 are connected to the household cultivation machine 2. The plant 5 can be cultivated with each of the plurality of plant cartridges 10. For this reason, a plurality of plants 5 can be cultivated by a plurality of plant cartridges 10.

Further, since each of the plurality of plant cartridges 10 can be detached from the home-use cultivator 2, the plant cartridge 10 that has been cultivated with the plant 5 that is no longer cultivated, such as the plant 5 that has been cultivated, is used at home. Can be removed from the cultivation machine 2. Thus, according to the plant cultivation system 1, a plurality of plants 5 can be efficiently cultivated.

(Composition of household cultivation machine)
Next, the structure of the domestic cultivation machine 2 is demonstrated using FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the home-grown machine 2.

The home cultivator 2 includes a connection unit 3, a control circuit 31, a culture solution tank 32, a water supply pump 33, a tube 34, a supply unit 35, a display screen 36, and a stirrer 37.

The control circuit 31, the culture solution tank 32, the water supply pump 33, and the tube 34 are provided inside the domestic cultivation machine 2. A part of the connection unit 3 and the supply unit 35 are provided so as to protrude from the surface of the domestic cultivation machine 2. The display screen 36 is provided on the side surface of the domestic growing machine 2.

The control circuit 31 is for controlling each circuit with which the water supply pump 33 and other household cultivation machines 2 are provided, and controls the operation of each circuit with which the household cultivation machine 2 is provided.

The culture solution tank 32 is for storing the culture solution 17 therein. The culture medium tank 32 and the water supply pump 33 are connected by a plurality of tubes 34.

In the culture medium tank 32, a stirrer 37 is arranged. The stirrer 37 stirs the culture solution 17 stored in the culture solution tank 32. Thereby, a lot of air can be dissolved in the culture solution 17 stored in the culture solution tank 32, and the root of the plant 5 to be cultivated can be prevented from being suffocated by the culture solution 17. For this reason, the growth of the root of the plant 5 to be cultivated can be promoted.

Further, an air pump or a diffuser using a liquid flow (not shown) is provided in the culture medium tank 32, and air is supplied to the culture medium 17 stored in the culture medium tank 32 by the air pump or the diffuser. The amount may be increased. Thereby, more air can be dissolved in the culture solution 17.

The supply port 35 is a supply port for supplying air to the culture medium tank 32. The base portion of the supply port 35 is connected to the culture solution 32, and the tip portion is provided so as to protrude from the surface of the domestic cultivation machine 2. The culture solution 17 may be supplied directly from the supply port 35 to the culture solution tank 32.

The water supply pump 33 supplies the culture solution 17 from the plant cartridge 10 connected to the connection unit 3 to the culture solution tank 32 or supplies the culture solution 17 to the plant cartridge 10 connected to the connection unit 3. It is a pump for replenishing from.

The water supply pump 33 is connected to the culture solution tank 32 by a plurality of tubes 34, and is also connected to each of the plurality of connection portions 3 provided in the household cultivation machine 2 by the tubes 34.

The display screen 36 is for displaying various types of information to an operator who performs work using the household cultivation machine 2. For example, the display screen 36 displays numerical values measured by various sensors included in the home-grown machine 2.

Thus, the household cultivation machine 2 of the plant cultivation system 1 transfers the culture solution 17 from the plant cartridge 10 connected to the connection unit 3 to the culture solution tank 32 for storing the culture solution 17 into the culture solution tank 32. A water supply pump 33 for supplying or supplying the culture solution 17 from the culture solution tank 32 to the plant cartridge 10 connected to the connecting portion 3 is provided.

Thereby, the culture solution 17 is supplied from the plant cartridge 10 connected to the connection unit 3 to the culture solution tank 32 by the water supply pump 33, or the culture solution 17 is supplied to the plant cartridge 10 connected to the connection unit 3. It can be replenished from the tank 32. For this reason, since the liquid volume of the culture solution 17 of the several plant cartridge 10 connected to the domestic cultivation machine 2 can be collectively managed by the domestic cultivation machine 2, the culture solution 17 of the plant cartridge 10 is obtained. It is possible to reduce the trouble of managing the amount of liquid.

(Plant cartridge configuration)
Next, the configuration of the plant cartridge 10 for cultivating the plant 5 will be described with reference to (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. 1 and (a) and (b) of FIG. (A) of FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the plant cartridge 10, (b) is an arrow view of A of (a), (c) is an arrow view of the BB line of (b). It is sectional drawing.

(A) of FIG. 4 is a figure explaining a mode that the plant 5 is cultivated with the plant cartridge 10, (b) is the plant cartridge 10 connected to the connection part 3 of the domestic growing machine 2 FIG.

The plant cartridge 10 is for cultivating the plant 5 with the culture solution 17 as described above.

The plant cartridge 10 is divided into two regions (areas), and is arranged side by side with a culture solution storage unit 12 for storing the culture solution 17 and a culture solution storage unit 12, and a sponge ( The plant growing part 11 for arranging the porous member 16 is provided.

The plant cartridge 10 includes a top plate 15 that closes the culture solution storage unit 12 and the plant growth unit 11, so that the culture solution 17 existing in the culture solution storage unit 12 and the plant growth unit 11 can be obtained. Drying is prevented.

The top plate 15 has an opening on each of the culture solution storage unit 12 and the plant growing unit 11. That is, the top plate 15 has an opening 15 b on the culture medium storage unit 12 and an opening 15 a on the plant growing unit 11. Since the top plate 15 has the opening 15a on the plant growing part 11, the plant 5 grown with the sponge 16 arranged in the plant growing part 11 can be sown and the plant 5 can be grown. Further, the opening 15a can also serve as a ventilation hole for the plant 5.

The top plate 15 is arranged away from the upper surface of the sponge 16. That is, a space is provided between the top plate 15 and the sponge 16. For this reason, for example, when an operator handles the plant cartridge 10, the upper surface of the sponge 16 is compressed, and even if the plant cartridge 10 is tilted or turned upside down, the culture absorbed by the sponge 16 Liquid leakage of the liquid 17 can be suppressed.

Further, in the vicinity of the opening 15a, the top plate 15 is bent so as to have a tapered shape. Thereby, even when handling small seeds, the sponge 16 can be easily sown with plants.

Moreover, since the top plate 15 has the opening 15b on the culture solution storage part 12, the culture solution 17 can be supplied to the culture solution storage part 12 from the opening 15b. For this reason, the culture solution 17 can be added easily. The opening 15 b is usually covered with a culture medium cap 19. And when supplying the culture solution 17 to the culture solution storage part 12, the culture solution cap 19 is removed from the opening 15b.

The partition wall 13 divides the culture solution storage part 12 and the plant growing part 11 into respective openings. The partition wall 13 is spaced apart from the bottom plate 14 of the plant cartridge 10, thereby partitioning the culture solution storage unit 12 and the plant growing unit 11 into respective portions. Thus, the part where the partition wall 13 and the bottom plate 14 are separated from each other is the opening 13a.

The sponge 16 has an upper surface that is a surface on which the plant 5 is seeded and grown, and a lower surface that is a surface in contact with the bottom plate 14 of the plant growing portion 11.

The sponge 16 is made of a porous material that can hold the absorbed culture solution 17 and serves as a foundation for growing the plant 5. The sponge 16 is disposed in the plant growing unit 11 while being filled. The opening 13 a is covered by the side surface of the sponge 16.

Further, among the bottom plate 14 of the plant cartridge 10 common to the plant growing unit 11 and the culture solution storage unit 12, the culture solution 17 is supplied to the household cultivation machine 2 to the bottom plate 14 of the plant growing unit 11, or In order to replenish the culture solution 17 from the domestic cultivator 2, an opening 14a for connecting to the domestic cultivator 2 is formed.

A window 18 for confirming the water level of the culture solution 17 filled in the culture solution storage unit 12 is provided on the side surface of the culture solution storage unit 12. Thereby, management of the liquid quantity of the culture solution 17 with which the culture solution storage part 12 is filled becomes easy.

Thus, according to the plant cartridge 10, the partition wall 13 is provided that opens a part of the culture solution storage unit 12 and the plant growing unit 11 and partitions them into each other. Specifically, the partition wall 13 is spaced apart from the bottom plate 14 of the plant cartridge 10, thereby partitioning the culture solution storage unit 12 and the plant growing unit 11 into respective portions. . Thus, the opening 13a is comprised by the partition wall 13 being provided.

And the culture solution storage part 12 and the plant growing part 11 are arranged side by side. For this reason, the culture solution 17 stored in the culture solution storage unit 12 is supplied to the sponge 16 disposed in the plant growing unit 11 through the opening 13a by water pressure. Thereby, the culture solution 17 is absorbed by the sponge 16 and is held without leakage.

Further, the plant growing section 11 is provided with a sponge 16 made of a porous material as a base for growing the plant 5. As a result, the sponge 16 can hold the absorbed culture solution 17 by the capillary force and can be diffused into the sponge 16.

For this reason, the nutrient of the required culture solution 17 can be supplied to the plant 5 cultivated on the basis of the sponge 16.

Thus, according to the plant cartridge 10, since the plant 5 sowed can be grown by sowing the plant 5 on the sponge 16, it is not necessary to use soil to grow the plant 5. For this reason, compared with the case where a plant is cultivated using soil, it can be cultivated hygienically and easily, and the weight of the plant cartridge 10 can be reduced.

Moreover, according to the said structure, the culture solution storage part 12 and the plant growth part 11 are arrange | positioned side by side, and the culture solution 17 stored in the culture solution storage part 12 through the opening 13a is the plant growth part 11. Led to.

For this reason, in the plant cartridge 10, there is no need to provide a supply means for supplying the culture solution 17 to the sponge 16 as a foundation for growing the plant 5, such as the water absorption member 113 and the water absorption string 105 of FIG. The plant cartridge 10 can be reduced in size. In addition, the culture solution 17 can be sufficiently spread over the sponge 16.

Thus, according to the plant cartridge 10, it is hygienic, can be reduced in size and weight, can reliably supply the culture solution 17 to the plant 5 being grown, and can easily grow the plant 5 can do.

Moreover, in the plant cartridge 10, since the porous member arranged in the plant growing part 11 consists of the sponge 16, while being able to hold | maintain the culture solution 17 supplied to the plant growing part 11 with capillary force, Since the sponge 16 is a relatively soft material, the roots of the plant 5 can be grown inside the sponge 16 without being hindered.

In the present embodiment, it has been described that the sponge 16 is used as the porous member disposed in the plant growing unit 11 in order to grow the plant 5. As the sponge 16, for example, a foam material made of a material such as polyurethane, polyethylene, or silicon rubber can be used.

The porous member only needs to be made of a porous material, and may be a block or a non-woven fabric made of fibers such as rock wool in addition to the foamed material. Further, the porous member may be a sintered body filled with granular ceramics. Thus, the culture solution 17 supplied to the plant growing part 11 can be hold | maintained by capillary force by using a porous member.

In addition, the partition wall 13 should just be the structure which opens a part and partitions each into the culture solution storage part 12 and the plant growth part 11. FIG. For example, the partition wall 13 may be disposed in contact with both the bottom plate 14 and the top plate 15, and the opening 13 a may be formed in the partition wall 13.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1C and 4B, the upper side surface 12 a of the inner wall side surfaces 12 a and 12 b facing the partition wall 13 of the culture medium reservoir 12 is a top plate 15. Are connected at right angles to each other and extend downward (vertically downward). That is, the upper side surface 12 a is substantially parallel to the partition wall 13. The lower side surface 12b, which is the side surface of the inner wall in the vicinity of the partition wall 13 facing the opening 13a, is an inclined surface that inclines toward the opening 13a as it approaches the bottom plate 14. And the side surfaces 12a and 12b of the inner wall of the culture solution storage part 12 are connected to the bottom plate 14 by side surfaces 12b which are inclined surfaces.

That is, the side surfaces 12 a and 12 b facing the partition wall 13 of the culture medium storage unit 12 are arranged in parallel with the partition wall 13 and the side surfaces 12 a above the opening 13 a of the partition wall 13, and the opening 13 a of the partition wall 13. The side surface 12b, which is a region in the vicinity of the head, is an inclined surface that approaches the opening 13a from the top to the bottom.

Thus, among the side surfaces 12a and 12b of the inner wall of the culture solution reservoir 12, the side surface 12b in the vicinity facing the opening 13a is an inclined surface that is inclined in a direction approaching the opening 13a. The culture solution 17 stored in the part 12 can be efficiently guided to the plant growing part 11 through the opening 13a.

The bottom plate 14 of the plant cartridge 10 has an opening 14 a for connecting to the home cultivator 2 in order to supply the culture solution 17 to the home cultivator 2 or to supply the culture solution 17 from the home cultivator 2. Is formed.

Thereby, as shown in (b) of Drawing 4, it can connect with household cultivation machine 2 by opening 14a formed in bottom board 14. Thereby, the culture solution 17 is replenished from the household cultivation machine 2 or the culture solution 17 is supplied to the other plant cartridge 10 connected to the household cultivation machine 2 via the household cultivation machine 2. Can do.

Therefore, the amount of the culture solution 17 can be easily managed. Furthermore, since a plurality of plants 5 can be cultivated by connecting a plurality of plant cartridges 10 to the household cultivator 2, the plants 5 can be efficiently cultivated.

Moreover, the plant cartridge 10 is connected to the domestic cultivator 2 by fitting the connecting portion 3 formed to protrude from the surface of the domestic cultivator 2 into the opening 14a of the bottom plate 14. For this reason, when the plant cartridge 10 and the household cultivation machine 2 are connected, the sponge 16 is pressed from below according to the height of the connecting portion 3 and is compressed. Of the sponge 16, the vicinity in contact with the connecting portion 3 is in a particularly compressed state.

As described above, when the sponge 16 is pressed and compressed by the connecting portion 3, the density of the material constituting the sponge 16 per unit volume is improved. That is, since the number of holes formed in the sponge 16 is reduced, the capillary force of the sponge 16 is improved. In particular, the capillary force in the vicinity of the sponge 16 in contact with the connecting portion 16 is improved, and the culture solution 17 in the plant cartridge 10 can be collected in the connecting portion 3.

For this reason, the exchange of the culture solution 17 between the plant cartridge 10 and the domestic cultivator 2 can be performed promptly.

Further, as described above, since the sponge 16 has a capillary force, when the plant cartridge 10 is connected to the connection portion 3 of the domestic cultivator 2, the culture solution 17 is held to some extent so as not to leak. In addition, even if the liquid leaks, the outflow speed can be reduced.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4B, a lid 38 may be provided in the opening 14a. The lid 38 has a simple valve structure, and connects the plant cartridge 10 and the domestic growing machine 2 by being pushed up by the connecting portion 3. Thereby, the liquid leakage at the time of connecting the plant cartridge 10 with the connection part 3 can be prevented.

In addition, when the plant cartridge 10 is not connected to the household cultivator 2 and is used alone, the opening 14 a is closed by the lid 38 provided on the opening 14 a, and the culture solution held by the sponge 16. 17 can be prevented from flowing out or evaporating to the outside.

(Supply of culture solution to sponge)
Next, how the culture solution 17 is supplied to the sponge 16 will be described with reference to FIGS.

(A) of FIG. 5 is a figure explaining the case where the water level of the culture solution 17 in the sponge 16 is high, and (b) is a figure explaining the case where the water level of the culture solution 17 in the sponge 16 is low.

As described above, the partition wall 13 is arranged apart from the bottom plate 14 of the plant cartridge 10, thereby partitioning the culture solution storage unit 12 and the plant growing unit 11 into respective portions. .

That is, the opening 13 a is configured by the partition wall 13 being arranged away from the bottom plate 14 of the plant cartridge 10.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the water level of the culture solution 17 held by the sponge 16, that is, the water level in the sponge 16 is higher than the opening 13a, the opening 13a is sealed with the culture solution 17. The culture solution 17 is not supplied from the culture solution storage unit 12 to the sponge 16.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the water level of the culture solution 17 held by the sponge 16 is lowered by absorption and evaporation by the plant 5, the water level in the sponge 16 becomes lower than the partition wall 13, and the opening 13a is formed. When exposed, the air 21 is supplied from the sponge 16 through the opening 13a to the culture solution reservoir 12. Then, the culture solution 17 having the same amount as the air 21 is supplied to the sponge 16. Thereby, the water level in sponge 16 rises again.

Thus, according to the plant cartridge 10, the sponge 16 disposed in the plant growing section 11 can be easily kept in a wet state. Further, by managing the water level of the culture solution 17 in the culture solution storage unit 12, the amount of the culture solution 17 necessary for the plant 5 grown with the sponge 16 can be managed.

For this reason, according to the plant cartridge 10, the watering of the plant 5 can be managed by managing the water level of the culture solution 17 in the culture solution storage unit 12.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, a plant cartridge according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those in the drawings described in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the plant cartridge 20 according to the second embodiment.

The plant cartridge 20 according to the present embodiment is different from the plant cartridge 10 in that a sponge 26 is provided instead of the sponge 16.

The sponge 26 is arranged in the plant growing part 11 like the sponge 16.

The sponge 26 is formed so as to have a gradient in density from the upper surface, which is the surface on which the plant 5 is grown, to the lower surface, which is the surface in contact with the bottom plate 14 of the plant growing portion 11.

Here, the density means the weight per unit volume of the porous member such as the sponge 26.

Generally, as the density of the porous member increases, the pore diameter of the porous member decreases. And when the hole diameter of a porous member becomes small, capillary force will become large. When the porous member is made of a foam material such as sponge 26, the volume ratio (magnification) at the time of producing the foam material may be referred to as a foaming rate. The higher the foaming rate, the lower the density and the larger the volume occupied by the pores.

Here, the culture solution 17 absorbed by the sponge 26 is drawn from a location where the capillary force strength is small in the sponge 26 to a location where the capillary force strength is high. Thereby, in the sponge 26, the moisture content in the vicinity where the strength of the capillary force is high can be made higher than the moisture content in the vicinity where the strength of the capillary force is low.

Here, the moisture content is a ratio of moisture (that is, the culture solution 17) per unit volume of the porous member. That is, when the strength of the capillary force is large, the moisture content also increases.

When the moisture content is high, a large amount of the culture solution 17 can be supplied to the roots of the plant 5 grown with the sponge 26. However, when the moisture content of the sponge 26 is increased as a whole, the roots of the plant 5 grown with the sponge 26 are suffocated due to lack of oxygen.

For this reason, oxygen needs to be present in the sponge 26 or the culture broth 17 in an appropriate amount. In addition, for example, it is preferable that the sponge 26 necessary for growing the plant 5 is moistened with the culture solution 17, such as a place near the tip of the root of the plant 5 grown with the sponge 26. It becomes.

For example, in general, plants often have characteristics that the portion near the stem is weak against water and the tip of the root is strong against water.

When growing such a plant 5, the root of the plant 5 is formed by forming a sponge 26 with a gradient in density between the upper surface and the lower surface so that the capillary force increases from the upper surface to the lower surface. It is possible to supply oxygen sufficiently at the hairline.

Also, although the water level in the sponge 26 depends on the water level of the culture solution 17, it gradually decreases, so the upper surface of the sponge 26 becomes dry.

In addition, by increasing the density of the sponge 26 from the upper surface to the lower surface of the sponge 26, the capillary force is increased from the upper surface to the lower surface. Thereby, the moisture content of the culture solution 17 can be lowered in the vicinity of the upper surface of the sponge 26, and the moisture content of the culture solution 17 can be increased toward the lower surface.

Thereby, the amount of the culture solution 17 at the stem portion of the plant 5 can be reduced, and the amount of the culture solution 17 at the tip portion of the root of the plant 5 can be increased.

Therefore, it is possible to take advantage of the characteristics that the portion close to the stem of the plant 5 is weak against water and the root of the plant 5 is strong against water, and the plant 5 can be cultivated in a healthy and efficient manner.

On the other hand, depending on the type of plant 5, there are also types that are resistant to water. When growing such a plant 5, the sponge 26 is formed so as to have a gradient in density between the upper surface and the lower surface so that the capillary force increases from the lower surface or middle layer of the sponge 26 to the upper surface. By doing so, many culture solutions 17 can be supplied to the root of the plant 5. For this reason, the growth of the plant 5 can be promoted.

As with the sponge 26, since the density has a gradient from the upper surface to the lower surface, the strength of the capillary force has a gradient. Thereby, according to the plant 5 grown with the sponge 26, the moisture content in the sponge 26 can be adjusted. For this reason, the culture solution 17 can be effectively supplied to the plant 5 without causing the plant 5 grown with the sponge 26 to lack oxygen. For this reason, the plant 5 can be nurtured healthily and efficiently.

Such a porous member having a gradient in density from the upper surface to the lower surface may be configured to have a gradient in the density of a single material, or a plurality of materials having different densities may be bonded together as will be described later. You may comprise. The stronger the hydrophilicity, the greater the capillary force.

Next, the configuration of a porous member made of a plurality of materials having different densities will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a plant cartridge including a porous member made of a material having a lower upper layer density and a lower lower layer density.

In FIG. 7, the plant cartridge 20 includes a porous member 27 made of a plurality of materials having different densities in the plant growing unit 11.

The porous member 27 is composed of a porous member (first porous member) 27a made of a material having a relatively low density disposed in the upper layer and a material having a relatively large density disposed in the lower layer. And a porous member (second porous member) 27b. The porous member 27a and the porous member 27b are pasted together.

For example, a urethane sponge having a density of about 15 to 45 kg / m ³ can be used as the porous member 27a. As the porous member 27b, for example, rock wool having a density of about 50 to 100 kg / m ³ can be used.

The height of the porous member 27 b is approximately the same as the height of the opening 14 a, that is, the distance from the bottom plate 14 to the partition wall 13, and the porous member 27 a is high enough to cover the root of the plant 5.

Thus, by configuring the porous member 27, a capillary force acts on the porous member 27 downward (from the upper surface to the lower surface). Thereby, the culture solution 17 absorbed by the porous member 27 will move downward rapidly, and the same effect as the well-drained soil can be obtained.

For this reason, it is relatively dry near the root of the plant 5 and sufficient oxygen can be supplied to the root of the plant 5. Thereby, even if it is the plant 5 comparatively weak to water, oxygen and a culture solution can fully be supplied.

On the other hand, as described above, depending on the type of plant 5, there are plants that prefer water. That is, even if many culture solutions 17 are supplied to the roots, there are also plants that are unlikely to be oxygen deficient. It is preferable that a large amount of the culture solution 17 is supplied to the roots of the plant 5 that are unlikely to be oxygen deficient.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a plant cartridge including a porous member having a low middle layer density and a high upper layer and lower layer density.

In FIG. 8, the plant cartridge 20 has a porous member 28 disposed in the plant growing section 11.

The porous member 28 is composed of three types of porous members, an upper layer, a middle layer, and a lower layer, having different densities. That is, the porous member 28 includes a porous member (third porous member) 28b disposed in the middle layer and a relatively low density, and a porous member disposed in the upper layer and the lower layer and having a relatively large density. It consists of members (fourth porous member) 28a and 28c.

As the porous member 28a, for example, rock wool having a density of about 50 to 100 kg / m ³ can be used. As the porous member 28b, for example, a urethane sponge having a density of about 15 to 45 kg / m ³ can be used. Further, as the porous member 28c, for example, a urethane sponge having a density of about 75 to 150 kg / m ³ can be used.

According to such a configuration of the porous member 28, the capillary force increases from the middle to the upper and lower surfaces.

The porous member 28 only needs to have a lower density than the upper porous member 28a and the lower porous member 28c, and the density of the porous member 28a is the same as that of the porous member 28c. There may be.

The height of the porous member 28c is set to be smaller than the height of the opening 14a, that is, the distance from the bottom plate 14 to the partition wall 13. The porous member 28 a has a height that covers the root of the plant 5.

In this way, by forming the porous member 28, the porous member 28 includes the intermediate porous member 28b, the upper surface of the porous member 28, and the intermediate porous member 28b. Capillary force acts on the lower surface of 28. As a result, the culture solution 17 can be sufficiently supplied to the vicinity of the root of the plant 5, and drainage is improved below the intermediate porous member 28 b, so that the culture solution 17 is supplied to the domestic cultivation machine 2. The cycle can be made faster.

As described above, according to the porous members 27 and 28, the plant 5 grown by the porous members 27 and 28 can be obtained by forming the porous members 27 and 28 from a plurality of porous members having different densities of materials. The water content in the porous members 27 and 28 can be adjusted depending on the type. For this reason, the culture solution can be effectively supplied to the plant 5 without causing the plant 5 grown by the porous members 27 and 28 to lack oxygen. For this reason, the plant 5 can be nurtured healthily and efficiently.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

As described above, the plant cultivation container of the present invention is a plant cultivation container for cultivating a plant with a culture solution, and serves as a base for growing the culture solution storage unit for storing the culture solution and the plant. A part of the porous member, the culture medium storage part, and the plant growth part for arranging the porous member, the culture liquid storage part, and the plant growth part are arranged side by side. And a partition wall for partitioning each.

Moreover, it is preferable that the said partition wall is spaced apart from the bottom plate of the said plant cultivation container, and opens the one part and partition | separates the said culture solution storage part and the said plant growth part to each. .

With the above configuration, when the water level of the culture solution retained by the porous material is higher than the opening, the opening is sealed with the culture solution, and the culture solution is transferred from the culture solution reservoir to the porous material. Not supplied.

On the other hand, when the level of the culture solution held by the porous material falls and the opening is exposed, air is supplied from the porous material to the culture solution storage section through the opening. And the culture solution of the same quantity as the said air is supplied to the said porous material. Thereby, the water level of the porous material rises again.

Thus, according to the above configuration, the porous material disposed in the plant growing part can be easily kept in a wet state. Moreover, the amount of the culture solution necessary for the plant grown with the porous material can be managed by managing the water level of the culture solution in the culture solution storage unit.

Moreover, it is preferable to provide a top plate for closing each of the culture solution storage part and the plant growing part. With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent drying of the culture solution existing in the culture solution storage unit and the plant growing unit.

Moreover, it is preferable that the top plate has an opening on each of the culture solution storage unit and the plant growing unit. With the above configuration, since the top plate has an opening on the plant growing part, the plant grown with the porous material arranged in the plant growing part can be sown to grow the plant. It can also serve as a vent for the plant.

In addition, with the above configuration, the top plate has an opening on the culture medium reservoir, so that the culture medium can be supplied from the opening to the culture medium reservoir. For this reason, the culture medium can be added easily.

Also, the bottom plate of the plant cultivation container is preferably formed with an opening for connecting to the external device in order to supply the culture solution to the external device or supply the culture solution from the external device.

According to the above configuration, the external device can be connected through the opening formed in the bottom plate of the plant cultivation container. Thereby, a culture solution can be replenished from the said external device, or a culture solution can be supplied to the other plant cultivation container connected to the said external device via the said external device. For this reason, the liquid volume of a culture solution can be managed easily.

Furthermore, since a plurality of plants can be cultivated by connecting a plurality of plant cultivation containers to the external device, plants can be cultivated efficiently.

The porous member includes an upper surface that is a surface on which the plant is grown, and a lower surface that is a surface that is in contact with the bottom plate of the plant growing part, and the porous member extends from the upper surface to the surface. It is preferable that the density has a gradient toward the lower surface.

Here, the ratio of moisture (that is, the culture solution) per unit volume of the porous member is referred to as moisture content. When the strength of the capillary force is large, the moisture content also increases.

According to the above configuration, since the porous member has a gradient in density (weight per unit volume of the porous member) from the upper surface to the lower surface, the strength of the capillary force has a gradient. Become.

Thus, the moisture content in the porous member can be adjusted according to the type of plant grown on the porous member.

For this reason, the culture solution can be effectively supplied to the plant without making the plant grown with the porous member deficient in oxygen. For this reason, a plant can be nurtured healthily and efficiently.

The porous member is preferably made of a plurality of materials having different densities.

According to the above configuration, the moisture content in the porous member can be adjusted according to the type of plant grown on the porous member. For this reason, a culture solution can be effectively supplied to a plant, without making the plant grown with the said porous member lack oxygen shortage. For this reason, a plant can be nurtured healthily and efficiently.

In addition, the porous member includes a first porous member made of a material having a relatively low density arranged in an upper layer and a second porous material made of a material having a relatively high density arranged in a lower layer. It is preferable to consist of a porous member.

According to the above configuration, capillary force acts downward (from the upper surface to the lower surface) on the porous member. As a result, the culture solution absorbed by the porous member quickly moves downward, and an effect similar to that of well-drained soil can be obtained.

For this reason, it is relatively dry near the root of the plant, and sufficient oxygen can be supplied to the root of the plant. Thereby, even if it is a plant relatively weak to water, oxygen and a culture solution can fully be supplied.

The porous member includes a third porous member having a relatively low density disposed in an intermediate layer, and a fourth porous member having a relatively large density disposed in an upper layer and a lower layer. It is preferable to consist of.

With the above configuration, the porous member includes the third porous member in the middle layer, the upper surface of the fourth porous member disposed in the upper layer, and the third porous member in the middle layer. To the lower surface of the fourth porous member disposed in the lower layer, a capillary force works. Thereby, the culture solution can be sufficiently supplied to the vicinity of the root of the plant, and drainage can be improved below the third porous member as the middle layer.

The porous member is preferably a sponge. According to the said structure, the culture solution supplied to the said plant growth part can be hold | maintained with capillary force. Also, since sponge is a relatively soft material, plant roots can be grown inside without hindering.

In addition, among the side surfaces of the inner wall facing the partition wall of the culture medium reservoir, the side surface facing the opening of the partition wall is an inclined surface that approaches the opening of the partition wall as it approaches the bottom plate. It is preferable.

According to the above configuration, the culture solution stored in the culture solution storage section can be efficiently guided to the plant growing section through the opening of the partition wall.

The plant cultivation system of the present invention is provided so as to be connectable to the plant cultivation container and the plant cultivation container, for supplying a culture solution from the connected plant cultivation container, or the connected plant. An external device for supplying the culture solution to the cultivation container is provided.

According to the above configuration, the culture solution can be supplied from the external device by connecting the plant cultivation container to the external device. Thereby, management of the liquid volume of a culture solution can be performed easily.

Alternatively, the culture solution can be supplied to the external device by connecting the plant cultivation container to the external device. Thereby, a culture solution can be supplied to the other plant cultivation container connected to the said external apparatus via the said external apparatus.

Thus, since a plurality of plants can be cultivated by connecting a plurality of plant cultivation containers to the external device, plants can be cultivated efficiently.

Moreover, it is preferable that the external device includes a plurality of connection portions for connecting the plant cultivation container.

With the above configuration, a plurality of the plant cultivation containers can be connected to the external device. For this reason, a plurality of plants can be cultivated by the plurality of plant cultivation containers connected to the external device.

In addition, since each of the plurality of plant cultivation containers can be detached from the external device, the plant cultivation container that has been cultivated because the cultivation is unnecessary, such as a plant that has been cultivated, is removed from the external device. be able to. Thus, according to the said structure, a some plant can be cultivated efficiently.

In addition, the external device has a culture solution tank for storing the culture solution and a culture solution supplied from the plant cultivation container connected to the connection unit to the culture solution tank or connected to the connection unit. The plant cultivation container is provided with a water supply pump for supplying the culture solution from the culture solution tank.

With the above configuration, the culture solution is supplied to the culture solution tank from the plant cultivation container connected to the connection unit by the water supply pump, or the culture solution is supplied to the plant cultivation container connected to the connection unit. Can be replenished from the tank.

Thereby, since the liquid volume of the culture solution of the some plant cultivation container connected to the said external apparatus can be managed collectively by the said external apparatus, management of the liquid volume of the culture liquid of a plant cultivation container is carried out. Time and effort can be reduced.

It is preferable that a stirrer is disposed in the culture medium tank. According to the said structure, the culture solution stored in the said culture solution tank can be stirred with the said stirrer.

Thus, a large amount of air can be dissolved in the culture solution stored in the culture solution tank, and the root of the plant to be cultivated can be prevented from being suffocated by the culture solution. For this reason, the growth of the root of the plant to grow can be promoted.

The present invention can be applied to a plant cultivation container and a plant cultivation system for cultivating a plant by hydroponics.

1 Plant cultivation system 2 Household cultivation machine (external device)
5

Plant

10, 20 Plant cartridge (plant cultivation container)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Plant growth part 12 Culture liquid storage part 12a * 12b Side wall 13 Partition wall 13a Opening 14 Bottom plate 14a Opening 15

Top plate

16, 26 Sponge (porous member)
27, 28 Porous member 27a Porous member (first porous member)
27b Porous member (second porous member)
28b Porous member (third porous member)
28a, 28c porous member (fourth porous member)
17 Culture solution

Claims

A plant cultivation container for cultivating a plant with a culture solution,
A culture solution reservoir for storing the culture solution;
A porous member serving as a foundation for growing the plant;
A plant growing part that is arranged side by side with the culture medium storage part, and for arranging the porous member,
A plant cultivation container, comprising: a partition wall that opens a part of the culture solution storage unit and the plant growing unit and divides each of them.
The said partition wall is spaced apart from the bottom plate of the said plant cultivation container, The said culture solution storage part and the said plant growth part are opened partly, and are each divided, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. The plant cultivation container according to claim 1.
The plant cultivation container according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a top plate that closes each of the culture solution storage unit and the plant growing unit.
The plant cultivation container according to claim 3, wherein the top plate has an opening on each of the culture medium storage unit and the plant growth unit.
The bottom plate of the plant cultivation container is provided with an opening for connecting to the external device in order to supply the culture solution to the external device or supply the culture solution from the external device. The plant cultivation container according to any one of 1 to 4.
The porous member has an upper surface that is a surface on which the plant is grown,
A lower surface that is a surface in contact with the bottom plate of the plant growing part,
The plant cultivation container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the porous member has a density gradient from the upper surface to the lower surface.
The plant cultivation container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the porous member is composed of a plurality of materials having different densities.
The porous member includes a first porous member made of a material having a relatively low density disposed in an upper layer and a second porous member made of a material having a relatively high density disposed in a lower layer. The plant cultivation container according to claim 7, comprising a material member.
The porous member includes a third porous member having a relatively low density disposed in an intermediate layer, and a fourth porous member having a relatively large density disposed in an upper layer and a lower layer. The plant cultivation container according to claim 7, wherein
The plant cultivation container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the porous member is a sponge.
Of the side surfaces of the inner wall facing the partition wall of the culture medium reservoir, the side surface facing the opening of the partition wall has an inclined surface that approaches the opening of the partition wall as it approaches the bottom plate. The plant cultivation container according to claim 2 characterized by things.
A plant cultivation container according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
An external device that is provided so as to be connectable to the plant cultivation container and that is supplied with the culture solution from the connected plant cultivation container, or for supplying the culture solution to the connected plant cultivation container. A plant cultivation system characterized by comprising.
The plant cultivation system according to claim 12, wherein the external device includes a plurality of connection portions for connecting the plant cultivation containers.
The external device is
A medium tank for storing the medium,
A water supply pump for supplying a culture solution from the plant cultivation container connected to the connection portion to the culture solution tank or for supplying a culture solution to the plant cultivation container connected to the connection portion from the culture solution tank The plant cultivation system according to claim 13, comprising:
The plant cultivation system according to claim 14, wherein a stirrer is disposed in the culture medium tank.