JP2002159220A - Plant cultivation equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a profitable plant cultivation device capable of high-density cultivation and having improved utilization efficiency of artificial light sources. SOLUTION: A wall 1 which defines a required space 2 at least partially having light transmittance, and a liquid fertilizer 3a which is detachably disposed in the space 2 defined by the wall 1 are housed. An open-type liquid fertilizer storage tank 3, a plant cultivation stage 4 attached to the opening of the liquid fertilizer storage tank 3, and a plant cultivation stage 4 disposed in the space 2 so as to face the plant cultivation stage 4. A light source panel 10 having a cold cathode fluorescent lamp 5 'for irradiation as a light source, a light source control mechanism 11 for controlling light irradiation of the light source panel 10, and, if necessary, are arranged on the surface of the wall 1 to form a partition. Light reflecting means 1 for reflecting light transmitted and emitted out of space 2 to the inside of space 2
2. A plant cultivation device comprising:

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plant cultivation device, and more particularly to an artificial plant cultivation device for improving the irradiation efficiency of an artificial light source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In vegetable production, seedling raising, plant ornamentation or grafting, plant cultivation means using artificial light sources is widely used for the purpose of saving energy, eliminating pesticides, improving productivity, and saving space. It is being adopted. That is, in natural cultivation of plants utilizing sunlight, for example, fluctuation factors such as the amount of sunshine (for example, lack of sunshine) greatly affect the quality of grown plants or affect the production amount.

On the other hand, in plant cultivation using an artificial light source, the amount of sunlight and the like can be arbitrarily controlled, so that a required growth environment can be artificially created. That is, fluctuation factors such as the amount of sunshine or the length of sunshine can be significantly reduced or suppressed, so that not only can a certain quality be secured, but also plant cultivation can be performed in cold regions or barren areas. In addition, since it is an indoor growth technique, it is possible to produce and supply highly safe vegetables without pesticides, and to provide means for watching.

FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are cross-sectional views showing the schematic configuration of different cultivation apparatuses used in plant cultivation using an artificial light source. 4 (a) and 4 (b), reference numeral 1 denotes a wall defining at least a part of a required space 2 having light transmittance, and reference numeral 3 denotes a wall disposed within the space 2 defined by the wall 1. An open-type liquid fertilizer storage tank for storing liquid fertilizer, 4 is a plant cultivation stage mounted and arranged at the opening of the liquid fertilizer storage tank 3, and 5 is disposed in the space 2 so as to face the plant cultivation stage 4, An artificial light source for irradiating the stage 4 with light, 6 is a reflecting mirror, 7 is a partition plate, and 8 is a ventilation fan.

[0005] Here, at least a part of the wall 1 that defines the space 2 is, for example, a transparent acrylic resin plate, and the space 2 is formed in a box shape. The liquid fertilizer storage tank 3 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.
It supplies the required liquid fertilizer and fresh air. Further, the plant cultivation stage 4 is made of, for example, an acrylic resin plate or a polyurethane resin foam, and has a configuration in which a root portion of a plant to be grown can be inserted and mounted. Furthermore, the artificial light source 5 is, for example, a high-pressure sodium lamp or a hot cathode fluorescent lamp. In the case of the high-pressure sodium lamp 5, a configuration is adopted in which the partition plate 7 is arranged on the ceiling side via a hanging bracket 9 to prevent swinging. In the case of the hot cathode fluorescent lamp 5,
The light source panel 10 is configured in a housing shape, and is disposed above.

[0006] The artificial light source 5 provided in the cultivation apparatus is provided.
For example, hot cathode fluorescent lamps and LEDs are mainly used, and metal halide lamps and high-pressure sodium lamps are also used. Here, as described above, the metal halide lamp and the high-pressure sodium lamp are used by being mounted on the ceiling of a building (corresponding to the partitioned space 2) such as a plant cultivation factory.
The ED is mounted on a shelf-like rack and used to irradiate the plant cultivation stage 4 with light. In addition,
When the hot cathode fluorescent lamp 5 is used as a light source, FIG.
Light source panels 10 each having a structure as shown in a perspective view in FIG.

In FIG. 5A, reference numeral 5a denotes a housing integrated with the irradiation surface 5b, 5 denotes a hot cathode fluorescent lamp mounted and arranged in parallel in the housing 5a, and 5c extends along the inner bottom surface of the housing 5a. It is a reflection sheet arranged in a horizontal direction. In FIG. 5B, reference numeral 5a denotes a housing having an irradiation surface 5b, 5 denotes a hot-cathode fluorescent lamp housed in the housing 5a, and 5d denotes a reflection case arranged along the lamp 5.

[0008]

By the way, in order for the above-mentioned plant cultivation apparatus to be profitable, for example, in the growth or production of vegetables, it is essential to ensure a high cultivation density and increase the efficiency of use of the artificial light source 5. It is. That is,
In making profitable artificial growth and production of vegetables and the like, first, it is premised that high cultivation density or space saving is achieved by installing the plant cultivation stage 4 in multiple stages, thereby improving productivity.

On the other hand, in terms of profitability by shortening the growing period of plants or making effective use of the amount of irradiation light, it is necessary to set the irradiation interval to be relatively small, to perform uniform light irradiation, and to reduce the amount of heat generated by the artificial light source 5. It is desired to reduce the number, to use the light emission from the artificial light source 5 more effectively, and the like.

However, since the metal halide lamp as the artificial light source 5 has a large shape, the space saving is easily impaired because the lamp itself has a large shape, and the high-pressure sodium lamp consumes a large amount of power and has a cost problem in terms of energy. There is. In addition, in order to avoid the radiated heat rays or to secure a uniform irradiation area,
It is necessary to set a certain interval for the plants to be grown, and these points hinder the increase in the cultivation density or the space saving of the plant cultivation apparatus.

When an LED is used as the light source 5, LE
Since D has the directivity of light emission, it is necessary to arrange a large number of them in order to secure a uniform light irradiation surface, and there is a problem that the configuration is complicated. That is, since the wavelength of the light source suitable for growing a plant is composed of two components of red and blue, when the LED is used as the artificial light source 5 for proximity irradiation, not only the LED of the required color is arranged regularly, but also the position. There is a problem in that the configuration is complicated, for example, a means for adjusting the intensity of each different emission color is required.

The hot cathode fluorescent lamp 5 is advantageous for such problems, but has the following problems in terms of space saving or use of the plant cultivation apparatus. That is, the hot cathode fluorescent lamp 5 has disadvantages such as a larger tube diameter and a shorter life than a cold cathode fluorescent lamp, and a complicated lighting circuit because it is a hot cathode.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a profitable plant cultivation apparatus capable of high-density cultivation and having improved utilization efficiency of artificial light sources. .

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a wall defining at least a part of a required space having light transmissivity is provided, and the wall is detachably provided in the space defined by the wall. An arranged plant cultivation stage, a light source panel that is arranged in the space to face the plant cultivation stage and includes a cold cathode fluorescent lamp as a light source that irradiates the plant cultivation stage with light, and controls light irradiation of the light source panel. And a light source control mechanism.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a wall for defining a required space having at least a part of light transmissivity and a liquid fertilizer removably disposed in the space defined by the wall are housed. Open-type liquid fertilizer storage tank, a plant cultivation stage attached to the opening of the liquid fertilizer storage tank, and a cold cathode fluorescent light arranged to face the plant cultivation stage in the space and irradiating the plant cultivation stage with light. A plant cultivation apparatus comprising: a light source panel having a lamp as a light source; and a light source control mechanism for controlling light irradiation of the light source panel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the plant cultivation apparatus according to the second aspect, the liquid fertilizer storage tank is provided with a liquid fertilizer supply and circulation means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the light transmitted and radiated to the outside of the space is reflected on the inside of the space, the light being transmitted to the outside of the space. It is characterized by having light reflecting means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the light source of the light source panel is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp having an outer diameter of 5 mm or less.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the light source of the light source panel is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp having an emission wavelength of 300 to 800 nm.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plant cultivation apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein
A diffuser for cutting an ultraviolet region of 400 nm is arranged on the light irradiation surface of the light source panel.

According to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, at least a part of the wall which defines a required space having light transmissivity is formed of a translucent resin plate such as an acrylic resin plate.
Alternatively, the thickness is about 2 to 5 mm, although it depends on the size (capacity) of the space to be defined and the required mechanical strength. And
The entire wall that defines the space may be formed of a translucent plate. For example, a ceiling surface, a part of a side wall surface, or a bottom wall surface on which a light source panel is disposed is formed of a non-translucent plate or the like. May be. Of course, in forming the required space, a configuration in which the space is appropriately reinforced by, for example, an iron column or the like is also employed.

According to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the open type liquid fertilizer storage tank for storing liquid fertilizer detachably disposed in the space defined by the wall is made of, for example, a vinyl chloride resin, a polyethylene resin, This is a dish-shaped open container made of polycarbonate resin or the like, and its size and shape are appropriately selected and set according to the usage mode and the like. Further, the plant cultivation stage attached to the opening of the liquid fertilizer storage tank is, for example, a perforated acrylic resin plate,
It is preferable to use a foam made of a foam that is easy to infiltrate with liquid fertilizer such as styrofoam resin, air, and the like, and that can be easily planted by an insertion method or the like.

The combination of the liquid fertilizer storage tank and the plant cultivation stage may be, for example, a plurality of plant cultivation stages for one liquid fertilizer storage tank. Also,
These combinations can be arranged in a plane, but when they are arranged in multiple stages, it becomes easier to achieve more space saving or high density cultivation. Further, a liquid fertilizer (or air or oxygen gas) supply / circulation means may be attached to the liquid fertilizer storage tank to promote more effective plant growth.

According to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the structure, number, installation position, etc. of the light source panel for irradiating the plant cultivation stage surface with light are determined in consideration of the partitioned space capacity. That is, the structure of the light source panel is as shown in FIG.
Although the configurations exemplified in (a) and (b) are adopted, a flat shape, a rod shape, or the like is selected according to the area of the plant cultivation stage to be irradiated with light, the required light quantum, and the like. Then, the light source panel is usually arranged corresponding to each plant cultivation stage surface, but may be a partly used arrangement,
It is possible to adopt a configuration that is arranged on the side wall surface in an auxiliary manner. In addition, the distance between the light source panel and the plant cultivation stage surface is generally preferably about 20 to 50 cm.

Here, it is necessary to use a cold cathode fluorescent lamp as a light source of the light source panel. In other words, it is possible to reduce the size of the tube, to easily extend the life and to improve the light emission intensity, and to exhibit many advantages in the plant cultivation means. If a cold cathode fluorescent lamp having an outer diameter of 5 mm or less is used, it is easier to further reduce the size of the light source panel while suppressing heat generation and temperature rise.

The light source of the light source panel has an emission wavelength of 300.
When a cold cathode fluorescent lamp of up to 800 nm is used, more effective light irradiation for plant growth and cultivation can be performed while suppressing heat generation and temperature rise. Further, when a diffusion plate that cuts an ultraviolet region having a wavelength of 300 to 400 nm is arranged on the light irradiation surface of the light source panel, it becomes possible to approach the plant cultivation stage, and more effective light for plant growth and cultivation. Irradiation can be performed.

According to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the light source control mechanism for controlling the light irradiation of the light source panel changes and adjusts the amount of irradiation light or the light quantum with time in association with a sensor or a timer. An automatic control mechanism such as a sequencer may be used. Further, in order to prevent the irradiation light from being transmitted and radiated out of the space where the partition is formed, the light reflecting means arranged on the wall surface and reflecting the light inside the space is:
For example, an aluminum plate or a film (foil), a white acrylic resin plate or a film, or the like, is not particularly limited as long as it has a function of preventing transmission of emitted light. When a part of the wall is made of an aluminum plate or a white acrylic resin plate, the wall can also serve as the light reflecting means. In this sense, the reflection means may be arranged on either the outer surface or the inner surface of the wall.

[0028]

1 (a), 1 (b) and 2
An embodiment will be described with reference to (a) and (b) and FIG.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a schematic configuration of a plant cultivation apparatus according to a first embodiment, wherein FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the entire structure, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows. 1 (a) and 1 (b), reference numeral 1 denotes a frontage having a light transmittance of at least a part of 40 cm, a depth of 40 cm,
An opening-type liquid fertilizer storage tank for accommodating a liquid fertilizer removably arranged in the space 2 defined by the wall 1 and a wall body 3 for partitioning the space 2 having a height of 35 cm. A plant cultivation stage 10 mounted on the opening of the tank 3;
11 is a light source panel that is disposed in the space 2 so as to face the plant cultivation stage 4 and irradiates the plant cultivation stage 4 with light.
Reference numeral denotes a light source control mechanism for controlling light irradiation of the light source panel 10.

Here, the walls 1 on the respective sides forming the space 2 are transparent acrylic resin plates, and the space 2 is formed in a box shape. A reflective member 12 having a reflectivity of about 80 to 97% is adhered to the outer surface of the transparent acrylic resin plate 1 via a double-sided adhesive tape, and radiation light transmitted through the transparent acrylic resin plate 1 is provided. Is confined (reflected) in the space 2 side. In this embodiment, the reflecting member 12 is stuck on the outer surface of the transparent acrylic resin plate 1 in consideration of the possibility of oxidative deterioration of the reflecting member 12 due to moisture. If no problem occurs, it may be attached to the inner surface.

The liquid fertilizer storage tank 3 has a width of 16c, for example.
m, length 25cm, depth 7cm made of synthetic resin,
The publing 13a attached to the tip of the air supply hose 14 connected to the publishing device 13 is immersed in the liquid fertilizer 3a of the liquid fertilizer storage tank 3 to supply fresh air to the liquid fertilizer 3a. Further, the plant cultivation stage 4 is, for example, a white acrylic resin plate having a width of 18 cm, a length of 27 cm, and a thickness of 0.5 cm.

Further, the light source panel 10 has an outer diameter of 2.
A direct type backlight panel in which ten 6 mm cold cathode fluorescent lamps 5 'are arranged and mounted in parallel (see FIG. 5 (a)).
The distance from the four plant cultivation stages is set to 25 cm. The direct-type backlight panel 10 has a diffuser plate 5b forming an irradiation surface and has a thickness of 300 to 400 n.
m is cut off. And
The direct-type backlight panel 10 is electrically connected to a DC power supply 15 with a timer, and the light source control mechanism (inverter) 11 controls the light quantum on the plant cultivation stage 4 to 0 to 500 μmol / sm ² (input power 0). ~ 4
0W).

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a schematic configuration of a plant cultivation apparatus according to a second embodiment, wherein FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the overall structure, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows. 2 (a) and 2 (b), reference numeral 1 denotes a frontage having a light transmittance of at least a part of 180 cm and a depth of 50 c.
m, a wall that defines a space 2 having a height of 120 cm, and 3 is an open-type liquid fertilizer storage tank that stores liquid fertilizer that is detachably mounted in the space 2 that is formed by the wall 1 and that is arranged in multiple stages. Reference numeral 4 denotes a plant cultivation stage mounted and arranged correspondingly to the openings of the liquid fertilizer storage tanks 3 arranged in a multi-stage manner.
A light source panel, which is arranged facing each other at a distance of 5 cm and irradiates the plant cultivation stage 4 with light,
This is a light source control mechanism for controlling the light irradiation of 0.

That is, in the plant cultivation apparatus according to the second embodiment, a pair of the liquid fertilizer storage tank 3 and the plant cultivation stage 4 are arranged and mounted in multiple stages, and the light source panel 10
Are arranged in multiple stages, while the liquid fertilizer 3a of each liquid fertilizer storage tank 3 is supplied by a common circulation mechanism 16 as appropriate. The configuration is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, except that the reflection member 12 is a reflection curtain made of aluminum woven fabric in order to improve ventilation.

In FIG. 2A, reference numeral 1a denotes a wall 1
Metal columns that contribute to the combination and reinforcement of each other, 1b is a partition shelf on which the liquid fertilizer storage tank 3 is placed, 1c is a ceiling plate, and in this configuration, the reflecting member 12 is provided on the inner surface of four side surfaces including the ceiling plate 1c. It is stuck. Here, a part of the wall body 1 may be a transparent acrylic resin plate or a metal plate, and may have a configuration in which a reflective curtain made of aluminum woven fabric is covered to improve ventilation.

In the plant cultivation apparatus according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a light source panel having a hot cathode fluorescent lamp as a light source is mounted, and a wall 1 of each side wall forming a space 2 is provided. Except that the light reflecting member 12 was not adhered to the outer surface of the plant cultivation apparatus under the same conditions (Comparative Example 1,
2) was constituted.

In each plant cultivation apparatus having the above configuration, the power consumption of each light source panel 10 was set at 30 W, the light quantum (μmol / sm ² ) on each of the four plant cultivation stages was measured, and the radiation from the light source panel 10 was measured. Table 1 shows the results of evaluating the light use efficiency.

[0038]

[Table 1]

As can be seen from the comparison of the utilization efficiency of the artificial light source, the plant cultivation apparatus according to each of the embodiments basically adopts the same structure as that of the comparative example while forming the side wall 1 forming the space 2. By providing the light reflecting member 12 on a surface or the like,
Significant utilization efficiency of synchrotron radiation is achieved. In other words, the achievement of high-density cultivation or space-saving of the plant cultivation apparatus and improvement of energy efficiency provide economically advantageous means.

In the above configuration example, the light source panel 10 is also provided on the side wall side in addition to the ceiling hanging light source panel 10 and the configuration of the light source panel 10 is selected so that the light source panel 10 can be mounted on the four plant cultivation stages. It is also possible to partially adjust the change of the photon distribution. In each of the above-described embodiments, the light source panel 10 generally has a configuration in which the light source is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp 5 'in addition to the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). Thus, a configuration as shown in a perspective view in FIG. 3 can be adopted. In FIG. 3, 5
a is a housing having an irradiation surface 5b, 5e is a light guide plate provided inside the housing 5a, 5 'is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp arranged on the side surface of the light guide plate 5e, and 5d is along the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 5'. Reflective case 5c
Are reflection sheets 5f disposed on the other surface of the light guide plate 5e.
Is an electric circuit (inverter) mounted on the housing 5a.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the material of the light-transmitting material forming the wall, the selection of the light wavelength of the light source, the number of multi-stage plant cultivation stages, the omission or combined use of the liquid fertilizer storage tank, and the like are appropriately selected and set according to the purpose or mode of use. be able to. That is, promotion of photosynthesis and formation of an environment similar to growth by natural light are also possible, and appropriate plant morphology such as plant height and leaf shape and size can be formed.

[0042]

According to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, it is possible to easily supply a required amount of light to a plant to be cultivated and grow. A cultivation device can be provided. That is, the achievement of high-density cultivation or the space saving by the multi-stage arrangement of the plant cultivation stages, and the efficient use of the radiation light from the light source panel (reduction of waste) are ensured. A profitable plant cultivation apparatus can be provided. In particular, according to the fifth to seventh aspects of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus capable of easily saving space and reducing an adverse effect on a plant to be grown.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a plant cultivation apparatus according to a first embodiment, (a) is an overall perspective view, and (b) is a partially enlarged sectional view.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a schematic configuration of a plant cultivation apparatus according to a second embodiment, wherein FIG. 2A is an overall perspective view, and FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a different configuration example of a light source panel provided with the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing a schematic configuration of a conventional different plant cultivation apparatus.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views showing different configuration examples of a light source panel included in the plant cultivation apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Wall 2 ... Space 3 ... Liquid fertilizer storage tank 3a ... Liquid fertilizer 4 ... Plant cultivation stage 5 ... Artificial light source such as hot cathode fluorescent lamp 5 '... Cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10 ... Light source panel 11 ... Light source control mechanism 12 ... Reflective member 13 ... Pubbling device 13a ... Publing 14 ... Air supply hose 15 ... DC power supply 16 ... Circulation mechanism

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A wall that defines a required space having at least a part of a light-transmitting property, and a plant cultivation stage that is detachably disposed in a space defined by the wall.
A light source panel that is arranged in the space to face the plant cultivation stage and includes a cold cathode fluorescent lamp that irradiates the plant cultivation stage with light as a light source, and a light source control mechanism that controls light irradiation of the light source panel. A plant cultivation apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A wall defining at least a part of a required space having a light transmitting property, and an open type liquid fertilizer accommodating a liquid fertilizer removably disposed in the space defined by the wall. A storage tank, a plant cultivation stage attached to the opening of the liquid fertilizer storage tank, and a cold cathode fluorescent lamp that is disposed in the space so as to face the plant cultivation stage and irradiates the plant cultivation stage with light is provided as a light source. A plant cultivation apparatus comprising: a light source panel; and a light source control mechanism that controls light irradiation of the light source panel. 3. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the liquid fertilizer storage tank is provided with a liquid fertilizer supply / circulation means. 4. The light reflecting means according to claim 1, further comprising a light reflecting means arranged on the wall surface of the partition to form and reflect the light transmitted and radiated out of the space to the inside of the space. Plant cultivation equipment. 5. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source of the light source panel is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp having an outer diameter of 5 mm or less. 6. The light source panel according to claim 1, wherein the light source has a light emission wavelength of 300-8.
The plant cultivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plant cultivation device is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp of 00 nm. 7. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a diffusion plate for cutting an ultraviolet region having a wavelength of 300 to 400 nm is arranged on a light irradiation surface of the light source panel.