An automated planting system and method for softening cultivation of vegetables

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of softening cultivation of vegetables, and provides an automatic planting system and method for softening cultivation of vegetables, which comprises a planting cave, a fixed door and a movable door arranged at the exit of the planting cave, a plurality of planting racks arranged in the planting cave, a plurality of planting grooves for planting softening cultivation of vegetables arranged on the planting racks, a water supply device comprising a water supply tank fixedly arranged on the fixed door, the water supply tank being used for conveying planting water to the planting grooves through a water supply pipeline, a ventilation device used for controlling the internal temperature of the planting cave, the ventilation device comprising an air conditioner fixedly arranged on the fixed door, the air conditioner being connected with the planting cave through a ventilation pipeline, and a conveying device used for conveying the planting grooves into or out of the planting cave. The present application utilizes the planting cave to plant softening cultivation of vegetables, utilizes the advantage that the temperature and humidity of the planting cave are relatively stable, is more conducive to controlling the growth environment of softening cultivation of vegetables, and can improve the planting efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of softened vegetable cultivation technology, specifically to an automated planting system and method for softened vegetable cultivation. Background Technology

[0002] Softening cultivation is a special cultivation technique that inhibits chlorophyll synthesis in vegetables by creating a dark or low-light environment, thus promoting the formation of tender, yellowed organs. It is mainly used for crops such as leeks, garlic, and celery. Common vegetables grown using this technique include garlic sprouts, leek sprouts, and celery sprouts.

[0003] Existing methods of softening vegetables are mainly used during the cold winter and spring seasons. These methods can be carried out in any location with suitable temperature conditions, often employing poorly insulated plastic greenhouses, small arched sheds, windbreaks, open rooms, cellars, and underground dark sheds. The main problems with these technologies are the need for large amounts of arable land and the difficulty in controlling environmental temperature and humidity, leading to high environmental control costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an automated planting system and method for softened vegetable cultivation. By using planting caves to grow softened vegetables, the invention leverages the relatively stable temperature and humidity of the planting caves, which is more conducive to controlling the growth environment of softened vegetables and can improve planting efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the specific solution adopted by the present invention is: an automated planting system for softened cultivation vegetables, comprising: The planting cave dwellings have both fixed and movable doors at their exits. Multiple planting racks are set up in the planting cave, and multiple planting troughs for planting the softened vegetables are set up on the planting racks; The water supply device includes a water supply tank fixedly installed on the fixed door, and the water supply tank supplies planting water to the planting trough through a water supply pipeline; A ventilation system for controlling the internal temperature of the planting cave includes an air conditioner fixedly installed on the fixed door, which is connected to the planting cave through ventilation ducts; A conveying device is used to transport the planting trough into the planting cave or to transport the planting trough from the planting cave to the outside.

[0006] As a further optimization of the above-mentioned automated planting system for softened vegetable cultivation: the fixed door is provided with an inlet and outlet for the planting trough to pass through, and the conveying device passes through the inlet and outlet. An operating space housing is provided on the outside of the inlet and outlet and is fixedly connected to the fixed door. The conveying device extends into the operating space housing, and the operating space housing is provided with an operating door that can open or close the operating space housing.

[0007] As a further optimization of the above-mentioned automated planting system for softened vegetable cultivation: the conveying device includes an inlet / outlet conveyor and several operating conveyors, wherein the inlet / outlet conveyor passes through the inlet / outlet, the operating conveyors are located on the side of the planting rack, and the operating conveyors are connected to the inlet / outlet conveyor through a transition conveying mechanism.

[0008] As a further optimization of the above-mentioned automated planting system for softened vegetable cultivation: all the planting racks are divided into multiple groups on an average basis, and the planting racks in the same group are evenly distributed along a straight line. An operating conveyor is provided between two adjacent groups of planting racks. The transition conveying mechanism includes a first transition conveyor and a second transition conveyor arranged sequentially from the operating conveyor to the inlet and outlet conveyor.

[0009] As a further optimization of the above-mentioned automated planting system for softened vegetables: the planting rack includes multiple columns, and multiple support plates distributed vertically are fixedly connected to the multiple columns. The support plates are used to support the planting trough. A mesh plate is arranged parallel above each support plate, and the softened vegetables can pass through the mesh of the mesh plate during their growth.

[0010] As a further optimization of the above-mentioned automated planting system for softened vegetables: multiple mounting sleeves are fixedly connected to the edge of the mesh plate, and the mounting sleeves are fitted onto the uprights one by one. The mounting sleeves are fixedly connected to a sensing mechanism, which is used to sense the softened vegetables passing through the mesh.

[0011] As a further optimization of the above-mentioned automated planting system for softened vegetable cultivation: the sensing mechanism includes a light emitter and a light receiver that cooperate with each other, and the light emitter and the light receiver are respectively disposed on the two mounting sleeves. The detection light path formed by the light emitter and the light receiver is located above the screen and close to the screen.

[0012] As a further optimization of the above-mentioned automated planting system for softened vegetable cultivation: multiple columns are fixedly connected to two vertically distributed reinforcing plates, and the support plate is located between the two reinforcing plates. A water supply pipe connected to the water supply pipeline is fixedly installed on the upper reinforcing plate. The water supply pipe is connected to multiple water outlet pipes, which correspond to the planting trough and extend to the top of the planting trough.

[0013] As a further optimization of the above-mentioned automated planting system for softened vegetable cultivation: the fixed door and the movable door are connected by a lock, and when the lock is opened, the movable door can rotate and open the planting cave.

[0014] An automated planting method for softened vegetable cultivation, based on the aforementioned automated planting system for softened vegetable cultivation, includes the following steps: The softened cultivated vegetables are placed into the planting trough; The planting trough is transported into the planting cave using the conveying device and then transferred to the planting rack. The water supply device is used to deliver planting water to the planting trough, and the ventilation device is used to adjust the internal temperature of the planting cave to the target range; When the softened vegetables reach harvest conditions, a conveying device is used to transport the planting trough to the outside of the planting cave.

[0015] Beneficial effects: This invention utilizes planting caves to cultivate softened vegetables, taking advantage of the relatively stable temperature and humidity of the caves themselves, which is more conducive to controlling the growth environment of softened vegetables and thus promoting their growth; by setting up a conveyor device, manual labor only needs to transfer the planting trough between the conveyor device and the planting rack, which is more labor-saving; by setting up ventilation and water supply devices, this invention can provide a suitable growth environment for softened vegetables, thereby improving planting efficiency and the pass rate of softened vegetables. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the system of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of the planting racks; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the planting rack structure; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation method of the water supply pipe and the water outlet pipe; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the screen plate and the sensing mechanism; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the installation method of the conveying device.

[0017] Attached diagram descriptions: 1-Planting cave, 2-Ventilation duct, 3-Air conditioner, 4-Mounting base plate, 5-Water supply duct, 6-Water supply tank, 7-Operating space shell, 8-Inlet / outlet conveyor, 9-Inlet / outlet, 10-Fixed door, 11-Moving door, 12-Column, 13-Reinforcing plate, 14-Support plate, 15-Planting trough, 16-Wire mesh, 17-Planting rack, 18-Water supply pipe, 19-Outlet pipe, 20-Mounting sleeve, 21-Light transmitter, 22-Light receiver, 23-Operating conveyor, 24-First transition conveyor, 25-Second transition conveyor. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, an automated planting system for softened vegetable cultivation includes a planting cave 1, a water supply device, a ventilation device, a conveying device, and multiple planting racks 17.

[0020] The planting cave dwelling 1 has a fixed door 10 and a movable door 11 at its exit.

[0021] Multiple planting racks 17 are set in the planting cave 1, and multiple planting troughs 15 for planting softened vegetables are set on the planting racks 17.

[0022] The water supply device includes a water tank 6 fixedly installed on the fixed door 10, and the water tank 6 supplies planting water to the planting trough 15 through the water supply pipeline 5.

[0023] A ventilation device for controlling the internal temperature of the planting cave 1 includes a mounting base plate 4 fixedly installed on the fixed door 10 and an air conditioner 3 fixedly installed on the mounting base plate 4. The air conditioner 3 is connected to the planting cave 1 through a ventilation duct 2.

[0024] A conveying device is used to transport the planting trough 15 into the planting cave 1, or to transport the planting trough 15 from the planting cave 1 to the outside.

[0025] This invention is applicable to the cultivation of softened vegetables such as garlic sprouts, leek sprouts, and celery sprouts. During cultivation, a closed, dark environment (planting cave 1) is created to inhibit chlorophyll production. Compared to traditional methods using enclosed shading greenhouses, this invention utilizes planting caves (1) constructed on loess cliffs, which is more economical and leverages the relatively stable temperature and humidity of the planting caves, thus better controlling the growth environment of the softened vegetables and promoting their growth. Taking garlic sprouts as an example, pre-treated garlic is placed in a planting trough (15), and planting water is added. Nutrients can be added simultaneously if necessary. The planting trough (15) is then transported to the planting cave (1) using a conveyor device, and then manually transferred to a planting rack (17). During cultivation, planting water is supplied to the planting trough (15) through a water supply device, and the internal temperature of the planting cave (1) is controlled by a ventilation device. This provides a more suitable growth environment for the softened vegetables, thereby improving cultivation efficiency and the pass rate of the softened vegetables. On the other hand, by setting up an active door 11, it is convenient for people to enter and exit the planting cave 1.

[0026] This invention utilizes planting cave 1 to cultivate softened vegetables. The relatively stable temperature and humidity of the planting cave 1 allows for better control of the growth environment, thus promoting the growth of the softened vegetables. Furthermore, by incorporating a conveying device, manual labor is reduced to simply moving the planting trough 15 between the conveying device and the planting rack 17, saving considerable effort. Finally, by including ventilation and water supply devices, this invention provides a suitable growth environment for the softened vegetables, improving planting efficiency and the pass rate of the softened vegetables.

[0027] The conveying device is specifically configured as follows: The fixed door 10 has an inlet / outlet 9 for the planting trough 15 to pass through, and the conveying device passes through the inlet / outlet 9. An operating space housing 7, fixedly connected to the fixed door 10, is located outside the inlet / outlet 9, and the conveying device extends into the operating space housing 7. The operating space housing 7 has an operating door that can be opened or closed. During the process of conveying the planting trough 15 into or out of the planting cave 1 using the conveying device, the operator can open the operating door and move the planting trough 15 within the operating space housing 7. Simultaneously, the movable door 11 can remain closed. At this time, the planting cave 1 is connected to the external environment only by a small opening in the operating door, preventing drastic changes in the internal environment of the planting cave 1 and thus avoiding adverse effects on the softened vegetables cultivated within the planting cave 1.

[0028] The specific structure of the conveying device is as follows: the conveying device includes an inlet / outlet conveyor 8 and several operating conveyors 23, wherein the inlet / outlet conveyor 8 passes through the inlet / outlet 9, and the operating conveyors 23 are located on the side of the planting rack 17. The operating conveyors 23 are connected to the inlet / outlet conveyor 8 through a transition conveying mechanism. More specifically, both the inlet / outlet conveyor 8 and the operating conveyors 23 can be configured as belt conveyors or roller conveyors, which are conventional technologies and will not be elaborated further here.

[0029] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 and Figure 6As shown, all planting racks 17 are evenly divided into multiple groups, with each group's planting racks 17 evenly distributed along a straight line. An operating conveyor 23 is installed between adjacent groups of planting racks 17, and a distance is maintained between the operating conveyor 23 and the planting racks 17 to provide space for workers to transfer planting troughs 15 between the operating conveyor 23 and the planting racks 17. The transition conveyor mechanism includes a first transition conveyor 24 and a second transition conveyor 25, arranged sequentially from the operating conveyor 23 to the inlet / outlet conveyor 8. The first transition conveyor 24 is arc-shaped and can be a roller conveyor, while the second transition conveyor 25 is straight and can be a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor. The planting troughs 15 removed from the planting racks 17 are first transferred to the operating conveyor 23, then conveyed by the operating conveyor 23 to the first transition conveyor 24, then transferred from the first transition conveyor 24 to the second transition conveyor 25, and finally transferred from the second transition conveyor 25 to the inlet / outlet conveyor 8 and into the operating space. Conversely, the planting troughs 15 transported into the planting cave 1 are transported in the reverse order, which will not be described in detail here.

[0030] Furthermore, multiple planting racks 17 share a second transition conveyor 25, and the multiple planting racks 17 can be divided into at least two parts. The growth progress of the softened vegetables on the planting racks 17 in different parts is different, so that softened vegetables can be continuously produced in batches. In this way, a certain number of planting troughs 17 can be transferred each time, avoiding frequent switching of the conveying direction of the conveying device and making it easier to control.

[0031] The specific structure of the planting rack 17 is as follows: The planting rack 17 includes multiple uprights 12, which are fixedly connected to multiple vertically distributed support plates 14. The support plates 14 support the planting trough 15. A mesh plate 16 is arranged parallel above each support plate 14, allowing the softened vegetables to pass through the mesh of the mesh plate 16 during growth. For softened vegetables such as garlic sprouts and leek sprouts, which grow to a certain height, their soft texture causes them to tip over after reaching a certain length, affecting both the final product's appearance and subsequent packaging and transportation. To solve this problem, the present invention provides a mesh plate 16 above the planting trough 15. After the softened vegetables grow to a certain length, their tops pass through the mesh of the mesh plate 16, where they are restrained by the edge of the mesh, preventing them from tipping over to the side. This ensures the softened vegetables remain upright, thus guaranteeing the final product's appearance and reducing the difficulty of subsequent packaging. In addition, the present invention can solve the problem of vegetables tipping over when softened by simply setting up the mesh plate 16. The structure is simple, easier to install, and the cost is lower.

[0032] The mesh panel 16 is specifically set up on the planting rack 17 as follows: multiple mounting sleeves 20 are fixedly connected to the edge of the mesh panel 16. Each mounting sleeve 20 is fitted onto the upright column 12. A sensing mechanism is fixedly connected to each mounting sleeve 20. This sensing mechanism is used to sense the softened vegetables passing through the mesh openings. By setting up the sensing mechanism, after the softened vegetables reach a certain length and pass through the mesh openings, the part of the softened vegetables that has passed through the mesh openings can be detected, thus determining that this part of the softened vegetables is nearing maturity and ready for harvest. Furthermore, by combining the time when the softened vegetables begin planting with the time it takes for the upper part of the softened vegetables to pass through the mesh openings, the growth rate of the softened vegetables can be estimated. This allows for a determination of whether the environment inside the planting cave 1 is suitable for the growth of the softened vegetables. If it is unsuitable, the environment can be adjusted through a ventilation device to prevent the softened vegetables from growing too slowly or even failing to meet standards due to an unfavorable environment.

[0033] like Figure 5 As shown, the specific structure of the sensing mechanism is as follows: the sensing mechanism includes a light emitter 21 and a light receiver 22 that cooperate with each other, and the light emitter 21 and the light receiver 22 are respectively disposed on two mounting sleeves 20. The detection light path formed by the light emitter 21 and the light receiver 22 is located above and close to the mesh plate 16. In use, the light emitter 21 can intermittently emit a detection beam to the light receiver 22. If the detection light path of the detection beam is blocked by the softened cultivated vegetables passing through the mesh, it indicates that the softened cultivated vegetables are close to maturity. By placing the light emitter 21 and the light receiver 22 at diagonal positions on the mesh plate 16, the detection light path can be extended and the number of light emitters 21 and light receivers 22 can be reduced, thereby reducing costs. In addition, compared with the conventional method of using a camera to photograph the softened cultivated vegetables to determine their growth status, the sensing method of the present invention using a sensing mechanism does not require large-scale supplemental lighting, which can avoid adverse effects on the softened cultivated vegetables.

[0034] like Figure 4 As shown, the specific method of water delivery for planting is as follows: multiple columns 12 are fixedly connected to two vertically distributed reinforcing plates 13, and a support plate 14 is located between the two reinforcing plates 13. A water supply pipe 18 connected to the water supply pipeline 5 is fixedly installed on the upper reinforcing plate 13. The water supply pipe 18 is connected to multiple water outlet pipes 19. The water outlet pipes 19 correspond to the planting trough 15 and extend to the top of the planting trough 15.

[0035] The fixed door 10 and the movable door 11 are specifically configured as follows: the fixed door 10 and the movable door 11 are connected by a lock. When the lock is opened, the movable door 11 can rotate and open the planting cave 1.

[0036] The present invention further provides an automated planting method for softened cultivation vegetables, based on the above-mentioned automated planting system for softened cultivation vegetables, the method comprising S1 to S4.

[0037] S1. Place the softened vegetables into the planting trough 15.

[0038] S2. The planting trough 15 is transported into the planting cave 1 using a conveying device and then transferred to the planting rack 17.

[0039] S3. Use a water supply device to deliver planting water to the planting trough 15, and use a ventilation device to adjust the internal temperature of the planting cave 1 to the target range.

[0040] S4. When the softened vegetables reach the harvest conditions, the planting trough 15 is transported to the outside of the planting cave 1 using a conveying device.

[0041] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An automated planting system for softened vegetable cultivation, characterized in that, include: The planting cave (1) has a fixed door (10) and a movable door (11) at its exit. Multiple planting racks (17) are set in the planting cave (1), and multiple planting troughs (15) for planting the softened cultivated vegetables are set on the planting racks (17). The water supply device includes a water supply tank (6) fixedly installed on the fixed door (10), and the water supply tank (6) supplies planting water to the planting trough (15) through the water supply pipeline (5); A ventilation device for controlling the internal temperature of the planting cave (1) includes an air conditioner (3) fixedly installed on the fixed door (10), and the air conditioner (3) is connected to the planting cave (1) through a ventilation duct (2); A conveying device is used to convey the planting trough (15) into the planting cave (1) or to convey the planting trough (15) from the planting cave (1) to the outside.

2. The automated planting system for softened cultivation vegetables as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed door (10) has an inlet and outlet (9) for the planting trough (15) to pass through, and the conveying device passes through the inlet and outlet (9). An operating space housing (7) is fixedly connected to the fixed door (10) on the outside of the inlet and outlet (9), and the conveying device extends into the operating space housing (7). The operating space housing (7) is provided with an operating door that can open or close the operating space housing (7).

3. The automated planting system for softened cultivation vegetables as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The conveying device includes an inlet / outlet conveyor (8) and several operating conveyors (23), wherein the inlet / outlet conveyor (8) passes through the inlet / outlet (9), and the operating conveyors (23) are located on the side of the planting rack (17). The operating conveyors (23) are connected to the inlet / outlet conveyor (8) through a transition conveying mechanism.

4. The automated planting system for softened cultivation vegetables as described in claim 3, characterized in that, All the planting racks (17) are divided into multiple groups on average. The planting racks (17) in the same group are evenly distributed along a straight line. An operating conveyor (23) is set between two adjacent groups of planting racks (17). The transition conveyor mechanism includes a first transition conveyor (24) and a second transition conveyor (25) arranged sequentially from the operating conveyor (23) to the inlet and outlet conveyor (8).

5. The automated planting system for softened cultivation vegetables as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The planting rack (17) includes multiple columns (12), and multiple support plates (14) are fixedly connected to the columns (12). The support plates (14) are used to support the planting trough (15). A mesh plate (16) is arranged parallel above each support plate (14). The softened cultivated vegetables can pass through the mesh of the mesh plate (16) during their growth.

6. The automated planting system for softened cultivation vegetables as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Multiple mounting sleeves (20) are fixedly connected to the edge of the mesh plate (16). The mounting sleeves (20) are fitted onto the column (12) one by one. The mounting sleeves (20) are fixedly connected to a sensing mechanism, which is used to sense the softened cultivated vegetables passing through the mesh.

7. The automated planting system for softened cultivation vegetables as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The sensing mechanism includes a light emitter (21) and a light receiver (22) that cooperate with each other, and the light emitter (21) and the light receiver (22) are respectively disposed on the two mounting sleeves (20). The detection light path formed by the light emitter (21) and the light receiver (22) is located above and close to the screen plate (16).

8. The automated planting system for softened cultivation vegetables as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Multiple columns (12) are fixedly connected to two vertically distributed reinforcing plates (13), and the support plate (14) is located between the two reinforcing plates (13). A water supply pipe (18) connected to the water supply pipeline (5) is fixedly installed on the upper reinforcing plate (13). The water supply pipe (18) is connected to multiple water outlet pipes (19). The water outlet pipes (19) correspond to the planting trough (15) and extend to the top of the planting trough (15).

9. The automated planting system for softened cultivation vegetables as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed door (10) and the movable door (11) are connected by a lock. When the lock is opened, the movable door (11) can rotate and open the planting cave (1).

10. An automated planting method for softened cultivation vegetables, characterized in that, Based on the automated planting system for softened cultivation vegetables as described in any one of claims 1-9, the method includes the following steps: The softened cultivated vegetables are placed into the planting trough (15); The planting trough (15) is transported into the planting cave (1) using the conveying device and then transferred to the planting rack (17); The water supply device is used to deliver water for planting to the planting trough (15), and the ventilation device is used to adjust the internal temperature of the planting cave (1) to the target range. When the softened cultivated vegetables reach the harvest conditions, the planting trough (15) is transported to the outside of the planting cave (1) using a conveying device.

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