WO2015133046A1

WO2015133046A1 - Agricultural sensor

Info

Publication number: WO2015133046A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/000034
Authority: WO
Inventors: 淳坂口; 尚史児玉; 谷澤　孝欣
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2014-03-07
Filing date: 2015-01-07
Publication date: 2015-09-11
Also published as: JP6464518B2; JP2015167525A

Abstract

The agricultural sensor (1) is provided with a measurement device (2), a transmitter (3), a first frame (4), a second frame (5), and a support member. The measurement device (2) measures conditions around a plant (9). The transmitter (3) acquires measurement results from the measurement device (2) and transmits the measurement results using a wireless signal. The first frame (4) houses the transmitter (3). The second frame (5) houses the measurement device (2) and is different from the first frame (4). The support member supports the first frame (4). The support member comprises a first support part (6), which is configured so as to allow adjustment of the height from the ground surface to the first frame (4).

Description

Agricultural sensor

The present invention relates generally to an agricultural sensor, and more particularly to an agricultural sensor configured to measure the ambient environment of a plant.

Conventionally, there are agricultural sensors that measure the environment such as temperature and humidity around plants in an agricultural house (for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-252661 (hereinafter referred to as “Document 1”)). This type of agricultural sensor uses a radio signal to transmit a measurement result to a base unit installed at a remote location.

However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, a sensor that measures temperature and the like and a transmitter that transmits the measurement result of the sensor are integrally provided. Therefore, when measuring the environment near the ground, there is a possibility that the wireless signal is blocked by the plant and does not reach the master unit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and an object thereof is to provide an agricultural sensor capable of preventing a wireless signal from being blocked by a plant.

The agricultural sensor according to the present invention includes a measuring device that measures the surrounding environment of a plant, a transmitter that acquires a measurement result of the measuring device and transmits the measurement result by a radio signal, and a first that houses the transmitter. And a second housing different from the first housing, and a height from the ground to the first housing, supporting the first housing. And a first support member configured to be adjustable.

In the present invention, there is an effect that the wireless signal can be prevented from being blocked by the plant.

The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments in accordance with the present teachings, but are by way of example and not limitation. In the drawings, like numerals refer to the same or similar elements.
It is a schematic block diagram of the agricultural sensor in embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of another structure of the agricultural sensor in embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of installation of the agricultural sensor in embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the agricultural sensor 1 of the present embodiment is provided in an agricultural house, measures the ambient environment of the plant 9, that is, the ambient conditions of the environment surrounding the plant 9, obtains a measurement result, and measures the result. A sensor configured to transmit a result as a wireless signal. The agricultural sensor 1 of the present embodiment includes a measuring device 2, a transmitter 3, a first housing 4, a second housing 5, and a support member. The measuring device 2 is configured to measure the ambient conditions of the environment surrounding the plant 9 and obtain a measurement result. The transmitter 3 is configured to acquire a measurement result from the measurement device 2 and transmit the measurement result with a radio signal. The first housing 4 houses the transmitter 3. The second housing 5 houses the measuring device 2 and is different from the first housing 4. The support member is configured to support the first housing 4 so that the transmitter 3 is disposed at a desired position (for example, a position higher than the height of the plant 9 from the ground).

In the example of FIG. 1, the support member includes a first support member 6, which is configured to be adjustable in height from the ground to the first housing 4. Further, the support member includes a second support member 7. The second support member 7 is configured to support the second housing 5 and adjust the height from the ground to the second housing 5.

In one embodiment, the measuring device 2 includes an input terminal 20 for detecting ambient conditions. Examples of ambient conditions include temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. The transmitter 3 includes a wireless signal output end. In the example of FIG. 1, the radio signal is a radio wave signal, and the output end is the antenna 31 (specifically, the tip 310 of the antenna 31). The support member (the first support member 6 in the example of FIG. 1) is arranged such that the output end of the transmitter 3 is arranged at a position (position of height L3) higher than the height (L2) of the plant 9 from the ground. It is comprised so that the 1st housing | casing 4 may be hold | maintained. Further, the support member (second support member 7 in the example of FIG. 1) has the second housing so that the input end 20 of the measuring device 2 is disposed at a position higher than the ground and lower than the height L 2 of the plant 9. It is configured to hold the body 5 directly or indirectly. In the example of FIG. 1, the support member (second support member 7) is a second member through the protection member 50 so that the input end 20 of the measuring device 2 is disposed at an intermediate position of the height L <b> 2 of the plant 9. The housing 5 is indirectly held.

In one embodiment, the first support member 6 is formed in a rod shape extending in one direction (vertical direction), holds the first housing 4 movably in the one direction, and the first housing 4 is The first support member 6 is configured to be held at any position among two or more positions in the one direction. In one example, the first support member 6 extends in the one direction and has a shaft portion 61 having a first end and a second end, and the second end of the shaft portion 61 so that the first end side of the shaft portion 61 can freely expand and contract. And a cylindrical portion 62 into which the end side is inserted. Desirably, the first support member 6 is configured such that the cylindrical portion 62 is held at an arbitrary position among two or more positions of the shaft portion 61 in a state where the first casing 4 is held by the cylindrical portion 62. Configured. For example, the first support member 6 includes a fixture for fixing the shaft portion 61 and the tube portion 62 to each other. A specific example of the fixing tool will be described later, but the fixing structure of the present embodiment is not limited to the specific example. For example, this embodiment may be a fixing structure using a lock nut used in a tripod of a camera. In another example, the first support member 6 may be configured similarly to a second support member 7 described later.

In one embodiment, the second support member 7 is formed in a bar shape extending in one direction (vertical direction), holds the second housing 5 movably in the one direction, and the second housing 5 is The second support member 7 is configured to be held at any position among the two or more positions of the second support member 7 in the one direction. In one example, the second support member 7 includes a shaft portion 71 extending in the one direction and a cylindrical portion 72 into which the shaft portion 71 is slidably inserted along the shaft portion 71. Desirably, the second support member 7 has a cylindrical portion in a state where the second casing 5 is directly or indirectly held by the cylindrical portion 72 by fitting the shaft portion 71 into the cylindrical portion 72. 72 is configured to be held at an arbitrary position among two or more positions of the shaft portion 71. In another example, the second support member 7 may be configured in the same manner as the first support member 6.

In one embodiment, the plant 9 is a leaf vegetable (more desirably, a soft vegetable), and the height of the plant 9 is an average of the height of the adult plant of the leaf vegetable. Examples of leafy vegetables include spinach, lettuce, leek, chard, ginger rhinoceros, rape, komatsuna, burdock, chicory, collard and kale.

In one embodiment, the measuring device 2 and the transmitter 3 are both connected by wire. In the example of FIG. 1, the measuring device 2 is connected to the transmitter 3 via a cable 10.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the agricultural sensor 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

The measuring device 2 is integrally provided with a temperature detection element for measuring temperature and a humidity detection element for measuring humidity, and is housed in the second casing 5. The second housing 5 houses the measuring device 2 and has an opening 5a so that the measuring device 2 can come into contact with the outside air.

The measurement device 2 and the transmitter 3 are connected by a cable 10, and the measurement result of the measurement device 2 (temperature detection element and humidity detection element) is converted into an electrical signal and output to the transmitter 3 via the cable 10. Is done.

The transmitter 3 includes a communication interface for transmitting a radio signal using radio waves as a transmission medium, and is housed in the first housing 4 together with an antenna 31 used for transmitting the radio signal. The first housing 4 also stores a battery 32 for supplying power to the transmitter 3 and the measuring device 2. The power supply from the battery 32 to the measuring device 2 is performed via the cable 10.

Then, the base unit 8 receives the radio signal transmitted from the transmitter 3. The master unit 8 is composed of a control panel provided in the agricultural house, and is configured to display a measurement result obtained from the receiver 81 configured to receive a radio signal and the radio signal. And a display device 82. Further, the base unit 8 includes a controller 83 configured to perform opening / closing of a curtain, control of a fan, control of watering (irrigation, spraying) and the like based on the measurement result of the agricultural sensor 1.

Here, in the cultivation of plants 9 (agricultural crops) in an agricultural house, environmental management (ambient condition management), particularly management of ambient conditions (temperature, humidity) around the plant 9 is important. In this embodiment, spinach is assumed as the plant 9 (agricultural crops) to be cultivated, and the height L1 of the measuring device 2 is set so that the temperature and humidity at a place where the height from the ground is about 10 cm can be measured. Yes. Specifically, the second housing 5 is supported by the second support member 7. The 2nd support member 7 is formed with a rod-shaped member, and is provided so that a part may be buried in the ground. In addition, the second support member 7 is configured to be adjustable in height to support the second housing 5, and is provided in the vicinity of the plant 9.

In addition, when water is applied to the measuring device 2, an error occurs in the measurement result, so that the second casing 5 is surrounded by the protective member 50. The protection member 50 is a cover in which the cross section of the internal space is formed in a T shape, and holds the second housing 5 inside. In addition, an opening 51 is formed in a part of the side surface of the protection member 50, and air flows into the protection member 50 through the opening 51. In the example of FIG. 1, the two openings 51 are arranged so as to be positioned at both ends of the straight pipe portion. And the protection member 50 is attached to the 2nd support member 7 so that height L1 from the ground of the measuring apparatus 2 may become the height match | combined with the plant 9. FIG. Moreover, the 2nd supporting member 7 is comprised so that adjustment of the height position which can attach the protection member 50 is possible. That is, the second support member 7 is configured to be able to adjust the height L1 from the ground to the second housing 5 (in the example of FIG. 1, the input end 20 of the measuring device 2). Thereby, the height L1 of the measuring device 2 can be set according to the type of the plant 9, and the measuring device 2 can measure the ambient conditions (ambient environment) of the plant 9 more accurately.

Also, the first housing 4 that houses the transmitter 3 is supported by a first support member 6. The 1st support member 6 is formed with the rod-shaped member, and is provided so that one part may be buried in the ground. The first casing 4 is provided with a bottomed hole 40 in a part of the lower surface, and the upper end portion of the first support member 6 is fitted into the hole 40, so that the first support member 6 Supported.

The first support member 6 is divided into a shaft portion 61 and a tube portion 62, and the length of the first support member 6 is adjusted by adjusting the coupling position of the shaft portion 61 and the tube portion 62. It is configured to be possible. The shaft portion 61 has a first end configured to be embedded in the ground and a second end (upper end) configured to be fitted into the cylindrical portion 62. Further, a through-hole (not shown) penetrating in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction (vertical direction) is formed on the side surfaces of the shaft portion 61 and the cylindrical portion 62. A plurality of through holes are arranged at predetermined intervals along the vertical direction on each side surface of the shaft portion 61 and the cylindrical portion 62. Then, the shaft portion 61 and the cylindrical portion 62 are coupled by passing the pin 63 through any two through holes formed in the shaft portion 61 and the cylindrical portion 62. Further, since the shaft portion 61 is provided with a plurality of through holes in the axial direction, the coupling position of the shaft portion 61 and the cylindrical portion 62 can be adjusted by changing the through hole through which the pin 63 passes. The length of the first support member 6 can be adjusted. Thereby, the height from the ground to the first housing 4 is configured to be adjustable. As another example, the support member (each of the first support member 6 and the first support member 6) may be configured to be stretchable like a unipod. In addition, the structure which adjusts the height of the 1st housing | casing 4 is not limited above, For example, the height in which the 1st housing | casing 4 is attached with respect to the 1st support member 6 is adjustable. It may be configured as follows.

As described above, the agricultural sensor 1 of the present embodiment measures the measurement device 2 and the transmitter 3 because they are housed in separate housings (first housing 4 and second housing 5). The device 2 and the transmitter 3 can be arranged at different heights. And in this embodiment, the measuring apparatus 2 is arrange | positioned at the height L1 match | combined with the plant 9, and the transmitter 3 is arrange | positioned so that it may become a position higher than the height L2 of the plant 9. FIG. Thereby, the ambient conditions (temperature, humidity) of the plant 9 can be measured, and further, the radio signal transmitted from the transmitter 3 can be transmitted to the parent device 8 without being blocked by the plant 9.

In this embodiment, the support member is composed of the first support member 6 and the second support member 7, but the present invention is not limited to this. As a modification of the agricultural sensor 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a support member in which a first support member 6 and a second support member 7 are integrated is provided, and a protection member 50 (measuring device) is provided on the shaft portion 61. The structure which attached 2) may be sufficient. In the example of FIG. 2, the support member 6 of the present embodiment substantially corresponds to the first support member 6 of FIG. 1, and the shaft portion 61 of the support member 6 of the present embodiment is the second of the embodiment of FIG. 1. It functions as the support member 7. That is, in this modification, the shaft portion 61 of the present embodiment is configured such that the height of the mounting position of the protection member 50 can be adjusted. As a result, the measuring device 2 can be arranged at a height that matches the height of the plant 9.

As shown in FIG. 3, generally, an irrigation tube 12 is arranged beside the main body 11 of the agricultural house, and water is discharged from a plurality of holes provided in the tube 12. A dotted line arrow in FIG. 3 indicates a parabola of water discharged from the tube 12, and a two-dot chain line indicates a line connecting the apexes of the parabolas. In the present embodiment, the first housing 4 is disposed at a position higher than the parabola of water, that is, the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 so that the first housing 4 does not hinder irrigation. By arranging the first casing 4 in this way, it is possible to prevent the first casing 4 from hindering irrigation of the plant 9.

In the present embodiment, the temperature and humidity are measured as the ambient environment of the plant 9, but either one of them may be measured, or other than the temperature and humidity, for example, the carbon dioxide concentration, the amount of solar radiation, and the like may be measured. But you can.

Although the foregoing best mode and / or other examples are considered, various modifications may be made and the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples. And they may be applied to a number of applications, some of which are best described herein. The following claims claim any and all modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

Claims

A measuring device configured to measure the ambient conditions of the environment surrounding the plant and obtain a measurement result;
A transmitter configured to obtain the measurement result from the measurement device and transmit the measurement result in a radio signal;
A first housing that houses the transmitter;
A second housing that houses the measuring device and is different from the first housing;
An agricultural sensor comprising: a support member configured to support the first housing so that the transmitter is disposed at a position higher than a height of the plant from the ground.
The support member includes a first support member;
The agricultural sensor according to claim 1, wherein the first support member is configured to be capable of adjusting a height from the ground to the first housing.
The support member includes a second support member;
The agricultural sensor according to claim 1, wherein the second support member is configured to support the second housing and adjust a height from the ground to the second housing. .