WO2017002321A1

WO2017002321A1 - Plant growing device

Info

Publication number: WO2017002321A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/002958
Authority: WO
Inventors: 宏矢野
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2015-07-02
Filing date: 2016-06-20
Publication date: 2017-01-05
Also published as: JPWO2017002321A1

Abstract

A control unit (50) includes: a light-level setting unit (51) that sets a target value (LSk) of the light level to be detected by a light-level detection unit (8) at each point in time in the process of a plant (1) growing toward a light-radiating unit (5) in accordance with a distance (Yk) between the plant (1) and the light-radiating unit (5); and a light-level adjusting unit (52) that adjusts the light level of light emitted by the light-radiating unit (5) so that the light levels detected by the light-level detection unit (8) approach the target value (LSk) of the light level set by the light-level setting unit (51).

Description

Plant growing device

The present invention relates to a plant growing apparatus for growing a plant by irradiating the plant with light emitted by an artificial light source in a room of a plant factory or the like.

Development of an artificial light source type plant growing apparatus that irradiates a plant with light necessary for cultivation using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a fluorescent lamp is underway. In growing a plant by irradiation of light emitted from an artificial light source, the distance between the plant and the artificial light source decreases as the plant grows. For this reason, as the height of the plant increases, the amount of light applied to the leaves of the plant increases. Therefore, when the height of the plant is small and the distance between the plant and the artificial light source is set to an appropriate value, the distance between the plant and the artificial light source is too small when the height of the plant is high. The artificial light source consumes useless power. That is, as the height of the plant increases, there arises a problem that wasteful power is consumed by the artificial light source.

In order to solve this problem, the following Patent Document 1 describes an artificial light source so that the distance between the artificial light source and the plant is constant by a detection means that detects the height of the plant when the plant is growing. A technique for moving the object is disclosed.

JP 2013-153691 A

According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, power for moving the artificial light source is required to reduce power consumption. Therefore, there is a need for a plant growing device that can further reduce power consumption without moving an artificial light source.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the conventional technology. And the objective of this invention is providing the plant growing apparatus which can reduce power consumption.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a plant growing device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a light irradiation unit fixed at a specific position so as to irradiate light to a ground part of a plant fixed at a predetermined position, and A light amount detection unit that detects a light amount at a fixed position around the plant, and a control unit that controls the light amount emitted by the light irradiation unit based on the light amount data detected by the light amount detection unit, The control unit determines the amount of light to be detected by the light amount detection unit according to the distance between the plant and the light irradiation unit at each point in the process of the plant growing toward the light irradiation unit. A light amount setting unit that sets a target value, and a light amount that adjusts the light amount emitted by the light irradiation unit so that the light amount detected by the light amount detection unit approaches the target value of the light amount set by the light amount setting unit Key It includes a part, a.

According to the present invention, the power consumption of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus can be reduced.

It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram for demonstrating the whole structure of the plant growing apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the natural height of a plant, and the elapsed time from the start of cultivation of a plant. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the light quantity irradiated from a light irradiation part, and the distance from a light irradiation part. It is a functional block diagram of the control part of the plant growing apparatus of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the light quantity setting process 1 which the control part of the plant growing apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention performs. The figure for demonstrating the data table by which the relationship between the elapsed time from the start of cultivation of a plant and the height of the above-ground part of a plant was memorize | stored in the control part of the plant cultivation apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is. To describe a data table that is stored in the control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention and stores the relationship between the distance between the plant and the light irradiation unit and the target value of the light amount detected by the light amount detection unit. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the light quantity adjustment process which the control part of the plant growing apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention performs. It is a functional block diagram of the control part of the plant growing apparatus of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the light quantity setting process 2 which the control part of the plant growing apparatus of Embodiment 2 of this invention performs. It is a functional block diagram of the control part of the plant growing apparatus of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the light quantity setting process 3 which the control part of the plant growing apparatus of Embodiment 3 of this invention performs.

Hereinafter, the plant growing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Plants cultivated by hydroponics equipment)
Examples of the plant 1 cultivated using the plant growing apparatus 100 of the embodiment include root vegetables such as ginseng (ginseng or ginseng). However, the plant 1 that can be cultivated by the plant growing device 100 of the embodiment is not limited to this.

The plant growing apparatus 100 of the embodiment is suitable for hydroponic cultivation of perennial grass. Perennial plants are perennial plants that die when they are not suitable for growth (often in winter but sometimes in summer), but after that time they germinate and begin to grow again. Say things.

(Structure of hydroponic cultivation apparatus of embodiment)
The plant growth apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 is demonstrated using FIG. 1 and FIG. All of the plant growing devices 100 of Embodiments 1 to 3 have the configuration shown in FIG. 1 as a common configuration.

As shown in FIG. 1, the plant growing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment is installed in a housing 200 such as a container. The housing 200 constitutes a substantially sealed space. The housing 200 is provided with a door. The grower can enter the housing 200 by opening and closing the door. The space in the housing 200 constitutes the ground space 26 of the plant growing device 100. The plant growing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment includes a cultivation tank 6, a light irradiation unit 5, a ground surface unit 7, a control unit 50, and an operation unit 300.

Water or nutrient solution 60 is stored in the cultivation tank 6. The cultivation tank 6 includes a discharge pipe 6 C for discharging water or nutrient solution 60. The cultivation tank 6 and the tank 12 are connected by a supply pipe 6A. A pump 11 is connected to the supply pipe 6A. When the pump 11 is driven, the water or nutrient solution 60 in the tank 12 is supplied to the cultivation tank 6 via the supply pipe 6A.

The plant growing device 100 includes a plate-shaped ground surface portion 7 having a through hole 7A into which a culture medium 30 for hydroponics can be inserted. In the cultivation tank 6, the underground part 1 A of the plant 1 is held on the ground surface part 7 through the medium 30 for hydroponics, thereby being positioned above the water or nutrient solution 60. The culture medium 30 of the plant growing device 100 is arranged so as to surround the underground portion 1A of the plant 1, and is configured by a sponge or the like that can retain the permeated moisture.

The ground surface part 7 partitions the underground space 16 in which the underground part 1A of the plant 1 grows and the ground space 26 in which the above-ground part 1B of the plant 1 grows. The cultivation tank 6 and the ground surface part 7 constitute a housing as a cultivation room underground part 67 that encloses an underground space 16 in which the underground part 1A of the plant 1 grows. The cultivation room underground section 67 stores the water or nutrient solution 60 so that the root 1C of the plant 1 is immersed, and includes the underground space 16 so as to be separated from the ground space 26.

In the plant growing device 100 of the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 5 that irradiates the ground part 1B of the plant 1 with light is provided above the plant 1 in the ground space 26. The light irradiation unit 5 is fixed to the ceiling surface of the housing 200 by the support unit 55. Therefore, the position of the light irradiation unit 5 is fixed. The light quantity detector 8 is attached to the upper surface of the ground surface portion 7. Therefore, the position of the light quantity detection unit 8 is fixed. Therefore, the distance X between the light irradiation part 5 and the light quantity detection part 8 is constant, and is the sum of the height Hk of the ground part 1B of the plant 1 and the distance Yk from the plant 1 to the light irradiation part 5. Become.

The positional relationship among the plant 1, the light irradiation unit 5, and the light amount detection unit 8 so that the plant 1 deviates from the light path from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8 at any stage of the growth process of the plant 1. Is set. That is, there is no time when a part of the plant 1 exists between the light irradiation unit 5 and the light amount detection unit 8. Therefore, the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 5 always reaches the light amount detection unit 8 without being blocked by the plant 1.

Since the leaves of the plant 1 protrude upward from the medium 30 for hydroponics, photosynthesis can be performed by receiving light from the light irradiation unit 5. On the other hand, the root 1C of the plant 1 hangs down so as to be immersed in water or the nutrient solution 60 from the lower part of the underground part 1A. Therefore, the plant 1 can absorb water or the nutrient solution 60 from its root 1C.

The light irradiation unit 5 is controlled to a light period state in which light is applied to the ground part 1B of the plant 1 and a dark period state in which light is not applied to the ground part 1B of the plant 1. The light irradiation unit 5 may be an artificial light source that emits light by itself, or may be a light guide that irradiates the plant 1 with sunlight or light guided from an artificial light source that emits light.

In the present embodiment, for example, a cultivation method in which irrigation to the plant 1 is performed by a spray unit provided in the underground space 16 may be employed. Moreover, the irrigation to the plant 1 may be performed by a thin film hydroponics method, that is, NFT (Nutrient Film Film Technology). Further, the irrigation of the plant 1 may be performed by a submerged hydroponics method, that is, DFT (Deep Flow Technology).

The plant growing device 100 includes an imaging unit 95. The imaging unit 95 is a commonly used video camera. However, the imaging unit 95 may be an infrared camera that identifies the plant 1 from surrounding objects based on its temperature. The imaging unit 95 acquires the image data of the ground part 1 B of the plant 1 and transmits it to the control unit 50.

The plant growing device 100 includes an operation unit 300 that can be operated by a grower of the plant 1. The operation unit 300 is operated by the grower of the plant 1 and transmits command data to the control unit 50.

The control unit 50 is a computer in which a program for executing control of each device is installed in an internal memory from an external recording medium. The control unit 50 controls the light irradiation unit 5 and the pump 11 based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit 95 or the command data input by the operation unit 300 according to the program described above.

Generally, the time Tk that has elapsed since the start of cultivation of the plant 1 and the natural height of the plant 1, that is, the height Hk of the above-ground part 1B in FIG. 1 have a relationship as shown in the graph of FIG.

Further, the relationship between the amount of light emitted from the light irradiation unit 5 and the distance from the light irradiation unit 5 is as shown in the graph of FIG. In FIG. 3, since the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8 is constant, if the light amount emitted from the light irradiation unit 5 is constant, the light amount LDk detected by the light amount detection unit 8 is also constant. However, when the amount of light emitted from the light irradiation unit 5 decreases due to the deterioration of the light irradiation unit 5 over time, the amount of light LDk detected by the light amount detection unit 8 also decreases.

As shown in FIG. 1, the plant growing device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a light irradiation unit 5, a light amount detection unit 8, and a control unit 50. The light irradiation part 5 is being fixed to the specific position so that light may be irradiated to the above-ground part 1B of the plant 1 fixed to the predetermined position as mentioned above. The light quantity detection unit 8 detects the light quantity at a fixed position around the plant 1. The control unit 50 controls the amount of light emitted by the light irradiation unit 5 based on the light amount data detected by the light amount detection unit 8. The control unit 50 includes a light amount setting unit 51 and a light amount adjustment unit 52.

The light amount setting unit 51 should be detected by the light amount detection unit 8 according to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 at each point in the process of the plant 1 growing toward the light irradiation unit 5. The light quantity target value Lsk is set. In the present embodiment, as the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 becomes smaller, the light quantity target value LSK to be detected by the light quantity detection unit 8 becomes smaller. More specifically, the target amount LSK of the light amount is set so that the actual light amount that the plant 1 receives from the light irradiation unit 5 is constant even if the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 changes. , Based on the results of experiments conducted in advance.

The light amount adjustment unit 52 adjusts the light amount emitted by the light irradiation unit 5 so that the actual light amount detected by the light amount detection unit 8 approaches the target value Lsk of the light amount set by the light amount setting unit 51. Therefore, the power consumption can be further reduced without moving the light irradiation unit 5. In addition, the amount of light emitted by the light irradiation unit 5 is not adjusted to a predetermined value, but the amount of light detected by the light amount detection unit 8 is adjusted to a predetermined value. Therefore, even if the light amount emitted from the light irradiation unit 5 decreases due to aging, the plant 1 is irradiated with a desired amount of light.

(Embodiment 1)
Since the structure of the plant growing apparatus 100 of this Embodiment is a structure of the plant growing apparatus 100 demonstrated using FIG. 1, the description is not repeated unless there is particular need. Hereinafter, the structure peculiar to the plant growing apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 is demonstrated.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the plant growing device 100 of the present embodiment, the light amount setting unit 51 includes a timer T that measures time from a predetermined time after the cultivation of the plant 1 is started. The light amount setting unit 51 sets a target value Lsk of the light amount corresponding to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 based on the time Tk timed by the timer T. Therefore, by using the timer T, it is possible to easily set the target value LSK of the light amount corresponding to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the light amount setting unit 51 of the plant growing device 100 includes a height selection unit C, a storage unit M, a calculation unit O, and a target value selection unit S. . The height selection unit C selects the height Hk of the ground part 1B as the predetermined part of the plant 1 corresponding to the time Tk timed by the timer T. The storage unit M stores data of the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8. The calculation unit O includes the data of the height Hk of the ground portion 1B of the plant 1 selected by the height selection unit C, the data of the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8 stored in the storage unit M, and The data of the difference Dk is calculated. The target value selection unit S uses the data of the difference Dk calculated by the calculation unit O as the data of the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 and the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5. Data of the target value Lsk of the light quantity corresponding to the data is selected.

However, the relationship between the time Tk determined based on the results of experiments performed in advance and the target light quantity value LSK may be stored in the data table. In this case, the control unit 50 simply selects the target value Lsk of the light amount corresponding to the time Tk counted by the timer T.

Next, the light quantity setting process 1 executed by the control unit 50 of the plant growing device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S11, the control unit 50 acquires data of the time Tk counted by the timer T. Next, in step S12, the control unit 50 stores, in the height selection unit C, the relationship between the time Tk elapsed from the predetermined time point shown in FIG. 6 and the height Hk of the above-ground part 1B of the plant 1 is stored. Reference a table. Thereby, the control part 50 makes the height selection part C select the data of the height Hk of the predetermined part of the plant 1 corresponding to the data of the time Tk timed by the timer T. Thereafter, the control unit 50 causes the calculation unit O to refer to the storage unit M that stores data on the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8.

Thereby, in step S13, the control part 50 makes the calculating part O the light irradiation part 5 memorize | stored in the data of the height Hk of the ground part 1B of the plant 1 selected by the height selection part C, and the memory | storage part M. The data of the difference Dk from the data of the distance X from the light to the light quantity detection unit 8 is calculated. In step S 14, the control unit 50 causes the target value selection unit S to determine the distance Yk between the light irradiation unit 5 and the plant 1 shown in FIG. 7 and the target value Lsk of the light amount to be detected by the light amount detection unit 8. The data table in which the relationship is stored is referred to.

In the data table shown in FIG. 7, as the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 decreases, the target value Lsk of the light amount to be detected by the light amount detection unit 8 decreases. More specifically, the target amount LSK of the light amount is set in advance so that the light amount that the plant 1 receives from the light irradiation unit 5 is constant even if the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 changes. It is determined based on the results of experiments conducted.

Thereafter, the control unit 50 causes the target value selection unit S to use the data of the difference Dk calculated by the calculation unit O as data of the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5, and the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5. The data of the target value Lsk of the light amount corresponding to the data of the distance Yk between and is selected.

Next, the light amount adjustment process executed by the control unit 50 of the plant growing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S 101, the light amount adjustment unit 52 acquires data of the light amount target value Lsk set by the light amount setting unit 51. Next, in step S102, data on the light amount LDk detected by the light amount detector 8 is acquired. Data of the actual light amount LDk detected by the light amount detector 8 is a fluctuation value. The reason is that, as described above, the light quantity LDk may decrease due to aging.

Thereafter, in step S103, the light amount adjustment unit 52 determines whether or not the light amount target value LSk set by the light amount setting unit 51 matches the actual light amount LDk detected by the light amount detection unit 8. At this time, the light quantity target value LSK and the actual light quantity LDk may not be exactly the same value. That is, if the actual light quantity LDk is within a predetermined range above and below the target light quantity value LSK, the target light quantity value LSK and the actual light quantity LDk are the same. This predetermined range is appropriately set in advance in accordance with an allowable error in light amount adjustment.

In step S103, if the light quantity target value LSK matches the actual light quantity LDk, there is no need to adjust the quantity of light emitted by the light irradiating section 5. Therefore, the light quantity adjusting section 52 performs the processing in steps S101 to S103. repeat. In step S103, if the light quantity target value Lsk and the actual light quantity LDk do not match, in step S104, the light quantity adjustment unit 52 determines whether or not the actual light quantity LDk is smaller than the light quantity target value Lsk. To do.

In step S104, if the actual light amount LDk is smaller than the light amount target value LSK, the light amount adjustment unit 52 increases the light amount emitted by the light irradiation unit 5 by the change amount Δk in step S105. On the other hand, if the actual light amount LDk is not smaller than the light amount target value LSK in step S104, the light amount adjustment unit 52 determines whether the light amount LDk is larger than the light amount target value LSK in step S106. Determine whether or not.

In step S106, if the actual light amount LDk is not larger than the light amount target value LSK, in step S108, the light amount adjustment unit 52 decreases the change amount Δk and executes the process of step S101. On the other hand, if the light amount LDk is larger than the light amount target value LSK in step S106, the light amount adjustment unit 52 decreases the light amount emitted by the light irradiation unit 5 by the change amount Δk in step S107. Thereafter, in step S108, the light amount adjustment unit 52 decreases the amount of change Δk and executes the process of step S101.

In the above processing, the initial value of the change amount Δk is a constant value, but the change amount Δk gradually decreases as the processing proceeds. Therefore, the actual light amount LDk detected by the light amount detection unit 8 gradually approaches the light amount target value Lsk set by the light amount setting unit 51.

(Embodiment 2)
Since the structure of the plant growing apparatus 100 of this Embodiment is a structure of the plant growing apparatus 100 demonstrated using FIG. 1, the description is not repeated unless there is particular need. Hereinafter, a configuration unique to the plant growing device 100 of the second embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 9, the plant growing device 100 uses an imaging unit 95 that acquires image data of the above-ground part 1 B of the plant 1 for setting the light amount. The light quantity setting unit 51 sets a target value Lsk of the light quantity corresponding to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit 95. Therefore, the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 can be grasped based on the actual image data of the plant 1. Therefore, the target value Lsk of the light quantity corresponding to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 can be set with high accuracy.

In the present embodiment, the light amount setting unit 51 includes a height extraction unit I, a storage unit M, a calculation unit O, and a target value selection unit S. The height extraction unit I extracts data on the height Hk of the above-ground part 1 B of the plant 1 from the image data acquired by the imaging unit 95. The storage unit M stores data of the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8. The above-ground part 1B is distinguished from other parts by the color or shape of stems and leaves. The height of the identified stem and leaf part is extracted as the height of the above-ground part 1B. The calculation unit O includes the data of the height Hk of the above-ground part 1B of the plant 1 extracted by the height extraction unit I, the data of the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8 stored in the storage unit M, and The data of the difference Dk is calculated. The target value selection unit S uses the data of the difference Dk calculated by the calculation unit O as the data of the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 and the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5. Data of the target value Lsk of the light quantity corresponding to the data is selected.

However, the imaging unit 95 may acquire both image data between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5. In this case, the control unit 50 extracts the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 from the image data instead of the height Hk of the ground part 1B of the plant 1, and corresponds to the extracted distance Yk. It is only necessary to select a target value Lsk for the amount of light to be emitted.

Next, the light quantity setting process 2 executed by the control unit 50 of the plant growing device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Since the light amount adjustment process 2 executed by the control unit 50 of the plant growing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is the same as the light amount adjustment process according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8, the description thereof will not be repeated. Hereinafter, only the light quantity setting process 2 of the present embodiment will be described.

In step S 21, the control unit 50 causes the imaging unit 95 to acquire image data of the ground portion 1 B of the plant 1. In step S 22, the control unit 50 causes the height extraction unit I to extract data on the height Hk of the above-ground part 1 B of the plant 1 from the image data acquired by the imaging unit 95. Next, in step S 23, the control unit 50 causes the calculation unit O to refer to the storage unit M that stores data on the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8. Thereby, in step S24, the control unit 50 sends the data of the difference Dk between the data of the height Hk extracted by the height extraction unit I and the data of the distance X stored in the storage unit M to the calculation unit O. Let it be calculated. Next, in step S25, the control unit 50 causes the target value selection unit S to refer to the data table indicating the relationship between the distance Yk and the target value LSK shown in FIG. As a result, the control unit 50 causes the target value selection unit S to use the data of the difference Dk calculated by the calculation unit O as the data of the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5, and the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit. 5, the data of the target value Lsk of the light amount corresponding to the data of the distance Yk between 5 and 5 is selected.

(Embodiment 3)
Since the structure of the plant growing apparatus 100 of this Embodiment is a structure of the plant growing apparatus 100 demonstrated using FIG. 1, the description is not repeated unless there is particular need. Hereinafter, a configuration unique to the plant growing device 100 of the third embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 11, the plant growing device 100 uses an operation unit 300 that can be operated by a grower of the plant 1 for light quantity setting. The light amount setting unit 51 sets a target value LSK of the light amount corresponding to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 based on the information regarding the degree of growth of the plant 1 input by the operation unit 300. Therefore, after the grower of the plant 1 confirms the actual growth degree of the plant 1, the target value Lsk of the light amount corresponding to the distance Y between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 can be set. .

The information regarding the degree of growth of the plant 1 according to the present embodiment is data on the height Hk of the above-ground part 1B as a predetermined part of the plant 1. The data of the height Hk is determined by visual observation of the grower of the plant 1 or measurement using a measuring instrument. In the present embodiment, the light amount setting unit 51 includes a storage unit M, a calculation unit O, and a target value selection unit S. The storage unit M stores data of the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8. The calculation unit O is a difference between the data of the height Hk of the ground portion 1B of the plant 1 input by the operation unit 300 and the data of the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8 stored in the storage unit M. Dk data is calculated. The target value selection unit S uses the data of the difference Dk calculated by the calculation unit O as the data of the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 and the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5. Data of the target value Lsk of the light quantity corresponding to the data is selected.

However, for example, the relationship between the height Hk of the above-ground part 1B of the plant 1 and the target value LSK of the light amount determined based on the results of experiments performed in advance may be stored in the data table. In this case, the control unit 50 simply selects the target value Lsk of the light amount corresponding to the height Hk of the ground part 1B of the plant 1 input by the operation unit 300.

Next, the light amount setting process 3 executed by the control unit 50 of the plant growing device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Since the light amount adjustment process 3 executed by the control unit 50 of the plant growing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is the same as the light amount adjustment process of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8, the description thereof will not be repeated. Hereinafter, only the light amount setting process 3 of the present embodiment will be described.

In step S31, the control unit 50 receives the data of the height Hk of the ground portion 1B as the predetermined portion of the plant 1 input by the grower through the operation unit 300. Next, in step S 32, the control unit 50 causes the calculation unit O to refer to the storage unit M that stores data on the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8. In step S 33, the control unit 50 sends the difference Dk between the data of the height Hk of the ground part 1 B of the plant 1 input by the operation unit 300 and the data of the distance Yk stored in the storage unit M to the calculation unit O. Let the data be calculated. Thereafter, in step S34, the control unit 50 causes the target value selection unit S to set the distance Yk between the light irradiation unit 5 and the plant 1 shown in FIG. A data table indicating a relationship with LSK is referred to. Accordingly, the control unit 50 causes the target value selection unit S to use the data of the difference Dk calculated by the calculation unit O as the data of the distance Yk between the light irradiation unit 5 and the plant 1, and the light irradiation unit 5 and the plant. The data of the target value Lsk of the light quantity corresponding to the data of the distance Yk to 1 is selected.

Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the plant growing device 100 according to the embodiment and effects obtained thereby will be described.

(1) The plant growing apparatus 100 includes a light irradiation unit 5, a light amount detection unit 8, and a control unit 50. The light irradiation unit 5 is fixed at a specific position so as to irradiate the ground part 1B of the plant 1 fixed at a predetermined position. The light quantity detection unit 8 detects the light quantity at a fixed position around the plant 1. The control unit 50 controls the amount of light emitted by the light irradiation unit 5 based on the light amount data detected by the light amount detection unit 8.

The control unit 50 includes a light amount setting unit 51 and a light amount adjusting unit 52. The light amount setting unit 51 should be detected by the light amount detection unit 8 according to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 at each point in the process of the plant 1 growing toward the light irradiation unit 5. The light quantity target value Lsk is set. The light amount adjustment unit 52 adjusts the light amount emitted by the light irradiation unit 5 so that the light amount detected by the light amount detection unit 8 approaches the target value Lsk of the light amount set by the light amount setting unit 51.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to set the target value Lsk of the light amount that should be detected by the light amount detection unit 8 according to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5. Therefore, the plant 1 can be irradiated with light having a light amount corresponding to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 without moving the light irradiation unit 5. As a result, the power consumption of the light irradiation unit 5 can be reduced.

(2) The control unit 50 may include a timer T that measures time from a predetermined time after the cultivation of the plant 1 is started. In this case, it is preferable that the light amount setting unit 51 sets the target value LSK of the light amount corresponding to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 based on the time Tk counted by the timer T.

According to the above configuration, the target value Lsk of the light amount corresponding to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 can be easily obtained by using a timer T that is generally provided in a computer such as the control unit 50. Can be set.

(3) The light quantity setting unit 51 may include a height selection unit C, a storage unit M, a calculation unit O, and a target value selection unit S. The height selection unit C selects the height Hk of the predetermined part of the plant 1 corresponding to the time Tk counted by the timer T. The storage unit M stores data of the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8. The calculation unit O includes the data of the height Hk of the predetermined part of the plant 1 selected by the height selection unit C and the data of the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8 stored in the storage unit M. Data of the difference Dk is calculated. The target value selection unit S uses the data of the difference Dk calculated by the calculation unit O as the data of the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 and the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5. Data of the target value Lsk of the light quantity corresponding to the data is selected.

According to said structure, by changing the data of the distance X from the light irradiation part 5 memorize | stored in the memory | storage part M to the light quantity detection part 8, the distance X between the light irradiation part 5 and the light quantity detection part 8 is changed. The same control can be applied to the plant growing apparatus 100 having a different size.

(4) The plant growing device 100 may further include an imaging unit 95 that acquires image data of the ground portion 1B of the plant 1. In this case, it is preferable that the light amount setting unit 51 sets a target value LSK of the light amount corresponding to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit 95.

According to the above configuration, the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 can be grasped based on the actual image data of the plant 1. Therefore, the target value LSK of the light quantity corresponding to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 can be set with high accuracy.

(5) The light quantity setting unit 51 includes a height extraction unit I, a storage unit M, a calculation unit O, and a target value selection unit S. The height extraction unit I extracts data on the height Hk of the predetermined portion of the plant 1 from the image data acquired by the imaging unit 95. The storage unit M stores data of the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8. The calculation unit O includes the data of the height Hk of the predetermined part of the plant 1 extracted by the height extraction unit I and the data of the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8 stored in the storage unit M. Data of the difference Dk is calculated. The target value selection unit S uses the data of the difference Dk calculated by the calculation unit O as the data of the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 and the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5. Data of the target value Lsk of the light quantity corresponding to the data is selected.

(6) The plant growing apparatus 100 may further include an operation unit 300 that can be operated by the grower of the plant 1. In this case, the light amount setting unit 51 sets the target value LSK of the light amount corresponding to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 based on the information regarding the degree of growth of the plant 1 input by the operation unit 300. It is preferable to set.

According to the above configuration, the grower of the plant 1 himself / herself confirms the degree of growth of the plant 1, and then sets the target value LSK of the light amount corresponding to the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5. be able to.

(7) The information regarding the degree of growth of the plant 1 may include data on the height Hk of the predetermined portion of the plant 1. In this case, the light amount setting unit 51 preferably includes a storage unit M, a calculation unit O, and a target value selection unit S. The storage unit M stores data of the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8. The calculation unit O calculates the difference Dk between the data of the height Hk of the predetermined part of the plant 1 input by the operation unit 300 and the data of the distance X from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8 stored in the storage unit M. Calculate the data. The target value selection unit S uses the data of the difference Dk calculated by the calculation unit O as the data of the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 and the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5. Data of the target value Lsk of the light quantity corresponding to the data is selected.

(8) The plant growing apparatus 100 may further include a ground surface portion 7 that separates the ground space 26 where the ground portion 1B of the plant 1 grows and the underground space 16 where the underground portion 1A of the plant 1 grows. In this case, the light irradiation part 5 may be provided above the ground part 1 B of the plant 1, and the light amount detection part 8 may be provided on the upper surface of the ground surface part 7.

According to said structure, the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation part 5 is computable using the measurement result of the change of height Hk when the above-ground part 1B of the plant 1 grows. .

(9) The plant 1, the light irradiation unit 5, and the light amount detection unit 8 so that the plant 1 deviates from the light path from the light irradiation unit 5 to the light amount detection unit 8 at any stage of the growth process of the plant 1. It is preferable that the positional relationship is set.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the light amount detection unit 8 cannot properly detect the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 5.

(10) As the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 decreases, it is preferable that the target value LSK of the light amount decreases.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the power consumption while satisfying the light quantity requirement required by the plant 1.

(11) The target value LSK of the light amount is set so that the actual light amount received by the plant 1 from the light irradiation unit 5 is constant even if the distance Yk between the plant 1 and the light irradiation unit 5 changes. Yes.

According to said structure, power consumption can be reduced as much as possible, maintaining the state which comprises the requirements of the light quantity which the plant 1 requires.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-133425 filed on July 2, 2015, and incorporates by reference all the contents described in the Japanese application. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Plant

1A Underground part

1B Ground part 5 Light irradiation part 7 Ground surface part 8 Light quantity detection part 16 Underground space 26 Ground space 50 Control part 51 Light quantity setting part 52 Light quantity adjustment part 95 Imaging part 100 Plant growth apparatus Dk difference Hk Height I Height extraction unit Lsk Target value of light quantity C Height selection unit M Storage unit O Calculation unit S Target value selection unit T Timer X Distance Yk Distance

Claims

A light irradiator fixed at a specific position so as to irradiate the ground part of the plant fixed at a predetermined position; and
A light amount detector for detecting the light amount at a fixed position around the plant;
A control unit that controls the amount of light emitted by the light irradiation unit based on the light amount data detected by the light amount detection unit,
The controller is
At each point in the process of growing the plant toward the light irradiation unit, a target value of the light amount to be detected by the light amount detection unit is set according to the distance between the plant and the light irradiation unit. A light intensity setting unit;
A plant growth device, comprising: a light amount adjustment unit that adjusts a light amount emitted by the light irradiation unit so that the light amount detected by the light amount detection unit approaches a target value of the light amount set by the light amount setting unit .
The control unit includes a timer for measuring time from a predetermined time after the cultivation of the plant is started,
2. The plant growth according to claim 1, wherein the light amount setting unit sets a target value of the light amount corresponding to a distance between the plant and the light irradiation unit, based on a time counted by the timer. apparatus.
The light quantity setting unit is
A height selection unit for selecting the height of the predetermined part of the plant corresponding to the time measured by the timer;
A storage unit that stores data of a distance from the light irradiation unit to the light amount detection unit;
Calculation for calculating difference data between the height data of the predetermined part of the plant selected by the height selection unit and the distance data from the light irradiation unit to the light amount detection unit stored in the storage unit And
Using the difference data calculated by the calculation unit as data on the distance between the plant and the light irradiation unit, the target value of the light amount corresponding to the data on the distance between the plant and the light irradiation unit The plant growth device according to claim 2, further comprising: a target value selection unit that selects the data.
An image pickup unit for acquiring image data of the above-ground part of the plant;
The said light quantity setting part sets the target value of the said light quantity corresponding to the distance between the said plant and the said light irradiation part based on the said image data acquired by the said imaging part. Plant growing device.
The light quantity setting unit is
A height extraction unit for extracting data on the height of a predetermined part of the plant from the image data acquired by the imaging unit;
A storage unit that stores data of a distance from the light irradiation unit to the light amount detection unit;
Calculation for calculating difference data between the height data of the predetermined part of the plant extracted by the height extraction unit and the distance data from the light irradiation unit to the light amount detection unit stored in the storage unit And
Using the difference data calculated by the calculation unit as data on the distance between the plant and the light irradiation unit, the target value of the light amount corresponding to the data on the distance between the plant and the light irradiation unit The plant growth apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a target value selection unit that selects the data.
It further comprises an operation unit that can be operated by the plant grower,
The light amount setting unit sets a target value of the light amount corresponding to a distance between the plant and the light irradiation unit, based on information on the degree of growth of the plant input by the operation unit. Item 1. The plant growing device according to Item 1.
The information regarding the degree of growth of the plant includes data on the height of a predetermined part of the plant,
The light quantity setting unit is
A storage unit that stores data of a distance from the light irradiation unit to the light amount detection unit;
A calculation unit that calculates difference data between the height data of the predetermined part of the plant input by the operation unit and the distance data from the light irradiation unit stored in the storage unit to the light amount detection unit; ,
Using the difference data calculated by the calculation unit as data on the distance between the plant and the light irradiation unit, the target value of the light amount corresponding to the data on the distance between the plant and the light irradiation unit The plant growth device according to claim 6, further comprising: a target value selection unit that selects the data.
It further comprises a ground surface part that separates the ground space in which the above-ground part of the plant grows and the underground space in which the underground part of the plant grows,
The light irradiation part is provided above the ground part of the plant,
The plant growing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the light amount detection unit is provided on an upper surface of the ground surface portion.
The positional relationship among the plant, the light irradiation unit, and the light amount detection unit so that the plant is out of the course of light from the light irradiation unit to the light amount detection unit at any stage of the plant growth process. The plant growing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein
The plant growing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the target value of the light amount decreases as the distance between the plant and the light irradiation unit decreases.
The target value of the light amount is set so that the actual light amount received by the plant from the light irradiation unit is constant even if the distance between the plant and the light irradiation unit is changed. The plant growing device according to any one of 1 to 10.