WO2021037901A1

WO2021037901A1 - Method and device for the cultivation and treatment of plants in an air-conditioned plant cultivation device

Info

Publication number: WO2021037901A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/073834
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Zimmermann; Hermann VOLLATH
Original assignee: ZiVo Engineering GmbH
Priority date: 2019-08-27
Filing date: 2020-08-26
Publication date: 2021-03-04
Also published as: DE102019122887A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a device for the cultivation and treatment of plants in an air-conditioned plant cultivation device (1), in which a number of plant trays (12, 12a) populated with plants (13) is conveyed by at least one longitudinal conveyor (9, 10) in an approximate circuit from an operating region (2), along a growth region (3), and back to the operating region (2). A plurality of longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) is arranged in the plant cultivation device (1). The plant trays (12, 12a) are conveyed as a result of the arrangement of a transfer unit (30) at the output end of the longitudinal conveyors (9) conveying in one direction (16), which transfer unit removes the plant tray (12, 12a) from the one longitudinal conveyor (9) conveying in the one direction and transfers the plant tray onto a longitudinal conveyor (10) conveying in the opposite direction, which longitudinal conveyor conveys the plant tray (12, 12a) back to the operating region (2).

Description

Method and device for growing and treating plants in an air-conditioned plant-growing device. The subject matter of the invention is a method and a device for growing and treating plants in an air-conditioned plant-growing device.

Such a method and a device operating according to the method have become known, for example, with the subject matter of DE 10343804 A1. The cited document describes a method and a device for treating vegetable plants, a plurality of hanging plant trays being arranged on a longitudinal conveyor conveying in a closed circuit, which are guided past different treatment stations and thus form a closed circuit, with the Plants arranged in the plant trays have only a slight growth with a correspondingly small fruiting body and a root formation, while at the end of the circulation the plants are harvested in a ready-to-harvest state in the service area.

The known method is therefore used for growing and treating plants which, after completion of the cycle, can be removed from the control unit and / or harvested there in a ready-to-harvest state. Such plants are z. B. Vegetables, mushrooms, berries or pome fruits, aromatic plants and the like.

The disadvantage of the known method, however, is the need to use hanging plant trays, which are conveyed hanging one behind the other in series on a zigzag longitudinal conveyor. In addition to the high machine outlay associated with the operation and maintenance of a single, zigzag longitudinal conveyor, there is the further disadvantage that there is only a low harvest yield because there is always only one strand of plant pots in the said cycle can be promoted. A multi-strand design of longitudinal conveyors cannot be found in this publication.

EP 3 338 537 A1 describes a method for growing and treating plants which are arranged in plant trays, the plant trays being provided with nutrient solution with a self-contained nutrient system and a longitudinal conveyor arranged in the plant growing device only serves to transport the individual to move plant trays arranged in groups from one position to another. There is no circulatory system. This has the disadvantage that the plant trays have to be placed and removed from opposite ends of the device, and a large amount of space is therefore required for such a plant cultivation device. An automatic run is not intended and possible. With the subject matter of US 10 034 435 B2, another plant growing device has become known in which the plant trays are arranged in a stationary shelf system in the interior of a container. There is no longitudinal conveyor. For this reason, a large amount of space is required for the container of the plant cultivation device, and the interior area that can be walked on harbors the risk that the climate necessary for the growth of the plants cannot be guaranteed. Rather, there is a risk that people who enter the growth area, undesirably introduce germs and pests into the growth area, which can be associated with the risk of failure in the harvest.

Based on DE 103 43 804 A1, the invention is therefore based on the object of developing a method and a device for carrying out the method in such a way that a high production output is achieved in a very small space and that the risk of contamination of the plants arranged in the plant trays is excluded is.

To achieve the object set, a method is characterized by the features of independent claim 1. A device designed according to the method is the subject of independent claim 4.

A preferred feature of the invention is therefore that the method provides that several, parallel conveying longitudinal conveyors are arranged in the plant cultivation device, which has the advantage that the plant trays are no longer arranged in series on a longitudinal conveyor one behind the other. Rather, there are several parallel conveying longitudinal conveyors, so that the production output is significantly increased because the plant trays are conveyed through the plant cultivation device in several mutually independent conveying lines.

The term “parallel conveying longitudinal conveyor” can mean that the longitudinal conveyors are parallel to one another with their longitudinal axes in each case in a vertical and horizontal axis. However, the invention is not restricted to this. It can also be provided that the longitudinal conveyors assume an angle not equal to zero both in the horizontal plane and in the vertical planes. It is particularly preferred if the longitudinal conveyors are designed to be inclined in a horizontal plane. The resulting wedge-shaped conveying channels will be discussed later.

Finally, it can also be provided that the longitudinal conveyors run fan-shaped in one or all of the horizontal planes, which means that the longitudinal conveyors emanating from the operating unit occupy a greater vertical mutual spacing than their vertical spacing in comparison

Transfer area.

In a kinematic reversal of this embodiment, it is possible to keep the horizontal distances between the longitudinal conveyors in the operating area small, so that they extend into the transfer area with larger horizontal distances in a fan shape.

The term “parallel longitudinal conveyor” is therefore to be interpreted broadly in the sense of the above exemplary embodiments. In all the exemplary embodiments, it is preferred if the plant trays are manually loaded and removed in a front operating area which is arranged outside the actual plant cultivation device. The entirety of the longitudinal conveyors is designed in principle as a clocked flow rack that conveys the plants through an air-conditioned growth area in two opposite directions, with a climatically separated transfer area with at least one transfer unit located at the outlet end of the individual longitudinal conveyors, where the growth area ends which ensures a fully automatic transfer and return of the plant trays to the longitudinal conveyor, which is driven in the opposite direction, towards the operating area. Each plant tray is therefore conveyed through the growth area once in the forward direction and once in the backward direction. This results in a compact structure and small dimensions of a plant cultivation device with a high harvest yield.

In another embodiment, it can be provided that the transfer area is not climatically separated from the growth area. They then form an air-conditioned unit.

In addition, the invention does not depend on the feeding and removal of the plant shells in the front operating area being carried out purely manually. In another embodiment, the task and / or removal of the plant trays can be carried out in an automated manner. A loading of the operating area with a robot can also be provided.

It is particularly advantageous that the device works with a total of two, but preferably three, zones which are climatically separated from one another, namely a front-side operating area that is outside the

Plant growing device is arranged, an air-conditioned, exposed and humidified central growth area with the longitudinal conveyors arranged there and a transfer area separated therefrom, in which the according to the invention at least one transfer unit is arranged, which transfers the plant trays arriving in the forward direction to a longitudinal conveyor operating in the opposite conveying direction, which conveys the plant trays back to the front operating area.

The longitudinal conveyors arranged in the growth area are therefore completely enclosed and thus ensure an optimal growth climate, with suitable exposure units being provided in the growth area, which are preferably each arranged on the underside of the longitudinal conveyor. Furthermore, an optimal supply of a nutrient solution to the plant shells is guaranteed. With the given technical teaching, an optimized harvest yield is achieved, because in a very small space, preferably in a container, there are a large number of longitudinal conveyors, preferably arranged in columns and rows, with each conveying channel consisting of a first longitudinal conveyor extending from the front operating area its outlet area facing the transfer area, at least one transfer unit located there removes the plant trays from the first longitudinal conveyor and transfers them to another longitudinal conveyor driven in the opposite direction, which in turn conveys the respective plant tray with the plants planted there through the growth area in the direction of the operating area, so that there is an approximate circulatory system with several conveyor lines of longitudinal conveyors.

A preferred size of a plant tray is given as 60 x 40 cm, and the plant trays are provided with a suitable one in the growing area

Dribbled nutrient solution, the nutrient solution preferably only reaching the plant tray, but not on the plants arranged in the plant trays. All types of plants can be grown, preferably also from plant trays equipped with seeds, seedlings / saplings or plants. The device can also be used, for example, to grow garden cress seeds directly into finished plants (without the intermediate step of externally grown seedlings).

The term “seed” means a tissue structure of the seed plants that serves to spread. The term "seedling" means one from a seed through Young plant that emerged from the embryo germination. The term “seedling” means a young plant grown in a special bed or container

According to the subject matter of claim 2, it is preferred if the longitudinal conveyors are driven cyclically and the plant trays are conveyed through the growth area by approximately a feed length which corresponds to the length of a plant tray in the conveying direction. If one assumes as a preferred example that twelve plant trays arranged one behind the other, each with a broad side corresponding to a conveying length of 40 cm, are arranged on a longitudinal conveyor, the total length of a plant cultivation device used for this is about 550 cm to 600 cm, which is the length of a normal freight container. If one further assumes as a preferred example that six longitudinal conveyors are arranged side by side in a horizontal plane, the result is a preferred width in the range between 400 cm to 450 cm for such a container.

This makes it possible for the first time to design such a method and a plant cultivation device working according to the method as a mobile container that can be set up in shops, supermarkets or presentation areas so that the customers of such shops are able to have one in the service area of one automatic control to open the released flaps in order to remove and harvest a plant presented there together with the plant tray. In this way it is possible for the first time - similar to the automatic baking stations in self-service shops - that an automatic plant cultivation device is available which can be operated directly by the customers of a shop. It is particularly advantageous that the increasing growth height of the plants arranged in the plant trays, starting from the operating area in the direction of the transfer area, can be optimized by now using the respective conveying channel, which is each formed by the longitudinal conveyor conveying in the forward and backward directions wedge-shaped in the vertical direction can. It is preferred if - in relation to the flow channel - the height of the respective conveying channel from the operating area to the transfer area widens in a wedge shape in order to avoid that the increasing height of the plant developing in the growth area collides with the longitudinal conveyor above. This also applies analogously to the return channel, which, starting from the transfer area, can widen in height in the direction of the operating area.

Another preferred embodiment provides that the longitudinal conveyors arranged in the growth area are passively driven. This means that the longitudinal conveyors are not assigned their own drive. The longitudinal conveyors preferably work with conventional conveying means, preferably with a round belt or other means known per se, such as. B. a conveyor chain, a toothed belt or other funding.

This ensures that there are no motors or other drive means in the growth area itself that could interfere with the growth of the plants by leaking oil, hydraulic fluid or other contamination.

In this embodiment, it is also preferred if the drive of the individual longitudinal conveyors takes place in the transfer area separated from the growth area.

There are various embodiments for the arrangement of drive units in the transfer area, all of which are intended to be encompassed by the inventive concept of the present invention.

In a first embodiment it is provided that the at least one transfer unit arranged in the transfer area carries out the intermittent feed for one longitudinal conveyor in each case.

In a preferred embodiment, the transfer unit therefore has a coupling unit which is driven to be movable in the Z-direction (conveying direction of the longitudinal conveyor) and is able to be coupled to the drive shaft of the respective longitudinal conveyor in order to feed this one longitudinal conveyor by one cycle to drive. The transfer unit thus takes on two different tasks:

1. The transfer unit is used to transfer the plant trays conveyed by the individual longitudinal conveyors into the transfer area to another longitudinal conveyor, which conveys the plant tray again in the direction of the operating area.

It is not necessary for the relocating unit to insert the plant tray in exactly the same conveying channel as the plant tray in the

Operating area was promoted. Any other conveyor channel can be used.

The implementation of the plant tray with the semi-formed plant or fruit arranged thereon can be carried out as a function of an automatic control system which z. B. recognizes the growth status of the plant, the developing fruit or the developing fruiting body and other features in order to automatically decide whether the plant tray should remain in the conveying channel or whether it should be moved to another conveying channel that prefers the plant tray in cycles - but with feeds to the operating area again at a different feed rate than adjacent conveyor channels.

A plant growing device for growing lettuce plants is mentioned here as an example, whereby it is assumed that the growing time between the onset of the seedling, which is placed in a plant tray in the operating area and the harvest of a fully developed lettuce plant, elapses, for example, 24 days. A cycle of the plant trays of a total of 24 days is thus proposed, with the fully grown plant being able to be removed by an operator at the operating area on the 24th day. 2. In a preferred embodiment, the relocating unit also carries out the cyclical drive of one longitudinal conveyor selected by the central controller, whereby in a preferred embodiment it is assumed that the relocating unit can be coupled to a large number of longitudinal conveyors arriving in the relocating area

- depending on an automatic control - to be coupled with a single longitudinal conveyor in order to drive this longitudinal conveyor by a certain cycle distance in the conveying direction. After the coupling unit arranged in the relocating unit has been decoupled, the relocating unit can be placed on the drive shaft of another longitudinal conveyor in order to also drive it by one cycle interval in the conveying direction. The air-conditioning separation between the couplable drive of the transfer unit and the longitudinal conveyor can take place in that the transfer-side clutch drive is arranged in an airtight sleeve which is sealed onto the

Drive coupling of the longitudinal conveyor can be attached. It is a sealed coupling such as that used in glove boxes for handling poisonous or contaminated objects.

This results in a particularly favorable construction for a device of the type mentioned at the outset, because all longitudinal conveyors are preferably assigned only a single (convertible) couplable conveyor drive, which is preferably integrated in the converting unit.

In another embodiment, instead of the transfer unit operating in the X and Y directions, separate drive units are also provided, which are either in constant engagement with the longitudinal conveyors arranged in the transfer area or which can be coupled to one or more longitudinal conveyors as required are.

Another alternative embodiment provides that the single relocating unit, which is driven so as to be movable in the X and Y directions, is replaced by a plurality of relocating units of the same type, which are fixed between the outlet end of the a longitudinal conveyor and the inlet end of the other longitudinal conveyor are arranged and are each designed as a vertically facing, approximately U-shaped conveyor unit. These can be lifting conveyors (lifts).

In this embodiment, the respective transfer unit is designed as a mechanical conveyor connection for two longitudinal conveyors assigned to one another.

The automatic control also has the further task of controlling the exposure and nutrient conditions in the growth area.

Especially when rearing sensitive plants, such as B. saffron, mushrooms, berries or lettuce must be varied during a very long growth phase, the exposure conditions by z. B. uses more or less red light with suitable LED lighting arrangements and supplies more or less nutrients to the plant pots.

Gassing can also take place in the growth area without the risk of the gas used escaping from the device, because the growth area can preferably be hermetically sealed from the transfer area and the operating area.

Another advantage of the hermetic separation of the three areas mentioned is that in the event of errors and the necessary troubleshooting in the drive system, the growth area is not impaired, because in a preferred embodiment the relocation area can be accessed through its own access door without an operator entering the relocation area Growth area enters.

The invention is also not dependent on the longitudinal conveyors conveying in the forward and backward directions being aligned parallel to one another. In a preferred embodiment, it is sufficient that the longitudinal conveyors conveying in one direction are parallel to one another and that the in the opposite direction conveying longitudinal conveyor are also aligned parallel to each other.

In principle, every longitudinal conveyor can have a gradient greater than or equal to 0 degrees in the conveying direction, provided that there are no mechanical collisions (e.g. insertion opening for

Plant bowls) are to be visualized. The longitudinal conveyors of one conveying direction can, however, assume a different angle of inclination compared to the longitudinal conveyors of the other conveying direction. This depends on the requirements of the plants to be grown and on the growth conditions.

The approximate circuit described in the prior art according to DE 10343804 A1, which is formed by a single conveyor chain of a longitudinal conveyor, is modified within the scope of the present invention in such a way that the plant trays are transported back and forth from the operating area in the direction be promoted to the transfer area and vice versa be promoted from the transfer area to the operating area. After they are moved in a preferred embodiment by the transfer unit from a lower level of a longitudinal conveyor arranged there to an upper level of another longitudinal conveyor conveying in the direction of the operating area, one can also speak of a U-shaped transport of the plant trays, whereby in the transfer area of a conversion from a lower level to an upper level or vice versa in the form of a lying "U" is assumed. One U-leg of the lying "U" starts at a longitudinal conveyor, the base leg forms the lifting path and the other U-leg starts at the other longitudinal conveyor. The conveying direction is preferably vertical from bottom to top. In another embodiment, however, the conveying direction can also be directed from an upper longitudinal conveyor to a longitudinal conveyor lying below. With a preferred dimension of a plant tray of 600 x 400 x 50 mm, the plant tray is transported along the 400 mm side. The conveying channel formed in each case from two superimposed longitudinal conveyors can, however, have different dimensions. B. a channel with 600 x 400 cm, another channel with 400 x 300 cm or 300 x 200 format.

It is preferred if the longitudinal conveyors each have a gradient greater than or equal to zero percent in the conveying direction. This also results in increasing channel heights within a channel in the conveying direction, which takes into account the growth of the plants during transport (there and back).

In addition, the invention does not depend on the relocation unit being designed to be isolated from the growth area. In another embodiment it can be provided that the partitioning between the transfer unit and the growth area is omitted.

In the following, the advantages and features of the invention are given briefly in several preferred exemplary embodiments:

Brief description of the system areas a) Operating area (manual, optionally automated) - Supply / disposal using plant trays (standard formats, e.g. 600 x 400 mm) as a loading aid

The plant bowl forms a watertight tub with an adjustable maximum fill level

(Removal of excess volume through overflow opening) - abandonment of plant trays with "plant seedlings"

Removal of finished plant products

Optional inclination of the ready-to-use product for emptying the nutrient solution.

Operating elements: lamp and illuminated button (display of empty spaces for refilling, readiness for acceptance of finished products)

Decoupled, asynchronous removal and refilling process Single or multiple feeding of plant trays possible Access to the growth area via flaps / doors / windows Expansion option also automatic removal and refilling b) growth area (passively automated)

Pass-through system with start and end of pass on the same side (front end) ("U-shaped transport") - Passive conveyor elements with incline / incline for continuous transport of the

Plant trays (e.g. round belt / toothed belt / roller conveyor, etc.) Conveying channels with the lowest channel height at the beginning and the highest channel height at the end, increasing channel height in the direction of transport - Optimal arrangement / arrangement of the flow channels for

Flea minimization (alternating low and high canal heights on top of each other - wedge-shaped Z-finishing scheme)

Complete enclosure and creation of optimal growth conditions for plant products (light, temperature, humidity, nutrient supply, C02 supply, etc.)

Circulatory system for the nutrient supply Drip protection with channels between the longitudinal conveyors Channel subdivision into flexible growth zones possible Channels with different throughput times possible - Timed transport carried out through the transfer area (time parameterizable) c) Transfer area (preferably fully automated)

Automatic area within protective fence with access door and emergency stop switch-off

Functionally, the transfer area carries out a transfer from one longitudinal conveyor to another longitudinal conveyor.Optional automatic opening and closing of the growth area on the transfer area side - multi-axis system (X- / Y- / Z-axis) with a load handling device for

Transfer of plant trays into the return channel (intake, relocation, delivery) Load handling device for positioning at the end of the channel, for automatically picking up a plant tray, for relocating to the delivery channel and for releasing the plant trays into the return channel

Drive unit with temporary power transmission for cycling (transport) the passive conveying elements in the growth area d) Technology unit separated from the growth area

Admission of the air conditioning technology nutrient technology

Control technology for the relocation area (software-based system control and operation)

Brief description of the relocating area detailing the preferred relocating unit (multi-axis system) a) Components and preferred example of the structure of the relocating unit

Multi-axis system (X / Y / Z axis)

Movement along the channel gaps (X-axis - travel movement)

Stiffened base frame roughly the width of a duct gap Suspension of the base frame on the ceiling (e.g. via a carriage with guide rail) and on the rear (C-profile with pressure rollers on both sides) of the transfer area Energy supply via conductor lines or energy chains Travel movement, for example via a fixed belt along the travel axis, which is guided by a moving drive sensor for positioning (e.g. reflection marks on the channel construction of the growth area)

Buffers at both ends of the route

The floor of the transfer area zone is completely free (hanging construction) Movement along the channel levels (Y-axis - lifting movement)

Double guide rail on the base frame for a slide-guided pick-up of the load handling device (LAM)

Energy supply via conductor lines or energy chains Lifting movement, for example, via a fixed belt along the lifting axis, which is guided by a moving drive (if possible with a worm gear)

Positioning sensors (e.g. reflective marks on the channel construction in the growth area)

Buffers at the top and bottom

Load handling device (Z-axis - plant tray pick-up / release) Pick-up of the conveyor, the drive unit (for the conveyor of the LAM and a passive conveyor of the growth area), the required sensors and a drip protection

Plant tray transport via belt conveyor (analogous to the growth area) with separate drive

Feed unit for the conveyor drive for the passive growth area (retracted in the starting position in the direction of the transfer area - outwards in the direction of the growth area)

Conveyor drive for the passive growth area for temporary coupling (e.g. claw coupling) to the axis of a passive longitudinal conveyor on the transfer area side, software control of the multi-axis system - optional unit for opening and closing the growth area at

Storage and retrieval of plant trays b) Process for receiving a plant tray from the growth area onto the transfer unit

The prerequisite for a relocation process is that the last place in the return channel (removal place) is free

Positioning of the base frame via the travel drive behind the channel gap to be approached (X position) - Positioning of the LAM via the lifting drive at the height of the channel level to be approached (Y position)

Both movements can be carried out individually or in combination. Opening the growth area if the growth area and transfer area are not enclosed together Check of the occupancy on the conveyor in the growth area Extending the feed unit for the longitudinal conveyor drive to build up the power transmission to the axis of the passive longitudinal conveyor on the transfer area side - Activation of the drive for the longitudinal conveyor in the growth area together with the drive of the conveyor on the LAM in the direction of the transfer area

As a result, synchronous conveying movement of all plant trays on the driven conveyor from the growth area in the direction of the transfer area (on the transfer area side, the first plant tray is at the front, then the second, etc.)

Due to a slightly higher conveying speed of the belt conveyor on the LAM, the first plant tray is conveyed to the LAM faster than the second plant tray and all subsequent ones on the longitudinal conveyor; between the first and the second plant bowl is thus created

gap

As soon as the first plant tray has left the longitudinal conveyor, the longitudinal conveyor drive stops and the feed unit returns to its starting position. The power transmission is canceled.

The second plant bowl is now in the former place of the first plant bowl; all other plant trays have also been transported by about one plant tray dimension in the direction of the transfer area - if the plant tray is completely on the LAM conveyor, the

The growth area is closed if the growth area and the transfer area are not enclosed together

The conveyor on the LAM continues to transport the first plant tray until the plant tray has reached an end stop on the LAM.

This completes the acceptance of a plant bowl from the growth area onto the transfer unit Process for the delivery of a plant tray from the transfer unit into the growth area

Positioning of the base frame via the travel drive behind the channel gap to be approached (X position)

Positioning of the LAM via the linear actuator at the height of the channel level to be approached (Y position)

Both movements can take place individually or in combination. Opening the growth area if the growth area and transfer area are not enclosed together

Check of the occupancy on the conveyor of the growth area Activation of the drive on the LAM in the direction of the growth area This means that the plant trays are only transported on the LAM until the plant tray has reached the conveyor of the growth area. Extending the feed unit for the longitudinal conveyor drive to build up the power transmission to the axis of the passive longitudinal conveyor on the transfer area side

Activation of the drive for the longitudinal conveyor together with the drive of the conveyor on the LAM in the direction of the growth area This results in synchronous conveying movement of all plant trays on the driven conveyor of the growth area in the direction of the operating area (on the transfer area side is the first plant tray, then the second, etc.)

Due to a slightly higher conveying speed of the belt conveyor on the LAM, the plant tray is conveyed faster on the LAM than the first plant tray and all subsequent ones on the longitudinal conveyor; a gap between the first and the plant tray on the LAM is closed. The transport with the longitudinal and LAM conveyors is continued until the plant tray is completely on the longitudinal conveyor.Close the growth area if the growth area and transfer area are not housed together

The first plant bowl is now in the former place of the second plant bowl; all other plant trays have also been transported by about one plant tray dimension in the direction of the transfer area A plant tray that was previously in the penultimate place is conveyed to the "tilted" removal area and largely emptied of the nutrient solution due to the additional inclination. This completes the transfer of a plant tray from the transfer unit to the growth area

The subject matter of the present invention results not only from the subject matter of the individual patent claims, but also from the combination of the individual patent claims with one another.

All information and features disclosed in the documents, including the summary, in particular the spatial configuration shown in the drawings, could be claimed as being essential to the invention, insofar as they are new, individually or in combination, compared to the state of the art. The use of the terms “essential” or “according to the invention” or “essential to the invention” is subjective and does not imply that the features named in this way must necessarily be part of one or more patent claims.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to drawings showing only one embodiment. Further features and advantages of the invention that are essential to the invention emerge from the drawings and their description.

Show it:

Figure 1: perspective view of the plant growing device with removed

Boundary walls

FIG. 2: the perspective view of a preferred plant tray with plants arranged there

Figure 3: View of the operating area Figure 4: Longitudinal section through the plant cultivation device along the

Section D-D in Figure 1

FIG. 5a: Cross section through the plant cultivation device in the direction of section B-B in FIG

FIG. 5b: the representation of an individual conveying channel in the transfer area. FIG. 6: the perspective view of a transfer unit

FIG. 7: Section along the line C-C in FIG. 6 FIG. 8: The clock drive of the plant trays in the plant cultivation device is schematized

FIG. 9: a cycle-feed time diagram during the transport of the plant trays

FIG. 10: Longitudinal section through the plant cultivation device similar to the section according to FIG. 4 to illustrate the wedge-shaped Z arrangement of the longitudinal conveyor

FIG. 1 schematically shows a plant cultivation device 1 according to the invention with the boundary walls removed, with a matrix-like arrangement of individual longitudinal conveyors 9, 10 being provided according to FIG. 5a, which are arranged in rows and columns in the space between vertical channel uprights 19.

The operating area 2 consists of a number of preferably hermetically sealed front flaps 22, 23. When the respective flap 23 is opened, a plant tray 12 with at least one seedling arranged therein can be placed on a longitudinal conveyor 9 conveying in the forward direction.

Conversely, at least one fully developed plant, when opening a flap 22 serving for removal, can convey in the reverse direction from the one that is used for removal Longitudinal conveyor 10 can be removed from a removal point 26 inclined in the conveying direction (see FIG. 4).

The longitudinal conveyors 9, 10 assigned to one another in pairs accordingly each form a conveyor channel 11 which, according to FIG. 1, opens in a wedge-shaped manner from the operating area 2 in the direction of the rear transfer area 4. This can also be seen from FIGS. 4 and 10

Because of this wedge shape, for example, according to FIGS. 4 and 10, the increasing growth of the plants 13 in the plant tray 12 can be taken into account without the risk of the respective plant 13 colliding with the underside of the upper longitudinal conveyor 10.

FIG. 4 shows - in accordance with FIG. 1 - that a total of three vertically stacked conveying channels 11, 1 T, 11 ″ are provided, each conveying channel 11, 1 T, 11 ″ consisting of two vertically stacked and oppositely driven longitudinal conveyors 9, 10 consists. Because of the same, matrix-like arrangement, the longitudinal conveyors of the other conveyor channels are labeled 9 ‘, 9 ″ and 10 ″ and 10 ″ because the same reference numbers are used for the same parts.

FIG. 1 also shows that a technology box is arranged on one side of the plant cultivation device 1, in which one or more air conditioning units, one or more nutrient units 7 with liquid nutrients and preferably a switch cabinet 8 are arranged.

The rear transfer area 4 is accessible via a lateral, rear access door 53. As a preferred exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2 shows a plant tray with the dimensions 400 × 600 × 50 mm, in the interior of which a suitable substrate 14 is arranged, into which the plants 13 extend. The substrate does not have to be a mixture of soil and aggregates. It is also possible in the sense of a hydroponic culture to use a liquid substrate. Overflow openings 15 are arranged in the walls of the plant tray 12 at a certain height above the floor in order to avoid an inadmissible accumulation of nutrient solution in the plant tray 12. As an example, it is indicated that the plant tray is transported in the direction of its narrower broad side in the direction of arrow 16 by the respective longitudinal conveyors 9, 9 ', 9 ″ in the direction of the transfer area 4 and in the opposite direction, namely in the direction of arrow 17 by the longitudinal conveyors 10, 10' , 10 “is conveyed in the direction of operating area 2.

FIG. 3 shows a view in the direction AA from FIG. 1 of the operating area 2, where it can be seen that the operators 5 are standing on a pedestal 24 and each time a flap 23 is opened, the respective plant tray 12, 12a with at least one there Place the planted seedling on the longitudinal conveyor 9 driven in the forward direction. When the flap 23 is closed, the operating area 2 is hermetically sealed off from the growth area 3.

FIG. 3 shows that in the transverse direction a total of six channel gaps 20a-20f are arranged in rows in the horizontal direction, which together with the conveying channels 11, 11 ', 11 ″, which are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction, form a matrix-like structure of the plant cultivation device, as shown on can best be seen in Figure 1. Accordingly, conveying channels 11a-11f, 11a‘-11f ‘and 11a“ -11f ”are arranged in the three superimposed horizontal planes 6.

Accordingly, FIGS. 4 and 10 show a view in the direction DD in FIG. 1, where it can be seen that the longitudinal conveyors 9, 10 are each arranged between channel uprights 19 on the bottom and the longitudinal conveyors 9, 10; 9 ', 10'; 9 ″, 10 ″ form a wedge-shaped conveyor channel 11, 11 ′, 11 ″ opening in the direction of the transfer area 4 in order to compensate for the increasing growth of the plants when conveying in the direction of arrow 16 in the direction of the transfer area 4. This also applies to the longitudinal conveyors 10, which, in connection with the longitudinal conveyors 9 above them, form wedge-shaped widening conveying channels in order to compensate for the increasing growth of the plants 13 starting from the transfer area 4 in the direction of the arrow 17 in the direction of the operating area 2.

The removal of the harvest-ready plants in the operating area 2 takes place in that an inclined removal point 26 is provided at the outlet end of the respective longitudinal conveyor 10, to which the plant trays 12 with at least one fully developed harvest-ready plant 13 arrive in order to do so due to the inclination of the removal point 26 ensure that any excess nutrient solution still flows out of the plant tray 12 and is collected in collecting devices (not shown in detail) on the bottom side of the plant cultivation device 1 and is conveyed in the circulation of the wetting system. It is only shown schematically that in a preferred embodiment, each of the longitudinal conveyors 9, 10 works with two drive belts 27 parallel to one another. It is also possible to provide only a single drive belt 27, the one or more drive belts preferably being designed as a rubber-elastic lacing belt.

In other embodiments, instead of a cord-shaped drive belt, a toothed belt, a chain or other known longitudinal conveying means can also be used. The arrangement of vertically superposed conveyor channels 11, 11 ‘, 11 ″ ensures that the channels in the channel levels 21a, 21b; 21 a ‘, 21 b‘; 21a ", 21b", the upper longitudinal conveyor can allow the nutrient solution to drip off from an upper longitudinal conveyor in the direction of a longitudinal conveyor lying below. Drip trays 59 are provided on the longitudinal conveyor, which prevent nutrient solution dripping from wetting the plants from longitudinal conveyors running underneath.

FIG. 4 also shows that the respective end of a longitudinal conveyor 9, 10 ends shortly before the transfer area 4 (see also FIG. 9) and there is the possibility of To execute the feed drive for the longitudinal conveyors 9, 10 via a transfer unit 30 arranged there. The relocating unit 30 consists essentially of a load-bearing means 29 which is driven displaceably in the X and Y directions (arrow directions 31, 32) and on the upper side of which the respective plant trays 12, 12a can be conveyed.

To establish a drive connection between the load handling means 29 and the respective drive shafts 25 of the longitudinal conveyors 9, 10, a coupling unit 40 is provided in the load handling means 29 so as to be displaceable in the Z direction (arrow direction 33) (see FIG. 7).

Accordingly, the relocating unit 30 performs two different functional tasks, namely relocating the plant shells 12 into different conveying channels 11, 1 T, 11 ″, wherein the conveying channels 11, 1 T, 11 ″ can be one above the other or next to one another.

In addition, the transfer unit 30 carries out the clock drive of the longitudinal conveyors 9, 10. For the purpose of removing a plant tray 12 from the longitudinal conveyor 9 conveying in the forward direction, the load-bearing means 29 produces a non-rotatable coupling with the drive shaft 25 via the coupling unit 40 with the coupling unit 56 on the longitudinal conveyor. A longitudinal conveyor 9, 10 is driven in the conveying direction by a rotary drive in the load-handling means 29. As a result, a plant tray 12 is conveyed onto the upper side of the load suspension means 29.

This dual function makes the structural design of the transfer unit 30 particularly simple, reduces the need for repairs to the longitudinal conveyors 9, 10 and increases the operational reliability of the entire device. FIG. 5a shows a section along the line BB in FIG. 1 through the growth area 3, FIG. 5a showing the type and arrangement of the conveyor channels 11, 1T, 11 "arranged in rows and columns. It is also shown schematically that the transfer unit 30 can transfer a plant tray 12 placed on the lower longitudinal conveyor 9 in the transfer area 4, for example in the direction of arrow 18, onto a longitudinal conveyor 10 serving for reverse conveyance.

It is only shown here that this applies in each case to longitudinal conveyors 9, 10 lying vertically one above the other.

However, the invention is not restricted to this. It can also be provided that a plant tray 12 in a channel gap 20d on a longitudinal conveyor 9 arranged there can be transferred to any other longitudinal conveyor 10 in any other channel gap 20 and channel level 21. In this way, the transfer unit 30 gives complete freedom for transferring the plant trays 12, which can be transferred from any longitudinal conveyor 9 to any other longitudinal conveyor 10.

The choice of the respective conveying channel depends on the plant growth, the presence of pests and other parameters that determine growth, such as light requirements, heat or fumigation requirements and the like, so that, for example, a plant tray 12 can be converted into a longitudinal conveyor 10 serving for reverse transport it can take place that in this longitudinal conveyor 10 the dwell time, the exposure time, the supply of nutrients, the control of plant diseases and the like is given in a special way.

FIG. 5b shows an end view from the direction of the transfer area onto the ends of the longitudinal conveyors 9, 10, which end shortly before the transfer area or - in another embodiment - protrude into the transfer area 4, where it can be seen that the plant tray 12 is on drive belts 27 arranged on the side of the longitudinal conveyor is frictionally engaged so that a cheek profile 58 is present for the horizontal guidance of the plant trays 12.

The cheek profile 58 present on both sides carries the drip plates 59 (FIG. 5b). The drive shaft 25 of the longitudinal conveyor is non-rotatably connected to a coupling unit 56 which, in the type to be described later, is connected to an im Load handling means 29 arranged coupling unit 40 can be brought into a rotationally fixed drive connection.

It is also shown that on the underside of the drip tray 59 of the respective longitudinal conveyor 9, 10 suitable LED lighting units 60 are arranged, which emit light beams 64 in the direction of the plant trays 12 arranged below with the plants 13 arranged therein. The illuminance, light color and direction of illumination are specified individually for each conveyor channel by the automatic control.

The LED lighting units 60 can thus also change the spectral color of the emitted light.

FIG. 5b also shows that in the area of the vertical channel uprights 19 a suitable nutrient supply 61 is provided, for example in the form of drip nozzles, so that the nutrient solution can be applied to the top of the plant tray 12 directly on the substrate 14 without the plant 13 itself to wet.

FIG. 6 shows further details of the relocating unit 30, in which the load-handling means 29 is designed essentially as a load-handling means 29 driven displaceably in the X and Y directions (arrow directions 31, 32) via slides 65, 66.

The vertical base frame 36 is received in an upper slide 65 on which the lifting drive 37 is arranged together with the drive belt 38 for displacement in the Y-axis (direction of arrow 32).

The displacement in the X direction (direction of arrow 31) takes place in that the upper slide 65 is coupled to a horizontal drive belt 55 which is attached to a stationary travel drive 39.

The travel drive 39 is thus connected to the upper horizontal guide support 34. The vertical base frame 36 is displaced on the foot side by means of a displacement engagement on a fixed rear lower horizontal guide 35. The load-bearing means 29 is slidably suspended in the vertical base frame 36 with the aid of supports 43 which engage vertically displaceable carriages 66 and has an upper side on, on which a plant bowl 12 is seated as an example. There are a number of belt drives 42 which are arranged parallel to one another and which are driven by a drive motor 57 shown in FIG. By driving the belt drive 42, the plant tray is thus conveyed away in the arrow directions 33 (Z-direction) from the upper side of the load-bearing means 29 or conveyed onto the upper side of the load-bearing means 29.

In Figure 6, the drive belt 38 for the lifting drive in the Y direction is also shown. In this way, the load handling device 29 can be moved freely in the X and Y directions along the 6-column and 3-row matrix structure of the conveyor channels 11, 11 ', 11 ″, and the coupling unit 40 arranged in the load handling device 29 can be connected to any coupling unit 56 of the respective longitudinal conveyor 9, 10 can be coupled at any point.

Thus, the load handling means 29 according to FIG. 5a can approach any desired longitudinal conveyor 9, 10 at any desired point of the matrix structure and couple with it in a rotationally fixed manner in order to drive it by a certain length feed in the displacement direction.

As an example, FIG. 7 shows a section along the line CC in FIG. 6, where it can be seen that the underside of the plant tray 12 is seated on the belt drives 42 with a friction fit. It can also be seen that the displacement of the coupling unit 40 in the direction of the arrow 33 (Z-direction) thereby takes place that a linear unit 48 is arranged in the load handling means 29, which essentially consists of a drive motor 48 of the linear unit and the drive motor 47 for the coupling unit, which after coupling to the coupling unit 56 of a passive longitudinal conveyor drives it in the conveying direction.

The non-rotatable coupling of the coupling unit 40 on the load-bearing device side with the coupling unit 56 on the longitudinal conveyor 9, 10 takes place in that there is a front compensating coupling 46 on the linear unit 48, which forms a certain amount of movement for the drive coupling 44, which is connected to the compensating coupling 46 via a spring 45 is connected and the coupling cone 52 of which can be positively connected in the direction of arrow 33 to the associated coupling unit 56 of the longitudinal conveyor 9, 10.

A drive motor 47 is arranged on the linear unit, which drives the drive coupling 44 to rotate in the direction of its longitudinal extension, so that when the drive coupling 44 is coupled to the coupling unit 56 on the longitudinal conveying side, the longitudinal conveyor 9, 10 can be driven by a certain conveying distance.

The bottom surface of the plant bowl 12 rests in the area of a support surface 51 with a friction fit on the upper side of the belt drive 42.

FIG. 8 schematically shows an example of the U-shaped conveyance of the plant trays 12 mentioned in the introduction to the description in a preferred cycle operation.

Starting from the outer operating area 2, when the flap 23 is opened, a plant tray 12 is placed on the longitudinal conveyor 9 and conveyed in the direction of arrow 16 in the push cycle 50. A number of plant trays 12 are arranged one behind the other on the longitudinal conveyor. Each plant bowl 12 is symbolically represented by an arrow.

As soon as the plant tray 12 arrives on the respective longitudinal conveyor 9 in the rear end of the longitudinal conveyor, the transfer unit 30 is put into operation and promotes in the direction of arrow 31, 32 the plant tray 12 on the top of the load suspension means 29 and then in any above or adjacent conveyor channel of another longitudinal conveyor 10, which

Plant tray is conveyed in the direction of arrow 17 in the direction of the operating area 2 in the push cycle 50. It is assumed that the in

Backward conveying longitudinal conveyor 10 a free space is available. The exact type of funding is shown in the general description.

FIG. 9 schematically shows, in a greatly shortened representation, a path-time diagram, where it can be seen that a clocked feed is provided and, when a flap 23 serving the task 62 is opened, a plant tray 12 equipped with the seedling is placed on the longitudinal conveyor 9, which is driven displaceably in the push cycle 50 up to position 63. Position 63 is followed by a rest period 54, which is shown in FIG

Embodiment is greatly abbreviated and shown schematically. Appropriate ventilation is provided during the entire delivery and rest period,

Exposure, supply with nutrient solution or other treatment of the respective plant bowl 12 takes place. After the end of the idle time at position 63 'there is another push cycle 50 ‘, which does not necessarily have to be the same as the initial push cycle 50. The delivery takes place up to position 63“, where a rest time 54' follows again. The length of the rest time 54 can differ from the length of the rest time 54 '. After the rest time 54 'has ended, there is another push cycle 50 "from position 63‘ "to position 63" ". This is followed by a further rest period of 54 ".

The whole process, i. H. the promotion in the forward and backward direction can, for. B. take a period of 24 to 48 hours or even several days and continues according to Figure 9 in the manner shown.

In relation to the cultivation of a lettuce plant from a seedling, a total of 11 push cycles and 12 idle times with a cumulative duration of 12 days would have to be estimated from the task until the transfer unit 30 is reached. Then the transfer takes place from the flow to the return channel and then another 12 rest periods and 11 push cycles with a cumulative duration of 12 days as well. The plant tray 12 with the finished plant product would then be at the removal location 26

FIG. 9 shows only schematically the conveyance of a plant tray 12 in the described pushing cycles 50, 50 ', 50 ″ until it reaches the transfer area 4. This is followed by a reverse conveyance with the longitudinal conveyor 10 in the direction of the operating area 2. This conveyance runs in the same or similar intervals as shown in Figure 9 for the forward conveyance.

The push cycles 50 and rest times 54 with respect to the forward conveyance can, however, differ from the push cycles 50 and the rest times 54 with regard to the reverse conveyance.

In a preferred embodiment, FIG. 10 shows the Z arrangement of the longitudinal conveyors 9, 10; 9 ‘, 10 'and 9 ″, 10 ″ in a section through the growth area 3. The growth area 3 is closed between a roof line 67 and a floor line 71. It is separated from the operating area 2 shown on the left and the transfer area 4 shown on the right. In the interior of the growth area 3, longitudinal conveyors 9, 10; 9, 10 'and 9 ″, 10 ″, the right inlet or outlet end 70 of which ends in front of the transfer area 4 in the area in front of a partition 69. The distance 74 between the top of the respective longitudinal conveyor 9, 9 ‘, 9 ″ and the associated longitudinal conveyor 10, 10‘, 10 ″ is preferably 0.10 cm. The longitudinal conveyors are inclined in opposite directions with respect to a horizontal line 68, preferably by an inclination angle 73 of approximately 1.2 angular degrees. The channel height 75 between the longitudinal conveyors at the operating area 2 is preferably 0.55 cm. The channel height 76 between the longitudinal conveyors at the transfer area 4 is preferably 0.35 cm.

The total height 77 of the plant growing device 1 in this embodiment is 280 cm with a total length 72 of 480 cm. Drawing legend

1 plant growing device

2 operating area

3 growth area

4 transfer area

5 operator

6 air conditioning unit

7 nutrient aggregate

8 control cabinet

9 longitudinal conveyor (forward)

10 longitudinal conveyors (backwards)

11 conveyor belt 11 ‘, 11"

12 plant bowl 12a

13 plant

14 substrate

15 overflow opening

16 arrow direction (forward)

17 arrow direction (backwards)

18 direction of arrow

19 channel stand

20 canal column a, b-g

21 Channel level a, b

22 flap (removal)

23 flap (abandonment)

24 podium

25 drive shaft (from 9, 10)

26 removal point

27 Drive belt for travel drive

28 free

29 Load suspension devices

30 transfer unit 31 X direction (carriage)

32 Y direction (stroke direction)

33 Z-direction (coupling device)

34 upper horizontal guide post

35 Horizontal guide on the back

36 base frame

37 lifting drive (Y-axis)

38 Drive belt for lifting drive

39 Travel drive (X-axis)

40 coupling unit (on 29)

41 vertical guide post

42 belt drive (for 40)

43 support

44 drive coupling (on 29)

45 spring (for 44)

46 Compensating coupling

47 drive motor (for 40)

48 linear unit (for a feed rate of 40)

49 Idler pulley

50 stroke cycle

51 wing

52 coupling cone

53 Side access door (of 4)

54 Quiet time

55 Drive belt for travel drive

56 Coupling unit on the matching channel conveyor

57 drive (for conveyor on 29)

58 cheek profile

59 Drip tray with drain on both sides

60 LED lighting unit

61 Nutrient Supply

62 task (of 12)

63 position (in 3)

64 light beam (out of 60) 65 slide (horizontal)

66 slide (vertical)

67 roof line

68 Horizontal 69 Partition

70 expiring (from 9, 10)

71 floor line

72 total length

73 angle of inclination 74 distance

75 height

76 height

77 total height

Claims

1. A method for growing and treating plants in an air-conditioned plant cultivation device (1), in which a number of plant trays (12, 12a) equipped with plants (13), in particular with seeds, seedlings or saplings, are supported by at least one longitudinal conveyor (9 , 10) are conveyed in an approximate cycle from an operating area (2) along a growth area (3) back to the operating area (2), characterized in that several longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) are arranged in the plant cultivation device (1) that the plant trays (12, 12a) are conveyed in that a transfer unit (30) is arranged at the outlet end of the longitudinal conveyor (9) conveying in one direction (16), which transfers the plant tray (12, 12a) from the one in removes the longitudinal conveyor (9) conveying one direction (16) and transfers it to a longitudinal conveyor (10) conveying in the opposite direction (17) which conveys the plant tray (12, 12a) back to the operating area (2) .

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) are cyclically driven and the plant trays (12, 12a) each by approximately one of the shorter length of the plant trays (12, 12a) corresponding conveying length in the pushing cycle (50) promote.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that rest periods (54) are arranged between the cyclical promotion of the plant trays (12, 12a).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) are driven independently of one another.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that alternately only one longitudinal conveyor (9, 10) is driven.

6. Device for growing and treating plants in an air-conditioned plant growing device (1) in which a number of plants (13) equipped plant trays (12, 12a) from at least one longitudinal conveyor (9,

10) are conveyed in an approximate circuit from an operating area (2), starting along a growth area (3), back to the operating area (2), characterized in that several longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) are arranged in the plant cultivation device (1), that promoting the

Plant trays (12, 12a) are carried out in that a transfer unit (30) is arranged at the outlet end of the longitudinal conveyor (9) conveying in one direction (16), which transfers the plant tray (12, 12a) from one direction (16 ) removes conveying longitudinal conveyor (9) and transfers it to a longitudinal conveyor (10) conveying in the opposite direction (17) which conveys the plant tray (12, 12a) back to the operating area (2).

7. The device according to claim 6 for performing the method according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) each driven in opposite directions each form a conveying channel (11, 1 T, 11 ″) which widens in a wedge shape from the operating area (2) to the transfer area (4).

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that at least the longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) of a conveying direction are parallel to one another.

9. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the longitudinal conveyor (9, 10) in each case has a gradient greater than or equal to 0% in the conveying direction and that thereby within a channel in

The conveying direction also results in increasing channel heights (75), which compensate for the growth of the plants during transport (there and back).

10. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the at the outlet end (70) of the longitudinal conveyor conveying in the forward direction

(9) or at the inlet end of the rearward conveying longitudinal conveyor (10) arranged transfer unit (30) is designed as a load receiving means (29) driven in the X, Y direction (31, 32).

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the load handling means (29) is designed as an X-Y slide and / or as an articulated arm robot.

12. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the transfer unit is arranged as fixed between the outlet end of one longitudinal conveyor (9) and the inlet end of the other longitudinal conveyor (10) and as in a vertical direction, for example U -shaped conveyor unit is formed.

13. Device according to one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the transfer unit (30) arranged at the outlet end (70) of the longitudinal conveyor (9) conveying in the forward direction or at the inlet end of the longitudinal conveyor (10) conveying in the reverse direction is a permanently assigned conveyor Connection - hereinafter also referred to as load handling means - two longitudinal conveyors (9 and 10) is formed.

14. Device according to one of claims 6 to 13, characterized in that the longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) are passively driven and that the drive of at least one longitudinal conveyor (9, 10) is driven by a coupling unit displaceably driven in the Z direction (33) (40) takes place on the load handling device (29) in the transfer area (4).

15. Device according to one of claims 6 to 14, characterized in that the operating unit (2) is sealed off from the growth area (3) and that the growth area (3) is sealed off from the transfer area (4).

16. Device according to one of claims 6 to 15, characterized in that the control unit (2) has access to the growth area (3) via flaps (22, 23) which can be opened and closed.

17. Device according to one of claims 6 to 16, characterized in that the longitudinal conveyors (9, 10) are arranged in columns and rows in the manner of a matrix

18. Device according to one of claims 6 to 17, characterized in that it is arranged in a mobile container.