Greenhouse components

Abstract

The present invention relates to a greenhouse module. A greenhouse module is intended to be compact. To this end, the greenhouse module has a block carrier in which at least one stack of a plurality of block carrier elements can be accommodated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a greenhouse assembly. Background Art

[0002] Known greenhouse modules, for example, have a film structure that is arranged over the plant area. To ensure that all plants are evenly illuminated, the greenhouse modules are usually arranged on the farmland. As an alternative to the film structure, glass structures are also used. In either case, the solar radiation must penetrate the plants, so a certain degree of transparency of the flat structure or glass structure is a prerequisite. As an alternative to the fields mentioned above, the greenhouse modules can also span plant tables. In order to be able to care for, water, and harvest the plants, paths are provided within the greenhouse modules on which the plants do not grow or only partially grow. Therefore, the floor plans of such greenhouse modules are usually designed to be very large-scale.

[0003] Another greenhouse configuration is so-called "vertical farming." Here, plants are grown in racks arranged in a hall. The rack configuration creates multiple flat surfaces on which the plants grow. Similar to the greenhouse configuration described above, "vertical farming" requires paths between the racks for care, watering, and harvesting. This results in a certain spacing between the individual racks, which must not be lowered in order to maintain sufficient freedom of movement for care, harvesting, watering, etc. This allows space for larger plant areas on a similarly large layout as in the field described above. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to effectively utilize the available space in a greenhouse module.

[0005] This object is achieved by the features described below.

[0006] The greenhouse assembly has a block cradle (sometimes called a block warehouse) in which at least one stack of a plurality of block cradle elements can be accommodated. The block cradle is distinguished by its very high packing density (sometimes called bulk density or filling density). Depending on the embodiment, the block cradle can be filled with stackable block cradle elements either from above or from below. Plants in all growth stages can be arranged in the block cradle elements. Since the block cradle elements can be stacked, a very high spatial yield is achieved in such a block cradle. In addition, the block cradle can be shielded from environmental influences, so that optimal growing conditions can be created for the plants. A greenhouse assembly designed in this way is thus compact.

[0007] The greenhouse assembly preferably has at least one housing for a block support element, which has at least one supply device and / or at least one data transmission device. The supply device can be used to supply the plants with light, liquid, a nutrient solution, a corresponding atmosphere, or the like, as needed. The data transmission device can, for example, transmit data from sensors, valves, switches, or the like. This data can be used by the supply device to optimize plant growth.

[0008] Preferably, a loading space is arranged below the block support element receiving space. This arrangement allows the block support element receiving space to be loaded from below, whereby the stack of block support elements grows from the bottom up with each new block support element. Furthermore, the stack is disassembled again via the loading space, that is, each bottom-most block support element is removed downward. Gravity causes the block support elements to move, forming a stack downward therefrom. When only one block support element is arranged in the block support element receiving space, it is located in the bottom-most position of the block support element receiving space. This arrangement prevents empty travel, because as long as the block support element is arranged in the block support element receiving space, it is located adjacent to the loading space in the removal position.

[0009] The block support element preferably has a lighting device. The lighting device can be arranged on the underside of the block support element so that the lighting device illuminates and / or radiates light in the direction of gravity. In addition to lighting, the lighting device can also perform heating tasks, for example, illuminating and / or heating stored items, such as plants or light-sensitive objects, arranged in the block support element below the block support element.

[0010] Preferably, the supply device and / or the data transfer device are arranged along the insertion and / or extraction direction. Thus, for example, the block support elements can be arranged at different heights in the block support element receiving space without supply gaps or data transfer gaps.

[0011] Preferably, the support element receiving space includes a bottom support element receiving position and at least one support element receiving position located further up in the direction of gravity, wherein the supply device and / or data transmission device originates from the top support element receiving position and terminates above the bottom support element receiving position. Accordingly, the support element located in the bottom support element receiving position is not supplied with energy. This is also not necessary; the lighting device can be located on the bottom side of the support element, thereby illuminating downward in the direction of gravity. Because no additional support element is located below the bottom support element, the supply and lighting device for the bottom support element are omitted. This arrangement thus ensures that only the support element located above the bottom support element is supplied with energy. This avoids the cost of controlling the support element in the bottom support element receiving position. Furthermore, this arrangement reduces material and assembly costs, resulting in lower costs.

[0012] Preferably, different supply devices and / or data transmission devices are arranged at different corners of the receiving space of the block support element. This can avoid interference between the data transmission device and the energy transmission device. In addition, different safety aspects can be maintained through this arrangement.

[0013] Preferably, the supply device has an energy transfer device. In order to illuminate the plants arranged in the block support element, for example, it is advantageous that the lighting device is supplied with energy. In addition to the lighting device, the energy device can be connected to other energy consumers, such as sensors.

[0014] Preferably, at least one of the block carrier elements arranged in the block carrier element receiving space has at least one counterpart for an energy and / or data transmission device. This device allows energy to be transferred from the block carrier element receiving space to the block carrier in order to supply energy consumers. Possible energy consumers include, for example, sensors, lighting devices, control components, etc.

[0015] Preferably, the counterpart has a compensation device, by which inaccuracies in the positioning of the block support element are compensated, thereby ensuring the interaction of the counterpart with the energy transfer device and / or the data transfer device.

[0016] Preferably, the counterpart has a pressing device. The pressing device presses at least a portion of the counterpart against the energy and / or data transfer device, thereby establishing contact between the counterpart and the energy and / or data transfer device. The pressing device also helps to compensate for irregularities in the energy and / or data transfer device.

[0017] Preferably, the energy and / or data transmission device comprises a sliding rail, and the counterpart comprises a sliding contact. Both the sliding rail and the sliding contact are produced in large quantities, resulting in cost-effective components and keeping the costs of the greenhouse assembly low. Furthermore, the surfaces of the sliding rail and the sliding contact are cleaned, ground, etc. during the storage and retrieval process, thereby ensuring good data or energy transmission.

[0018] Preferably, the counterpart has at least two sliding contacts arranged one behind the other. This arrangement allows at least one sliding contact, and therefore the counterpart, to interact with the supply device and / or the data transmission device. This allows any gaps within the supply device and / or the data transmission device to be bridged. This ensures interaction between the supply device and / or the data transmission device and the counterpart.

[0019] Preferably, the supply device has a liquid and / or nutrient supply device. The liquid and / or nutrient supply device can supply liquid and / or nutrients to the plants arranged in the block support element. As a result, the plants encounter optimal growing conditions, which can promote plant growth.

[0020] Preferably, the liquid and / or nutrient supply device comprises at least one valve and / or at least one storage container and / or at least one pump and / or at least one inflow and / or at least one outflow and / or at least one treatment device (Aufbereitungsvorrichtung, sometimes also called a recovery device or purification device). This arrangement allows the plants arranged in the block support element to be supplied with liquid and / or nutrients. The plants experience such optimal growing conditions, thereby shortening the time to harvest. In addition, the need to regularly remove the block support element from the block support in order to supply the plants with liquid and / or nutrients outside the block support is eliminated. This reduces maintenance expenditure and thus costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 Display block bracket;

[0023] Figure 2 Display block bracket element accommodating space;

[0024] Figure 3 Detailed view showing the mating parts and busbars;

[0025] Figure 4 a schematic diagram showing the receiving position of the lowermost block support element; and

[0026] Figure 5 Displays the corner guide profile. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] A block rack describes a rack assembly with at least one block rack element receiving space. Stackable block rack elements can be stored in and removed from the block rack element receiving space. To this end, at least one block rack element is stored in or removed from the block rack element receiving space via a loading space. The loading space can be arranged above or below the block rack element receiving space in the direction of gravity, so that the storage or removal direction is oriented along or against the direction of gravity. The storage and removal directions are determined by the arrangement of the loading space. If the loading space is arranged above the block rack element receiving space, the storage direction is in the direction of gravity and the removal direction is against the direction of gravity. If the loading space is arranged below the block rack element receiving space in the direction of gravity, the storage direction is oriented against the direction of gravity and the removal direction is oriented along the direction of gravity. If multiple block rack elements are stored in the block rack element receiving space, a stack of block rack elements is formed. Other names for block racks are stack racks or container stack racks. In this embodiment, the block rack element receiving space is arranged above the loading space in the direction of gravity.

[0028] exist Figure 1Figure 1 shows a block carrier 1. The block carrier 1 has multiple block carrier element receptacles 2. Multiple block carrier elements 3 can be arranged in the block carrier element receptacles 2 in a stackable and removable manner. The block carrier elements 3 are transferred into the block carrier 1 via a storage and retrieval area 4 and removed from there. In this embodiment, the storage and retrieval area 4 is connected to the loading space via a lock gate (not shown). The lock gate is in turn connected to the loading space (not shown), which is located below at least one of the block carrier element receptacles. A movable loading vehicle is located in the loading space, which transfers the block carrier elements 3 from the lock gate into the block carrier element receptacles 2. To do this, the loading vehicle removes the block carrier elements 3 from the lock gate by lifting the block carrier elements from below in the direction of gravity using a lifting device, thereby placing the block carrier elements 3 on the loading vehicle. The loading vehicle then travels with the block carrier elements 3 to the block carrier element receptacles 2 where the block carrier elements 3 are to be stored. Once there, the loading vehicle lifts the block carrier elements upward against the force of gravity. If one or more block carrier elements 3 are already positioned in the block carrier element receiving space 2 to be filled, the loading vehicle lifts the block carrier element 3 to be deposited, along with the block carrier elements 3 positioned above it, thereby forming a stack of block carrier elements. Once the stack of block carrier elements has been lifted to a certain height by the loading vehicle, the retaining element (not shown) holding the stack of block carrier elements moves, allowing the loading vehicle's lifting device to be lowered again without the block carrier elements 3. The loading vehicle is now free and can deposit or remove additional block carrier elements 3. During the removal process, only the lowest block carrier element 3 of the stack of block carrier elements arranged in the block carrier element receiving space 2 can be removed. To do this, the loading vehicle positions itself below the block carrier element 3 to be removed and lifts it or the stack of block carrier elements, thereby moving the retaining element into the release position. The loading vehicle then lowers the stack of block carrier elements. Once the stack of block carrier elements has been lowered a certain distance, the retaining element moves back into the retaining position, securing the remaining stack of block carrier elements in the block carrier element receiving space 2. The bottom block support element 3 of the block support element stacking is now arranged on the loading vehicle, which transfers the block support element 3 to the gate assembly (gate). From there, the block support element 3 can be further transported, maintained, repaired, deposited again, etc.

[0029] exist Figure 2, a block support element receiving space 2 is shown. A block support element 3 is arranged in the block support element receiving space 2. Furthermore, the block support element receiving space 2 has at least one corner guide profile 5 with an integrated busbar 6. The block support element 3 has a stacking geometry 7 with a mating element 8 in its corners. Here, the mating element 8 interacts with the busbar 6 when the block support element 3 is stored. The stacking geometry 7 is arranged in at least one corner of the block support element 3 and spaces the individual block support elements 3 apart from one another in the direction of gravity. Furthermore, the stacking geometry 7 can have a geometric arrangement that prevents the stacked block support elements 3 from moving relative to one another.

[0030] exist Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the angle guide profile 5, busbar 6, stacking geometry 7, and mating piece 8. The mating piece 8 may include a compensating device (not shown) and a pressing device (not shown). Furthermore, the mating piece 8 has two sliding contacts (not shown), arranged one behind the other, which interact with the busbar 6 in the stowed state. The busbar 6 and mating piece 8 press against each other. This allows both the busbar 6 and the mating piece to have different phases for current transmission. Depending on the number of phases to be transmitted, the busbar 6 and the mating piece may have two phases, with a positive and negative pole, or, in the case of three-phase current transmission, also three phases.

[0031] exist Figure 4 , where the busbar 6 is arranged in the block support element receiving space 2. It can be seen here that the counterpart 8 of the lower block support element 3 does not interact with the busbar 6. The busbar 6 ends above the lowest block support element receiving position in the direction of gravity. A loading space 9 is arranged below the lowest block support element receiving position. Furthermore, one or more plant containers 10 can be arranged in the block support element 3. Plants in all growth stages can be arranged in such plant containers 10.

[0032] exist Figure 5 , an angle guide profile 5 with integrated busbars 6 is shown. It can be clearly seen here that the busbars are arranged only in the upper region 11. The upper region 11 is arranged above the lowest block support element receptacle. No busbars are arranged in the lower region 12, which corresponds to the region of the lowest block support element receptacle.

[0033] An exemplary process is described below in which the block carrier elements 3 with the plants are stored in blocks in the block carrier and remain there until the plants are ready for harvesting in order to be subsequently removed again.

[0034] The block carrier elements 3 are transferred to the storage and retrieval area 4. From the storage and retrieval area 4, the block carrier elements 3 are transferred through a lock into the loading space 9. From the loading space 9, the block carrier elements 3 are transferred from below into the block carrier element receiving space 2. Accordingly, further block carrier elements 3 are stored in the block carrier element receiving space 2. A stack of block carrier elements is generated in the block carrier element receiving space 2.

[0035] When the block support element 3 is transferred from the loading space 9 into the block support element receiving space 2, the counterpart 8 is introduced into the angle guide profile 5. As soon as the block support element 3 is transferred from the lowest block support element receiving position into the higher block support element receiving space, the counterpart 8 engages in the upper region 11 of the busbar 6. Thus, the counterpart 8 and the busbar 6 interact. The busbar 6 can have an introduction component in the introduction region at the lower end of the busbar 6, which simplifies the introduction process of the counterpart 8 into the busbar 6. In addition, the compensation device and the contact device of the counterpart 8 can further simplify the introduction process.

[0036] As soon as the counterpart 8 comes into contact with the busbar 6, a lighting device arranged on the underside of the block support element 3 can illuminate. The block support element 3 arranged in the receiving position of the lowest block support element does not interact with the energy transmission device, so that the lighting device cannot illuminate at this block support element. This eliminates the need to interrupt the energy supply to the lowest block support element 3, thereby reducing the control and regulation effort.

[0037] Liquid and / or nutrients can be brought to the plants via a supply device (not shown), making manual intervention during the plant growth process unnecessary. Such a liquid and / or nutrient supply device may also include the following elements: at least one valve, at least one storage container, at least one pump, at least one inflow, at least one outflow, and / or at least one treatment device. These elements allow the liquid and / or nutrient supply device to be adapted to the greenhouse assembly. Similarly, the liquid and / or nutrients can be reused via the treatment device.

[0038] Furthermore, greenhouse modules can have a climate control system (sometimes called an air conditioning system) that creates optimal climatic conditions for the plants. This can, for example, accelerate or slow plant growth. Climatic conditions include, for example, air temperature, CO2 content, and humidity.

[0039] The block support elements 3 remain in the block support 1 until the plants are ready for harvest or transplantation. To remove the block support elements 3 from the block support 1, the lowest block support element 3 of the block support element stack is transferred from the block support element receiving space 2 to the loading space 9. From the loading space 9, the block support elements 3 are transferred through a lock to the storage and retrieval area. In the storage and retrieval area, harvestable plants can be removed from the block support elements 3 and the block support elements 3 can be filled with new plants or seeds before being stored again. Alternatively, the block support elements 3 can be maintained or cleaned.

[0040] Reference Symbols List

[0041] 1 bracket

[0042] Space for 2 bracket elements

[0043] 3 bracket components

[0044] 4Deposit and withdrawal areas

[0045] 5-angle guide profile

[0046] 6 busbars

[0047] 7 Stacking geometry

[0048] 8 matching pieces

[0049] 9 loading space

[0050] 10 plant containers

[0051] 11 Upper area

[0052] 12 area below.

Claims

1. A greenhouse assembly, characterized in that: The greenhouse component comprises a block support (1) with a block support element receiving space (2), in which at least one stack of a plurality of block support elements (3) can be received, wherein the greenhouse component comprises at least one block support element receiving space (2), wherein the at least one block support element receiving space has at least one supply device arranged along a storage and / or removal direction and / or at least one data transmission device, wherein the supply device has an energy transmission device with a busbar (6), wherein at least one block support element (3) arranged in the block support element receiving space (2) has at least one counterpart (8) with a sliding contact for energy transmission and / or data transmission.

2. The greenhouse assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that A loading space is arranged below the block support element receiving space (2).

3. The greenhouse assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The block support element (3) has a lighting device.

4. The greenhouse assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The block support element receiving space (2) has a lowermost block support element receiving position and at least one further block support element receiving position arranged above, wherein the supply device and / or data transmission device starts from the uppermost block support element receiving position and ends above the lowermost block support element receiving position.

5. The greenhouse assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Different supply devices and / or data transmission devices are arranged at different corners of the block support element receiving space (2).

6. The greenhouse assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The counterpart (8) has a compensating device.

7. The greenhouse assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The counterpart (8) has a pressing device.

8. The greenhouse assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The counterpart (8) has at least two sliding contacts arranged one behind the other.

9. The greenhouse assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The supply device comprises a liquid and / or nutrient supply device.

10. The greenhouse assembly according to claim 9, wherein: The liquid and / or nutrient supply device comprises at least one valve and / or at least one storage container and / or at least one pump and / or at least one inlet and / or at least one outlet and / or at least one treatment device.

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